City Hall Weekly Update

🏛 City Hall Weekly Update

September 12-19th, 2025
From Councilmember James Breitling

As we close out another productive week in the City of Upland, I’m proud to report continued progress across all departments. From public safety to planning, from infrastructure projects to recreation events, your local government is hard at work preserving the quality of life we all value. Thank you for your ongoing engagement—and as always, please feel free to reach out if I can assist you or your family with any city-related matter.

Upland runs with half the staff of nearby cities. That means slower fixes, delayed projects, and heavier reliance on consultants.

Click here to read Part 4: Staffing and Organizational Challenges

View the Upland Police Department August Monthly Report Here

I can be reached at (909)342-2523 or by email. jbreitling@uplandca.gov.

Administrative Services Department

Finance Division

Accounting staff finalized the latest update to the City’s Master Fee Schedule, enabling the city to pass through credit card processing fees to customers. Residents will always have a no-fee payment option available.

Human Resources

The HR team welcomed two new hires this week:

• Christian Ramos, Maintenance Worker I

• Isaiah Gallardo, Utility Worker I – Water Division

Two new claims were processed, and interviews were conducted for the position of Park Ranger.

Information Technology

The IT Division was highly active this week, completing:

• A full amplifier and microphone recalibration in the Council Chamber.

• Replacement of a failing Power Distribution Unit (PDU) at City Hall to ensure uninterrupted network operations.

• Enrollment and setup of multiple mobile devices into the City's Mobile Device Management system.

• Printing system repairs at the Police Department and restoration of security camera functionality for Recreation.

• Creation of a new Microsoft Teams private group to support collaboration across Public Works divisions.

• Network troubleshooting for a Water Division workstation and ergonomic equipment upgrades.

• GIS data support for Development Services and diagnostics of a DirecTV outage at the Police Department.

• A timestamping update in Tyler Munis was completed in partnership with a vendor.

Development Services Department

The Building & Safety Division completed 144 inspections, issued 37 building permits, and reviewed 16 construction plan sets.

The Planning Division approved seven zoning clearances for new Upland businesses and issued a Special Event Permit for Upland’s first-ever Día de los Muertos Festival, scheduled for Saturday, November 1, 2025, in Downtown Upland.

Planning and Economic Development staff:

• Attended the State of the County event hosted by San Bernardino County.

• Met with Claremont McKenna College to assist with plan checks for the proposed Roberts Sports Park at Foothill and Monte Vista.

• Reviewed Conditions of Approval for the new San Antonio Water Company headquarters on 20th Street.

• Coordinated on streamlining zoning and business license processes with HdL Companies.

• Submitted the City's Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report to HUD.

Transportation staff submitted the Upland Mobility Master Plan presentation for the September 22 City Council meeting.

Economic Development

• Launched the first video in the Discover Upland business promotion series across social media and the city’s website.

• Coordinated with brokers ahead of the ICSC conference in Palm Springs.

• Updated the City’s website with SBDC training sessions for local businesses.

• Continued working on Tyler Payments and refunds for closed or completed planning deposit projects.

Police Department

The Upland Police Department was actively engaged in a wide range of operations this past week, covering criminal investigations, arrests, and proactive public safety responses. Below is a day-by-day breakdown of major activity from September 11 through September 17, 2025:

September 12 –

Officers responded to a violent domestic incident in the 1700 block of N. Sunnybrook Avenue involving a father and adult son. The father sustained a serious eye injury during the altercation and required surgery. The suspect was arrested and booked for the felony crime of mayhem.

September 14 –

Officers responded to a major retail theft incident involving two suspects who loaded merchandise into carts and attempted to flee without paying. Officers apprehended both suspects outside the store. Over $2,000 in stolen goods were recovered and returned.

Officers also received a license plate reader (LPR) hit on a stolen vehicle. The car was intercepted and stopped. All three occupants were arrested on various charges including possession of stolen property and narcotics violations.

September 15 –

Officers assisted another agency with a search warrant. During the search, a deceased male was discovered inside a residence. UPD’s Detective Bureau initiated a death investigation.

In a separate incident, officers responded to a DUI call at the 210 Freeway and Mountain Avenue. A driver who had struck the center median was arrested for DUI.

Torrance Police arrested a burglary suspect pursuant to a Ramey Warrant for a commercial burglary committed in Upland in March. UPD detectives traveled to the West Valley Detention Center to obtain a confession.

The Detective Bureau and Special Investigations Unit also participated in a long-running homicide trial for a 2017 killing at a park on W. 8th Street. Detectives testified at the trial, which is nearing conclusion.

September 16 –

Officers responded to a serious hit-and-run collision at Euclid Avenue and the Pacific Electric Trail. An unconscious male was located in the roadway. Through diligent investigation and drone surveillance, officers identified and located the suspect vehicle in a neighboring city. The suspect eventually turned himself in. The victim remains in critical condition.

