City of San Bernardino
201 North E Street
San Bernardino, CA 92401
http://www.sbcity.org
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
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026
5:30 PM
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 Monday, February 2, 2026, 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 Late 5:45 PM
Mario Flores Council Member, Ward 6 Present
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 City Clerk Present
Perla Lopez Chief 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 Minutes February 2, 2026
Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 2 5:30 PM
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Juan Figueroa led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS LISTED ON THE AGENDA
E. Negrete spoke in support of the item, stating the mayor’s role was a costly figurehead and that voters still decide on the ballot, so no rights were being lost.
The following individuals opposed eliminating the directly elected mayor or altering election rules, arguing that the measures were rushed and lacked transparency. They also spoke on the importance of preserving democratic processes and using the Charter Review Committee for any changes.
There were 7 speakers who did not state their names before addressing the Mayor and City Council.
Johni Kim Ron Alvarado Tim Prince Skip Cain
Gabriel Reyes Vincent Nguyen Stephanie Liggins Maha Rizvi Pastor Reginal
Young
Bishop Daniel
Frazier
Ozzie Dolan James Smith
Diego Ordonez Joe Salas Jasmine Campos Damon Alexander
Sarah Apostol Cassie McDuff Ben Pratt Kimberly Calvin
Erick Marquez Rikkie Van Johnson Scott Olson Dick Salas Betzaida M Andy Fuentes Brenda Huerta Ethan Flores
Damani Travis Diamond Duarte Tom Seccombe Zazette Scott Mike Hartley Ingrid Luna Louie Lopez David Friedman
John Rangel Ben Salgado Nache Thompson Dorothy Navarrez Irma Flores Ray Blom Veronica Munoz James Albert
Tia Johnson Jolene Ruiz Luz Perez Michael Segura
Joz Sida Miriam Nieto Alex Beltran Amy Malone
Arturo Fuerte Dolores Armstead Mark Westwood Rigo Gonzalez Kai King Rick Avila Ana Solorzano Angela Wilkinson
Jose Solorzano Teresa Preciado Sonia Gonalez Carlos Gonzalez Ricardo Cisneros Ms. Ashley Sag Roberto Ceja Pastor Larry Lee Jonathan Rogers Pastor BJ Sims Mitch Miller Juan Villa
Stephon Johns Violet Castro Laura Rodriguez Esther Gonzalez Marlee Rettig Gustavo Hurtado Jr
At this time , there was a consensus amongst the City Council to continue the meeting past 10:00 p.m.
Christian
Shaughnessy
Rev. Gualbert
Augustin
Vicky Hernandez Jame Monzon
Wanda Phillips Benito Barrios
Arlene Casto, a community activist, criticized local authorities and demanded stronger protection for residents, particularly regarding immigration enforcement.
Special Meeting Minutes February 2, 2026
Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 3 City Clerk Telicia Lopez advised that written comments were also received and would be available on the City’s website for public review
DISCUSSION
1. Direct Staff to Prepare an Amendment to the City Charter for the June 2, 2026 Primary Election to Set Term Limits for City Council, Eliminate the Primary Election, and Eliminate the Directly Elected Office of the Mayor.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of San Bernardino, California, Direct staff to prepare a charter amendment for placement on the June 2, 2026, Primary Election Ballot:
The San Bernardino Good Government and term limits initiative:
1. Impose term limits of 3 consecutive terms beginning with officials elected in 2026;
2. Eliminate primary elections; and
3. Eliminate the office of the directly elected Mayor and replace with Mayor selected from among the Council.
Council Member Ortiz made a motion to reject the proposed charter amendments and instead directed the staff to reconvene the Charter Review Committee to hold community workshops and gather input on potential changes. Council Member Flores seconded the motion.
Council Member Ibar ra asked to add to the motion to reinstate Commissioner Scott Olson to the committee.
Council Member Sanchez proposed a substitute motion to direct staff to prepare the proposed charter amendments and schedule a special meeting, to be held concurrently with the regular Council meeting on February 4th, to consider reinstating Scott Olsson to the Charter Review Committee and continue discussion of the charter amendments. The motion was seconded by Council Member Shorett.
The motion passed 4- 3, Council Member Ibarra, Council Member Flores, and Council Member Ortiz voted in opposition.
Due to the vote being 4-3 under the Mayor’s authority, the motion was vetoed.
The City Council returned to the motion made by Council Member Ortiz to direct staff to reconvene the Charter review Committee. And allow the charter review committee to discuss items of concern for the council and the community. The motion was seconded by Council Member Flores.
Special Meeting Minutes February 2, 2026
Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 4 RESULT: DIRECT STAFF TO RECONVENE THE CHARTER REVIEW
COMMITTEE. AND ALLOW THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE
TO DISCUSS ITEMS OF CONCERN FOR THE COUNCIL AND THE
COMMUNITY [5-2]
MOVER: Treasure Ortiz, Council Member, Ward 7
SECONDER: Mario Flores, Council Member, Ward 6
AYES: Ibarra, Figueroa, Knaus, Flores, Ortiz
NOES: Theodore Sanchez and Fred Shorett
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting of the Mayor and City Council was adjourned on Monday , February 2, 2026, at 10:08 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 Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 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.
Telicia Lopez, CMC
City Clerk