Recently in Transportation and Urban Planning Category

Omnitrans reports the following fare increases for bus rides will go into effect Sept. 8:

Regular One-Way Ticket
The price increases to $1.50 from $1.35

Senior/Disability/Medicare One-Way
The price increases to 60 cents from 55 cents.

Regular 1-Day Pass
The price increases to $4 from $3.50

Senior/Disability/Medicare 1-Day Pass
The price increases to $1.85 from $1.60

Student 7-Day Pass
The price increases to $11 from $10.

Regular 31-Day Pass
The price increases to $47 from $45.

Student 31-Day Pass
The price increases to $35 from $33.

Senior/Disability/Medicare 31-Day Pass
The price increases to $23.50 from $22.50

The prices for a regular 7-Day Pass and a Senior/Disability/Medicare Pass remain at $15 and $7, respectively.

San Bernardino Associated Governments, AKA Sanbag, reports the southbound 215 Freeway is scheduled to be closed from 10 p.m. tonight until 5 am. Tuesday between Orange Show Road and Inland Center Drive.

A second closure is scheduled to shut down the northbound lanes along the same stretch of freeway. That closure is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. Wednesday and end at 5 a.m. Thursday.

The closures are intended to provide time for highway workers to remove a temporary bridge structure.

A note: Calls for an investigation are not new in San Bernardino politics.

The article posted below deals with City Attorney James F. Penman's insistence that Mayor Pat Morris be investigated for an alleged conflict of interest.

Penman himself was the subject of an election year investigation more than three years ago. He was ultimately cleared of wrongdoing in the matter.

In 2006, The Sun just happened to receive an anonymous complaint to the California Bar against Penman just days before the runoff election in the mayoral contest between Penman and then Judge Pat Morris, who won.

This newspaper did not rush to report on the complaint on the basis that it was by all appearances an episode of election-time gamesmanship. After the election, The Sun reported that the complaint was filed in December by then-Mayor Judith Valles, who supported Morris in that campaign.

San Bernardino is about to enter another mayoral campaign and Morris is seeking reelection. Penman has said repeatedly that he will not seek the mayor's post this time around, but the two officials often tangle at the dais, especially when legal matters are up for discussion. Morris is a former Superior Court judge.

This reporter asked Penman why he shouldn't assume that San Bernardino politics being what it is, he shouldn't assume that this episode isn't another round of gamesmanship.

His response:

"Unlike the allegation from Mayor Valles, the (new) allegation came from HPC," he said.

"That's why we need an investigation," he added.

HPC stands for Human Potential Consultants, an organization that has proposed a homeless shelter. Penman claims in two memos that HPC has alleged Morris has improperly intervened in their efforts.

The news article follows below. One almost wonders if future developments on the Sixth Floor will include a contest to determine who can punch harder.

By Andrew Edwards
Staff Writer

SAN BERNARDINO -- In a pair of memos, City Attorney James F. Penman calls for an investigation to see if his political rival, Mayor Pat Morris,has a conflict of interest relating to a proposed homeless shelter.

The Mayor's Office replies that the messages are nothing more than political spectacle designed to distract attention from the process by which the proposed homeless shelter is being considered.

In his memos, Penman writes that Human Potential Consultants, the Carson-based organization that has proposed the shelter, has alleged that Morris interfered in their attempt to establish a shelter in San Bernardino.

Penman reports that Human Potential Consultants has alleged that Morris improperly involved himself into the process because the Mayor's daughter has looked into doing business at a business park near the intersection of West Orange Show Lane and Arrowhead Avenue. The business park is one location under consideration for the proposed homeless shelter.

The City Attorney writes in his first memo, dated Tuesday, that if a conflict of interest exists, such a violation could result in civil and criminal penalties, the mayor's removal from office.

"The mayor should recuse himself and his office from all further involvement in this project until the allegations of HPC can be investigated," Penman wrote in Tuesday's memo.

