Politics, Government and Business in Southern California's Inland Empire
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/05/2012 07:38:16 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – The City Council today will vote on recommendations to lay off 77 employees of its now defunct economic/redevelopment agencies – 33 civil service employees and 44 contract employees, City Attorney James F. Penman said Friday.
By Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 02/02/2012 06:07:28 PM PST
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – There has been a change in leadership for the affordable housing group National Community Renaissance, or National CORE.
The nonprofit has hired Steve PonTell, founder of the think tank La Jolla Institute, as interim president and chief executive officer, replacing Orlando Cabrera.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/28/2012 10:54:18 PM PST
A controversial state Supreme Court ruling is forcing 400 redevelopment agencies throughout California to close, but officials overseeing redevelopment at the former Norton Air Force Base say work there will continue.
Assemblywoman Norma J. Torres
Created: 01/28/2012 06:06:11 AM PST
The state Supreme Court’s ruling which eliminated redevelopment agencies has created uncertainty for cities and counties engaged in redevelopment activities. Redevelopment has been used as a tool by many cities and counties to successfully revitalize communities. The court’s decision throws into question how cities and counties will pay for infrastructure, housing and retail projects in blighted communities.
Canan Tasci, Staff Writer
Created: 01/26/2012 11:32:13 AM PST
CHINO – This city, like many others across the Golden State, will bid farewell to its redevelopment agency come Wednesday.
As a result of a state Supreme Court ruling last month, which upheld a law eliminating about 400 redevelopment agencies in California, Chino City Council members agreed to name the city as the successor to its agency.
BY JIM MILLER
SACRAMENTO BUREAU
jmiller@pe.co
Published: 26 January 2012 09:04 PM
SACRAMENTO — Legislation to extend the life of redevelopment agencies beyond Feb. 1 seemed all but dead Thursday despite a last-ditch push by local officials and other groups.
The California Supreme Court last month upheld a state law ending redevelopment, which for decades has helped local governments pay to revitalize downtowns and build new streets and also been criticized as a taxpayer subsidy for politically connected developers. Inland Southern California has some of the most active agencies in the state.
By Jim Steinberg Staff Writer
Posted: 01/24/2012 08:43:11 PM PST
The Fontana and Rialto city councils scrambled on Tuesday night to approve measures paving the way for a Feb. 1 deadline for the dissolution of their redevelopment agencies.
Meanwhile, because of the complexity of what needs to be accomplished in a short time frame, two bond-rating agencies have taken negative actions toward billions of dollars in California bonds secured by redevelopment tax increment revenue.
January 23rd, 2012, 9:20 pm
Posted by Teri Sforza, Register staff writer
As the lights are fading to black for California’s 425 redevelopment agencies, their successors will inherit $29.8 billion in unpaid long-term debt, according to the latest figures from the state controller’s office.
And that doesn’t include the wild-eyed issuance of at least $700 million in new debt last year, when the agencies had a hunch they’d soon be dismantled.
BY JIM MILLER
SACRAMENTO BUREAU
jmiller@pe.com
Published: 19 January 2012 06:19 PM
SACRAMENTO — Redevelopment agencies focused on bringing new businesses and other projects to decommissioned military bases could keep operating if legislation taking shape in the Capitol becomes law.
Molly Davis, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/18/2012 04:38:10 PM PST
REDLANDS – Historic preservationists cautiously celebrated after receiving word that cinema owner George Krikorian is in default of an agreement with the city that could lead to his purchase of a historic downtown packing house.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Some of the California legislators who voted last year to abolish redevelopment agencies and shift their money into schools and other local governments appear to be having executioner’s remorse – creating uncertainty about redevelopment’s future, if any.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 16 January 2012 09:08 PM
San Bernardino County will assume control of its redevelopment projects while beginning to shut down the agency that has overseen the community-improvement efforts.
BY ALICIA ROBINSON
STAFF WRITER
arobinson@pe.com
Published: 15 January 2012 08:09 PM
Most Inland local governments have determined who will take over the obligations of their redevelopment agencies, but officials said many aspects of what happens next remain unclear.
