Friday, February 19, 2021
Virtual Meeting via ZOOM
Minutes
Present: Deborah Barmack, Carole Beswick, Mike Burrows, Ken Coate, Kevin Dyerly, Louis Goodwin, Mark Kaenel, Lowell King, Pam Langford, Bill Lemann, John Mirau, Dan Murphy, Vikki Ostermann, Bansree Parikh, Michael Rivera, Dan Roberts, Kristine Scott, Ray Wolfe, and Frank Zabaleta.
Guest: B.J. Patterson.
Louis Goodwin, Past Chair, presiding.
Louis Goodwin introduced B.J. Patterson, President (Founder), Pacific Mountain Logistics, LLC to discuss the SCAQMD proposed indirect source rule requiring dry goods warehouses of over 100,000 sq. ft. to take action or pay an annual mitigation fee of $1 per sq. ft. to mitigate truck travel to and from their warehouses. The rule does not include a sunset date and could go on indefinitely. A few unrealistic suggestions to avoid the annual fees include adding solar panels to roofs, purchasing electric trucks and installing electric charging stations. Unlike the Midwest and Eastern regions that deal with heavy rain and snowfall, our buildings are not designed to handle added roof weight. Only 30% of the warehouses here in So. California could safely install solar panels. Replacing existing trucks with electric will not be feasible as the technology doesn’t really exist yet and the market has not yet begun to manufacture these vehicles. Currently there is a 2-3 year wait for charging stations which are very expensive. There seems to be a misconception that all warehouses are owned by large Corporations who can afford these fees; however, the reality is that only 20% of warehouses are owned by Fortune 500 Companies. Although costs of doing business here are high the numbers made sense for the industry but if this rule is approved the bottom-line changes for the industry. The rule will serve as a disincentive with many going out of the AQMD district like the high desert or Fresno or to neighboring Nevada and Arizona. If this occurs unintended consequences will include increased truck traffic and pollution in our region.
The Inland Action Legislative Committee has recommended opposition to the rule and suggest taking the issue to the full board.
Motion by R. Wolfe/Second M. Burrows: Passed: Recommend to the Inland Action Board to oppose the Proposed Rule 2305: Warehouse Indirect Source Rule (ISR)AQMD Rule.
Announcements: 1) SCAG held a web meeting Thursday, Feb. 18th for community-based organizations regarding their Strategic Plan for Recovery. SCAG has planned 30 additional meetings for other sectors throughout the region and regional input is requested.
Motion by L. King/ Second by K. Scott/Passed: Minutes from December 4, 2020.
1 Abstention
A 1.1 million sq. ft. spec warehouse called “The Landing” is proposed by San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. The tribe has requested support for this project that will be located on the corner of Victoria and Third in San Bernardino. The project is part of their diversification efforts and passed the City’s planning commission last week with a 5-1 vote. The property is not sovereign land so will be subject to taxation. They are hopeful to break ground this summer. Concerns include excessive truck traffic on our highways and increased traffic to the airport. The discussion was tabled until further information and clarification is supplied to Inland Action leadership.
City ordinances requiring Hero Pay of an additional $4 per hour in grocery stores with 300 or more employees was discussed. Many cities in Southern California are also filing suit. A hearing in Long Beach will occur on Tuesday, Feb. 23 and will likely set a precedent. Remarks included why the grocery industry is targeted, how this may affect additional sectors of our economy, and the effects of allowing a city to dictate wage rates to business’s. The Inland Action Legislative Committee has recommended opposition.
Motion L. King/Second by K. Scott/Passed: The proposed Hero Pay will be taken to the full Inland Action Board.
1 Abstention.
San Bernardino County is seeking candidates to serve on their Redistricting Commission. The Inland Action Appointment Committee will review the requirements and work on possible candidates.
Dan Roberts, Chair of Judicial Committee announced his intention to apply for judgeship in District Court. He would like to continue as Committee Chair and would recuse himself regarding candidate endorsements. The Executive Committee asks that he continue as Judicial Committee Chair.
Meeting adjourned at 9:10 a.m.