It's rare for city attorneys to use such strong assertions when warning other public officials about potential conflicts of interest. Penman said Wednesday it's also rare for an organization with business before City Hall to accuse a San Bernardino official of interfering on behalf of a family member.

HPC could not be reached for comment Wednesday to discuss their reported allegations.
Morris responded with his own memo Wednesday. In his missive, Morris writes that he asked his daughter, Kathleen Willis, 43, to forego plans to locate her gymnastics school at an Orange Show Lane business park where the proposed shelter could also be established.

Willis was out of town Wednesday and unable to comment, a woman who answered the phone at her business, Inland Empire Gymnastics Academy, said.

Morris further writes California's conflict of interest laws do not apply to the situation because his daughter is not a dependent child. The mayor contended that the real issue is not the alleged conflict of interest but the public process.

During the July 20 City Council meeting, the agenda included a request to approve an urgency ordinance that would have allowed HPC to create a shelter in the 200 block of West Orange Show Lane. The request was signed by both Development Services Director Valerie Ross and Penman.

The council chose to put off a decision on proposed ordinance until its Aug. 3 meeting.
Morris and Third Ward Councilman Tobin Brinker said they were concerned that the urgency process did not provide notice for neighboring business owners to register their concerns regarding the proposal. Both Penman's and Morris' memos report that the shelter would serve parolees.

"We need to basically put this out with a process, a legal process that gives appropriate notice," Morris said in an interview.

Brinker said a shelter at the business park could discourage commerce there.

The City Council has previously rejected HPC's attempt to establish a shelter at a church site on North Sierra Way because that location is near a facility that serves domestic violence victims.

HPC has appealed that decision and according to the July 20 request for council action on the urgency ordinance, would withdraw its appeal if given a permit to develop a shelter on Orange Show Lane.

By Andrew Edwards
Staff Writer

SAN BERNARDINO -- The "Agape House," a nearly-century old building that has been used for a drug treatment program and as an engineer's residence, is set to be demolished to make way for possible expansion work at St. Bernardine Hospital.

The house sits near the hospital near the southwest corner of Highland and Highland avenues. The sand colored, single story building was constructed in 1912 as a home for an engineer to live near a well site at Perris Hill, according to a city document.

The house took its name "Agape House" from its use a rehabilitation center from 1973 to 1975.
The evergreen scent of nearby cedars hangs in the air around the house and a large oak also grows on the site. The house itself, however, has fallen into disrepair. Its windows are boarded up and on its porch are a sleeping bag and other assorted stuff that shows anybody who lives there now would be someone from among San Bernardino's homeless.

The city's Planning Commission on Tuesday granted permission for the Agape House to be demolished. The panel's members made their decision after San Bernardino's Historic Preservation Commission decided that the old house is not worth saving.

"It could not be refurbished and it could not be moved and it needed to be demolished," said Jim Smith, vice chairman of the historic commission.

The commission formed six months ago, Smith said, to prevent historically-valuable structures from being torn down in the way that buildings like the California Hotel were done away with.
It might seem ironic that the Historic Commission's first decision was to OK the demolition of the Agape House, but Smith said commissioners judged that the house could not be practicably saved because it is an unreinforced masonry building.

The Planning Commission's approval also included the condition that a historical marker be built on the site to recognize the history of the house and Perris Hill.

Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, sent out an announcement Tuesday for a meeting with other Inland Empire officials to "discuss and collaborate regarding President-elect Obama's proposed infrastructure stimulus bill."

Baca's office says the Congressman sees the planned meeting as a way to craft a strategy to obtain federal funding for infrastructure projects.

The meeting is scheduled to be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the San Bernardino Community College District's Applied Technology Training Center, 144 South Del Rosa Drive, San Bernardino.

Information: (909) 885-2222.

