Councilman Fred Shorett made the motion to ban, and Councilmember Treasure Ortiz seconded it. Councilmembers Mario Flores and Juan Figueroa joined them in support. Mayor Pro Tem Kim Knaus and Councilmembers Theodore Sanchez and Sandra Ibarra voted against the ban. The public hearing drew nine speakers, reflecting a chamber nearly as divided as the dais.

The vote followed months of debate over whether San Bernardino should regulate short-term rentals or prohibit them outright. City staff returned to council with both options, while City Manager Eric Levitt recommended regulation in the agenda materials. But during the hearing, concerns about enforcement, fire danger, neighborhood disruption and quality of life pushed the majority toward a ban.

Gabriel Elliott, the city’s director of community development and housing, told the council that about 108 properties in San Bernardino are currently listed across short-term rental platforms and said the city’s development code does not specifically recognize the use.

“So part of what we’re trying to do here is to build some standards by which we would actually either regulate or ban the land use,” Elliott said. “Either way we have to go into our zoning code and modify certain parts of the zoning code.”

Elliott said staff had explored both the cost and potential revenue of a regulatory program, including permit fees and transient occupancy tax. He said the city had estimated a potential annual contribution of up to $324,000, with enforcement and related costs still attached.

“We have 108 properties already engaging in this activity and we have no recourse to collect anything out of it,” Elliott said.

According to official city documents, San Bernardino has received five formal complaints, or CRMs, over the last four years regarding short-term rental operations, mostly through the Police Department. Those complaints involved parking violations and blocked driveways, public drinking and lewd acts in vehicles, fights in the street, loud music from homes and vehicles, confrontations with neighbors, reports of attendees being charged admission, and alcohol containers and trash left on neighboring properties, streets and gutters.

The general locations tied to those complaints included the 400 block of South D Street, which had two CRMs, the 500 block of Edgerton Drive, which had one CRM, and the 400 block of Edgerton Drive, which had one CRM. The documents also state the 6000 block of Ashton Street generated numerous complaints and note that Edgerton Drive and Ashton Street were identified by police as problem locations.

Ortiz emerged as one of the council’s sharpest critics of the regulatory option, questioning both the completeness of staff’s data and the city’s ability to manage the problem.

“There’s 108 households right now that are up for discussion in a city with roughly 65,000 households, which means that we are taking out of consideration roughly 64,892 other households that aren’t hosting parties when it’s convenient for them,” Ortiz said. “When we buy our homes, one of the things that is about these attractive areas … is that we aren’t inconvenienced with people using them as a crash pad for their entertainment purposes when we are paying our property taxes, when we are investing into a community for a certain quality of life.”

She also challenged staff’s complaint count, saying, “The math ain’t mathing for me,” and questioned whether many short-term rental-related disturbances were being coded simply as general noise complaints.

Later in the discussion, Ortiz said the city’s broader enforcement struggles made regulation unrealistic.

“A ban is really the only way to get on a map, see what’s being listed and then go cite it,” she said. “Because after the fact isn’t working for residents.”

Ibarra, who voted against the ban, said she shared concerns about nuisance properties and emergency access but was not convinced prohibition was the only answer.

“If we’re going to ban one area of the city, it has to be done across the whole city,” Ibarra said, while also questioning whether a regulatory system could shut down properties that repeatedly disturb neighborhoods. “I understand the families are trying to make ends meet and this is a source of revenue for themselves. But if it affects the whole community, ADA, first responders access, I’m really concerned with that.”

She added, “I’m not against businesses, but I’m also not in favor of causing these problems to our senior citizens or people that need emergency services throughout the city.”

Shorett said he had supported a ban from the beginning and argued that the city is not equipped to deal with the types of issues some short-term rental homes generate.

“I’ve been in favor of a ban from the beginning,” Shorett said. “We just don’t have the resources.”

He said the challenge goes beyond code enforcement because “the issues that we’re experiencing with some of these problem homes are police issues.”

Residents who supported the ban described neighborhoods overwhelmed by traffic, noise and dangerous party activity.

Jose Gomez, who said he lives on Edgerton Drive, told council the city’s map understated how many rentals operate in his area and described a Halloween 2025 gathering that he said drew more than 1,000 people.

“People that come there don’t care about the property,” Gomez said. “They don’t care what they’re doing.”

