City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening, everybody, and welcome to a meeting of the Ontario City Council. First order of business, Madam City Clerk, is a roll call.

Thank you, Mayor Leon. The record will reflect that all council members are present for this meeting, with the exception of Council Member Parada, who will be joining us via Zoom.

Zoom, Zoom. Okay, so before we move on with the agenda to abide with state law, obligated to ask if anybody has any possible conflicts of interest. Nope, okay, so that takes us to closed session. Is there anybody here to wish to speak to closed session? All right, so then I will turn to our city attorney to announce the closed session.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Good afternoon, everyone. You've got one item on your closed session agenda today. It is a conference with the city's designated labor negotiator, Mr. Ochoa, or his designee under the authority of government code section 54957.6. The bargaining units to be discussed are the Ontario Police Officers Association, the Ontario Police Management Group, Ontario Professional Firefighters Association, Local 1430, the Ontario Fire Management Group, department heads, executives, AFSCME Local 3061, Teamsters Local 1932, the Association of Management Employees, the Confidential Group, and part-time employees. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Okay, so we'll recess to closed session, and for consideration of listed matter, we'll return at 6.30, or approximately 6.30. Being patient with this, we had a lot to discuss. So we'll have our Pledge of Allegiance, which will be led by, well, Councilmember Macias would like to start.

Mr. Mayor, I would be happy. We have the Ariano family here. I would be happy if he can do our Pledge of Allegiance. He graduated as a private first class, Josiah Ariano, a longtime resident of the entire family here. We have them all here in the front row. So if you would just please join us.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council.

Thank you. Tonight's invocation will be led by Brian Kennedy, senior pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church.

Good evening, Mayor, council members, illustrious city manager, city attorney, to all of you. Let's pray. Father, thank you for this great city and all that you are doing in and through this city. We have a lot on the agenda tonight, a lot of amendments and contracts and proposals and a lot of other things to consider. So give our leaders and give our community, your wisdom, your knowledge and your understanding as we consider all these matters. Certainly remember private first class Ariano and all of our men and women in uniform. We remember our first responders are police and fire here in Ontario and ask that you will guide them as they do their work and keeping us safe. Father, do what you do best, and that's work on behalf of your children. In Christ's name, amen. Amen.

So where did you go to your basic training, and what are you doing? Can you just give us a little brief about your time in service so far?

I graduated from MCRD San Diego, Marine Corps Recruit Depot. It was probably the hardest three months I've ever had in my life. There, very early on in the training days, I was picked by my senior drill instructor and drill instructors to be guide of the platoon, which is basically for basic training to imitate the place of a platoon sergeant, as it would be called in the fleet. So as guide, I made sure that not only my platoon looked as best as they could be, but myself, keeping all the Marine Corps values, honor, courage, and commitment, the leadership traits, leadership qualities, and striving for perfection every single day. Of course, we're all human. None of us are perfect, but that doesn't mean we can't strive for perfection every single day, and that's what I strive to do. Every single time I woke up in the morning and had minimal sleep at night, that's what I strive to do.

Yeah, well, thank you. You're the epitome to me of someone who has gone through basic training in the military, whatever branch it is, You always come out a better person, I think. And thank you for your service. Thank you. Thank you, Mary. Look at you all grown up. Thank you, Mary. Thank you, council. Have a seat. Thank you. Okay, so we're going to have a report on our closed session.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. This afternoon, the council met in closed session to consider the one item that is listed on their posted agenda. All council members were present, including Council Member Parada, who participated remotely, as noted on the posted agenda. The council received a briefing from staff and provided direction, but there is no reportable action this evening, Mr. Mayor. Thank you.

Okay, so we're gonna move on with our special ceremony this evening, and we have our 26th Annual Model Colony Awards at the City Council present these awards tonight. So I'd like to, well, it also includes the historic preservation. I'd like to start by acknowledging our planning commissioners, some who are here. First, we have Nancy Diedemeyer, chairperson. There she is over there. And Nick, yeah. Hold on, we'll have plenty of time to clap. Rick Gage, Vice Chair. There he is, in the middle. And then Nick Ritchie. There he is, way in the back. We absent, or no, present, we have Deandra Lampkin, somewhere here. There he is. And then we absent are Tim Marks and Jonathan Hagman, couldn't be here. So I'd like to ask Community Development Executive Director Rudy Zeledon to present the awards. Mr. Zeledon.

