Arts & Historical Commission votes to keep meeting time at 4 p.m.

The City of San Bernardino Arts & Historical Commission voted to keep its regular meeting start time at 4:00 p.m. after a motion and vote during the Dec. 16 meeting.

Commissioner Bilak moved to set the commission meeting time at 4:00 p.m.; the motion was seconded and put to a vote. The clerk read individual votes and the tally was announced as five in favor and two opposed, so the motion passed.

The item drew public comment and internal debate. Earlier in the meeting, resident John Schallenberger urged commissioners to move meetings to 6:00 p.m. so working residents could attend. After the vote, one commissioner told the audience the result could appear “almost like being hypocrites” because many community organizations and working residents are available in the evenings.

Commissioners who spoke during the discussion emphasized different priorities: supporters of 4 p.m. stressed continuity with existing practice and commissioner availability; advocates for later meetings cited increased public participation and access for working residents. The commission did not adopt a substitute motion to change the meeting time and indicated the decision could be reconsidered at a future meeting.

The commission completed other business after the vote, including presentations and ad hoc committee actions. The meeting adjourned by unanimous consent.