Alicia Navarro, who said she lives in the East Little Mountain area, warned that rentals in hillside neighborhoods are creating serious fire and evacuation risks.

“Please protect our community before a preventable tragedy occurs,” Navarro said.

Mike Hartley, another resident who backed a ban, told the council, “All you’re doing with these Airbnbs is adding chaos to chaos.”

Opponents of the ban argued the city was targeting responsible operators for the actions of a few bad actors. Eric Meza, who said he helps his mother manage a small on-site rental unit, urged council to adopt rules rather than an outright prohibition.

“A full ban does not solve the problem,” Meza said. “It punishes the wrong people.”

He added, “Don’t ban an opportunity. Regulate responsibility.”

With the April 15 vote, San Bernardino chose prohibition over regulation. Under the city’s framework, operators are expected to be identified through third-party monitoring and notified to stop operating, with enforcement to follow. Official city documents also state the city intends to begin applying its existing 10% transient occupancy tax language to short-term rentals.

Across California, deceased Political Activist Cesar Chavez’s name is being removed from schools, streets, and holidays. The decision to remove his name was followed after Activist Dolores Huerta came forward with allegations in March 2026 that he sexually abused young girls, including herself over several decades. 

These allegations, which include reports that some victims were minors, have led to a rapid movement to remove his statues and rename landmarks.

Councilmember Dr. Gonzalez opted to rename the park to its original name, Colton Municipal Park. He stated “We do have a formal procedure for naming… going back to the original name is probably a good idea because there’s a lot of personal and emotional feelings of what to name the park after, and I think we should give that some time to digest.”

Gonzalez continued to say that renaming Chavez Park back to its original name would bring back some of Colton’s history.

Councilmember Chastain had expressed that she also supports the idea of reverting back to the Parks original name if City officials and locals petitioned to have the park renamed. 

The item ended off with Councilmembers Chastain and Gonzalez motioning to change the name to Colton Municipal Park if it came down to it, however as of now the City Council plans to look into the process of renaming and will bring the item back at another meeting at a later date.

When we talk about economic development in the Inland Empire, the conversation often centers on growth in physical terms: new buildings, new employers, industrial expansion, transportation corridors, and population growth.

Those things matter. But they’re only part of the story.

If we want a stronger, more resilient, and more competitive economy in Inland Southern California, we need to start thinking differently about what actually drives regional prosperity. Economic development is not only about what gets permitted or built. It’s also about whether people in our communities can access the education, training, and support they need to participate in the opportunities that growth is designed to create.

That is why community colleges should be viewed not as peripheral, transitional institutions, but as core economic infrastructure.

For too long, higher education and economic development have often been treated as parallel conversations when they should be part of the same strategy. Employers talk about workforce needs. Civic leaders talk about regional growth. Colleges talk about student outcomes. But in reality, these are all parts of the same core ecosystem.

A region cannot build a durable economy without a strong talent pipeline and talent pipelines do not appear out of thin air.

They are built intentionally — through career and technical education, workforce partnerships, transfer pathways, adult education, re-skilling opportunities, and public institutions that are capable of meeting students and working adults where they are.

That is especially true in the Inland Empire.

This region is full of extraordinary potential. We’re home to a growing population, an ambitious workforce, and communities that have long demonstrated resilience and aspiration. But we are also a region where too many residents still experience opportunity as something they have to travel away to access, wait for, or fight to obtain.

Too many students and working adults encounter barriers that stem not from a lack of motivation, but from systems that fail to support their participation.

Transportation. Childcare. Scheduling. Basic needs. Advising. Disability access. These are often treated as secondary or “supportive” issues, when in reality they are central to whether people are able to complete education and training, move into the workforce, and contribute to the long- term health of the regional economy.

If a student drops out because they cannot navigate those barriers, that is not only an educational setback. It is loss to the workforce and economy.

That is why community colleges matter so much to the Inland Empire’s future.

They are among the most practical and responsive public institutions we have. They prepare nurses, first responders, technicians, skilled trades workers, educators, and transfer students to Universities. They help working adults re-enter education, adapt to changing industries, and build new pathways into upward mobility. They can help employers identify and shape local talent pipelines in ways that are rooted in actual regional need.

And perhaps most importantly, they can do all of this close to home. That proximity matters.

