San Bernardino residents urge council to postpone closed‑session city‑manager interviews; council says process lawful

Dozens of residents urged the San Bernardino mayor and city council to postpone closed‑session interviews for city‑manager candidates on Friday, saying the panel should not proceed while three elected officials — Councilmember Mario Flores, Councilmember Treasure Ortiz and Mayor Tran — were absent.

“Having input from all elected representatives ensures that the hire reflects the collective vision,” said Stephanie Liggins, who identified herself as representing the Fourth Ward. “It is very disheartening to me that this body would go forward without the mayor present and other city council members present.”

The requests came during the meeting’s public comment period, where speakers across multiple wards and civic groups called the decision to hold the interviews on short notice nontransparent and urged postponement. John Shellenberger, identified as Seventh Ward, said the city operates under a council‑manager charter and that the mayor “has a right to have her voice heard.” Several speakers said reasons for absences included teaching obligations and a death in the family.

After the public comment period, the council convened in closed session for candidate interviews. City Attorney (name not specified) reported on return that “the council met in closed session, conducted some interviews. There's no reportable action or any action that was taken in closed session.”

Mayor Pro Tem (name not specified) read a statement approved by a majority of the council, with Councilmember Flores recorded as dissenting. The statement said the city has been without a permanent city manager for almost 12 months, that “every step has been deliberate, lawful and carefully considered,” and urged that delaying the process could push a hire back five weeks and “increase the risk of losing highly qualified candidates.”

Speakers pressed the council on transparency and process. David Friedman told the council he believed the body was “creating a liability for the city” by proceeding without all members present. Tianna Lopez, who said she works in retail, called the meeting “unprofessional” and asked the council to “do better.” Local business owner Julia Stouder urged the council to choose a manager “that is personable and actually cares about the city.”

Council staff advised that written public comments received before the meeting were distributed to council members and posted to the agenda packet on the city’s website.

Before adjourning, the council set a special meeting for 04/27/2025 at a boardroom at 201 Northeast Street, third floor, San Bernardino, with closed session beginning at 5:30 p.m. The formal motion to adjourn the special meeting was made on the record; no roll‑call vote on the interviews or any hiring action was reported.

The public commenters and the council pointed to competing priorities: residents emphasized inclusive participation by all eight elected officials, while the council majority emphasized confidentiality for candidates and the administrative risk of delay. No appointment, selection or other reportable personnel action was disclosed at the meeting.