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
THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025
5:30PM
The Special Meeting of the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino was called to order at 5:30 PM by Mayor Helen Tran on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Feldheym Public Library, located at 555 West 6th Street, San Bernardino, 92410.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Mario Flores 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 Late 6:07 PM
Juan Figueroa Mayor Pro-Tem, Ward 3 Present
Fred Shorett Council Member, Ward 4 Present
Kim Knaus Council Member, Ward 5 Late 5:35 PM
Mario Flores Council Member, Ward 6 Present
Dr. Treasure Ortiz Council Member, Ward 7 Present
Helen Tran Mayor Present
Bill Gallardo Interim City Manager Present
Jason Baltimore 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 May 22, 2025
Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 2 Special Meeting Draft Minutes May 22, 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
Scott Olson, San Bernardino resident, discussed the community garden in San Bernardino and the site’s potential and need for basic improvements. He asked the city to invest in and expand garden spaces.
Erick Marquez spoke on the increased funding for code enforcement and community gardens, citing concerns about fireworks enforcement above the 210 freeway and the need to support local garden sites.
Natalia Saca, regional policy advocate with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), urged the city to include immigrant communities in the budget by funding legal services, expanding language access, improving public safety, and supporting community cleanups.
DISCUSSION
1) Fiscal Year 2025/26 Budget Workshop #2 (All Wards)
Interim City Manager Bill Gallardo, Interim Director of Finance & Management Services Jeannie Fortune, Budget Division Manager Zuyva Ruiz, and Deputy Director City Engineer Azzam Jabsheh gave a presentation to the Mayor and City Council.
The Mayor and City Council discussed various departmental line items, including community gardens, the police department’s staffing needs, and the youth grant. They reviewed sales tax projections, planning and permitting concerns, and the reorganization of Economic Development into Community Development and Housing.
Proposals included creating a Maintenance and Operations Department and updates on the “one-stop shop.”
Council reviewed proposed 5% budget cuts across departments, seeking clarity on their impact, especially regarding homelessness, public safety, infrastructure, and economic development.
Council also discussed sidewalk vending enforcement, rising fire service costs, and the city’s dependence on sales tax revenue.
Inquiries were made about funding for the community gardens and conditions at Pioneer Cemetery. Staff addressed maintenance challenges and committed to providing further data.
Councilmembers expressed appreciation for staff efforts and reaffirmed their commitment to financial stability and strategic planning.
Special Meeting Draft Minutes May 22, 2025
Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 3
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting of the Mayor and City Council was adjourned on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 7:59 PM.
The next joint Regular 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 Wednesday, June 4 2025, at the Norman F. Feldheym Central Library located at 555 West 6th Street, San Bernardino, California 92410. Closed Session will begin at 4:00 p.m. and Open Session will begin at 5:00 p.m.
Telicia Lopez, CMC
Acting City Clerk