How and when must they sell property and other assets? Which obligations will be paid? How many redevelopment employees will lose their jobs?
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/15/2012 06:04:05 AM PST
San Bernardino, Highland, Grand Terrace and Loma Linda have began shuttering their redevelopment agencies, prompted by a state Supreme Court decision that is forcing 400 redevelopment agencies statewide to close.
Liset Marquez, Staff Writer
Created: 01/15/2012 06:03:48 AM PST
MONTCLAIR – The City Council took its first step in dissolving its redevelopment agency, but officials are worried that the move may cause the city to default on a short-term bond it took out several years ago.
In a special meeting on Thursday, the City Council agreed to oversee the winding down of the Montclair Redevelopment Agency, as well as to transfer the agency’s housing assets and functions to the Montclair Housing Authority.
By Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 01/13/2012 03:41:57 PM PST
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – Clearly frustrated about the loss of its redevelopment agency, the City Council is contemplating the new year without much of the funding slated for capital improvement and economic development.
BY JIM MILLER
SACRAMENTO BUREAU
jmiller@pe.com
Published: 08 January 2012 08:35 PM
SACRAMENTO — California redevelopment agencies have started the dissolution process after their disastrous legal defeat last month, even as supporters mount a last-ditch effort to maintain the community-improvement program in some form.
Jim Steinberg, Staff Writer
Created: 01/08/2012 06:03:56 AM PST
At most it will be $100,000.
Or not even enough to cover one-half of one furlough day.
That’s the assessment from the Upland Unified School District of what last week’s state Supreme Court decision on redevelopment agencies might mean – in a best-case scenario.
January 08, 2012 3:14 PM
Brooke Edwards Staggs, City Editor
VICTORVILLE • Even before the state axed redevelopment agencies to bolster its budget, the viability of Victorville’s RDA was in question, according to an annual audit released this week.
BY ALICIA ROBINSON
STAFF WRITER
arobinson@pe.com
Published: 07 January 2012 06:52 PM
Riverside may have to scrap plans for a downtown bus and train transit hub, a new shopping plaza in the Five Points area of La Sierra, relocation of two historic Victorian homes and a variety of other projects, now that state legislation and a court ruling have dismantled redevelopment.
Worse yet, say city officials, they may be forced to sell many of the properties owned by the city’s now-defunct redevelopment agency, including some on the Main Street mall, University Avenue, at Five Points, and in several areas downtown where new and better housing was planned.
By John Howard | 01/05/12 12:00 AM PST
Hundreds of redevelopment agencies across California are poised to dismantle their operations in less than a month, but new legislation backed by the agencies was poised to be introduced as early as next week that would provide several months of breathing space to cut a new deal.
Dan Walters
Published: Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
California adopted redevelopment as a tool for improving its urban ambience just after World War II, and for more than 30 years, it was nothing more than an ancillary local government activity.
But when voters in 1978 adopted Proposition 13, the landmark limit on property taxes, redevelopment boomed because it let cities retain property taxes from their redevelopment projects, rather than share the revenues with counties, schools and special districts.
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
Published: 30 December 2011 07:21 PM
Leaders with three Inland groups overhauling former military bases say legislation that would dissolve the state’s redevelopment agencies doesn’t apply to them.
The legislation was upheld by the state’s Supreme Court on Thursday.
Marisa Lagos, Chronicle Staff Writer
Friday, December 30, 2011
The California Supreme Court dealt a deathblow to the state’s 60-year-old redevelopment program, ruling Thursday that lawmakers had the authority to eliminate the economic development program and striking down a law that would have allowed the agencies to exist in smaller form.
The ruling was the worst-case scenario for cities, which argued they needed the program to spur economic development in blighted areas and create jobs – but it was a win for Gov. Jerry Brown.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
December 29, 2011
In a significant budget win for Gov. Jerry Brown and lawmakers, the California Supreme Court ruled Thursday the state can eliminate the local agencies that subsidize construction in blighted areas.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
December 28, 2011
The California Supreme Court will rule Thursday on a case with huge implications for the state budget and the future of some 400 local redevelopment agencies.
