APR 2013 – MEMBER PROFILE – A Better Class Limousine Service

A Better Class Limousine Service offers corporate, private, and airport transportation services at competitive rates. They guarantee a quality ride with comfort, clean, and smoke-free vehicles.

For more than 30 years,  A Better Class Limousine Service has continued to serve the area with a commitment to value and service. They have the expertise to assure the luxury limo ride you deserve, as their skilled drivers transport you in the finest and most current limousine fleet in the Southern California area.

A Better Class Limousine Service offers vehicles that seat from 4 to 9 adults comfortably. Their goal is to create memories that last a lifetime and they accomplish it through luxury rides accented with complementary beverages, presidential motorcades, friendly and experienced chauffeurs… And we also offer weekly specials.

Whether you’re coming in for a business meeting or leaving for vacation, they offer airport transportation to all of the airports in the area. A private sedan can take you to or pick you up from any private airfield or airport including:

•   LAX
• John Wayne Airport
• San Diego Airport
•   Redlands Airport
• Big Bear Airport
• Bermuda Dunes
•   Riverside Airport
• Palm Spring Airport
• Long Beach Airport

For the professional business traveler, A Better Limousine Service can provide corporate transportation services. Available around the clock, simply call and let them know when you will be leaving for your destination or returning and they will make sure you get to all your connections on time. Corporate specials and presidential motorcades are available.

For a quality ride in style, choose A Better Class Limousine Service. Call for more information at 792-5356 or log on to www.abclimoserviceca.com . Find out about their Sunday through Thursday specials.

APR 2013 – MEMBER PROFILE – United Moving and Storage

No matter if you are moving across the state or just down the road, United can provide the professional service and equipment you need. Our highly trained and courteous staff will make sure that every detail of your move is taken care of from start to finish. Moving within the same state can fall into two different categories, which are local moving and Intrastate moving.

Local moving is anything less than 100 miles from origin to destination. The cost for a local move is based on an hourly rate from start to finish.

Intrastate moving is anything more than 100 miles. The cost for Intrastate moving is based on the weight of the shipment and the miles between origin and destination. Additional costs may include extra stairs, extra carries and elevators. Your salesperson should be able to give you a better idea of those costs when they survey your home.

Out of State Moves

Whether you’re moving to the next state or across the country, United can service every moving need you have. Some of the services we can provide during your move are:

  • Quality Labor trained and professional staff
  • Assured on-time pickup & delivery
  • Clean Sanitized® treated vans
  • Expert packing and crating services
  • Efficient and accurate billing and claims settlement
  • Precise, accurate estimates
  • Satellite Vanstar® tracking system

International Moves

United’s global network of relocation experts serve both families and businesses alike, making even the most stressful international moves a breeze. Our 98% satisfaction rate speaks for itself.

  • Multilingual staff
  • Online moving tools
  • Single point-of-contact
  • Guaranteed pricing

Office Moves

The team at United Moving and Storage are equipped to handle any and all of your office relocation needs. They are prepared to handle all of your office furniture including any computers and sensitive electronic equipment. They understand that office moves need to be performed at times that are convenient for your business. To accommodate you they can provide services after working hours or on weekends. The sales team will work with you to put together a comprehensive plan that will account for the proper movement of all furniture from one location to the next.

Moving Storage

United Moving and Storage warehouse is located at 5015 Hallmark Parkway in San Bernardino, California, a short drive from the Inland Empire’s largest cities and only 40 miles from the San Gabriel Valley and 60 miles from Los Angeles.

United has facilities for all of your storage needs including;

Professional and Courteous Personnel, equipped and trained to provide excellent service
Over 45,000 Square feet of Storage area in both Washington and California
Full Fire and Theft Security for your stored items
Cartons to pack your household belongings before storage
Containerized Storage Units to provide extra safety
Pads designed to protect your furniture against breakage and damage
Door to Door Pickup and Delivery Services

Records Management & Storage

Are your file cabinets bulging and your storage room filled to capacity? United Moving & Storage is expanding our service offerings to include Records Management and Storage.

