Weekly City Hall Highlights

Weekly City Hall Highlights - May 16, 2025

The City of Upland proposed combining sewer, stormwater, and solid waste fees onto the property tax bills starting in July 2025. The aim was to improve revenue collection, reduce unpaid fees, and simplify billing processes following legislative restrictions from Sacramento that prevent the city from shutting off water for nonpayment of service. Designed to be more efficient and equitable, the proposal sought to ensure consistent funding for utility services, directly impacting infrastructure and public safety.

Public feedback was collected, and city staff incorporated many suggestions, including an opt-out option. However, on the day of the public hearing, the item was removed from the City Council agenda which effectively ended the proposal from moving forward. Personally, I would have preferred the item to remain on the agenda so staff could present the final details to the public and City Council. This would have allowed residents to receive accurate information rather than relying on social media and provided the council an opportunity to hear the presentation, consider public comments, deliberate, and vote. Due to my concerns and those concerns from the publics input over the past several months, I was ready and prepared to cast my vote as "NO". Whether the item passed or failed the city council vote, respecting the process is what I would have preferred to occur.

Below is a summary of City Hall Highlights for this week.

Administrative Services Department

• Finance:

  • Three staff members attended the Tyler Conference, gaining insights into maximizing the City's financial software system to increase operational efficiency, improve decision-making, and enhance problem-solving capabilities.

  • The new FTB tax collection process has been instrumental in improving business compliance. Since implementation, 1,799 business accounts have become compliant, representing a 68% increase. This demonstrates the effectiveness of our outreach efforts and the success of the new system.

• Human Resources:

  • This week, HR received 6 General Liability claims and 1 Workers’ Compensation claim. Staff is diligently reviewing these claims and working to mitigate any potential impact on city operations.

  • HR hosted Qualification Appraisal Interviews for the Senior Administrative Assistant position in the Recreation Department, ensuring that the best candidates are selected for this important role.

  • Department Head Interviews were conducted for the Facilities Technician position to fill a key maintenance role within the City.

  • Two new recruitment efforts were launched for the positions of Background Investigator and Communications Information Specialist, both critical roles to continue providing quality public services.

  • The HR team welcomed Abigail Santillan as a new Recreation Leader, enhancing the capacity of the Recreation Division to serve our community.

• IT:

  • IT staff collaborated with Sharp to integrate the City’s printer logic software, streamlining print management processes across departments.

  • IT also assisted Integrated Solution in fixing an issue with an Avaya phone device, ensuring that communication infrastructure remains reliable.

  • A Verizon private static connection was established for the Axon Fleet system at the Police Department, enhancing the department's operational capacity through improved technology and data management.

Development Services Department

• Building & Safety:

  • The Building & Safety Division completed 199 building inspections, issued 42 building permits, and conducted 19 plan checks for construction projects. This reflects the ongoing growth and development within Upland.

  • Staff is actively reviewing 9 zoning clearances for new businesses, helping to streamline the approval process for commercial growth.

• Planning:

  • On May 14, the Technical Review Committee discussed several significant projects. One such project is the General Plan Amendment and Zone Change for the San Antonio Water Company, which seeks to build a new office and maintenance facility on E. 20th Street.

  • Another project involves a Tentative Tract Map and Development Plan Review for the Tays/Nisbet House property at 200 E. 13th Street. The plan proposes subdividing the 2.22-acre property into 8 residential lots, preserving the historic home on its own lot.

  • Housing staff met with Estolano Advisors, WPH Holdings, and Grid Alternatives to discuss the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) grant for the Euclid and Magnolia Villas affordable housing project.

• Economic Development:

  • The City has received its 2025 Community Development Block Grant allocation of $612,000. This funding will be used to support various public service and capital improvement projects that directly benefit Upland residents.

  • Kings Brewing Co., located in downtown Upland, is moving forward with a Commercial Rehabilitation Façade Improvement Grant to enhance the exterior of their facility, contributing to the ongoing revitalization of our downtown area.

  • Staff attended the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Ferranto Fields Insurance Services, located at 123 E. 9th Street, to celebrate their opening and demonstrate support for new businesses.

  • Economic Development staff also coordinated with the Historic Downtown Upland Board to decorate the downtown gazebo and discuss potential Downtown Entertainment Zone Events.

  • As part of Lemon Festival preparations, staff attended weekly meetings to organize activities and logistics for the event, set for June 6-8.

  • Staff is also working closely with the San Bernardino County Economic Development Agency to provide marketing materials for the ICSC Convention in Las Vegas, which takes place May 18-20.

• Housing:

  • Housing staff prepared construction contracts for Emergency Repairs Program clients and facilitated pre-construction meetings to ensure that projects are completed before the end of the fiscal year.

  • Final inspections were conducted for two Emergency Repairs Program homes, and staff processed payments to contractors.

Fire Department

• Station 164 held a successful tour for Troop 6374, providing an educational opportunity for local youth to learn about fire safety and the important role of firefighters.

