San Bernardino council holds closed session on city manager search amid public criticism

The San Bernardino mayor and city council convened a special closed session Sunday to continue the recruitment of a permanent city manager, a process councilmembers said has been under way for about a year.

Councilmember Ted Sanchez read a statement on behalf of a majority of the council saying, "The city of San Bernardino has been without a permanent city manager for 12 months, since May 20 second of 20 24. The process has not been rushed. Every step has been deliberate, lawful, and carefully considered." Sanchez said delaying the decision would risk losing highly qualified candidates.

Members of the public who spoke at the meeting urged the council to postpone action until absent officials could participate and raised complaints about city governance. John Schallenberger, a resident of the Seventh Ward, said he opposed the meeting because his ward councilmember was not present: "I am here and speaking in opposition to this meeting strict strictly for the fact that my councilwoman, doctor Treasure Ortiz in the Seventh Ward is not here to be heard and her opinions heard in this, hiring or interviewing process." Schallenberger said the absence deprived his ward of representation.

A commenter who identified herself as Sarah criticized the city attorney and the law firm BBK, saying, "Her absence at the dais and her tendency to operate behind closed doors is deeply concerning." Sarah urged selecting a city manager who would "manage the city ethically and responsibly under a new city attorney." The comment named Sonia Carvalho and Jim Rice in relation to BBK.

Other residents raised operational concerns they said were tied to the lack of a permanent manager. Linda Magallanes said, "We have a really big problem right now not having our city manager," and described health and safety concerns near Nunez Park, noting elderly residents and children in the area. Volunteer resident Ivan Garcia said a permanent manager was needed to fix chronic problems such as potholes, graffiti and extended repair times: "I think a city manager is gonna help change the city around, beautify it."

The council convened into closed session and later reported that the city attorney said there were no reportable actions from that closed session. The mayor and council adjourned and scheduled a special meeting for April 29, 2025, at the multipurpose conference room, 201 B Northeast Street, San Bernardino, California 92401.

The meeting record shows differing views among speakers about whether the council should proceed at the session while some elected officials were absent. The council's statement emphasized confidentiality for candidates and the risk of losing prospects if the process were delayed.