San Bernardino council split over Oxbow debris cleanup; city manager to return plan in October

The San Bernardino City Council on Sept. 3 voted 5-2 on a substitute motion to deny the item as presented regarding abatement and cleanup of the Oxbow demolition debris; Council members Victor Flores and Victoria Ortiz voted in opposition. Council member Fred Charette moved the substitute motion to deny, and the motion carried after a roll call vote.

The decision follows months of public concern about the concrete and construction debris known locally as the “Oxbow” pile. Council member Ortiz, who represents the ward that contains the site, said residents and city staff have already been working on studies and reports and urged collaboration: “There are some things that have already been taken … and so there are some things that we have…