MINUTES
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 July 29, 2022 at 12:00 P.M.
Present: Paul Barich, Mayor
Denise Davis, Council Member
Jenna Guzman-Lowery, Council Member
Mick Gallagher, Council Member
Absent: Eddie Tejeda, Mayor Pro Tempore
Staff: Charles M. Duggan, Jr., City Manager; Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney; Robert Dawes, City Treasurer; Jeanne Donaldson, City Clerk; Janice McConnell, Assistant City Manager; Chris Boatman, Assistant City Manager; Carl Baker, Public Information Officer; Chris Catren, Police Chief; Danielle Garcia, Management Services/Finance Director; Brian Desatnik, Development Services Director; John Harris, Municipal Utilities and Engineering Director; Rich Sessler, Fire Chief
To address Brown Act considerations, Mayor Barich called the special meeting to order at 12:15 P.M. to provide the opportunity for Council Members to attend the State of the City luncheon. On behalf of the City, he thanked the University of Redlands and the Redlands Chamber of Commerce for hosting and organizing today’s event. He welcomed and acknowledged several dignitaries and expressed his appreciation of all the event sponsors making this day possible.
Sponsors included SoCalGas, Alta Vista Credit Union, Barich & Associates, Redlands Community Hospital, Teamsters Local 1932, The Rochford Foundation, Southern California Edison, Redlands Community News, and Lifestream Blood Bank. He noted his colleague, Mayor Pro Tempore Tejeda was absent.
AWARD PRESENTATIONS
Beautification Awards
Carl Baker read the citations and Mayor Barich 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 Bob Clark, owner of TrimFlex, located on Park Avenue, at the southeast corner of New Jersey and Park Avenue, designed to be compatible with the Mission style of the Asistencia. The property is attractively designed and well landscaped. Mr.
Clark planted 125 citrus trees along the north, west and south borders of the building. The landscaping is sustainable and uses less water than the typical landscaping and generates more than $1,000 in profit each year.
Recognition was also given to the Redlands Unified School District (RUSD) Administrative Offices, located at 20 West Lugonia Avenue. Adapted to serve as the District Office in 1972, the building captures the landscape, cleanliness, and curb appeal of the City with murals in the front, designed and painted by Matthew Cavanaugh. Recent renovations include restoring wood beams, new stone around the front entrance and the addition of drought-tolerant landscaping.
Community Heroes Awards
In the category of Redlands Heroes, recognition was given to Caden Henderson. Caden believed a teddy bear could help kids in the hospital feel more comfortable and make the experience a little less solitary. With the support of the Redlands community, he began hosting fundraisers to accumulate enough bears to deliver to the children staying in the hospital on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. To date, Caden has collected and donated over 1,000 teddy bears.
The next recipient, Carolyn O’Dowd, has demonstrated a commendable commitment to the City of Redlands Senior Center. Carolyn volunteers at both the Joslyn and Redlands Community Senior Center, giving her time to assist with the senior bingo program, serving coffee, handling the collection of money, decorating for events, and assisting in the kitchen. She was thanked for her sacrifice and dedication to all the seniors in the City.
Dr. Tony Mueller has served as the Community Service Learning (CSL) director for the University of Redlands for over 30 years. He is one of the most motivating and diligent people on campus.
He has cultivated valuable relationships with several local non-profit agencies as well as area school districts. Tony has collaborated with faculty, staff, and community partners to support each other in doing work that benefits our community, fosters equity, and creates lasting change.
Mayor's Special Award
Mayor Paul Barich handed out Special Awards to William (Bill) McCalmon, Stephen (Steve) Stockton and Edward (Ed) Torres for their commitment and dedication to the community. Bill McCalmon is known for his involvement in several organizations throughout the community, such as serving as Chairman and President of the Redlands 4th of July Committee from 1974 to 2017.
He was named Redlands Man of the Year in 1982 and has served as the chairman of that committee from 1987 to present. Steve Stockton, a registered Civil Engineer, has lived in Redlands for most of his life. He currently serves on the board of the YMCA of the East Valley, President of the board of the Museum of Redlands and was named Redlands Man of the Year for 2021. Finally, Mayor Barich recognized Ed Torres, who is affiliated with the Center for Spiritual Living in Redlands and currently serves as the President of their Board of Trustees. He became involved in the immediate re-opening of a "Cold Weather" and "Safe Shelter" Women's program and currently volunteers his time with a local group of Homeless Advocates to assist those who are currently without housing.
STATE OF THE COMMUNITY
City Council Member Presentations
Council Member Mick Gallagher looked back to his years serving on the City Council from 2005 to 2010 and compared his experiences to today. He was pleased to report the City had made great strides and, in particular, he pointed to the success of Measure T. He added the City was in capable hands under the leadership of City Manager Duggan. Council Member Jenna Guzman-Lowery offered her thoughts and perspectives concerning issues related to homelessness. Council Member Denise Davis listed several accomplishments from last year, including programs funded by the American Rescue Plan Act which would directly benefit residents. Mayor Barich presented a message for Mayor Pro Tem Eddie Tejeda highlighting the City's efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion and being more responsive to resident concerns.
State of the City
Mayor Barich recapped the City's success stories of last year, including achieving its goal of developing a strategic vision for Redlands, conducting a citizen satisfaction survey, creating a Six- Year Strategic Plan, and establishing Council and management priorities. In June, the City Council approved its first two-year budget for Fiscal Years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. Even throughout the COVID pandemic, the City continued to pass balanced budgets every year for more than a decade.
The two-year budget includes many enhancements to service levels; replaces aging infrastructure and equipment; and adds essential staff needed to deliver services to the community. He thanked the voters of Redlands, who have been a wonderful partner in the mission to achieve long-term financial sustainability for the City. Measure T and the additional sales tax have allowed the City to invest in some long-standing needs. He provided an overview of the progress made in public safety, infrastructure, homelessness and downtown development and closed by saying the City will continue to work together with residents and local businesses to build a bright future.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None forthcoming
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, Mayor Barich again thanked the Redlands Chamber of Commerce and all the event sponsors. The special meeting was adjourned at 1:18 P.M.
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