HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021_09_30 - SpecialMINUTES
Special meeting of the City Council of the City of Redlands held in the Orton Center, University of Redlands,
1200 E Colton Ave , Redlands, California, on September 30, 2021 at 12 00 P M
Present Paul Banch, Mayor
Eddie Tejeda, Mayor Pro Tempore
Denise Davis, Council Member
Jenna Guzman -Lowery, Council Member
Absent Paul Foster, Council Member
Staff
Charles M Duggan, Jr , City Manager, Jeanne Donaldson, City Clerk, Carl Baker, Public
Information Officer, Chns Catren, Police Chief, Danielle Garcia, Management Services/Finance
Director, Chris Boatman, Facilities and Community Services Director, Brian Desatnik,
Development Services Director, Jim Topoleski, Fire Chief, John Hams, Municipal Utilities and
Engineering Director, Janice McConnell, Assistant City Manager
To address Brown Act considerations, Mayor Banch called this special meeting to order at 12 19 P M in
order to provide the opportunity for Council Members to attend a luncheon hosted by the Redlands Chamber
of Commerce He welcomed and acknowledged several digmtanes and expressed his appreciation of all the
event sponsors making this day possible Sponsors included Alta Vista Credit Union, Ayres Hotel, Banch &
Associates, Circa Management, Kaiser Permanente, Redlands Community Hospital, Rochford Foundation,
Southern California Edison, SoCal Gas, Storage West, Teamsters Local 1932, and Welsh Insurance Services
He noted his colleague, Council Member Foster, was absent
AWARD PRESENTATIONS
Beautification Awards
Carl Baker read the citations and Mayor Banch presented awards recognizing individuals and organizations
for their efforts in support of the Redlands community In the category of Beautification Awards,
recognition was given to Reverend Rame at the First Presbyterian Church of Redlands for the newly
developed Vine Street Community Park on Fourth and Vine streets in downtown Redlands It is now a
sanctuary for all to enjoy Donn Grenda, co-founder of Statistical Research, Inc was also recognized for his
efforts and imagination towards renovating the Armory building on Texas Street into an impressive
structure that significantly beautifies this area near Interstate 10
Community Heroes Awards
In the category of Redlands Heroes, recognition was given to Dr Lorne Hinkleman and Dr Craig Turley,
long-time community volunteers, for their efforts to help feed the underserved population and provide
much needed resources during the uncertain times due to the COVID-19 pandemic Jonathan Baty was
recognized for his dedication to improving Redlands biking and hiking trails and enhancing trail safety As
an avid environmentalist and conservationist, he continues to be a hero for the City's open spaces
Mayor's Special Awards
Mayor Paul Banch also handed out the Mayors Awards to Redlands Unified School Board President Patty
Holohan, former councilman and Vietnam veteran Mick Gallagher and former mayor and slow -growth
advocate Bill Cunningham for their commitment and dedication to serving the community
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STATE OF THE COMMUNITY
Council Member Presentations
Council Member presentations were interspersed with video highlights from the video senes entitled
"Working for You Making Redlands a Better Place" Council Member Guzman -Lowery offered her
thoughts and perspectives concerning issues related to homelessness She happily reported that only just last
night the Council advanced a project to renovate a motel into a transitional supportive housing for the
homeless Mayor Pro Tem Tejeda reviewed his time on the Council and expressed his appreciation of
colleagues, such as Pat Gilbreath, Jon Harrison and Paul Foster, who took the time to share their
institutional knowledge to help him be a more effective leader He was honored to live and serve the north
side of town but stated his purpose was to serve the community at large and bring people closer
together He was thankful for the public's trust and looked forward to growing a more positive and inclusive
atmosphere within the City Council Member Davis listed accomplishments from last year, including the
work of the COVID-19 subcommittee and the implementation of the very successful outdoor dining
program on State Street She praised the Fire Department's collaboration with community partners such as
Redlands Community Hospital, University of Redlands, Esn, Redlands Unified School District and other
local community organizations for their efforts in administering 32,000 vaccinations, and she highlighted
her newly formed Redlands Youth Council
State of the City
Mayor Banch recapped the City's success stones of the last two years, including the voter approved sales
tax Measure T, the establishment of a Citizen's Oversight Committee, the ongoing citywide pavement
program (PARIS) and the sidewalk and ADA improvement projects He reminded everyone of the
significant challenges brought on as the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country However, he was optimistic
about the future and pointed to the plans to bring all city departments under one roof and establish a new
City Hall location at the current Citi Bank building on State Street He reiterated his commitment to address
homelessness and proudly described how the Council recently approved an exciting new project for a motel
conversion designed to offer full supportive services for transitional or permanent housing
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None forthcoming
ADJOURNMENT.
There being no further discussion, Mayor Banch again thanked the Redlands Chamber of Commerce and all
the event sponsors The special meeting was adjourned at 1 25 P M
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