Commissioners debate 100‑signature threshold and January filing window for park renaming petitions

Commissioners spent a substantial portion of the meeting discussing the citypolicy and procedural requirements for renaming parks, including the application window and signature requirements.

Staff told the commission that renaming petitions must be submitted during the January acceptance period and that signatures already gathered could be carried forward if resubmitted in January. Commissioners raised concerns about the 100‑signature minimum for San Bernardino residents, with some saying 100 signatures is easy to collect while others said the threshold should be re‑examined to balance community input and administrative rigor.

One commissioner said they had submitted an application to rename a park to "Trayvon Martin Park" and asked how the commission validates petitioner claims and supporting evidence; staff replied the application requires significant justification and that the city clerk and department staff vet submissions for minimum requirements before presenting qualified petitions to the commission for review.

There was also debate about whether removal of a commissioner for consecutive absences must be agendized and the proper 72‑hour public notice under the Brown Act; commissioners asked staff to return with the specific bylaw language and any legal guidance. Staff agreed to provide the exact bylaws and any relevant City Attorney or Clerk correspondence and to place the attendance/renaming policy clarifications on a future agenda for further review.

No formal change to the renaming policy was adopted at the meeting; commissioners voted to bring an item on summer‑month meeting cancellations and other procedural matters to a future agenda where bylaws and procedures will be clarified.