RV & Boat Storage

They can securely store your boat, motor home, collector car or almost any other type of RV. The facility is clean and secure with gas stations located nearby.

Portable Storage Containers

Containers are available in several sizes including 12′, 16′ and 20′, featuring steel construction, translucent roof, moisture resistant locking door and no sweat coating.

  • Local Moving from House to House
  • Temporary Storage on site or at our secured storage      facility
  • Spring Cleaning / Remodeling Your Home
  • Selling Your Home

To help with your move or help with your storage needs call United Moving and Storage at 880-8284 or 800, 434-0157.

 

APR 2013 – City News by Mayor Pro Tem Paul Foster

Economic development is one of the most important priorities to the City of Redlands.  The health of our community is, in large part, reliant on the health of our business community.  For this reason the City offers a number of programs and services in partnership with the business community designed to assist existing businesses, encourage entrepreneurs and attract new businesses.

Below is a summary of the many ways the City works with our business partners to create and sustain a vibrant business environment.

Loan Programs

Microenterprise Assistance Grant Program

The MAP Grant provides grants in amounts ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to eligible businesses that want to establish a business or expand an existing business located within the City of Redlands.  This is a grant, and does not have to be repaid as long as all program terms are met.  The objective of the Microenterprise Assistance Program (MAP) Grant is to fulfill a need in the community; create opportunity for the establishment and expansion of microenterprise businesses within the City of Redlands; to create quality jobs, principally benefitting employees in the low-to-moderate income levels; and to preserve and expand the City’s tax base.

Economic Development Loan Program

The EDLP provides loans in amounts ranging from $25,000 to $150,000 to eligible businesses that want to establish a business or expand an existing business located within the City of Redlands. The loan must be 100% collateralized and be personally guaranteed by the borrower.  The objective of the Economic Development Loan Program (EDLP) is to fulfill a need in the community; create opportunity for the establishment and expansion of businesses within the City of Redlands; to create quality jobs, principally benefitting employees in the low-to-moderate income levels; and to preserve and expand the City’s tax base.

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing Program

The PACE Program is an energy efficiency, property-assessed, financing program designed to help commercial property owners improve their properties and realize the money-saving benefits of energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation upgrades with $0 down.  The program provides property owners financing for energy projects that may not be suited for traditional funding vehicles. PACE financing also helps cities and counties create jobs, spur economic development and meet their AB 32 goals utilizing no public monies.

Business Programs & Services

One-Stop Permit Center

The City of Redlands One Stop Permit Center offers a single place for businesses and developers to submit and coordinate projects and plan checks to ensure efficient and effective service and support from Building and Safety, Planning and Engineering personnel.  The One-StopPermitCenter allows for added convenience and the streamlining of activities related to plan submittals/checks, permit applications and providing information for businesses, developers and residents.

Business Consulting and Workshops

Through a partnership with SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives), the City provides free one-on-one business counseling and monthly business workshops (free and fee-based) to existing and prospective business owners.  Business workshops include information on Starting a Business, Financing, Marketing and other specialized topics.

Site Selection Assistance

The Economic Development Division can assist potential business investors, site selectors and real estate professionals with identifying potential business sites within the City of Redlands including providing information such as site-specific demographics, traffic counts, etc.

California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC) Services

Through a partnership with CMTC, manufacturers can receive free assistance and assessments for creating solutions for the improvement of business performance by fostering innovation and sharing knowledge. Manufacturing assessment services provided by CMTC are free to applicants; fees are charged to implement specific improvements.

Business Visitation Program

As part of the City’s business retention/economic gardening efforts, the Economic Development Division will be implementing a new Business Visitation Program in 2013.  This effort is designed to 1.) Introduce City staff to existing business owners; 2.) Identify and assist business owners with potential business-related issues; 3.) Provide information/tools to assist business owners in growing and expanding their businesses.