For many Inland Empire residents, the difference between opportunity and stagnation is not ambition. It’s access. It is whether the systems around them are designed to make participation possible.

As California continues to debate affordability, labor needs, and long-term competitiveness, the Inland Empire has an opportunity to lead with a more complete vision of regional development — one that understands talent, education, and human potential as central to economic strategy, not adjacent to it.

That means investing not only in business attraction and infrastructure, but also in the public institutions that help people actually reach opportunity.

If we want to build a stronger Inland Empire, we should start by recognizing a simple truth: community colleges are not just part of the educational landscape.

They are part of the region’s economic infrastructure.
And regions that understand this central truth will be far better positioned for the future.

The designation is a rare, prestigious feat. Curtis Elementary is the first elementary school in the entire State of California, and only the second in the United States to earn this prestigious title.

“I feel very humbled,” said Principal Owen Ross. “It’s been a long time coming. The framework of the program is so impactful: for kids, for teachers, and for all of us. The impact on kids is tremendous.”

AVID, which stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a college and career readiness system designed to close the opportunity gap. At the elementary level, it functions as a schoolwide framework rather than a single class, embedding essential study skills, organization, and critical thinking into every classroom to prepare all students for their future educational journeys.

The path to becoming a Demonstration School is not for the faint of heart. Curtis successfully navigated a demanding four-step validation process that culminated in a final Demonstration Walkthrough on April 9. During this visit, AVID Center officials observed classrooms, interviewed staff, and spoke with students to ensure the school wasn’t just using the program, but mastering it. Then the AVID officials delivered the great news in front of Ross, Assistant Principal Vanessa Roque, and District leaders, including Superintendent Dr. Alejandro Álvarez.

A loud applause filled the school library as the school was officially selected for the designation and presented with a banner to display at the school as an AVID National Demonstration School.

Terri Verhaegen, Program Manager for AVID Center’s Western Division, praised the depth of learning she witnessed during the walkthrough.

“What we saw in the classroom was amazing,” Verhaegen said. “The work that is done day in and day out is to be absolutely commended. What we saw on the panel was that students were internalizing those rigorous conversations without even thinking about it. We saw in second grade that they are using sentence frames. In the DLI (Dual Language Immersion) class, they are using Spanish sentence frames. We saw those lessons build. The rigor at Curtis Elementary School is strong.”

This transformation at Curtis is rooted in a legacy that began in 1980, when educator Mary Catherine Swanson founded AVID at Clairemont High School in San Diego. While the program began as a secondary-level elective to help underrepresented students reach college, it has since evolved into a global movement. At Curtis, that mission is localized through WICOR, which is a suite of strategies focusing on Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading. This schoolwide philosophy ensures that these high-level academic habits are instilled in students from their very first day of kindergarten.

By teaching these skills early, Curtis ensures students are not just learning facts, but learning how to learn — staying organized and curious long before they reach high school and continue their studies into higher education. 

“As a National Demonstration School, I join the Board of Education and the District in being extremely proud of Curtis Elementary School teachers, students, support staff, families, and the leadership team,” stated Superintendent Dr. Álvarez. “Curtis will now serve as a model for educators across the country who wish to see the best of AVID Elementary in action. Congratulations, Curtis Colts!”

The school will hold this elite designation through the 2029-2030 school year, when it can then reapply. The honor serves as evidence that Curtis Elementary is maintaining its status as a beacon of academic excellence for the Rialto community and the state of California.

Berry currently serves as the City’s Electric Utility Director, a role he has held for the past three years. During his tenure, he has provided strong leadership over the City’s municipal electric utility, focusing on operational efficiency, system reliability, and long-term planning to support Colton’s growth and service needs.

With more than two decades of experience in public utilities and municipal operations, Berry brings a broad and practical understanding of local government. Prior to joining Colton, he served in executive utility leadership roles, including as Utility Director for the City of Lompoc and in management positions with Imperial Irrigation District and other public agencies.

Berry was selected following a comprehensive recruitment process that included a strong pool of highly qualified candidates. His experience, education, and demonstrated commitment to public service distinguished him throughout the process.

Berry has also been actively engaged at the regional level, representing Colton through organizations such as the Southern California Public Power Authority, where he collaborates with peer agencies on energy policy, resource planning, and system reliability initiatives.

