Council approves permits, appointments and funding guidelines; directs staff on flag policy

The Yucaipa City Council on March 24 approved several permits, committee appointments and funding items and directed staff to return with a revised flag policy after the council voted to lower the city flag in honor of a fallen deputy.

The council unanimously approved a special event permit for the Redlands Bicycle Classic, finalized multiple citizen committee appointments including the Measure S citizen oversight committee and a mobile home park committee appointment, and accepted staff recommendations for fiscal year 2025–26 Community Activity Grant (CAG) guidelines and funding. The council also voted to proceed with a request for proposals (RFP) for an outside strategic planning consultant.

Why it matters: The actions package moves near-term community events, volunteer oversight and grant funding forward while launching a process that city officials say will guide longer-term priorities and finances. The vote to lower flags immediately and to revisit the city’s flag policy was taken in response to the March death of a deputy sheriff and reflects an immediate symbolic action plus an instruction for staff to return with a formal policy for…