Weekly City Hall Update

City Hall Weekly Update – Week of June 12, 2025

By Councilman James Breitling

As summer kicks off and we celebrate Father’s Day weekend, I’m proud to share this comprehensive recap of the important work happening across your city government. From critical public safety actions and infrastructure upgrades to economic development and community services, here’s how Team Upland is working hard to serve our residents.

Administrative Services Department

Finance Division

Our Finance team is completing its final steps in the CalPERS Employer Compliance Review to ensure the City meets all standards before the June 30 deadline. Emergency updates were also installed to the City’s cashiering and finance software to fix system bugs and keep services running smoothly. Additionally, scanner issues affecting check processing were successfully resolved.

Human Resources

This week, Human Resources led several key hiring efforts. Interviews were conducted for shelter attendants, equipment mechanics, and an administrative assistant in the City Clerk’s Office. The Wellness Committee also met to plan July employee engagement activities.

Information Technology

Our IT team had a busy week addressing connectivity, network, and software challenges across departments:

• Resolved mobile data computer issues in Police vehicles and added new officers to the access control system.

• Installed emergency patches to key finance software.

• Worked through the weekend to troubleshoot surveillance camera issues downtown.

• Collaborated with Frontier to restore network access at the Police Department and Animal Shelter.

• Provided public records support and resolved email, video, and permitting system issues.

• Upgraded Animal Shelter software and retrieved archived permitting data for PRR compliance.

Police Department Our Upland Police Department had a particularly active week, focused on protecting residents and upholding public safety across a wide range of incidents:

• June 6: Officers responded to a welfare check on Tulare Way after Adult Protective Services received a call from a woman threatening suicide. Officers intervened and safely placed her on a mental health hold.

• June 7: Officers arrested a suspect tagging signs near the railroad tracks. Later that day, detectives investigated a suspicious death that was determined to be a homicide. The victim’s husband was arrested.

• June 8: Officers responded to a hit-and-run involving a parked car and city water main. Citizens followed the suspect on foot and helped detain him. He was arrested for DUI and fleeing the scene.

• June 9: Officers arrested a theft suspect near Foothill and 2nd Avenue and detained two others with outstanding warrants.

• June 10: Officers arrested an intoxicated woman passed out in the sun with a baby in a stroller—she was charged with felony child endangerment. A separate call about a woman seen with a revolver resulted in an area search but no suspect found.

• June 11: Officers reunited an autistic adult with her mother after she ran away from the library. They also arrested a suspect in a stolen vehicle near Campus and 8th Street, and responded to a domestic violence call where a woman threw knives at her ex-husband. She was arrested.

• Officers also arrested a trespasser inside a vacant apartment who resisted arrest and was found with drug paraphernalia.

Code Enforcement and Impact Team

• Cited two Downtown businesses for excessive window coverage in violation of zoning regulations.

• Investigating another business using a storefront for unpermitted storage.

• Arrested individuals for public drug and alcohol violations.

• Placed a family of four into permanent housing through our Homeless Outreach program.

Public Works Department

Engineering & Capital Improvements

• 14th Street & Grove Ave Rehab Projects: Staff met with the design team to finalize traffic calming elements and distributed utility notifications.

• Alpine/Vernon/Palm Rehab: Contractor is awaiting SCE to energize new streetlights. Final inspections are underway.

• Foothill Blvd Rehab (Benson to Redding): Four bids were received. Staff is reviewing proposals ahead of a City Council award recommendation later this month.

• Reservoir Projects (10, 11, 12A, 13A): Contractor has been given Notice to Proceed. Utility verification and material reviews are in progress.

• Plant 2 and Plant 6 Generator Installations: Engineering staff is reviewing project RFIs and materials.

• A Street Parking Lot Rehab: Trash enclosure repainting is complete; payment processing is underway.

• Traffic Signal Maintenance RFP: Four proposals were reviewed. Staff will present a recommendation at the June 23 Council meeting.

Operations

• Operations crews have been working daily to restore Downtown following the Lemon Festival.

• Citywide pothole patching and tree hazard removals continue, particularly in response to seasonal limb drops from the heat.

Utilities

• Water Production:

  • Daily average: 16.6 million gallons

  • Groundwater: 12.7 MGD

  • Imported Surface Water: 1.9 MGD

  • San Antonio Water Treatment: 2.0 MGD

• Household Hazardous Waste: 165 residents participated in safe disposal services.

• Emergency Preparedness: The Emergency Management Team toured Fire Station 164 and reviewed Starlink satellite technology as a potential communication backup. Staff also evaluated possible sites for a future Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

Community Services & Recreation

Recreation

• “Light Up the Night” event funding has surpassed $97,000, including over $27,000 in sponsorships.

• Two facility rentals are scheduled this weekend.

• The annual Red, White & Bark Patriotic Pup Photo Contest is live. Submit your patriotic pet photo by July 7 for a chance to win prizes!

Senior Center

• Father’s Day Comedy Night brought laughter and community spirit to residents 21 and older.

• The Crafeteria Workshop is making patriotic ribbon flags—pre-registration required.

• The Alzheimer’s Association will present a free “Supporting Independence” lecture for caregivers.

Development Services Department

• Building & Safety Division: 257 building inspections, 33 permits issued, and 20 plan reviews completed.

• Planning Division: Reviewed 14 zoning clearances, approved a film permit at Outback Steakhouse for TV production “Latitude.”

• Reviewed two major residential development proposals:

  • Buffalo Grove: 72 single-family homes on Foothill Blvd.

  • Arrow Townhomes: 132-unit townhome community on Arrow Hwy.

• Filed the Notice of Determination for the Villa Serena project.

• Continued enforcement and policy coordination for unlicensed short-term rentals.

Land Development & Transportation

• Cleared CUP 21-0006 plans (Upland Self Storage).

• Issued grading and water permits for new development projects.

• Received Caltrans approval for HSIP grant scope changes for a citywide signal upgrade.

• Participated in a Countywide Affordable Housing Convening.

Economic Development

• Processed payments and inspections for Commercial Façade Improvement projects at Cats & Comics and Axe Lair.

• Attended ribbon cutting for Axe Lair and Historic Downtown Upland board meeting.

• Preparing staff report on a triangular City-owned parcel for sale near Grove and Foothill.

• Finalizing new permit software user fee structures effective July 1.

City Manager’s Office & Clerk

• City Manager attended the Upland Chamber Government Relations Forum.

• City staff participated in the ribbon cutting for new businesses.

• Weekly communications included City Council notices, Father's Day outreach, and staff highlights.

• The City Clerk administered oaths and participated in new hiring panels.

That wraps up this week's update from Upland City Hall. Please continue to share your ideas, ask questions, and stay connected. Wishing all the dads and father figures in our city a joyful and well-deserved Father’s Day.

– Councilman James Breitling

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1433 N Second Ave
Upland, California 91786
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