By Jim Steinberg Staff Writer
Posted: 12/27/2011 08:31:41 PM PST
Rialto City Council Tuesday night unanimously voted to approve sweeping increases in development impact fees, many for the first time in more than a decade.
Jim Steinberg, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/23/2011 06:38:05 PM PST
RIALTO – The city of Rialto will hold a public hearing Tuesday on a proposal to raise development impact fees for general civic facilities, such as police, fire, park, storm drain and water and sewer facilities.
Increases could be approved at the conclusion of the public hearing.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 20 December 2011 08:46 PM
San Bernardino County has hired a consultant to prepare a study on whether it should impose fees on developers to pay for streets, parks and other improvements.
Monday, December 19, 2011 – 10:15 a.m.
Nice try. But it’s too late!
Too late, for those involved, to runaway from the mess at the San Bernardino International Airport Authority (SBIAA) and Inland Valley Development Agency (IVDA) that is.
Friday, December 16, 2011 – 10:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, December 17, 2011 – 10:39 a.m.
A $10 million Federal Highway Administration grant to the city of Highland is no more.
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
Published: 13 December 2011 07:41 PM
The longtime landlord of one of San Bernardino International Airport’s largest hangars has filed for bankruptcy.
The public agency overseeing the airport is owed more than $400,000 in unpaid rent and has filed a suit to formally evict Norton Property Management Services LLC.
By Dan Walters
Published: Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
State budgets used to be fairly simple documents, fundamentally allocating whatever financial resources the state might have at the moment among its various, well-delineated responsibilities.
No more.
Sunday, November 20, 2011 – 05:15 a.m.
It’s 1976 and San Bernardino is designated an All-America City.
Fast forward thirty-five years to 2011 and the city is now ranked #2 on the list of the poorest cities in America.
By Loretta Kalb and Phillip Reese
lkalb@sacbee.com
Published: Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011 – 12:00 am | Page 1A
Last Modified: Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011 – 12:14 am
Targeted for extinction and running out of time, California’s redevelopment agencies earlier this year embarked on a wave of costly borrowing unequaled in their history.
When the dust settled, the agencies with a mission of helping economically galvanize California’s urban areas had incurred a record $1.2 billion in new bonded indebtedness secured by property tax growth, according to a Bee analysis of records from the California State Treasurer’s Office.
The money didn’t come cheap.
By Maura Dolan and Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times
November 11, 2011
Reporting from San Francisco and Los Angeles — The California Supreme Court appears inclined to permit the state to abolish municipal redevelopment agencies, but the justices did not clearly signal whether some of the entities could continue to operate as long as they shared tax revenues with schools and special districts.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 – 09:30 a.m.
In February 2011, the City of San Bernardino celebrated it’s foreclosure and taxpayer ownership of the mostly-empty Carousel Mall.
Now, just nine months later, sources report the city’s Economic Development Agency (EDA) is struggling to manage $16.5 million it borrowed on a “line of credit” through Citizens Business Bank.
Money borrowed to acquire the mall note from Center Bank and foreclose on the mall owner.
Josh Dulaney, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 11/02/2011 11:52:32 AM PDT
Third District Supervisor Neil Derry is calling for controversial airport developer Scot Spencer to be removed from operations at San Bernardino International Airport.
Sunday, October 30, 2011 – 12:01 p.m.
Did Stater Bros. Markets land a sweetheart deal at San Bernardino International Airport?
Sandra Emerson, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 10/28/2011 05:13:30 PM PDT
CLAREMONT – The issue facing redevelopment agencies across the state may boil down to one question – where should property taxes be allocated?
Spencer
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
Published: 26 October 2011 07:00 PM
San Bernardino County tax collectors have seized $31,618 from the developer of San Bernardino International Airport and his related businesses, a fraction of the $544,876 he owes in property taxes, according to the county agency.
Two candidates interview for post
Josh Dulaney,Staff Writer
Posted: 10/26/2011 09:57:38 PM PDT
Members of the San Bernardino International Airport Authority Board spent nearly two hours Wednesday in a closed-session meeting, where they interviewed two candidates for the interim executive director post.
Saturday, October 22, 2011 – 05:00 p.m.
