Upland City Council Meeting

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE UPLAND CITY COUNCIL June 8, 2026 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 (arrived at 6:00 p.m.), Councilmember Shannan Maust, Councilmember Rudy Zuniga Staff Present: City Manager Michael Blay, City Clerk Keri Johnson, City Attorney Thomas Rice _____________________________________________________________________ 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The regular meeting of the Upland City Council was called to order by Mayor Bill Velto at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of the Upland City Hall. Moved by: Councilmember Zuniga Seconded by: Councilmember Breitling Excuse the absence of Councilmember Garcia. Motion: Carried Unanimously with Councilmember Garcia absent 2. ADDITIONS-DELETIONS TO AGENDA None. 3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. CLOSED SESSION - 5:00 p.m. 4. CLOSED SESSION At 5:01 p.m. Mayor Velto announced that the City Council would recess to Closed Session pursuant to Government Code a. CLOSED SESSION CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION i. Solorzano et al. v. City of Upland, San Bernardino County Superior Court of California, Case No. CIVSB2207375 ii. Camilleri, Linda v. City of Upland, San Bernardino County Superior Court of California, Case No. CIVRS2400123 iii. Cano, Ronnie Fred v. City of Upland, San Bernardino County Superior Court of California, Case No. CIVRS2401301 1 iv. Espinoza et al. v. City of Upland, San Bernardino County Superior Court of California, Case No. CIVRS2506382 v. Corona, Kiana v. City of Upland, United States District Court for the Central District of California, Case No. 5:25-cv-03458-GW vi. Guerrero, Priscilla v. Upland Unified School District et al., San Bernardino County Superior Court of California, Case No. CIVRS2501001 vii. Laureano, Benny v. City of Upland, San Bernardino County Superior Court of California, Case No. CIVSB2317284 viii. Lopez, Ignacio v. City of Upland, San Bernardino County Superior Court of California, Case No. CIVRS2400981 ix. Teixeira, Carlos v. City of Upland et al., San Bernardino County Superior Court of California, Case No. CIVRS2505576 x. Kaufman Jr., William Paul v. City of Upland, San Bernardino County Superior Court of California, Case No. CIVSB2405182 xi. Quinones et al. v. City of Upland et al., San Bernardino County Superior Court of California, Case No. CIVRS2600375 xii. Hemenway, Robert v. City of Upland, San Bernardino County Superior Court of California, Case No. CIVRS2506419 xiii. Lopez, Donna v. City of Upland et al., San Bernardino County Superior Court of California, Case No. CIVRS2600376 xiv. McDonald, Maggie v County of San Bernardino et al., San Bernardino County Superior Court of California, Case No. CIVRS2504306 xv. Neale, Michelle v. City of Upland, San Bernardino County Superior Court of California, Case No. CIVRS2401627 xvi. Sheridan, Janice v City of Upland, San Bernardino County Superior Court of California, Case No. CIVRS2510715 xvii. Doe, John v City of Upland et al., San Bernardino County Superior Court of California, Case No. CIVSB2220905 xviii. Thompson, Michael v. City of Upland et al., San Bernardino County Superior Court of California, Case No. CIVRS2501700 xix. Ramos, Keri v. City of Upland, United States District Court for the Central District of California, Case No. 5:25-cv-01820-KK-SSC xx. Silva et al. v. City of Rancho Cucamonga et al., San Bernardino County Superior Court of California, Case No. CIVRS2505275 xxi. Clay, Nathanael Douglass v. City of Upland, United States District Court for the Central District of California, Case No. 5:26-cv-00068-MWC-MBK xxii. Fuentez, Gabriel v. City of Upland, United States District Court for the Central District of California, Case No. 5:25-cv-02915-KK (DTBx) 2  xxiii. Stokes, Douglas v. City of Upland, United States District Court for the Central District of California, Case No. 5:25-cv-03480-MWF-BFM xxiv. Gilmour, Jeffrey v. City of Upland, United States District Court for the Central District of California, Case No. 25-cv-00967 xxv. Presley, Amunique v. City of Upland, San Bernardino County Superior Court of California, Case No. CIVRS2601691 The City Council reconvened in open session at 6:02 p.m. 5. INVOCATION Mike Ingram, Christian Science Faith 6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Led by Jim Thomas 7. PRESENTATIONS 8. CITY ATTORNEY City Attorney Rice announced the City Council received reports on Closed Session Item 4a and there was no reportable action. 9. