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City staff announces Route 66 centennial, veterans center opening and other events; residents urge cleanup, road repairs and immigrant protections
Summary
City staff used the meeting’s report to list upcoming events and projects, while several residents used public comment to press for volunteer cleanups, street repairs, a complaint about alarm fees and a city policy against collaboration with ICE.
City staff and residents used the San Bernardino City Council public‑comment period to highlight upcoming events and local projects and to press the council for action on street repairs, volunteer cleanups and immigrant protections.
In a staff report, the city said it is preparing for the 100th anniversary of Route 66, including a series of arts and cultural events; noted the opening of a 115,000,000‑dollar campus with approximately 340,000 square feet that officials said will employ about 700 health professionals and serve 60,000 patients a year; announced a planned EV truck charging station with 76 chargers; and listed a planned Neon Makerspace opening in 2026. Staff also said the office at 201 North E Street will be closed Friday, Oct. 3, for improvements and that the State of the City presentation will be Oct. 14 at 4:30 p.m. (registration available on the city website). The transcript identifies the speaker for these items as city staff; no formal votes were attached to these announcements.
Residents used public comment to raise several distinct concerns and proposals. César Hurtado, who identified himself as a resident and business owner, outlined a volunteer‑led downtown cleanup effort involving local businesses and trailers for debris and asked city staff whom he should contact to coordinate resources and volunteers. He said business owners are prepared to provide volunteers and trailers and sought clear next steps from the city.
Other residents complained about uneven street repairs along Route 66 and nearby corridors, questioning why some segments were patched while adjacent stretches remained unrepaired. One speaker said they had been requesting repaving along a continuous stretch of roadway for years and asked where the money had gone.
Erik Leveler said he received a new annual bill—$30 per year—from the Police Department for a household alarm system and asked the council to review what the fee covers. He left contact information and requested staff follow up.
Estela Ramos, who described herself as a volunteer with an immigrant‑rights organization, urged the city to adopt non‑cooperation practices with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at schools, hospitals and other public services, to invest in legal‑information workshops and to create safe, welcoming policies for youth and families regardless of immigration status.
Councilmembers and the mayor pro tem used their remarks to report recent constituent events and community openings, including the veterans center ribbon cutting and community beautification work; several members encouraged attendance at the Route 66 centennial events and other upcoming activities.
The council also announced that, acting as the city’s redevelopment/authority board, it will hold a special board meeting Oct. 14 at the same theater; the open session was announced to start at 4:30 p.m.
No formal council motions, votes or ordinance readings tied to the public‑comment items or the staff announcements were recorded in the transcript excerpts provided.