Last modified: Saturday, October 22, 2011 – 10:40 p.m.
It’s too late!
The clock struck midnight at San Bernardino International Airport (SBIA) last month when federal agents walked through the doors with search warrants.
Now San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales, who is also vice-chair of the San Bernardino International Airport Authority, is trying her best to re-write history and un-ring the bell as to her role in the lackadaisical oversight that went on.
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
Published: 21 October 2011 04:56 PM
Scot Spencer, whose companies have developed, managed and leased space at San Bernardino International Airport and owed about $673,820 in rent as of early October, was evicted from at least one space he rents there on Thursday.
Sandra Emerson, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 10/18/2011 08:24:32 AM PDT
UPLAND – Density and potential traffic from a proposed development in north Upland had residents and planning commissioners concerned during a workshop Monday at the Carnegie Building.
BY JIM MILLER
SACRAMENTO BUREAU
jmiller@pe.com
Published: 18 October 2011 08:11 PM
SACRAMENTO — Riverside and San Bernardino counties have gotten behind a lawsuit seeking to overturn state legislation that would eliminate local redevelopment agencies as a way to save the state $1.7 billion.
By Christopher Palmeri – Oct 16, 2011 9:01 PM PT
California voters approved Proposition 13 to rein in property taxes that had doubled in 10 years. More than three decades later, that rebellion has mortgaged the state’s future, saddling it with the nation’s highest debt and lowest credit rating.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 10/14/2011 05:22:32 PM PDT
UPLAND – The City Council and Planning Commission will hold a workshop on Monday to discuss a proposed housing development near the Colonies Crossroads shopping center.
Hansberger
Friday, October 14, 2011 – 09:15 a.m.
Where’s former San Bernardino County Supervisor Dennis Hansberger these days.
A big question on the minds of many people.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/13/2011 11:56:05 AM PDT
Airport panelists on Wednesday talked about how to communicate with San Bernardino International Airport staff, but before setting policy, they decided it would be best to talk about it again later.
Neil Derry
By Supervisor Neil Derry
Posted: 10/12/2011 06:21:59 PM PDT
For years, I and many others have watched in utter shock and amazement at the unfolding debacle known as the San Bernardino International Airport, which should be called the “airport to nowhere.”
It has always defied a logical explanation.
Josh Dulaney, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 10/13/2011 01:10:35 AM PDT
Despite concerns of one commissioner, the agencies overseeing redevelopment at San Bernardino International Airport moved forward Wednesday with a plan to find a new interim executive director, during a meeting in Loma Linda.
Cassie MacDuff
Cassie MacDuff
cmacduff@pe.com
Published: 07 October 2011 10:29 PM
The embattled San Bernardino International Airport Authority took some giant steps in the right direction last week, ordering a review of contracts with a controversial developer and promising to become more transparent.
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
Published: 06 October 2011 04:52 PM
The public agency overseeing San Bernardino International Airport will review all of its agreements with the airport’s developer Scot Spencer at its Oct. 12 meeting during closed session and discuss whether to terminate parts of those agreements, said Tim Sabo, legal counsel for the San Bernardino International Airport Authority and the related Inland Valley Development Agency.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/05/2011 05:54:49 PM PDT
A committee of the San Bernardino International Airport Authority (SBIAA) board will meet Thursday afternoon to discuss the selection process for a new interim director at the airport.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/04/2011 07:32:28 PM PDT
A federal investigation into allegations of conspiracy, bribery and money laundering at San Bernardino International Airport has spread to Baca Raton, Fla, an FBI official has confirmed.
Cassie MacDuff
Cassie MacDuff
cmacduff@pe.com
Published: 03 October 2011 07:35 PM
A defunct developer has left San Bernardino County owing more than $750,000 in legal fees from a lawsuit over a mountain housing tract that was approved in violation of environmental laws.
Josh Dulaney, The (San Bernardino) Sun
Posted: 10/03/2011 04:33:03 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – The fallout from a federal investigation into San Bernardino International Airport reached Council Chambers on Monday night when one official suggested Mayor Pat Morris should remove himself from presiding over the airport’s boards during the City Council meeting.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/03/2011 06:10:17 PM PDT
For years, civic and business leaders have doggedly worked to convert San Bernardino International Airport into a promising commercial venture and a major passenger airport.