Here's the release:

SAN BERNARDINO, CA - Omnitrans invites community members to attend public hearings next week to provide input on proposed updates to its draft 2010 - 2015 Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP), which will guide the agency's bus routes and service over the next five years. The plan includes September fare increases for the agency's regular, fixed-route service and Access curb-to-curb service for qualified persons with disabilities; Omnitrans' OmniLink service fares will not be affected. In addition, service changes are proposed for Access.

"Omnitrans' last fare increase was in July 2007, more than two years prior to the implementation date proposed in this plan," said Director of Marketing Wendy Williams. "As with all businesses, our operational and labor costs continue to increase, and we must occasionally raise fares in order to continue to provide the safe, reliable and efficient service that our customers deserve."

Under the proposed plan, cash bus fare would increase from $1.35 to $1.50; the fare for seniors and persons with disabilities would increase from 55¢ to 60¢. Similarly, one-day pass prices would increase from $3.50 to $4.00 full fare, and from $1.60 to $1.85 for seniors and persons with disabilities (please see details in attached brochure).

The agency's Access service area is divided into "zones," or areas traveled, and fares are assessed accordingly. Access fares also would increase under the proposed plan, by roughly 30¢ per zone traveled ($2.45 to $2.75, for 1 - 3 zones). Several policy changes also are being proposed for this service, including an expanded service area boundary that would allow customers who currently live within a city that Omnitrans serves but outside the current Access service area to utilize the curb-to-curb service for an additional fee (please see details in attached brochure).

Staff will provide information, answer questions, and listen to comments and suggestions on all aspects of the Transit Plan from the public at each of four scheduled hearings:

Monday, January 12
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Loma Linda Community Room,
25541 Barton Rd., Loma Linda
Take Routes 2, 9, 19

Tuesday, January 13
2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Norman Feldheym Library,
555 West Sixth St., San Bernardino
Take Routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 215

Wednesday, January 14
1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Fontana Metrolink Station,
16777 Orange Way, Fontana
Take Routes 10, 14, 15, 19, 20, 61, 66, 67, 82

Thursday, January 15
10:00 a.m. - noon
Montclair Transcenter
5091 Richton Rd., Montclair
Take Routes 65, 66, 67, 68, 80

Spanish translation will be provided at all public hearings; members of the public who cannot attend but wish to obtain more information or comment may contact the Omnitrans Planning Department at (909) 379-7250 or write to: Omnitrans Planning, 1700 West Fifth St., San Bernardino, CA 92411, through February 11.

Following the hearings, Omnitrans will finalize the Short Range Transit Plan.

Here's Omnitrans' press release:

Omnitrans Finalizes Purchase of Transit Station Land

San Bernardino Project to Connect Bus, Rail, and Bus Rapid Transit

San Bernardino, CA - Omnitrans has secured the deed to purchase 4.5 acres of property from the Union Pacific Railroad Company at Rialto and E Streets in San Bernardino. The agency plans a new intermodal transit station on the $1.9 million property to connect 13 of its current bus lines, its future E Street Corridor sbX bus rapid transit service, a proposed Metrolink extension, and a proposed Redlands Passenger Rail system.

"This purchase is the first step in the development of a state-of-the-art station that promises to be a convenient, efficient transportation hub for San Bernardino Valley residents," said CEO/General Manager Durand Rall. "We look forward to moving ahead with this exciting project."

Indeed, Omnitrans' centrally-located new station will replace the agency's Fourth Street Transit Mall, where 10,000 bus trips originate each day from stops scattered along a four-block area. The agency has taken on this multi-year project in collaboration with the City of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG), and the Redevelopment Agency of the City of San Bernardino, which is also proposing a Transit-Oriented Development Village. The Village would feature mixed-use developments such as retail, commercial, and housing, on and around the station site. The approximately $25 million station project will be funded from a combination of federal, state and local sources.

Upon approval from its Board of Directors, Omnitrans expects to release a request for proposals next March to hire a consultant team for the preliminary design phase of the station project. This phase will include pre-development, conceptual design, and visioning services for the transit station and Transit Village Development District. Construction of the station is set to begin in 2011, following completion of the final design. The San Bernardino Transit Station is scheduled to open in 2012.

