[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[1:35] Welcome to a meeting of the Ontario City Council.
[1:45] Our first sort of business is a roll call, madam.
[1:47] Thank you very much. The record would reflect all members of our President of certain nights meeting.
[1:53] All right, thank you. And before we move on, does anybody have any possible conflicts of interest?
[2:00] Seeing none.
[2:02] We'll move on, and we'll begin with the pledge of allegiance, led by Council Member Missius.
[2:06] I'd
[2:10] like to be in our place for a slide.
[2:11] You're running over your arm, ready to keep it.
[2:14] To the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which a stand is.
[2:20] One nation might have got an administrative role with liberty and justice role.
[2:26] And our invocation will be led by Pastor Richard Hernandez.
[2:29] Who's already there?
[2:33] Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you this evening that we can look to you,
[2:37] knowing that everything belongs to you, and you've got the whole world in your hands tonight.
[2:41] we ask that you would take this meeting into your hands and that you would Lord give
[2:46] wisdom from on high Lord that we would be able to operate in this city with divine wisdom,
[2:52] Lord and integrity, we pray that you would especially bless the leaders of this city
[2:56] dear God that they would be able to operate in a way that be well pleasing in your sight.
[3:01] They would best benefit the citizens, Lord, that we might live a peaceful life and be able
[3:05] to serve you freely dear God.
[3:07] We thank you so much for the prosperity you've given this city, we pray that you
[3:11] help us not to spurn it or to waste it, Lord, but that we would know how to glorify you better
[3:16] in it all. Have your way now we pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Thank you.
[3:33] All right, this takes us to public comments. The comments are limited to three minutes.
[3:39] It'll be alerted when you have one minute remaining. And, according to the state law,
[3:42] remarks during public comment are to be limited to subjects within council jurisdiction.
[3:47] All of those wishing to speak, including council and staff need to be recognized
[3:51] by the chair. Do we have any email comments?
[3:56] Yes, Mr. Mayor, they have big printed place that the day is and will be entered into the record.
[4:01] All right, thank you. So I have, once again, quite a few blue cards. So we're going to stick
[4:07] tight to the timeframe.
[4:11] Our first speaker is Sarah Rios.
[4:25] You want to come up with her?
[4:26] You can come up with there.
[4:37] So this is going to be a little bit of microphone for her.
[4:42] We'll sit her off to the side of her this way, OK?
[4:45] And then she can hold the microphone, or that way's fine.
[4:49] So there would just be a comfortable,
[4:51] where just normal people is talk to us.
[4:57] You want to come up with those posters?
[5:00] Now that she's going to be talking about that, so you can come up with them. So you're not sitting out there with them?
[5:06] Good afternoon.
[5:09] My name is Sarah,
[5:13] all the members member of the council,
[5:20] and here's a message you.
[5:27] New Zealand Walk,
[5:32] New Zealand Work School,
[5:39] School and Communals,
[5:49] participate for this activity year.
[5:56] So you want to go to El Camino School to participate in this community event, which is the National Walk to School.
[6:04] It's national work to school.
[6:10] Do you have any more to know?
[6:12] OK, so I'm kind of in a quandary of a moment here
[6:16] because I'm not really supposed to be conversing back and forth.
[6:19] But what you're talking about is the walks of school, which
[6:23] is starting at Anthony Moono's Park at 7 o'clock
[6:26] in the morning, October 7th.
[6:29] And then we'll walk with you all the way to El Tamino school.
[6:34] OK.
[6:34] Well, thank you.
[6:38] Thank you.
[6:39] Yeah. Good job.
[6:49] Our next speaker is Angie Meremontis.
[7:16] Thank you. Good evening Mayor and members of the city council, other city staff.
[7:21] My name is Angie Meremontis and I'm an Ontario resident.
[7:24] I'm speaking on items four, 14 and 15 because I believe all three raise the same larger question.
[7:31] How are we preparing Ontario for long-term water security, extreme weather and responsible growth?
[7:36] On item 14, I support strengthening the city's water conservation plan, the proposed ordinance
[7:42] would permanently prohibit irrigation of runoff and begin facing outputable water irrigation
[7:47] of non-functional turf, including turf and medians, parkways, commercial properties and other
[7:52] public spaces.
[7:54] But as that turf comes out, we should think carefully about what replaces it.
[7:58] The city therefore has a choice between merely complying with state law or using a transition
[8:03] to create a connected network of water-wise native landscapes that capture rain, provide shade,
[8:09] support biodiversity, and make Ontario more resilient to both the drought and flooding.
[8:15] I encourage the city to prioritize California native trees, shrubs, grasses, and flowering plants,
[8:21] along with bioswales, rain gardens, permeable surfaces and other green infrastructure.
[8:27] We should design our landscapes to not only use less water, but also to capture rainfall,
[8:32] and provide shade and support local biodiversity.
[8:37] The same thinking should apply to item four.
[8:40] The city is considering declaring,
[8:41] approximately, six acres of publicly owned land
[8:44] off of East Philadelphia Street as surplus.
[8:47] The staff report itself recognizes that the surplus
[8:50] land act includes parks and open space among the priorities
[8:53] that must be considered.
[8:55] Before we permanently dispose of public land,
[8:57] I ask the city to evaluate whether it could provide value
[9:00] as open space, native habitat, urban forestry, stormwater capture, or groundwater recharged infrastructure,
[9:07] more in-minute remaining.
[9:09] And on item 15, the proposed development at Archibald and Imland Empire, it includes commercial
[9:15] building, surface parking, landscaping, and our required stormwater mitigation.
[9:20] This is an opportunity for Ontario to demonstrate what high-quality development can look
[9:23] like by incorporating native landscaping shade trees, bioswales, rain gardens, and onsite
[9:28] infiltration were ever feasible.
[9:31] As we prepare for the coming raining season
[9:33] and the possibility of a strong Elmino winter,
[9:35] we should remember that rainfall is not just something
[9:37] to drain away.
[9:38] It is a resource.
[9:40] My request is that Ontario adopted broader city-wide approach
[9:42] that connects water conservation, native plant infrastructure,
[9:46] storm water, capture, groundwater recharge,
[9:48] and preservation of open space.
[9:51] Water conservation does not only mean using less water,
[9:54] it also means keeping more of that water
[9:56] that falls in Ontario in Ontario.
[9:58] Thank you so much for your time.
[10:00] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Before you move on to the next speaker, if I could just ask your indulgence for one second.
[10:07] Ms. Mittemit, I want to mention that she was speaking to three items, one of which is on the consent calendar, and the other two were public hearings.
[10:13] And so, she was kind enough to provide her comments and writing to the council. You all have them before you, with your permission, and we are a sent, Ms. Mittemit, I want to ask that those written comments be included in the public record for those public hearing items,
[10:26] so that we don't necessarily have to bother her to come up again
[10:29] during those two public hearing items.
[10:31] Are you okay with that?
[10:33] All right, wonderful.
[10:33] Mr. Mayor, is that okay with you?
[10:34] Yeah, I think that's appropriate.
[10:36] Thank you.
[10:37] Thank you.
[10:37] Okay, thank you.
[10:40] Our next speaker is Tina Silver.
[10:48] Good evening, Mayor City Council.
[10:51] I would like to begin with a brief landing knowledgement.
[10:54] We recognize that Ontario sits on the traditional and seated lands
[10:57] of indigenous peoples.
[10:59] And we honor their continued connection
[11:01] to this land and community.
[11:04] Since our last meeting on August 18th,
[11:07] there have been three more documented immigration
[11:09] enforcement incidents in Ontario,
[11:11] including multiple people detained.
[11:14] On August 19th, a man on his way to work,
[11:18] near Lenny, Corps, and Virginia,
[11:20] was approached and detained by immigration agents.
[11:24] I was there.
[11:26] He was so afraid that he would not roll down his window.
[11:29] He told the agents he was calling
[11:30] in the Ontario Police Department.
[11:32] Their response, go ahead.
[11:35] They know we're here and they'll help us.
[11:38] Then on August 25th, a man was followed
[11:40] from Vaughn View in Saltana and ultimately detained
[11:43] near Vineyard in Arrow.
[11:46] That same morning, another man was taken there
[11:48] Berlin and Forestry.
[11:50] These are not isolated incidents.
[11:53] People in our community are being followed, detained,
[11:55] and taken from places where they should be able to go to work
[11:58] and live their lives without fear.
[12:01] I'm asking this council to take a specific action tonight.
[12:07] Direct a city manager and police chief to provide council and the public with a written
[12:12] report at the next city council meeting documenting all known immigration enforcement activity
[12:18] in Ontario since last June 2025, including where OPED officers or city resources were involved,
[12:26] What policies govern any interaction with federal immigration agents and what protections are in place for community members who contact OPD for help?
[12:37] Our community deserves transparency and accountability. People should be able to call their local police without fearing that doing so will put them at greater risk.
