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 discussed and that have been put in motion that aren't in your item,” Ortiz said during debate. Charette argued the motion to deny, saying the proposal as presented was unnecessary to act on now: “I therefore move that we deny this item.”

City Manager Eric [last name not specified in transcript] told council staff plans would be returned to the dais in October. At several points council members pressed for a firm timeline; the city manager said his plan is to bring the matter back in October.

Why this matters: residents and commenters at the meeting said the debris has been a neighborhood eyesore and raised health concerns. Public commenters referenced prior council action on the matter in 2023 and asked the council to deliver a clear cleanup timetable. Council member Sánchez noted prior unanimous council direction in 2023 to address the pile but said the item had not returned to the council until now.

What the council discussed: debate centered on process and timing. Ortiz and other council members said they wanted the permanent city manager and staff to continue coordinating technical work already completed (including a toxicology report mentioned on the record) before an ad hoc directive. Charette and others pressed that the substitute motion was the appropriate procedural response to the agenda item as presented. Flores and Ortiz opposed denying the agenda item in its current form, saying the public and ward residents require swifter, explicit action.

Public comment: multiple speakers urged remediation. Ron Alvarado and other residents urged the council to return the issue to the table and to take visible action. Several commenters tied the Oxbow pile to broader neighborhood health and blight concerns.

Next steps: the city manager said staff would return to the council with a fuller agenda item in October. The substitute motion to deny does not prevent staff from bringing forward a revised item; councilmember discussion repeatedly referenced ongoing staff work and earlier technical reports.

Votes at a glance: the substitute motion to deny the present item passed 5-2 (Flores, Ortiz — no).

Ending: The council meeting adjourned after completing the regular agenda; the city manager and staff will present a follow-up item in October.