Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Open Board of Directors Meeting
San Bernardino Community College District
114 S. Del Rosa Drive
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Minutes
Present: Rigo Bejarano, Tom Brickley, Ann Bryan, Matthew Buck, Ken Coate, Scott Davis, Kevin Dyerly, Dick Hart, Scott Hofferber, Jay Jimenez, Erik Johnson, Mark Kaenel, Lowell King, John Mirau, Dan Murphy, Brian Reider, Jan Remm, Kristine Scott, Wendy Strack, Steve von Rajcs and Phil Waller.
Guests: Tricia Almiron, Vicki Ostermann and Todd Warden
Announcements: 1) Senators Leyva and Roth will host a Mobile Home Conference on Friday, October 23, 2015. Contact Tyler Madary at 951-680-6750 for more information. 2) A Job Fair will be held on Monday, October 26, 2015 at CSUSB from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The event is sponsored by Assemblyman Marc Steinorth and the SB County Workforce Investment Board. Please contact the District Office for more information 909-476-5023.
M/S/P: Minutes from October 13, 2015.
Brian Reider introduced Assemblyman Chad Mayes.
A former financial advisor and registered tax preparer, Chad Mayes served on the Yucca Valley Town Council from 2002-2011, and was twice elected by the council to serve as mayor. During that time, his leadership helped deliver a record of balanced budgets without tax increases. At the height of the state and national financial crisis, Yucca Valley responded with a disciplined action plan that included significant budget cuts while still safeguarding the community’s rainy day fund. When Chad left the Town Council, the community had 40% of its budget in reserves. In 2011, Mayes resigned as a member of the town council to focus on his responsibilities as Chief of Staff to San Bernardino County Supervisor Janice Rutherford. He resigned the position after two years to run for the State Assembly.
Assemblyman Mayes was elected to represent the 42nd District in November 2014. The district encompasses parts of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Cities include Yucaipa, Palm Springs, Landers and Twenty-Nine Palms. He stated that he has much to learn but has many of the fundamentals of how Sacramento works.
The Assemblyman is an advocate of a strategic or master plan for the Republican Party in order to outline goals and vision. He stated that first a plan or map is needed, then legislation can be created to get to the goal. The reverse seems to be the case in Sacramento. Both parties have moved away from stating their vison, as it could be used against them. Leadership is often risky but controversies should not be avoided for political approval. His approach does not focus on the number of bills submitted but getting appropriate legislation to bring us to a goal. A focus on the quantity of legislation can mean that many new bills do not have the comparative studies to work with existing legislation. He observed that fellow legislators are too often focused on an “I” rather than a “we” attitude. Unlike the Governor the Assembly is a body not unlike a board of directors that must come to consensus. He and the Party are now working on comprehensive plans for transportation, water, education, environment and economic development.
Housing is in a deficit with some 1 million units needed in affordable housing. More supply is needed to bring prices down but builders are hesitant with the current uncertain market and costs. CEQA reform could significantly change the building outlook if builders can rely on realistic time lines and avoid unnecessary litigation. Government subsidized housing is not the long term solution.
Congestion management is critical yet funding of transportation is so politically sensitive no one wants to discuss. Additionally the formulas CalTrans uses for tracking the income from transportation (like the gas tax) and spending is just too complex. Toll lanes, VMT, HOT lanes and gas tax are all part of the picture but the Assemblyman stated that he sees no real alternatives to toll lanes in order to manage congestion. He would need to see serious reform in the system to favor raising taxes.
The Assemblyman is a strong advocate for shifting power away from state and federal government and back to local communities, an approach he will continue to champion in the Assembly.
A Q & A period followed.
Meeting adjourned at 8:27a.m.