[12:45] Now, I have to say, was man went, let me know.
[12:49] This man was like, oh, thankfully.
[12:51] But can you imagine not wanting to roll down your window,
[12:54] because you have masked people who won't tell you who they are,
[12:58] doesn't show you a badge.
[13:00] You tell them you're calling Ontario police,
[13:02] and they tell you that that's okay.
[13:05] They know we're here and they'll help us.
[13:08] I heard it with my own ears.
[13:09] That's not to say that OPD is going to do that,
[13:12] but I'd like to know. Thank you.
[13:14] All right.
[13:15] Our next speaker is Brad Newman.
[13:22] Hello, friends.
[13:23] My name is Brad Newman.
[13:24] I am a former city auditor for the City of Ontario in beautiful southern California.
[13:28] The reason why I am the former city auditor is because I was ordered to violate the public
[13:32] stress that I said no.
[13:35] I just want to put tonight's City Council agenda items into context for the public who may
[13:41] not be paying attention.
[13:44] At the last city council meeting on August 4th, I was too city council meeting to go.
[13:47] We had a brother and sister from Treasurer banquet hall speak about how Alan Lockner is allegedly sniping their business
[13:55] They described what sounded like an extortion scheme in July before that Alan Lockner's house was rated
[14:02] And I was retaliated against starting in December of 2023
[14:08] Scott, are you a corrupt city manager?
[14:12] Because I went to talk with you, do you remember this yellow envelope?
[14:16] Because I went into your office around 1245 on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, and I asked
[14:24] to talk with you about the appearance of corruption in your administration.
[14:28] You pressed a button on your phone and it sounded like Dan Bell picked up and pretended
[14:32] to have you on hold, Dan Bell the Communications Director.
[14:37] I've asked public records to produce your phone records and they've refused to.
[14:41] You told me that you were on hold and you asked me to schedule a meeting with your assistant.
[14:46] I did that and those teams messages between myself and your assistant have not been produced.
[14:53] Are you a corrupt city manager? Because a corrupt city manager would suppress the...
[14:57] Would suppress the production of those racks?
[15:00] So, I'd like to have those records produced. You need to understand, Mayor, that we have what appears to be a fully mature corrupt administration, here at this municipality, we're executive, after executive, after executive, are willing to line up and violate the American way of life.
[15:18] fire chief Kirk and you know that attorney Michael Heiter
[15:22] why he didn't know that he falsified the administrative record
[15:27] and you had the opportunity as a hearing officer
[15:30] to order the city to produce the audit log
[15:33] of case 44's investigative report.
[15:36] You heard how he is evidence.
[15:38] Mr. Mayor, I wish you a speaker
[15:39] that this is the opportunity to address the council
[15:41] and not individual members of the staff or the audience.
[15:44] Replay my time ribbon.
[15:46] Replay my time ribbon.
[15:47] You can show the time and so Mr. Newman is aware of what the rules are for public
[15:51] crime.
[15:51] Can you read some of the time?
[15:52] I'm going to read five seconds before he interrupts me.
[15:55] Just speak to us.
[15:56] We have what appears to be a corrupt administration, that's engaged in retaliation.
[16:01] One of the things that struck me after I heard the treasure banquet hall was that I had
[16:05] a meeting, I had a meeting with community development before I was placed on paid administrative
[16:10] leave where they walked me through their system.
[16:12] We intentionally failed to perform, and we intentionally failed to develop all of the functionalities in the community development system.
[16:22] I believe the help facilitate that type of corruption that was alleged.
[16:27] All right.
[16:27] Thank you.
[16:28] Our next speaker is Kevin Kizi.
[16:35] If I can get one second, you're on or before I begin.
[16:37] I'd like to give credit and thanks to the Utilities Director, Engineering Operations.
[16:44] over-seer Brian Lyrie in the operations supervisor Daniel Fernandez.
[16:49] Those two individuals are instrumental in taking care of repairs that happen amongst the city.
[16:55] I know a lot of residents aren't aware of what they do and what it takes to dig up the concrete.
[17:00] The asphalt cut roots and maintain some areas specifically near one of our residents.
[17:06] There's a tree that was very important to a family member that's deceased now.
[17:10] And they were able to save that tree and also take care of some potting and make sure that it was
[17:15] preserved for that veteran who's living by itself now, so I would like to thank them.
[17:22] With respect to public comments, I'd like to talk about the girls here.
[17:26] I have the young men here before, and in looking to find out what was going on with the batting cages at Westwind,
[17:34] I learned here in your district, Ms. Messius, that at the J. Galvin Park, these girls don't even have a bathroom when they practice, and that is deplorable, that there is no bathroom.
[17:46] Now they have to be uprooted because we have revitalization going on at the end of the park, and they have to use J. Galvin, but to be placed there without bathrooms, is deplorable.
[17:56] and someone should look into that and make sure it doesn't happen.
[18:00] They're currently back at Kimball Park.
[18:02] Kimball Park has no lights.
[18:04] Kimball Park has no barriers around the fences.
[18:07] When the kids hit the ball in a far manner,
[18:09] there's no barrier to stop it.
[18:11] Parents are walking across the field to get to other fields.
[18:16] The bathroom situation.
[18:17] They have one laboratory for them men and women.
[18:20] And if they want some extra laboratories there,
[18:22] for example, in September 12 for their opening day,
[18:24] where they will have, I believe, Mont Clare, Riverside,
[18:29] Ho-Rupa, and maybe Clare Mont all playing.
[18:32] They are all of these family members and children
[18:35] are going to have to rely on one restroom.
[18:37] That's completely unacceptable for a city with our surplus
[18:41] in the revenue that we generate.
[18:43] Why we are overlooking them?
[18:45] I don't understand.
[18:45] One minute remains.
[18:46] I'm appreciative of the growth that we do have here.
[18:49] But I also understand that these kids need to be taking care of too.
[18:54] This group of young ladies right here, they have to go from west to win to Kimball, which I get it.
[19:00] We can only afford so many spaces they have to move around.
[19:03] The parents are helping them do that.
[19:06] But we have to make sure they have adequate places to play in adequate places for them to learn their craft and go on to hopefully softball and college or do whatever it is they need to do.
[19:15] Also, we have the sports empire that's coming in and unfortunately these young ladies won't be able to play there because they can't afford to play.
[19:22] That makes no sense for them to play at the sports empire.
[19:26] It seems like they have to basically, in their little entity,
[19:32] which is the fastball pitch, enjoying something else.
[19:34] I mean, how would we like it if I have to end driving a certain type of vehicle
[19:38] and pick up another vehicle for my business?
[19:40] It's not fair.
[19:41] I ask that you guys, please look into it and help them.
[19:44] Thank you.
[19:45] Okay, Gianna Jones, or it's a glory, it's glory of Jones.
[19:49] I'm sorry, glory of you.
[20:03] Good evening, Mayor and City Council. My name is Gloria Jones with Ontario Heritage. And I want to speak tonight. This is Randy Campbell. She's on the board too. And what I wanted to announce that I want the community to know about our cemetery tour that's coming up on October 10th. It's always the second Saturday of the month. It starts promptly at 10.15.
[20:28] Tickets will start to be sold at 930.
[20:34] Tickets are also available on our OntarioHeritage.org website, also at Logan's Candy, and at
[20:42] Bellevue Cemetery.
[20:45] It the ticket is at $20 for members, $25 for non-members.
[20:50] If nobody's ever been to one of our cemetery tours, I encourage you to go.
[20:54] I've done a lot.
[20:55] I've chaired the cemetery toward the last two years since Katrina Delman retired or had left and she moved.
[21:04] I am really passionate about Ontario's heritage and the characters.
[21:09] So what we do is we take five notable citizens that are buried at Bellevue Cemetery.
[21:15] And I do research on them and we get volunteer actors.
[21:20] In fact, we have one in our midst, oh, I wonder who that is.
[21:27] And this year's going to be awesome, it's going to be really awesome and it takes about
[21:33] an hour and a half, hour, 40 minutes somewhere around there.
[21:37] But if you've never been to our cemetery tour, I encourage you, you're going to love it.
[21:43] And a lot of it, like I said, it all, we've all just around a notable person that's buried at Bellevue.
[21:54] And like I said, get to know the city of Monterey of the history. It's awesome. Really really awesome.
[22:01] Wendy, did you insane since that we always just said?
[22:03] One minute, we always get rave reviews. People really like it.
[22:06] We have costume, people and period costume telling their stories of their lives, their standing
[22:11] next to their actual grave as if they were alive, reflecting on their life.
[22:16] It's very educational, appropriate for families and children.
[22:19] Thank you.
[22:20] Yeah, and kids 12 and a short free, like I said, to kids $20 members, $25 non-members.
[22:26] I hope I see you there.
[22:28] Thank you.
[22:29] I heard you got grave reviews.
