REGULAR CITY COUNCIL, HOUSING AUTHORITY, AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY MEETING MINUTES
25541 Barton Road, Loma Linda, CA 92354
August 12, 2025, 6:44 PM - August 12, 2025, 8:37 PM
Roll Call: (The following members were in attendance)
Phillip Dupper, Mayor
Ronald Dailey, Mayor pro tempore
Rhodes Rigsby, Councilmember
Rhonda Spencer-Hwang, Councilmember
Absent:
Ovidiu Popescu, Councilmember
1. Call to Order
1.A. Call to Order - City Council [CC], Housing Authority Board [HA], and Successor Agency [SA]- 6:44 PM
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm and immediately recessed into closed session.
1.B. Roll Call- 7:02 PM
Councilmember Ovidiu Popescu absent; all other Councilmembers present.
Staff present: T. Jarb Thaipejr, City Manager/HA Executive Director ; Diane Robbins, City Attorney/HA General Counsel; Lynette Arreola, City Clerk/HA Secretary; Sonia Fabela, Finance Director; Dan Harker, Fire Chief; Lorena Matarrita, Community Development Director; Kyle MacGavin, Information Systems Manager; Hugh Campa, Information Systems Specialist; and Lt. David Frayeh, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department
1.C. Closed Session - 5:30 pm - Council Board Room- 7:02 PM The City Council meeting reconvened at 7:02 pm. City Attorney Robbins announced that the City Council met in closed session in regards to the three Closed Session items as noted on the Agenda.
She stated that direction was provided to staff and no other action reported.
1.D. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance - Councilmember Rigsby- 7:03 PM The Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance were led by Councilmember Rigsby.
1.E. Items to be Added or Deleted- 7:04 PM
No items were added or deleted. City Manager Thaipejr introduced Lt. David Frayeh as the replacement for Lt. Kaysie Smith, who was reassigned to another department.
Lt. David Frayah introduced himself, provided an overview of his background experience with the Sheriff’s Department, and explained the organizational reassignment process. He stated that he looked forward to working with the City of Loma Linda.
1.F. F. Oral Reports/Public Participation - Non-Agenda Items (Each Speaker limited to 3 minutes. Pursuant to the Brown Act, no action or discussion can be taken by City Council, Housing Authority or Successor Agency)- 7:06 PM
Cassandra Howard of 25992 Brentwood, along with her daughter Taleda Howard, reported that pine trees along the parkway are overhanging onto her property, dropping large amounts of pine needles onto her roof, her property, and her neighbor’s property. She expressed concern about potential roof damage and noted that while the trees were regularly maintained in the past, they have not been trimmed in the last couple of years. She requested that the trees be trimmed and cut back from her property. City Manager Thaipejr provided his business card and asked to contact him.
Resident on Reynolds expressed concern to the vehicles parked along the west side of Loma Linda Dr. between Barton Rd. and Lawton Ave. He said it encroaches into the drive space especially for larger vehicles and trucks. He requested the curb along the street to be all red curb or the street centerline be moved. He also expressed concern to homeless individuals camping at the bus stops specifically the stops at Mt. View Ave. He stated that his daughter takes the bus to school in the mornings. He is concerned for her safety.
In regards to the issue on Loma Linda Dr., City Manager Thaipejr stated that the City does not own the vacant property to the east; therefore, cannot encroach into the property. The City cannot paint red curb along on the west side of Loma Linda Dr.; however, he would look into adjusting the centerline. With regard to the homeless at the bus stops, he would work with staff and Sheriff's Department regarding this matter.
2. Presentation(s)
2.A. SBCTA Presentation on Measure I Project for Loma Linda (Louis Vidaure)- 7:14 PM Louis Vidaure, SBCTA, Legislative Analyst, introduced himself and provided a presentation on Measure I, noting the number of regional and local infrastructure improvement project completed and number of jobs it supported. He highlighted a number of projects that were accomplished with the support of the funds. He noted the key principals that included an independent committee to ensure the funds are properly spent, that only 1% allowed for administrative overhead, that funds cannot be replace existing road budgets; that developers must contribute to related improvements; and that funds allocated regionally on a “return to source” basis. He noted he was available for questions.