Ty Schuiling, San Bernardino Associated Governments' planning director, said today that California's budget problems could delay projects in San Bernardino and Rialto.

In San Bernardino, Sanbag had planned to begin work on new freeway connectors linking the 210 and 215 freeways around late summer. In Rialto, the agency planned to build a new Riverside Avenue bridge around late spring.

But last week, state financial officials stopped issuing funds from California's Pooled Money Investment Account, which led Caltrans director Will Kempton to write a letter to Sanbag and other agencies to inform them that he has decided to suspend awards of bond-funded contracts until California's money supply can flow again.

Schuiling said he nad Sanbag officials don't know how long the projects may be delayed. Even if Sacramento's situation improves, the construction funding is still contingent upon the state's ability to sell bonds in a weakened economy.

I received an interesting call from a reader this week who informed me that an Orange County Superior Court judge has ruled against the city of Fullerton's ability to issue photo enforcement tickets for red light violations.

The problem, in the view of Commissioner Allen Kelley Stone, was that Fullerton's contract with Nestor Traffic Systems contains a provision to renegotiate the fee that the city pays to Nestor for operating the cameras.

San Bernardino also contracts with Nestor. It's not yet clear if Stone's ruling will have any repercussions here, but the legal issues are interesting.

Stone wrote that "the provision that fees could be renegotiated 'down' if it is determined fees paid to NTS exceed 'net program revenues being realized,' indirectly ties fees to NTS to the amount of revenue generated from the program. If insufficient revenue is generated to cover the monthly fee, the fee could be 'negotiated down.' As such, NTS has an incentive to ensure sufficient revenues are generated to cover the monthly fee."

California law prohibits cities from signing pay-per-ticket contracts. Fullerton Police Lt. Kevin Hamilton oversees traffic enforcement in that city and said the renegotiation clause was never exercised.

"We were in compliance," Hamilton said.

For the time being, Orange County courts will not uphold photo enforcement tickets issued in Fullerton, Hamilton said. He said Stone's ruling may be appealed and that Fullerton's city attorney is slated to meet with Nestor's counsel to renegotiate the deal.

I have yet to confirm whether San Bernardino's contract has the same provision that Stone objected to in Orange County. If the clause is there, Stone's ruling would not force San Bernardino to stop issuing photo enforcement tickets since San Bernardino is not in Orange County.

Whether or not a similar case in San Bernardino County will result in a similar ruling or whether officials' expectation of a similar case leads them to alter policies remains to be seen.

Here's an issue that we'll be following. The California Air Resources Board on Friday approved new diesel regulations that are expected to affect the state's entire trucking industry.

Proponents of the new rules say that diesel trucks are a major source of air pollution and that more stringent rules are needed to reduce toxic smog that hovers over the state's freeways. Voices within the trucking industry had sought rules that would have been somewhat easier on trucking companies. The industry did not deny that pollution exists but truckers maintained that the current recession makes them less than excited about the prospect of having to purchase new trucks.

The ARB's announcement follows after the jump:

By Andrew Edwards
[BYSOURCE]Staff Writer
[BODY]SAN BERNARDINO -- Yoli Catalano paid nearly $450 after receiving a ticket based on photo evidence that she ran a red light.

Catalano's predicament may seem straightforward. Pay the ticket and move on. But there's a twist.

After paying her ticket, Catalano, a San Bernardino resident in her seventies, found out that the traffic signal at the crossing wasn't set up properly because the yellow light interval was off by a fraction of a second, meaning that she and other drivers had less time to react to by the time the red light gave the sigbal to stop.

"It was yellow, and immediately, when I went in to the intersection the flash was on," Catalano recalled. "I thought, 'Geez, that was fast. It couldn't have been for me.'"

But it was. Catalano's ticket claimed she ran a red light at the intersection of Ninth Street and Mount Vernon Avenue on Oct. 21.