Business Communications

The Economic Development Division will be implementing a new business tool designed to keep the business community, potential business investors, media and other interested individuals informed about business-related news, activities and opportunities in the City of Redlands.  The monthly business brief will highlight new projects, business news and real estate opportunities, and will be free to recipients.

Online Market Analysis Tool

A collaborative effort between the City, Chamber of Commerce and Esri, this web-based tool allows both existing businesses and businesses considering locating to the City an online tool for analyzing the market area of a selected site.  The tool is free to all users, and ensures that potential business investors can identify and analyze the best locations and opportunities available in Redlands for their business.

Mills Act

The Mills Act is an economic incentive program in California for the restoration and preservation of qualified historic buildings by private property owners. Enacted in 1972, the Mills Act legislation grants participating cities and counties the authority to enter into contracts with owners of qualified historic properties who actively participate in the rehabilitation, restoration, preservation, and maintenance of their historic properties. Property taxes are recalculated using a formula in the Mills Act and State Revenue and Taxation Code. The average savings for individual properties under the Mills Act contract is between 20 and 60 percent.  The full amount of the tax savings received by the property owners must be used to finance the preservation, maintenance and improvements to the property.

City of Redlands Market Night

The weekly market night (farmer’s market and vendor market) allows local businesses/vendors an opportunity to participate and promote their businesses to community residents and visitors from other communities.  In addition to business activities, the event typically features entertainment and a festive atmosphere that not only promotes local businesses but local tourism, as well, through the introduction of a unique downtown experience and the many restaurants and boutique businesses that comprise the downtown district.

If you are interested in learning more about any of these available programs or have suggestions for other ways the City can promote a vibrant business community, please contact the Economic Development office at (909) 335-4755 or by email at redteam@cityofredlands.org

APR 2013 – New Chamber Members – March 2013

 Chamber welcomes new chamber members:

 

GIRL SCOUTS SAN GORGONIO COUNCIL
Cynthia Harnsch-Breunig
1751 Plum Lane
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  307-6555
Web Site:  www.gssgc.com
 
WILDFLOWERS FIORI DE CAMPO
Lisa Kirksey
208 E. State Street
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  793-3345
Web Site:  www.redlandswildflowers.com
 
WYATT’S PAINT & BODY
Gina Valencia
1120 W. Redlands Blvd
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  307-3333
Web Site:  www.wyattspaintbody.com

APR 2013 – Chamber Members Renewing March 2013

ALL-STAR ENGRAVING
Renie De Hoog
1094 No. Wabash, Building 1
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  389-9988
 
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY DISCOVERY SHOP
Alexis Spencer
1534 Barton Road
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  307-8900
 
BIG MIKE’S PLUMBING & ROOTER
Neli Byrd
268 W. Cluster Street
San Bernardino, CA  92408
Phone:  888-8736
 
BRENNA HAMARICK-STOTTS DDS, INC.
Brenna Hamriack-Stotts
1150 Brookside Avenue, Suite T
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  793-9711
 
CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL
Christine Brents
1505 So. Ford Street
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  793-8722
 
COLDREN’S CLEANING CREW, INC.
David Coldren
P. O. Box 8181
Redlands, CA  92375
Phone:  215-2533
 
COLDWELL BANKER COMM-LAZAR & ASSOCIATES
Rick Lazar
1901 Orange Tree Lane, Suite 250
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  793-3600
 
CONNECTION TO CRUISE
Marlys & George Aballi
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  798-9133
 
EMERSON & FARRAR
Paul Emerson
27 E. State Street
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  798-5888
 
FAMILY SERVICES OF REDLANDS
Cheryl Heensen
612 Lawton Street
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  793-2673
 
FIGGINS REALTORS
Bob Ramos
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  793-2861
 
HCH CONSTRUCTION
Frances Carter
404 E. Stuart
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  793-3022
 
HUB INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE SERVICES
Martin Davis
470 E. Highland Avenue
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  793-2373
 
IMAGINE SYSTEMS, INC.
Nicole Campbell
1730 Plum Lane, Suite A
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  792-9063
 
