Those persons wishing to speak on any item included on the agenda, or on any matter within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council, are invited fill out and submit to the City Clerk a “Request to Speak” form (name and address optional) which is available at the entrance to the City Council Chambers. Additionally, members of the public may submit electronic public comments to CityClerk@cityofchino .org no later than 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. In your email, please include the meeting date, agenda item you are commenting on, and your comment. All comments received by the deadline will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration before action is taken on the matter and will be entered into the record for the meeting specified in email received.
If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in this meeting per your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act or for any other reason, please contact the City Clerk ’s Office (909) 334-3306, at least 48 hours prior to the advertised starting time of the meeting.
Any documents produced by the City and distributed to a majority of the City Council regarding any item on this agenda will be made available in the City Clerk ’s Office during normal business hours at City Hall located at 13220 Central Avenue, Chino. In addition, such documents will be posted on the City’s website at www.cityofchino.org.
CHINO CITY COUNCIL
SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
13220 CENTRAL AVENUE
CHINO, CA 91710
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2025
STUDY SESSION
AGENDA
6:00 PM
_________________________________________________________________________________
NOTICE AND CALL FOR A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHINO CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR
AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY THAT WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2025 AT 6:00 PM IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS LOCATED AT 13220 CENTRAL AVENUE, CHINO, CA.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Eunice M. Ulloa, Mayor Pro Tem Curtis Burton, Council Member Karen C. Comstock, Council Member Christopher Flores, Council Member Marc Lucio.
FLAG SALUTE
PUBLIC COMMENTS
This is the time and place for the general public to address the City Council about subjects that do not appear elsewhere on the agenda. Due to Council policy and Brown Act requirements, action will not be taken on any issues not on the Agenda. Ordinance No. 97-08 (Chino Municipal Code Section
2.04.090) limits speakers to no more than five (5) minutes in which to address Council, except as provided under Government Code 54954.3(b)(2). If more than three (3) persons seek to address the same agenda item or the same subject matter, the Mayor shall establish a maximum period of time not to exceed thirty (30) minutes.
1 CHINO CITY COUNCIL
MARCH 11, 2025 2
STUDY SESSION
1. Sewer Policy for the Sphere of Influence and Out -of-Boundary Service Agreements Evaluation.
Overview of the City’s current Sewer Policy for the Sphere of Influence, including the process for evaluating Out-of-Boundary Service Agreements.
Staff Report By: Sylvia Ramos, Contracts & DIF Administrator and Warren Morelion, Director of Development Services
RECOMMENDATION: This study session will provide an overview of the City’s current Sewer Policy for the Sphere of Influence, including the process for evaluating Out -of-Boundary Service Agreements. Additionally, proposed policy changes will be discussed. No formal action is required.
ADJOURN
The next Regular Meeting of the City Council will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. (Closed Session no earlier than 4:00 p.m. if necessary) in these Council Chambers.
I, Natalie Gonzaga, City Clerk of the City of Chino, hereby declare that on Friday, March 7, 2025 this agenda was posted on the south window of Chino City Hall and this agenda together with all of the agenda reports and related documents were posted on the City’s website at www.cityofchino.org by myself or under my direction.
_______________________________________
Natalie Gonzaga, City Clerk.
2 MEMORANDUM
CITY OF CHINO
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: MARCH 11, 2025
TO: LINDA REICH, CITY MANAGER
FROM: HYE JIN LEE, PE, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
SUBJECT
..titl e
Sewer Policy for the Sphere of Influence and Out-of-Boundary Service Agreements Evaluation. ..end
RECOMMENDATION
..recommendation
This study session will provide an overview of the City’s current Sewer Policy for the Sphere of Influence, including the process for evaluating Out -of-Boundary Service Agreements.
Additionally, proposed policy changes will be discussed. No formal action is required. ..body
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact to the City.