In his new role, Berry will support the City Manager in overseeing day-to-day operations, advancing strategic initiatives, and coordinating across departments to ensure efficient service delivery to the community. His background in infrastructure, utilities, and complex regulatory environments positions him well to help guide key City priorities and capital projects.

“I am very happy to see Charles step into this new role” said City Manager Bill Smith.  “He will do a great job for this wonderful city.”

Berry expressed humility and appreciation for the opportunity to serve in this expanded role. “I am truly excited for the opportunity to serve Colton in this new role and to work more closely with City Manager Smith and the City Council. What began for me as a professional opportunity has grown into a deep appreciation for this community; Colton is a special place, and I feel fortunate to be part of it. I look forward to continuing our work together to move the City forward in a thoughtful and responsible way, while delivering high-quality services and enhancing the quality of life for our residents and local businesses”

Berry will transition into the Assistant City Manager role in April, ensuring continuity within the organization while continuing to support the utility operations during the transition period.

Nick Schultz, interim CEO of Inland Economic Growth & Opportunity, or IEGO, said the region is facing what he described as a “compound crisis,” as inflation, housing costs and labor market pressures converge across the Inland Empire. Even amid those challenges, Schultz said growth in healthcare, professional services and cybersecurity could help strengthen the regional economy over time.

“Right now the biggest thing is the consumer price index,” Schultz said. “You have no relief coming in housing markets, no stimulus for a slowing labor market and continued upward pressure on the cost of living, where working families have no margin.”

Schultz said rising fuel costs are also adding pressure to household budgets and the Inland Empire’s logistics-heavy economy, where higher transportation expenses can quickly ripple across warehousing and goods movement.

He said the Inland Empire’s dependence on logistics and warehousing leaves it especially vulnerable when fuel prices rise, trade activity slows and geopolitical disruptions affect the broader supply chain. He also pointed to the region’s ties to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, saying any sustained rerouting, congestion or drop in import volume could put added pressure on Inland Empire warehouses and distribution centers.

“What we’ve been seeing is a logistics sector that was already contracting a little bit,” Schultz said. “This is a direct hit.”

That pressure, he said, comes as many Inland Empire residents are already struggling with affordability, especially in housing.

Schultz said the region has seen some modest housing recovery tied to lower rates, but cautioned that any hoped-for rate cuts that might improve affordability are unlikely to provide much relief soon. In a market where affordability is already severely strained, he said even the prospect of higher mortgage rates could further squeeze residents.

Housing construction, he added, also remains misaligned with the needs of many Inland Empire families.

“It’s a building boom for the wrong people,” Schultz said. “We’re building around them, not for them.”

He said affordable housing often requires layers of subsidy and complicated financing that make projects difficult to deliver at scale, while higher-end apartments and larger single-family homes continue to dominate new development. Even when affordable units are included in larger projects, Schultz said their impact is limited.

“It’s a dent,” he said.

Schultz also pointed to a growing disconnect in the job market. While hiring is still taking place in sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, business services and financial services, he said workers in shrinking industries may not always have the transferable skills needed to move easily into other careers where opportunity is growing.

“I think the bigger issue right now is the sectors that are contracting, or where people are losing jobs,” Schultz said. “Workers in those industries may not always have the transferable skills needed to move easily into other careers where opportunity is growing.”

For seniors and others living on fixed incomes, Schultz said inflation can quickly force painful tradeoffs in daily life.

“For a senior, the tradeoff might be groceries versus medication,” Schultz said. “Your heating or cooling bill versus eating. Those are serious things.”

Still, Schultz said the Inland Empire is not without opportunity.

He pointed to healthcare, professional and business services, and financial services as sectors showing growth, but said cybersecurity may offer one of the region’s stronger long-term openings, especially as compliance requirements tied to federal contracting expand.

“I would encourage folks in the region not to think about cyber just as information technology,” Schultz said. “I want people to think about it as an operational technology.”

He said the Inland Empire’s advanced manufacturing base and growing network of educational programs could help position the region to compete for future contracts and create jobs tied to cybersecurity compliance, infrastructure protection and industrial operations.

At IEGO, Schultz said his work is focused on the region’s economic base and on creating a stronger ecosystem for businesses, investors and workers alike.

“We’re really focused on thinking about a supportive ecosystem and an end-to-end ecosystem that really helps a business, an investor or a job seeker see the Inland Empire as somewhere where they can make money, or make more money,” Schultz said.