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Steve Crest, Upland, stated that he has concerns about the intersection at Euclid and 17th Street because a tree blocks the view of southbound traffic on Euclid. Rob Perhamus, Upland, provided information about his Makers Space. Sophia Cohen, Field Representative for Assemblymember Michelle Rodriguez, announced an upcoming summer BBQ event. Natasha Walton, Upland, requested that the Council refrain from deferring park revenues to the General Fund for the next two years. Osvaldo Leo Diaz, Rancho Cucamonga, provided information about an upcoming comedy show. 10. CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Velto removed Consent Calendar Item 10e and 10g and Councilmember Garcia removed 10h for separate action. Moved by: Councilmember Breitling Seconded by: Councilmember Garcia Approve the Consent Calendar Motion: Carried Unanimously a. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of May 26, 2026 and the Special Meeting Minutes of June 1, 2026. 3 b. ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2011 Adopt Ordinance No. 2011 adopting Specific Plan Amendment No. 25-0003 (Amendment No. 4) to the Historic Downtown Upland Specific Plan as shown in Exhibits A, B and C to the Ordinance. c. ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2012 AMENDING UPLAND MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 2.04 REGARDING POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE CITY MANAGER Adopt Ordinance No. 2012 amending Chapter 2.04 of the Upland Municipal Code as follows: 1) amending Section 2.04.070 subsection C and 2) adding Section 2.04.070 subsection D. d. CONSIDER RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENTS TO LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Ratify the Mayor’s appointment of Owen Egger and Jesse Juarez to the Library Board of Trustees, terms expire June 30, 2029. f. BIENNIAL REVIEW OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE Direct staff to review the code and submit notice that either an amendment is required or no amendment is necessary. i. CONSIDERATION OF A CASH IN LIEU AGREEMENT FOR UNDERGROUNDING AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS FOR PARCEL MAP 20819 Adopt Resolution No. 6885 approving a cash in lieu agreement for undergrounding and public improvements as provided in Conditions 30.7 through 30.13 and 30.21 of Tentative Parcel Map No. 20819 and Development Plan Review No. 24-05 concerning the creation of two out-parcels in the Mountain Green Commercial Center located at 233 S. Mountain Avenue; and authorize the City Manager to execute the cash-in lieu agreement. j. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF PARCEL MAP 20819 AND SUBDIVISION AGREEMENT FOR THE MOUNTAIN GREEN CENTER ON MOUNTAIN AVE, SOUTH OF 8TH STREET Approve Parcel Map 20819 for recordation; and authorize the City Manager to sign the subdivision agreement. k. EMERGENCY REPAIR WORK FOR 26 W. 15TH STREET TRANSFER STATION UPDATE Receive and file the status update related to the KSM Electric, Inc. contract for emergency repair work at the 26 W. 15th Street Transfer Station. l. CONSIDER ACCEPTANCE OF HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM 2024 FUNDS Accept the City’s share of the 2024 Homeland Security Grant Program award in the amount of $28,832, appropriate the grant funds to Fund 214; and authorize the City Manager to execute any and all documents necessary to implement the grant. 4 e. CONSIDER RATIFICATION OF AN APPOINTMENT AND REAPPOINTMENT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION Mayor Velto commented on the interview process for the Planning Commission. Michael Couper introduced himself and thanked Council. Moved by: Councilmember Maust Seconded by: Councilmember Zuniga Ratify the Mayor’s appointment of Michael Couper and the reappointment of Brian Staton to the Planning Commission, terms ending June 30, 2030. Motion: Carried Unanimously g. ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF CITY COUNCIL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER Council thanked Ms. Marroquin for her service on the Committee. Moved by: Councilmember Maust Seconded by: Councilmember Zuniga Accept the resignation from City Council Advisory Committee Member Monica Marroquin and direct the City Clerk to post the notice of unscheduled vacancy. Motion: Carried Unanimously h. FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 COST ALLOCATION PLAN, UPDATED SOLID WASTE COST ALLOCATION AND UPDATED ALLOCATION METHODOLOGY FOR SELF-FUNDED LIABILITY Assistant City Manager Parker answered questions from the Council regarding the cost allocation and updated methodology. Moved by: Councilmember Maust Seconded by: Councilmember Garcia Receive and file an update on the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Cost Allocation Plan; 2) receive and file an update on the allocated costs for additional services under the Amended and Restated Agreement with Burrtec Waste Industries, Inc; 3) approve a budget amendment from the Solid Waste Utility Reserve Fund balance in the amount of $225,000 to cover the reallocation of costs related to pressure washing and porter services; 4) receive and file an update on the proposed allocation methodology for the City’s Self-Funded Liability Internal