Weekly City Hall Update

City Hall Weekly Update – Week of June 7, 2025

From Councilman James Breitling

As the City gears up for this weekend’s Upland Lemon Festival, I’m proud to share the latest from your City Hall. Our departments have been hard at work improving public infrastructure, keeping neighborhoods safe, preparing for summer events, and responding to the needs of residents and businesses alike.

Here’s your full summary of this week’s notable news across Upland City government:

🧾 Administrative Services Department

Finance Division
We celebrated a major milestone this week as Rose Martinez, Senior Customer Service Specialist, officially retired after 30 years of dedicated service to the City of Upland. Rose has been a constant presence at City Hall and will be greatly missed by colleagues and residents alike.

• 1,240 delinquent utility notices were issued in May—down from 1,686 in April. Staff attributes the drop to mailed notices and outreach related to proposed tax roll billing.

• Customer Service processed 770 utility payments totaling $154,571.37, and 135 animal licenses totaling $5,054.00.

Human Resources

• Welcomed new hire: Jerald Norori, Recreation Leader

• Celebrated promotion: Ryan Collins, from Maintenance Worker I to Facilities Technician

• Processed two new claims

• Honored the retirement of Rose Martinez, whose impact extended beyond Finance into HR collaboration and staff development

Information Technology
IT supported nearly every department this week:

• Set up surveillance software and monitors for Upland PD’s Lemon Festival command center

• Installed or updated fingerprint scanners, traffic software, and video editing tools for Police

• Provided laptop and monitor installations in mobile PD units

• Resolved voicemail and public records access issues

• Installed new computers for Library and Public Works

• Supported irrigation controller upgrades with Rainbird

• Completed website updates and processed multiple new E-Fax user requests

• Collaborated with the City Clerk’s Office to streamline 51 public records requests received in May

🏗️ Development Services Department

Building & Planning
From May 29 to June 4, staff:

• Completed 243 building inspections, issued 35 permits, and reviewed 24 plan sets

• Approved 19 zoning clearances for new businesses, including:

  • Baked Dessert Bar at 659 E. 15th Street

  • Cup of Tea and Snacks at 121 W. Foothill Blvd (change of ownership)

Special Events & Outreach

• Approved a special event permit for Amazon Fresh’s Summer Celebration, taking place June 28 on Foothill Blvd.

• Sent guidance to all Downtown alcohol license holders clarifying that the Lemon Festival is not a designated Entertainment Zone—open container sales are not permitted.

• Conducted business outreach to help Downtown merchants prepare displays for the Lemon Festival.

Planning Meetings & Development Guidance

• Met with Downtown property and business owners to provide zoning and use guidance

• Assisted prospective bakery owners with site selection and land-use requirements

• Worked with Hutton Companies on hydrology for a proposed Starbucks drive-thru on Arrow Route

Villa Serena Project Update
City staff met with the Regional Water Quality Control Board and project developers to address concerns regarding the 15th Street stormwater basin redesign. The RWQCB has now confirmed their support and will issue a formal letter before the June 9 City Council hearing.

Mobility Master Plan

• Staff and consultant KTUA presented Upland’s Mobility Master Plan to Rancho Cucamonga’s Bicycle Subcommittee, highlighting efforts to improve connectivity, bike infrastructure, and pedestrian safety.
  Details: www.uplandmobilityplan.com

Housing Division

• Prepared agreements for two Mobile Home Improvement Loan Program applicants and scheduled pre-construction meetings with them and their contractors.

Economic Development

• Finalized Kings Brewing Co. Business Assistance Program loan documents

• Followed up on contractor proposals to replace the HVAC system at Santa Fe Depot

🚓 Police Department: Public Safety and Enforcement

This week, our officers were actively engaged in keeping our community safe through patrols, arrests, enforcement campaigns, and proactive investigations:

Significant Arrests & Operations

• May 29: Impact Team arrested a suspect for possession of drug paraphernalia near Foothill Blvd. and Euclid Ave.

• May 31: Officers responded to a report of a naked man attempting to enter homes near Valadez Street. He was located in the street, admitted to using cocaine, and was hospitalized. He faces charges for being under the influence of a controlled substance.