INLAND EMPIRE RESIDENTIAL CENTERS
Penny Radtke
710 Church
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  798-0823
 
INLAND SURGERY CENTER
Jacquelin Belcher
1620 Laurel Avenue
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  793-4701
 
KW COMMERCIAL – J. JEFFRY DILL
J. Jeffry Dill
18 E. State Street, Suite 205
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  809-8181
 
McDONALD’S RESTAURANTS
Dick Shalhaub
612 E. Redlands Blvd
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  793-1516
 
MIRAU, EDWARDS, CANNON, LEWIN & TOOKE
Mark Edwards
1806 Orange Tree Lane, Suite C
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  793-0200
 
OFFICE DEPOT
Cheryl Peetz
602 Orange
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  793-2563
 
REDLANDS CYCLERY USA
Craig Kundig
415-A Tennessee Street
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  792-2444
 
ROSE GARDEN RESIDENTIAL CARE
Karen Marangakis
1350 No. Wabash
Mentone, CA  92359
Phone:  794-1040
 
STORAGE WEST
Brina Limon
1680 W. Redlands Blvd
Redlands, CA  92373
Phone:  792-5761
 
SUPERIOR ROOFING
Harry Kylkema
520 E. Stuart
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  792-3681
 
T.A.B.S INC.
Ron Drake
155 W. Hospitality Lane, Suite 123
San Bernardino, CA  92408
Phone:  890-2434
 
UNITED MOVING & STORAGE
Jeremy Williams
5015 Hallmark Parkway
San Bernardino, CA  92407
Phone:  880-8284
 
University of Redlands
Dr. Ralph Kunci
1200 E. Colton Avenue
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  748-8390
 
WYATT VIDEO
Bill Wyatt
31 W. Stuart Avenue
Redlands, CA  92374
Phone:  876-7163
 

APR 2013 – Alta Vista Credit Union – Annual Shred Day

Celebrate Earth Day with FREE document shredding.  Alta Vista Credit Union is partnering with Cintas-Secure Document Destruction Services to offer FREE document shredding on Saturday, April 27, 2013 from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Alta Vista Lugonia Branch located at 1425 W. Lugonia Avenue, Redlands.  (across from Citrus Plaza)  This event is open to the community, so tell your friends and family and start planning to attend Alta Vista’s Shred Day.

This FREE community event not only provides secure destruction of sensitive information and documents, but also provides an earth friendly alternative to landfills for these items.  FREE service is limited to four Xerox size boxes of shred unless prior approval is received from an authorized Alta Vista representative.  For any questions or for more information please call (909) 809-3838.

MAR 2013 – Understanding the Affordable Care Act

Starting in 2014, almost everyone will be required to be insured or pay a fine. There are subsidies to help people who can’t afford coverage. Most employers will face fines if they don’t offer coverage for their workers. Newly created insurance markets will make insurance accessible for individuals and small businesses. And Medicaid will be expanded to cover more low-income people.

Insurers will be prohibited from denying coverage to people with medical problems or charging those people more.  An assortment of tax increases health industry fees and Medicare cuts will help pay for the changes.

The following may help you answer questions that you might have and help you better understand your role as an employer as the 2014 Federal ACA mandate approaches.

Does the employer have at least 50 full time equivalent employees?

If NO  Penalties do not apply to small employers

{If the employer has 25 or fewer employees and average wages up to $50,000.00 it may be eligible for a Health insurance tax credit.}

If YES  Does the employer offer coverage to its workers?

If NO   Did at least 1 employee receive a premium tax credit or cost sharing subsidy in an exchange?

If YES  The employer must pay a penalty for not offering coverage.

{The penalty is $2000 annually times this number of full-time employees minus 30. The penalty

 is increased each year by the growth in insurance premiums.}

 

Does the insurance pay for at least 60% of covered health care expenses for a typical population?

If NO   Employees can choose to buy coverage in an Exchange and receive a premium tax credit.