Service Fund; and 5) approve the General Fund savings realized by the updated allocation methodology for the Self-Funded Liability Insurance Fund from Fiscal Years 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 to be applied towards the budget deficit in Fiscal Years 2026-27 and 2027-28. Motion: Carried Unanimously 5 11. PUBLIC HEARINGS a. CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER ADOPTION OF WATER, RECYCLED WATER, AND SEWER RATE ADJUSTMENTS AND RELATED FINDINGS City Clerk Johnson called for speakers that wished to speak regarding the Resolution adopting findings and determinations regarding legal objections to proposed water and sewer rates. Rob Perhamus, thanked the City. Moved by: Councilmember Maust Seconded by: Councilmember Breitling Adopt Resolution No. 6886 making certain findings and determinations regarding legal objections to proposed water and sewer rates. Motion: Carried Unanimously Mayor Velto opened the public hearing. Assistant City Manager Arrula provided information on the proposed water rate increases along with a PowerPoint presentation. Consultant Sudhir Pardiwala with Raftelis presented information on the water, recycled water, and sewer rate study that was conducted by Raftelis. There was discussion regarding IEUA pass through fees. Glenn Bozar, stated that, as a majority shareholder in San Antonio Water Company and West End Water Company, the City should not compare the City’s rates to other agency rates. He then compared the proposed rates to those reflected on a water bill from ten years ago. Blanca M., stated concerns about residents being asked to absorb additional rate increases amid rising household expenses and questioned the consideration of rate increases over a five-year period. Joseph A. Mitchell, Upland, stated that it is becoming increasingly difficult for senior citizens to afford living in the City and urged the Council to consider the challenges faced by residents on fixed incomes in absorbing additional cost increases. Hearing no further testimony, Mayor Velto closed the public hearing. City Clerk Johnson announced that at the close of the public hearing a majority protest to the proposed water, recycled water, and sewer rates did not exist. Assistant City Manager Arrula answered questions from the Council regarding the required maintenance and repairs to infrastructure, IEUA pass through fees, drought rates, funding for the reservoir at 17th and Benson, valve and hydrant testing throughout the City, PFAS, and the use of water reserves to address infrastructure needs. 6  Moved by: Councilmember Breitling Seconded by: Councilmember Maust Approve Resolution No. 6887 making certain findings under the California Environmental Quality Act and adopting the rate schedules and related adjustments as recommended by staff. Motion: Carried with Councilmembers Garcia and Zuniga opposed At 8:14 p.m. Mayor Velto called a recess and the City Council reconvened in open session at 8:27 p.m. 12. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS a. COUNCIL REPORTS ON REGIONAL COMMITTEE MEETING, TRAINING, OR CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE Mayor Velto reported on his attendance at the IEUA board meeting. 13. BUSINESS ITEMS a. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 –2027-28 BIENNIAL BUDGET AND RELATED ACTIONS City Manager Parker provided an overview of the budget preparation process and introduced Finance Manager Sullivan who presented the proposed budget along with a PowerPoint presentation. Assistant City Manager Arrula responded to questions from the Council regarding filling vacant positions, the master plans that have been prepared for the City, and park lease revenues. There was discussion regarding the proposed discretionary funds for City Council and Council proposed removing the discretionary funds from the two year budget. Moved by: Councilmember Garcia Seconded by: Councilmember Maust 1. Approve Resolution No. 6888 adopting the Fiscal Year 2026-27 – 2027- 28 biennial budget, with the removal of the $125,000 per fiscal year allocation for the City Council Discretionary Fund.; 2. Adopt Resolution No. 6889 approving the General Fund Reserve Policy; 3. Adopt Resolution No. 6890 approving the appropriations limit for Fiscal Year 2026-27; 4. Adopt Resolution No. 6891 placing a two-year pause on the Park Lease Revenue designation established by Resolution No. 6713; 5. Approve the updated Schedule of Positions; 6. Approve amending the City’s Classification Plan to include the Deputy Finance Director, Principal Human Resources/Risk Management Analyst, 7  Principal Planner, and Principal Economic Development Coordinator job descriptions; 7. Approve the updated salary schedules for Executives and Non- Rep/Confidential. 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 9:24 p.m. The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is Monday, June 22, 2026. Keri Johnson, City Clerk 8