City Hall Weekly Update

🏛 City Hall Weekly Update

Week of September 25, 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.

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

___________________________________________________________________

SPECIAL REPORT

Upland Makes History: First Key to the City Presented to Ralph Cavallo

During Monday night's City Council meeting, the Mayor and City Council proudly presented its first-ever Key to the City to longtime resident and community leader Ralph Cavallo, honoring more than five decades of extraordinary service, leadership, and impact.

Ralph’s story is inseparable from Upland’s own. Since 1971, he has poured his time, resources, and vision into building a stronger community. His legacy can be seen throughout the city: in the baseball fields where generations of children learned teamwork and character, in the Upland Library Children’s Reading Room and Friends of the Library Bookstore where families discover a love of reading, and in the Veterans Monument and Plaza where we honor those who served our nation.

These are not just projects—they are living testaments to Ralph’s determination and belief that Upland can always be better, stronger, and more united. His leadership has never been about titles or recognition, but about rolling up his sleeves, rallying others, and bringing ideas to life.

Through his work with Upland National Little League, youth sports, the Upland Community Foundation, and countless civic organizations, Ralph has touched thousands of lives. Generations of Upland families may not know his name, but they have felt the impact of his devotion every time they stepped onto a field, opened a book, or gathered in a space he helped create.

The Key to the City represents more than recognition—it symbolizes the values Ralph has lived: service, perseverance, and love for community. His example sets a standard for future generations, showing what is possible when one person dedicates themselves fully to the place they call home.

On behalf of the City of Upland, we celebrate Ralph Cavallo for a lifetime of service that has forever shaped our community.

Watch City Council Presentation Here

___________________________________________________________________

Click here to read Part 5: Organizational Assessment Summary

An independent review found 200+ deficiencies in how Upland is structured to deliver services.
🛠️ We break down what’s broken — and how we fix it.

___________________________________________________________________

This Saturday, September 27, 2025

Document Shredding of Your Important Papers- Sponsored by Supervisor Hagman

Memorial Park 1100 E. Foothill Blvd Upland CA 91786

Please Register Click Here

Inland Valley Recovery Services’ (IVRS) 18th Annual Chili Cook-off fundraiser will be held on Friday, September 26th, 2025 in the courtyard of Upland City Hall. The Miller Family Trust will again sponsor our popular event. Click for more information

_____________________________________________________________

Administrative Services Department

Human Resources (HR)

The Human Resources team continues to foster a culture of appreciation and support among our city employees. This week, they hosted the bimonthly anniversary breakfast to recognize staff celebrating work anniversaries in September and October. These breakfasts offer a small but meaningful opportunity to honor dedication and tenure across departments.

HR Analyst II Rocio Preciado furthered her professional development by attending a Public Sector Leadership Training at Cal Poly Pomona. This investment in leadership helps build the capacity of our city staff to serve Upland more effectively.

In addition to their ongoing responsibilities, the HR team processed three employee claims and facilitated hiring efforts for two critical roles: Customer Service Specialist II and Recreation Leader. We’re also excited to welcome our newest team member, Kayla Cannon, who joins the Upland Police Department as our new Crime & Intelligence Analyst.

Information Technology (IT)

IT staff remained extremely productive and responsive to both operational needs and technical challenges. After a recent power outage at City Hall, the broadcast and meeting equipment in the Council Chamber was fully recalibrated to restore functionality for public meetings.

Security system upgrades were another focal point. Faulty cameras at the Senior Center were replaced, and a new security camera server was deployed to support continued monitoring and safety across facilities. Connectivity enhancements were also completed, including Ethernet installations at new cubicle stations for Public Works staff and resolution of a Wi-Fi issue affecting the Magnolia Recreation Center.

Additional IT tasks this week included:

• Resolving public printer software issues at the Library.

• Configuring a new communication group for retired Police Department members.

• Relocating and validating workstation equipment for Public Works and Finance.

• Supporting Police Department onboarding with system access and workstation setup.

• Providing GIS data to Development Services for planning purposes.

Development Services Department

Building & Safety

The Building & Safety Division had a strong week of activity, completing 119 inspections, issuing 39 permits, and reviewing 7 plan sets. This consistent workload reflects the ongoing demand for residential and commercial upgrades throughout the city.

Planning Division

Planning staff reviewed zoning clearances for 10 new businesses looking to establish roots in Upland. They also met with Upland Heritage to discuss how to navigate the intersection of historic preservation, new development, and state mandates related to housing legislation.

Key project reviews included:

• A proposed equipment rental business and associated site improvements at 1369 W. 9th Street.

