Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Bernardino public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
38 issues with medium priority
YMCA of the East Valley Lease
The council authorized lease renewal talks with the YMCA, its largest childcare partner, after debating whether the new competitive-leasing policy should apply — some members called pre-negotiated renewals 'a horrible policy.'
County Election Results
San Bernardino County election results are coming in, and the big races could reshuffle who runs local government. The outcomes will shape county priorities and leadership—so if you care about local services, budgets, or power, this is worth watching.
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.
Speed hump policy
Eight intersections in Wards 1, 2, 4 and 5 are getting stop control to improve safety.
University Parkway Median Landscaping
A $1.1 million streetscaping contract sparked debate over whether public funds are being used efficiently when everyday neighborhood streets and lights need urgent repairs.
Water-Efficient Landscaping Standards (Ordinance MC-1669)
The city's landscaping development rules were up for an update to comply with state water-efficiency law (SB 1383/MWELO). This affects what new developments must plant and irrigate citywide.
Waterman Avenue Landscaping Improvements
One of the city's main corridors finally gets a landscaping facelift — the council approved the conceptual plan, already fully funded.
New Revenue from Industrial and Logistics Sector
The council greenlit a feasibility study on making the logistics industry pay its fair share for streets and community services — with a warning not to tax businesses out of town.
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.
Business registration tax liens
Landlords with unpaid rental-property business registration taxes face liens on their parcels; about $255,000 expected, with a two-week grace period to clear accounts.
New single-family homes near Kendall Drive
Seven two-story homes on sizable lots will be built near the corner of Kendall Drive and Western Avenue, with the developer covering curbs, gutters, sidewalks and lighting. Commissioners flagged street parking and emergency-vehicle access concerns tied to ADU growth citywide.
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.
Street vacations on San Manuel Boulevard and Parley Avenue
About an acre of Victoria Avenue north of Lynwood Drive — a non-through street leading only to the Yaamava Resort and Casino — would be vacated to the San Manuel Nation, which already does 100% of the maintenance. The council makes the final call.
Route 66 centennial and summer events
Council directed staff to build a plan for the Foothill Boulevard/5th Street/Mount Vernon corridor leveraging Route 66 identity, with economic development and tourism strategies.
Measure I Street and Safety Projects
Stop signs are coming to ten intersections across five wards after residents and councilmembers pushed for safety. Staff said other requests, like Sepulveda Avenue, must go through the traffic warrant process first.
Love Your Block Program Continuation
Residents said the community garden suffers from low water pressure, bad internal roads, missing mulch, and gate/lock problems. Staff noted the land belongs to the water department and dates to the 1930s-40s; commissioners asked for an assessment and action plan.
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.
Downtown Property-Based Business Improvement District (PBID)
Downtown property owners — some of them the same people speaking at meetings for years — rallied for a PBID that would tax themselves roughly $300,000 a year for cleaning, security and improvements. The council heard the feasibility results but postponed any decision, tying it to a broader downtown revitalization discussion in September.
Self-storage with indoor soccer facility at Inland Center Drive
A 94,088-square-foot commercial building near the Inland Center could get a new life as a self-storage facility with an indoor soccer field upstairs. The use needs a conditional use permit under the city's development code.
CFD Annexation No. 54 – Quick Quack Car Wash special tax
The car wash property on Highland Avenue was annexed into the city's 2019 maintenance services district, meaning its owners pay a special tax for street lighting, drainage and upkeep. The landowner election and tax levy passed unanimously.
Safe Streets federal grant acceptance
The city landed $1.145 million from Congress for water pump generators and battery backups at up to 50 traffic signals, plus pending requests for $2 million to convert ~3,000 streetlights to solar, a $2 million police mobile command post, and $1.7 million for water lift station monitoring.
Wolden engineering services contract performance
Councilmembers froze a $700,000 engineering contract for six months, demanding data on how fast Wolden turns around plan reviews — the city fears it's losing developers to faster cities.
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.
Del Rosa Avenue / SR-210 interchange improvements
The council signed on to a cooperative agreement with SBCTA for design, environmental work, and right-of-way for the Del Rosa/210 interchange, funded with Measure I dollars.
November 3, 2026 run-off election for Wards 1, 2, and 4
The council called a run-off election to fill council seats in Wards 1, 2, and 4, consolidated with the statewide general election.
Perris Hill Park hillside access and preservation
Pickleball enthusiasts want to renovate the hill and path at Perris Hill Park as a tourist attraction, but much of the hillside is water department property, a police firing range, or otherwise off-limits. Staff said internal review is underway on what's feasible, and commissioners want historical markers included if development happens.
Missing Arrowhead monument
Commissioners learned the damaged Arrowhead monument that once stood at the Arrowhead viewing station has disappeared entirely, and even other cities' historical societies are asking where it went. The loss underscores broader concerns about protecting the city's historic elements.
Alley vacation near W. Rialto Ave
Several consent items would start the process of vacating public alleys and streets and extend city sewer service to unincorporated parcels via annexation agreements.
County property tax exchange and fiscal transparency
Speakers pressed the city to renegotiate the property-tax arrangement with San Bernardino County and commission a forensic audit to verify public funds are spent efficiently. Staff noted the historical fire-services transfer figures and said HDL will review the tax data.
City Staffing Vacancies (AB 2561 Report)
A resident said only about 20 code enforcement officers serve the whole city and demanded the council hire more, noting residents have stopped filing complaints because nothing happens.
Landscape Maintenance District Contractor Performance
Mayor Pro Tem Knaus pulled the assessment levy item to blast landscape maintenance contractors for not delivering the level of service taxpayers pay for, citing unkempt medians and past contractor damage. She's asking for audits and higher accountability.
Recording and streaming of public meetings
Commissioners want meetings recorded and uploaded to YouTube so residents can watch, since last month's video appeared online a week later. A future agenda item will explore regular videoing.
Arrowhead monument status
The historic Arrowhead monument appears to have been removed from its site, possibly for repair; a commissioner reported a newer cement platform at the location and will follow up with the Friends of the Arrowhead nonprofit.
Homelessness trend and water rates
The city manager reported a substantial drop in this year's homeless point-in-time count, and flagged proposed water/sewer rate increases of roughly $7 a month for the average customer, with a public hearing May 26.
$300,000 Litigation Settlement
The city settled the Jeffrey Lamont Williams lawsuit for $199,999 in closed session — public taxpayer money resolving litigation behind closed doors.
Water and sewer rate increases
The Water Board (not the council) is considering rate increases averaging about $7/month starting July 2026; a public meeting was set for May 7 at Palm Elementary.
Storm drain repairs
The council approved a $152,490 repair of a collapsed storm drain at a Lynwood Drive church parking lot and a $6,900 design amendment for the Mt. Vernon Storm Drain project.