[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6578747,"mediaKeyId","3142271-67045fe02b764250067e2f1dc233816e","parentId",3142271,"title","Residents urge rent control, low-cost spay/neuter program and removal of rodent poison stations at Memorial Park","audioSeconds",656,"startMs",422000,"endMs",1078000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142271-67045fe02b764250067e2f1dc233816e&start=422&end=1078","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142271-67045fe02b764250067e2f1dc233816e/thumbnail_422000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6578747/Upland/San-Bernardino-County/California/Residents-urge-rent-control-low-cost-spayneuter-program-and-removal-of-rodent-poison-stations-at-Memorial-Park","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578747-577d57ae683e057c47d31e6a9e1e1ff7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204381&Signature=llBh9uwoprvYEm0Iaae-PIUDx~bfhhPppFzalSQiLdVcdfBbkN3Q~rIHKGZFxoyMwdSqcuIIwof8uLIaxaIq5iagyx0x7zvNHHq1Vnlq4LltxxHvpl~-LjyfdegKqWR0WWaXmjSLby-aSq6gHTtFT3K20KUrirv7WCHIpRT7qVAskudLEOOpgtBY-EqZouRfGry-7tQLoszbaSb0MF6AfLrJ0HLbaxLMCqGrg5jJ0rs0ooqodd9KCqVzEO9y99~DBXf6BuAbdWxg5YQJ6MM6wTfGerLE6W7Brztbfel4cJjYRoPKqZBAzXIgGDfivbSclvkigFeoGz2TKXtHRKPQ6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Upland","date","2025-04-28T00:00:00Z","article","Several residents used the public-comment period to ask the City Council to act on housing affordability, animal-welfare programs and park-safety concerns.

Eddie Altine presented a petition urging the council to implement rent control to stabilize housing costs for lower-income Upland residents. “I believe rent control would help lower that,” Altine said, arguing his research shows rent control can prevent excessive rent increases and encourage long-term tenancy. He submitted a petition and told the council he will continue gathering support.

Valerie Ramirez, a senior at a local high school who volunteers at a no-kill shelter, urged the council to adopt a spay-and-neuter program similar to Los Angeles’ program that offers free or discounted sterilization based on residency and income. Ramirez said high sterilization costs are a barrier; she cited typical surgery prices of “over $100” for a cat and “$200 to $375” for a dog and said the LA program provides discounts and income-based free services.

Tom Cope read a public comment submitted by Sherry Wasson, a certified California naturalist, who asked the city to eliminate zinc-phosphide rodent poison bait stations in Memorial Park and other city parks because of documented risks to predatory birds, domestic pets and people. The submission quoted U.S. Environmental Protection Agency material stating that zinc phosphide is “extremely toxic to birds, fish and other wildlife” and warned that predators can be poisoned after eating affected rodents.

Natasha Walton, speaking on behalf of People for Upland Parks, echoed concerns about the bait stations and asked the council to reconsider the lease-renewal with San Antonio Regional Hospital for parking in Memorial Park (item 10E on the consent calendar). Walton said the staff report and lease materials did not clearly identify the leased area on the park map and that the proposed license would restrict recreational uses in the affected area. She asked the council to consider greater transparency and protections for mature oak trees near the parking area.

The council did not take action on the comments during the meeting. City staff and the mayor said the written submissions and concerns were forwarded to the appropriate departments for follow-up; item 10E (the hospital parking/lease renewal) was included on the consent calendar and approved as part of the consent motion later in the meeting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Upland - City Council - Apr 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During oral communications, residents presented petitions and comments urging the council to consider rent control, a low-cost spay/neuter program modeled on Los Angeles, and removal of rodent poison bait stations in Memorial Park; one speaker also asked for more transparency on a hospital parking lease in the park.","taxTitle","Upland, San Bernardino County, California","taxId",4300,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6578752,"Upland updates master fee schedule; building permits move to valuation-based model",1246,2391000,3637000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142271-67045fe02b764250067e2f1dc233816e&start=2391&end=3637","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142271-67045fe02b764250067e2f1dc233816e/thumbnail_2391000.jpg","/articles/6578752/Upland/San-Bernardino-County/California/Upland-updates-master-fee-schedule-building-permits-move-to-valuation-based-model","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578752-1291777722408764c2b31807bc126676/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204381&Signature=L419cTEIJ~8YIdeSanQegOIUrW7j4lpxLewQVsnW17Bztw38x9OxKu0H5ul66wWb~N714YctA-hLOuTkNnw4kPcYcfFcR4lo2v5ZnLd68EsW1fUJbfqjO-9qkCgCQiiGFq45AE1N6aitb44GjEfdZ6ms6X6pPpBMe~wG8RshD-lSDwDrr4G5RFQGGaGSo-RQXXcFq7WL4ZBVrIoe58kSydHNAriDYkiUE~QZye21RRbwN-YdrnY1OMNP-ezSAoOIysWiBfmMGSybuQssc40AnrPVQ5O~zGos95LOTn2546hmMHgxJigE3qqX4bVdGuCsdOBHNruZlq6aEMlF4KMkFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council approved a comprehensive update to Upland’s master fee schedule, adopting new and revised user fees across multiple departments and authorizing the city manager to adjust citywide user fees annually for consumer-price-index changes.

