MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE UPLAND CITY COUNCIL February 27, 2023
7:00 p.m.
City Council Chamber
City Hall, 460 N. Euclid Avenue
Members Present: Mayor Bill Velto, Councilmember Carlos A. Garcia, Councilmember James Breitling, Councilmember Shannan Maust, Councilmember Rudy Zuniga
Staff Present: City Manager Michael Blay, City Attorney Stephen P. Deitsch, City Clerk Keri Johnson
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The regular meeting of the Upland City Council was called to order by Mayor Bill Velto at 7:07 p.m. in the Council Chamber of the Upland City Hall.
2. ADDITIONS -DELETIONS TO AGENDA
None.
3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
4. CLOSED SESSION
5. INVOCATION
Reverend Jan Chase, Unity Church of Pomona
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Councilmember Garcia
7. PRESENTATIONS
Recognition of Frank and Judy Robertson of Dry Dock Depot by Assistant Fire Chief Birchfield.
Upland Sister City Association Presentation by Ann Thomas.
8. CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney Deitsch stated he did not have anything to report.
9. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Kathryn Martens, spoke against discrimination, ignorance, and intolerance and stated that the spirit of resolution must be lived out in the community. 1 Kim Anthony -Morrow, Upland, expressed gratitude to Council for the courage and commitment to have a discussion condemning hate crimes and discrimination.
Rabbi Stephen Epstein, stated the proposed resolution would show that people who have been targeted by hate crimes are not alone and suggested the City bring together representatives from groups to serve on a task force to develop a citywide plan to combat hatred.
Reverend Jan Chase, stated hatred is a sickness that spreads through communities and nations and that the proposed resolution is a beginning, but only a beginning.
Jerry Fenning, Upland, stated that he supports the proposed resolution denouncing racism and suggested several items be included in the proposed resolution.
Janice Elliott, speaking of behalf of Upland Interfaith Council, hoped that the Council would adopt the proposed resolution and address recent events in the community.
Robin Allen, Pepper Tree PTA President, provided information on her background and challenged the community to have discussions about racism.
Roxana Muro, Upland, stated that over the Thanksgiving break they received anti- Semitic literature in their front yard and spoke in support of the proposed resolution condemning hate crimes.
Brian Taylor, requested that public comment be moved to after staff presentations and spoke against the proposed water and recycled water rate increase.
Tommy Morrow, publisher of Inland Valley Newspaper Group, stated that he stands with the Mayor and Council denouncing hate in the community and that the community should be able to live in harmony and peace. He further suggested that the City and Inland Valley News Group partner in a grant opportunity.
Motion by Mayor Velto, to move Item 13C to this point in the meeting for consideration, seconded by Councilmember Breitling, and carried unanimously.
10. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Breitling removed Consent Calendar Item 10E for separate action.
Moved by: Councilmember Garcia
Seconded by: Councilmember Zuniga
Approve the Consent Calendar
Motion: Carried Unanimously
a. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of February 13, 2023. (Staff Person: Keri Johnson)
b. 2ND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1978 AMENDING SECTION 5.04.280 OF
THE UPLAND MUNICIPAL CODE CONCERNING REVOCATION OF
BUSINESS LICENSES FOR UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CATALYTIC
CONVERTERS
0 Hold second reading by title only, waive further reading, and adopt Ordinance No.1978 amending Section 5.04.280 of the Upland Municipal Code concerning unlawful possession of catalytic converters.
C. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF USE OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS
AND PROGRAM GUIDELINES FOR RAISE UP GRANT PROGRAM
Approve the program guidelines relative to funding the Raise -UP (Restaurant Assistance for Increased Sales and Efficiency - Upland) Grant Program and authorize the City Manager to allocate $219,792 from the American Rescue and Recovery Plan Act to fund the Program.
d. APPROVE A PURCHASE ORDER WITH WEST COAST LIGHTS AND SIRENS Approve the purchase order with West Coast Lights and Siren for installation and repair of Police and City vehicle emergency equipment in the amount of $210,000; and authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.
CONSIDERATION OF A CONTRACT EXTENSION FOR GRAFFITI REMOVAL
SERVICES
Approve a contract term extension regarding Professional Service Agreement 19-002, between the City of Upland and Graffiti Protective Coatings, Inc. for graffiti removal and abatement and authorize the City Manager to execute all related documents to implement the agreement.
e. CONSIDERATION OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR
TEMPORARY MAINTENANCE WORKERS
Public Works Director Yu answered questions posed by the Council regarding the temporary maintenance workers.
Moved by: Councilmember Zuniga
Seconded by: Councilmember Breitling
Award a Professional Service Agreement with Staffing Network, LLC & QPA for temporary staffing augmentation (Laborer/Maintenance Worker) in the amount of $50,000; approve an additional allocation of general funding in the amount of $50,000, and authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary and related documents to implement the Agreement and any future amendment and/or extensions.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
12. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
13. BUSINESS ITEMS
a. CONSIDERATION OF A WATER AND RECYCLED WATER RATE
ADJUSTMENT
Public Works Director Yu presented the staff report, along with a PowerPoint presentation, which is on file in the City Clerk's office. 3 Director Yu answered question posed by the Council regarding the fixed meter fees, the timeline for the next water rate study, and a potential four tier water rate.
Moved by: Councilmember Breitling
Seconded by: Councilmember Maust
Adopt Resolution No. 6707 implementing the previously approved water rates scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2023 and finding this action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
b. MID -YEAR BUDGET REVIEW 2022-23
Assistant City Manager Parker presented the staff report, along with a PowerPoint presentation, which is on file in the City Clerk's office.
Assistant City Manager Parker answered questions posed by the Council regarding American Rescue Plan Act funds and park improvements.
Public Works Director Yu answered questions posed by the Council regarding the duties of the proposed facilities specialist position.
Moved by: Councilmember Maust
Seconded by: Councilmember Garcia
Receive and file the Mid -Year Budget Review for Fiscal Year 2022/23, approve the Mid -Year Budget Review's Proposed Adjustments including an additional $165,250 transfer from the general fund to the Building Maintenance and Operations Fund for park restroom renovations; and approve the updated Schedule of Positions.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
C. DISCUSSION OF A POTENTIAL RESOLUTION CONDEMNING HATE CRIMES
AND ANY OTHER FORM OF RACISM, RELIGIOUS OR ETHNIC BIAS,
DISCRIMINATION, INCITEMENT OF VIOLENCE, OR TARGETING A
MINORITY
City Manager Blay presented the staff report which is on file in the City Clerk's office.
The Council discussed a potential Resolution denouncing hate crimes, response to future occurrences of racism in the community, partnering with community groups educating the public, and potential resources to bring change in the community.
Police Chief Blanco provided information on the how the public can report incidents of hate speech that may not be considered hate crimes but can be documented and tracked.
2 Council directed City Manager Blay to bring back a Resolution for Council consideration. Encouraged faith based organizations and community groups to come together to combat racism and hate crimes.
Moved by: Councilmember Breitling
Seconded by: Councilmember Maust
Direct staff to bring back a resolution condemning hate crimes and any other form of racism, religious or ethnic bias, discrimination, incitement of violence or targeting a minority.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
14. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmembers announced various activities throughout the community, including providing an update on the meetings they attended.
15. CITY MANAGER
City Manager Blay announced that the California Department of Food and Agriculture recently confirmed the presence of the citrus disease huanglongbing (HLB) in citrus trees in nearby communities.
16. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Velto adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m. The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is Monday, March 13, 2023.
Ken Johnson City lerk
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