HomeMy WebLinkAbout31-Public Comments Handout 2
May 5, 2003
TO: Judith Valles, Mayor ofthe City of San Bernardino
City Council of the City of San Bernardino
FROM: Belvedere Neighborhood Association, Amber Hills Neighborhood Association
RE: San Manuel Casino Expansion
Dear Mayor Valles and City Council Members
As you are aware the San Manuel Band currently operates a Casino/Bingo facility in the County of San
Bernardino, directly adjacent to the City of San Bernardino and unincorporated areas of the County.
The tribe has recently announced plans to expand the casino by 300,000 square feet and build a six story
parking structure. The casino is adjacent to a residential neighborhood and within two blocks of an
elementary school and a middle school. The Neighborhood Associations represent the concerned
residents of the areas immediate affected.
We ask the City Council as elected otlicials representing the affected residents to take a position of
opposition to the casino expansion. Taking a position of opposition and mitigating current problems is
the only way the safety and security of your constituents can be assured.
We ask the City Council to meet with tribal officials and neighborhood representatives in an effort to
mitigate the problems that currently exist including traffic, noise, lights and other casino related issues.
We ask that an agenda item at the next Council Meeting be scheduled and a resolution opposing the
expansion be voted on by all council members.
We ask the City Council to work with the League of Cities on amendments and moditications to the
tribal gaming compact, which assure safeguards to the public and a judicially enforceable agreement
between tribal government and local governments. A judicially enforceable agreement would give
local government recourse to the actions of the tribal governments and hold them accountable and
responsible to their local government and regional neighbors. It also requires the tribes to adhere to
CEQA standards.
We ask the City Council to initiate meetings with San Manuel tribe concerning the development of a
Memorandum of Understanding similar to those reached in Placer County and Yolo County with the
United Auburn Indian Community and the Rumsey Tribal Government respectively. Such an MOU
would allow the tribe to directly reimburse the city for police and fire service as well as street repa'r and.
other cost associated with the casino operations. Entered into Record It ~ 5 5 1\
Council/CmyDevCms Mtg::!iN" U
Nick Gonzales
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Belvedere Association President
909-838-9615
by
re Agenda Item 3 J
y1<'LYUtt~nu cUr,v; (1ptA~
City ClerldCDC Secy
City of San Bernardino