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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMayor and City Council Report 8-7-24•In January 2024, a Federal judge, issued an injunction prohibiting the City of San Bernardino from cleaning encampments as a result of the court finding that the City failed to comply with due process and Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. While the City produced staff declarations and evidence of compliance, the judge’s order remains in place. •In June, following the United States Supreme Court decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson, the City confirmed that the ruling did NOT affect the current injunction and the City could not begin performing encampment clean-ups. •The City has been actively working to get the injunction lifted. Staff and the legal counsel have been developing a new encampment clean-up policy and have been working on its implementation. •We believe we are only days away from reaching a stipulated arrangement in which the City can resume encampment clean-ups. •In recent weeks, a controversy has arisen about whether the injunction prohibits the City from enforcing other laws concerning the parks and unhoused people who are camping in the parks. The City Attorney has gone on record saying that the injunction does not prohibit the City from enforcing its local laws or the California Penal Code to the extent that unhoused people living in our parks are violating laws they can be cited and/or arrested. But she has also gone on record stating that such enforcement does not necessarily mean that the parks can immediately be cleared of all unhoused people and their belongings. •The Governor’s recent Executive Order has also created confusion as the media widely reported that the Governor was ordering that all encampments be cleared. In fact, the Order only applies to State departments, agencies and land under his authority. Local governments were “encouraged to adopt policies” and use available resources to “remove encampments from public spaces…” •The City continues to make lifting the injunction its highest priority. •Plans are already being made to implement the steps necessary conduct a significant park encampment clean-up once the injunction is lifted. The cleanup will be done in accordance with stipulated terms. Once we have a date certain, staff will issue a press release and call for a coordinated press conference with a clear message of the plan. •The City is also working on a Navigation Center and a project in conjunction with Lutheran Social Services of Southern California, which will provide additional resources to offer solutions/housing for the homeless, reinforcing the City's ability to both provide alternatives and enforce regulations. •The City continues to make lifting the injunction the highest priority. •Plans are already being made to implement the steps necessary conduct a significant park encampment clean-up once the injunction is lifted. The cleanup will be done in accordance with stipulated terms. Once we have a date certain, staff will issue a press release and call for a coordinated press conference with a clear message of the plan. •The City is also working on a Navigation Center and a project in conjunction with Lutheran Social Services of Southern California, which will provide additional resources to offer solutions/housing for the homeless, reinforcing the City's ability to both provide alternatives and enforce regulations. •The Navigation Center project has been delayed with multiple issues. The funding source(s) present several obstacles that were not considered in the initial stages, which caused several delays. •To expedite this process and ensure that project milestones meet with funding deadlines, I'm excited to announce the engagement of ERNA Enterprises, LLC, whose contract was executed yesterday. •ERNA Enterprises has 22 years experience in real estate development, specializing in affordable housing financing and multifamily properties. They excel in addressing logistical, compliance, and financial complexities, focusing on securing development partners, site acquisitions, regulatory compliance, and supportive services evaluations. •The kickoff meeting is tomorrow, which I have expedited due to time constraints the City is facing. •Tonight, the Council will be asked to approve the purchase of modual shelters. •The modular shelters, in addition to the current facility, is expected to accommodate the ongoing population of animals at the shelter. •Based upon the manufacturer’s workload, it is expected to take 26-28 weeks for the modular shelter to be delivered. •The City is in the process of identifying additional shelter locations for the immediate need, until the construction of the new shelters are complete. •Currently, all cats have been moved to Casa Ramona, located at 1633 5th Street. They are open to the public between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm seven days a week. Vaccines, Medication and Flea Treatment $178,806.87 Vet Care for Injured and Sick Animals $242,943.43 Spay and Neuter for Adopted Animals $314,302.53 Site Improvements (Includes fencing, modular office buildings, dishwasher, asphalt, geothermal repair, kennels and furniture) $401,494.10 One Animal Control Truck $107,335.86 Preliminary Design for the new Animal Shelter $165,630.15 Pet Microchips $16,176.57 Playgroup Supplies $4,626.23 Remaining unspent funds $68,684.26 When a fire hits our City, there are often heart- breaking stories of loss and acts of heroism. On Monday, the brush fire on Little Mountain destroyed five homes and damaged several more. Our hearts go out to the victims. A special fund for the victims has not been set up, but you can make financial donations to the Red Cross of San Bernardino County, at (909) 888-1481. Our SBCFPD Crews, along with partners from San Manuel, City of Riverside, Cal Fire, and SBPD were able to protect and save over 100 additional homes. There was no loss of life, with only one injury (smoke inhalation). Little Mountain Fire Last week, the community came together to celebrate the unveiling of local artist Brenda Angel’s latest mural at the Encanto Community Center. The mural, entitled “Resilience,” pays tribute to the selfless dedication of health care workers and first responders during the pandemic. The mural was funded as part of a Creative Corps Inland SoCal grant, from the Inland Empire Community Foundation in partnership with the California Arts Council. New Mural at the Encanto Community Center Solar Street Lights Coming to San Bernardino The City has received an EECBG grant in the amount of $250,000 from the U.S. Department of Energy for the purchase and installation of 60-80 solar street lights. A test installation was recently done in front of the Feldheym Library along with the intersection of E Street and 2nd Street. The absence of extensive wiring reduces the risk of damage and maintenance costs associated with theft, as well as promotes sustainability and reduces energy costs. Bids will be sought soon with a project completion date in the Spring of 2024. Little League Baseball Regionals In San Bernardino On Friday at 6:00 pm, the team from Eastvale will take on the winner from tonight’s game between Arizona and Hawaii. The winner will advance to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, VA. Games are free to attend. Congratulations to softball team from Wilcox, Arizona for winning the Softball Western Regionals in San Bernardino last week! City NewsCity News Animal Services Rescues 103 Geese and Turkeys Earlier today, Animal Services was able to connect with a Lake Elsinore rescue to take 47 geese and 56 turkeys that were impounded from an abandoned building on July 22. Free adoptions for dogs and cats continue through August 11 at the Shelter followed by $25 adoptions through September 10 in partnership with NBC4 and Telemundo. City Receives $667,000 for Bridge Repair Planning Earlier today, the City learned it has received a $667,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to evaluate and plan for the rehabilitation of 11 bridges along major corridors in the City. The City is one of only five agencies in the State to receive such funding, which is a part of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. City NewsCity News Jesus Cisneros Shines in Plumbing Competition San Bernardino resident Jesus Cisneros finished in second place at the Southern California Chapter of the 2024 National Craft Championship Plumbing Competition. Jesus is here in the audience tonight. Assistant Secretary of Commerce Visits San Bernardino Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Castillo along with a delegation from the Economic Development Administration were in town to celebrate a new job training center to be operated by the SBCCD on Del Rosa Avenue. The EDA provided $3M in funds for the 17,620 square foot project.