Good evening. Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, Mayor and members of City Council. Since 2005, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has recognized May as Historic Preservation Month, celebrating the value of historic places and the cultural and economic benefits provided to the communities through historic preservation. This year's theme, Past Meets Possible, Reimagining Place and Purpose, reflects how historic resources can continue to serve our community through thoughtful adaptation and reinvestment It's evident of what we're doing in downtown today. In recognition of Historic Preservation Month, the city is proud to continue the Model Colony Awards program. Established by the City Council in 2000, the Model Colony Awards recognize outstanding efforts to preserve, restore, rehabilitate, and enhance Ontario's historic resources. This year marks the program's 26th consecutive year. I want to introduce Ellie Antuna, Senior Planner, to present this year's awards. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Zeledon. Good evening, Mayor and members of the City Council. Over the years, recipients have represented a diverse range of residential, commercial, institutional, and public projects. This year, the Historic Preservation Commission accepted five nominations representing two commercial landmark buildings and three residential properties. The first award is a rehabilitation award to the Bank of Italy Building and Bumpstead Bicycles Building. This project transformed two designated local landmarks into a vibrant dining destination, featuring multiple restaurant spaces and outdoor gathering areas. The Bank of Italy was constructed in 1923. Originally constructed as a bank, the building was unified with the Bumpstead Bicycles Building to the east in the 1960s for use as a beauty college. The Bank of Italy building had some minimal alterations over the years, while the Bumpstead Bicycles building had been covered in stucco and plywood. The rehabilitation project restored significant architectural features including historic brickwork, terracotta detailing, and original window openings. At the same time, the building was upgraded with modern amenities, accessibility improvements, and seismic enhancements. The project represents a substantial investment in downtown Ontario and serves as an excellent example of large scale adaptive reuse that preserves historic character and creates new economic activity. The next award is an award of merit for the Bumstead Bicycles Building rooftop unit. This project adapted a previously open air rooftop space into a functional year round dining area while maintaining the building's historic appearance. A lightweight glass enclosure was carefully integrated behind the existing parapet, preserving key visual features while providing weather protection and operational flexibility. The result is a thoughtful balance between historic preservation and contemporary use. Next, an award of merit for 734 East F Street. This project added a new two story accessory structure to a historic single family residential property while maintaining the historic home's visual prominence. The existing historic Craftsman Bungalow features horizontal with siding, hung and fixed multi-pane windows with wide wood trim and attic vents at the gable ends. Located at the rear of the lot, the new addition was designed with compatible architectural elements. The new addition complements the original residence without competing with it. The project demonstrates how new residential developments can be successfully integrated into a historic setting. The next award is an award of merit for the Avenue Boarding House. Constructed in 1884, the Avenue Boarding House is one of Ontario's most significant residential properties and a contributor to the College Park Historic District. The two-story building was originally located at the northwest corner of C Street and Euclid Avenue and was relocated to its current site on Princeton Avenue in 1923 to make way for the Granada Theater. The project introduced a new accessory residential structure at the rear of the property, carefully positioned to preserve a mature coast live oak tree. The design respects the historic character of the site while supporting its continued residential use. The design incorporates compatible elements such as a hipped roof, horizontal siding, and proportioned windows, while remaining clearly subordinate to the historic structure. One particularly noteworthy feature is the reuse of the home's original front door, which still bears its historic Euclid Avenue address of 308 and has been incorporated into the interior of the new structure. And lastly, a rehabilitation award for 712 East H Street. This 1931 Mediterranean bungalow underwent a comprehensive rehabilitation after years of deterioration and incompatible alterations. The project restored many of the home's defining architectural features, removed non-historic additions, and incorporated modern upgrades. Interior improvements, system upgrades, and modest floor plan adjustments were carefully integrated without detracting from the home's architectural integrity. The result is the successful revitalization of a historic resource that might have otherwise been lost. In closing, this year's nominees demonstrate the continued commitment of property owners, designers, and contractors to preserve Ontario's historic resources. Each project shows how historic buildings can remain relevant, functional, and economically productive while retaining the character that contributes to the city of Ontario's unique identity. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Antuna. Mayor, at this point, I would like to call the Planning Commission to join the council here at the Diocese, and I will call down all the award recipients, and Robert, raise your hand, Robert, there will be handing out the certificates, and then we'll do a group picture.

Yeah, I think that the commissioners and the awardees just here, we probably should just stay seated. Perfect, yep. And we'll take that picture from over there to here, because there's so many of us.

Paul, I'd like to say a few things if I could.

Oh, who is that? Yes, Lord. Yes, Lord. That's Debbie Parada is on speaker.

Okay, I just would like to say a few things about, you know, historic preservation is an important part of a city's overall economic development plan. Thank you to our residents that have participated in restoring and maintaining their historic homes, and also thank you to our businesses Thank you to the planning staff for their efforts in helping and guiding citizens into doing this good work. Thank you to the Ontario Heritage Organization for promoting and protecting Ontario homes. Thank you to the Model Colony Room for their role in helping us protecting and promoting our historic structures. And thank you to our accredited Museum of History and Art and all that they do to help us with our history. So thank you to everyone for making history be one of the great things that Ontario is all about.

And I'd just like to add that the bank, the former bank building, Bank of Italy, Bank of America, and it's now the Mule Car, is a favorite restaurant in town, something that we needed downtown. And then upstairs, of course, is the El Balcón, which is a spectacular place to have dinner, as well as I don't really... go a lot to the speakeasy below, if you wanna have a drink, there you go. And then the white, the rehabilitation award, I remember seeing that house, it was dark blue, and it was really a disaster. And that's an amazing transformation, just goes to show you what can happen when someone decides to care about a property, as that was one negative property in the community, outstanding, as well as the rest, I'd like to say, so thank you. So are you ready? Let's have everybody come up.

Can I have the commission join the council? Okay. So I will call up the first recipient, the Rehabilitation Award, Bank of Italy and the Bumpset Bicycles, Alex Brownian. The Award of Merit for the Bumpset Bicycles, Cynthia and Sandra Ayala. Award of Merit, 734 East F Street, Gilbert Kaufman. Award of Merit, Boarding House, Ed and Mary Rivas. The Rehabilitation Award, 712 East H Street, Barry Liu. I don't believe he's present. And these are your 2026 award recipients.

Hey, Rudy, let's get everybody to kind of move this way. Come on, move down this way quite a bit. Yeah, stop right there. Keep moving this way. And position yourselves up here to kind of like be in between. I just want to make it clear that we thank all of you for your great work. Thank you all for the great work that you've done in making Ontario a better place to, what do we say? Live, work, and eat. Those restaurants are great. Just great. Thank you. Okay, we're going to take a couple minute recess. There are some pictures outside. We'll give everybody a chance to stand up and say hello to others. And we'll be right back here right at 7 o'clock on the dot to begin the rest of the meeting. We can all find our seats again. I hope you had time to say hello. We have a pretty heavy agenda tonight, so we've got to get started. So we're going to move on to public comments now. And you're going to be limited to three minutes. For public comments, it's three minutes. And in accordance with state law, you need to have issues that are within our jurisdiction. If you're wishing to speak, you need to be recognized by me first, so nothing from the crowd. No outbursts or clapping. So do we have any email public comments, Madam City Clerk?

Yes, Mr. Mayor, we have emailed comments that have been printed, placed at the dais, and will be entered into the record.

Okay, got it right here. So, I have ten blue cards. Our first speaker is Roxana Garcia.