CITY OF CHINO MISSION / VISION / VALUES / STRATEGIC ISSUES The recommendation detailed above furthers the City’s values and strategic issues that serve as key pillars on which identified priorities, goals, and action plans are built, by fostering:
Positive City Image
Superior Customer Service
Responsible Long-Range Planning
Exemplary Leadership
Public Service Excellence through Internal and External Partnerships
3 CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: MARCH 11, 2025
TITLE: SEWER POLICY FOR THE SPHERE OF INFLUENCE AND OUT -OF-BOUNDARY SERVICE AGREEMENTS EVALUATION.
PAGE: 2
BACKGROUND
The Sphere of Influence (SOI) is a planning boundary established by the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) to define areas where the City is expected to extend its influence over land use, public services, and future development. Within the SOI, the City of Chino serves as the sole sewer service provider.
Over the years, the City’s approach to sewer connections and annexation has evolved through various policy amendme nts to balance long -term planning objectives with property owners’ needs:
Resolution No. 2006 -028 – Allowed sewer connections without annexation, provided property owners executed an Irrevocable Agreement to Annex. Resolution No. 2018 -009 – Required mandatory annexation for all sewer connections, with no exceptions.
Resolution No. 2020 -060 – Reinstated the option for sewer connections without annexation, subject to an Irrevocable Agreement to Annex. Resolution No. 2022 -041 – Introduced greater flexibility for accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
While these resolutions establish a policy framework, staff has found that sewer connection requests often present unique circumstances, requiring a structured yet adaptable approach to decision-making.
ISSUES/ANALYSIS
On February 25, 2025, staff presented an item to the Infrastructure/Streets Committee reviewing the City’s existing Sewer Policy. The discussion highlighted challenges in applying the current policy and proposed amendments to improve clarity and flexibility.
The Committee also examined Out -of-Boundary Agreements for water and sewer service with neighboring cities. While the City does not currently have a formal policy governing these agreements, they are evaluated using s imilar criteria as SOI sewer connections focusing on feasibility, infrastructure capacity, and public benefit. Unlike SOI connections, Out -of-Boundary Agreements are not subject to General Plan or Zoning Code compliance. Moving forward, the City aims to establish clear guidelines while maintaining discretion in service provision.
To create a more structured and comprehensive approach, staff recommends replacing the existing policy with an updated framework that integrates SOI Sewer Connections and Out -of- Boundary Service Agreements into a single, streamlined policy. The Infrastructure/Streets Committee supports this recommendation.
The proposed policy includes the following key elements:
SOI Sewer Connections
Case-by-Case Review – Each request will undergo an individual assessment to determine feasibility and service implications.
City Discretion for Infeasibility Determinations – The City retains the right to deny connections based on feasibility constraints.
General Plan and Zoning Compliance Deviations – Flexibility will be considered when appropriate.
4 CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: MARCH 11, 2025
TITLE: SEWER POLICY FOR THE SPHERE OF INFLUENCE AND OUT -OF-BOUNDARY SERVICE AGREEMENTS EVALUATION.
PAGE: 3
Requirements for Larger Developments – Additional conditions may apply for substantial projects within the SOI.
Out-of-Boundary Service Agreements (Water & Sewer Service Connections) Case-by-Case Review – Requests will be evaluated individually. Service Feasibility Analysis – Each request must demonstrate infrastructure capacity and service feasibility.
Public Benefit Considerations – The broader benefits to the community will be assessed along with economic considerations.
Infrastructure Committee Oversight – The Committee will provide guidance on approvals.
Cost Participation/Fair -Share Contributions – Applicants will be required to contribute their fair share of infrastructure costs.
This revised policy fra mework will ensure a consistent, equitable, and transparent approach to evaluating sewer connections and service agreements while allowing for necessary discretion based on unique project circumstances.
Attachment - Proposed Policy (draft)
5 Proposed Sewer Policy
For the Sphere of Influence and Out-of-Boundary Service Agreements (DRAFT)
SECTION 1. GENERAL PLAN AND ZONING COMPLIANCE
1. All development within the SOI must conform to the City ’s General Plan land use and zoning requirements to qualify for sewer or water service.