[22:32] Great.
[22:33] Oh my god, yeah, that's awesome, I like that.
[22:39] Chris Robless.
[22:49] Well done, that was funny.
[22:52] Good evening, my name is Chris Robless, and I have three things I wanted to say.
[22:57] So first, I really loved the accommodation for that speaker that she was allowed to get three minutes to talk about multiple items.
[23:06] I hope that courtesy is extended to all of us.
[23:11] Second, it dawned on me with the children here that those of you who have been here for over 30 years
[23:18] when you got onto the council, those kids are now, if they were born when you were put on the council,
[23:25] they're now 30 years old or older and now have their own children.
[23:30] It's good that you're talking about term limits.
[23:33] And then lastly, I did not get to finish my comments at the last meeting at that time
[23:40] it was item 15, two weeks ago.
[23:45] I spoke and said that in the last 12-month time period, Mr. Wopner had raised nearly $500,000.
[23:57] And given the airport authorities meeting today, and they're looking at having an external
[24:09] investigation or people from outside the agency doing an investigation, I think it's
[24:15] warranted here too.
[24:17] That is an insane amount of money for one person to be raising.
[24:22] And it can't be because people like them.
[24:27] That they would give them that much money.
[24:30] It has to be, I mean, common sense tells you,
[24:33] there's some reason.
[24:36] And I won't say it because I can't prove it,
[24:39] but others would call it a quid pro quo.
[24:42] And given the high probability and likelihood
[24:46] and possibility of an indictment coming forward
[24:49] after these two FBI rates.
[24:52] One minute remain.
[24:53] It is warranted for this body to call for a special investigator from outside the city.
[25:00] Not connected to anybody or any firm to do an investigation to see if similar things that have possibly happened at the airport, given the airport authorities reasoned for looking into it, the same reasons for here.
[25:18] I think that sentence made sense. Nonetheless, thank you.
[25:24] All right, thank you.
[25:26] Mary McBride.
[25:30] I'm sorry, Marty.
[25:31] I know that.
[25:31] But it looks like Mary here.
[25:34] It looks like Mary.
[25:35] Could have been a different person.
[25:40] Yeah.
[25:49] Good evening, Mary and City Council.
[25:52] My name is Marty McBride.
[25:53] With a T, I am a resident of Ontario's district one.
[25:57] At the emergency meeting held on August 7th,
[26:00] the city made it clear that it was not imposing attacks
[26:03] on the residents on Ontario. It was also set at that meeting that putting a measure on the ballot
[26:09] would allow voters to decide whether or not they wanted to be taxed. These statements
[26:14] represent a half truth. The whole truth is that the city did not intend to impose attacks.
[26:22] It would not have held a last minute, 11th hour emergency meeting, without a clear accounting and public
[26:29] presentation of the money's generated by Measure Q, that was approved by voters for years
[26:35] ago.
[26:39] The Measure H has too many flaws.
[26:43] There is no accountability to residents.
[26:46] There is no end date to this tax.
[26:49] There are no spending guardrails or restrictions on how the money is to be spent.
[26:56] These monies will be a blank check for the city to spend as it pleases without any oversight as to anything other than that the money was spent.
[27:09] These actions speak clearly. If it was not required by law to impose, oh I'm sorry, if it was not required by law for the city to put a tax measure on the ballot, it would not have done so.
[27:23] It would instead have simply voted 50 to impose attacks and the only thing stopping the city from doing that was the law that requires a vote to put a measure up to the residents.
[27:38] I want to encourage on the record that all residents be made aware in one way or another of these one minute remaining and that the city provide as well a full accounting
[27:52] of all of the money that it spends in favor of passing this measure.
[27:57] Thank you very much.
[28:00] All right.
[28:00] Thank you.
[28:01] And we'll say, our last speaker is Tommy Musch again.
[28:20] First point I'd like to make is asking for university accessible playground equipment.
[28:26] I haven't seen anything yet.
[28:27] Really reports on that.
[28:28] I'm waiting on that.
[28:30] I'd like you to dissolve the city's solid waste department contract
[28:33] down to a private company to save money, making too much money.
[28:37] And when is Chino Avenue going to be reopened,
[28:39] busy pushing everybody on a Riverside tribe
[28:41] to look at your empire, but then again,
[28:44] I'm waiting for Chino Avenue to reopen up.
[28:47] And it's taking too long, it's ridiculous.
[28:49] So, and then I've got a question for your zoning
[28:53] and administrative meanings.
[28:54] Why are they consistently canceled every time?
[28:57] There's twice a month, but you consistently cancel them.
[29:00] So, I think that's ridiculous.
[29:01] And then over here, we've got the city manager give way between January and June of this year over
[29:09] 561 tickets. Basically, majority of them going to Ms. Vesias,
[29:14] Latner, Leon, and the assistant city manager as long as the bell guy, too.
[29:19] So you're given way of free tickets to your little bit with the most expensive ones being to your minor league baseball team at
[29:24] $170 a pop plus all in the
[29:28] at the arena, so I think that's totally unfair that you're doing that, and I blame you,
[29:34] city manager out of Clendale.
[29:39] All right.
[29:39] Well, that moves us into agenda announcements and review Mr. City manager.
[29:46] Mr. Mayor, before we get into that, would it be able to cave, we just give a little bit
[29:49] of context to some of the things that you heard tonight?
[29:55] Maybe working in reverse order, I don't know if there was anything
[29:58] Mr. Mushigan said that was worth getting into.
[30:00] But with respect to the measure h, to say that anybody from the podium knew exactly what this council
[30:08] would have done if you could is a bit disingenuous. The state law does not allow any council and
[30:17] has not since 1978, I believe, to put any measure onto the ballot. And so it has to go onto the
[30:25] for the voters to approve. This Council cannot approve attacks. That is just the law. It is
[30:33] that clear. The law also dictates the manner in which a matter could be put on the ballot.
[30:40] It is true that this Council put the matter on the ballot on the last possible day,
[30:47] but that timing simply was what it was. There was no other way to do it, or just not actually
[30:51] call for the question. If you're going to call for that question, it had to happen by that last
[30:56] day so many days before the election. There was no other, in the various reason behind it,
[31:02] and in fact, you still had the meeting. You had a packed house with a lot of folks who were
[31:06] here expressing lots of different diverse opinions, both in support and in opposition. And so
[31:12] that's why you have the vote to let the folks decide. I understand that I set it the other day
[31:17] that if folks are upset and they don't want to pass it, then by all means vote no.
[31:24] If you support it, and there are a number of folks that you saw at your hearing support,
[31:28] then I'm sure they're going to vote yes.
[31:30] And they're going to advocate for that yes.
[31:32] And to that end, the comment about how much money is going to be spent in passing the measure,
[31:38] how many city money is going to be passed used to pass the measure.
[31:42] I mean, I can tell you now, it's going to be zero.
[31:44] because the city cannot advocate for the passage of the measure.
[31:49] We can educate, but we cannot advocate.
[31:53] And for folks that would say, well, it's one and the same.
[31:55] I would argue, no, it isn't.
[31:57] The FPPC would tell you, definitely, it is not.
[32:00] And the FPPC is going to be the group that is going to receive.
[32:03] I'm sure any number of complaints from folks who are saying,
[32:06] that's not right or that's not fair or that should not be the case.
[32:10] But there is the law and then there is activity outside of the law.
[32:14] And so, the city will continue to operate as an organization completely within those four corners.
[32:22] And folks can say, well, you should do more, you should do less, or you should do it.
[32:25] You're going to do what the law dictates that you have to do at the end of the day.
[32:29] Some folks may not like that, but to come back and make that argument that, well,
[32:33] if you didn't have to, you wouldn't comply with Prop 13 is just flat wrong, unfortunately.
[32:42] with respect to, I'm inclined to oblige Mr. Noon because for the better part of three years,
[32:50] he's been coming back to this body to spend any number of wild and sensational stories about what happened to him.
[33:00] And, last what happened to him is not part of some grand scheme or done without due process.
[33:07] In fact, the due process for Mr. Newman culminated in a hearing in this chambers, because
[33:13] he requested that it was an open hearing when he was placed on an administrative leave
[33:21] and let go.
[33:23] And I'll save the detail as to why, because ostensibly it speaks to his credibility as someone
[33:30] to tell the truth.
[33:34] But he disputed the discipline through the process.
[33:38] He had what is called the Skelly hearing in front of the police chief, and the discipline
[33:44] was upheld.
[33:45] He appealed that to a hearing officer, which was the fire chief, and lost there, and appealed
[33:51] that to you, and yet lost here too.
[33:56] So is it not, and front of anybody who wanted to be here, anyone who wanted to watch and
[34:00] listen to the granular arguments that he would make trying to say that up is down and black
[34:06] is white. Isn't it just possible that Mr. Newman just isn't right? And I would submit
[34:15] to you that based on all of the conversations that we've had all this time that it is completely
[34:24] and abundantly clear, that is not.