• May 31 – Safety Grant Operations:

  • 35 citations issued during a pedestrian and bicycle enforcement detail, funded by NHTSA

  • 3 DUI arrests made during a separate impaired driving enforcement operation

• June 1:

  • Assault with a Deadly Weapon: A man was arrested for attacking another individual with a wooden mallet and biting him. Charges include battery, false information to police, and multiple warrants.

  • Attempted Carjacking: A suspect tried to forcibly enter a vehicle with a woman and her 5-year-old granddaughter. The victim escaped and flagged down police. The suspect was arrested immediately.

Code Enforcement

• Removed 44 illegal signs

• Investigating unpermitted home businesses and short-term rental operations

ABC Grant Update
Upland PD was awarded the ABC Grant for FY 2025–2026. This will support enforcement against underage alcohol sales and unlicensed operations. A staff report is being prepared for Council review.

🛠️ Public Works Department: Infrastructure & Event Support

Engineering – Capital Improvements

• 14th Street & Grove Ave Rehab: Staff met with the design team to refine traffic calming features

• Alpine/Vernon/Palm Rehab: Awaiting SCE to energize new streetlights; punch list work is ongoing

• Foothill Blvd. Rehab (Benson to Redding): Bid opening complete. Four proposals under review. Council award targeted for June

• Reservoir Overflow Projects:

  • Reservoirs 7, 12, and 13: Project completed; Notice of Completion recorded June 2

  • Reservoirs 10, 11, 12A, and 13A: Notice to Proceed issued; submittals under review

• Generator Upgrades: Staff met with contractor to confirm connection points at Plants 2 & 6; also coordinating backup power install for the Animal Shelter

• Traffic Signal Maintenance RFP: Four proposals received for a 2-year contract. Recommendation due June 23

• Parking Lot (A Street): Trash enclosure repainting complete; final payment processing underway

Operations Division

• Provided full event logistics and support for the Lemon Festival—barriers, signage, and safety coordination

• Cleared a downed tree limb on 7th Street

• Repaired a major sidewalk hazard on Laurel Avenue

Utilities Division

• Water Production Totals:

  • Groundwater: 12.9 MGD

  • Imported (WFA): 2.7 MGD

  • San Antonio Plant: 1.8 MGD

  • Total: 17.4 MGD

• 218 residents participated in this week’s Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off, properly disposing of toxins and electronics.

🎉 Community Services Department

Recreation Division

• Completed two-day interviews for Recreation Leaders—offers extended

• Raised $26,176 in sponsorships for this year’s Light Up the Night

• Upcoming Events:

  • Pitch Hit & Run: Saturday, June 14 (Ages 7–14)

  • Go Skate Day: Saturday, June 21, featuring DJ Pete, Skate Dogs, and food vendors

  • Moonlight & Music Concert Series kicks off June 19 and runs every Thursday through August 14 at Magnolia Park. For the first time ever, enjoy our new Boots & Brews Beer Garden on select nights, in partnership with Upland Rotary!

Senior Center

• Hosted Mt. SAC Quilting Class for adults 18+

• Continued Club Fit Exercise Classes for residents 50+

• Special thanks to Romero & Rosie for beautifying the Gibson Garden—Romero, a Mt. SAC student, volunteers weekly to maintain the patio garden and enhance the space for our seniors.

🏛️ City Manager’s Office & City Clerk

• City Manager and Mayor met with the field representative for U.S. Senator Adam Schiff to discuss regional and federal opportunities

• City Manager participated in the SBCTA Technical Advisory Committee

• The City Clerk’s Office:

  • Administered the oath of office to a new employee

  • Participated in the League’s City Clerk roundtable

  • Managed 51 PRRs in May, with 23 more submitted this week

  • Completed records destruction for 293 boxes, thanks to the tireless efforts of Jennifer, Patty, and the Finance team. This work supports compliance, reduces storage costs, and allows for better use of workspace citywide.

Thank you for reading this week’s comprehensive update. I encourage you to join us this weekend at the Upland Lemon Festival—a celebration of our city, community, and small businesses. If you have questions about any city matter, I’m always available to listen.

— Councilman James Breitling

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