Weekly Update

Hello Upland neighbors,

I’m proud to share this week’s City Hall update with you. From public safety efforts and infrastructure upgrades to community events and new programs, there’s a lot happening across our city. These updates are part of my ongoing commitment to transparency, communication, and keeping you informed about the work being done on your behalf.

Thank you for staying engaged and being an active part of our Upland community.

— Councilman James Breitling

🔧 Administrative Services Department

Finance

• Preparing for the July 28 Public Hearing regarding the placement of delinquent water, sewer, and refuse charges on the property tax roll.

• In June, staff processed:

  • 936 utility payments totaling $182,665.41

  • 162 animal licenses, generating $5,192 in revenue

Human Resources

• Received 2 new Workers’ Comp claims

• Conducted promotional interviews for the Management Analyst I/II position

• Welcomed three new team members:

  • Jeanne Gonzalez, Recreation Leader

  • Jesse Cortez, Recreation Leader

  • Aja Nolasco, Police Dispatcher I

Information Technology

• Met with Public Works to plan SCADA camera installations

• Resolved time sync issues and speaker malfunctions at the Police Department

• Investigated and fixed Microsoft Teams, scanner, and application issues in Finance

• Purchased and configured new cell phones for the Police Department and Development Services

• Deployed new iPads for Planning Commissioners, Public Works, and City Hall

• Installed and configured mobile computers for police units

🏗 Development Services Department

Building & Safety

• From July 10–16:

  • Completed 211 inspections

  • Issued 42 building permits

  • Reviewed 21 construction plan sets

Planning

• Processed 13 zoning clearances for new businesses

• Coordinated with Michael Baker International on Housing Element implementation through REAP 2.0

• Conducted field inspection of the new citrus mural at Kings Brewing Co. (Upland King label tribute)

Land Development & Transportation

• Approved revised utility plans for:

  • Foothill Storage Project (water/fire service)

  • 20th Self Storage Project (sewer)

• Approved off-site landscape plans for Tract Map 20691 (Crestwood Townhomes)

• Met with engineers and developers on the 1369 W. 9th Street Industrial Project

• Reviewed fee system corrections with Energov staff

• Issued:

  • Encroachment permit to AT&T for 11 manhole lid adjustments (W. Arrow Hwy)

  • Business parking permits to Titan Servicing, Purvis Gallery, and GO Architects

Housing & Economic Development

• Attended San Bernardino County's Affordable Housing 101 training

• Hosted quarterly meeting with RPM property managers for Magnolia Colony, The Village, and Sunset Ridge

• Conducted construction inspections for homes under the Emergency Repairs Program

• Provided grant-funded construction support for:

  • The Local Baker (Small Business Expansion Grant)

  • Eden Garden Restaurant (Commercial Rehabilitation Program)

• Finalized staff report for a July 28 Public Hearing on a City-owned parcel sale (Grove Ave. north of Foothill)

• Posted required public notices on-site for sale proceedings

• Attended Historic Downtown Upland Board Meeting

• Coordinating with ABC and downtown businesses on upcoming Entertainment Zone Ordinance info meeting

• Preparing iPad replacements for Planning Commissioners

• Trained admin staff on decentralized Accounts Payable entry process

👮 Police Department

The Upland Police Department continues to protect our community through targeted enforcement, critical investigations, and collaborative partnerships:

• Multi-Jurisdiction Arrest

  • Helped arrest a 24-year-old Upland resident suspected of child sex crimes in New Jersey

  • Worked with NJ law enforcement and executed a search warrant that led to the suspect’s arrest and evidence recovery

• Major Incident Responses

  • Arrested a woman for felony domestic violence in the 1500 block of W. Arrow Route

  • Responded to and arrested a DUI suspect in north Upland after multiple calls and non-compliance

• Code Enforcement

  • Cited property near Grove Ave. & Chaffee St. for excessive weeds

  • Issued a third citation for boat storage in public view on E. 9th Street

• Homeless Outreach

  • Placed one person into substance abuse treatment

  • Impact Team arrested a suspect with a warrant at Foothill & Campus

  • Officer attended ABC regulatory conference

• Investigations

  • Assault with a deadly weapon arrest at Memorial Park (suspect threatened a woman with a hammer)