• A Development Plan Review for Claremont McKenna College’s new Roberts Campus Sports Bowl at Foothill Blvd and Monte Vista Ave.

• A design consultation with SAWCO regarding their new 20th Street headquarters, slated for Planning Commission review on October 22.

Land Development, Transportation & Economic Development

• Striping improvements began at several intersections including Tanglewood at California, 19th Street and Francis Avenue, and San Antonio Avenue and Arrow Route to improve traffic flow and turning lanes.

• The Mobility Master Plan was presented to the City Council, charting future improvements in transit, pedestrian, and bike connectivity.

• Staff submitted sewer network files to the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board to support the Salt and Nutrient Management Plan (SNMP) for the region.

• Assistance was provided to residents and developers with Waste Management Plans and bus stop amenities.

In economic development efforts, staff:

• Prepared for the upcoming International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) conference in Palm Springs.

• Met with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for quarterly updates.

• Participated in the Route 66 Centennial Marketing Committee, planning events for the official centennial on November 11, 2026.

• Met with HCD to evaluate remaining funds from the LEAP Grant, though it appears no additional expenses can be applied due to pending Housing Element certification deadlines.

Police Department

The Upland Police Department continued its dedicated work to protect our community through enforcement, prevention, and investigation. The department handled multiple major incidents this past week:

• September 19: A suspect was arrested on a Ramey Warrant related to thefts across three counties. She later confessed to all charges after being interviewed by detectives.

• That same day, a vehicle crashed and rolled over at 9th Street and 2nd Avenue. The driver, who was found to be under the influence of alcohol, was arrested and booked.

• September 22: Officers responded to an Officer Involved Shooting, where one suspect was hospitalized and the other taken into custody. The Detective Bureau responded both on-scene and at the hospital.

• Officers also responded to a domestic dispute involving a large rock used as a weapon, resulting in a felony arrest for assault with a deadly weapon.

• Two suspects were arrested after being caught inhaling computer duster ("huffing") inside a vehicle.

• September 23: A joint effort between detectives and patrol officers led to the arrest of a subject caught using a trail camera to surveil a residential driveway and in possession of a stolen license plate.

• September 24: An intoxicated male punched out a store window and called 911 after cutting himself. He was arrested after being treated for his injuries.

• Officers also arrested a DUI suspect following a crash on Fernbrook Way, and made a domestic violence and warrant arrest at a motel on W. 7th Street.

• September 25: The Impact Team located and arrested a suspect with a felony stalking warrant.

The department also remained active in community-oriented policing:

• Traffic officers visited a school near N. Campus Avenue to address drop-off congestion and educate parents.

• Code Enforcement cited a sidewalk vendor illegally operating in front of Baldy View Elementary and resolved a traffic visibility hazard caused by overgrown vegetation on 11th Street near Upland High.

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 Division continues to lead vibrant community engagement efforts:

  • 6 park reservations and 8 facility rentals were booked this week.

  • 191 residents are currently registered for the upcoming Turkey Trot.

  • Interviews were held for new Recreation Leaders on Monday and Tuesday.

  • This Saturday, residents can look forward to Bark’n Bingo at Magnolia Park, a unique event combining bingo games, refreshments, and themed prizes for pets and owners.

  • 46 residents participated in the recent bus trip to Solvang for “Danish Days,” enjoying local crafts, parades, folk dancing, and food.

  • Planning continues for the Monster Mash-Up Movie Night, a family-friendly Halloween event with games, food, and a feature film screening.

  • Upcoming events:

    • Rummage Sale: Saturday, September 27, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

    • Health & Wellness Fair: Friday, October 3, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

  • Last week’s Bunko Night brought over 25 participants together for an evening of fun and prizes.

  • Several Recreation Leaders attended the CPRS Rec Leader Academy, where they learned best practices in adaptive programming, conflict resolution, youth sports, and senior services.

City Manager’s Office

• The City Manager’s Office led several administrative and public engagement initiatives this week. Highlights included:

  • Hosting the Employee Anniversary Breakfast to celebrate milestone anniversaries for September and October.

  • Attending the Upland Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon, promoting ongoing City-business collaboration.

  • Staff participation in the CAPIO Conference helped strengthen our public communication strategy.

  • Outreach included social media updates for the City Council meeting, Planning Commission cancellation, Ralph Cavallo Key to the City Ceremony, Dogtoberfest, and more.

  • Public safety messages were also shared regarding SCE power outages, emergency preparedness (Bleed Safe event and backpack giveaway), and community service recognition.

  • The City Clerk administered the loyalty oath to one new employee.

  • The citywide digital archiving project continued, with 141 boxes picked up for scanning and 132 digitized boxes returned.