I-5 BDC Monthly Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
I-5 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORRIDOR, Inc.

January 8, 2003
Kerman/Teen Community Center
15101 W. Kearney Plaza
Kerman, CA 93630

I. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by President Forde at 2:35 p.m. A list of those present and absent is attached.

II. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA

III. COMMENTS BY THE PUBLIC

IV. CONSENT ITEMS

A. APPROVE MINUTES of the November 6, 2002, Regular Meeting of the I-5 BDC Board of Directors.

The Minutes of the November 6, 2002, Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors were approved by unanimous vote of the Directors.

The Warrants and Bank Statements for the period ending November 30, 2002, were approved as submitted by unanimous vote of the Directors.

V. SCHEDULED PRESENTATIONS

Jose Barraza, Fresno County Administrative Office, briefed the Board on the status of the Training Center Study. He told the Board that the Manning Avenue Transportation and Economic Development Study, completed by Jack Faucett Associates in October 2002, identified Rural Training Centers as an issue for further study. He indicated that the Training Center Study is looking at the need for training centers in Eastern and Western Fresno County.

He reported that 75% of the need assessment has been completed. Mapping of existing training facilities is underway. This portion of the study appears to show a major cluster of existing training facilities in the Fresno/Clovis Metropolitan Area. He indicated that a draft report should be available for review in early February.

President Forde announced that the City of Huron has adopted a resolution and submitted an application to become a member of the I-5 BDC.

On a motion duly made, seconded and carried by unanimous vote of the directors, it was:

RESOLVED, that for FY 2002-03 the application for membership is approved and that the City’s annual contribution for FY 2002-03 in the amount of $16,896 would be prorated.

RESOLVED, further that the membership in the Corporation is still subject to approval by the City of Coalinga and the County of Fresno. The Cities of Firebaugh, Kerman, Mendota and the Tranquillity Irrigation District had previously adopted resolutions approving membership for the City of Huron.

Legal Counsel briefed the Board regarding options and comments on the Sumner-Peck Lawsuit. Legal Counsel outlined three methods of commenting to the court. The first method was a standard letter that would most likely not be considered by the court. The second method was an Amicus Curiae Letter filed by Legal Counsel for the judge to review. The third method was a complaint letter filed by Legal Counsel. Legal Counsel recommended filing an Amicus Curiae Letter followed by the letter of complaint before the public comment session ends on January 23^rd. Legal Counsel's estimated cost to file the letters would be $5,000.

Director Gibbs reminded the Board that the County Board of Supervisors had not taken a position on this item. As the County’s representative on the Board, she would have to abstain from the vote.

On a motion duly made, seconded and carried by unanimous vote of the directors, with an abstention by the County of Fresno, it was:

RESOLVED, that the Amicus Curiae Letter and Complaint Letter be filed by Legal Counsel and that $5,000 be moved from contingency to Legal Expenses for this action.

Executive Director Fosse informed the Board about an upcoming Public Relations Subcommittee Meeting on January 15^th at 3:00 p.m. at the Fresno Bee. Board members will brief the Fresno Bee staff on the I-5 BDC’s position in regards to the impact of Land Retirement on the people in the Westside Cities and Communities.

The Board discussed the authorized execution of a short-term Training Program Contract with the Workforce Investment Board.

On a motion duly made, seconded and carried by unanimous vote of the directors, it was:

RESOLVED, to authorize execution of the Short-Term Training Program Contract with the Workforce Investment Board.

Westside Housing and Economic Network asked the Board about membership in the I-5 BDC. The Bylaws do not contain provisions for forms of membership such as non-policy contributing members. Director Forde suggested that other non-profits be contacted to see how they structure various classes of membership, such as non-policy members and policy members. He asked that provisions be considered so Chambers of Commerce and School Districts could join.

On a motion duly made, seconded and carried by unanimous vote of the directors, it was:

RESOLVED, to form a subcommittee with Director Green, Director Gibbs, and Executive Director Fosse to consider changes to the Bylaws to include non-policy members and policy members in the I-5 BDC.

Director Manfredi briefed the Board on the status of State Route 180. He reported that:

· Implementation of the Traversable Highway would require most of the $35 million federal funds.

· The $35 million in federal funds would cover less than half the costs to build any of the alternative routes.

· The Board sees the need for an Economic Impact Study possibly including the affect of Land Retirement.

