City Hall Weekly Highlights

City Hall Weekly Highlights – August 8th, 2025
By Councilmember James Breitling | District 2 | City of Upland

As we wrap up another busy week here in Upland, I’m bringing you the latest updates from your city government. Across every department, our teams are hard at work keeping essential services running smoothly, tackling important projects, and addressing the needs of our community.

I’m always here to listen, answer questions, and help where I can — please don’t hesitate to reach out. Wishing you and your family a safe, restful, and enjoyable weekend!

Thank you for staying engaged and being an active part of our Upland community.

James

Special Events of Note this Week:

On August 6th, The West End YMCA hosted their annual Incredible Edibles fundraiser. Guests enjoyed an unforgettable evening with over 30 food, wine, and beverage vendors—perfect for every foodie who loves to indulge for a great cause. The event supported the West End YMCA’s Safety Around Water initiative, a commitment to teaching every first grader in the Upland Unified School District the essential skills needed to stay safe in and around the water.

On August 7, 2025, the Upland Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted the official ribbon cutting for JD Allison’s Bar & Grill. Community members, local leaders, and guests gathered to welcome this valued new member of the Chamber.

On August 5, Upland came alive for National Night Out as the City’s public safety team—including the Upland Police Department, San Bernardino County Fire Department, and Upland CERT—hit the streets to visit all 25 neighborhood celebrations hosted by residents across our community. From backyard barbecues to block parties, each stop was filled with smiles, laughter, and genuine connections between neighbors and first responders.

A special thank-you goes to Shannan Behrse of the Upland Police Department for her outstanding work in organizing this year’s NNO event, and to the many Upland residents who opened their yards, driveways, and cul-de-sacs to host gatherings. We couldn’t do it without you—National Night Out is truly a partnership between our residents and our public safety team, and together, we make Upland safer, stronger, and more connected.

Administrative Services

Finance
Finance Manager Stacey Sullivan worked with Public Works to prepare an ordinance updating the City’s Purchasing Policy. The proposed changes will:

• Create an approved bidders list to increase transparency in contractor selection.

• Raise public bid thresholds to save staff time on smaller purchases while still ensuring public accountability.

Human Resources
August is Financial Awareness Month at City Hall. The Wellness Committee launched it by sharing a budgeting spreadsheet with all staff to promote smart personal finance habits.
This week HR also:

• Held interviews for Recreation Specialist and Risk Management Coordinator.

• Celebrated two promotions:

  • William Gallardo – Facilities Technician → Building Inspector I

  • Darren Chan – Accounting Technician → Management Analyst I

Information Technology (IT)
Highlights from this week:

• Installed new A/V equipment in the Public Works conference room, enabling Teams participation, wireless Apple device sharing, and improved sound quality.

• Updated Channel 3 and the City’s YouTube channel content with the City Manager’s Office.

• Added reCAPTCHA to city web forms to block spam bots.

• Submitted a grant application for Library network upgrades.

• Upgraded the Library’s reservation software.

• Configured scanning functions, created new user accounts, ordered and set up mobile devices, resolved police dashcam issues, and provided website admin access.

Development Services

Between July 31 and August 6, the Building & Safety Division completed 196 inspections, issued 56 permits, and reviewed 16 plan sets. Planning reviewed 10 zoning clearance applications.

Planning Division

• Processed 10 new Zoning Clearances for new businesses.

• Met with Black Rock Coffee on opening two Upland locations.

• Coordinated with consultant Michael Baker for the Sept. 8 Housing Element Rezoning public hearing.

• Received Special Event Application from Cable Airport for its 80th Anniversary Air Show (Sept. 12).

• Issued off-site improvement permit for Quick Quack Car Wash at 950 Monte Vista Ave.

• Reviewed REAP 2.0 Design Project progress.

• Issued partial sidewalk closure for Firefly Cottage renovations at 234 W. Arrow.

• Assisted resident in reclaiming a $1,000 bond deposit for temporary storage.

• Helped five clients complete Total Waste Management Plans (Form A) and processed fees.

• Issued four encroachment permits to Southern California Edison.

