San Bernardino Council Faces Pressure to Select New City Manager Amid Calls for Stability

The San Bernardino City Council held a closed session to deliberate the process for appointing the city’s next manager, a decision viewed as crucial for restoring stability in a city plagued by frequent leadership turnover. The meeting underscored the growing public demand for consistent, effective governance.

The session included impassioned public comments from community members and leaders, highlighting the critical role the city manager plays in steering San Bernardino through its ongoing challenges.

Community Voices Demand Stability

Former City Councilmember Kim Calvin delivered a pointed critique of the council’s past decisions regarding city manager appointments. She warned against further missteps, saying, “I don’t know who you think is going to miraculously want to come to a city of this type of dysfunction. You all will be the ones we, the community members, hold accountable for every decision that you make going forward.”

Calvin further advocated for Interim City Manager Rochelle Clayton, who has been serving in the role for seven months. “Interim City Manager Clayton has been in place for seven months providing the city with stability. What more are you asking for?” she questioned, noting that Clayton’s leadership had already brought a measure of steadiness to the city.

Carlos Gonzales, Staff Coordinator for Teamsters Local 1932, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the broader implications of stability in leadership. “Our city needs stability. Not only do we need stability for Teamsters Local 1932 to negotiate contracts, but our entire community needs stability in a city manager so we can make San Bernardino a better place for all of us,” Gonzales stated. Representing 180 city employees, Gonzales emphasized that strong leadership is essential for effective operations and community progress.

Council Addresses Process Challenges

Councilwoman Dr. Treasure Ortiz of Ward 7 clarified the nature of the meeting, stating that it focused on refining the city’s procedures for selecting a city manager rather than making an immediate appointment. “It’s really about stability and it’s about the discussions that are circulating on a stable process for us and the residents,” Ortiz explained.

Ortiz highlighted the city’s alarming history of leadership instability, noting, “We have had 16 city managers in 16 years in San Bernardino.” She stressed the importance of establishing a robust and transparent selection process, ensuring that future appointments are clear to the public. “Our city is going to be mindful of how items are worded and placed on the agenda moving forward because many community members were confused at what exactly was taking place and being discussed during this closed session meeting,” Ortiz said.

Support for Interim Leadership

Public support for Interim City Manager Rochelle Clayton remained strong throughout the meeting. Christian Shaughnessy, a former candidate for Ward 3 City Council, praised Clayton’s tenure, stating, “She’s put in a lot of great, competent work over the years, and it’d be great to have her as the permanent city manager in San Bernardino.”

While no immediate decisions were made, San Bernardino Public Information Officer Jeff Krauss clarified that the session was intended to outline the appointment process rather than finalize a selection. “We are not expecting any actions to be taken. It’s an opportunity for the council to meet to discuss the process of appointment,” Krauss said.

A Path Toward Stability

As San Bernardino grapples with its turbulent administrative history, the calls for a stable and transparent selection process resonate throughout the community. The council’s next steps will determine whether the city can overcome its reputation for leadership turnover and move toward a more stable and prosperous future.

The road ahead is clear: the city needs effective, lasting leadership to address its challenges and foster trust among its residents. The coming weeks will reveal whether the council is prepared to meet this demand.