On Thursday, May 21st, the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) Board of Directors hosted their first joint meeting with the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) to discuss important regional issues.  After hosting a similar meeting with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments a few months prior, SANBAG reached out to WRCOG to continue the regional discussion.

Board members from each agency began the afternoon with an update on the Ontario International Airport (ONT).  John Husing, Chief Economist with the Inland Empire Economic Partnership, gave some perspective on the regional economic importance of ONT.  Ontario Mayor Pro Tem Alan Wapner presented the latest on negotiations with Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA).  He asked for the support of every city and both counties in writing to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti requesting his help in the region's efforts to gain local control of ONT.

Next, board members turned their attention to the issue of economic development.  Joe Cesta, Managing Director of CBRE Brokerage, and Jeffrey Van Wagenen, Managing Director of Riverside County's Economic Development Agency, discussed what some of our region's strengths and weaknesses were. They also discussed what advantages our region had with certain sectors such as health care, logistics, manufacturing, and construction and how our region could better communicate those advantages.  Some discussion also focused on regulations from the State and Federal level that impact our region's competitiveness and some changes that could be made to help the situation.

Finally, the board members had a discussion moderated by Southern California Association of Governments Executive Director Hasan Ihkrata on healthy communities.  San Bernardino County Director of Public Health Trudy Raymundo and Riverside County Chief Assistant County Executive Director George Johnson provided some background on the importance of health to the entire community and not just at an individual level or within the confines of the medical establishment.  Healthy communities influence the economy, productivity, and the overall quality of life in a community; as the speakers showed in their presentations.  Board members noted some of the programs happening in their communities and both SANBAG and WRCOG agreed this was an area that the two COGs could work on further.

While cooperation has been good between our organizations, this regional forum helps build a stronger foundation for future cooperation and collaboration.

In March of this year, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved our request to form an Energy Leader Partnership with Southern California Edison (SCE) and The Gas Co.  This partnership will provide funding and technical assistance for SANBAG and the member cities to conduct energy audits of city buildings, provide educational materials to residents on ways to save energy, help cities make energy efficiency upgrades, and provide rebates on utility bills to cities for their energy reductions.

The formal agreements with SCE and The Gas Co. to implement this partnership will be coming to the Board of Directors later this year.

In response to an increased desire by the SANBAG Board of Directors to enhance the agency's role as a Council of Governments (COG), staff prepared and the Board of Directors reviewed a proposed 2015/16 COG Work Plan.  The Work Plan includes, but is not limited to the following areas of focus:

* Forest Management Plan - Coordinate the preparation of environmental analyses and management plans for portions of the San Gabriel Mountains specifically to improve outdoor recreation opportunities at Cucamonga Canyon and Lytle Creek.

* Veterans Forum - In partnership with other like-agencies, host an event focused on improving employment opportunities for Veterans.

* City/County Conference - Coordination of the annual forum in Spring 2016 for all local elected officials from throughout the County to discuss issues of mutual concern, share best practices, and serve as a forum on topics of importance to the region.

* Countywide Vision Jobs/Economy Element Group - Focus in 2016 will be on furthering implementation of best practices identified in 2015, adopting measures to help "business friendliness", and developing ways to increase coordination and streamlining development with regional, State, and Federal agencies.

* Countywide Vision Environment Element Group - Continue with the next phase of work associated with regional cooperation to provide for habitat conservation and economic growth.

* Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Programs - Coordinate the addition of new PACE providers in San Bernardino County in addition to the SANBAG sponsored HERO Program.  SANBAG will serve as the central point of contact to save staff time for local agencies.

* Grant Writing Services - Procure the services of a firm to provide grant writing and grant monitoring services to help SANBAG identify and compete for additional funds for planning and COG activities.  Provide educational seminars to member agencies on how best to compete for grants such as those related to transportation, sustainability, growth, energy, health, and air quality.  Coordinate forums and provide information to jurisdictions to maximize our success rate.

* Air Quality Planning - Assist in air quality attainment efforts for the County so growth can continue.  Help represent our County's unique needs with State and regional air quality agencies.  Participate in forums related to the drafting of the 2016 Air Quality Management Plan.

* Regular Communication on COG Activities - Staff will begin to publish a quarterly newsletter sharing information related to COG activities.

* Annual Work Program - Beginning this year, staff will provide the Board with an annual COG Work Program for review and direction.

* Growth Forecasting - Prepare the city-level and small area growth forecast for the County and cities to be used as part of the 2016 Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy in coordination with the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG).  The data is accessible to all jurisdictions to supplement their land planning activities.

* Community Vital Signs - Participate in this County initiative to develop measures and best practices for community health and wellness.  Provide expertise in active transportation modes and regional planning.

* Electric Vehicle (EV) Readiness - Prepare a Request for Proposal (RFP) for assistance in developing a regional EV charging network and apply for State grants to fund implementation.

* Alternative Fuels - Develop relationship with BNSF and carriers at the San Bernardino Rail Yard for possible clean fuel grant opportunities.

* Energy Leader Partnership - In cooperation with The Gas Co. and Southern California Edison (SCE), create a regional program that assists agencies in improving their energy efficiency and rewarding those improvements with rebates to their energy bills.