Public speakers urge San Bernardino council to settle lawsuit involving Councilmember Dr. Treasure Ortiz; closed session yields no reportable action

At a special San Bernardino City Council meeting called at 3:00 p.m., public commenters urged the council to settle a lawsuit involving Councilmember Dr. Treasure Ortiz and criticized the city for spending taxpayer money on legal fees. Councilmember Ortiz recused herself from the closed-session item and, after the council met behind closed doors, the city attorney reported there was "no reportable action".

The public-comment period opened with Molina Enriquez saying the litigation "has already cost the city significant time, resources, and credibility" and alleging the "use of sensitive law enforcement database for political purposes," which, the speaker said, raises questions about compliance with state law and public trust. "Stop the lies. Stop the cover up," Molina Enriquez said, urging the council to resolve the dispute and "allow the city to focus on the real challenges facing our community." (Molina Enriquez)

Several other speakers framed the continuing case as an avoidable financial burden. Christian Shaughnessy, a candidate for the second ward, said the case had become a "genuine growing financial liability for the city" and asked, "How much more taxpayer money are we willing to spend on this fight?" He urged settlement so funds could be redirected to public safety, infrastructure and services. (Christian Shaughnessy)

Andy Fuentes criticized the timing and focus of the special meeting, calling it an attack on Councilwoman Ortiz and "a personal vendetta," and said the council should instead address homelessness, blight and potholes. (Andy Fuentes)

Not all public commenters urged settlement. Several speakers defended Chief Goodman and highlighted police performance. Marty Christensen, a local business owner, said he would "be speaking on behalf and for Chief Goodman" and credited the chief with improvements in staffing and response times; Christensen also asserted that homicides were "down over 50% from last year," a figure he presented as his assessment of public-safety trends. (Marty Christensen)

A speaker identified as Garcia, who said he is running for mayor, likewise questioned attributing blame to the chief for incidents that predate his tenure and urged the council to prioritize unity and effective governance. Other commenters asked why investigation findings have not been released publicly and pushed the council to be more transparent about review results. (Garcia; Luis O'A)

During the meeting, Councilmember Dr. Treasure Ortiz stated she would recuse herself from the agenda item related to her lawsuit and said she had a prior commitment and would not be present when the council returned from closed session. After reconvening at 4:38 p.m., the city attorney told the council and the public: "There was no reportable action from close session." The meeting adjourned at 4:38 p.m., and the council announced its next regular meeting for March 18, 2026, at the Central Library, 555 West 6th Street, San Bernardino. (Council member Ortiz; City Attorney)

The public comment period accounted for the bulk of the meeting’s public-facing discussion: speakers repeatedly urged settlement to avoid ongoing legal expenses and to restore public trust, while other residents and business leaders defended the police chief’s record and asked for fairness and transparency in the investigative process. No formal motion, vote or settlement decision was announced at the meeting.