City of San Bernardino
201 North E Street
San Bernardino, CA 92401
http://www.sbcity.org
DRAFT MINUTES
FOR THE
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ACTING AS
THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN
BERNARDINO ACTING AS THE SUCCESSOR HOUSING AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ACTING AS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, AND MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ACTING AS THE SAN BERNARDINO JOINT POWERS FINANCING
AUTHORITY
FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2025
5:30 PM
The Special Meeting of the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino was called to order at 5:37 PM by Mayor Pro Tem Juan Figueroa on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Board Room 201 N. E Street, 3rd Floor, San Bernardino, CA.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Shorett led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
CALL TO ORDER
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Theodore Sanchez Council Member, Ward 1 Present
Sandra Ibarra Council Member, Ward 2 Present
Juan Figueroa Mayor Pro-Tem, Ward 3 Present
Fred Shorett Council Member, Ward 4 Present
Kim Knaus Council Member, Ward 5 Present
Mario Flores Council Member, Ward 6 Late 9:01 P.M.
Dr. Treasure Ortiz Council Member, Ward 7 Absent
Helen Tran Mayor Absent
Bill Gallardo Interim City Manager Absent
Albert Maldonado Assistant City Attorney Present
Telicia Lopez Acting City Clerk Present
Perla Lopez Deputy City Clerk Present
Mayor Helen Tran
Council Members
Theodore Sanchez
Sandra Ibarra
Juan Figueroa
Fred Shorett
Kim Knaus
Mario Flores
Dr. Treasure Ortiz
Special Meeting Draft Minutes April 25, 2025
Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 2 5:30 P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS LISTED ON THE AGENDA
Stephanie Livians emphasized the importance of involving all eight members of the City Council in the selection of a new city manager.
David Friedman expressed concerns about the city's leadership and transparency.
Fay Aldridge expressed frustration over the absence of her elected representative and questioned the necessity of proceeding without all council members present.
John Shollenberger voiced strong opposition to the council's decision to proceed with a city manager interview session without the full participation of all council members.
Joe South of the Fourth Ward expressed concerns about the city's leadership and transparency.
Arthur Anderson e xpressed displeasure over the council's decision to hold a special meeting.
Tiana Lopez requested the cancellation and rescheduling of the meeting to ensure the presence of all parties involved.
Julia Stouter emphasized that all business owners in the area needed more support and suggested that the city's leadership could improve by ensuring full attendance at meetings and reconsidering scheduling choices.
Christian Shaughnessy expressed concern over the City Council's decision to proceed with a city manager interview session without the full participation of all council members, including the mayor.
Mr. Davis emphasized that the public deserved open, inclusive representation and questioned how the city could expect to make the right decision with only five out of eight officials present
Eric Marquez urged the council to select a competent city manager.
Special Meeting Draft Minutes April 25, 2025
Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 3
At 6:06 PM the Mayor and City Council convened into closed session.
CLOSED SESSION
A) PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957) City Manager (Interviews)
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Assistant City Attorney Albert Maldonado stated that there was no reportable action.
Mayor Pro Tem Figueroa made a statement pertaining to the recruitment process on behalf of the council:
The City of San Bernardino has been without a permanent city manager for almost 12 months. This process has not been rushed . Every step has been deliberate, lawful, and carefully considered. This is not a secret meeting. While the meeting is confidential, that confidentiality exists to ensure fairness and integrity for all candidates involved. We owe them that level of professionalism and respect . E very council member has had the opportunity to thoroughly review all candidates . The council made the right decision to move the process forward in service to the community . We understand that timing may not be ideal , but the mayor and city council have a duty to see this process through .
Delaying this decision would mean pushing it back five weeks increasing the risk of losing highly qualified candidates . That is a risk the community cannot afford . In the spirit of transparency , we want to be clear this decision was not about sidelining or hurting any member of this body. It was about fulfilling our responsibility . The council had a job to do, and we are doing it.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting of the Mayor and City Council was adjourned on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 9:34 PM.
The next joint Special meeting of the Mayor and City Council and the Mayor and City Council Acting as the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency will be held on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the Board Room located at 201 North E Street, 3rd floor San Bernardino California 92401. Closed session will begin at 5:30 P.M.
By: Telicia Lopez
Telicia Lopez, CMC, Acting City Clerk