The employer must pay a penalty for not offering affordable coverage.

{The penalty is $3000 annually for each full time employee receiving a tax credit up to a maximum of$2000 times the number of full time employees minus 30. The penalty is increased    each year by the growth in insurance premiums.}

If YES  Do any employees have to pay more than 9.5% of family income for employer coverage?

If YES  Those employees can choose to buy coverage in an Exchange and receive a premium tax credit.   The employer must pay a penalty for not offering affordable coverage.

{The penalty is $3000 annually for each full time employee receiving a tax credit up to a  maximum of $2000 times the number of full time employees minus 30. The penalty is increased    each year by the growth in insurance premiums.}

If NO   There is no penalty payment required of employer since it offers affordable coverage.

 

MAR 2013 – Cruisin’ Cuisine Coasting Back to town…showcasing local restaurants

There is no need to track down a food truck or scroll up and down you smart phone app to find  a fun filled and tasty way to treat yourself and your friends to the savory delights of Redlands.  For the third year, the Redlands Chamber will present Cruisin’ Cuisine on Saturday, June 22, when 10 restaurants will offer gastronomic experiences to guests as they stroll from one establishment to another in downtown Redlands sampling specialties, delighting in sophisticated tastes and nibbling signature dishes from our finest eateries.

Guests will purchase a ticket that will include a map and passport to each participating restaurant. Then off they go to taste and test to theirs heart’s delight. At each restaurant guests will have hosts sign their passport that will then make them eligible for a drawing at the end of the evening.  For restaurants not located in downtown Redlands host businesses will partner with them allowing use of facility providing both with great exposure.

“This is an excellent opportunity to showcase our restaurants and caterers, get people out of their cars, on their feet and downtown and enjoy an evening in Redlands.”  said Daney Bachiu, Chamber President. “We have some fabulous restaurants in Redlands and Cruisin’ Cuisine is an excellent way for us to highlight them.”

Tickets for the event are $35 per person and are limited. To purchase your tickets or for more information about Redlands Chamber Cruisin’ Cuisine call 793-2546.

 

MAR 2013 – President’s Article by Daney Bachiu

March, in like a lion, out like a lamb. You probably won’t get this unless you come from the cold North or East, in Redlands it is more like, in like a navel, out like an avocado March. This is my third message, the time certainly is going quickly. Just about the time I get comfortable in my roll as “Queen”, it will be time to abdicate.

I attended the Feb. 20th City Council meeting to voice Chamber support of the underpass improvement program. The areas targeted for improvements are the underpasses at Eureka St, along Pearl Ave to the Orange and 6th Street underpasses. The improvements include upgraded lighting, landscaping, and murals painted on the underpasses. The results of these improvements will enhance the downtown shopping areas and welcome visitors and businesses looking to locate in Redlands. This project will also connect North and South Redlands serving as a conduit to what has long been perceived as a physical division through the center of town. Council directed staff to begin the development process to begin the enhancements.

At the last chamber of commerce board meeting, we set the wheels in motion for our Fantastically Fun Fundraisers. The first on the calendar is our third annual and very popular Cruisin’ Cuisine. If you are not familiar with this event, it showcases ten local restaurants with samplings from their menus. Ticket holders are given a wrist band and walk to each restaurant in no particular order. The event is limited to 200 and I have already sold 4 tickets even though they are not yet printed. It’s a fun way to discover new eateries in and fabulous menus in Redlands.  So, if you want to eat your way through downtown Redlands, buy your tickets or reserve your tickets now before they are sold out! This event will be held Saturday, June 8.

Our second next fabulous event brand new and promises to be all kinds of fun…it’s a “Black Tie” evening at the Bowl. What is so different about that you may ask? Well, it is not the Redlands Bowl, but the Empire Bowl! Yes, that’s right, you will get all glammed up to go bowling…for BLACK TIE BOWLING!!!.

