MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL – SPECIAL MEETING (WORKSHOP)
AUGUST 25, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER – 4:38 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Richard Royce
Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Barrington
Council Member Leroy Miller
Council Member Colleen Wallace
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Council Member Sheri Flynn
OTHERS PRESENT: Phaedra Norton, City Attorney
Elizabeth Gibbs, City Manager
Ralph Wright, Parks and Recreation Director
Vickie Sellers, City Clerk
Sandra Calderon, Deputy City Clerk
2. WORKSHOP
2.1 Candidate Interviews and Appointments to the Banning Youth Council Recommendation: Interview qualified candidates and make five (5) appointments to the Banning Youth Council.
Ralph Wright, Parks and Recreation Director, reported that six candidates had been scheduled for interviews. Illiana Guichard withdrew her application because of other commitments, and Jayden Salgado was unable to attend because of a high school sports commitment but remained interested in a future interview opportunity.
The City Council interviewed Xochitl Hernandez, Nathaly Spindola-Santos, Daniel Garcia, and Emma Pennington. Each candidate was asked why they wished to serve, what volunteer or community experience they had, and what they believed were the most significant challenges facing teenagers.
Ms. Hernandez discussed using her experience in the California Cadet Corps, National Honor Society, church activities, and community service to help address the lack of accessible social and community resources for local youth. Ms. Spindola-Santos emphasized youth inclusion, safety, and mental-health support and described her participation in AVID, National Honor Society, school clubs, fundraising, and community cleanups.
City of Banning
City Council Minutes
August 25, 2026 Special Meeting – Workshop
2 Mr. Garcia expressed interest in college and career-readiness programs and discussed his experience assisting with sports activities and fundraisers. He identified expectations placed on teenagers as a challenge that can affect confidence and future goals. Ms. Pennington emphasized inclusion and accessibility and described volunteer service at Redlands Community Hospital, participation in the Possibilities Club, and experience with football and technical-theater programs.
In response to Ms. Pennington's question regarding current Youth Council projects, staff identified ongoing community cleanups at Roosevelt Williams Park, a mural project, planning for an annual skate jam, and opportunities for new members to propose additional projects.
No appointments were made during the workshop.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS - Agenda Items Only
There were no public comments.
4. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION
Council Member Wallace moved and Council Member Miller seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0-1, Council Member Flynn absent.
The meeting adjourned at 4:55 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/341?view_id=1&redirect=true