Good evening, mayor, council, city staff, members of the community. My name is Roxanna Gracia. I'm the district director for assembly member Michelle Rodriguez. And I am here to invite everyone to assembly member Michelle Rodriguez's second annual summer barbecue. It is a celebration you will not want to miss. We will be recognizing four different categories at this event, Veteran of the Year, Woman of the Year, Small Business of the Year, and Teacher of the Year. And Ontario will have a representative from each of those categories being recognized there and of course we'll have free food which will be made by the Chino Valley firefighters and we will have a full resource fair with different community organizations that will be there to provide information, free giveaways and of course our office will also be there with the table to provide information and also offer our services to the community. I always like to plug this that we are here to serve so if you have any issues with the State Department We are here to serve you. Anything that has to do with even outside of State Departments. I know there were some residents here in Ontario that were facing evictions and our office was able to secure emergency funding for rental assistance for these residents here in the City of Ontario. So if we can't help you, we will find the help for you. We are here to serve you. I do have a couple of flyers available if you're interested in attending. The event is on Saturday, June 20th from 11 to 2 p.m. It's going to be right behind our district office at the little park on the corner of 6th Street. And we would love to see all of you there. If you have any questions, please feel free to call us. The number is 909-902-9606. And thank you so much. You have a great evening.

All right, our next speaker is Elizabeth Willis.

Good evening, Mr. Mayor, members of the Council, Mr. Ochoa. My name is Elizabeth Willis. I'm the General Manager of the Chino Basin Water Conservation District, which serves Ontario along with Upland, Montclair, Chino, Chino Hills, and Rancho Cucamonga. And our job, for those of you who might not know, is to recharge our local aquifer, which is the Chino Groundwater Basin, and that supplies about half of the water that you use in your homes every day. And I am here to invite you to two different things. First, we have our Chino Basin 101 bus tour, which is a one day tour that we will be doing on June 25th. We have in the past had the pleasure of hosting Councilwoman Parada, and we would like to invite you, any of the planning commissioners, and any staff to join us at this event. And then also for the community, later in the summer we are doing the Community Water Academy, which is a two evening and one Saturday morning program. where anyone who is interested in water can learn more about how we get our water here in the Chino Basin and how it is stored and how it is retrieved. So please see me if you are interested in this flyer. But we have both the flyer and this invitation dropped off with the city clerk and it is a pleasure to see you again.

Thank you. Our next speaker is Natalie. Tong.

Good evening, Mayor, Council, City Manager, and community members. I just wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. I am the new District Representative for State Senator Susan Rubio's office. I just want to say I look forward to working with all of you and serving the City of Ontario. Thank you.

Thank you. Our next speaker is Ron Price.

Good evening, Mayor and City Council people. I want to take a few minutes to reiterate what the pastor said about our public works, our fire department, and our police departments, and our military, the amount of work and the safety that they provide for our community. The reason I'm here is to emphasize the lack of safety for the street of Euclid. I think it's not a neglected street, but the fact is it's an unsafe street. Speeding, lack of signage. I approached the council last year regarding having crosswalks, and I was told it's a false sense of security. How can you compare crosswalks, false sense of security when you have cars going 50, 60 miles an hour down Euclid with no crosswalks and you have families crossing these streets? I emphasized last year too, maybe possibility of push button alerts to this way, light indicating that there's a pedestrian crossing and make it more safe for them. That's my real reason for being here is the fact that we need to put more emphasis on safety. And I'm not criticizing any particular department. I think it's something that's been long overdue. The city has monitored that street before. And when they did this one traffic trailer indicating that over 1,000 cars had passed through there, 60% of the cars exceeded the speed limit. It's a very unsafe street. I don't know if any of you live right there. If you did, then you know exactly what I'm talking about. Or anybody here in the audience. It's deadly. And God forbid, and I don't want to take his name in vain, that anything tragic happens. Again, that was my main reason for being here. And again, I'd like to thank our military for all the services that they've done, the sacrifices made to us.

One minute remaining.

Thank you very much. That's it to me.

Thank you. Our next speaker is Tina Silva.

Good evening, Mayor, City Council. I'm going to begin with a land acknowledgement because I think it's important. I'd like to acknowledge that we are gathered on the ancestral lands of the Tongva people, the original caretakers of this region. And as a city that values inclusion and community, it's important that we honor not only this history, but also the people who continue to build Ontario today. The second thing that I want to talk about is immigration enforcement in Ontario. I am a legal observer. It's not fun. I wanna tell you that you don't see ICE raids on TV. They're not reported. But they happen monthly, if not weekly, in the city of Ontario. Masked men with no badges, no identification, will not identify themselves, kidnap citizens of Ontario. Back in November, an elderly gentleman, We call him Panchito, was taken on the corner of Mountain and Mission. He's an Elote man, and he's still in Atalanta detention. His health is failing. He's not doing well. Just to give you an example. I didn't prepare anything to speak to you guys about tonight except that, and I thought maybe it'd be better if I just spoke from my heart. I have been involved in legal observing in the city of Montclair as well and have been to the city council meetings in Montclair. Last month we went with our community defense group and had a list of demands pretty much like what I've been asking you all, a community defense fund, an immigrant defense fund, yada, yada, yada. Well, guess what? Montclair put it on their agenda yesterday. City manager did an extensive report on immigration in Montclair. If you have free time, I would suggest you look it up. It is very impressive. So at least we have communication with that city council and they're willing to speak to us. I wish you would do so as well. We're celebrating things like the beautiful ballpark. our country's 250th anniversary, things happening in the city, beautiful outdoor venues in the city. All the while, we're still trying to protect our neighbors. I can't find joy in all of that until this is done, until we get some more support from the city of Ontario. Thank you.

All right, our next speaker is Chris Robles.

