REGULAR CITY COUNCIL, HOUSING AUTHORITY AND SUCCESSOR JOINT MEETING MINUTES 25541 Barton Road, Loma Linda, CA 92354
August 11, 2026, 7:00 PM - August 11, 2026, 8:38 PM
Roll Call: (The following members were in attendance)
Amy Jones, Mayor/Chairperson
Phillip Dupper, Councilmember/Board Member
Ovidiu Popescu, Councilmember/Board Member
Absent:
Rhodes Rigsby, Councilmember/Board Member
Rhonda Spencer, Mayor pro tempore/Vice Chairperson
1. Call to Order
1.A. Call to Order - PLEASE NOTE each agenda item will identify the applicable governing body taking action by the corresponding abbreviation: City Council [CC], Housing Authority Board [HA], and Successor Agency [SA]
The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm.
1.B. Roll Call
Councilmembers present: Phillip Dupper, Amy Jones, Ovidiu Popescu; Councilmembers absent: Rhodes Rigsby, Rhonda Spencer
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, Tom Ingalls, Fire Marshall; Lorena Matarrita, Community Development Director; Adrian DeSousa, Information Systems Specialist; and Tyson Niles, Sheriff, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department
1.C. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance - Councilmember Popescu The Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance were let by Councilmember Popescu.
1.D. Items to be Added or Deleted
No items were added or deleted.
1.E. 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)
Andrea De Leon briefly spoke on the Leadership Summit, Wisdom from the Original Blue Zone, and thanked her team who assisted in the organizing and coordinating the event and thanked all who attended.
Cynthia Galvan cohosted an event at the Fire Station and received feedback for more community based events in the City. She would like to to coordinate a fall festival family friendly event that would align with the city to provide quality services. She is requesting for a $5,000 contribution from the City's and in return she would plan, coordinate, recruit volunteers and seek sponsorship for this fall festival event.
Kapree, spoke regarding the administration of the Loma Linda Community Garden and, specifically, the decision for Public Works Dept. to step back from its role. She noted the City's Community Garden Handbook is owned and managed by the City and that Public Works Dept. Is responsible for the overseeing the garden. She noted on August 7, the garden participants received an e-mail that the from the direction of the City Council, Public Works would step back in their role. She wanted information on who gave and authorized the direction and was it a matter approved by City Council. She has been unable to identify when this action was formally taken. She noted that she submitted a Public Records Act request requesting for this how this decision occurred. She is requesting that this matter be placed on an agenda for public discussion.
2. Presentation(s)
2.A. DMG Award - Ceremonial Demand Management Check from San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District - Kelly Malloy, Strategic Communications Manager Milford Harrison, Board Member of Division IV of the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, introduced Heather Dyer, CEO/General Manager, and Kelly Malloy, Strategic Communications Manager.
Heather Dyer expressed her appreciation for the City of Loma Linda’s partnership with the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District. She highlighted the District’s long-term planning efforts and Demand Management Program, which provides funding to local water agencies for projects that promote water conservation and sustainable water use. Ms. Dyer noted that the City’s partnership with Eagle Aerial Solutions supports data collection for residential and commercial water customers and assists the City in meeting state water conservation reporting requirements. She announced that the District was awarding the City more than $28,000 in recognition of its innovative efforts to promote water conservation and support water supply reliability.
City Manager Thaipejr introduced Ralph Munoz who worked on the project and submitted the City's proposal. He also introduced Superintendent Kirk Mayo from the Water Division. Photos taken.
3. Scheduled Agenda Items
3.A. Consider Accepting and Filing the Network and Financial Assessment of the Loma Linda Connected Community Program Report (LLCCP) [CC]
Kyle MacGavin, Information Technology Manager, noted that the Loma Linda Connected Communities Program (LLCCP), the City's municipal internet service, has been in operation for 20 years ago to provide telecommunication services to the community and intended to be self sufficient; however, it has been financially challenged from the beginning, mainly due to competitive internet market. It has left the LLCCP in a status of insolvency. The City needed a third party assessment of the LLCCP system. Through an RFP project the City selected the Broadband Ground who conducted a Network and Financial Assessment of the LLCCP.
