C
ity of San Bernardino
201 North E Street
San Bernardino, CA 92401
http://www.sbcity.org
Mayor Helen Tran
Council Members
Theodore Sanchez
Sandra Ibarra
Juan Figueroa
Fred Shorett
Kim Knaus
Mario Flores
Dr. Treasure Ortiz
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
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2025
3:30 PM
The Special Meetin g of t he Mayor an d City Council o f the City of San B ernardino was called to order at 3:33 p.m. by Mayor Helen Tran on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at Feldheym Central Library, San Bernardino, CA.
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 3:42 PM
Dr. Treasure Ortiz Council Member, Ward 7 Present
Helen Tran Mayor Present
Eric Levitt City Manager Present
Albert Maldonado Deputy City Attorney Present
Telicia Lopez Acting City Clerk Present
Perla Lopez Chief Deputy City Clerk Present
Special Meeting Minutes December 3, 2025
Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 2 3: 30 P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS LISTED ON THE SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA J
ohn Shollenberger opposed the removal of Suarez, stating it was unwarranted and a misuse of taxpayer resources.
Dol
ores Armstead opposed removing Commissioner Victor Suarez, stating there is no evidence of misconduct and that the action appears retaliatory.
V
ictor Suarez stated he is committed to ethical public service and said his comments addressed alleged harassment and retaliation affecting his duties.
T
im Prince urged the Council not to remove the commissioner, citing First Amendment protections, and called on Council Members to focus on city issues rather than political conflicts.
C
hristian Shaughnessy criticized the Council for prioritizing Commissioner Suarez’s removal over urgent community issues.
K
im Calvin condemned the Council for prioritizing Suarez’s removal over pressing city issues.
J
im Smith, chairman of the Historical Preservation Commission, urged the Council to keep Victor Suarez on the commission.
R
onald Donis, Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission chair, criticized the special meeting as a misuse of resources, and a violation of Commissioner Suarez’s.
C
ity Clerk Telicia Lopez advised that written comments were also received and would be available on the City’s website for public review.
Special Meeting Minutes December 3, 2025
Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 3
APPOINTMENT
1) A
rts and Historical Preservation Commission Removal of Victor Suarez (7 th Wa
rd)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, discuss and take possible action to remove Victor Suarez from the Arts and Historical Preservation Commission representing Ward 7.
C
ouncil Members discussed the proposed removal of Victor Suarez from the Arts and Historic Preservation Commission. Deputy City Attorney Maldonado clarified that commissioners serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and City Council; removal may be made with or without cause; and such action does not violate First Amendment rights.
Council Member Ortiz opposed the removal, stating that Commissioner Suarez had not violated the commission's bylaws, that his comments at a prior meeting were accurate, and that removal would diminish Seventh Ward representation. Council Member Ibarra supported removal, asserting that Commissioner Suarez used his commissioner title to make unprofessional and potentially slanderous public comments regarding city staff, raising concerns about liability. Other C ouncil Members requested evidence of misconduct, noting the distinction between comments made as a commissioner and as a private resident. Council Member Ortiz read Commissioner Suarez's comment.
Council Member Ibarra made a motion for the removal of Commissioner Suarez, and Council Member Knaus seconded the motion.
RESULT: MOTION FAILED TO REMOVE ARTS AND HISTORICAL
PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER VICTOR SUAREZ [4-4]
MOVER: Sandra Ibarra, Council Member, Ward 2
SECONDER: Kim Knaus, Council Member, Ward 5
AYES: Sanchez, Ibarra, Shorett, Knaus
NOES: Figueroa, Flores, Ortiz, Mayor Tran
ADJ
OURNMENT
The meeting of the Mayor and City Council was adjourned on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. 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 December 3, 2025, at the 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.
T elicia Lopez, CMC, City Clerk