Good evening, Mr. Mayor, City Council. My name is Chris Robles. Welcome to June. I have one question. When is the public going to get a discussion about Ontario's $1.65 billion budget, or whatever it's now grown to? Not a consent item. And by the way, there are 25 of those with no discussion or input. I'm talking about an actual discussion. Tonight, once again, there's no budget workshop. I spoke about this a year ago and a year before that. There's no presentation, but we get a presentation about the historic preservation, but nothing about a near $2 billion budget. Other cities hold workshops, study sessions, and public presentations, but not Ontario. What Ontario does is wait to the last minute put out an agenda 24 hours in advance for a special meeting, hold that meeting on either a Friday morning or a Thursday afternoon, not during a regular council meeting, and hold it in a back room out of the view of the public because there's no cameras. The message you're sending to the residents is clear. We don't want your participation. Let's talk about the Ontario Baseball Project as a perfect example of this non-transparency. More than $200 million in public spending and commitments were made and approved at multiple council meetings, all on consent, no presentation, no discussion, nothing from this council. We deserve transparency. We deserve workshops. We deserve presentations. We deserve justifications. And we deserve the opportunity to understand and comment on this budget. So the question is simple. Why does Ontario make presentations about the historic preservation but not about billion dollar budgets? Is it because where I sit, the larger the price tag, the smaller the conversation? A $1.65 billion budget should not be hidden on a Friday afternoon or morning in back rooms and using procedural votes. This is important to the public and important to the residents of Ontario, specifically the taxpayers. If the spending can withstand public scrutiny, then bring it to the sunlight. Thank you.

All right, thank you. Our next speaker is Randy Beckendam.

Good evening, Mayor, Council. I'm Randy Beckendam. I'm a regenerative farmer practicing down in South Ontario. Part of my calling really is to keep the public, keep the council informed on regenerative farming. Six months ago, I recommended that you watch a federal news conference. The federal government was rolling out 700 million pilot program to encourage farmers to get off of chemical use and adopt regenerative methods. They were overwhelmed. The response, they had over 13,000 applications in a matter of days. Farmers want to get off of this chemical superhighway really. So now the government is calling for 50 billion, five zero billion, to put towards regenerative farming. Farmers understand that the cost of the chemicals and all that are killing them, their budget. But more than that, those chemicals kill the microbes in the soil. Regenerative farming uses no inputs No chemicals, no manufactured fertilizer. It produces the healthiest food possible, the most nutrient dense food possible. So we're strong advocates of that. The reason I bring this all to your attention is there's a lot of farmland still in Ontario. And in particular, there's 200 acres that could be converted to regenerative farming. On the agenda tonight, later we'll speak again. The City of Ontario is going to buy 74 acres of Prop 70 land from the county.

One minute remaining.

And that land is not destined to be farming anymore. It's going to end up parkland. What the city should be doing is working with the county to preserve farmland and bring regenerative farming into the city so we can grow healthy fruits and vegetables for the citizens of Ontario. Thank you.

All right, thank you. Our next speaker is Tommy Mushigan.

Just to speak on, you need to save more of the agricultural land in the south part of town. Like I said, you guys are fascinated with development and it's really disgusting because why do you have to keep building so much and build, build? There's not enough traffic already. Well, Mayor, last year on your 460 form, you left out your campaign ID number on every single page. And then under the treasurer, you put Victorville zip code is 91762. And then you misspelled city on page five and six. What were you doing up at the Hamptons Inn up in Solano County? Using your campaign money to go up there and travel? What does that have to do with the city of Ontario way up there? And Ms. Macias, you've got $2,500 campaign contribution from the Ontario Ranch Hotels LLC wants to put another hotel, another micro hotel in our part of town. And that's ridiculous. You've got enough hotels as is. And when is Chino Avenue going to be done between Baker and Ontario Avenue? I went to engineering. I just had to sit there and wait 10 minutes. And then I had to leave. Got to catch a bus. So that's it.

All right, thank you. That ends our public comment portion of the meeting, and I will go into agenda reviews and announcements. Oh, you're right, Kizzy, I'm sorry. We have one more speaker, Kizzy.

Thank you so much, Mayor. I appreciate that, City Council. First, Ms. Garcia, I want to thank her and everyone in this room should know how instrumental she was in pairing me with Assembly Speaker Rodriguez and the erection of gates on the Grove corridor or the 60 corridor from Vineyard down to Euclid. Those gates have been instrumental in keeping unhoused individuals from living back there illegally, as well as to tapping into our water supply and our electricity of adversely affecting some of the individuals that live over there. Most recently, Ontario PD was able to apprehend someone because those gates, the way Assembly Speaker Rodriguez requested them, were so high, it slowed the individual down. they were able to come down one of the cul de sac and had him off thanks to those gates. So ma'am, thank you and please extend our thanks from the residents to Mrs. Rodriguez. With respects to what the gentleman spoke about earlier on Euclid, Euclid is a problem, but I think also we need to put some attention on the pedestrians. Yes, we need to slow down. Maybe all of us speed at some time for whatever reason. But these pedestrians with laws in place that it's legal to cross anywhere or legal to jaywalk, they need to be mindful. So maybe we can put some type of literature out or we can encourage those individuals to take your time. And just because it's legal to jaywalk, don't just go out there because there are people that are exceeding the speed limits. Lastly, the Grove Plaza, you know, that's been something. a passion of mine since we got the gates. I turned my attention over there. I'm happy to let you guys know that I'm now an employee of the owner for the Grove Plaza. So I spend my spare time. Thank you, Mr. Bowman, since I sold my pool of business and I could focus on you. I spend my time over there sometimes doing security, sometimes cleaning up. We have two agreements now for the empty buildings. We have eradicated the drug sales over there with the help of Ontario PD. They're on speed dial. And when they hear Kevin's name, they come up there real quick. So Chief Lopez, Sergeant and Officer Gerber. Thank you guys. Valens, I'm sorry, I'm screwing your name up. But thank you guys because you get up there fast. Most recently, we've got striping done. A lot of individuals are now shopping over there. The foot track is a lot greater, and we're hoping to get a farmer's market. So I'm appreciative to everybody that will play a part in that city council for sending code enforcement out there and getting them to put some pressure on that owner. So thank you guys.

Okay, well, thank you. Now, agenda reviews and announcements.

No changes.

Okay, so that moves us on the consent calendar. We'll take matters listed under will be enacted by one motion. There'll be no separate discussion unless a member of the council requests an item to be removed. And we do have blue cards to all of this, a reminder that your comments will be limited to two minutes in consent calendar. And so I will pull item number 16 and item number 22. I don't necessarily have to have a separate vote, but it'd probably just be more convenient to do it that way. So I will entertain a motion. Or anybody else need to pull an item? Move the item as amended. Okay, so moved by Mr. Bowman. I'll second. Second by Ms. Parada.