Stacy Sullivan, the city’s finance manager, introduced the update and said departments worked with consultant Willdan to review costs and propose changes. Tony Thrasher of Willdan said the study layers direct personnel costs, departmental operating costs and central-service allocations to arrive at full-cost hourly rates and fee recommendations.

Key changes highlighted in the presentation included:

- Transitioning the building-permit fee structure from a simple square-foot method to a valuation-based model that uses construction valuation (a standard indexed metric such as the International Code Council valuation tables) to reflect the differing complexity and cost of plan checks and inspections for various project types. Thrasher said valuation-based methods are commonly used and help align fees with the cost of reviews and inspections.

- Department-specific recommended changes: finance (average fee increase ~7%), police (net increase ~12%; added parking citation schedule), planning (increase to about 33% on average for current flat fees because of many fee updates), building (new and more granular fees, including 92 new entries to better reflect mechanical/electrical/plumbing services and valuation-based calculations).

Council members asked about event and park deposits after one council member described large gatherings that exceeded the number listed on an application and resulting staff cleanup and sprinkler damage. Staff identified park security deposits in the fee schedule (packet page 410): $50 for reservations of 1–50 people, $100 for 51–100 people and $200 for 100-plus, and said the council could direct staff to return with a policy or fee amendment if the deposit tiers do not adequately deter damage or cover repair costs.

The resolution before the council would adopt the master fee schedule and authorize the city manager to adjust fees annually to reflect CPI changes. Mayor Pro Tem moved adoption and Council Member Garcia seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

Staff said some fees in the schedule are decreases, some increases and others unchanged; many changes reflect more granular billing categories and the calculation of fully burdened personnel costs. The building-valuation approach will be applied administratively as part of the permitting process and recalibrated in future updates.

","The council adopted a revised master fee schedule that adds new fees, raises others and shifts the building-permit approach to a valuation-based model; the resolution also authorizes annual CPI adjustments by the city manager.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6578757,"Upland council approves 2025–2030 consolidated plan and $600,000 CDBG action plan for 2025–26",375,1634000,2009000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142271-67045fe02b764250067e2f1dc233816e&start=1634&end=2009","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142271-67045fe02b764250067e2f1dc233816e/thumbnail_1634000.jpg","/articles/6578757/Upland/San-Bernardino-County/California/Upland-council-approves-20252030-consolidated-plan-and-600000-CDBG-action-plan-for-202526","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578757-0c98a1a17904b5128be28219bb295009/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204381&Signature=OH4NimmJ~4AHdcD4Zt02T~JxMgxFSQGCkO1k8M2VjXdo-FTc1c-rKtOK~bBG6Bk7DPUSfWDfOdObhCsLbH06GI6ZB~s3VeUQnPimRdFFGg-bPKKcfR5hCXb0DgIeqBUHNt72Skh8v1UTM7w7X4~sMKgBNjTIa7HOYjeGSzE5jDItLTDuQG5OHmGsTQ68rtmItINWf0wa1dUAtNzWulRJBUyAdA2spAd7mtSpDoHRwJ~FwPMSu6rvthVLcq8sJ0O5JllaRnc8bcgrcUGaRPrKWbZY1SavazaPoFqASgHoBj-0AAA0z1c2qhysq18JnRitQNr3RWF1LLcWbox5obXKTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Upland City Council voted Monday to adopt the City of Upland’s 2025–2030 consolidated plan and the 2025–26 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) annual action plan, approving funding recommendations from the council-appointed City Advisory Committee (CAC).

Gary Shorey, chair of the CAC, presented the committee’s recommendations and the allocation breakdown. “This is our second year that this has fallen under the council advisory committee,” Shorey said, summarizing the CAC’s process and the committee’s focus on local need and equitable distribution.

The CAC recommended a total allocation of $600,000 broken into three categories: public services ($90,000), capital projects ($390,000), and planning/administration ($120,000). Shorey presented the committee’s public-service recommendations (total $90,000) by recipient: Foothill Family Shelter—Stepping Stones housing program ($8,000); Inland Valley Hope Partners—food security ($5,000); Pacific Lifeline—women’s case management ($5,000); St. Joseph’s Church—Hands Food Pantry ($15,000); Upland Police Department—Homeless Outreach and Prevention Committee ($25,000); Anthesis Services—Bloom Learning Labs ($4,000); Assistance League of the Foothill Communities—Operation School Bell ($5,000); Inland Valley Recovery Services ($4,000); Ovation School for the Performing Arts ($10,000); Pacific Community Center—Community Resource Enhancement Project ($4,000); and Sunrise Circle/Upland Peace Center food distribution ($5,000).

On capital projects (total $390,000) the CAC recommended: $100,000 to Development Services for multifamily residential rehabilitation; $140,000 to Development Services for business attraction and assistance programs; and $150,000 to Public Works for the Gibson Center senior-center capital needs (the committee said the funds would cover basic improvements such as new flooring and interior repainting).

