In recent months, SBCOG has seen a bit of a functional evolution.
In addition to the projects identified in the work plan, the SBCOG has seen an evolution of function during the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. SBCOG has had the honor of being a resource to local agencies as the go-to for the tele-congregating and information sharing for the city managers as they continue to navigate the situation. In this new role, we have conducted surveys between agencies that allow them to share information including information about services, facilities, and budgets.
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Countywide Vision Equity Element and COG Ad Hoc Committee |
On September 2nd, SBCOG took action to direct staff to collaborate with the County of San Bernardino on the implementation of the 11th Element Working Group under the Countywide Vision to address equity. In addition, SBCOG will create an Ad Hoc Committee for the purposes of examining existing policies and projects under the purview of SBCOG and SBCTA through the lens of equity to identify issues and solutions. |
Optimizing Emergency Medical Services |
This project began as the result of partnership between SBCOG, four emergency dispatch centers, County fire, city fire, ICEMA (Inland County Emergency Medical Agency), public and private hospitals, and healthcare providers.
The goal when the project began in October was to provide options for additional means of addressing 9-1-1 calls that may not be categorized as “emergencies.” The main area of study was the implementation of a nurse call center. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the emergency medical system moved toward implementing several of the options being studied. Staff is working on re-scoping and bringing this back to the SBCTA Board of Directors for consideration. The original plan was to be an analysis of cost/benefits for implementing several options. The amendment to the contract will include a plan for implementing a full and complete Emergency Communication Nurse System (ECNS) through CONFIRE, a regional dispatch center serving up to 80% of the county’s population.
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In the summer of 2019, SBCOG worked with the SBCOG Advisory Group and City Managers to craft a resolution for the SBCTA Board’s consideration identifying a platform regarding local, state, and federal policy issues from which SBCOG staff could work. Since then, SBCOG has hired a consultant to inventory and provide information on the 2017 Housing Legislation package, subsequent pieces of legislation that passed in 2018, 2019, and the proposed state legislation for 2020. A matrix and presentation on Housing legislation was heard by the City Manager’s Technical Advisory Committee and General Policy Committee. These committees provided direction to staff which includes creation of toolkits for locals and staff trainings. |
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San Bernardino County Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) Program |
On September 3, 2020, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Council released the guidelines and application for the REAP funding, the regional portion of the Local Government Planning Support Grants Program established by AB 101. The REAP program authorizes sub-regional partnerships and encourages inter-governmental collaboration on projects that have a broader regional impact on housing. A total of $47 million is eligible for SCAG and up to 50 percent, or approximately $23 million, of this amount is allocated to fund sub-regional partnership projects. The share of the $23 million for the San Bernardino County region is approximately $2.44 million.
SBCOG staff have shared a draft sub-regional work plan with both the Planning and Development Technical Forum (PDTF) and the City/County Manager Technical Advisory Committee (CCMTAC), and will bring this forward for the SBCTA Board of Directors to consider at its October 3rd meeting.
Draft Work Plan elements:
- Staff Augmentation
- Sites Inventory Toolkit, Underutilized Commercial/Industrial Pilot Study, and 3D Mapping Applications
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) Capacity Analysis for Inland Empire Region
- SB 1000 - Environmental Justice Toolkit
- AB 686 - Housing Discrimination/Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
- Infrastructure Pilot Study
- ADU Cut Sheet
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San Bernardino Regional Energy Partnership Update |
With the continuation of the San Bernardino Regional Energy Partnership (SBREP) in 2020 between SBCOG and Southern California Gas (SoCalGas), SBCOG is pleased to announce that SoCalGas will continue the partnership through the 2021 calendar year.
The 2020 San Bernardino Regional Energy Efficiency Partnership Program (Program) is designed to provide integrated technical and financial assistance for Public Sector members of the Partnership, and to help local governments effectively lead their communities to increase energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect air quality and ensure that their communities are more livable and sustainable. The Program provides access to all SoCalGas core programs and enhanced incentives for Member Agencies to increase energy efficiency in local government facilities and their communities through energy saving actions. The SBREP looks forward to continuing these efforts through the SBCOG and SoCalGas partnership in 2021.
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SBCOG will be focusing in the coming months on establishing an Equity Ad Hoc Committee as discussed at the September Board, beginning public outreach for the Forest Management Plans at Cucamonga Canyon and Lytle Creek, and implementing the REAP program with final Board approval in October. |
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