1 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL - SPECIAL MEETING (WORKSHOP)
CITY OF BANNING, CALIFORNIA
May 22, 2025 Council Chambers
10:00 a.m. 99 E. Ramsey Street
In Chambers Banning, CA 92220
The following information comprises the minutes for the special meeting of the Banning City Council, a joint meeting of the City Council and Banning Utility Authority, and the Banning City Council sitting in its capacity as the Banning Successor Agency Board.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Council Member Cynthia Barrington Mayor Sheri Flynn
Council Member Leroy Miller
Mayor Pro Tem Richard Royce
Council Member Colleen Wallace
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: John O. Pinkney, City Attorney
Robert Fisher, Acting City Manager
Vickie Sellers, City Clerk
Caroline Patton, Administrative City Clerk
1. CALL TO ORDER – 10:03 AM
ROLL CALL
COUNCIL MEMBER PRESENT ABSENT
Barrington, Cynthia X
Flynn, Sheri X
Miller, Leroy X
Royce, Richard X
Wallace, Colleen X
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS - Agenda Items Only
John Hagen, expressed his concerns as to why Faith in Action had been dismissed in the first place, and supported their upcoming presentation.
David Kieffer, stated that he was unfamiliar with what would be presented, but shared that he had been involved with Faith in Action for about 5 years, having served on the Board of Directors. He addressed concerns that the group SWAG did not appear to provide services for individuals such as veterans with disabilities. He shared a recent observation of and individuals seeking housing 2 who did not appear to have mental health issues but needed a place to stay with access to services.
Frank Conolly, commented on the timing of the Council meeting, noting that it would be better to schedule the meeting for a time when the majority of the general public would be able to attend.
Rosendo Del Rio, noted that he works at at the Banning Sizzler, commenting that If Faith in Action were to move into the new Wells Fargo building, there would be discussion of the business moving locations.
Tyler Jones, expressed appreciation for the city and the opportunity to participate, noting his recent relocation from San Diego in search of affordable housing. He acknowledged the complexity of homelessness issues and the difficult position facing decision makers. Drawing on experience as a business owner,
3. WORKSHOP
3.1 Presentation Related to Banning Police Department Transient Statistics 2024-2025 YTD
Brandon Smith, Acting Police Captain, provided the staff report.
Council questions:
Mayor Pro Tem Royce questioned in the statistics, including medical calls.
Councilmember Wallace, when they don’t want help, where are they moving those individuals to.
Councilmember Miller commented that having the medical statistics as a part of the report would be helpful.
Mayor Flynn opened public comment
Heidi Hilliard asked if all of these presentations are on the city’s website.
Frank Conolly commented that statistics and presentation were not published on the agenda.
Mayor Flynn closed public comment.
3.2 PRESENTATION BY FAITH IN ACTION CITY COUNCIL TO PROVIDE DIRECTION TO
STAFF ON WHETHER TO MOVE FORWARD WITH NEGOTIATING A CONTRACT WITH
FAITH IN ACTION TO PROVIDE HOMELESS SERVICES WITHIN THE CITY OF BANNING Faith in Action provided the presentation
Council questions:
Councilmember Miller asked what the qualifications are for the community health workers and whether Faith in Action has social workers. He also questioned about the outreach. He also questioned Faith in Action can operate Opportunity Village without funding from the city. 3 Mayor Flynn asked about the past 5 months activities of FIA and how it has been funded since being let go of Opportunity Village. She also asked about Faith in Action’s intent to apply for the grant that Governor Newsom had recently announced. She mentioned grants received and the total surrounding those. She confirmed if Faith in Action provided tents to the unhoused and if the city would need to assist in housing.
Mayor Flynn opened public comment
David Kieffer compared proposals from SWAG and Faith in Action and raised concerns about follow-up, coordination, and individuals returning to the streets without resources through SWAG. He questioned the need for all nonprofits, churches, and city organizations to work together. He said that a more unified, collaborative approach would be more positive and effective.
Frank Conolly, mentioned that both contracts (SWAG and FIA) can be implemented together, each with different objectives and emphasized the importance of working collaboratively.
Jacqueline Renteria supporting working with an organization that has an established plan and structure, expressing concern about proposals that emphasize “trying” rather than demonstrating proven results. While valuing Faith in Action’s contributions and on-theground social work, the speaker recommended delaying the decision and inviting both organizations to present at a public forum or town hall for further discussion. She only criticized interruptions during public comments, urging council members to be respectful and accountable when residents are speaking.
Tyler Jones, expressed concern over “yellow flags” in the proposal, citing language about new hires and untested approaches, and stated the need to move from trying to producing results. The speaker questioned whether the city has accurate date on how many people experiencing homelessness would use the services, cautioning against investing resources without clear evidence of demand.
Heidi Hilliard, suggested holding workshops with service providers and questioned whether social workers involved are properly licensed, emphasizing the importance of qualified staff and lived experience among employees or volunteers. She also expressed concern that financial details and budgeting were not adequately discussed, noting the absence of city representatives in financial planning conversations and characterizing the process as window shopping without proper fiscal review.
Juanita Diaz, expressed general support for the proposal but questioned eligibility, asking whether services would be limited to Banning residents and how residency would be verified, noting past instances of individuals coming from other cities. The speaker supported collaboration between Opportunity Village and Faith in Action, cautioned against being closed minded about outside partners, and stated willingness to work with both organizations to meet community’s needs.
Mayor Flynn closed public comment
Council discussion:
Councilmember Wallace asked the Acting City Manager if he had located the grant and gained status of the monies. She also questioned if it was true that if Opportunity Village 4 would be closed, if the city would be responsible for paying back the grant funding, clarifying she had spoken with the Supervisor regarding the money.
Mayor Pro Tem Royce appreciated the great comments and reiterated this must be many resources to make it happen. He also clarified to ensure that the Acting City Manager was looking into the grant
Councilmember Barrington commented on her respect for Faith in Action, noting their hard work in the community. She commented on seeing the need for both SWAG and Faith in Action to provide work in the commenting, noting that, financially, it would not be possible to support both organizations.
Councilmember Miller agreed with his colleagues but expressed concern over the city’s financial position, emphasizing that it is important to understand the fiscal picture before making any other decisions. He also mentioned that the timing of the meeting was challenging for community members to attend, as many individuals work.
Mayor Flynn asked Faith in Action if the city would not fund them if the organization continued its work. She noted that staff are still looking into the grant options, expressing that there may be other options available.
John Pinkney, Interim City Attorney, went over details of the grant, specifically noting funding and terms surrounding some remedies that could be used under the contract.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Royce to direct staff to see if the grant can be modified for wrapping services, and seconded by Mayor Flynn
Motion carried unanimously 5-0.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Royce to adjourn the meeting and seconded by Councilmember Miller.
Motion carried unanimously 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT – 12:38 PM
Next Regular Meeting – May 27th, 2025
Prepared by: Amanda Morgan, Program Coordinator
Reviewed and submitted by:
Sandra Calderon, Deputy City Clerk.
These minutes have been prepared as Summary Minutes in accordance with City Council Resolution 2025-22 and Government Code Sections 36814, 40801, and 54953(c)(2).
The entire discussion of this meeting may be viewed here:
https://banningca.granicus.com/player/clip/204?view_id=1&redirect=true