Even with the region facing significant headwinds, Schultz suggested the Inland Empire still has assets it can build on, particularly in sectors that connect education, advanced manufacturing and workforce development as businesses adapt to broader economic and geopolitical uncertainty.

At a 9 a.m. press conference outside the county chambers ahead of the April 14 Board of Supervisors meeting, Riverside Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes, Starting Over Strong Operations Director Nathan Kemp and other advocates warned that Bianco could use the closed session to pressure supervisors into paying outside attorney fees tied to multiple lawsuits challenging his handling of election materials. They argued the sheriff launched the investigation without proper authority, hired outside counsel without first securing county approval and should not now be allowed to shift those costs onto the public.

“The Riverside County Board of Supervisors has noticed discussion in closed session today related to the various Bianco lawsuits, which is concerning to me as a taxpayer, voter and elected official,” Cervantes said. “It is extremely concerning that Sheriff Bianco might try to go behind county supervisors in a secret meeting and ask taxpayers to pay for a private law firm to represent him.” She added that Bianco “initiated this sham investigation with virtually no probable cause” and has now “racked up millions in attorney’s fees.”

The showdown comes after Bianco’s office seized more than 650,000 ballots and election materials tied to the 2025 Proposition 50 election, an action that sparked legal challenges and drew statewide scrutiny. Bianco has defended the move as part of an election investigation, not a recount, while critics — including Cervantes and Supervisor Jose Medina — have argued the sheriff overstepped his authority and misused county resources in a way that appeared to align with his gubernatorial campaign.

Cervantes said she has asked her attorneys at the UCLA Voting Rights Project to prepare a brief for the Board of Supervisors arguing that any request to reimburse Bianco’s legal defense should be rejected. In a letter dated April 13, the UCLA Voting Rights Project told Riverside County Counsel that Bianco retained personal outside counsel for his election-related conduct without first requesting a county-provided defense. The letter argues that a county officer cannot bypass county counsel, hire a private attorney independently and then later seek reimbursement from taxpayers after the conduct is challenged in court.

The same letter further argues the county has no duty to pay those costs when an employee’s actions fall outside the scope of employment or involve alleged fraud, corruption or malice. It also states that even if Bianco had wanted separate counsel, California law required him to follow a formal process with the Board of Supervisors rather than act first and seek payment later.

Kemp, whose organization helped organize the press conference, cast the moment as a direct challenge to county leadership. “What’s happening today is, in a few hours, behind closed doors, the board will decide whether taxpayers pay Chad’s legal bills,” Kemp said. He accused Bianco of repeatedly violating election law and said the public should not be forced to underwrite that conduct. “This is not Bianco’s personal legal fund,” Kemp said. “Our money is not Bianco’s personal legal fund. Not now, not ever.”

Chani Beeman, a Riverside resident speaking on behalf of the Riverside Sheriff Accountability Coalition, said she believed the real purpose of the closed session was Bianco’s attempt to pressure supervisors into funding what she described as a political maneuver. In prepared remarks, Beeman said Bianco “chose to hire his friend and political ally for his attorney without Board of Supervisor permission,” acted “illegally and outside the scope of his duties,” and now expects county leaders “to come to his rescue using taxpayer money.” She added: “We say no.”

Bianco, however, publicly dismissed the criticism on April 13th in comments posted to an Instagram post that IECN was a part of regarding the controversy, directly responding to Cervantes. “Oh no, another one of your lawsuits? The same kind of lawsuit like you filed against me to get you in the media last time?” Bianco wrote. “Who is paying for this one? Just as planned, just as frivolous as these.” He went on to describe the litigation as “political lawfare from the progressive left” and added, “This one will end like your last one.”

Those comments added a new political flashpoint to an already volatile legal battle, one that now centers not only on whether Bianco’s ballot seizure was lawful, but whether Riverside County supervisors will allow taxpayers to absorb the financial fallout. By Tuesday morning, that had become the central demand from Cervantes and her allies: that the board reject any effort to treat Bianco’s private legal defense as legitimate county business.

UPDATE: In a 4-1 vote, Riverside County Board of Supervisors voted NOT to fund or take on Bianco’s lawsuits.

