Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Open Board of Directors Meeting
San Bernardino Community College District
114 S. Del Rosa Drive
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Minutes
Present: Deborah Barmack, Carole Beswick, Ken Coate, Bill Easley, Jill Eaton, Ron Griffin, Fran Inman, Matthew Isaac, Jay Jimenez, Mark Kaenel, Lowell King, Pam Langford, Sue McKee, John Mirau, Lou Monville, Tom Nightingale, Bev Powell, Brian Reider, Susan Rice, Paul Shimoff, Wendy Strack, Steve von Rajcs, Phil Waller, Kim Wilcox and Ray Wolfe.
Guests: Eric Johnson, Sheriff John McMahan, Emanuel Patrascu and Todd Warden.
Announcements: 1) The City Council of Redlands will honor Congressman Elect Pete Aguilar on Tuesday evening in the City Council Chambers. Inland Action Chairman Mark Kaenel will present him with a framed panoramic photo of the 31st district as a gift of congratulations. On December 30, 2014 the University of Redlands will hold a reception in his honor at the Alumni House from 4p.m. to 6p.m. 2) The ground breaking for Loma Linda Health-San Bernardino was exceptionally well done and well attended. This project will improve the quality of life for the area. 3) Committee Chairs will be asked to highlight their accomplishments for the year at the Annual Meeting to be held on January 13, 2015. Committee Chairs will also begin to address federal issues for 2015.
The Inland Action gift for Congressman Elect Pete Aguilar is an unbudgeted expense.
M/S/P: Members can voluntarily contribute towards the gift expense and Inland Action will pay the balance.
M/S/P: Minutes from December 9, 2014.
Lou Monville introduced California Assembly Member Eric Linder.
Assembly Member Linder represents the 61st district that serves Corona, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Mira Loma, Norco & part of Riverside. He is beginning his second term in the legislature and stated that his focus will be on constituent communications.
Historically the Republican Party has not been a strong advocate for funding higher education. Now however there is a massive tuition increase. The Assembly Member stated that he will advocate to fully fund the UC system. He emphasized that flexibility is still needed and that we must work to clear the road blocks to higher education.
The legislators have not as yet been assigned to committees, but Assembly Member Linder expressed interest to again serve on the Transportation Committee. He does not want to see a “kick the can down the road” attitude for this critical segment of our economy. Our roads and bridges are in poor repair and a funding source must be identified. We are part of a transportation corridor and we need these jobs and businesses. Potholes and congestion must also be addressed as some 40% of his constituents commute outside of the district. It is important to continue the transportation discussion and keep it in the forefront. He authored three transportation bills last year and although they were unsuccessful, he wants to find out how both sides can work together and create a thoughtful policy.
The Panama Canal is expanding and could have an effect on the traffic coming into L.A. and Long Beach. The ports are critical to our area and we must stay competitive. Diesel from the heavy equipment like cranes, idling trucks and ships at the ports are air quality and health concerns. Everyone wants clean air but businesses need a slow and steady path to follow. Stability in regulation is needed. The SCAQMD should be thoughtful about regulations and how they affect business.
CEQA reform is an important way to solve many problems. The Assembly Member looks forward to Speaker Atkins’ expressed interest in discussing reforms and the Assembly Member looks forward to the conversation.
Assembly Member Linder expressed appreciation for the work Inland Action does and hopes to partner on issues in the future.
A Q & A period followed.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30a.m.