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Council asks staff to consult boards and commissions on meeting times, requests security‑cost estimates
Summary
After city council discussion on accessibility and safety for volunteer boards and commissions, members directed the city manager to consult each commission about meeting times and return with feasibility recommendations and any fiscal impacts, including potential security costs for evening meetings.
The San Bernardino City Council on April 2 discussed whether to change meeting times for the city’s boards, commissions and advisory committees to improve accessibility for working residents. Council members spoke in favor of allowing commissioners to select times that work for them, while raising concerns about staff availability, security at evening meetings and fiscal impact.
Nut graf: The council did not adopt a blanket schedule change. Instead, members voted unanimously to direct the city manager and staff to consult with each commission on feasible meeting times and to return with recommendations that include any fiscal impacts. Several council members asked staff to quantify the cost of added security — and, if warranted, the cost of an armed guard — for commissions that meet after hours, citing past incidents and safety concerns raised by commissioners.
Council member Ybarra said commissioners historically decided meeting times among themselves; Council member Kanas and others emphasized the working‑class schedules of many residents and urged accommodating volunteers. Council member Flores asked staff to identify high‑priority commissions and the potential cost to adjust times. Council member Charette voiced caution about staff capacity and the city’s constrained finances.
Ending: The council directed staff to report back on a commission‑by‑commission assessment of meeting‑time feasibility, a recommended schedule if any changes are warranted, and an estimate of any security or staffing costs associated with evening meetings.