[34:29] It's one thing to go up your accounts,
[34:32] it's one thing to go up your Mr. Duran or myself.
[34:34] But if you're going to go and start leveling
[34:36] those types of attacks at our staff,
[34:40] I'm sorry, you cross a line.
[34:42] And unfortunately, Mr. Newman doesn't know what that line is
[34:45] as he's demonstrated again and again and again.
[34:51] With respect to some of the other comments
[34:55] And I promise I'll cut it short with,
[35:00] Mr. Kizzi, excuse me, won't have anything. No, no, no, no, that's not allowable. You're not allowed to speak unless recognized, you're not recognized, you really need to be quiet, okay? Thank you very much.
[35:15] Yes, Mr. City Manager.
[35:19] Mr. City Manager?
[35:20] Yes, sir.
[35:21] The only other thing that I would submit to you with respect to Mr. Kizzi's comments, I would invite him to get together with our folks in CLC.
[35:29] for licensed groups that are here in town and I believe fast-pitch
[35:34] softball is. They'll be able to play at the deeply discounted rates such as
[35:39] they are right now at sports empire. The whole point from city council was to
[35:43] make sure that our folks, the kids who play in this town that are part of
[35:49] those licensed groups, AYSO, Lily, the fast-pitch, that they have access to that
[35:54] amazing facility first and foremost. And so let's just be real clear that that
[35:59] something that this council has dictated for all of the kids in our community.
[36:05] And maybe one last thing is it goes back to Measure Q. Go online. I mean, the Measure Q
[36:10] page that is there online spells out where the money for Measure Q, where it's gone,
[36:16] whether it is the storm drains in the older part of the city, so that hopefully someday we
[36:21] get rid of the little bridges that we have to put out whenever it does rain. So kids can walk
[36:26] over the flooded out intersections, or if it is the wellness campus for homeless folks, because
[36:34] we're doing more for homeless services than has ever been done before in this community,
[36:39] or it is the parks and the park improvements for those communities and neighborhoods like
[36:44] they ons, like Anthony Muñoz Park, where we enssoon north central, where we have needed
[36:50] those types of amenities or it is the improvements into downtown because folks seem to feel
[36:56] that we need and I would tend to agree that downtown may not be the economic heart of the city,
[37:02] but it's certainly the emotional heart of the city, so being able to put together and a program
[37:07] to achieve a renaissance in downtown and then certainly some of the larger projects that are
[37:12] in and of themselves economic development programs that generate revenue that feed the overall
[37:18] programming of the city for all of those services that folks want and need to see.
[37:24] I'm sorry if we're going on Mr. May but there was a number of things that I think can be made clear for folks if they are willing to hear what the actual answer is.
[37:33] And so, as I offered last time, and I offer again anybody who wants to talk about any of these projects for programs, give me a call.
[37:42] And I'm happy to sit down and talk with them one-on-one or in small groups and lay it all out there because Ontario has an amazing story to tell.
[37:53] And just to piggyback folks, a little bit on what he said, especially with the homeless situation.
[37:57] You may have been seeing lately in the news that HUD is stopped funding Los Angeles for their homeless programs.
[38:06] At the same meeting that they were talking about that.
[38:08] in Washington, D.C., I was informed by a high-level,
[38:12] HUD official that they were also talking about the city of Ontario.
[38:16] I want a great job we do.
[38:20] And probably they'll be partnering with us a lot.
[38:23] Because we do. So thank you.
[38:25] Thank you very much. And if that's it,
[38:26] then we're going to move on to any announcements that you have.
[38:31] All right. Thank you. So move on to consent calendar.
[38:33] And all matters listed will be, there'll be no separate discussion unless an item is pulled by the council.
[38:45] Bye.
[38:46] Thanks for coming.
[38:52] As a reminder, comments for consent item will be limited to two minutes.
[38:59] And we do have a few speakers.
[39:02] We have for 14 and 13, Mr. Newman.
[39:09] Hello friends, my name is Brad Newman and Scott, you can produce the records when you feel like it.
[39:15] I'm here to say no on four, you guys cried some alligator tears when you approved the truck away.
[39:22] You said, oh we have to have this truck route through here and we can't do anything to make our air quality cleaner.
[39:28] Well with number four, item number four, you're disposing of green land.
[39:32] We could use that land to actually have clean air.
[39:35] That's right next to a hospital, it seems like a good place for us to have some parks and
[39:40] some walking areas for the patients there.
[39:42] Specifically, again, number 13 is the mobile home park record.
[39:48] This is very clear corruption to me.
[39:51] This to me is the behavior of a corrupt administration, picking the economic winners and losers
[39:56] at our economy.
[39:57] Do you remember the 1980s with Ronald Reagan?
[40:00] How did we win the war with the against the Soviet Union? We want it economically. The thing is, is that the Soviets are the ones that really lost the war because of their corruption.
[40:10] Here's what you want to hear. I did a retrospective model to apply this logic to the past 40 years. If you can see at the bottom of the page here, Mayor, I have the listing $100 worth of rent in 1986 is the equivalent to about $300 today.
[40:28] If you apply this Ontario rent formula, you would be about $600.
[40:33] Meaning that if you follow this policy and if you flip over here, I have some charts to show you exactly how damaging this is.
[40:41] I don't know if you can see on this is on page 9-13 there's an orange line that goes way up and there's a black line that goes way down.
[40:50] That's the price of inflation versus the price of inflation of rental housing under this policy.
[40:56] This is the destruction of public wealth, this is generating inflation, Donald Trump hates
[41:03] Ontario, he hates California, I think he hates Ontario California, when he finds out we
[41:08] have high cost of living because of Ontario California, he's not going to be happy, this
[41:13] is high cost of living.
[41:15] All right, thank you, we have Mr. Kizzy speaking to item number 13,
[41:22] thank you, Mayor City Council.
[41:24] Given recent events in this Council's public promises of transparency,
[41:28] Pasine and corporate rent hike on the silent rubber stamp is completely unacceptable.
[41:33] I demand that it can't remember pool item 13 for separate discussion or in the alternative
[41:37] that you vote no on this predatory formula tonight.
[41:40] This isn't just about policies about human lives.
[41:43] My own elderly hot was forced to abandon her home in her community.
[41:47] Displaced entirely by the skyrocketing light fleet, lot fees.
[41:50] Today, she is trapped in a one-bedroom apartment because the corporate landlord priced her out of her own neighborhood.
[41:56] Just this afternoon, inevitably resident in Rancho, Ontario, told me with tears in her eyes that if her husband passes away, she will be forced onto the street.
[42:06] Space rents have climbed past 1700 a month. Mobile home owners own their structures, but they are kept to to land beneath them.
[42:12] They cannot pack up and run from corporate greed.
[42:16] Tying rent hikes to 120% of the CPI with an artificial 4% floor guarantees the corporate landlords
[42:22] get richer while seniors like my aunt on fits and fit in the money.
[42:28] Skip meals and medicine to pay for dirt.
[42:31] Is this council aware that not only will low rent space,
[42:37] both is this council not aware that not only will the land space rent increase,
[42:42] each unit is now responsible for their water,
[42:44] something that wasn't there in the past, especially at Ontario Rancho.
[42:48] This accord shields the city from litigation, but it actively shields corporate owners
[42:52] from accountability.
[42:53] Before you like these poor souls into another five years of financial ruin, please look
[42:58] into your hearts.
[42:59] Think about my aunt, think about other people's, and I ask that you do your job in full item
[43:04] 13.
[43:05] Reject this compounding multiplier and stem to people of Ontario, not the corporate landlords.
[43:10] Thank you.
[43:11] All right. Thank you. I forgot to ask. We have any emailed.
[43:15] Yes, Mr. Mayor, they have been printed and placed into the record.
[43:19] I see them. Thank you. Yes, Miss Proud.
[43:21] I'd like to talk a little bit or ask questions about number 13.
[43:25] Do you want to pull it for separate vote as we're done?
[43:28] No. Okay.
[43:30] So I just like the city manager and the city attorney to help me with this a little bit too,
[43:35] because this is an ask of us on the mobile home people.
[43:39] This is an ask. They don't have to do it. They don't have to do a darn thing.
[43:44] So, and that's my understanding. So, I just wanted to, we are asking them,
[43:47] mobile home park people to please be decent. Don't raise in rent so much.
[43:52] But they don't have to agree to it. There's mobile home parks that don't even participate in this
[43:57] agreement and they raise the rents but they raise them. So, this is us doing an ask for them to
[44:02] please try to keep that down. So, Mr. Seemann, I'm sure are safe here.
[44:06] I think, I think you're not going to call the girl like you're going to come to.
[44:10] Okay, there you go.
[44:11] So.
[44:11] I just want to give a little history to this.