Officers responded to two separate retail theft cases—one on W. Foothill Boulevard and another near Euclid Avenue. In both cases, suspects attempted to flee and were apprehended.

A deceased person was discovered at a residence during a welfare check. There were no signs of foul play, and the case was referred to the Coroner’s Office.

In a major safety threat to school campuses, detectives arrested an 18-year-old Montclair man who threatened his ex-girlfriend and the high school she attends. Detectives secured an Emergency Protective Order on the victim’s behalf.

Ongoing Investigations and Major Updates:

The Detective Bureau continued working a high-profile kidnapping and torture case involving a victim who escaped and reported the crime in Lake Elsinore. Upland detectives uncovered evidence that the suspect violated an emergency protective order by tracking the victim. A court order was served to identify ownership of the GPS device, and a confession was later obtained at the High Desert Detention Center.

In another significant case, UPD detectives arrested three suspects for arson and conspiracy following a residential fire that was determined to be intentionally set on August 28.

Joint Agency Collaboration:

The Impact Team participated in a multi-city operation with Chino and Ontario Police, conducting 55 contacts that led to 15 arrests, four citations, and 10 successful placements into services or treatment. Upland PD’s Homeless Services team helped secure placement in a substance abuse center for one individual.

Public Works Department

The Public Works Department made significant progress across operations, engineering, water utilities, and capital projects this past week. Below is a breakdown by division:

• Operations Division

  • Final approval of the SWPPP documents was received for the 11th Street Flashing Signal Beacon and Alley Improvements project. A Notice to Proceed was issued, and construction is set to begin on September 22.

  • Staff mailed notices to residents inviting them to a September 23 community meeting for the 14th Street Rehabilitation and Utility Improvements Project. The meeting will be held at the Landecena Community Center at 6:00 p.m.

  • Staff provided feedback on electrical easement documents as part of preparations for installing EV charging stations at the Public Works Yard.

  • Epoxy coating installation commenced for the Police Department showers. A new pad is being poured for the generator installation at Water Plant 6.

  Engineering Division

  • Submittals for water pipeline components were reviewed and approved for the Foothill Boulevard Rehabilitation Project (Benson to Redding). Additional reviews are underway for traffic signals, landscaping, and concrete specifications. Construction is anticipated to start on October 13.

  • Contractors are currently installing electrical lateral conduits and completing business tie-ins as part of the Foothill Boulevard Undergrounding Project (SCE Rule 20A).

  • Long-lead item submittals were reviewed and submitted for procurement as part of the SCADA System Modernization project.

  Utilities Division – Water

  • Average Daily Water Production last week:

    • Total: 19.7 million gallons/day

    • Groundwater: 11.5 MGD

    • Imported Surface Water (via WFA): 8.2 MGD

    • San Antonio Water Treatment Plant: 0 MGD (offline)

  • Crews trimmed overgrown trees along 14th Street to improve visibility.

  • A damaged sidewalk panel on Buffington Street was removed and replaced.

  • Asphalt was patched at the intersection of San Antonio Avenue and N. Foothill Boulevard using cold mix.

  • Demolition of fencing and deteriorated concrete was completed at Greenbelt Park.

  Household Hazardous Waste

  • 179 Upland residents safely disposed of hazardous waste materials at the City’s HHW facility last week.

Recreation & Community Services

• The Recreation team had a full week of engagement and event planning:

  • Park Reservations – Seven reservations were processed for the upcoming weekend.
  • Turkey Trot – Registration reached 133 participants for the annual 5K event.
  • Scary-A-Faire – Staff finalized candy and food vendors, securing 15 food vendors, 47 candy vendors, plus appearances by the Old Skool 66ers Car Club and the 2nd Division Ghost Busters.
  • Holiday Parade Prep – Vendor and parade participant applications are now open for the Hometown Holiday Parade & Faire.
  • Senior Center Response – Public Works staff responded to emergency maintenance needs at the Senior Center, including stove and plumbing repairs.
  • Art Gallery Event – Over 80 residents attended the latest art exhibition curated by Drake & John’s team.
  • Alzheimer’s Awareness Lecture – A free community seminar is scheduled for Wednesday, September 24, from 10:00–11:30 a.m. at the Senior Center. For info: (909) 981‑4501.

City Manager’s Office

• The City Manager participated in the San Bernardino County Transportation Advisory Committee and Inland Empire City Managers Meeting.

• Emergency planning coordination took place with the County Emergency Services Officer as part of National Preparedness Month outreach.

  • Attended the City Manager’s Roundtable with Assemblymember Michelle Rodriguez
  • Participated in the Monthly Division Manager’s Meeting and State of the County event
  • Oversaw public outreach for:

  • Discover Upland Business Video Series

  • Free Document Shredding Event

  • Bleed Safe Community Workshop

  • Employee retirement, Dispatcher recruitment, and IT Professionals Day on LinkedIn

  • Pet Vaccination Clinics and Bark’N Bingo promotions
    • The City Clerk also administered the Loyalty Oath to two new employees this week.