Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Virtual Meeting via ZOOM
Minutes
Present: Patti Arlt, Deborah Barmack, Carole Beswick, Greg Bradbard, Mike Burrows, Ken Coate, Sandra Cuellar, Michelle Decker, Kevin Dyerly, Louis Goodwin, Otis Greer, Fran Unman, Mark Kaenel, Lena Kent, Lowell King, Pam Langford, Bill Lemann, P.T. McEwen, Darcy McNaboe, Miguel Mendoza, John Mirau, Dan Murphy, Vikki Ostermann, Bansree Parikh, Steve PonTell, Catherine Pritchett, Thomas Rice, Michael Rivera, Dan Roberts, Dan Schenkel, Kristine Scott, Phil Southard, Sol Teh, Eric Ustation, Lupe Valdez, Pete Van Helden, Dr. Judy White, Ray Wolfe and Marisa Yeager.
Guests: Megan Barajas.
Announcements: 1) All Inland Action primary and alternate representatives are invited to attend an in-person gathering on Thursday, June 3, 2021 for golf and/or an in-person reception. Please Rsvp to Cbeswick@inlandaction.com. There are currently three open slots for golfers. The outdoor reception will be from 4-5:30p.m. This social event is free of charge, and we encourage all to attend. 2) State advocacy issue papers are due tomorrow. Next week Committee Chairs will present their issues to the membership and priorities will be selected. The virtual State advocacy meetings will be held on Tuesday, June 8, 2021. 3) The South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (SCAQMD) proposed Warehouse Indirect Source Rule (ISR) passed with a 9-4 vote. Although the decision was disappointing, the Inland Empire was well represented by Supervisor Rutherford. 4) Michelle Decker announced the Inland Economic Growth & Opportunity (IEGO) group is seeking an Executive Director. The group unites a diverse set of community leaders from the combined metropolitan areas of Riverside County and San Bernardino County to promote inclusive economic growth. For more information, please go to their web site at http://inlandgrowth.com/about/job-opportunities/
Lowell King, Chair, presiding.
Motion by L. Goodwin/Second by T. Rice/Passed: Minutes from May 4, 2021
Al Arguello, the primary representative for Bank of America is retiring. Bansree Parikh has been named his successor. IA congratulates Bansree on this appointment.
Motion by L. Goodwin/Second by P. McEwen/Passed: Bansree Parikh will serve as the primary representative for Bank of America.
Appreciation was expressed to the Committee participants for their work on the Federal advocacy issues. Members present for the virtual advocacy meetings were well informed. Legislators and their staff indicated they were impressed by the group and the depth of their understanding of the issues.
Lessons learned included:
- It is necessary to verify exactly where specific legislation stands when presenting positions.
- It is necessary to specify when we are advocating for a bill not yet introduced. (Bill numbers do not carry over from prior calendar year to year).
- If no legislation exists, we must be clear that we are advocating policy and concepts.
Suggestions included:
- Creation of a matrix format for advocacy that reflects the bill’s author.
- Ask legislators and/or staff about how Inland Action may help them get support.
- Consider ways to utilize and unite lobbyists to work together for the betterment of the region.
Meeting adjourned at 8:35 a.m. when Committees broke into their respective groups to discuss State advocacy issues.