1 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL - SPECIAL MEETING (WORKSHOP)
CITY OF BANNING, CALIFORNIA
May 30, 2025 Council Chambers
2:00 p.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.
TELECOMMUTING LOCATION
Council Member Wallace will be participating remotely from the following location: Delta Hotel Lobby, 12021 Harper Boulevard, Anaheim, California. Members of the public are invited to participate remotely from this location.
1. CALL TO ORDER – 2:00 P.M.
1.1 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
1.2 ROLL CALL
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
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS - Agenda Items Only
Mayor Flynn opened public comment
Lynea Hagen, apologized to the returning Wanderlust Company for having to return to speak and expressed disappointment with the early adjournment of the council meeting, stating that the remaining items could have been completed quickly.
Sue Savage, spoke on thank you cards from approximately 21 local businesses expressing appreciation for efforts related to SWAG. She reported that businesses are 2 impressed with the program, would like to see data and asked for guidance on procedures when encountering public exposure. She thanked the council for their work.
Kathy Aranda, expressed full support for the proposed Sunday community food truck event, noting the community’s need for family-friendly gatherings that build community and attract visitors. She also addressed homelessness, emphasizing concerns related to addiction, mental illness, public safety, and impacts on families and local businesses. She urged the city to invest in solutions, stating it is both a fiscal and moral responsibility.
Bill Hobbs, expressed disappointment with the early adjournment of the previous council meeting. He voiced support for SWAG and the proposed downtown food truck event, stating they could help bring the community together and revitalize downtown. He noted improved cleanliness and reduced encampments, commended city staff, police, and council for visible progress, and praised continuous collaborations and teamwork moving forward.
3. REPORTS OF OFFICERS
3.1 Consideration of an Agreement with Social Work Action Group (SWAG)
Robert Fisher, Acting City Manager, provided the staff report.
Council questions:
Mayor Pro Tem Royce confirmed whether the monthly amount not to exceed is per service or if the total is an all-inclusive amount, and how the final number was calculated.
Councilmember Wallace asked if the SWAG group was present.
She also asked where the money would come from to pay.
Councilmember Miller clarified the breakdown of the potential charges and asked if the billing would be done monthly or at the end of the contract. He also clarified who the oversight personnel would be.
Councilmember Barrington clarified that the fees are estimated because SWAG bills are hourly.
Mayor Flynn clarified that SWAG is not present because she communicated with them, letting them know they did not need to be there.
Mayor Pro Tem Royce clarified how the schedules would be to provide coverage.
3 Mayor Flynn opened public comment
None
Mayor Flynn closed public comment
Council discussion:
Councilmember Barrington noted the cost of the SWAG but mentioned not being able to see how the council could not move forward and do something.
Councilmember Miller noted that he is aware that there is a homeless problem but wanted to clarify how it would be paid for.
He noted being more comfortable with a month-to-month
contract and not a year.
Councilmember Wallace noted being concerned about the
financial outlook of the city, speaking that the money being paid out for SWAG is her concern. She asked the City Attorney if she could pull money from vacant positions to pay for something else.
Motion to move forward with a contract for SWAG made by Mayor Pro Tem Royce and seconded by Councilmember
Barrington.
Motion passes with a 4-1 vote.
3.2 Consideration of an Agreement with Wanderlust Events for a Summer Food Truck Event Series located at City-Owned Property located at 150 E. Ramsey Street, Banning, CA 92220
Marisol Lopez, Economic Development Manager, provided the staff report.
Council questions:
Councilmember Barrington confirmed what the out-of-pocket cost would look like for the city; including lights, inspections, etc, noting that the cost would be significantly lower than $22,000.
4 Mayor Flynn asked about the trash reciprocals and if the city would be assisting with trash collection. She asked about the lighting and the costs surrounding the repair of that. Flynn also asked about the insurance that Wanderlust would be providing.
Mayor Pro Tem Royce asked Wanderlust if they have connected with the Chamber of Commerce. Barrington confirmed that she had talked with Oleg from the Chamber of Commerce noting they were in favor of the food truck festival.
Councilmember Barrington clarified what the actual cost would be. She also broke down that the City would need to provide the vendor to make the event successful.
Councilmember Miller asked about staffing hours and the charges for inspections.
He also asked Wanderlust about how much is charged per food truck.
Mayor Pro Tem Royce asked about the liability insurance, confirming it is General Liability and not special event insurance.
Mayor Flynn opened public comment
John Hagen expressed support for events that draw people into the city and encouraged residents to engage with one another. He stated that even if an event involved some cost to the city, it should be viewed as an investment in community outreach and city exposure. He noted that potential sales tax revenues could help offset expenses and felt the overall benefit to the community would make the investment worthwhile.
Harry Sullivan asked whether sales tax could be collected on products sold at the event. He also inquired whether the four parcels across from City Hall would be used for the vent and whether that use would restrict the city’s ability to sell or develop the property. He expressed concern about the length of the agreement, including references to a potential one-year or indefinite use, and asked whether the contract includes a cancellation clause, such as a 30-day termination provision.
Alexander, Wanderlust Event owner, stated that sales tax is collected. He noted that if the land were to be sold, the event could be relocated as there are multiple potential sites within the city. He said that the event would be beneficial for the city, citing positive feedback from residents and neighboring communities.
Kathy Aranda expressed frustration that the city has previously sponsored events that did not generate revenue, yet there is significant scrutiny over relatively small amounts of funding. She felt that focusing on costs in the range of several hundred dollars undervalues the community, especially when compared to larger budget expenditures that do not show visible public benefit.
Bill Hobbs, stated strong support for the event, noting that the city needs positive community-building activities, especially given the recent challenges. He emphasized that the cost is relatively small and encouraged the council to consider the vent as an opportunity to bring residents together.
5 Luke Gregory spoke and asked if, at the time when a food truck starts, they have to get a fire inspection.
Juanita Diaz, asked about residents of Banning who own food trucks, and whether those businesses would have the option to be a part of the food truck festival. She mentioned that the community might be more supportive, especially when local businesses are included.
4. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pro Tem motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Councilmember Barrington.
Meeting was adjourned at 3:25 p.m.
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/208?view_id=1&redirect=true