Jeff Ryman, President of the Broadband Group, stated that they were hired to conduct an independent technical operational financial assessment of the LLCCP program and identify a potential path forward. He discussed what their assessment involved. He noted that the LLCCP network serves two functions, one is the municipality communications section which provides services to the City and the other is the community communications providing service to residents and businesses. He noted that the revenues from the community communication section is not able to cover the operating cost, noting the original $9.8 million unsecured redevelopment agency loan has grown to more than $20 million with an additional $560,000 in interest accruing annually. He noted there are approximately 100 active residential subscribers and limited number of commercial subscribers. The recommendation by the Broadband Group is to maintain the operations of the municipal communications network section as it provides great benefits to the City, and to market the community communications network or look to have the existing loan forgiven. They do not see that the revenues generated would be able to service the current debt load.
Steve Dukett, TKE Engineering Inc., commended the Broadband Group for their report. He stated that he is working with City staff and anticipate returning to the Council no later than October with a report regarding canceling the debt. He sated that he, the City Manager and the Finance Director will be with the SB County Auditor Controller staff to provide a briefing of this loan debt.
The report was accepted for filing by the City Council.
3.B. Consider Appointing City Council Members as Delegate/Alternates and Liason to the Following Agency Boards/Commissions:
City Manager Thaipejr noted that Councilmember Rigsby had expressed interest to remain the liaison for the Traffic Advisory Board.
It was the consensus by the Council of the following appointments:
1) Solid Waste Management Board: Delegate - Councilmember Dupper and Alternate - City Manager Thaipejr; 2) Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board: Liaison - Mayor Jones; and 3) Traffic Advisory Board: Liaison Rhodes Rigsby.
4. Consent Calendar
Motion by Phillip Dupper, seconded Ovidiu Popescu, passing by a vote of 3-0-0-0-2, Absent was Rhodes Rigsby, Rhonda Spencer
to Approve the Consent Calendar items as recommended in the staff reports.
4.A. Consider Approving the Minutes of July 14, 2026 (City Clerk) [CC/HA] Approved the minutes of July 14, 2026, as presented.
4.B. Consider Approving the Demands Registers for July 28, and August 11, 2026 (Finance) [CC/HA/SA] Approved by City Council the Main Demands Register dated July 28, 2026, with commercial demands totaling $2,634,339.40, and payroll dated July 16, 2026, totaling $477,680.69; and Approved by the Housing Authority Board the Demands Register dated July 28, 2026, with commercial demands totaling $704.01; and Approved by the Successor Agency the Demands Register dated July 28, 2026, totaling $1,100.00.
Approved by City Council the Main Demands Register dated August 11, 2026, with commercial demands totaling $2,419,848.77, and payroll dated July 30, 2026, totaling $503,530.32; and Approved by the Housing Authority Board the Demands Register dated August 11, 2026, with commercial demands totaling $1,014.72; and Approved by the Successor Agency the Demands Register dated August 11, 2026, totaling $2,841,862.50.
4.C. Consider Accepting for Filing the Treasurer's Report for July 2026 (Finance) [CC] Accepted the July 2026 Treasurers Report for filing.
4.D. Consider Awarding a Contract to MCC Pipeline, Inc. for Sewer Pipe Replacement on University Ave. for $169,897.00 (CIP 26-517) (Public Works) [CC]
Awarded the contract to MCC Pipeline, Inc. for the Sewer Pipe Replacement on University Avenue project as recommended in the staff report.