As Fontana Adult School’s citizenship teacher since 2018, Browning has seen extraordinary results. During the 2023-24 school year, 53 students passed their U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) exam to become citizens. The number rose to 57 during the 2024-25 school year. Thus far in the 2025-26 school year, 19 students have become citizens, with three students waiting to take their oaths and more than 65 students waiting for a USCIS appointment date.

“My passion is teaching. I want to be able to help everyone, especially our wonderful, hard-working community members who yearn to become U.S. citizens,” Browning said. “To be recognized by Sen. Reyes is a tremendous honor, not just for me, but for the hundreds of new U.S. citizens who are now pursuing the American dream in Fontana.”

After a more than 40-year career as a K-12 teacher, administrator, and adult school teacher, Browning retired in June 2021 and began volunteering in Fontana Unified and Cucamonga School District classrooms. After a six-month hiatus, Browning returned to teach citizenship at Fontana Adult School. With a success rate at that time of zero to six students gaining citizenship each school year, Browning knew there was more that could help her students succeed.

Working with a Fontana Adult School Career Technical Education computer teacher, Browning developed a spreadsheet to create lessons for the class, while also using a “sticky-note” board to track students’ progress through the appointment date, interview, and exam process. Employing a variety of sensory learning modalities, including audio, visual, and kinesthetic, Browning found a winning formula.

Browning’s passion and encouragement for providing residents a pathway to citizenship are encapsulated by two of her former students, Gabriel Gonzalez and his wife, Angelica Esquivel, who both took their citizenship oath on the same day in December 2025. 

“I came to the adult school to take a computer class, and then I heard about the citizenship class,” Esquivel said. “Mrs. Browning pushed me and made me take it seriously. She is an amazing person who teaches with her heart. She is so deserving of this award, and she has inspired me to stay in school and study English.”

Gonzalez said he appreciated the time Browning took to clarify the exam process, such as explaining how to answer interview questions, why it is important to pronounce words correctly, when it is okay to ask officers to repeat a question, and why having solid English skills helps build confidence beyond the citizenship test.

“Thank you, Mrs. Browning, for supporting us and giving us lots of great advice,” Gonzalez said. “She is this way with every student. She encourages us to go back to school and to continue taking English lessons. Now that I have become a citizen, I am looking to start a new career, which is very exciting. We couldn’t have done it without Mrs. Browning.”

The success and demand of Browning’s citizenship class prompted an expansion of the course. She is now employing a “high-flex” model classroom to allow both in-person and online students to participate and provide greater flexibility, in addition to opening a second citizenship class. 

“These students want to be citizens so much,” Browning said. “But there is so much more to it besides passing the test. I ask my students, what are your next steps? Where will you take your skills? What is your plan? The best moments, besides the citizenship ceremony, are when my alums come back and share their experiences with the current students.”

The recognition from Sen. Reyes is one of a series of awards that Browning has received for her citizenship class efforts. In June 2025, Browning received the Promising Practice Award from the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS) for using data to drive instruction. In September 2025, she also earned the California Adult Education Program (CAEP) award for Model Classroom.

“Lynnette Browning is a community treasure. She puts her heart and soul into everything she does,” Fontana Adult School principal Cynthia Gleason said. “Whether she is teaching citizenship or English as a Second Language, helping students receive their GED, or even starting a class for paraprofessionals, Lynnette is serving this community with respect and dignity. She is so deserving of this award.”

During the hearing, Colton Recreation Manager Heidi Strutz, representing the Community Services Department, presented the proposed changes and asked council members to approve the updated fees and rental policy.

Strutz said the department’s request had been reviewed twice by the Recreation and Parks Commission and was brought before the City Council with the goal of implementing the changes by summer 2026.

The proposed updates include the addition of some fees, including aquatic fees, late fees and fees for the city’s drop-in sports program. Strutz also requested fee reductions for swim passes, day camp and rentals.

The policy update also revises several sections related to facility use and program operations. Changes include Section 6.8, which clarifies when rental discounts may be applied, and Section 8.3, which limits access to service animals in accordance with federal ADA guidelines. Sections 8.13 through 8.16 establish stricter regulations for food and beverage vendors operating at city facilities. Additional updates address volunteer requirements for organizations and youth sports leagues under Section 12.2, as well as background check requirements and adjusted on-site supervision standards under Section 12.4.4.

After the presentation, discussion opened and council members began asking questions for clarification on the fee changes and policy updates.