Mayor Ron Dailey asked how projects are prioritized. In response, Mr. Vidaure explained that prioritization is determined by subregions through a collaborative effort among Board Members.
Councilmember Rigsby, who previously served on the Board for 10 years, noted that Nexus studies are used to determine and prioritize projects. He asked when the next update to the Nexus study would take place, pointing out that some existing projects should be reprioritized and new projects added to the list. He also noted that if a project lacks a local match, it gets reprioritized, and recommended recalculating the local match since the current data is outdated.
Mr. Vidaure responded that SBCTA has an ad hoc committee currently reviewing the Nexus study. He stated that SBCTA will work with Board Members and their staff to address the issue, adding that they are planning for the future, reviewing data, recognizing growth in the Inland Empire, and working to address related challenges.
On behalf of the City Council, the Mayor thanked Mr. Vidaure for his presentation.
3. Public Hearing Items
3.A. Public Hearing - Council Bill #O-2025-03 - (Introduce on First Reading and set Second Reading to September 8, 2025) Amending and Adopting a New Chapter 19.12 of the Loma Linda Municipal Code Entitled "Flood Control Measures" to Comply with the New Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Regulations to Adopt Flood Hazard Maps, to Designate a Floodplain Administrator, and Address for Other Purposes, Providing Severability, Establishing an Effective Date of October 9, 2025, and Repealing Ordinance Nos. 148, 369, 380, and 678 (Public Works) [CC]- 7:32 PM Public Hearing was opened at 7:40 PM and closed at 7:47 PM City Manager Thaipejr reported that the City must update its Flood Zone Municipal Code and maps to comply with FEMA’s Insurance Rate Maps for San Bernardino County. Failure to comply would result in automatic suspension from the National Flood Insurance Program. He stated that the City is amending Chapter 19.12 (Flood Control Measures) of the Loma Linda Municipal Code to align with FEMA regulations. It is recommended that the City Council introduce Council Bill #O-2025-03 for first reading and schedule the second reading for September 8, 2025.
Questions were raised about whether the new flood zone maps would affect projects currently being developed in areas now designated as Flood Zones. City Manager Thaipejr responded that projects already entitled may proceed, while projects not yet entitled will be required to comply with the new requirements.
Kapree Wiekamp-Schlatter, speaker, expressed concern to insurance companies cancelling policies and no longer offering new policies and asked what the City can do to mitigate this.
City Manager Thaipejr stated that the City has been proactive in the past making infrastructure improvements at intersections and along the San Timoteo Channel to reduce such impacts. He noted that some of the improvements now have to come from other agencies.
Motion by Rhodes Rigsby, seconded Rhonda Spencer-Hwang, passing by a vote of 4-0-0-0-1, Absent was Ovidiu Popescu
to Introduce as recommended Council Bill No O-2025-03, waiving the reading of the Code in its entirety, ready by Title only and set the Second Reading to September 9, 2025.
4. Consent Calendar
Mayor pro tempore pulled the following Consent Calendar items for questions:
Agenda Item 4H - Asked about pavement rehabilitation methods and how to choose the right one.
City Manager Thaipejr explained the options, noting that the bio-based process creates a ½" to 1" membrane and has shown longer durability, but requires certain pavement processes prior to the bio based method.
Agenda Item 4M - Asked about the grant. Mayor Dupper explained that Lt. Smith noted the grant opportunity arose with a short application window and is for tobacco enforcement efforts.
Motion by Rhodes Rigsby, seconded Ronald Dailey, passing by a vote of 4-0-0-0-1, Absent was Ovidiu Popescu
to Approve as recommended the Consent Calendar as submitted.
