San Bernardino · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Bernardino public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Immigration enforcement resolutions (Items 17 & 18)
Roughly a dozen speakers from CHIRLA, PEOC, the ACLU-adjacent community, and San Bernardino Community Service Center urged the council to bring forward a pro-immigrant resolution developed with community organizations, citing fear from ICE enforcement activity near schools and hospitals. No resolution was on this agenda.
YMCA of the East Valley Lease
A 25-year lease keeps the San Bernardino Family YMCA at 808 E. 21st Street operating, with the YMCA planning facility investments now that it has long-term tenure.
Boston Dynamics Public Safety Robot Purchase
The city is buying a Boston Dynamics SPOT robot for up to $370,973 for public safety use — a notable tech purchase on consent.
Litigation settlements totaling $583,500
The council settled four lawsuits against the city for a combined $583,500, all approved unanimously in closed session. Residents won't see this on any agenda line item, but it's real money coming from the city's liability exposure.
Elected officials' compensation
A new pay plan for top city staff includes a 3.5% cost-of-living increase — and a contested $29,000 raise for the police chief. It passed over one no vote.
Measure I Street and Safety Projects
The city has 557 miles of streets averaging a condition score of 51 (benchmark is 65), and the new three-year plan only fixes about 66 miles. Council members from multiple wards said their worst streets were missing from the map and there's no money for years two and three.
Speicher Park Ballfields Contingency Increase
A proposed $1.3 million boost to the contingency budget for the Speicher Park ballfields, bringing it to about $2.04 million, signals rising project costs for a Ward 2 park.
Joint Powers Authority Creation
The council quietly created a new joint powers authority between the city and the Housing Authority to finance public capital improvements. It's a financing tool that could matter for future big projects.
Homelessness services and nonprofit contracting accountability
The council added $86,880 to the Navigation Center modular contract, approved a new interim housing provider with $400,000 in state encampment funding, and reported 222 people served in October — but the facility's opening slipped to early-to-mid 2027.
Camping ban on public property
The council adopted stricter rules on camping in public streets and parks, replacing Chapter 12.98 of the municipal code. Supporters say it protects public access and safety; the ACLU spoke against it, calling it criminalization of poverty.
Calles dañadas y mantenimiento de calles
The city has 557 miles of streets averaging a condition score of 51 (benchmark is 65), and the new three-year plan only fixes about 66 miles. Council members from multiple wards said their worst streets were missing from the map and there's no money for years two and three.
Camping ordinance on public streets and parks
The council adopted the camping ordinance restricting encampments on streets and parks; one written commenter objected that it criminalizes poverty.
Shandin Hills Golf Course management and audit
A year after residents began pressing for accountability at the city-owned golf course, the council approved Phase II financial review procedures (up to $136,500) and expanded the citywide audit. Residents say the course was closed on a day other courses were open, $120,000 in transfers can't be traced, and the course is bleeding money.
Surplus Land Disposition Framework
The city will market 27 cleared surplus properties to developers for infill and market-rate housing. It passed 6-1 after a fight over transparency — Councilmember Ortiz wanted the RFP template, a lobbying quiet period, and a formal policy before anything goes out.
HoHo Parade fee waiver and park conditions
The council waived $5,545.26 in fees for the 14th Annual Community HoHo Parade; a school principal testified that volunteers and organizers fund the tradition out of pocket. Councilmember Ibarra also flagged broken lights and restrooms at Nunez Park.
SB HOPE Campus funding reallocation
The Navigation Center's modular units arrive next week; the project is now $33.1 million with about $1.2 million unspent, and doors are expected in late Q1/early Q2 2027 — with operating cost negotiations with Helping Hearts still underway.
Three-year pavement work plan
The city will repave about 66 residential miles over three years using fiber-reinforced asphalt that lasts longer — but that leaves roughly $11 million unfunded in year three and a total backlog near $600 million. Council members from several wards complained their worst streets aren't on the map yet.
County Election Results
San Bernardino County election results are coming in, and the big races could reshuffle who runs local government. The outcomes will shape county priorities and leadership—so if you care about local services, budgets, or power, this is worth watching.
Meyers Creek flooding and sedimentation
Verdemont-area flooding and sediment problems persist; fixes cost $25 million (storm drain) or $64.1 million (debris basin and channel), with county partnership and grant potential for the larger option.
FY 2026-27 city budget and capital plan
Roughly 11 capital projects are proposed for deferral and 12 for reduced funding, about $15.1 million total, due to staff capacity and budget pressure. Council members flagged City Hall renovation and Tom Malaney Park and asked staff to bring back options.
University Parkway Median Landscaping
A $1.1 million streetscaping contract sparked debate over whether public funds are being used efficiently when everyday neighborhood streets and lights need urgent repairs.
Animal control underfunding
Speaker Lidia Zavala challenged the city's shelter data and noted animal services spending has grown from $2.3 million to $9.7 million in five years, demanding a plan and accountability.
Speed hump policy
Eight intersections in Wards 1, 2, 4 and 5 are getting stop control to improve safety.
ABC license upgrade at Palm Avenue truck service station
A request to upgrade the convenience store's alcohol license from beer-and-wine to general off-sale was pushed to November 10 so the commission can consider it fully.
Privacy and neighborhood impacts of three-story multifamily development
The city had to update its local rules to match new state laws on backyard granny flats and garage conversions, sparking major resident and council pushback over lost parking, increased density, and a lack of local enforcement against illegal building.
Pedestrian safety at Highland Avenue intersection
Family and friends of 15-year-old Raylen Ayala, killed September 1 at Highland and Guthrie, urged the city to run a rigorous 24-hour traffic and pedestrian count with peak-window analysis before another life is lost.
Alcohol sales conditions at Waterman Avenue convenience store
The commission let a Waterman Avenue store update its alcohol conditions to match changing industry packaging — allowing any-size factory multi-packs instead of six-packs only — citing low area crime stats and no policing issues.
Vacant and abandoned building registration
Councilmember Knaus's proposal would require registration of vacant properties, mandatory maintenance, and progressive fees to fight blight.
Future of the animal shelter facility and contract cities
The city is terminating its off-site shelter lease with Casa Ramona while the Waterman Avenue shelter faces a month-long access restriction starting February 9. A resident praised the mayor's shelter visit and begged the council to plan sustainable, humane shelter operations.
Water-Efficient Landscaping Standards (Ordinance MC-1669)
The city's landscaping development rules were up for an update to comply with state water-efficiency law (SB 1383/MWELO). This affects what new developments must plant and irrigate citywide.
Independent financial process assessment
Councilmembers Knaus, Ortiz, and Shorett renewed calls for a forensic audit of city finances; staff will bring back within 60 days what type of audit is appropriate and which firms could perform it.
Homeless drop-off notification and vacant property ordinances
The Redlands Boulevard facility's operator did extensive unpermitted construction and ran recuperative care without authorization. The commission moved to schedule a revocation hearing after the applicant missed repeated permit-resubmittal deadlines.
Feldheym Central Library improvement project
A $10.2 million renovation of the Feldheym Library moved forward with an $8.3 million construction contract — ADA upgrades, backup power, HVAC, security. Most is state grant money, but the council had to find $3.8 million locally and chose the Measure S fund balance over cutting other park and street projects.
New Revenue from Industrial and Logistics Sector
The council greenlit a feasibility study on making the logistics industry pay its fair share for streets and community services — with a warning not to tax businesses out of town.
Waterman Avenue Landscaping Improvements
One of the city's main corridors finally gets a landscaping facelift — the council approved the conceptual plan, already fully funded.