Planning and administration ($120,000) was recommended as: $100,000 for administrative economic-development costs; $10,000 to Inland Fair Housing & Mediation Board for fair-housing work; and $10,000 to the Inland Fair Housing & Mediation Board for landlord–tenant services. The CAC also noted $19,184.45 in unallocated CDBG funds rolled forward from FY 2023–24 and incorporated into the 2025–26 budget.

Development Services Director Robert Dahlquist and staff said the plan meets federal CDBG rules and the consolidated-plan goals. Diane Cotto, a staff member, explained that each CDBG-funded activity must meet federal eligibility standards and that the CAC considered applicants’ track records and alignment with the consolidated-plan goals when making recommendations.

Council Member Briggs moved to adopt the resolution approving the consolidated plan and the 2025–26 annual action plan and authorize the city manager to execute implementing documents; Council Member Garcia seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

No amendments were offered. Staff will proceed with executing agreements and monitoring grantees under the usual federal reporting and performance requirements.

","The council adopted the five-year consolidated plan and the 2025–26 Community Development Block Grant annual action plan, approving $600,000 in allocations across public services, capital projects and planning/administration and authorizing the city manager to execute related documents.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6578761,"Upland council adopts side letters to fix CalPERS findings, approves payments for past educational incentives",487,1141000,1628000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142271-67045fe02b764250067e2f1dc233816e&start=1141&end=1628","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142271-67045fe02b764250067e2f1dc233816e/thumbnail_1141000.jpg","/articles/6578761/Upland/San-Bernardino-County/California/Upland-council-adopts-side-letters-to-fix-CalPERS-findings-approves-payments-for-past-educational-incentives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578761-780254f5b759e9afe177dd8d97134fa2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204381&Signature=YE~CIX~E-jGgNi0ppZXl9Z5DWXemDO~J5hTi8gQfg9~scAlNVP6742pfAOrrKJkG81u9~WauQ93wbKFoVd9UzVPurCg3zwFd~HoinFYrbJuN17pL8-5BNozm5m9JDAhfR5HdqfNLchtrecj9nzN1JVsqUYh6txcFr9xyMKuCM-uqh6F9gRJ23zdYnidG6LajIlUbf0-O4bwswXwx7gjX6st3mKUXuT3UDGuqAFfy7gYt653Mpse07qcS-3Sa8G7g2rSEsCTnRtL5fTWcEJcfjRu2OsiUSFt6qB6isnf5ZDD9NrZfC30LQ0r2lD4De6LXI7Ivn-X-d3H3YuO4004gBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Upland City Council on Monday adopted four side letters to previously approved memoranda of understanding after an employer compliance review by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) found inconsistencies in how educational incentive pay was reported and applied.

Assistant City Manager Steven Parker told the council the action responds to two CalPERS observations from a May 9, 2024 employer compliance review. “The item before you today is adopting four side letters that would be in response to a CalPERS review, and their findings,” Parker said, summarizing the agency’s findings and the city’s recommended corrections.

CalPERS concluded that (1) language about reporting educational incentive pay did not provide the eligibility CalPERS requires for certain employees hired before July 1, 2022, and (2) language in some MOUs created inconsistent classes across bargaining-unit members by limiting eligibility to employees at “step 4 or above,” a restriction CalPERS said made the incentive ineligible to be pensionable. Parker said the recommended side letters will correct the MOU language so the negotiated benefits match the parties’ intent and CalPERS requirements.

Council heard two main remedy options: retroactively remove the pensionable character of incentives for retirees who already received them, or extend the benefit to employees who had not negotiated it previously. Parker said the city chose a narrower remedial approach that provides the educational incentive pay for the review period (July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2023) to roughly 65 employees to satisfy CalPERS and avoid reducing benefits already paid to retirees.

Parker told the council the one-time cost to cover those 65 employees is estimated between $125,000 and $190,000; he said the cost is expected to be covered by the city’s existing vacancy allowance or by a general-fund surplus for the current fiscal year. He also said the MOUs already have been corrected on a go-forward basis so no ongoing cost is anticipated.

Council Member Bridal moved to adopt the four side letters; Council Member Garcia seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

The council record shows the action corrects the language for both the Upland Police Management Association and the Upland Police Officers Association MOUs covering the affected years. City staff said letters were being sent to separated and retired employees where needed to collect information to finalize individual calculations.

The council did not take additional policy direction; staff will implement the side letters and complete the calculations and notifications required to process the payments.

","The City Council adopted four side letters to correct Memoranda of Understanding language after a CalPERS compliance review, approving a one-time cost estimated at $125,000–$190,000 to provide educational incentive pay to employees for a two-year review period.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge rent control, low-cost spay/neuter program and removal of rodent poison stations at Memorial Park

Upland updates master fee schedule; building permits move to valuation-based model

Upland council approves 2025–2030 consolidated plan and $600,000 CDBG action plan for 2025–26

Upland council adopts side letters to fix CalPERS findings, approves payments for past educational incentives