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Public urges Fontana to regulate '7‑OH' and seek transparency on proposed shelter; skate‑park operator highlights youth success
Summary
Public commenters asked the council to regulate 7‑OH (a kratom extract), questioned a CEQA exemption and contract awards for a proposed shelter site, and celebrated a local skate‑park athlete headed to national competition.
Several public commenters raised community concerns during the public comment period.
Andrew Hanif, an outreach specialist with ReachOut, urged the council to regulate a kratom extract known as “7‑OH,” which he described as an opioid‑acting compound sold in retail shops without prescription. Hanif said research indicates 7‑OH is "at least 13 times more potent than morphine," that it can cause addiction and overdose, and urged the city to amend its synthetic drug ordinance or adopt new local restrictions; he said ReachOut can assist the city in that work.
Asher Jones, who said he previously lived in temporary housing, asked the council to pull Item B (a consent calendar item tied to a shelter property) and raised four specific questions: who was awarded the contracts and by what process; how much each contract is for; why the property was selected and whether there was community buy‑in; and why a CEQA exemption was requested given the vulnerability of unhoused residents and potential site toxicity. City staff responded during the consent‑calendar discussion that Item B is a second reading, Item O is the purchase and sale agreement with county partnership for operations, and that a Phase I environmental assessment did not show issues. Staff said the county will provide operations and the final operator is not yet determined.
Mark Lowey of Action Park Alliance used his time to highlight Fontana’s skate parks, the organization’s 17 years of management, and local skater Maisel Parrish, an 11‑year‑old the speaker described as an Olympic hopeful. Representatives from Associated Builders and Contractors also acknowledged local apprentice Gabriel Cancinos, who will compete at the national craft championships.
The council heard these comments before taking votes on the consent calendar and next agenda items; some public concerns (for example, the 7‑OH potency claim and certain contract details) were raised but not resolved during the meeting and may require follow‑up.