Mr. Mayor, I'm sorry, just to clarify, is the vote on the entire consent calendar including 16 and 22 or just everything except 16 and 22? I didn't catch what you said, I apologize.

I said everything except 16 and 22. Okay, thank you. Okay, let's take a vote.

We'll do a roll call vote since we have Ms. Parada.

Oh, because of Debbie, we have to have a roll call vote. Yes.

Mayor Leon?

Yes.

Mayor Pro Tem Wapner? Yes. Council Member Bowman? Yes. Council Member Parada?

Yes.

Council Member Macias?

Yes.

Carries 5-0.

Okay, so the consent calendar passes minus the two that I pulled. I wanted to discuss a little bit and give some clarity to the crossing guards, given that we're talking about Euclid and all this kind of stuff. When this comes to the school districts, a lot of times over the years, we've been criticized for lack of participation. the crossing guards, but I just wanted to point it out to the public that we're like 5 million in to this item here is, increasing it by $1,758,000. We do care about our kids. We do care about them being safely crossing the street. The school districts participation, I think they do the studies to find out, is that correct Scott? They do the studies to find out where we need the crossing guards. And so we do spend quite a bit of money to make sure that our kids are safely crossing the streets. Anybody else like to talk about this item before we take a vote? Yes.

I would just like to echo all those same sentiments and um, uh, the partnership that we have with honesty in regards to the crossing guards. Um, and I think that it's a very important thing that we do because we all want our children getting to school and coming back home safely. So I'm glad that we do it.

Okay.

Ms. Wagner. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. No, I agree with my colleagues. Obviously, we care about the safety of our kids, but we also have to keep in mind the fact that the school districts are the ones responsible for taking care of these kids from the time they leave their house to the time they get to school. In a lot of cities, or most cities, the school districts pay for the crossing guards. In this case, we do it because nobody else is stepping up to do it, and that's our job, is to make sure we maintain public safety. Obviously, I support the project, but I just want to make sure people are understanding why we're doing it.

So, I'll go ahead and take a voice vote on item number 16.

Mayor Leon? Yes. Mayor Pro Tem Wapner? Yes. Council Member Bowman? Yes. Council Member Parada? Yes. Council Member Macias? Yes. Item passes 5-0.

Okay, thank you. That moves us to item number 22, and one of the reasons I pulled it, because there's a lot of people here who want to speak to it, but also... we have come to a conclusion, at least before the vote, I should say, I've come to a conclusion that what we are recommending is a good thing for the park, that we put the baseball diamond back in action. Certainly we can't rebuild the stadium as it was, but we can put the field back in action so that kids can use it. Well, don't clap yet because the vote hasn't been taken. So I'll go ahead and I will begin the public comment. You have two minutes. Carlos Lora.

Good evening, Mayor, City Council members, City Attorney and City Manager. My name is Carlos Lora. I'm here today as a co-master of your Ontario PAC 204, as an Ontario resident who cares deeply about our community and as a baseball dad. I'm asking you to vote to reopen the Jay Littleton field. As a club leader, I have the privilege to help shape kids by teaching them the scout oath and the scout law, lessons about character, service, leadership, and doing your best. Baseball does those same things. Coaches, volunteers, parents pour into those teens, teaching them perseverance, how to overcome challenges, how to work together, basically teaching them teamwork makes the dream work. At the last meeting, I listened carefully to both sides. One comment stuck out to me. Daisy Mencius mentioned that the 4th and Grove feels neglected and underappreciated, and I agree. That's why I laid out a vision Pac-204 has already started investing in that area. Recently this year, we launched our community campfire.

One minute remaining.

The goal is simple, bring people together, create memories and remind everyone that this is a place where families can gather and connect and have fun. Also, I take this personally, my son is on the autism spectrum and recently completed his first season of baseball. I witnessed firsthand the impact a program like this baseball can have on a child. The excitement of receiving their uniform, taking their team photo, stepping onto the field for the first game. Those memories were priceless. I ask that you reopen Jay Littleton Field so more families can experience those moments, more kids can build confidence, and more dreams can come from being on that baseball field. I also want to thank Council Member Debbie Parada for showing her support on our first campfire night. Thank you for your time and your consideration. Thank you.

Okay, thank you. Our next speaker is Tina Silva.

I'm not sure why I'm up here again, except I want to say that I think it's important that our kids and adults have a place to go to play ball. We have too many kids with electronic devices. Heck, we have too many adults with electronic devices in their face all day long. I think it's important and it sounds like you're gonna vote to reopen tonight. So I guess I'll just wait and see. Thank you.

Our next speaker is Ken Brathwaite.

Mr. Mayor. Members on the dais, my name is Ken Braithwaite. I'm the volunteer district umpire and chief for District 23 Little League. District 23 Little League is hosting the state tournament for the senior division this year in Upland. But a new Jay Littleton ballpark would allow the district to host those tournaments at 4th and Grove at a better field and a facility, hosting players and families from all over the western United States, families who will spend money in Ontario. But more importantly, the kids will get to play on a great field full of history played on by baseball royalty. I hope you'll move forward to resume baseball as soon as possible and allow the next generation of young ballplayers to create new baseball history. Thank you.

Thank you. Our next speaker is Chris Robles.

Good evening, Mr. Mayor, City Council. Well, it looks like tonight will be a victory for the people of Ontario. For nearly two and a half years, I've stood at this lectern asking you to reopen Jay Littleton Ballpark and let kids play ball again. For nearly two and a half years, those requests were ignored. Two years after the historic grandstand burned down and the public finally got a response, not a plan to restore baseball, not a plan to reopen the field, but a proposal to replace one of Ontario's most historic landmarks with a splash pad. Several members of this council appeared ready to move forward with that. That proposal woke up the community. Families, preservationists, baseball enthusiasts, members of the Littleton family, and ordinary residents spoke up. And they demanded that this city save the ballpark instead of erasing it.

One minute remaining.

