Chino Hills council approves street‑sweeping contract, funds fuel‑reduction work and introduces water‑shutoff, signage and code‑enforcement changes

The Chino Hills City Council on Sept. 9 approved a $252,800 appropriation for a new five‑year street‑sweeping services agreement, authorized funding for enhanced fire risk reduction and brush‑clearance work, continued the local emergency for the June City Hall fire and introduced ordinances updating the city’s residential water shutoff policy, government‑center signage and the process for recording notices of municipal code violations.

The actions came during a regularly scheduled meeting at which staff and council framed the measures as compliance and public‑safety steps. “The primary reason that we provide street sweeping is to prevent the accumulation of debris … from getting into our storm drain system,” said Ben Montgomery, City Manager, explaining the city’s obligation to protect local waterways by collecting and disposing of roadway debris.

Councillors also approved additional spending to address vegetation management after state and local fire‑hazard mapping expanded the city’s high and very‑high fire severity zones. “We have new requirements. We have to modify the way we manage our vegetation,” said Daniel Bulbadia, Public Works Director and City Engineer, describing a multi‑year phasing plan for trimming, removal of dead trees and recurring abatement work.

City staff introduced updates to the municipal code and city policy to reflect recent state law changes on residential water shutoffs and to standardize signage for the government center overnight closure. “There are three main changes,” said Krista (finance staff), summarizing the shutoff policy update required by Senate Bill 998 and subsequent state guidance; staff said the policy changes would take effect Oct. 23, 2025. Assistant City Manager Hill described a new process allowing recorded notices of violation to appear on title so prospective buyers are alerted to outstanding property‑related municipal code violations. “This notice would typically not be used for immediate health and safety issues though,” Hill said.

City Manager Montgomery told the council the local emergency declaration for the June 23 City Hall fire remains in force while repairs continue. “We have successfully reconstructed all of the damage on the second floor,” Montgomery said, and staff expect to return more employees to the building by October as work proceeds on first‑floor repairs in coordination with the city’s insurer, the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority.

Votes at a glance

- Consent calendar remainder — approved, 5‑0. - Item 16 — Appropriate $252,800 from Special Maintenance Area 1 Street Sweeping Fund and authorize a five‑year street‑sweeping maintenance agreement — approved, 5‑0. (Staff explained Valley Vista previously held a five‑year contract that was later withdrawn.) - Item 19 — Appropriate funds and authorize agreement for enhanced fire risk reduction and fuel‑reduction/brush‑clearance services — approved, 5‑0. (Staff described four initial projects including Carbon Canyon Creek and sections of Morningside Park.) - Item 22 — Introduce ordinance updating discontinuation of residential water service for nonpayment to reflect SB 998 and SB 3 protections (policy changes to offer alternative payment plans to all customers, allow any adult occupant to file an appeal, and clarify timing/holidays) — introduced, motion approved 5‑0; ordinance effective Oct. 23, 2025 if adopted. - Item 23 — Introduce ordinance revising government center overnight‑closure sign language and sign‑size requirements (reduces sign dimensions to about 18