[44:14] This accord actually came to his point.
[44:15] You know, Mister, I would like the city manager to ask my answer.
[44:19] My question before you.
[44:20] Yeah, well.
[44:21] So, Mr. City manager, would you please do that?
[44:23] Sure.
[44:25] The mobile home, the Jack Galvin mobile home accord goes back to 2007.
[44:30] And as you point out, ma'am, the idea here is that is a voluntary program.
[44:35] We have 19 mobile home parks in the city of Ontario.
[44:39] When we started the mobile home court or when the council started the mobile home court in
[44:43] 07, 10 of those mobile home parks were voluntarily complying with the accord.
[44:51] But that accord does, as you point out, is limit the amount of increases that the private
[44:57] property owners who own the...
[45:00] And under which the coaches sit, what they could do, the maximum amount of loan that are maximum amount of rent increase that they could charge.
[45:10] This year, in the past, it was intended to be a unanimous vote by the mobile home, participating mobile home communities, one of them dropped out.
[45:21] So now there are nine the part of the accord that is before each night as you know is that it is voluntary
[45:27] It is opt-in. I guess if you were to reject this mobile home accord
[45:33] It is not a red letter day for the folks that live in the nine mobile home part communities
[45:39] But rather it would be quite the opposite because they would then become subject to the states ranked control laws
[45:46] Which do not cover RVs and so they would be would you would be
[45:51] injecting them without any type of limitation to the increases of what has increasingly become
[45:58] private equity, ownership of these mobile home parks that continue to ratchet up those
[46:04] rents. And so it is actually, as you point out, a limiting factor on the upward movement
[46:11] of those rents, the formula, that is in the accord, is the same formula that's been in
[46:18] since 2007. So it isn't as though you're doing something harmful to anybody. In fact,
[46:25] you're working with the owners and managers of those nine now mobile home parks to limit the
[46:32] potential future increases that they would then charge the tenants there in the property.
[46:38] Hey, maybe only I'm a do you please acknowledge Councillor Laptor because he also wanted to make some
[46:41] comments. Yes, Mr. Water. I'd like to put a number 13 for further discussions since I wasn't
[46:56] I'm sorry I missed what happened there, so did you like to have the option to discuss it?
[47:04] I think I have the right to pull an item off consent calendar and request an item number 13 pull off consent calendar for several.
[47:09] You know Alan you do but I was speaking first so you needed to allow me to finish what I was doing and now it's your chat.
[47:17] Okay, Mr. Mayor, I'd like to call it our number 13 from the consent
[47:21] calendar for separate discussion.
[47:24] Okay.
[47:25] So, is that the wrong one that?
[47:28] So we'll go ahead and what order is important, you know, that's what she's talking about.
[47:33] So are we going to go ahead and we'll, Mr. Mayor, if I may, at this, at this time, what
[47:39] I think I hear is a motion to approve the consent calendar except for item 13 and I believe
[47:45] You can't remember what there is asking for a separate discussion then in separate
[47:48] vote after.
[47:48] It sounds to me like it just let's pull item number 13 for a separate discussion.
[47:52] There's been no motion on the consent calendar that I'm aware of.
[47:54] No, no.
[47:55] I agree with you.
[47:56] I haven't heard a motion.
[47:57] What I'm hearing is a motion developing.
[48:00] Certainly.
[48:02] All right.
[48:02] Trying to help you out.
[48:04] OK.
[48:06] So Mr. Watner has asked for item number 13 to be pulled for separate discussion,
[48:10] which is fine.
[48:11] So I'll entertain a motion to move the consent calendar made by Ms. Pesias, second by Mr.
[48:18] Bowman.
[48:19] Let's take a vote.
[48:20] With the exception of item 13.
[48:21] With the exception of item number 13.
[48:25] Okay.
[48:25] So that passes.
[48:26] So let's discuss item number 13 individually.
[48:28] Ms. Wattner.
[48:29] Thank you.
[48:30] I'm just following state law and ordinance right here.
[48:33] It says that any member can comply with item on the consent calendar.
[48:37] It's not mere discretion.
[48:39] It's called state law.
[48:40] In any case, had I been given the opportunity to speak, I would explain a little bit of the history behind the accord.
[48:45] It was actually brought to us by tenants of Mobile Home Park.
[48:48] Jack Gallman is the one that originally brought it to the city council.
[48:51] And they brought it because there were mobile home owners that were increasing the rents 10, 15 percent.
[48:57] And by coming to a negotiated agreement between the Mobile Home owners and the tenants, again brought to us by the tenants,
[49:03] we've been able to negotiate an agreement that, you know, any percent increases to be tough,
[49:08] at least minimize that amount of increase.
[49:10] Thank you.
[49:17] So, the only thing, and what I'd say is that I think that a high-cost living is touching
[49:23] all of us, whether it's earlier we heard on the, just on the fields for kids to be playing
[49:30] on, everything from milk to gas to playing fields to rent is a burden today, and I think we
[49:39] can all agree on that.
[49:41] On the other hand, I think that whatever works for this consortium of owners, the properties
[49:52] that have mobile homes, is something that we have to go in, as Mr. Wattner mentioned, there
[49:59] is a history.
[50:04] So, when it comes to item number 13, so now what we have to do is have a motion to approve or reject item number 13 is what I understand.
[50:18] So, I'm not sure where you're going with that, Mr. Wagner. Are you approving or rejecting?
[50:23] I just wanted to make my comments on the history of the thing. I will make a motion that we approve it.
[50:27] Thank you very much, is there a second?
[50:30] So a second by Ms. Macias, so we'll take a vote.
[50:37] So thank you, thank you for persisting for having a healthy
[50:40] participation in the way government works.
[50:43] Thank you very much.
[50:43] I don't think there was any intention to not allow anybody to do
[50:49] what they had the right to do.
[50:50] I think there was just an order, a method of order,
[50:54] when a person's speaking nobody should interrupt and take over.
[50:58] So I wasn't here to see it.
[50:59] So I just can only believe that's what happened if I'm wrong.
[51:03] Item move into public hearings now so item number 14.
[51:09] Thank you.
[51:10] This is a public hearing to introduce an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Ontario
[51:14] California, amending Chapter 8A of Title VI of the Ontario Municipal Code Relating to the
[51:22] City's Water Conservation Plan.
[51:24] Notice the public hearing has been given.
[51:26] Affidavis of compliance are on file and you have one written communication.
[51:32] Okay, so at this time I'll open the public carrying a lot of the record reflect as the written communication.
[51:37] We don't have any blue cards to this tonight.
[51:40] So I'll close the public carrying an entertainment motion or discussion on the item.
[51:46] Move by Mr. Bowman.
[51:49] Have a second.
[51:51] Second.
[51:51] Second by Ms. Parada.
[51:52] Let's take a vote.
[51:56] Item passes 5-0.
[51:58] That moves us to item number 15, Madam City Clerk.
[52:05] Yes, Mr. Mayor.
[52:05] It's a public hearing to consider a resolution of proving a purchase and sale agreement
[52:09] and joint escrow instructions by in-between the City of Ontario and Archival Property
[52:14] LLC.
[52:15] Notice the public hearing has been given affidavits of compliance are on file and there are
[52:19] two written communications.
[52:22] There are two written communications.
[52:25] Okay.
[52:26] Thank you.
[52:27] I was going to ask you about that.
[52:28] Okay, so we do have blue slips, you'll be given two minutes to speak to the item, my first
[52:36] speaker is Chris Robles.
[52:45] Thank you, Mr. Mayor, my name is Chris Robles, and I am speaking on item 15.
[52:51] I have concerns about this sale, the agreement says that the city is using economic opportunity
[52:57] statutes and not the surplus land act.
[52:59] But the California Department of Housing and Community Development, also known as HCD, has already challenged that argument.
[53:08] And last year, HCD issued Ontario a surplus land act notice of violation involving another land deal where the city relied on these same statutes.
[53:18] So why are we doing this again?
[53:20] Tonight, item four follows a surplus land act.
[53:22] item 15 sells public land directly to a private developer and we have too much of that going on.
[53:31] Where is the exemption and has HCD reviewed this disposition?
[53:38] Section 8.2 is also troubling because it anticipates a legal challenge and protects the buyer
[53:44] if the city's legal position fails.
[53:47] So I'm asking you to please continue item 15 until HDD confirms this sale complies with
[53:53] the surplus land act, and I will be giving them a call tomorrow.
[53:56] Thank you.
[53:57] All right, Brad Newman.
[54:03] So the question that I have for you guys is when did you actually acquire this property
[54:07] and for how much?
[54:07] How many years did you have it in your possession, and we're actually as the appraisal?
[54:12] There's a difference between the appraisal value of the property and the actual market value.
[54:15] You just passed item number 13 which says you expect at least a 4% increase in the property value year over year over year, regardless of inflation and when inflation is higher you give 120% of the inflation rate.