4.A. Minutes for Approval for City Council, Housing Authority and Successor Agency for June 10, June 24, and July 1, 2025 (City Clerk) [CC/HA/SA]- 7:49 PM Approved minutes of June 10, June 24, and July 1, 2025, as presented.
4.B. Approve the Demands Registers Dated July 8, 22 and August 12, 2025 (Finance) [CC/HA/SA]- 7:49 PM
Approved by City Council the Demands Register dated July 8, 2025, with commercial demands totaling $596,577.88, and Payroll dated July 3, 2025, totaling $456.452.00; the Demands Register dated July 22, 2025, with commercial demands totaling $2,005,499.97, and Payroll dated July 17, 2025, totaling $436,207.63; and the Demands Register dated August 12, 2025, with commercial demands totaling $2,798,207.08 and Payroll dated July 31, 2025, totaling $415,904.81.
Approved by Housing Authority Board the Demands Register dated July 8, 2025, with commercial demands totaling $11,082.80; the Demands Register dated July 22, 2025, with commercial demands totaling $6,538.00; and the Demands Register dated August 12, 2025, with commercial demands totaling $4,287.01.
Approved by the Successor Agency the Demands Register dated August 12, 2025, with commercial demands totaling $2,803,837.50.
4.C. Accept the Treasurer's Report - June and July 2025 (Finance) [CC]- 7:49 PM Accepted for filing the Treasurer's Report for June and July 2025.
4.D. Accept the Fire Department Activity Reports - June and July 2025 (Fire) [CC]- 7:49 PM Accepted for filing the Fire Department's Activity Reports for June and July 2025.
4.E. Award Contract to LCR Earthworks & Engineering Corporation for Pavement Rehabilitation at Various Locations for $270,333.95 - CIP 25-125 (Public Works) [CC]- 7:49 PM
Awarded Contract to LCR Earthwork & Engineering, Corp. for the pavement rehabilitation project at various locations (CIP 25-125) for $270,333.95 as recommended.
4.F. Award Contract to CT&T Concrete Paving, Inc. for Installation of Sidewalk, Driveway, and Curb & Gutter at Various Locations for $173,656.23 - CIP 25-129 (Public Works) [CC]- 7:49 PM
Awarded Contract to CT&T Concrete Paving, Inc. for installation of sidewalk, driveway, and curb and gutter at various locations (CIP 25-129) for $173,656.23 as recommended.
Agenda Item 4S - In response to clarification, City Manager explained that several Capital Improvement Projects approved last fiscal year remain incomplete. No funds were budgeted this year, so this request seeks to reappropriate funds to finish those projects.
4.G. Award Contract to Doug Martin Contracting Company for Pavement Rehabilitation by Slurry Seal Method at Various Locations for $247,282.53 - CIP 25-126 (Public Works) [CC]- 7:49 PM
Awarded Contract to Doug Martin Contracting Company for pavement rehabilitation by slurry seal method at various locations (CIP 25-126) for $247,282.53 as recommended.
4.H. Award Contract to Mike Roquet Construction Inc. for Pavement Rehabilitation by Application of Bio-Based Pavement Preservation Product at Anderson St. and Barton Rd. for Fiscal Year 2025-26 for $233,313.00 - CIP 25-128 (Public Works) [CC]- 7:49 PM Awarded Contract to Mike Roquet Construction, Inc. for pavement rehabilitation by application of biobased pavement preservation product at Anderson St. and Barton Rd. (CIP 25-128) for $233,313.00 as recommended.
4.I. Approve Contract with Willdan Engineering to Deliver Code Enforcement Program Analysis, Development, Implementation, Training, and Preparation of a Policy and Procedures Manual in an Amount Not to Exceed of $21,00 (Fire) [CC]- 7:49 PM Approved contract with Willdan Engineering for Code Enforcement Program Analysis, Development, Implementation, Training, and Preparation of a Policy and Procedures Manual for a not to exceed amount of $21,000 as recommended.