San Bernardino Police spokesman Capt. Scott Paterson said authorities will not collect fines from people who received tickets while the yellow light's timing was off.

"While it's still a violation, in fairness to people, we need dismiss these tickets," Paterson said Wednesday. "When we're off, we're off. We need to fix it up."

In regards to people like Catalano, who have already paid, Paterson said there will be an avenue to seek refunds. He did not have access to specifics late Wednesday and pledged to supply details today.

Catalano said that after spending money on the fine and traffic school, her son told her about a television news report regarding the yellow light problem at the intersection where a red light camera took her picture.

San Bernardino Police confirmed in a Channel 9 (KCAL) new story aired Dec. 1 that the yellow light internal at Ninth and Mount Vernon was one-half second too short.

"It's a trap," Catalano said. "My son is a police officer in Huntington Beach and he said that's a trap. Those things are money makers."

Police told the TV station that the error was corrected on Nov. 18. That's nearly one month after Catalano was accused of running a red light at the intersection.

Los Angeles County faced a similar issue in 2003 when a red light camera system at an East Los Angeles intersection snapped photos of drivers when the light was still yellow.

A judge then reversed more than 2,000 convictions and ordered at least $500,000 in fines to be refunded, according to a 2003 article in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.

California Treasurer Bill Lockyer told state legislators on Monday that California's fiscal situation is so dire that the state government may be unable to finance infrastructure and other projects within two weeks.

The Associated Press reports that Lockyer warned that unless lawmakers can solve an $11.2 billion shortfall, about $5 billion in loans for highway, school and other projects would be denied.

I spoke to Caltrans spokeswoman Rose Melgoza today, who said Lockyer's warning does not mean that highway crews will stop working in two weeks if the Legislature fails to solve the financial crisis.

Melgoza said maintenance work and projects that have already been financed will go forward. What's at risk, she said, are bond-funded projects that are otherwise on track to be accomplished within a time frame of about five years.

Examples of projects that may be in jeopardy, Melgoza said, include the addition of a slow lane for trucks on the eastbound lanes of the 10 Freeway between Live Oak Canyon Road in Yucaipa and Ford Street in Redlands. Another is freeway widening and interchange improvements along the the 10 at Cherry, Citrus and Cedar avenues in Fontana and Rialto.

Melgoza said the 215 widening project that's in progress in San Bernardino will not be canceled if the state's financial mechanism falls apart in the way Lockyer described.

From San Bernardino Associated Governments:

SAN BERNARDINO, CA - For the safety of pedestrians in the area, San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad officials would like to remind local residents and visitors that the new State Street bridge is now the only pedestrian and cyclist crossing over Cajon Boulevard and the railroad tracks.

Now that the bridge has opened, it is important to note that the previous crossing at "old" State Street is no longer available and has been closed to all public access. The existing roadway has been removed and concrete barriers are in place to limit vehicle access. Pedestrian access has been blocked with a fence that spans the former crossing.

Entering the fenced area is considered trespassing on railroad property, which is a federal misdemeanor. Additionally, any damage to railroad property (i.e. fencing or gates) is a felony.

With the significant change in pedestrian routes from the residential areas to the retail outlets north of Cajon Boulevard, SANBAG wants to encourage pedestrians to utilize the new State Street bridge instead of seeking alternative routes that could be dangerous.

"We are committed to the safety of all residents and businesses in this area," said Jane Dreher, public information officer for SANBAG. "Improvements such as the State Street/University Parkway grade separation are key to creating safe routes that avoid interaction between trains and vehicles or pedestrians."

The City Council tonight granted several approvals for University Hills, a large housing development that's proposed to be built north of Cal State San Bernardino.

More details will be printed in Wednesday's print edition. Here are the basics:

The council voted unanimously to approve the project, which is designed to include 980 total dwelling units on slightly more than 400 acres of foothill land north of Cal State San Bernardino.

Los Angeles-based Inland Communities Corp. is the developer behind the project.