4.E. Consider Adopting Council Bill Nos. R-2026-42 and R-2026-43 - Amended Resolutions Ordering the Continued Maintenance for both the Landscape Maintenance District No. 1 and Street Light Benefit Assessment District No. 1 and Confirming the Engineers' Reports and Levying Assessments for Fiscal Year 2026/2027 (Public Works) [CC]
Approved, as recommended in the staff report, and Adopted Council Bill #R-2026-42:
RESOLUTION NO. 3318
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMA LINDA AMENDING PREVIOUSLY APPROVED RESOLUTION; APPROVING AND CONFIRMING THE ENGINEER'S REPORT; ORDERING THE CONTINUED MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING OF IMPROVEMENTS; CONFIRMING AND LEVYING THE ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026/2027 FOR LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 1; AUTHORIZING THE DIRECT CHARGES RESULTING FROM APPLICATION OF THE APPROVED ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY, INCLUDING THE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE FEE;
DIRECTING THE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY AUDITOR-CONTROLLER/TREASURER/TAX COLLECTOR TO PLACE THE DIRECT CHARGES ON THE CURRENT TAX ROLL; AND REPEALING RESOLUTION NO. 3306; AND
Adopted Council Bill #R-2026-43: RESOLUTION NO. 3319
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMA LINDA AMENDING PREVIOUSLY APPROVED RESOLUTION; APPROVING AND CONFIRMING THE ENGINEER'S REPORT; ORDERING THE CONTINUED MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING OF IMPROVEMENTS; CONFIRMING AND LEVYING THE ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026/2027 FOR STREET LIGHT BENEFIT ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. l; AUTHORIZING THE DIRECT CHARGES RESULTING FROM APPLICATION OF THE
APPROVED ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY, INCLUDING THE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE FEE; AND DIRECTING THE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY AUDITOR‐
CONTROLLER/TREASURER/TAX COLLECTOR TO PLACE THE DIRECT CHARGES ON THE CURRENT TAX ROLL AND REPEALING RESOLUTION NO. 3307.
4.F. Consider Approving the Purchase of Eighty (80) Allegro 4G Water Meters, in the Amount of $41,533.99, from HydroPro Solutions (Public Works) [CC] Approved the purchase of eighty (80) Allegro 4G water meters from HydroPro Solutions as recommended in the staff report.
4.G. Consider Approving the Purchase of Replacement Computer Networking Equipment from CDW-G for $32, 264.26 (Information Systems) [CC]
Approved the purchase of replacement computer networking equipment from CDW-G as recommended in the staff report.
4.H. Consider Accepting and Approving the Notice of Completion for Orange Street Improvements for $343,735.92 - Contractor: Leonida Builders Inc. (CIP 25-127) (Public Works) [CC] Accepted the project as complete and authorized recordation of Notice of Completion documents as recommended in the staff report.
4.I. Consider Accepting and Approving the Notice of Completion for the Waterline Improvements at University Ave., Campus St., and Lawton Ave. for $732,100.00 - Contractor: All Cities Engineering, Inc. (CIP 26-675) (Public Works) [CC] - 7:34 PM
Accepted the project as complete and authorized recordation of Notice of Completion documents as recommended in the staff report.
5. Old Business
5.A. Consider Adopting Three (3) Council Bill Ordinances for Municipal Code Amendments Establishing Regulations for Short-Term Rentals and Permitting Short-Term Rental Uses Within Residential and Planned Community Zones (Community Development) [CC]- 7:38 PM Community Development Director Matarrita stated that there were no changes or updates to the report and received no public comments since the ordinances' first reading.
The public hearing was opened and closed with no public participation.
