MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE UPLAND CITY COUNCIL August 11, 2025
6:00 p.m.
City Council Chamber
City Hall, 460 N. Euclid Avenue
Members Present: Mayor Bill Velto, Councilmember James Breitling, Councilmember Carlos A. Garcia, 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 4:31 p.m. in the Council Chamber of the Upland City Hall.
2. ADDITIONS-DELETIONS TO AGENDA
None.
3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CLOSED SESSION - 4:30 p.m.
4. CLOSED SESSION
At 4:32 p.m. Mayor Velto announced that the City Council would recess to Closed Session pursuant to Government Code
a. CLOSED SESSION CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS California Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: 285 N. Vallejo Way in the City of Upland (Assessor Parcel Number:
1046-351-27)
City Negotiators: City Manager Michael Blay, Development Services Director Robert Dalquest and Housing Manager Diane Cotto
Negotiating Party: First Team Real Estate
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
b. CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION Government Code Section 54957
Title: City Attorney
1 The City Council reconvened in open session at 6:05 p.m.
5. INVOCATION
Rabbi Stephen Epstein, Temple Sholom
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Assistant City Manager Parker
7. PRESENTATIONS
Healthcare Development and Legislation Updates presented by President and CEO of San Antonio Regional Hospital, John Chapman.
8. CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney Deitsch announced the City Council received reports on Closed Session Items 4a and 4b and there was no reportable action.
9. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Paulette Feeney, Upland, spoke in opposition of high density zoning in her neighborhood.
Frank Herrera and Erin Nachreiner, Upland, requested an appeal of short term property rentals on their street and stated that it negatively affects the neighborhood.
10. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Garcia removed Consent Calendar Item 10d and Councilmember Maust removed Consent Calendar Item 10h 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 July 28, 2025.
b. 2ND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1999 AMENDING CHAPTER 5.04 OF THE UPLAND MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING BUSINESS
LICENSES FOR VETERANS
Hold 2nd reading by title only, waive further reading, and adopt Ordinance No. 1999 amending Chapter 5.04, Section 5.04.160 of the Upland Municipal Code regarding Business Licenses for Veterans.
c. DESIGNATION OF VOTING DELEGATE FOR THE ANNUAL LEAGUE OF
CALIFORNIA CITIES CONFERENCE
Appoint Mayor Velto as the voting delegate and Councilmembers Zuniga and Breitling respectively as the alternate voting delegates to represent the City of 2 Upland at the League of California Cities General Assembly Meeting on October 10, 2025.
e. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTIONS APPROVING THE MEASURE I FIVE
YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND CAPITAL PROJECT NEEDS
ANALYSIS
Approve Resolution No. 6843 adopting the Measure I Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Years 2025-26 through Fiscal Year 2029-30 and approve Resolution No. 6844 adopting the Measure I Five-Year Capital Project Needs Analysis for Fiscal Years 2026-27 through Fiscal Year 2030-31. f. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF REVISED FUNDING ALLOCATIONS FOR THE
FOOTHILL BOULEVARD PAVEMENT REHABILITATION AND UTILITY
IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
Approve an increase of$451,505.40 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the Foothill Boulevard Improvement Project and approve a decrease of $451,505.40 in Road Maintenance Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds for the Foothill Boulevard Improvement Project.
g. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE BRIGHTVIEW
LANDSCAPE SERVICES AGREEMENT
Approve a First Amendment to the Brightview Landscape Maintenance Services Agreement to extend the contract for one year, through June 30, 2026 and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
i. CONSIDER ACCEPTANCE AND EXPENDITURE OF 2024 JUSTICE
ASSISTANCE GRANT FUNDS
Accept the City's share of the 2024 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) award in the amount of $20,960, appropriate the grant funds to Fund 219, approve the purchase of one (1) DPM Tactical Surveillance Pole Camera and accessories from Valorence, LLC at a cost of $20,230.06, and authorize the City Manager to execute any and all documents necessary to implement the grant. d. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF AN AGREEMENT FOR CROSSING GUARD
SERVICES
There was discussion regarding the high school crossing guard schedule and the CPI increase. Council requested a future cost analysis to determine if hiring crossing guards as City employees would be more cost-effective than contracting the service.
Moved by: Councilmember Breitling
Seconded by: Councilmember Garcia
Approve the agreement with All City Management Services, Inc. for crossing guard services in the amount of$216,988.20 for the 2025/26 school year and the associated budget amendment; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
3 h. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A JOINT FACILITIES USE AGREEMENT WITH
WESTERN CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL
There was discussion regarding field lighting costs, hourly field use fees, and the fee schedule for non-profits and schools. Council directed the City Manager to meet with Western Christian to amend the contract to align with the master fee schedule.
Moved by: Councilmember Zuniga
Seconded by: Councilmember Maust
Table the item.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF 2025 WEED ABATEMENT PROGRAM SPECIAL
ASSESSMENT LIST AND PLACING THE LIST ON THE PROPERTY TAX ROLL Development Services Director Dalquest introduced Housing Manager Cotto who presented the staff report.
Mayor Velto opened the public hearing.
Brian Lesher, Upland, stated that his weed abatement was delayed due to sewer repairs on his property and requested that the fee be waived.