4.J. Award Contract to Techstrata for Network Hardware Support and Maintenance for $28,254 (Information Systems) [CC]- 7:49 PM
Approved contract to Techstrata Inc. for network hardware support and maintenance in the amount of $28,254 to June 30, 2026, as recommended.
4.K. Approve the Purchase of One Skid Steer Loader from Quinn Cat of Riverside, CA for a total of $137,741.67. (Public Works) [CC]- 7:49 PM
Approved purchase of one (1) skid steer loader with accessories from Quinn Cat of Riverside, CA for a total of $137,741.67 as recommended.
4.L. Accept Grant Funding Award of $75,000, Execute Funding Agreement, and Appropriate the Revenue and Expenditure Accounts and Approve a Supplemental Appropriation of $35,000 from General Fund Reserves as Part of the City's Fiscal Year 2025-26 Match for the Preparation of the Community Wildfire Plan (Fire) [CC]- 7:49 PM Accepted the $75,000 Inland Empire Resource Conservation District (IERCD) Sub-Grant award, authorized execution of the funding agreement (pending City Attorney review), and approved a $75,000 supplemental appropriations to the Miscellaneous Grant Fund revenues/expenditure accounts as well as approved a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $35,000 from General Fund reserves to hire a consultant for a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) as recommended.
4.M. Approve Grant Application with the California Department of Justice Tobacco Grant Program for a potential award totaling $21,570 over a two-year fiscal period (Fire) [CC] - 7:49 PM
Authorized the Loma Linda Fire Department to apply for the California Department of Justice Tobacco Grant Program for potential award total of $21,570, as recommended.
4.N. Adopt Council Bill #R-2025-31 - A Resolution Amending the City Classification Plan and Salary Schedule to Reclassify the Engineering Technician/GIS Analyst Position to Engineering Technician II/GIS Administrator, to Establish New Classifications for Engineering Technician I, Information Technology Specialist, to update Customer Support Technician to Help Desk Technician; and Approve Supplemental Appropriations of $8,200.00 for the Engineering Technician II/GIS Administrator position and $126,000.00 for the Information Technology Specialist Position (Administration) [CC]- 7:49 PM Adopted as recommended Council Bill #R-2025-31 to
RESOLUTION NO. 3269
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMA LINDA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AMENDMENT TO THE CITY CLASSIFICATION PLAN AND SALARY SCHEDULE.
4.O. Adopt Council Bill #R-2025-32 - A Resolution to Submit a Grant Application to the Land and Water Conservation Fund to Construct Two Pickleball Courts at Leonard Bailey Park (PW) [CC]- 7:49 PM
Adopted as recommended Council Bill #R-2025-32 to
RESOLUTION NO. 3270
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMA LINDA, CALIFORNIA,
APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR THE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF TWO PICKLEBALL COURTS AT LEONARD BAILEY PARK PROJECT
4.P. Approve a Second Amendment to the Agreement with TKE Engineering, Inc. for Consulting Services for City-Related Services (Administration) [CC]- 7:49 PM Approved as recommended a second amendment for to the Agreement with TKE Engineering, Inc. as recommended.
4.Q. Approve the Fifth Amendment to the Agreement with TKE Engineering, Inc. for Consulting Services for the Housing Authority (Administration) [HA]- 7:49 PM Approved as recommended a fifth amendment to the Housing Authority Agreement with TKE Engineering, Inc. as recommended with the agreement be retroactive to July 12, 2025, as the Contractor has been providing services since the start of the new fiscal year.
4.R. Approve the Fourth Amendment to the Agreement with TKE Engineering, Inc. for Consulting Services for Successor Agency (Administration) [SA]- 7:49 PM Approved as recommended a fourth amendment to the Successor Agency Agreement with TKE Engineering, Inc. as recommended with the agreement be retroactive to July 12, 2025, as the Contractor has been providing services since the start of the new fiscal year.
