Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Executive Committee Meeting
Minutes
Present: Deborah Barmack, Carole Beswick, Mike Burrows, Ken Coate, Kevin Dyerly, Fran Inman, Lena Kent, Lowell King, Bill Lemann, Jacquelyn Mercado, Dan Murphy, Bansree Parikh, Catherine Pritchett, Michael Rivera, Elizabeth Romero, Dan Schenkel, Kristine Scott, and Frank Zabaleta.
Announcements: 1) Members were reminded that the Legislative Reception in Washington, D.C. will be held on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 from 6-8:30 p.m. A funding/sponsorship request for the Legislative Reception and daily hospitality hour held at San Manuel’s facility on 1st Street has been sent out to the membership. 2) New members of the Executive Committee were welcomed, and appreciation was expressed for their willingness to serve. 3) The League of California Cities Inland Empire Division will hold a dinner featuring Honorable Jim Brulte on Thursday, February 23, 2023, from 5-7:00 p.m. at Spaggi’s in Fontana. Rsvp to LValera@calcities.org
Lowell King, Past Chair presiding.
Motion by K. Scott/Second/Passed with one abstention: Minutes from November 29, 2022, and January 10, 2023.
A letter of support is requested for Brightline West’s federal highspeed rail grant application. This is Brightline’s first request for public funding and is in alignment with Inland Action’s previous support of their project.
Motion M. Burrows/Second/Passed with one abstention: A letter of support for Brightline West’s grant application will be sent to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.
A letter of support has been requested for the Ontario International Aviation Authority’s (OIAA) application to the USDOT’s RAISE grant program. Funding will be used to advance realignment and reconstruction of E. Avion and Jurupa Streets as part of the South Airport Cargo Center (SACC) project. The project is critical for improved cargo access.
Motion K. Coate/Second/Passed with one abstention: A letter of support for the USDOT’s RAISE grant for realignment and reconstruction of the SACC project will be sent to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.
Senator Richard Roth has introduced SB 75 to authorize 26 new judgeships for California regions in need. San Bernardino and Riverside Counties have been recognized as the top two counties in the state that have a critical need of additional judges. His legislation is consistent with Inland Action’s advocacy and a letter of support is requested. Comments included widening support by Inland Action members advocating for the legislation with other boards or agencies to which they belong. A summary of the legislation was provided by Deborah Barmack.
Motion K. Scott/Second/Passed: A letter of support for SB 75 will be sent.
Appreciation was expressed to the Committees that have submitted their draft federal issues papers. Committees were asked to submit the names of individuals, staff, or agencies with whom they would like to meet in Washington, D.C. as soon as possible. Attendance for those participating on the federal advocacy trip is critical for the meeting on February 7, 2023, when federal issues will be presented as well as the meeting on February 28, 2023, when trip logistics will be covered. Veterans of the trip were asked to be inclusive with those that have not traveled with us.
The state advocacy will be April 11-12, 2023. The meeting on February 21, 2023, will be dedicated to Committee work for State issues. Tentatively, second dedicated Committee meetings will be held on March 28, 2023.
Inland Action has three organizational committees. Appreciation was expressed to the Chairs and Vice Chairs for being proactive.
- Membership Committee is Chaired by Kristine Scott with Vice Chair Reggie Webb.
- Appointments Committee is Chaired by Fran Inman
- Legislative Committee is Chaired by Miguel Mendoza with Vice Chair Greg Bradbard.
The group was updated on the proposed meeting with the Governor’s staff regarding Economics and Opportunities in the Inland Region. The white paper is close to ready and when finalized staff will work with Assemblyman Ramos’ staff to expedite a meeting. Additionally, the IE caucus should be addressed with an emphasis on the negative economic impacts of restricting logistics in the region. The effects will be felt throughout the goods movement chain (ports, warehouses, employment, trucks, etc). A balance is needed with environmental and economic concerns. Partners outside Inland Action like NAIOP, IEEP, League of Cities, etc. are critical as the issue is broad and needs a regional approach. Benefits to the region vs negativity should be brought to light with appropriate and specific data including the many individuals that the industry has brought out of poverty.
Meeting adjourned at 8:36 a.m.