  • Identified a retail theft suspect (Victorville woman) who stole $2,000 in cosmetics from The Colonies

  • Secured a Ramey Arrest Warrant in an embezzlement case involving stolen auto parts

  • Investigating organized storage unit burglaries (June–July) with support from Riverside Sheriff and Yaamava Public Safety

🚧 Public Works Department

Our Public Works team continues to deliver vital infrastructure upgrades and day-to-day operations across Upland:

Capital Improvement Projects

• 14th Street & Grove Ave Rehabs – Reviewed traffic calming and landscaping with City Arborist

• Foothill Blvd Rehab (Benson to Redding) – Construction contract awarded June 23; execution in progress

• Alpine/Vernon/Palm Rehab – Punch list walkthrough completed; final items in progress

• Police Department Expansion – Second-floor walkthrough scheduled for July 22

• Generator Installations (Plant 2, Plant 6, Animal Shelter) – Demolition underway; RFIs and material submittals under review

• Reservoir Overflow Gap Installations (10, 11, 12A, 13A) – Material submittals under City review

• A Street Parking Lot (near Eden Gardens) – Notice of Completion scheduled for July 28 Council meeting

Field Operations

• Installed new picnic tables and trash cans at Cabrillo Park

Utilities

• 218 residents participated in Household Hazardous Waste disposal

• Water system weekly average: 17.4 million gallons/day

  • Groundwater: 12.9 MGD

  • Imported surface water (WFA): 2.7 MGD

  • San Antonio Plant: 1.8 MGD

🎉 Recreation & Community Services

Staffing & Facilities

• Welcomed two new Recreation Leaders at Landecena Building

• Interviews for a Recreation Specialist are scheduled in August

• 4 park reservations and 2 facility reservations are booked for this weekend

Community Events & Programming

• Moonlight & Music at Magnolia Park featured PHT and Honky Tonk Nights with the debut of the “Boots & Brews” Beer Garden supporting Upland Rotary—back August 7!

• Celebrated our “Red, White & Bark” Patriotic Pup Contest—congrats to Paisley (Most Patriotic Pup) and Hazel (Cutest Canine) with over 250 community votes!

Upcoming Events

• Dog Days of Summer – Thursday, July 18 at Magnolia Park

  • Live concert at 6 p.m. by The Silverados

  • Ice Cream Social 7–8 p.m.

  • Vendors, pet treats, family activities

  • Dog Man outdoor movie screening at 8:30 p.m.

• Mocktail Happy Hour – Friday, July 18 | 3–4 p.m. at the Gibson Senior Center
  Free drinks, music, and good vibes—no RSVP needed!

• Jukebox Dance – Join us to celebrate “Parks Make Life Better” month with refreshments, music, and fun. Best of all—it’s FREE!

• Rummage Sale Vendor Registration Opens July 28
  Annual event at Gibson Senior Center is Saturday, Sept. 27 (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
  Vendor tables just $10. Call (909) 981-4501 for info.

🏢 City Manager’s Office

• Participated in a Division Manager’s Meeting on succession planning

• Executive Assistant attended training on Combating Misinformation in Public Communications

• Shared citywide updates through social media and LinkedIn, including:

  • Council agenda highlights

  • National Night Out & Moonlight Music promos

  • Touch a Truck event

  • Mosquito prevention PSA

  • Employee promotions and a Police Officer honored as Veteran of the Year

• City Clerk administered oaths to three new employees

• Several Municipal Clerk Week photos featured in IIMC Region IX Summer Newsletter

Stay Connected, Upland!
I remain committed to keeping you informed, engaged, and empowered as we work together to build a better, safer, and stronger Upland.

If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, I welcome your feedback. You can reach me directly at jbreitling@uplandca.gov or by phone at (909) 342-2523.

Respectfully,
James Breitling
Upland City Councilmember – District 2