· There is a question as to whether the Traversable Highway Route of SR 33 and Nees could be made without substantial improvements to Nees as specified by Caltrans.

Director Manfredi briefed the Board about the Federal Partners Meeting on December 17, 2002. His SR180 Summary Report of the meeting was distributed. It was noted that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) did not attend the I-5 BDC Meeting in November or the Federal Partners Meeting on December 17^th. Sally Tripp, USDA Rural Economic Development, suggested that maybe the correct person or department was not contacted. Representatives from Assemblymember’s Sarah Reyes office and Congressman’s Cal Dooley’s office suggested contacting elected officials such as members of Congress and the Senate to get the FHWA to participate in the discussions.

G. Proposed Letter to FHWA for Reconsideration of their Interpretation of the Logical Termini Provision

On a motion duly made, seconded and carried by unanimous vote of the directors, it was:

RESOLVED, to send a letter to the FHWA to reconsider their interpretation of the Logical Termni provision for State Route 180.

Director Forde suggested that the I-5 BDC have a social to introduce newly elected Board and Council members to the I-5 BDC organization in February. Director Case suggested that it be a “working” social. Representatives from Assemblymember’s Sarah Reyes office and Congressman’s Cal Dooley’s office suggested that as much advance notice as possible should be given, with a March date in mind instead of February.

Ralph Garcia, Economic Development Corporation (EDC), introduced Jim Doughty, Doughty Enterprises a consultant contracted to prepare a Land and Building Survey for the I-5 BDC area. Mr. Doughty reported that a rough draft of just under 300 pages should be ready by the end of January, a revised draft would be available by the middle of February, and the final draft by the end of the month of February.

VII. REPORTS OF PARTNERS

Staff from West Hills Community College was not in attendance to provide a status report to the Board.

Roy Vasquez, Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce Rapid Response, announced that Rapid Response is going to put on a new seminar “How To Do Business With The Government”. The date, time and location are to be announced.

Ralph Garcia, Fresno County Economic Development Corporation (EDC), reported that four companies have inquired about setting up business in the West Side of Fresno County. Two of the four appeared very promising.

Rosalinda Lopez, Proteus (Kerman), reported that last year 40 farm workers from Firebaugh, Kerman, Mendota and San Joaquin were retrained to be cooks with Culinary Art Certifications, truck drivers with Class A licenses, auto mechanics and building maintenance workers. The classes were held in Fresno and the students were helped with auto repairs and salaries while they attended classes.

Staff from the League of California Cities was not in attendance to provide a status report to the Board.

Representatives from Assemblymember’s Sarah Reyes office, Assemblyman’s Dean Florez office, Congressman’s Cal Dooley’s office and Congressman’s George Radanovich office introduced themselves and committed to help in the efforts of the Board. Feleena Sutton, Assemblymember’s Sarah Reyes office, reported that $6 million of the $7 million in the SR180 fund has been returned to State coffers as part of the State’s budget reduction efforts and will no longer be available to use for Highway 180 studies.

Director Gibbs informed the Board about a website workshop, hosted by HUD, on January 15^th.

The next Regular meeting of the Board of Directors is scheduled for February 5, 2003, at 2:30 p.m. in Mendota.

There was no other business to be considered by the Board at this meeting. Therefore, on a motion duly made, seconded and carried by unanimous vote of the Directors, the meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m. The next Regular meeting of the Board of Directors is scheduled for February 5, 2003 at 2:30 p.m. in Mendota.
________________________
Gigi Gibbs, Secretary

Attendance Record of January 8, 2003

MEMBER AGENCY

DIRECTOR

ALTERNATE DIRECTOR

ATTENDANCE

City of Coalinga

Richard Warne

Dennis Watt

City of Firebaugh

George Conklin

Gerald Forde

Craig Knight

City of Kerman

Ron Manfredi

Trinidad Rodriguez

City of Mendota

Sid Hami

Brenda Carter

Tranquillity Irrigation District

Sarge Green

Keith Eubanks

County of Fresno

Judy Case

Bob Waterston

Carolina Jimenez-Hogg

Gigi Gibbs

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA

III. COMMENTS BY THE PUBLIC

IV. CONSENT ITEMS

V. SCHEDULED PRESENTATIONS

VII. REPORTS OF PARTNERS

Attendance Record of January 8, 2003

Present at the Meeting of January 8, 2003