[54:32] So how long did we have this property and why are we selling it at a rate that doesn't keep up with inflation?
[54:37] The other thing is that we have $220,000 of expenses related to this for the environmental review, the staff costs all that.
[54:48] If this group is able to purchase this for $50,000, that's not refundable, it seems like they should actually have a purchase price for the actual entirety of the cost.
[54:57] Instead of having a 50,000 dollars, it's not for fun to bull.
[55:00] It should be the entirety of what it costs for us to put into this to get it to the sale price.
[55:06] I just question how do you justify selling this property at this price?
[55:12] And to me, I think it's because we have what appears to be a fully mature corrupt administration.
[55:17] You guys are acting like a mob saying, hey, everybody, let's coordinate and increase our rent by 120% the price of inflation.
[55:26] Mayor, what would happen if state of brother's bonds,
[55:29] rals, all the brochures said, you know what?
[55:31] Tomorrow, let's put up that price of bread by a dollar.
[55:35] And tomorrow, we'll put up the price of eggs by a dollar.
[55:38] If we all collude and coordinate together,
[55:40] we can extort some extra money from the public.
[55:42] The thing is, is that with this property,
[55:45] you have the city charging additional money
[55:47] to the renters, and then here, when you have property,
[55:49] that's for sale, you're not increasing its value at all.
[55:52] You're just saying, this is what it appraised at.
[55:54] How many years ago was out of prasal?
[55:56] Was there any growth in it?
[55:57] Did you see any competitive bid for this?
[55:59] Could we get some explanation on the competitive process?
[56:02] Thank you.
[56:03] All right, Mr. Kizzi.
[56:10] Good evening, Your Honor.
[56:11] Thank you.
[56:12] As we all know, I'm a resident of Ontario
[56:14] and I'm standing before you tonight
[56:15] to express my enthusiastic support
[56:18] for the purchase and sale of the agreement and item number 15.
[56:22] I want to thank the city leadership and staff
[56:24] for having the backbone and protect our communities vision
[56:26] over additional warehousing.
[56:28] We all understand that property must be sold at some times, and while we may not agree,
[56:33] I much rather see this do something for the people, the residential and commercial use other than warehousing.
[56:40] Look around us, our city has more than enough logistics centers.
[56:44] With our families actually need our spaces where we can live, connect, enjoy community.
[56:48] This proposed 50,000 square foot pedestrian plaza with its high and dining walkable walkways
[56:53] is exactly the kind of vibrant destination Ontario deserves.
[56:56] It creates jobs, generates tax revenue without using taxpayer subsidies, and beautifully complements the growth near the Toyota Arena.
[57:04] However, because this project will be such a massive success in Draw Heavy crowds,
[57:08] we must aggressively protect our surrounding neighborhood from the literal fallout of that success.
[57:12] As you vote to approve this agreement tonight, I urge this council to hold the developers district enforceable standards.
[57:20] Specifically, we must address the infrastructure and traffic.
[57:22] Archibald Avenue and inland in part Boulevard are already under heavy strain.
[57:27] We need the developer to implement comprehensive traffic calming measures and smart signal
[57:32] synchronization so our local roads do not gridlock furthermore we must address light pollution.
[57:37] The proposed digital bill board near the freeway cannot become a blinding in the sense
[57:41] for nearby residents.
[57:42] We need iron, clad, agreements on strict nighttime gaming requirements and limits on flashing
[57:47] animations.
[57:48] Finally I ask that you secure commitments for robust on-site private security.
[57:52] We have nothing without security.
[57:54] We need to keep those outdoor plazas safe for families at all hours.
[57:58] Thank you for refusing to settle for another warehouse.
[58:00] Let's pass this resolution, build this destination,
[58:03] and ensure the developer treats our neighborhood with this respect to deserves.
[58:06] Thank you.
[58:07] All right.
[58:08] Thank you.
[58:09] I'll ask Speaker Jesse Fonseca.
[58:16] Is he out now?
[58:17] Is he outside?
[58:17] Somebody see if Jesse Fonseca is out there?
[58:36] Looks like he's not.
[58:38] So before we move on, Mr. City Manager, we'll close the public hearing.
[58:41] did you have something to answer about these?
[58:45] Sure.
[58:45] I'm sorry, Mr. Mayor.
[58:46] Could I put the mail up on you to keep the public hearing open so that Mr.
[58:49] Ochoa's answer gets into the record and if there are any other questions from any
[58:52] of the council members, we have that as well.
[58:54] Thank you.
[58:55] We'll keep the public hearing open.
[58:57] Thank you.
[58:58] Thank you, sir.
[58:59] And I'll turn it over to our economic development director, Jennifer Hiramoto, and a second.
[59:04] But the council will recall and I appreciate Mr. Kizzi's comments.
[59:08] This was originally going to be an Ikea.
[59:10] And during the pandemic or just before the pandemic as I recollect, they decided that this
[59:18] was too close to their store in Kobina, and that they were going to pick up and move
[59:23] for their east.
[59:25] And wouldn't it be okay with the city council if you allowed them to do a distribution warehouse
[59:31] with a small showroom that they could do all of their mail order online types of sales.
[59:38] And we said, no, that really wasn't in the vision for this part of the city right along
[59:44] the 10th freeway at Archibald, and we undertook the opportunity to bring in a mixed use
[59:51] developer that would ultimately take down much or nearly all of the site.
[1:00:00] Honour, aye, Kia, they had played along for a while. They were willing to wait while we secured a potential buyer for the property, because, as actually Mr. Robles points out, the surplus ant landsack makes for a cumbersome process to get over for cities who are looking not so much to do affordable housing in a given location, but to actually do economic development.
[1:00:24] Fortunately for the city, there are the economic development statutes that are on the books that predate the SLA and we have to make certain findings and employ those findings for a project such as this.
[1:00:38] And so the idea became that if we were going to keep the current property owner from doing what they chose to do with it,
[1:00:47] because they owned it outright, they had owned that property even to go back, I think, to 2016,
[1:00:55] that we were going to have to either bring the buyers to bear or the city was going to have to acquire the property,
[1:01:01] which we did earlier this year in the spring.
[1:01:04] So, we bought it in the spring, I believe, in March, we are turning around and selling this piece of it to portals for their bakery at this location, probably the larger bakery in their chain, serving the inland empire, the greater inland empire and taking pressure off the next closest bakery.
[1:01:27] And so, as the Council has knows, this has been a passion project for all of you.
[1:01:34] I don't know anybody that doesn't love potato balls, that doesn't love the coffee and the cakes and the pastries and everything else.
[1:01:42] And through the hard work of our staff, we're able to work very closely with them to acquire this property from us.
[1:01:51] And, you know, as you can imagine, they are a very sought after brand.
[1:01:55] And so they are very jealous of that brand,
[1:01:58] protective of that brand and not wanting to engage in any headaches or heartaches
[1:02:05] with respect to the disposition of the property,
[1:02:07] which is why you see the languages of the language and the purchase and sale agreement
[1:02:12] that is there for their protection.
[1:02:15] But I hate to think that somebody anybody would think that doing
[1:02:20] a warehouse at this location as opposed to a large bakery and kind of a food
[1:02:26] village, if you will, the other curated restaurants is somehow a lesser
[1:02:34] project than that distribution warehouse. It's something that the
[1:02:37] Council has identified, it's something that we hear from our residents and
[1:02:40] customers on a regular ongoing basis of what they want to see more of in
[1:02:50] the wherewithal, waiting through the success of economic cycles, and braving the difficulties
[1:03:00] that are placed in front of us from time to time by partners at the state.
[1:03:05] With that, I'll ask Jen to talk a little bit about the particulars on the project.
[1:03:09] Yes, thank you, Mr. City Manager. Good evening, Mr. Mayor and members of Council.
[1:03:14] The item before you tonight is the purchase and sale agreement with Archival Property LLC for
[1:03:18] the eight point six four acres.
[1:03:20] It's her microphone, ma.
[1:03:23] Okay, notice.
[1:03:23] Thank you.
[1:03:25] Located off of inland empire, Boulevard,
[1:03:27] and Archibald Avenue.
[1:03:29] As a city manager, just shared with you back in 2018,
[1:03:31] Ikea did buy this property with the intention
[1:03:33] of developing it into a retail store,
[1:03:36] but they pivoted during COVID
[1:03:37] and they requested to develop it into that distribution center
[1:03:41] and we said, no way, that is an incompatible use,
[1:03:45] that certainly did not reflect the city's vision
[1:03:47] for that entire 25 acres fast forward as the city manager mentioned the city acquired the property back in March as a way to ensure a high quality development at this prominent location as well as continue to leverage the public and private investment north of the 10 freeway.
[1:04:04] You can see the image here, it's a site plan, the proposed project delivers on that vision,
[1:04:11] brought forward by Archival Property LLC.