• MT161 participated in the Upland Community Resource Fair, engaging with residents to provide fire safety information and connect with the community.

• STA 161 attended the Inspire Young Minds Career Fair at Sierra Vista Sports Academy, sharing career opportunities and fire service knowledge with young people.

Police Department

• Investigations:

  • On May 7, the Detective Bureau served a search warrant at a residence in Corona as part of an identity theft investigation. During the search, investigators discovered stolen credit cards, mail, driver’s licenses, birth certificates, and notes containing personal information such as social security numbers. Two suspects were arrested and booked for felony identity theft and conspiracy.

  • On May 9, the Traffic Unit conducted a DUI checkpoint, resulting in 1 DUI arrest and 19 citations for driving without a license or on a suspended license. This checkpoint was funded through a state grant.

  • On May 10, Upland Police assisted Montclair Police in evacuating businesses due to a large structure fire that threatened nearby homes. Officers worked quickly to help mitigate the potential danger.

  • On May 11, officers responded to a burglary at a home on S. Stillman Way, where a tablet had been stolen from an open garage. Officers used GPS tracking to locate the tablet and apprehended a suspect outside a convenience store.

  • On May 12, officers pursued a stolen vehicle identified through a license plate reader in Ontario. After a short foot pursuit, one suspect was apprehended and booked for possession of a stolen vehicle and resisting arrest.

  • Later that day, officers responded to an apparent suicide involving a handgun in the 1200 block of W. Arrow Highway. The investigation confirmed that the subject died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

  • On May 14, officers responded to an encampment behind a business on W. 7th Street, resulting in 3 arrests, including 1 felony and 2 misdemeanor arrests. One subject was transported to the hospital for a fentanyl overdose.

  • Also on May 14, officers investigated a strong-arm robbery at an apartment complex on W. Foothill Blvd. While the stolen property was recovered, the suspect was not located despite an extensive search.

  • In a follow-up investigation, officers looked into sexual assault allegations involving a church priest who allegedly molested a child on church grounds years ago. Although the suspect is deceased, the case was thoroughly investigated and documented.

Public Works Department

• Engineering:

  • The 14th Street Rehabilitation project (Campus to Grove) is progressing with the geotechnical team obtaining the required encroachment permits for subsurface borings.

  • The Alpine/Vernon/Palm Street Rehab project is nearing completion, with the contractor addressing punch list items while awaiting Southern California Edison (SCE) to finish installing the electric meter pedestal to energize new streetlights.

  • The Foothill Blvd. Rehabilitation (Benson Ave. to Redding Way) is on track, with the Bid Opening scheduled for May 15. Staff anticipates moving forward with a contract award soon after.

  • A concrete encasement was discovered during the SCE Rule 20A Undergrounding Project on Foothill Blvd. Exploratory work will continue to identify unknown utilities in the area.

  • The Police Department's 2nd-floor expansion project is underway, with structural steel beams set to be installed on May 7 and 8.

  • The Reservoir Overflow Gap Installations are being finalized, with close-out documents prepared for City Council approval.

  • Asphalt paving and striping for the Parking Lot Rehab project on the south side of “A” Street have been completed, and work continues on trash enclosure improvements.

• Utilities:

  • Three staff members attended a workshop on Well & Pump Engineering, focusing on improving well performance, enhancing resiliency, and evaluating new pump technologies.

  • The HHW facility served 330 residents over the past two weeks, helping them properly dispose of hazardous waste.

  • Water production for the week was steady, with an average of 14 million gallons per day produced.

  • San Antonio Water Treatment Plant continues to produce 2 million gallons per day, supplemented by 2 million gallons per day of surface water from the WFA, and 10 million gallons per day from groundwater sources.

Recreation Department

• Staff attended the Upland Community Resource Fair on May 13, engaging with residents about programs like Light Up the Night, passport services, and introducing the Upland Travel Buddies Club.

• The Light Up the Night Fireworks Spectacular event is rapidly approaching, with sponsorships and tickets already generating substantial revenue. Over $88,000 has been raised for the event, and the Recreation Department is actively seeking additional volunteers and sponsorships to make this year’s event even better.

• Walking Wednesdays saw participants log an impressive 43 miles, and the Butterflies in May program continues to engage children with educational and creative activities.

• The Ladies Paint Night event had over 60 attendees, and Mt. SAC students have started planting and maintaining the garden boxes for the Senior Center’s outdoor patio.

City Manager’s Office

• The City Manager hosted a breakfast to celebrate employees’ employment anniversaries for those who began serving the City in May and June.

• Social media activity continued to engage residents with posts celebrating Peace Officers Memorial Day, Upland’s 119th Birthday, and other community milestones.

• The City Clerk’s Office administered the Oath of Office to a new employee this week, continuing to bolster the City’s staff with skilled professionals.

For additional details or questions about any of these updates, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Councilman James Breitling

909-342-2523