Although the council was of one voice in approving the project, some members of the public attended Monday's hearings to raise concerns ranging from the potential fire risks attendant to building a cluster of homes and other residences in fire-prone area and how the development may hinder the ability of hang gliding enthusiasts to safely land after taking off in the San Bernardino mountains.

Cal State San Bernardino geography and environmental studies professor Norman Meek was one of people at the meeting who discussed the potential for fire to burn through University Hills if the neighborhood is built as planned.

Meek said he lost his classroom to the Old Fire in 2003 and maintained that it could be possible to safely develop the land, but at a significantly reduced density of dwelling units.

(Meek said Tuesday that he's not convinced it's safe to develop the land, but has resigned himself to the notion of the city allowing some development there. It is his opinion that planned neighborhood is much too dense given the possiblity of floods, fires, landslides and earthquakes to affect future development.)

David Oatis of San Clemente-based Fire Safe Planning Solutions spoke on behalf of the developers. He said the plans call for safety provisions, notably irrigated zones around structures that are designed to impede any flames' progress from the hills to homes.

San Bernardino City Fire Chief Michael Conrad reported to the council that the design for University Hills is satisfactory to his department.

It was not known as of Monday night when the housing market will turn around to the point when large numbers of buyers will want to purchase homes or condos at University Hills or anywhere else.

Fourth Ward Councilman Neil Derry said before Monday's meeting that it makes sense for developers like Inland Communities to seek project approvals during the current economic downturn so they will be prepared for business during the next upswing in the business cycle.

Here's a letter from Mayor Pat Morris to local Caltrans chief Raymond Wolfe regarding the Mt. Vernon bridge, which needs to be replaced.

Cal_Trans_Letter_-_Mt_Vernon_Bridge.pdf

The city has banned big rigs from being driven over the bridge as the massive vehicles could cause damaged to the bridge's weakened structure.

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO - Caltrans workers and local firefighters are gearing up for another bout of Santa Ana winds expected to hit the area today and last through Thursday - with gusts predicted to hit 50 mph in some areas.

Caltrans workers continue to repair freeway guardrails, replace damaged road signs and clear burned and dead vegetation along the 215 Freeway from Mill Street to Base Line, where wind-
whipped fires destroyed a house and warehouse on Oct. 13 and also damaged a self-storage facility.

Caltrans, criticized by city officials for not clearing the tinder-dry brush along the freeway much sooner, issued an emergency order the next day, Oct. 14, allowing the state transportation agency to spend up to $1million on cleanup and repairs.

Mayor Pat Morris met with Raymond Wolfe, the new Caltrans supervisor for the San Bernardino area, and city fire officials on Tuesday to discuss the cleanup efforts along the freeway.

Morris said Caltrans has deployed about 150 workers on the cleanup mission. They're clearing the burned and dead brush along the medians and shoulders of the freeway and stripping away groundcover in order to stabilize the soil to prevent runoff when winter rains hit.

Workers are also clearing dead oleanders, trees and other vegetation along the freeway north to University Parkway. If all goes according to plan, the work should be done by the end of November, Morris said.

"They'll be working straight through and on the weekends," said Caltrans spokeswoman Barbara Miller. "I know they want to get this all cleared up and taken care of as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, firefighters are on standby and have bolstered manpower and equipment.

Dire predictions of gusty winds and extended periods of relative humidity below 10percent prompted the National Weather Service to issue a red-flag warning for the mountains and valleys of Southern California. It is expected to remain in effect through 11 p.m. Friday.

Northeast winds between 20 and 30 mph are expected, and 50 mph gusts are possible through and below passes and canyons.

The U.S. Forest Service is on high alert, with 25 local engines and five engines from the Plumas National Forest on standby. In addition, it has four hotshot crews, three airtankers, three Skycrane helitankers, two helicopters and an air attack plane at the ready should there be any flare-ups.

"We take the forecasted weather very seriously and add additional resources as needed," said National Forest Fire Chief Michael Dietrich in a news release.