Motion by Phillip Dupper, seconded by Ovidiu Popescu, passing by a vote of 3-0-0-0-2, Absent was Rhodes Rigsby, Rhonda Spencer to Adopt the three Council Bills, as recommended in the staff report, waiving the readings of the full ordinances and reading by the titles only:
Council Bill #O-2026-09: ORDINANCE NO. 795
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMA LINDA, ADDING CHAPTER 5.26 (SHORTTERM RENTALS) TO TITLE 5 (BUSINESS TAXES, LICENSES, AND REGULATIONS) OF THE LOMA LINDA
MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE OPERATION OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS WITHIN THE CITY OF LOMA LINDA; and
Council Bill #O-2026-10: ORDINANCE NO. 796
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMA LINDA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING IN PART, CHAPTER 17.32 (RESIDENTIAL ZONES), SECTION 17.32.020 (LAND USE REGULATIONS AND ALLOWABLE USES), INCLUDING TABLE 2-1 (ALLOWED USES AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR RESIDENTIAL ZONES) TO TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE LOMA LINDA MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH SHORT-TERM RENTALS AS A PERMITTED USE WITHIN RESIDENTIAL ZONES SUBJECT TO CHAPTER 5.26 (SHORTTERM RENTALS); AND Council Bill #O-2026-11: ORDINANCE NO. 796
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMA LINDA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING IN PART, CHAPTER 17.44 (SPECIAL PURPOSE ZONES AND SPECIFIC PLANS), SECTION 17.44.020 (LAND USE REGULATIONS AND ALLOWABLE USES), INCLUDING TABLE 2-7 (ALLOWED USES AND PERMIT
REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIAL PURPOSE ZONES), OF THE LOMA LINDA MUNICIPAL CODE TO
ESTABLISH SHORT-TERM RENTALS AS A PERMITTED USE WITHIN THE PLANNED COMMUNITY ZONE SUBJECT TO CHAPTER 5.26 (SHORT-TERM RENTALS)
5.B. Consider Adopting Council Bill #O-2026-08 - An Ordinance for a Municipal Code Amendment Establishing Regulations for City Communication Signs (Community Development) [CC]- 7:38 PM Community Development Director Matarrita stated that there were no changes or updates to the report and received no public comments since the first reading of the ordinance.
The public hearing was opened and closed with no public participation.
Motion by Phillip Dupper, seconded by Ovidiu Popescu, passing by a vote of 3-0-0-0-2, Absent was Rhodes Rigsby, Rhonda Spencer to Adopt, as recommended in the staff report, Council Bill #O-2026-08, waiving the reading of the full ordinance and reading by title only:
ORDINANCE 798
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMA LINDA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 17.18 (SIGNS), INCLUDING SECTIONS 17.18.070 (PROHIBITED SIGNS) AND 17.18.190 (DEFINITIONS), AND ADDING CHAPTER 17.18.200 (CITY COMMUNICATION SIGNS), TO ESTABLISH
REGULATIONS AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR CITY COMMUNICATION SIGNS ON CITY-OWNED OR CONTROLLED PROPERTY.
6. New Business
6.A. Consider Adopting Council Bill #R-2026-40 - A Resolution Approving the Property Lease Agreement Between the City of Loma Linda and Lamar Central Outdoor, LLC for Construction, Operation, and Maintenance of a City Communication Sign on City-owned Property (Community Development) [CC] Community Development Director Matarrita presented the report stating that staff is requesting approval of a lease agreement with Lamar Central Outdoor, LLC for the the construction, operation, maintenance, utilities, and management of a community sign on city-owned property located adjacent to the I-10 Fwy west of Mountain View Ave. She discussed the lease terms and estimated advertising revenues to the City and confirmed there were no capital or operating costs to the City. She pointed out that the action does not involve the design of the sign as that will be a separate process and action item.
Councilmember Popescu inquired to the staff involved in the negotiations, the cost of the sign construction and whether or not the City could contribute toward that cost in exchange for a higher revenue return.
Brian Smith, Lamar Central Outdoor, LLC, responded estimating the sign would cost approximately $1million, but noted that the cost will be based on the design of the sign, which is a process they still have to go through. He said that it is common for cities to lease the properties to Lamar and 25% revenue return is a standard percentage among cities.
