Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Member Only Board of Directors Meeting-Executive Committee
Norton Event Center
1601 E. Third St., Suite 138
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Minutes
Present: Deborah Barmack, Carole Beswick, Ken Coate, Kevin Dyerly, Louis Goodwin, Mark Kaenel, Lowell King, Pam Langford, Kristine Scott, Paul Shimoff and Hassan Webb.
Mark Kaenel, Past Chairman and current Treasurer presiding.
M/S/P: Minutes from January 30, 2018
Kristine Scott reported on the Regional Advocacy Working Group. The upcoming Governor’s race will be an opportunity to put the Inland Empire issue of unfair funding formulas in front of the candidates. Anytime a candidate appears in the Inland area there must be a presence in the audience to raise this issue. The Working Group discussed our region as underserved by the state in many areas (the region is 50% below the median funding). The group encourages effective collaboration as a region. Former Riverside City Manager, John Russo, had been a uniting force in the group but is no longer with the City. Neutral leadership may be needed in the group to keep people at the table and continue this important work
Treasurer, Mark Kaenel, summarized the 2017 tax returns prepared by the accounting firm of Powell, Spafford and Landry. Board members reviewed and discussed.
M/S/P: 2017 Tax returns approved as submitted.
Mark Kaenel stated that the 2018 financials look good and are on track with the budget. He will present quarterly figures after the August break. Later this year Inland Action will invest in a new Certificate of Deposit.
A Delta Water Tour is tentatively planned for early November. The Metropolitan Water District will host the comprehensive 1-day tour. Participating members will be responsible for their own transportation to the Sacramento area.
The timing for advocacy trip to Sacramento and Washington, D.C. was discussed. The group agreed that it makes sense to schedule state advocacy before federal. Leticia White, Innovative Strategies, suggested we would be more effective if we went to D.C. earlier in May or late April. She indicated she would be happy to assist us getting meetings with agencies and others. Scheduling these trips closer together will change timing for both the staff and committees. To be successful, committees would need to begin working on both state and federal issues in late fall and use much of January and February for committee work. On-going issues such as student grants, judiciary, and the Waterfix will only require slight changes/updates. Combining the work for both state & federal will force committees to be focused on issues rather than specific bills and legislation. Leticia White will be in California and will meet with Carole Beswick and Kristine Scott in August. IA Board Members will be asked about possible access to their lobbyists for further insight and to conduct briefings. A meeting of committee chairs should be scheduled for early September to begin planning.
A West End reception event is planned for Wednesday, October 3, 2018 from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Various venues have been explored and the New York Grill (second floor facility) located at Ontario Mills has been selected. The primary purpose of the event is to honor the Governor’s Strategic Council’s recognition of Inland Empire needs. Additionally, we will celebrate Inland Actions 2018 successes and history. The event will also highlight the groups West End activities. Invitees will include State and Federal legislative representatives, Board of Supervisors, Josh Candelaria, Mayors of Ontario & San Bernardino, Randall Winston-immediate past Exec. Director, Strategic Growth Council and Dr. Louise Bedsworth-the new Exec. Director. The event will include hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, no-host bar and has an expected cost of $5,000.00. The venue has a maximum capacity of 60, so we will try to get commitments from elected personnel as soon as possible. Signage at the event will acknowledge sponsors.
Motion: Inland Action to pay the cost of the West End Reception. No second to the motion, no vote.
M/S/P: Inland Action will ask members for sponsorship’s for the West End Reception, and any difference between the actual cost and total amount of sponsorship’s will be paid by Inland Action.
The list of new members and the associated Inland Action mentors was reviewed. Members were encouraged to connect with newer members during the August break.
Meeting adjourned 8:33 a.m.