CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: September 17, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Vanessa Carder, Interim Director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
Department: Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
Subject: Adoption of Resolution, Establishing the Start Time for the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission
Regular Meetings (All Wards)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, adopt Resolution No. 2025-369 establishing the start time for the regular meetings of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission.
Executive Summary
The resolution establishes the start time of regular Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission to meet every third Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm. Current meetings are the third Thursday of each month at 4:00 pm. Commission vote result: 6- 1, approved with one abstention.
Background
On April 17, 2017, the Mayor and City Council adopted Ordinance No. MC-1438 repealing and replacing Charter 2.58 of the San Bernardino Municipal Code regarding meetings. The Mayor and City Council introduced, read by title only, and waived further reading of Ordinance No. MC-1438 amending Section 2.58.020 of Chapter 2.58 of Title 2 of the San Bernardino Municipal Code relating to the time and location of regular meetings. Under the ordinance, the time of regular meetings will now be established by a resolution that is adopted by a majority vote of the City Council.
Discussion
The current 4:00 P.M. start time for regular meetings of the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission provides limited flexibility and has proven challenging to maintain. In 2023, only five meetings reached quorums, and no meetings reached a quorum in 2024, largely due to scheduling conflicts. Current Commissioners have also expressed difficulty attending at this time because of work obligations. In addition, the early start time limits opportunities for community members to attend and provide public comment, as many working families are unavailable until after normal business hours.
The Commission discussed this matter at its regular meetings on May 15, 2025 and July 17, 2025. After reviewing options and considering public accessibility, a motion was made to adjust the start time of regular meetings to 6:00 P.M. The motion was approved by a vote of 6–1, with one abstention.
To provide greater flexibility for the Commission to conduct City business, the resolution recommended for adoption establishes the following parameters:
Regular meetings shall begin no earlier than 6:00 P.M. All meetings are scheduled to adjourn by 8:00 P.M. on the same day. If a meeting is still in progress at 7:00 P.M. with items left on the agenda, the Commission shall determine which items can be addressed before 8:00 P.M., with all other items continued to a future meeting. Extending a meeting beyond 8:00 P.M. will require a majority vote of the Commission.
These parameters apply only to regular meetings. Additional meetings, workshops, and study sessions may still be scheduled as special meetings in compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Act. Regular meetings are held the third Thursday of each month in the 201B 3 rd floor Board Room; location subject to change with proper public notification in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act.
The first regular meeting to reflect on the new start time will be October 16, 2025. The resolution does not take effect until September 17, 2025; therefore, the September 18, 2025, regular meeting of the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission will continue to begin at 4:00 P.M. in accordance with the current schedule. 2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
Adopting Resolution 2025-369 aligns with Key Target No. 1a: Improved Operational & Financial Capacity - Establish clear policy direction and predictable organization structures.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact related to changing the time of the regular Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission meeting.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, adopt Resolution No. 2025-369 establishing the start time for the regular meetings of the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Attachments
Attachment 1 – Resolution No. 2025-369
Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
April 17, 20217 Mayor and City Council adopted Ordinance No. MC-1438 repealing and replacing Charter 2.58 of the San Bernardino Municipal Code regarding meetings.
CC: Eric Levitt, City Manager