He encourages the public to remain cautious and report any suspicious activity to their local fire or police agencies.

SANTA ANA WARNINGS

Another bout of Santa Ana winds is expected to hit the area today - with gusts predicted to hit 50 mph in some areas. A red-flag warning for the mountains and valleys of Southern California is expected to last until 11 p.m. Friday.

By Andrew Edwards
Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO -- A new courthouse could tower over the city's downtown by the end of 2012, says James C. McGuire, cq presiding judge of San Bernardino County Superior Court.

McGuire discussed courthouse plans in an interview Tuesday and before San Bernardino officials at a City Council meeting the previous day.

The project, he said, will use $283 million of state funds. The planned 12-story courthouse is set to be built southeast of the intersection of Third Street and Arrowhead Avenue, across the street from the county's central courthouse.

San Bernardino has previously lost state and federal court facilities to Riverside. McGuire said courts can be an economic boon.

"The legal community, like it or don't like it, is an affluent community. They like to have nice offices," McGuire said.

The county's main courthouse is being retrofitted to make the historic structure more earthquake-safe and McGuire says the building is too small to handle case loads and ensure security.

The completion of a new courthouse would signal a major development for San Bernardino's downtown, but the process has generated some friction among those who say they've been left out of the loop.

For example, 1st Ward Councilwoman Esther Estrada and San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce president Judi Penman have said they wanted to have had more involvement with the planning process.

Monday, Estrada said it was a "little annoying" that officials and business professionals who have been involved in previous discussions about courthouse plans have not had more influence.

At Monday's presentation, council and audience members saw computer generated images of a 12-story courthouse. However, the images lacked detail and officials say that so far, there is no actual architectural design that state or county officials can point to and say "this is what San Bernardino's new courthouse will look like."

"There's no design. There's no image at all," said Peter Allen, communications manager for the state's Administrative Office of the Courts.

McGuire said an advisory committee involving several Superior Court, county and city officials, as well as business figures, has been formed to discuss the future courthouse.
Recently, San Bernardino Downtown Business Association president Sam Catalano has been added to the panel give San Bernardino's business community more representation.

Catalano said he's highly interested in the aesthetics of the new courthouse, and how the planned building will mesh with existing court facilities and the rest of downtown.
"My focus will be on architecture. Treatment of the building's skin and how the building and grounds integrate into the downtown of the future," he said. "It's a building we'll have for 50 to 100 years."

I took the 215 in to work today and say that the cleanup crews that Caltrans has promised are indeed working along the freeway, clearing away vegetation in the path of last week's fire.

San Bernardino officials have criticized Caltrans for not doing more to clean up dry plants as a preventive measure before the recent fires. Mayor Pat Morris and Fire Chief Michael Conrad are scheduled to meet with local Caltrans director Raymond Wolfe today to discuss the issue.

The City Council, in its role as Community Development Commission, is scheduled to take a vote today that would give Los Angeles-based Maya Cinemas exclusive rights to negotiate with the San Bernardino Economic Development Agency to purchase and run CinemaStar.

CinemaStar, located downtown, shut down in late September. Maya Cinemas is a Los Angeles-based company that has a multiplex in Salinas. The company focuses on cities with strong Latino demographics.

Maya Cinemas could start showing movies at the downtown theater by December, according to the EDA.

Omnitrans is scheduled to hold an open house from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to share plans for the sbX Bus Rapid Transit proposal.

The bus plan would create a link from Cal State San Bernardino to Loma Linda University, by way of downtown San Bernardino.

The meeting is scheduled to be held at the Wells Fargo building at 1003 East Brier Drive, San Bernardino.

Mayor Pat Morris and others have worked very hard to sell the idea of a major linchpin of downtown housing at the site of the current Carousel Mall ...

A story by PE writer Mark Muckenfuss says the council "may or may not" decide to upgrade the Woolworth Building on Fourth and E streets so it can house local arts organizations ...