Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Bernardino public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
16 issues with high priority
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.
Elected officials' compensation
A new pay plan for top city staff includes a 3.5% cost-of-living increase — and a contested $29,000 raise for the police chief. It passed over one no vote.
Shandin Hills Golf Course management and audit
A Phase I review found untraceable fund transfers and missed finance-staff interviews; the council approved both the procedures contract and the expanded audit while Knaus pressed for accountability over roughly $120,000 in untraceable transfers.
Surplus Land Disposition Framework
The city owns about 13 acres near the Hope Campus bought with ARPA money, and the council wants a study or consultant to figure out whether it should become affordable or permanent supportive housing — with a developer-focused workshop planned for spring.
Speicher Park Ballfields Contingency Increase
A proposed $1.3 million boost to the contingency budget for the Speicher Park ballfields, bringing it to about $2.04 million, signals rising project costs for a Ward 2 park.
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.
Calles dañadas y mantenimiento de calles
The city has 557 miles of streets averaging a condition score of 51 (benchmark is 65), and the new three-year plan only fixes about 66 miles. Council members from multiple wards said their worst streets were missing from the map and there's no money for years two and three.
Meyers Creek flooding and sedimentation
Verdemont-area flooding and sediment problems persist; fixes cost $25 million (storm drain) or $64.1 million (debris basin and channel), with county partnership and grant potential for the larger option.
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.
Privacy and neighborhood impacts of three-story multifamily development
The city had to update its local rules to match new state laws on backyard granny flats and garage conversions, sparking major resident and council pushback over lost parking, increased density, and a lack of local enforcement against illegal building.
Feldheym Central Library improvement project
A $10.2 million renovation of the Feldheym Library moved forward with an $8.3 million construction contract — ADA upgrades, backup power, HVAC, security. Most is state grant money, but the council had to find $3.8 million locally and chose the Measure S fund balance over cutting other park and street projects.
Independent financial process assessment
Councilmembers Knaus, Ortiz, and Shorett renewed calls for a forensic audit of city finances; staff will bring back within 60 days what type of audit is appropriate and which firms could perform it.
Vacant and abandoned building registration
Councilmember Knaus's proposal would require registration of vacant properties, mandatory maintenance, and progressive fees to fight blight.
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.