Councilmember Dr. Gonzalez asked for clarification on a newly proposed $25 late fee for parades.

Strutz explained that the fee specifically pertained to Colton’s Veterans Parade, where getting parade entries submitted on time had become increasingly difficult. She said that last year, after the department noted there would be a late fee for late applications, all applications were ultimately received on time.

Gonzalez also asked for more information about the updated policies, specifically the volunteer requirements for youth leagues.

Councilmember Chastain asked for clarification on several of the policy revisions. In discussing how service animals would be identified under Section 8.3, Strutz said, “We have that policy within our employee manual that identifies how to assess if there is a service animal. We follow the federal ADA guidelines to provide accommodations.”

The public hearing concluded with all council members voting to approve the updated Community Services Department Fees and Rental Policy, Resolution No. R-21-26.

Robert Carrillo, founder and president of Carrillo Group and Launchpad Collective Inc., said his organization’s planned mixed-use development at 125 W. Baseline will soon bring 32 modular residential units, micro-retail space, a commercial kitchen, a daycare and small restaurant space to the corridor.

The dispute gained added urgency after the San Bernardino Planning Commission voted 3-2 in March to reject the proposed McDonald’s project across the street from Launchpad’s forthcoming housing development. Carrillo said the result reflected growing concern over whether the development fit the corridor’s long-term vision and said he expects the project to be appealed.

Carrillo said his housing project is designed for transitional-age youth, including young adults aging out of foster care, and veteran women with children — groups he said face growing housing instability in the city.

“We are determined to end youth homelessness here,” Carrillo said. “That’s the first step.”

Carrillo said Launchpad, which has existed for two years, expects to break ground in July and have residents moving in during the first quarter of 2027. He said the development will include 22 studios, six two-bedroom units and four one-bedroom units, with apartments ranging from about 500 square feet to about 1,000 square feet.

The project is being planned as a mixed-income development under Assembly Bill 2011 and San Bernardino’s transit-oriented development framework, Carrillo said. He said the site will not include parking, an approach he argued fits the area’s transit access and the city’s push for more walkable communities.

Carrillo said the debate has intensified because the proposed McDonald’s would sit across the street from Launchpad’s site.

“It’s not about interfering with our project,” Carrillo said. “It interferes with the development and the progress of San Bernardino, especially the residents in Ward 1.”

Carrillo argued the McDonald’s proposal conflicts with the intent of the corridor’s land-use rules because it would require changes to allow a drive-thru, more parking and other site adjustments in an area he says should prioritize mixed-use housing.

He said the parcel in question could support roughly 100 to 120 residential units above ground-floor commercial space if developed to its highest potential.

“The highest and best use of that site is housing with commercial space below,” Carrillo said. “We could have McDonald’s there, but why not have the residential units above? Why not have more commercial spaces?”

Carrillo said opponents approached the March 10 hearing with land-use and policy arguments rather than emotion, and that commissioners echoed some of those points during deliberations.

“It wasn’t, ‘We hate McDonald’s,’” Carrillo said. “It’s about, we have a better vision for what can be here.”

Carrillo said Launchpad’s 32-unit mixed-use project, which he said includes 10,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space, is projected to generate at least $17 million in local economic impact in its first year. He said the estimate was based on modeling his team conducted using a platform he identified as “NPlan,” and said the figure accounts for jobs, local economic activity and public-system impacts. Carrillo also said the project could generate “a couple of million dollars in taxes,” though those projections were not independently verified.

He also pointed to what he described as a broader pattern in lower-income neighborhoods, where projects are often accepted simply because they are seen as better than vacancy.

“You only hear, ‘It’s better than nothing,’ in these parts of town,” he said.

Carrillo said the development is also meant to create an ecosystem of support. He said Launchpad’s partners include the San Bernardino Community College District and the California University of Science and Medicine, with plans to connect residents to supportive services, entrepreneurship opportunities and workforce development.

He said the need is urgent.

“There are 4,000 McKinney-Vento students in San Bernardino City Unified who don’t have permanent addresses,” Carrillo said. “That’s a crazy amount.”

For Carrillo, the issue is larger than one restaurant or one project. He said the question is whether San Bernardino will continue settling for what is available, or begin demanding development that better matches the needs of its residents.

“All it is is a shiny building at the end of the day with a bunch of car traffic that is not conducive to a walkable community right there,” he said.