Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Executive Committee Meeting
Minutes
Present: Deborah Barmack, Carole Beswick, Mike Burrows, Ken Coate, Kevin Dyerly, Mark Kaenel, Lowell King, Bill Lemann, Miguel Mendoza, Dan Murphy, Michael Rivera, Elizabeth Romero, Dan Schenkel, Kristine Scott, Ray Wolfe, and Frank Zabaleta.
Announcements: 1) Members were reminded that next week (June 6, 2023) will be an off-site meeting at the Sterling Natural Resource Center. Rsvp at sharrison@inlandaction.com or 909-363-6411 by June 1, 2023. 2) Senator Roth’s SB 75 that would authorize new judgeships for California regions in need has passed the Senate and now moves to the Assembly. 3) Remember to mark your calendar for Wednesday, June 14th when Inland Action members and friends will gather at The 909 sports bar at Yaamava Resort & Casino to watch the Congressional baseball game.
Lowell King, Past Chair presiding.
Motion by R. Wolfe/Second/Passed: Minutes from January 31, 2023.
Frank Zabaleta, Treasurer summarized the Balance Sheet for period ending March 31, 2023, noting that the majority of pre-paid expense is the purchase of airfare for the Sacramento trip taken in April and our cash position remains strong. He also summarized the Profit & Loss Budget vs Actual report commenting that the Sacramento trip will be reflected in the next quarter and that we were under budget for the Washington, D.C. trip.
Carole Beswick, CEO reported on the meeting with representatives from the Fresno Economic Development Corporation hosted at Luxivair, San Bernardino Airport. Other Inland Action attendees included Mike Burrows, Michael Rivera, Kristine Scott, Greg Bradbard, Dan Schenkel and Deborah Barmack. This non-profit group is led by LeeAnn Eager, CEO & President, who is also the Chair of the California Transportation Commission. The meeting was very interesting and informative as they described what they do and many of their successes. The Inland Empire currently has nothing like this and could greatly benefit from something similar. They are able to obtain funding from Sacramento for their Corporation and are very helpful to entities with projects that have faced challenges. They described recent funding to conduct a neighborhood study on a specific project that was having difficulties. The study invited some 40 neighbors who were directly impacted for the three-day study. They provided a facilitator, and motivated the residents with per diems, meals, and childcare. Concerns included traffic effects, health impacts and others but the outcome of the study reflected that the number one concern for the neighbors was jobs.
The overall take away was that the two regions have a good deal in common and we should find some narratives that we share as we are both inland California areas with many of the same challenges. For more information, please go to their web site at https://www.fresnoedc.com/
Executive staff met with the IE Community Foundation President and CEO Michelle Decker and the new IEGO Executive Director Matthew Mena. Matthew is an experienced advocate for the Inland Empire having served at GO-Biz and the County of San Bernardino Economic Development Dept. He indicated that the data from the Brookings Institute needs updating and potentially may refocus the original four pillars of sustainable logistics, green technology, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing that had been previously identified. IEGO has been somewhat sidelined with the CERF process and needs to prioritize the four pillars. He is well aware of the fatigue experienced by staff and the community with the demands of CERF. Business can’t invest time without outcomes, and he will work to re-energize and get collaboration. Inland Action will ask the new Director to speak with the group.
Executive staff met with Monday Morning Group leadership Cindy Roth, Chair and Lou Monville, Vice Chair, who shared their legislative platform. The robust dialog included collaboration of Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs and a desire to hold a joint event, hosting the Inland Empire Caucus in the fall. The caucus seems to be competitive rather than cooperating for the good of the IE and does not seem to be meeting.
Inland Action was asked to participate in a focus group that was held by the Inland Center for Sustainable Development. The Center is part of UCR’s School of Public Policy. Rick Bishop is one of the co-leaders of the Institute, who also moderated the event, that had some 15 participants. The participants consisted of two developers, representative from electeds ,planning departments (Colton, Beaumont, and Ontario), the Redford Conservancy Director, Susan Phillips (author of “A Region in Crisis” report), South Coast Air Quality representative, the Leonard Institute representative, a representative from Majority Leader Reyes office, a citizen’s representative, and a few others to discuss warehouses, what they mean to the region and how to “do it right”. The discussions were very interesting and engaging. As a result of the focus group, the Center has sent an outline of their plans for the next 12 months which includes reviews of certain literature, planned forums, and concluding report. They plan to address the role and scale of logistics in our region, the impact on public health, transportation infrastructure, air quality impacts, technology and automation, quality of life, and local government. These topics are exciting to explore, and they are looking for representatives to participate in their forums. Inland Action will be tracking the Inland Centers progress, and anyone interested in participating should contact Inland Action staff.
Organizational Committees (Appointments, Legislative, and Membership) were discussed. The committees were asked to meet and discuss their initiatives preparing to report back to the members at the July 11, 2023, Inland Action. Staff are available to assist in scheduling a Zoom meeting or answering any questions would that be helpful. Appreciation was expressed to the Chairs who lead these committees.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 a.m.