4.S. Supplemental Appropriations in the Amounts of $53,300 from the General Fund Balance, $434,800 from the Major Street Arterial Subprogram Fund Balance, $275,700 from the Traffic Mitigation Fund Balance, $6,800 from the Water Enterprise Fund Balance, and $802,200 from the Water Acquisition Fund Balance for Projects and Items Not Completed or Received by the End of Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Works) [CC]- 7:49 PM Authorized and approved the supplemental appropriations as recommended.
4.T. Accept as Complete the Notice of Completion of the Installation of the Manual Transfer Switches at 3 Water Reservoir Sites for $36,175 Contractor: AP Electrical Service, Inc. (Public Works) [CC]- 7:49 PM
Accepted the project as complete and authorized the recordation of the Notice of Completion as recommended.
5. New Business
5.A. Presentation on Loma Linda City Parks (City Manager)- 7:58 PM City Manager Thaipejr presented a report on the City’s parks, noting that Loma Linda has 13 parks, including the 1,689.78-acre South Hills Preserve. He provided an overview of the parks and highlighted completed improvements such as new playground equipment and surfaces, new restrooms, walking tracks, basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts, gazebos, dog parks, baseball and soccer fields, field lighting, exercise equipment along easement trails, public and banner artwork, and restoration of historic structures at Heritage Park. He also outlined several upcoming park improvements.
John Trujillo, Field Superintendent, gave a presentation on future park improvements, highlighting the addition of wellness features such as serenity trails with music speakers, which have significant wellness benefits, kinetic equipment, self-irrigation playground equipment, and LED kinetic playground equipment. Future enhancements also include a butterfly garden where the City has recently purchased 100 milkweed plants, “Art in the Park” interactive educational activities for children, creating themed playgrounds, new interactive and educational play structures, upgraded dog agility equipment, and planting more trees at the parks. He noted that grant opportunities are available to help fund these projects.
Councilmember Spencer-Hwang attended an animal show hosted by the Library. She commended the Librarian for hosting the activity and shared that, after speaking with and surveying parents at the event, many expressed interest in the City adding a splash pad and planting more shade trees near park seating areas.Continued discussion ensued with expressed support pertaining to splash pads at the park(s), but it was also noted that the City would have to investigate further the insurance and liability issues. Another item of discussion as a potential future park improvement was the development of a pedestrian trail connecting Heritage Park to Mission Elementary School. It was noted that the principal of Mission Elementary had expressed concerns about student safety when traveling along California Street to get to school. Finally, Mayor Dupper noted that the City of Highland adopted an anti-camping ordinance and suggested that the City consider reviewing this matter. He stated that with the upcoming World Cup and Olympic Games in the Los Angeles area, homelessness may become an issue that cities should be prepared to respond accordingly.
Amy Jones thanked John Trujillo for his presentation and for the support he has provided to the Community Garden. She expressed support for the butterfly garden and the planting of milkweed, pointing out of an organization that offers grant funding for plant materials for butterfly projects, but with the condition that pesticides cannot used. She stated that she would forward the information to the City.
6. Reports
6.A. Reports of Council Members- 8:34 PM
Councilmember Spencer-Hwang commended the new Librarian who put on the animal show event on July 29 that was well attended.
Mayor pro tempore Dailey asked staff to plant trees on Mt. View Ave. between Lawton Ave. and Hinckley St.
6.B. Reports Of Officers- 8:37 PM
City Manager Thaipejr announced that he will be on vacation from August 14 to September 1, 2025.
He noted that Chief Harker would serve as Acting City Manager; however, he noted that the Chief was currently assigned to a strike team in Big Bear. In his absence, Finance Director Sonia Fabela would serve as Acting City Manager until his return.
7. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:37 pm.
The Minutes were approved at the meeting of September 9, 2025.