And many steadfastly believe it’s getting there.
BY BRIAN ROKOS
STAFF WRITER
brokos@pe.com
Published: 02 October 2011 09:23 PM
San Bernardino officials say the city’s only multiplex theater could reopen next year, in what they say will be the first piece of an entertainment and restaurant complex that officials hope will rejuvenate the economically depressed downtown.
Spencer
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/30/2011 06:16:21 PM PDT
The airport developer at the center of a federal investigation said Friday he has no intention of stepping down.
Cassie MacDuff
10:00 PM PDT on Friday, September 30, 2011
Cassie MacDuff
The retirement, resignation or whatever you want to call it of Don Rogers as executive director of the San Bernardino International Airport Authority is an opportunity for the oversight board to get a grip.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/30/2011 02:50:44 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – A slew of redevelopment projects are on the shelf as officials await word from the state Supreme Court on whether a redevelopment-related law is constitutional.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/29/2011 06:08:54 PM PDT
It is too early to speculate on what steps the San Bernardino International Airport will take to find a new top executive, officials said Thursday.
11:04 PM PDT on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
A week after an FBI raid, Donald L. Rogers, executive director of the embattled public agencies that oversee San Bernardino International Airport, resigned Wednesday.
10:28 PM PDT on Tuesday, September 27, 2011
BY JEFF HORSEMAN
STAFF WRITER
jhorseman@pe.com
A frustrated Temecula City Council on Tuesday evening agreed to pay the state government nearly $5 million to keep their city’s Redevelopment Agency alive.
By Kate Linthicum and Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times
September 28, 2011
Tim Leiweke, the chairman and chief executive of Anschutz Entertainment Group, stood in front of the West Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center on Tuesday and told a roaring crowd: “Tear it down!”
Cassie MacDuff
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, September 26, 2011
Cassie MacDuff
The FBI raid on San Bernardino International Airport last Wednesday concerned enough people to pack the room where a special meeting of the airport authority board was held late Friday afternoon.
Monday, September 26, 2011 – 10:27 a.m.
The City of San Bernardino has amassed nearly $1 billion in enforceable obligations by way of its fourteen redevelopment project areas according to documents filed with the State of California.
Sunday, September 25, 2011 – 11:30 a.m.
It was only a matter of time before federal officials descended onto the debacle involving the redevelopment of the former Norton Air Force Base.
10:31 PM PDT on Friday, September 23, 2011
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
Just two days after the FBI and others raided San Bernardino International Airport searching for evidence that could be tied to conspiracy, bribery, fraud and money laundering, officials with the two public agencies that govern the airport offered little comment at a special meeting held Friday afternoon to discuss it.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/23/2011 08:52:14 PM P
LOMA LINDA – No comment and the promise of another meeting.
That’s all the public got after airport panelists came out of a 90-minute closed session meeting Friday to address issues related to the FBI raid Wednesday at San Bernardino International Airport.
10:54 PM PDT on Thursday, September 22, 2011
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
PDF: FBI search warrant – S.B. airport
FBI and other investigators raided San Bernardino International Airport offices seeking evidence of bribery, theft, fraud, money laundering and more, according to a copy of a federal search warrant obtained Thursday from the lawyer for the two agencies that oversee development of the airport.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/22/2011 05:10:05 PM PDT
The FBI is investigating allegations of conspiracy, bribery, money laundering, theft of federal funds, and wire and mail fraud in connection with Wednesday’s raid at San Bernardino International Airport, according to a federal search warrant.
Former Supervisor Dennis Hansberger
The following archived story is republished from the Press-Enterprise.
Putting troubles behind them
San Bernardino airport officials give no-bid contract for renovation to aviation insider with checkered past
08:55 PM PDT on Sunday, April 27, 2008
By JOSH BROWN
The Press-Enterprise
He spent four years in prison for bankruptcy fraud, oversaw a string of failed aviation ventures, and could be banned from the aviation industry altogether.
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