Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Bernardino public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
31 issues in public safety
Camping ordinance on public streets and parks
The council adopted the camping ordinance restricting encampments on streets and parks; one written commenter objected that it criminalizes poverty.
Homelessness services and nonprofit contracting accountability
The council added $86,880 to the Navigation Center modular contract, approved a new interim housing provider with $400,000 in state encampment funding, and reported 222 people served in October — but the facility's opening slipped to early-to-mid 2027.
Boston Dynamics Public Safety Robot Purchase
The county gave the police department $100,000 for a Robotic Police K9 that officials say keeps officers out of dangerous situations. Some later speakers opposed tactical and surveillance technology.
Animal control underfunding
Speaker Lidia Zavala challenged the city's shelter data and noted animal services spending has grown from $2.3 million to $9.7 million in five years, demanding a plan and accountability.
Pedestrian safety at Highland Avenue intersection
Family and friends of 15-year-old Raylen Ayala, killed September 1 at Highland and Guthrie, urged the city to run a rigorous 24-hour traffic and pedestrian count with peak-window analysis before another life is lost.
Future of the animal shelter facility and contract cities
The city is terminating its off-site shelter lease with Casa Ramona while the Waterman Avenue shelter faces a month-long access restriction starting February 9. A resident praised the mayor's shelter visit and begged the council to plan sustainable, humane shelter operations.
Homeless drop-off notification and vacant property ordinances
The Redlands Boulevard facility's operator did extensive unpermitted construction and ran recuperative care without authorization. The commission moved to schedule a revocation hearing after the applicant missed repeated permit-resubmittal deadlines.
Homeless transport notification ordinance
Cities and nonprofits would have to file a 24-hour notice form before dropping homeless individuals in San Bernardino, with fines — possibly per person, per day. Councilmembers want teeth in enforcement.
Camping ban on public property
Council Member Ortiz pressed for law enforcement accountability on street conditions; the city attorney noted the county recently strengthened its anti-camping ordinance after the Supreme Court ruling and offered to draft a more robust local ordinance consistent with the ACLU settlement. Mayor Pro Tem Knaus said the council already unanimously approved such direction months ago.
Five-year homelessness strategic plan
The council extended the motel voucher program contracts, and Councilmember Ibarra shared January outreach numbers: 143 people contacted, 104 helped with motel vouchers, 61 connected to treatment.
Treasure Ortiz v. City of San Bernardino litigation
Councilmember Ortiz is suing the city in federal court, and the city is paying outside attorneys to defend itself. Nearly every public speaker called on the council to settle the case, saying legal costs are draining money from services residents actually need. The litigation has become a flashpoint for broader complaints about accountability and public trust.
Servicios de animales y crisis de población de animales sin hogar
Varios comentaristas describieron un sistema de refugios sobrecargado: se dijo a los vecinos que no alimenten o agüecen a los perros callejeros en calor de tres dígitos, las llamadas fuera de horario no son respondidas, y el presupuesto de refugios se ha duplicado a $10 million. Los residentes pidieron un programa de esterilización financiado y mejores horas de teléfono de emergencia.
Shelter operator local-priority rules
The city wants shelters to reserve beds for San Bernardino residents, report outcomes, and meet safety standards — but councilmembers stressed that without a named enforcement position, rules are just paper.
Liquor license concentration near Highland Avenue
The commission weighed whether an already alcohol-saturated census tract needs one more full-liquor bar. The applicant argued duplicate caterer's permits overstate the count and volunteered a security guard on weekend nights; the commission approved it 4-1 with inspections.
Neighborhood services: street sweeping, lighting, and code enforcement
Councilmembers Figueroa and Ortiz pressed to revive the citywide street sweeping program with signage and enforcement, but staff estimated ~$1M+ annual costs for parking enforcement staff — a hurdle with 150 positions already frozen.
Nuisance Abatement Cost Recovery Liens
Property owners who stuck the city with cleanup bills now have liens totaling $123,351.91 on their properties across four wards.
Animal Shelter Access and Overpopulation
Residents pushed for a new animal shelter, calling the current facility unsafe, and welcomed new Animal Services Director Jasmine Glover.
Animal Services Practices and Spay/Neuter Funding
Speakers alleged incomplete death records at the animal shelter and questioned the use of roughly $1.2 million in vehicle and spay/neuter funding, calling for an audit and answers on empty kennels.
Mobile Street Medicine and Opioid Treatment Services
The city locked in a $600,000 street medicine contract with Healthcare In Action to satisfy the ACLU settlement — but balked at buying the provider a ~$180,000 van it would keep. The vehicle terms go back to negotiation, and one council member objected to harm-reduction supplies being distributed under the city's name.
DOJ Model Cities Initiative grant application
The controversial federal grant application was pulled from the agenda after dozens of speakers warned it could entangle city police with ICE. Several speakers urged the city never to bring it back; a few supported it for public safety funding.
Fireworks social host and cost recovery ordinance
A new ordinance would make property owners, tenants and even knowing spectators liable for illegal fireworks, with cumulative fines and city cost recovery — and police drones would document violations before July 4.
Sunshine Motel closure and illicit-activity enforcement
The Council upheld the closure of a motel where inspectors found dangerous unpermitted electrical work, missing smoke alarms and blocked exits — and where police allege women were trafficked. Councilmembers demanded stronger tools, like mandatory periodic inspections of hotels, by September.
Police substation at Inland Center Mall extended five years
The Inland Center Mall police substation lease was extended to January 2032, and the council asked staff for a future report on possible substations in the north end of the city.
Flock Surveillance Camera Contract
Roughly a dozen speakers blasted the city's surveillance camera expansion, saying it violates privacy and doesn't make them safer, and demanded the council cancel contracts and invest in residents instead. Feelings were still raw from Monday's special meeting on a related amendment.
Censure of Councilmember Treasure Ortiz
The Council was scheduled to consider directing outside counsel to draft a censure resolution against Councilmember Dr. Treasure Ortiz and set a hearing for April 1, 2026.
Detached Commercial Trailer Parking Ban
A new ordinance targets semi-trailers parked without their trucks in commercial and residential areas, letting residents report them to police dispatch with photo evidence and get a response within 24 hours.
Allegations against Police Chief Goodman
Multiple speakers described family members killed by San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies, demanding answers, badge numbers, and body camera footage they say have not been provided.
Fire Station 222 Expansion at Bobby Vega Park
The county is expanding Firehouse 222, and the city authorized due diligence to support the project at Bobby Vega Park — part of broader county fire investment in the city.
Immigration status data collection at the navigation center
Dozens of residents, many with CHIRLA, urged the council to adopt the constitutional rights resolution (Item 17) and a Riverside-style immigration enforcement resolution (Item 18), citing ICE raids, masked agents, and fear in immigrant neighborhoods. The council deferred both to a future meeting instead of voting.
Illumination Foundation CUP surrender
The Illumination Foundation has moved out and given up its conditional use permit in writing. The commission agreed to revoke it administratively by letter instead of holding a hearing, and asked that the paper trail be published in the next packet.
Crime Statistics
San Bernardino’s crime rate has hit a 25-year low, according to the police chief. That’s a big win for residents and a bragging point for the department—though the city will still need to keep tracking the numbers.