Matthew Zilmer, Upland, stated that the cited overgrowth originated from a neighboring property. Despite trimming it back, he was still fined and requested the fine be waived.
Rudy Tobar, Upland, stated that his first notice was labeled as a final notice dated July, with no prior notifications received. He also received additional notices after bringing the property into compliance and requested a refund of the fees paid.
Alexander Frater, Upland, requested a waiver of the fee, stating the notice did not specify the violation. He added that he and his brother maintain the property on behalf of their mother.
Bob Stoddard, Upland, stated that the cited area was green with some weeds following the rainy season but has since been addressed. He reported receiving no further notices yet was still assessed a fee. He expressed concern over the inconsistency of the weed abatement process and requested the fees be waived.
Cheryl, Upland, spoke on behalf of her stepmother, who hired a gardener after receiving the initial violation notice. Despite this, additional non-compliance letters were received. Cheryl reported multiple unsuccessful attempts to contact the weed abatement coordinator, with no response until July 8. She requested the fees be waived.
Sabrina Garcia, Upland, stated this was her first offense and she never received a courtesy notice. Despite calling and emailing multiple times without response, she resolved the issue and requested the fees be waived. 4 Laura O'Neal, Upland, stated no courtesy notice was received. The property is now in compliance, and she requested the fee be waived.
Edith Chavez, Upland, stated she received a notice in July and was in the process of securing a gardener. She requested the fee be waived.
Westlee Ball, Upland, stated he addressed the issue immediately after receiving a letter and speaking with the Weed Abatement Coordinator. He requested future notifications be sent via email.
Mark Havens, Upland, stated he resolved a weed abatement issue last year but never received a bill, which was later added to his property taxes. This year, after hiring two companies and complying before the due date, he received another notice. He made multiple calls and sent emails to the Weed Abatement Coordinator without response and requested the fees be waived.
Diana Rivas, Upland, requested the fee be waived, stating she was unaware the alley was her responsibility. She corrected the issue after the first notice but received an additional notice.
Marc Smith, Upland, stated the violation was corrected over two months ago and requested the fee be waived.
Doug Millane, Upland, stated he received three violation letters. After addressing the issues, he received a letter stating little or no progress had been made.
Ray Hays, Upland, stated he complied after being cited for the alley area. He later received another notice with additional photos, which he also resolved. He requested the fee be waived.
Mayor Velto closed the public hearing.
There was discussion regarding additional photos sent following initial violation notices. Staff outlined the weed abatement process and clarified the notification procedures.
Moved by: Councilmember Breitling
Seconded by: Councilmember Garcia
Direct staff to meet with the residents who spoke during the public hearing to attempt to resolve their complaints and approve the rest of the 2025 Weed Abatement Program Special Assessment List; and authorize staff to submit the list to the San Bernardino County Tax Assessor's Office for placement of special assessments on the property tax roll.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
12. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. COUNCIL REPORTS ON REGIONAL COMMITTEE MEETING, TRAINING, OR
CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE
No reports.
13. BUSINESS ITEMS
5 a. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTIONS RELATED TO
ADOPTING THE CALIFORNIA UNIFORM CONSTRUCTION COST
ACCOUNTING ACT PROCEDURES
At 7:51 p.m. Mayor Velto called a recess and the City Council reconvened in open session at 7:54 p.m.
Assistant City Manager Parker introduced Finance Manager Sullivan who presented the staff report along with a PowerPoint presentation.
Moved by: Councilmember Breitling
Seconded by: Councilmember Zuniga
Hold a first reading by title only, waive further reading, and introduce Ordinance No. 2000 amending Chapter 2.48 of the Upland Municipal Code adding Section
2.48.180 to provide informal bidding procedures under the Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act (Section 22000, et seq., of the Public Contract Code).
Motion: Carried Unanimously
Moved by: Councilmember Zuniga
Seconded by: Councilmember Garcia
Adopt Resolution No. 6845 delegating authority to the City Manager to award informal public contracts in an amount of $220,000 or less and delegating the authority to negotiate contracts, award purchase orders or perform work by employees by force account on public projects in an amount of$75,000 or less.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
Moved by: Councilmember Garcia
Seconded by: Councilmember Breitling
Adopt Resolution No. 6846 authorizing the City to become subject to the California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Procedures.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
b. CONSIDER AWARD OF SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT FOR PROJECT NO. 92140 SCADA SYSTEM UPGRADE PHASE 1
Assistant City Manager Arrula introduced Acting Utilities Manager Ferreira who presented the staff report along with PowerPoint presentation. Assistant City Manager Arrula answered questions from the Council regarding sole source procurement for this project.
Environmental Compliance Program Manager deMoet answered questions from the Council regarding the type of SCADA system used by the City.
Moved by: Councilmember Breitling
Seconded by: Councilmember Zuniga
6 Award a construction contract to SOFFA Electric in the amount of $1,629,625 (Base Amount plus Additional Items) and approve a construction contingency of $270,375 for the total amount of $1,900,000.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
14. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmembers announced various activities and events throughout the community.
15. CITY MANAGER
16. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Velto adjourned the meeting at 8:21 p.m. The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is Monday, September 8, 2025.
Keri Johnso ; City erk
7