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Council debate over Oxbow debris and motel-based recuperative care highlights homelessness tensions
Summary
Public commenters and council members disputed approaches to the Oxbow demolition-debris site and a Motel 6 conversion to a recuperative care facility near CSUSB; the council debated an item to return with cleanup options and ultimately approved a substitute motion with a 5–2 vote to deny the original motion.
Residents and community groups used the public-comment period to press the mayor and city council on homeless encampments, the Oxbow demolition-debris site and a recent conversion of a Motel 6 near California State University, San Bernardino into a recuperative care facility.
Ron Alvarado and others urged the council to return to active cleanup and abatement of the Oxbow site, describing reported health concerns and an ongoing eyesore. Council Member Ortiz moved to place a discussion on abatement and cleanup for the Oxbow project on a council agenda within 60 days. Council Member Charette made a substitute motion to deny that proposed action; the substitute motion was seconded and, after a vote, “passed 5 to 2 with council member Flores, NRT’s voting in opposition,” according to the clerk’s announcement of the tally. (At the meeting the city manager said staff plans to return with an item in October.)
Public commenters also criticized a recent conversion of the Motel 6 near CSUSB into a recuperative care facility run by a nonprofit the speaker identified with Illumination Foundation; a resident alleged the operator had prior incidents at another city site and said the mayor and a council member had accompanied the operator on a tour of motels in San Bernardino while considering sites. Mayor Tran responded that she had not met the nonprofit CEO and staff would investigate and follow up. Other speakers described neighborhood impacts from encampments (Linwood to 40th, Marshall Boulevard) and asked for coordinated action with county and regional partners; Council members said the issue was on the city’s radar and that related interagency agreements exist.
The discussion showed a split between council members who pressed for an immediate, time-lined council return on the Oxbow matter and those who cautioned that staff is already working and anticipated returning with information in October. Several council members urged collaboration with the permanent city manager and representatives of the affected ward to craft a comprehensive item for council consideration.