And today, after years of public pressure, public comments, media coverage, and community organizing, we finally are discussing reopening the field. I welcome that, but let's also remember how we got here. In December of 2024, I was here when staff brought forward repairs that included replacing the deteriorated outfield netting and Councilman Wapner pulled it. the reason to have a full discussion about the issue. But two months later, there was a special meeting called and three of you didn't bother to show up. Now because there's a mayoral campaign approaching in November, we're starting to hear a different tune. I'm glad that Councilman Wapner has joined the public's support for this and changed his position. And I'm glad that the city is finally moving forward and reopening this ballpark It happened because residents led, not because of leadership at this council. It happened because people refused to let this issue disappear. And it happened because the public would not accept turning historic baseball field into a splash pad. Thank you.

Thank you. Our next speaker is Gary Littleton. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council.

It's an exciting night for me. I passed out some brochures to each and every one of you I had put out about the reconstruction of the ballpark, what I originally had planned and sent out to you. Hopefully you've all gotten that. I'd love it if you'd really take a time and read through that. I think if you see some of those articles that are written about the ballpark and the existing of how the ballpark looked originally, It looked like Jay Littleton filled the original pictures, and it built up to really just be a really good representation of that. They have concession stands that are outside of the bleachers. That could be because I know we were talking about the splash pads and having concession stands and around what we can do. I can see that being a very viable source to the city as well. The construction of this ballpark, and I know we're talking about temporary right now to just get things going. Thank you, Mr. Walkner, for supporting that. And I think we all have times that we can reflect on things and give us some more consideration and more prayer about it. One minute remaining. And come up with a decision on it. And I thank you for all, if you had that involvement in that way, and thank you for doing such. And I appreciate Ken getting up here and talking about getting baseball going. I know we all want to get baseball going, and I know I've heard rumors about what we're going to be doing right now. But with that all put inside, the whole future of this, I hope to have a ballpark rebuilt to where we can be as a community gathered in a way to where we'd be sheltered and protected and be able to watch our kids play baseball again. I appreciate each and every one of you and your support of this matter. And I thank you for allowing me and my family to be able to be part of it. Thank you.

All right, thank you. Our next speaker is Rudy Gomez.

Please excuse me, it's my first time here ever. Mr. Mayor, council members, thank you. I grew up in Ontario. I was born in San Antonio Hospital in 1951. For the rest of my life, I grew up in Ontario. I knew John Galvin Park, the whole park, where Grove Street, Grove did not go south of the park. Many memories are here. I'm 74 years old. My brothers and I, we played at John Galvin Park. And please, the Littleton family, forgive me, but this is when I grew up. My brothers and myself played at John Galvin Park. My sons played at John Galvin Park. My grandson played at John Galvin Park. From the 60s, 1960s, to 2018, our family played there. It's historical. It's a beautiful ballpark.

And I can go on and on.

At the beginning of the meeting, we saw some historical buildings. I'd like to see John Gallon Park as a historical site and for a place for kids to play. And the community can ask for John Gallon Park to let the travel baseball teams play there also. It's for everybody, especially our kids in Ontario. Thank you.

Okay, thank you. Our next speaker is Randy Beckendam.

Good evening again. I thought I would come and tell this story in support of the ballpark and I wish my story was positive like the one we just heard with positive generational activity. Two weeks ago we had hay stolen from our farm. We caught the truck on camera but we couldn't read the license plate. Two days ago that same truck came back to steal more hay. We were able to confront it and there was a father and 15 year old son about to steal hay. Our loss of hay is nothing compared to the harm being done to that 15 year old son. And I thought, you know, can we get families like that involved in positive activities? So I applaud you on opening the ballpark. We desperately need healthy family oriented activities. Amy's farm had all kinds of volunteer opportunities for families and youth.

One minute remaining.

You could volunteer or take free food home. We can't do too much for our children, so thank you for this. And let's pray that families will get on the right track with their children.

Our next speaker is Joe Blitstra.

Hi, thank you. I'm Joe Fleetser. I'm with Ontario Rotary. We have the Rotary Scout House. And I thank you for preserving the ball field as is, or as it will be. But two questions when I looked at the item. For minimal, does that include the electricity for the lights? And the reason I ask is the electricity for the parking lot light in front of the Scout House is tied to the ball field. So when we were asking the city parks to look at that, they said they can't fix that light until the baseball field electrical is done. So just wanted to know if that was in the scope for this proposed minimal transaction. Two, when I also read the description, the 3500 came up. That was a news that it keeps on popping up and we keep on trying to kill it. There was never 3,500 people in that park. That was a newspaper article. You're only off by a factor of three. So thank you.

One minute remaining.

Just interesting if minimal includes electricity.

Mr. City Manager, do you have somebody that can speak with him? Sure, Mr. Hess can speak with him about the scope of the project. Okay, thank you. Our next speaker is Kizzee.

Thank you, Your Honor. To the umpire's point, I was a child that came from Los Angeles to play in DeVore at the Western Regionals, and I remember the euphoric feeling as a child on that field. I never had the opportunity to play at Jay Littleton, but I did go to that park and knew the history. So I implore the City Council to find a way to fix it. Ironically, we had Executive Director Zeledon speak regarding the rehabilitative nature of Bank of Italy. Specifically, it's noted the project preserved and restored significant historic features, including glazed, terracotta detailing, original bridge work, arched window openings, and historic storefront configurations. Please excuse me, I'm old and don't have my glasses. That being said, it was done with that building. We all know the importance of B of A and its history with Bank of Italy and how it still stands today. The importance of that building in Ontario and what it went on to become and what has been housed there. I think the same principle should be applied to Jay Littleton and I implore you guys to vote that way. Thank you so much.

All right, thank you. So that is all of our speakers. I'll entertain a motion or a conversation from council.

I'd like to make a comment.

Yes.

Am I up?

Yes, Lord.

Oh, goodness. Okay, so. I hear we have a packed house here there tonight. So thank you everybody for coming. Truly appreciate it. While this field will not be rebuilt exactly as it existed before, we are bringing baseball back or I want to bring baseball back to this historic location. Then creating a facility that can serve the pony leagues and the older kids is what this new field will do. And as we move forward, I'd like to ask staff to continue working with the various leagues to better understand the boundary requirements because I was researching some of this. You've got boundary issues, Pony League, this league, that league, and I don't quite understand that all because we want this field to be utilized. It has not really been used enough due to various reasons over the past years, but when it's up and running, we need it to be used. I know affordability is always a big thing, so if we could please

work with these teams and keep the fees reasonable.

