Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Open Board of Directors Meeting
San Bernardino Community College District
114 S. Del Rosa Drive
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Minutes
Present: Dimitrios Alexious, Don Averill, Deborah Barmack, Tom Brickley, Ann Bryan, Ken Coate, Bill Easley, Dick Hart, Mark Kaenel, Lowell King, Ed Lasak, Temetry, Lindsey, John Magness, Sue McKee, John Mirau, Tomas Morales, Kristine Scott, Frank Schnetz, Paul Shimoff, Shelli Stockton, Steve von Rajcs, Phil Waller and A.J. Wilson.
Guests: Maureen Kane and P.T. McEwen
Announcement: 1) A ground breaking ceremony will be held by the RCTC for the 91 project on December 11, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at North Main Corona Parking Structure.
M/S/P: Minutes from November 12, 2013
Bill Easley introduced the City of Riverside Mayor “Rusty” Bailey.
Mayor Bailey comes from a rich family history of community service in the City of Riverside and stated he is proud and honored to serve his hometown.
Since Mayor Bailey has been in office, December 2012, Riverside has had numerous challenges that the city has navigated. He discussed the river bottom fire, 200 year flooding at Riverside’s Ryan Bonamino Park, challenges to the cross on Mt. Rubidoux and the Chris Dorner pursuit in Riverside that left one policeman dead and another seriously wounded. Although hit by the recession, Mayor Bailey stated that the city is in a fairly good position as the city is both the county and judicial seat.
One of the Mayor’s priorities is the possible addition of streetcars. From 1899 through the mid1950’s the City of Riverside enjoyed 13.5 miles of streetcar lines via Pacific Electric Red Car system. This practical transportation option reinvests in the community and completes the vision of connecting community to universities and downtown entertainment. Studies have indicated societal priorities have moved away from driving and auto ownership to a focus on electronics and social media via iPhones, iPads, etc. The addition of streetcars would extend walking (a health benefit) and would be an economic driver. The City of Riverside has a feasibility study in process regarding a Riverside Streetcar Transit Corridor. The 12-mile corridor with alternative alignments connecting downtown, neighborhoods, business districts, schools, hospitals, Universities, commuter rail and bus nodes would serve some 200,000 people within a 10-minute walk. Coordination is occurring with the City and many other agencies like Caltrans District 8, Riverside County Transportation Commission, Riverside Transit Agency and many other organizations and agencies.
Mayor Bailey has created a Fit, Fresh & Fun forum and Bike / Walk with the Mayor as a few of his initiatives to connect with residents and encourage a reconnection of community.
Since 2005, the City has had five grade separations completed: Magnolia Ave., Jurupa Ave., Columbia Ave. and Iowa Ave. The state has given a good deal of funding for these important improvements but the Mayor indicated it is unlikely that funding for any additional grade separations will occur in the near future.
The Mayor stated that Ontario Airport is a common concern on which Riverside and San Bernardino can work together. Additionally the Santa Ana River Trail and Parkway also known as a “crest to coast trail” is a wonderful asset we can all promote and is a “doable” project.
A Q & A period followed.
Meeting adjourned at 8:35a.m.