Motion by Ovidiu Popescu, seconded by Phillip Dupper, passing by a vote of 3-0-0-0-2, Absent was Rhodes Rigsby, Rhonda Spencer, to Adopt, as recommended by the staff report, Council Bill #R-2025-40, waiving the reading of the full resolution and reading by title only:
RESOLUTION NO. 3320
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMA LINDA APPROVING A PROPERTY LEASE
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LOMA LINDA AND LAMAR CENTRAL OUTDOOR, LLC FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF A CITY COMMUNICATION SIGN ON A PORTION OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY IDENTIFIED AS ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBER 0281-242-30, ADJACENT TO INTERSTATE 10, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT
6.B. Consider Adopting Council Bill #R-2026-38- A Resolution Adopting the Measure I 5-year Capital Improvement Project (CIP) for Fiscal Years 2026/2027 through 2030/2031 [Public Works] City Manager Thaipejr presented the Measure I 5-year Capital Improvement Projects highlighting the proposed street improvements projects for the five years.
Motion by Phillip Dupper, seconded by Ovidiu Popescu, passing by a vote of 3-0-0-0-2, Absent was Rhodes Rigsby, Rhonda Spencer, to Adopt, as recommended in the staff report, Council Bill #R-2026-38, waiving the reading of the full resolution and reading by title only:
RESOLUTION NO. 3321
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMA LINDA, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE MEASURE I FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR FY2026/2027 THROUGH FY2030/2031
6.C. Consider Adopting Council Bill #R-2026-39 - A Resolution Adopting a Five-Year Capital Project Needs Analysis (CPNA) for Fiscal Years 2027/2028 through 2031/2032 (Public Works) [CC] City Manager Thaipejr presented a report summarizing the report stating that the five-year Capital Project Needs Analysis is similar funding as Measure I, but requires a local match.
Motion by Ovidiu Popescu, seconded by Phillip Dupper, passing by a vote of 3-0-0-0-2, Absent was Rhodes Rigsby, Rhonda Spencer, to Adopt, as recommended by the staff report, Council Bill #R-2025-21, waiving the reading of the full resolution and reading by title only:
RESOLUTION NO. 3322
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMA LINDA, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE MEASURE I FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL PROJECT NEEDS ANALYSIS FOR FISCAL YEARS 2027 /2028 THROUGH 2031/2032
7. Reports
7.A. Reports of Council Members
The item was continued to the next meeting since Mayor pro tempore Spencer was not present.
Councilmember Popescu asked about the costs to bring back the fair and parade and the costs for the City to coordinate the event. He noted that this was not a directive, but rather a comment. In response, City Manager Thaipejr noted in the past the City was not involved in the coordination of the parade and fair, but it was the Chamber of Commerce and the Loma Linda Academy. He noted the majority cost from the City's was overtime costs for street and traffic closures before and after the event. He reiterated that the City is operating on a tight budget with the possibility of budget cuts during mid-year budget review.
Mayor Jones stated that she and Fire Marshall Ingalls met with representatives from the San Bernardino City Animal Shelter as community members have been reaching out about supporting animal welfare and about parks.
7.B. Reports Of Officers
Finance Director Fabela provided an update of the City's Utilities Billing Payment system noting the update will go live August 25, 2026. She noted that many of the features will not change, but would be more user friendly. She highlighted the new features and accessibility of the portal system. She thanked her department and Carry Howard for assisting in the implementation.
City Clerk Arreola read a Zoom comment from Alex Balandrans who noted that he lives across the street from the new fire station at Citrus Park. He requested for Council to provide an update on the construction, timeline and expected opening date of the third fire station.
7.C. Closed Session
The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 8:12pm.
The City Council reconvened to the regular meeting at 8:38pm.
City Attorney Robbins reported that the City Council met in closed session regarding a pending litigation matter. Direction was provided to staff, and there was no further reportable action.
8. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:38pm.
The minutes were approved at the meeting of September 8, 2026, as presented.