That would be one of my hopes. So Jay Lipson has a long history in our community, and I'm excited for the future generations of young ballplayers. And once again, we'll have an opportunity to play there. I'm glad the scout house is going to stay intact. And just thank you again for everybody coming tonight.

CHRIS JERRAMSEN. OK, and I'd like to say, I would just think that if there are kids, there is, there are no fees, you know, like every other park. So anybody else? All right, then I would just like to say one thing. One of our speakers said that we ignored the conversation. I never felt like any of us ignored the conversation. We were going through the conversation. There are a lot of things to talk about, a lot of decisions to be made. And so it's not something that you quickly do, otherwise you could make a mistake. We took time, but it takes time to make wise decisions. We're here. So I'll entertain a motion.

I'll make a motion.

Okay, so it's moved by Mr. Bowman, second by Ms. Parada, and we gotta do the vocal vote.

Just to clarify the motion for the record, Mr. Mayor, this is to follow staff's recommendation as presented in the staff report.

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

Okay.

Mayor Leon?

Yes.

I'm sorry, Mayor Pro Tem Wapner?

Yes.

Council Member Bowman?

Yes.

Council Member Parada?

Yes.

Council Member Macias?

Yes.

Carries 5-0. All right. Mr. Mayor, I apologize for interrupting again. I know you don't like this. But speaking of motions, I believe that we missed the maker of the motion and the second on item number 16. I wanted to double check with the clerks to confirm that.

Yes, Mr. Mayor, I missed that motion for item number 16. Yeah.

So the motion was to approve. Yes. As presented. We just need a maker and a second for the minutes, Mr. Mayor.

So, I thought Debbie's second.

We did that. Yeah, it went by us too fast. It was pretty noisy, that's why. Ms. Parada, I apologize. It was noisy. So Debbie made the first, okay. Do you got it?

So just to confirm, moved by the Mayor, second by Council Member Parada. Thank you.

Thank you. Exactly what we needed. Thank you, sir. Okay.

All right, that takes us to public hearings. Item number 26, Madam City Clerk.

Thank you. This is a public hearing to consider an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Ontario, California, recommending City Council approve file number PDA25-004, a development agreement between the City of Ontario and SLVLC Center, LC, and how... LCC Center, LLC Strack Farms, and LLC RHB, Edison Avenue LLC, and E, I'm sorry, FPC Holdings Farms. at 938 LLC to establish the terms and conditions associated with the conditions associated with tentative parcel map number 20779 file number PMTT25-007 located on the northwest corner of Hamner Avenue and Ladybug Paseo within planning area of the Rich Haven specific plan. Notice of public hearing has been given. Affidavits of compliance are on file and we have no written communications.

Okay, so I'll open the public hearing and let the record reflect any written comments. None? So I'll now close the public hearing and entertain a motion or discussion from council.

I would just like to say that's a lot of LLCs, and I don't know who's doing what or what's doing who, but that's a lot of LLCs.

I'll move the item.

So it's moved by Mayor Pro Tem, second by Mr. Bowman. We'll take a verbal vote. Thank you.

Mayor Leon?

Yes.

Mayor Pro Tem Wapner?

Yes.

Council Member Bowman?

Yes.

Council Member Parada?

Yes.

Council Member Macias? Item carries 5-0.

Well, she's not here.

Oh, a 4-0, I'm sorry.

Okay.

Thank you.

Yeah, she's absent, so. Okay, let's take this to item... So this is a time and place for a public hearing to inquire about and consider the formation of CFD number 77, the resort at Ontario Ranch facilities, and the levy of special taxes therein. Madam City Clerk has notice of this hearing been given in accordance with the Melrose Act. And do we have any written protests that have been received? Okay, the public hearing is now officially open and we will receive and hear any comments, questions, or protests. Are there any persons wishing to speak on the matter? I don't see anybody.

Mr. Mayor, I need to have the clerk's response to your question in the record. I didn't hear it, I apologize.

She went like this. Okay, so the written, do we have any written protests that have been received?

No, notice of public hearing was duly given according to the Melrose Act and there are no written communications. Thank you, sir.

The public hearing is now officially open and we will receive and hear any comments, questions or protests. Are there any persons wishing to speak on the matter? Yes. Yeah, you just decide, you're supposed to fill out a slip before we get to it, but that's okay, come on, come on up, come on up, we'll hear you out. In the future, if you wanna speak to any item, you fill out a blue card and give it to the city clerk.

I did that for another item, but I didn't realize that I needed to do it for each one. Good evening, Council and Mayor. I just want to make a comment about the nature of our agenda this evening and the incredible amount of information that is provided last minute to the residents of the city who are interested enough to read it.

Just a moment. If you're going to have a comment, it's got to be about this issue.

Okay. This issue in particular is enormous. Thank you, ma'am. It's absolutely enormous and it is only one of several on this agenda. Okay? That's okay. All right. Yeah, for the average resident to receive this packet on Friday and just this one item with all of its addenda, all of its parts, all of the different entities that are involved with it, it's a lot. And it speaks to the council's lack of transparency, the city's lack of transparency to its residents. When we have issues this big and this important, it's only fair to the residents to be duly informed, not by simply publishing notice of a public hearing in whatever publication the city chooses to use, but to actually allow the public an opportunity to learn more about these items and comment on them knowledgeably before the council makes decisions. Thank you.

All right, thank you. So, Madam City Clerk has a report regarding the public facilities and or services to be provided for and within the CFD been received. Do you have received a copy of such report?

is made part of the record of this public hearing. Additionally, the County of San Bernardino Registrar of Voters has certified that there are no registered voters within the territory.

Okay, so thank you, Madam City Clerk. At this time, we will close the public hearing and the City Council will now consider action items A, B, and C. Madam City Clerk.

