Eric Brown

This Comprehensive General Plan aims to create a city with a balanced and functional mix of integrated land uses that meets the social and economic needs of the community through logical, compatible, and consistent land use and zoning designations. The plan seeks to foster a diverse residential community with desirable neighborhoods, full commercial services, and institutional uses that support employment. It also focuses on an appropriate mix of commercial, industrial, and other revenue-generating land uses to fund community development activities, services, and facilities. The document, acting as an Environmental Impact Report, evaluates various project alternatives including a 'No Project' (existing General Plan), 'More Intense', and 'Less Intense' development scenarios against these objectives to assess their potential environmental impacts.

This Integrated Master Plan evaluates the performance and condition of the City's potable water, wastewater, and recycled water systems under existing and future conditions through the year 2040. The plan identifies current and projected demands and flows, defines planning and evaluation criteria, determines system deficiencies, and outlines necessary facility upgrades. It culminates in an integrated Capital Improvement Plan to guide the planning and development of these systems.

The public hearing is related to the redistricting process. The city transitioned from an at-large voting system to a by-district election system in 2016 due to a lawsuit alleging racially polarized voting. The council adopted ordinance 1497, establishing five council member voting districts. The current district map, adopted in 2016, is based on 2010 census data. The city is required to undertake this redistricting process to ensure compliance with federal and state constitutional standards. The districts should have more or less equal population, and the district boundaries should not dilute the voting power of protected class voters. The districts are to be geographically contiguous, minimize the division of communities of interest, follow easily understood boundaries, and be relatively compact. The city is not permitted to draw maps for the purpose of favoring or disfavoring any political party.

The Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) represents the City of Banning's commitment to renewable resource procurement, aligning with California's goals to increase reliance on renewable energy. It aims to achieve 33% renewable resources by December 31, 2020, and 50% by December 31, 2030. The plan outlines qualifying renewable resources, reporting requirements, and the integration of renewable resources into Banning's long-term resource procurement plan, ensuring consideration of rates, reliability, and financial resources while promoting environmental improvement.

The resolution approves and adopts the two-year budget for the fiscal period July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, and July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. It also adopts the five-year Capital Improvement Plan and makes appropriations to meet expenses, approving budgetary policies and recommendations. The City Council authorizes the City Manager to make necessary budget adjustments, appropriations, and transfers related to this resolution.