In a pair of contentious closed-session meetings on April 25 and 27, San Bernardino City Council moved forward with interviewing candidates for the city manager position despite the absence of Mayor Helen Tran and Councilmembers Dr. Treasure Ortiz and Mario Flores, drawing sharp criticism from constituents and some elected officials.
Both special meetings, held unusually on a Friday evening and a Sunday evening at the city building on 201 N E Street’s third floor — rather than the customary Feldheym Library — were publicly called on April 24. Many residents criticized the timing, location, and absence of the full council, calling the process rushed and lacking transparency.
At the April 25 meeting, resident Stephanie Liggins urged the council to reconsider proceeding without all eight elected officials present…