2. At the City’s discretion, staff may approve deviations from zoning standards if a project is substantially compliant with the Zoning Code or demonstrates a substantial public benefit, including but not limited to:
o Advancing regional infrastructure improvements.
o Supporting affordable housing or workforce housing initiatives. o Enhancing environmental sustainability efforts.
o Addressing critical public health or safety needs.
SECTION 2. ANNEXATION REQUIREMENTS
A. Non-Adjacent Parcels (SOI parcels not contiguous to the City boundary)
1. Property owners must either annex into the City or execute and file an Irrevocable Agreement to Annex.
2. Annexation will occur once the City determines there are a sufficient number of surrounding parcels to annex, and the number of parcels qualify under LAFCO’s policy.
B. Contiguous Parcels (SOI parcels bordering the City boundary)
1. Property owners must annex the parcel to receive sewer and/or water service.
2. If annexation is deemed infeasible, as defined in Section 3, the owner must execute an Irrevocable Agreement to Annex.
C. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) Exemption
1. ADUs within the SOI shall be exempt from annexation requirements when seeking a sewer connection.
2. ADUs are not required to connect to the sewer system if a proper ly functioning private septic system is in place.
D. Sizable Developments within the SOI
1. At the City ’s discretion, sizable developments within the SOI will be required to annex before receiving sewer or water service unless annexation is deemed infeasible as defined in Section 3. The determination of a sizable development will be based on factors including:
o The number of units or square footage of the project. 6
o The projected impact on City infrastructure and services. o The type and overall scope and scale of the proposed development.
2. Infrastructure Committee Oversight – All Irrevocable Agreement s to Annex other than individual single family home requests must be reviewed and recommended by the Infrastructure Committee before an "Ability to Serve" letter is issued.
SECTION 3. CITY DISCRETION FOR INFEASIBILITY DETERMINATIONS The City reserves the right to determine that annexation is infeasible under the following conditions:
1. Excessive Burden on a Single Property Owner – If annexation imposes a disproportionate financial or procedural burden on the property owner seeking the sewer or water service.
2. Lack of Support from Surrounding Parcels – If adjacent property owners do not support annexation.
3. Infrastructure Constraints – If existing sewer or water infrastructure cannot support annexation.
4. Cost Considerations – If extending services without broader parcel support creates an unsustainable financial burden.
5. Long-term Maintenance Obligations – If annexation results in an undue maintenance burden.
SECTION 4. OUT-OF-BOUNDARY SERVICE AGREEMENTS
1. Out-of-boundary sewer and water service agreements shall be evaluated on a case -by- case basis, considering feasibility, service impact, and public benefit.
2. No Annexation Requirement – Unlike SOI sewer and water connections, annexation shall not be required for Out-of-Boundary Service Agreements.
3. Service Feasibility Analysis – The City will evaluate:
o Infrastructure capacity and accessibility.
o Long-term maintenance obligations.
o Impact on existing and future service demands.
4. Public Benefit Considerations – Agreements shall be approved if they provide a regional benefit, such as:
o Enhancing sewer and water service efficiency.
o Improving regional infrastructure access.
o Increases to the City’s allocation of reclaimed water. o Assessment of economic considerations.
7
5. Infrastructure Committee Oversight – All Out-of-Boundary Service Agreements must be reviewed and recommended by the Infrastructure Committee before an "Ability to Serve" letter is issued.
6. City Cost Participation for Connector F ees – The City shall contribute its fair share of connector fees for necessary sewer or water infrastructure improvements.
SECTION 5. WATER SERVICE CONSIDERATIONS
1. The same policy framework and feasibility criteria outlined for sewer connections shall apply to water service requests within the SOI and out-of-boundary areas.
2. In assessing whether to approve water service requests, t he City shall consider the following factors:
o Water infrastructure capacity and distribution.
o Long-term maintenance obligations.
o Regional water service efficiency and sustainability. 8