MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL – SPECIAL MEETING (WORKSHOP)
FEBRUARY 10, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER – 4:02 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Richard Royce
Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Barrington
Council Member Sheri Flynn
Council Member Leroy Miller
Council Member Colleen Wallace
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: John Pinkney, City Attorney
Art Vela, Interim City Manager
Nate Smith, Deputy Director of Public Works
Vickie Sellers, City Clerk
Sandra Calderon, Deputy City Clerk
2. WORKSHOP
2.1 Progress Report on the Hargrave Grade Separation – Design Phase Recommendation: This report is for information and discussion only.
Nate Smith, Deputy Director of Public Works, presented the staff report. He stated the item was intended to provide an overview of the conceptual design for the project.
Darren Adrian, representing Kimley-Horn and the project design team, presented a project overview.
He discussed the project schedule, estimated costs, and ongoing efforts to secure funding for future phases. He explained the project would construct a grade separation similar to the Sunset Avenue Grade Separation to improve safety by eliminating the at-grade railroad crossing. He stated the project also supports planned growth and transportation improvements on the east side of Banning, including future interchange improvements. Mr. Adrian reviewed the conceptual design, project components, anticipated construction schedule, estimated project cost of approximately $133 million, and funding strategy. He stated project completion was currently anticipated in 2031.
In response to Mayor Pro Tem Barrington, Mr. Adrian stated the current concept did not anticipate a full closure of Lincoln Street during construction, although portions of the roadway would be temporarily closed during various phases of the project. He stated Lincoln Street would serve as the primary detour route during construction. He also stated no existing structures along Hermosa Street were currently anticipated to be removed. He explained the proposed connector road remained part of the conceptual design because it provided better circulation, reduced the need for cul-de-sacs, minimized impacts to adjacent properties, and met emergency access requirements. He stated the current concept would require removal of only one existing structure.
Interim City Manager Vela further discussed the purpose of the proposed connector road and why it was included in the conceptual design. Mayor Pro Tem Barrington stated she supported the proposed solution and requested that future traffic signal timing be coordinated appropriately.
City of Banning
City Council Minutes
February 10, 2026 Special Meeting – Workshop
2 Mr. Smith explained the traffic signals at the Interstate 10 ramps were owned and maintained by Caltrans and were timed primarily to maximize freeway operations rather than local traffic flow. He stated the Western Riverside Council of Governments was preparing a regional traffic signal synchronization study for the San Gorgonio Pass area to address those concerns.
In response to Council Member Miller, Mr. Smith discussed potential circulation improvements being evaluated as part of the General Plan circulation update and Strategic Plan implementation. He stated some potential improvements would require significant projects initiated by Caltrans. Interim City Manager Vela added there was limited space between Ramsey Street and Interstate 10 and also discussed constraints near the Highland Springs Avenue interchange.
Mayor Pro Tem Barrington stated she believed Council Member Miller was referring to truck traffic associated with future warehouse development, particularly vehicles turning left onto Hargrave Street near the service station. Mr. Smith stated one of the approved development projects included a condition requiring a traffic study to evaluate that intersection.
Mr. Smith concluded by stating the project's estimated construction cost would require significant coordination among local, State, and federal funding partners. He encouraged the City Council to continue fostering those relationships to improve the project's competitiveness for future grant funding.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS - Agenda Items Only
There were no public comments.
4. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Barrington moved and Council Member Miller seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 4:38 p.m.
Minutes prepared by:
Sandra B. 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/286?view_id=1&redirect=true