[1:04:14] This is now fully entitled and includes approximately 50,000 square feet of premier dining
[1:04:19] and commercial space within the three two-story buildings.
[1:04:24] As you can see, the development is organized in such a way around a central plaza without
[1:04:28] door dining, landscape walkways and pedestrian gathering spaces.
[1:04:32] Parking is primarily adjacent to the 10 freeway, allowing the buildings and landscaping to define the inland empire
[1:04:40] frontage. The city is selling this property under the Economic Opportunity Statute, which is allowed under government code section 522201 and
[1:04:51] that authorizes a separate disposition path and enables a city to sell or lease property to create economic opportunity.
[1:05:00] And qualifying economic opportunities can include job creation or retention, or 15% increase in property tax revenue.
[1:05:10] As you can see, some of the economic benefits here from the project include the development of almost 725 temporary and permanent jobs,
[1:05:20] And it will also increase property tax revenue, well above that 15% baseline in increase in property tax revenue of 450%.
[1:05:31] Other transactions of this type of bakery and retail site include 1.8 million transactions a year.
[1:05:39] That is almost 5,000 customers a day at this retail site.
[1:05:43] In addition to the other ancillary retail which will be expected to generate about 500 to 1000 customers a day.
[1:05:51] The total private investment in this is estimated at 53.5 million.
[1:05:56] The land I rounded up here at 15.97 million.
[1:06:00] The developer will take on the parking improvements at 4 million billboard signage at 1.5 million.
[1:06:07] The primary retail building will be 24 million.
[1:06:10] additional retail buildings will be $7 million and of course the landscaping for a million dollars.
[1:06:17] In summary, this project advances the Meredith International Specific Plan and builds upon
[1:06:22] this significant investment occurring in the area including the New High at House and High
[1:06:27] at Place Hotel just to the east of this. Some of our new auto dealers including the Genesis
[1:06:32] of Ontario just to the west of this and the planned capital city entertainment district at
[1:06:37] Toyota Arena. Staff recommends approval of the purchase and sale agreement and the associated
[1:06:42] economic opportunity findings. I'm available to any, to answer any questions you may have,
[1:06:47] as well as the city attorney Rubin Duran and we also have other council with VBK. Thank you.
[1:06:54] All right. Thank you. So we'll close the public hearing and I'll entertain a motion or
[1:06:58] conversation and discussion from council. I'll make a motion that we approve.
[1:07:03] And I know that this has been something that all of us have been wanting for a long time. I mean,
[1:07:07] at least for the 17 years that I've been on this council.
[1:07:11] I used to work at LACUC Medical Center
[1:07:13] and we used to go to Porto's in Glendale.
[1:07:16] Somebody would make the run, you know,
[1:07:18] come back with everything.
[1:07:20] And so it's just been something that I mean,
[1:07:23] I go to the Glendale Star.
[1:07:24] It's that they're in wait for the matriarch to pass me.
[1:07:28] Buying, you know, hi, I'm Debbie,
[1:07:29] and we really would like you in Ontario.
[1:07:32] So it's just something that it's just going to be so exciting
[1:07:34] to have them here.
[1:07:35] So I'm just really, really thrilled, so.
[1:07:38] Mr. Bowman?
[1:07:40] OK, so there's been a motion in a second.
[1:07:42] Any other discussion?
[1:07:49] So we'll take the vote.
[1:07:53] All right.
[1:07:53] I don't pass this 504 for the,
[1:07:58] what do you call them?
[1:08:00] Math potato balls are.
[1:08:02] So good.
[1:08:03] I think we're all happy with that.
[1:08:05] So then, this takes us to the staff matters.
[1:08:08] Mr. City Manager?
[1:08:09] All right, and now it takes us to council matters, and I do have some issues that I want to speak about.
[1:08:17] I would like to bring forward to the council in a future meeting sooner than later.
[1:08:23] Certainly, at the end of this month is great, or in the first week of October, we're meeting a cop,
[1:08:29] October that, we need to really look at some reforms here in the city, especially when it comes to campaigning.
[1:08:36] We also need to have an ethics committee so that we can have some ethics here in the city that are followed by all of us.
[1:08:45] Not just some of us.
[1:08:48] Some of the bullying that I've been hearing about in this campaign is just despicable.
[1:08:54] And it can't be just put up with forever when we need some turn limits on our council.
[1:09:00] And some people would say, well, you've been here a long time, yeah, I have, but it's about time.
[1:09:06] It's time now to start looking at that.
[1:09:08] And the past I thought it was a significant for us to have consistency, stability and reliability
[1:09:16] and the development of the city, but it leads to some things that I think are troublesome,
[1:09:22] So we need to look at some term limits, campaign finance reform, Mr. Robles is mentioning some
[1:09:34] of the things that are really, again, questionable about how this all goes down.
[1:09:41] We need to look at some of the things that are happening, we've been mentioning the cost
[1:09:47] living. Approximately 187,200,000 people living in the city, or median household income
[1:09:54] is $89,000, rent is more than $2,000 a month for a norm.
[1:10:02] About 12 percent of our residents live below the poverty level. So, when our residents tell us that affordability is an issue, we need to listen. There are things that we can do a little bit that are reasonable, I think, to make Ontario a little bit more affordable. We cannot control the price of guilt, the price of gas, the price of real estate, that is not within the cities of the city.
[1:10:30] ability to control, but we can control a few little things that can make life a little bit easier.
[1:10:37] Right now, for instance,
[1:10:41] we have, we provide qualifying low-income seniors and residents with
[1:10:47] the disabilities discount of up to $15 a month on their combined water suit and refuse bill.
[1:10:52] I think we can extend that to everybody who lives below a certain income level.
[1:10:56] I don't think it just needs to be seniors and people with disabilities but that's up to the
[1:11:01] council to decide based upon reports that we get from the city.
[1:11:05] We also have our Empowerment Scholarship Program,
[1:11:08] helps lower income onto your residence participate in recreation programs, as was mentioned
[1:11:13] earlier, and has helped more than 1,000 residents since 2014.
[1:11:18] I don't think that any kit should be held back from participating in the sports programs
[1:11:24] that we have in the city no matter who's running on because they can't afford it.
[1:11:28] I know that I ran into that when I was a kid, it was $7 to play baseball, $7 in my family
[1:11:35] couldn't afford to let me play.
[1:11:37] So I watched from the sidelines and I could only play pickup ball in the community.
[1:11:44] And I don't think that's right.
[1:11:45] I think we need to be able to help kids get that experience.
[1:11:50] Our utility rate, hearing last year, approximately 230 households were enrolled in the utility
[1:11:56] assistance programs.
[1:11:58] That's 230 households.
[1:12:01] We have more than 53,000 households in the city.
[1:12:05] And I don't know whether the number is low because of the need of small, but I think
[1:12:11] that the program exists to help people.
[1:12:13] I want to make sure that we're helping everybody.
[1:12:15] I think we should find out if there are people out there that need the assistance, so I'm asking
[1:12:21] our city manager and staff to come back within 60 days to give us an idea on how our programs
[1:12:27] that are meant to help people actually doing something. So first our utility program, all
[1:12:33] low-income Ontario households regardless of age or disability status, I'd like to see that
[1:12:37] as being a part of it. We have a very good first time via program. I know people who have tried
[1:12:43] to access it. And they say that it's so difficult, they can't qualify. I'd love to
[1:12:52] see it may either simplify or make more clear as to what is necessary to get involved
[1:13:00] with that program. And so, and find out what they know, I think we have a million and a
[1:13:13] $30,000 fixed up program.
[1:13:16] I was talking to somebody who was told me,
[1:13:20] now, I don't know for sure, because I wasn't there,
[1:13:23] that they were directed to a specific real estate agency
[1:13:29] in town to get the $100,000 in the $30,000,
[1:13:33] but they were informed that they owed that no matter what,
[1:13:36] but it's my understanding that's supposed to be forgiven
[1:13:38] in 10-year increments, right?
[1:13:40] Mr. City Manager?
[1:13:42] Yeah, it goes away, so somehow people are getting misinformed, I don't know how many people have access to that.
[1:13:52] This is in the city manager, but it would be informational to find out how many people have been able to take part of that and participate in the program and the difficulty of applying.
[1:14:04] I don't want us to look at the $15 a month benefit itself, and let us know for sure if
[1:14:13] we needed to provide exactly the same level of assistance when that $15 was established
[1:14:23] is that still sufficient for today?
[1:14:28] It doesn't sound like it to me, but it's $15 and $15.
[1:14:32] dollars. Our empowerment scholarship program, one out of every four
[1:14:37] Ontario residents is under the age of 18. I did a study on that. Isn't that amazing?
[1:14:42] We do a lot to get our kids educated and sense of school. So I don't want financial hardship
[1:14:49] to be the reason of child and the city can't participate in things. So try not to repeat
[1:14:55] myself here.
