HomeMy WebLinkAboutLyzzeth Mendoza_ Public Comment_Study Session re Sidewalk Vending_RedactedvL• Inland Coalition
1 for Immigrant Justice
_, • o
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
Dear Mayor, Council Members, and city staff,
Lyzzeth Mendoza
Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice
521 N. Euclid Ave. Ontario, CA. 91762
I write to you today to address the Sidewalk Vending study session you calendared for today. Last
Friday the City Finance Department staff and San Bernardino Police Department decided to
continue their operations to cite, destroy, and confiscate items from vendors throughout the city
of San Bernardino.
Today we had to spend most of the morning verifying what the city staff will present and the
Finance Department shared they would present amendments to the municipal code. They failed to
mention these proposed changes would in fact create a burden on more vendors and will further
criminalize sidewalk vendors. In the midst of a global pandemic and a looming economic crisis,
these proposed changes would further exacerbate the needs of San Bernardino residents.
On behalf of the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, I ask that you take the following steps to
address the concerns of vendors and community advocates who worked since last spring to ensure
you adopted a Sidewalk Vendor ordinance:
- I request the City Council and staff to table this item because there was no attempt to reach
people most affected by the proposed changes.
- I request the City of San Bernardino stop its enforcement operations until a complete and
accessible outreach and education strategy is established that includes input from vendors and
community organizations.
- I request the City Council and staff to work with vendors and Inland Coalition for Immigrant
Justice before this item gets discussed, you and your staff have not reached out to us regarding
these changes and it is necessary you consult with m before changes are made to ensure we are
all on the same page about this program moving forward.
- I ask that you meet with the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice as soon as possible to
discuss education, outreach, and enforcement operations before any changes to the municipal
code are made.
Sincerely,
Lyzzeth Mendoza
Policy Manager