Weed Abatement Program
As of August 11:

• 22,000+ parcels inspected

• 246 Notices to Comply

• 38 second notices

• 18 Notices to Abate

• 16 warrants issued

• 2 properties abated

Economic Development

• Met with a potential micro-beer taproom owner for Historic Downtown.

• Attended CALED webinar on cluster development strategies.

• Finalized first video in the Discover Upland series.

• Quarterly meeting with the Chamber of Commerce.

• Scheduled Administrative Hearing with Building Appeals Board.

Police Department

On August 1, a resident called and reported an unknown person driving their vehicle into the resident's driveway, and the driver appeared to be passed out behind the wheel. Officers arrived at the location and contacted the driver of the vehicle. During the officer's investigation it was determined the driver was under the influence of alcohol and he was arrested.

On August 2, officers responded to a business in the 100 block of E. Foothill Blvd. regarding a male suspect shoplifting from the business. Officers contacted the suspect as he exited the business carrying stolen property. The male suspect immediately ran, and officers chased after him. After a brief foot pursuit, the male suspect was taken into custody. He was booked at the county jail for petty theft, resisting an officer, providing false identification to a police officer, and a no bail felony warrant.

On August 2, officers responded to a residence in the 400 block of Diamond Court regarding a female who said her adult son was threatening to assault her. Officers contacted the son and his friend in a vehicle as they were leaving the residence. Officers located a loaded handgun in a backpack during a search of the vehicle. The handgun was discovered to have been stolen from Riverside County. Both males were booked at the county jail for multiple felony charges.

On August 2, a business called to report a theft in progress. Officers arrived at the business and contacted the suspects as they were exiting with stolen merchandise. A short foot pursuit ensued, before all suspects were captured and taken into custody. The stolen merchandise was returned to the business, and three suspects were arrested and booked at the county jail.

On August 2, the Detective Bureau conducted follow-up investigation on a commercial burglary of a large beauty retail business at about 2:00 a.m. in January where multiple cash registers were stolen. Detectives identified the suspect vehicle and learned that the same vehicle was used in a robbery in San Bernardino in April of this year. Based on that information, Detectives then were able to identify 3 potential suspects that were involved in the Upland burglary. Investigation is ongoing to confirm their involvement.

On August 3, a resident called reporting a hit and run accident. When officers arrived, they discovered a pedestrian was working underneath his vehicle when it was struck and he was trapped underneath the vehicle. The victim was removed from underneath the vehicle and he was transported to the hospital with major injuries. Witnesses were able to give a description of the suspect vehicle, and this vehicle was located by responding officers. The driver of that vehicle was identified, and he was subsequently taken into custody and charged with felony hit and run. On

August 4, a DUI driver rear ended a vehicle near Campus Ave and 7th Street. The vehicle struck then crashed into the vehicle in front of it. The DUI driver was found to have a suspended license and had prior arrests for DUI.

On August 5, the Detective Bureau conducted follow-up investigation on a commercial burglary that took place in the area of Benson Avenue and 9th Street. Detectives identified the suspect via surveillance footage and obtained a Ramey Arrest Warrant for the male who had smashed a window of a business and stole a significant amount of cash.

On August 5, the Detective Bureau assisted the patrol division after they had received a call from the Department of Homeland Security in Dallas, TX. The Special Agent alerted us to a possible fugitive attempt to flee the country with his child after he was arrested by Upland patrol officers for felony child abuse. The Detective Bureau assisted in contacting the Family Violence Unit of the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office, which resulted in the issuance of an arrest warrant for the male and prevention of him escaping to another country with his child.

On August 6, an officer stopped a vehicle near Mountain Avenue and 9th Street for traffic violations. The driver was found to be in possession of meth and had warrants.

On August 6, officers responded to a retail business near Foothill Blvd and 2nd Avenue for a theft that just occurred. Officers located the subject hiding in some bushes, recovered the property, and learned the subject had prior convictions for theft. Due to Prop 36, the subject was booked for felony shoplifting.

