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Residents press council on rising water bills and urge an immigrant compassion fund
Summary
Public commenters at the Ontario City Council meeting urged the city to ease the impact of recent utility increases for vulnerable households and to create an immigrant compassion fund after recent ICE incidents; speakers also highlighted local arts, library makerspace resources and electrification funding opportunities.
During the public-comment portion of Tuesday’s meeting residents and community representatives raised concerns about water-bill increases, immigrant enforcement and local services.
Lisa Beasom, a resident who addressed the council during public comment, said repeated references to an $8.63 water increase understates the total household impact when other increases are added. Using the city’s 14-unit formula for a typical household and the increases listed in staff materials, Beasom said the total impact would be about $22.74 a month and asked the council to consider targeted credits (for yard retrofits or for water used to establish newly planted municipal trees) and more public education about conservation programs. "When you add both increases ... it actually comes out to $22.74 a month," she said.
Several speakers urged support for immigrants affected by enforcement actions. Tina Silva urged the council to establish an immigrant compassion fund, citing that nearby Pomona contributed $120,000 and that community donations had topped $7,000; she told the council there had been "104 ICE incidents in Ontario alone" as of the previous days and said the city should act to support affected families. Poet and long-time columnist Steve So to read a poem describing the immigrant experience and called for empathy; his remarks framed the fund request in cultural terms.
Speakers also highlighted local resources and initiatives: Veronica Cortez and John Encarnacion described the Ontario library's Lightspeed makerspace with laser cutters, 3D printers and staff assistance available free to cardholders; Todd Wharton of the South Coast Air Quality Management District outlined electrification and 'invest clean' funding for heavy-duty trucks and chargers; Nancy De LaMar of the Chaffey Community Museum of Art described the museum’s history and its role in downtown preservation; and Maria Martinez introduced Mestiza Cake House and Cafe, noting its local bakery and cultural offerings.
Councilmembers did not act directly on the policy requests during the public-comment period; the council proceeded to business items, passing the consent calendar and moving to the public hearing and administrative reports. Several councilmembers later praised downtown murals and the recent art festival.
The meeting record will include written public comments that were placed at the dais, and the city clerk indicated emailed comments were entered into the record.