[1:15:00] I'm not actually asking this council tonight to approve a single dollar of new spending, but I think that we should look at whether we should expand these programs or not, and I don't think that's a bad thing.
[1:15:14] We need to reach the people who need the programs and provide meaningful assistance.
[1:15:20] So with all of that being said, I hope staff took note, because I want to address these sooner than later, because I think we need to really look at all of these issues.
[1:15:30] issues. From the first ones I mentioned to the last ones that I mentioned and take charge of it
[1:15:36] and get something done as quickly as possible. People need to help. $15 may not sound like
[1:15:42] a lot, but if you don't have it, it's a lot. So thank you for hearing me out. I didn't read
[1:15:49] everything I had. We'd be here for another hour. So I'll move over to my right, Ms. Macias.
[1:15:57] I just want to wish everyone a happy and safe everyday weekend. I know that that's coming up.
[1:16:01] We typically, we, you know, the people that were
[1:16:05] considered just a day off, but I would hope Mr. Mayor,
[1:16:08] we can enjoy the council meeting on behalf
[1:16:10] of our local labor union, I'd be great.
[1:16:17] Mr. Bohn.
[1:16:18] Yes?
[1:16:19] Yes.
[1:16:20] Thank you, Mr. Mer.
[1:16:22] You don't from time to time.
[1:16:24] You know, we've, we deal with some
[1:16:26] arduous, severe challenging issues and a lot of mixed
[1:16:31] feelings a lot of true feelings, heartfelt feelings about what we're doing the city, how
[1:16:38] we do it and balance and density and those types of things mean a lot.
[1:16:43] And I'm just thinking that from time to time we agree that one of us has an idea perhaps
[1:16:51] that we can come together at another meeting and talk about that very idea and what I'd like
[1:16:57] to do is take a look at this time and in a form of a resolution to put together a resolution,
[1:17:07] a timely resolution, I think, and the overall balance of the city to really take a hard
[1:17:12] look at warehousing development and how that particular component of the city is really
[1:17:23] sprung up. And we really think it's time just to consider the overall current balance
[1:17:31] and the necessity to perhaps modify our course. And I think it's worthy of an opportunity
[1:17:42] to stop the forward motion and think about what we're doing for a while and contemplate
[1:17:49] of the future really looks like or should look like and we really want to be part of that
[1:17:54] with our name on it. So my recommendation, I'd like to take a vote to see if I have the support,
[1:18:02] but if I do have a council concurrence to have the city manager staff bring forward the next agenda
[1:18:10] proposed resolution that would do everything would be to put a hold on a construction of
[1:18:18] or housing in the city of Ontario?
[1:18:27] Well,
[1:18:30] when I'm here and you say Mr. Bowman,
[1:18:32] is that you'd like to present a possible,
[1:18:35] a possible moratorium on warehousing.
[1:18:39] What I like to ask if I might, if you might adjust to,
[1:18:43] if we can first do a study on what we're looking at.
[1:18:46] A lot of times when it comes to warehouses,
[1:18:49] I know that the media plays into that whole idea
[1:18:55] And the, the, the den of social media saying there's too many, there's too many.
[1:19:02] I think that what we're doing right now in the city of Ontario is we have warehouses where they belong.
[1:19:08] And, and I, but I do think that we need to look at where is that happening and are we staying true to our first initiative of being like that.
[1:19:19] And I think that comes with the report before an official motion and more atonium.
[1:19:29] I'd love to see the report on what we're doing and how briefing here in front of all of us.
[1:19:35] And then go from there.
[1:19:36] That was actually
[1:19:40] my progress until we have an opportunity to do everything.
[1:19:45] And I'm going to step in here, Mr. Mayor, if you don't mind. I apologize for interrupting.
[1:19:49] Council Member Bowman. As I think you all know, the Brown Act does allow brief discussion
[1:19:55] to figure out whether to agenda as if you should write in which I understand Council Member
[1:19:59] Bowman.
[1:20:00] Attempting to do. Two of you have already spoken to the issue in some detail and so I'm going to respectfully advise you to be very cautious about another one of the five of you having a discussion on this. I think the question before the body now is, are there three of you who want to direct the city manager and his staff to further investigate the item as requested by Council Member Bowman and perhaps draft up an ordinance.
[1:20:24] Beyond that, I respectfully ask you not to engage in any serious debate here.
[1:20:29] The public hasn't had an opportunity and advanced notice to know that you would be discussing this issue.
[1:20:35] So am I, am I clearing off, I hope?
[1:20:37] I understand I was speaking more in the area of a resolution, which is an opportunity to evaluate where we're at in the process of moving forward from this point.
[1:20:54] And then my adjustment to that suggestion was, we need to know where we're going before we say we want to go there or we don't.
[1:21:05] And so we need a briefing on what we're looking at first.
[1:21:09] Is that acceptable?
[1:21:10] Yes, sure.
[1:21:12] Okay, so then the consensus would be that we have a briefing on what we're doing for the future of warehouse again in the city of Ontario.
[1:21:23] So, again, I see two council members, which is not quite a consensus, I have a feeling that the city manager has a good sense of where this could go.
[1:21:36] I don't get the sense that he's been directed to bring an item before you resolution or otherwise without another one of your membership agreeing to direct him to do so.
[1:21:48] We're in a little bit of a quandary, and I all do respect to each of you.
[1:21:52] I understand this is an important issue, but I'm not sure, and I'll let the City
[1:21:57] Manager speak for himself as to whether he has clear direction on what the next appropriate
[1:22:02] move here is.
[1:22:07] Sir, please.
[1:22:07] Sir, please.
[1:22:08] Are there thoughts?
[1:22:08] So he's saying we can.
[1:22:13] Yeah.
[1:22:15] I'm not sure.
[1:22:16] I'm not sure.
[1:22:17] I'm not sure.
[1:22:20] I'm not sure.
[1:22:22] I'm not sure.
[1:22:22] I'm not sure.
[1:22:23] Is that what you're saying what's that?
[1:22:30] I'm going to look to the city manager because truly he's the one who will direct his
[1:22:33] staff.
[1:22:34] I will support him and all of you of course.
[1:22:37] It is not clear to me as I sit here that that's what's been asked for.
[1:22:41] I'm hearing a study, I'm hearing a resolution.
[1:22:44] I think that this could be the beginning of an important conversation.
[1:22:47] I just don't know that we have enough to know what to bring to you to continue that conversation.
[1:22:53] Perhaps the manager could use it.
[1:22:55] a little bit more time to formulate something and put it in front of you and do course.
[1:23:01] As a means of level setting for the council perhaps what we can do as we recall we recently
[1:23:07] adopted the general plan update and to revisit that and understand all the study because
[1:23:15] it was quite a bit of environmental review that went into that and quite a bit of community outreach
[1:23:20] If we bring that back to the council, walk through that item again, and then from there, have the council in a public meeting that has been noticed,
[1:23:30] be able to articulate if you would like to change the general plan in some way, or adjust the timing such as Mr. Bowman is expressing that that might be the best most direct way to do that,
[1:23:45] particularly because we just recently did it, so it's still very fresh, and we can go and express all that to the council.
[1:23:53] And I will just add on that note that the general plan and the action that you took on that affects individuals and companies property rights, and so there is a whole attendant due process.
[1:24:09] That must occur, there is, you have a planning commission that, and a planning staff that does a fine job of analyzing very complicated and important issues like this.
[1:24:20] And so Mr. Bowman, Mr. Mayor, I hope that you would understand that we would bring to bear those resources for you in compliance with a law to protect those property owners due process rights and to protect your communities interests and having the opportunity to participate in those discussions in the proper format.
[1:24:42] Irrespective of what it took to get here, that does not mean at some point in time, we may have an opportunity if we were so desire to change direction.
[1:24:56] Absolutely.
[1:24:57] And the policy makers, that is the book.
[1:25:00] The voters elect you to do that, and it's our job to help it happen in a legal, defensible way.
[1:25:09] Okay. So, are you understand what we want?
[1:25:15] My recommendation to you is to bring back the general plan and review it with you in this session,
[1:25:21] in this chambers, to further flush out how all five of you feel about it.
[1:25:26] Listen to the community again, and whatever direction you give, because it's a duly,
[1:25:31] notice meeting, we would act on it, forthwith.
[1:25:35] Are you okay with that, Jim?
[1:25:37] I think that's a good beginning.
[1:25:41] Yeah, I really think that we kind of need to be educated on it.
[1:25:44] It's easy to just say, no more of this.
[1:25:48] More of that, what have you, but you really have to have an intellectual understanding of what's going on.
[1:25:54] So I would appreciate that.
[1:25:56] Thank you.
[1:25:58] Miss Prada.
[1:26:01] Thank you very much for indulging me with the largest amount of speaking time, and so we thank you for participating, and we'll see you September 15th, this meeting is now adjourned.