On August 7, officers stopped a vehicle near Benson Avenue and 8th Street and learned the driver was under the influence of drugs, he also had a meth pipe in his possession. He was booked on DUI and possession of drugs.

Code Enforcement

Code Enforcement obtained cost recovery from the court regarding a case located at 284 Verdugo Way. The team picked up over 30 illegal signs over the weekend that were in the public right-of-way. The team is conducting extra patrol this week in the evening hours for illegal sidewalk vendors.

Impact Team

The Impact Team contacted a female at Citrus Park who wanted assistance for her drug use and placed her at a substance treatment facility. Impact conducted extra patrol along Mountain Avenue and cited a subject for possessing an open container of alcohol in public and another subject for possessing a shopping cart outside the business premises.

Public Works

Engineering Division

The Engineering Division continued progress on several major capital improvement projects this week. For the 14th Street Rehabilitation Project (Campus Avenue to Grove Avenue), the design team is preparing traffic calming measure exhibits for presentation at an upcoming community meeting with residents in the project area.

The Alpine/Vernon/Palm Rehabilitation Project reached another milestone, with street lights now energized and the contractor addressing final outstanding items. For the Foothill

Boulevard Rehabilitation Project (Benson Avenue to Redding Way), staff is scheduling a preconstruction meeting with the contractor.

Work also continues on the Foothill Boulevard SCE Rule 20A Electrical Undergrounding Project (Benson Avenue to Central Avenue), where the contractor is installing electrical lateral conduits and completing tie-overs for businesses.

The Grove Avenue Rehabilitation Project (Foothill Boulevard to 15th Street) is also in the design phase, with traffic calming exhibits being prepared for a community presentation.

Engineering staff also finalized the Measure I 5-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and Critical Projects Needs Analysis (CPNA) documents, which are required annually by the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) to secure continued Measure I funding for Upland roadway projects. These documents are scheduled for City Council consideration on August 11, 2025. In addition, Engineering assisted Utilities staff with the SCADA System

Upgrade Phase 1, completing the staff report, agreement, and bond forms for the project, which is also scheduled for City Council consideration and contract award on August 11, 2025.

The Operations Division completed a variety of street and infrastructure improvements. Crews installed new rock curbing at 1314 N. Euclid Avenue and laid asphalt patches in front of new curb and gutter at Baldy View Elementary. Additional work included placing cold mix asphalt around a manhole at 23rd Street and Laurel Avenue and filling a large pothole in the alley off Albright Street and 17th Street.

In the Utilities Division, 216 San Bernardino County residents safely disposed of household hazardous waste at Upland’s HHW facility, helping to protect the environment and community health. Water production for the week averaged 20.1 million gallons per day, including 1.3 MGD from the San Antonio Water Treatment Plant, 4.5 MGD in imported surface water purchased from the Water Facilities Authority (WFA), and 14.3 MGD from local groundwater sources.

Recreation Services

The Recreation Division scheduled six facility reservations this week and hosted the 2nd Annual Kids’ Night at the Park, which was a tremendous success. The event featured 85 children registered for the Kids’ Swap Meet and drew approximately 700 attendees, creating an evening full of energy, fun, and community spirit. Special thanks go to our generous on-site vendors, including Walmart in Upland for donating back-to-school supplies and Home Depot in the Colonies for providing woodcraft kits for the kids. It was a wonderful night, and we look forward to seeing everyone again next year.

For those who missed earlier concerts, there was still one great show left this summer. Last night at 7:00 p.m. at Magnolia Park, the Moonlight & Music series continued with Redneck Rodeo, delivering the best of new and classic country music. Known as “America’s Country Band,” Redneck Rodeo performed crowd favorites from the past six decades in true honky-tonk style. Each member brought a bold style, authentic musicianship, and a touch of rebellious edge to the stage, creating a boot-stomping, sing-along experience for all ages. Adding to the evening’s festivities, the Rotary Club of Upland hosted the Boots & Brews beer garden on site, where guests took a break from dancing to enjoy an ice-cold beer.

Respectfully,

Councilman James Breitling

(909) 342-2523

jbreitling@uplandca.gov