Minutes from April 16, 2013 Open Meeting- Supervisor Ramos

Tuesday, April 16, 2013  

Open Board of Directors Meeting

  San Bernardino Community College District

114 S. Del Rosa Drive

 San Bernardino, CA 92408

Minutes 

Present:  Don Averill, Peter Barmack, Carole Beswick, Tom Brickley, Erin Brinker, Ann Bryan, Dan Carlone, Ken Coate, Bill Easley, Scott Hofferber, Mark Kaenel, Al Karnig, Ed Killgore, Lowell King, Ed Lasak, Bill Lemann, Temetry Lindsey, John Magness, John Mirau, Charlie Ng, Tom Nightingale, John Prentice, Susan Rice, Kristine Scott, Paul Shimoff, Steve von Rajcs, A.J. Wilson and Ray Wolfe.

Guests: Bob Brendza, Chris Carrillo, Paul Granillo, Pam Langford, Phil Paule, Frank Reyes and Mike Salazar

Announcements: 1)  The trip to Sacramento will be on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 with the option of arriving on Monday, May 20th for some possible afternoon meetings and a group dinner.  Please fax or e-mail your reservation form as soon as possible but no later than April 30, 2013.  2) The Inland Empire Regional Economic Forum will be held on Friday, April 26, 2013 from 8:00a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Orton Center on the campus of the University of Redlands located at 1200 E. Colton Ave., Redlands.  State policymakers will be urged at the California Economic Summit, held later this year, to champion specific executive and legislative actions based on the recommendations from the Regional forums.  Please register at http://www.caeconomy.org/region/inland-empire or call Michelle Cazares 909-382-6000. 3) Vanir Development Company, Inc located in San Bernardino has been proposed for membership.  Frank Schnetz, V.P./Project Development will serve as the representative.  

M/S/P: Minutes from April 9, 2013

John Magness introduced Supervisor James Ramos. 

Third District Supervisor, James Ramos, has been very busy since his swearing in 133 days ago. The Third District is an extremely diverse area consisting of varied populations, geography and community priorities.  The Third District includes, for example, a portion of San Bernardino, Loma Linda, Reche Canyon, Big Bear, Highland, Redlands, the Morongo basin, Pioneer Town, Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, Barstow, Landers and more. Supervisor Ramos stated he has surrounded himself with key staffers who are very knowledgeable and can properly assist him with the many issues of the county.     

Since his swearing in, he has supported the appointment of the new Sheriff, John McMahon who expertly handled both the overturned tour bus on Hwy 38 in the mountains and then the manhunt for ex-LAPD Office Christopher Dorner in Big Bear.  Supervisor Ramos was a strong supporter of a County settlement ending almost a decade of costly litigation with the Colonies case.  The Supervisors collectively agreed the money saved on attorney fees allows them to invest it in transportation and flood control projects.   

The Supervisors have scheduled study sessions to better acquaint themselves with issues.  The next session will be on the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP).  The DRECP will play a vital role in shaping the future of the Mojave Desert and the county has an opportunity to have a strong voice and a leadership role in the process.  The project will have an impact for the county and its residents for the next 30-40 years and further education and understanding is critical. 

Supervisor Ramos believes that Redlands rail is very important for our future growth and will continue to advocate for the project.  He is also a strong supporter of bus transit and its growth.  He would like to look at ways to become “bus friendly” changing the atmosphere of this transportation mode to welcoming and safe.   

The County has been and will continue to watch the proceedings of San Bernardino’s bankruptcy filing.  When appropriate they are ready to lend support, but the City has their own elected leaders who are making decisions & will guide them.  If the city becomes insolvent, then services will resort back to the state not the County.  

Mr. Ramos indicated that all the Supervisors are working to restore the County’s image that has been battered by past corruption and scandals.  The Supervisors are all working together now and are sending a message that these are different times in San Bernardino County, it is a new era and we can be proud to reside here. 

A Q & A period followed.

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 a.m.