Step out on the red carpet in your gorgeous gown and your dashing tux…. Dine on delectable hors d’oeuvres then slip into your bobby socks and bowling shoes and toss your ball down the alley hoping for a strike!!!! With limited space get your team of 5 together and don’t delay. The Chamber’s Black Tie Bowling will be scheduled in October so start warming up now and call Jan at the chamber to reserve your alley. We have been unsuccessful in procuring land to wallow in the mud, so we decided to take it to the streets in electrical splendor! Kathie Thurston and I went to Irvine in December 2012 to watch their Electric run and it was phenomenal…they had 9000 runners! We don’t have the details hammered out on this one yet, but it will be in December. We will keep all you runners that want to get lit at the Redlands 5K, posted watch for details.

This is all the Queen has to report until April.

The Queen

 

MAR 2013 – CITY NEWS by Mayor Pete Aquilar

Path Forward for the Redlands Mall

Without a doubt, the most common question the City Council receives from residents and the business community is about the Redlands Mall.  While the Mall isn’t the only underutilized piece of land in the City, at 12 acres of downtown real estate it’s one of the largest and most visible.

The Redlands Mall is privately owned and the current Mall owners have demonstrated for several years now that they are unwilling to develop or significantly invest in the property. It makes sense for the Mall owners to sell to a new team that will partner with the City to make downtown a destination that complements our existing shopping district.  But the Mall owners have shown no interest in offers to buy the property and it has even been a struggle to get them to adequately maintain their property.  The economic crisis certainly played a small role as well.

Despite all this, the City is not just a bystander in the conversation; we have some leverage – most significantly, parking.  The Redlands Mall has never owned dedicated parking for its patrons. The parking spaces surrounding the mall and those in the underground garage are primarily owned and controlled by the City.

This is a considerable bargaining chip for the City as we work to persuade the Mall owners to develop their property or sell it to someone who will.  The agreement with the Mall states that tenants are entitled to a very limited number of parking spaces within the City parking lot surrounding the Mall.  The City could also consider development uses and alternatives for the balance of the parking property but that presents problems that could impede future development.

In the meantime, the City has explored ways to use the City-owned Mall parking to support downtown, such as the highly successful Food Truck event last summer.

Some members of the public and business communities have also suggested Eminent Domain.  The problem with Eminent Domain, or unfriendly condemnation, is that we could not control the total price of the property.  Eminent Domain would start us down a path where the City could incur hundreds of thousands of dollars in consultant, legal and court expenses to acquire the Mall.

Each party would spend money challenging the other’s perceived valuation of the Mall, and then the City would pay the sum determined by the court in addition to legal expenses.

This isn’t about a lack of political will.  This is about the lack of assurances that the City won’t be left with the entire cost of the Mall in addition to ongoing obligations.

I am also uncertain where these funds would come from at the City.  I doubt there would be any real support from my Council colleagues to jeopardize our financial footing to buy the Mall.

I have yet to meet a developer or private partner who is willing to give the City a blank check to undertake these efforts.  Neither does the city’s track record of buying property give me confidence that Eminent Domain is in the best interest for our community.

The City recently released a Request for Qualifications/Proposals (RFQ/P) from members of the development community to bring us proposals and formal ideas to revitalize the Mall at its highest and best use for the community.

We have three objectives in moving forward:

  • Avoid continued neglect of the Mall;
  • Reuse and monetize the Mall site and the City‐owned property surrounding the site to generate liquidity, tax revenues, and job creation; and
  • Ensure acquisition of the Mall property by a qualified development team who will partner with the city, bring experience of developing commercial/residential property, and has the financial resources to develop the property;

If we are successful in signing an agreement with someone who will help us meet these goals the City’s control over much of the parking associated with the development site will ensure us an active role in the discussions between the interested parties since the City has control of much of the parking associated with the development site.

It is our hope that within this calendar year we will see some movement that points to a change in ownership and a comprehensive vision for the Mall site.

Our path forward on the Mall is simple – we need to partner with a new development team who can share in our vision to develop a mixed-use project that revitalizes downtown, complements the core, and generates economic activity.