Item A is a resolution of the City Council of the City of Ontario, California, a formation of the City of Ontario Community Facilities District number 7-7. The report on such, I'm sorry, resort, of an Ontario ranch facilities proposition that the community facilities district be authorized to levy a special tax and proposing that an appropriations limit of the community facilities district be established. Item B, the resolution of the City Council of the City of Ontario, California deeming it necessary for the district to incur bonded indebtedness within community facilities, District Number 7-7, the Resort at Ontario Ranch Facilities, and action item C, a resolution of the City Council of the City of Ontario, California, calling a special elections for City of Ontario Community Facilities, District Number 7-7, the Resort at Ontario Ranch Facilities.

Okay, so do I have a motion to approve action items A, B, and C? Moved by Mr.

I'll make that motion.

Actually, the motion was made by Mr. Bowman, second by Ms. Macias. Got that? Okay, so we'll have a roll call vote.

Thank you. Mayor Leon?

Yes.

Mayor Pro Tem Wapner? Yes. Council Member Bowman?

Yes.

Council Member Parada?

Yes.

Council Member Macias?

Yes.

Okay.

Carries 5-0.

So at this time, I ask the city clerk to open the ballots and announce the results of the election.

They are all in favor, sir.

Okay, so I want to thank you. The City Council will now consider action items D, E, F, and G. Madam City Clerk.

Thank you. Item D, a resolution of the City Council of the City of Ontario, California, declaring results of the special election and directing a recording of a notice of official tax lien. I'm sorry, special tax lien. Items E. An introduction of an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Ontario, California, levying a special tax within the City of Ontario Community Facilities District number 77, the report of Ontario Ranch Facilities. An item F, a resolution of the City Council of the City of Ontario, California, authorizing the execution and delivery of an acquisition a funding agreement with SI Ontario Development Company, LLC, and Actions G, a special resolution of the City Council of the City of Ontario, California, making a declaration of official intent to reimburse facilities expenses with bond facilities and related actions.

Okay, so do I have a motion to approve action items D, E, F, and G?

Make that motion.

Okay. Second by Mr. Bowman. So motion by Ms. Parada, second by Mr. Bowman. And so we'll take that vocal vote. Thank you. Mayor Leon? Yes.

Mayor Pro Tem Wapner? Yes. Council Member Bowman?

Yes.

Council Member Parada?

Yes.

Council Member Macias? Yes. Carries 5-0.

Okay, that concludes the proceedings this evening concerning the formation of the CFD. Takes us to item number 28. Madam City Clerk.

Thank you. This is a public hearing to consider adopting a resolution of necessity to acquire by eminent domain a fee sample interest in certain real property located at 1207 and 1217 East Holt Boulevard in the City of Ontario, County of San Bernardino, State of California, and more particularly described as assessor's parcel numbers 0110-061-10 and 0110-061-21 and for the Grove and Holt Housing Project. Notice of public hearing was duly given and affidavits of compliance are on file and we have no written communications

Okay, so at this time, I'll open the public hearing and let the record reflect any written comments. Say there are none.

There are no written comments.

Okay, that's gonna make him happy. So I will call upon our legal counsel, Mark Easter, to explain the nature scope and how the property will be acquired related to the city's purposes.

Good evening, Mayor and members of the City Council. This is a hearing for the City Council to consider adopting a resolution necessity to acquire by eminent domain property located at 1207 and 1217 East Holt for the Grove and Holt Housing Project. To adopt the resolution necessity, the City Council must make the following four findings by at least four out of five votes. First, that the project, the public use and necessity requires the proposed project. Second, that the project is planned in the manner most beneficial to the public with the least private injury. Third, that the real property interests are necessary for the project. And finally, that the offers required by the government code have been made to the property owner. The clerk has already confirmed that the notice of the hearing was given and staff has provided a staff report addressing the findings and staff is available for questions. I'm going to make a few more comments on the staff report and then any interested parties have an opportunity to speak as well as members of the public. then the city council can close the hearing or discuss the matter. Again, it requires at least four out of five votes to adopt a resolution, and the issues to be discussed are the four findings, not property valuation. The property owner will have an opportunity, if the city council adopts the resolution, the property owner will have an opportunity in the subsequent legal proceedings to make a claim for greater compensation. With respect to the purpose, I'm gonna address three things. Basically, the project, the properties, and the process. And quoting from the staff report in terms of the project, the Grove and Holt housing project is necessary and serves the public interest because it facilitates the development of much needed affordable housing consistent with local and state housing objectives. The state of California continues to experience a severe housing and affordability crisis. resulting in a critical shortage of housing opportunities for low income households. Pursuant to the city's adopted housing element and regional housing needs allocation, the city is required to facilitate the development of 20,854 housing units, including 8,926 units affordable to lower income households to accommodate projected population growth and existing housing needs. This proposed project will provide new affordable housing units that directly further the city's housing production goals and commitment to expanding the availability of affordable housing. The project will deliver substantial public benefits by increasing the supply of affordable housing in a strategic corridor with access to public transportation, employment opportunities, commercial services and other community amenities. The project therefore promotes public health, safety and welfare by addressing identified housing needs, supporting economic stability, reducing housing insecurity and advancing the goals and policies of the city's housing element and applicable state housing laws. In terms of the properties, there are two properties that are the subject of this resolution, 1207 East Holt and 1217 East Holt. 1207 is a vacant strip of land at the northeast corner of Holt and Grove. And 1217 is the Capri Motel property, immediately adjacent to the vacant land to the east. Those are the two properties. In terms of the process, back in January, January 30th, The city sent out what's called a notice of decision to appraise to both property owners, and then we had appraisals done. In March, the city council approved those appraisals, and on March 20th, offers were made to both property owners. To the vacant land at 1207 East Holt, it was an offer in the amount of $1,903,000. In May, that property owner contacted us and made a counter offer and we accepted a deal slightly higher than that, $1,950,000 based on their own appraisal. So we approved that deal because it was very close to our offer. We just yesterday received a signed purchase and sale agreement by the property owner on that one. We're going forward with the resolution necessity hearing just in case there are problems closing escrow so we have the backup of having to use them in a domain proceedings if necessary. But at least as of today, we have a signed deal and can go into escrow on that property. On the Capri Motel, likewise, that's 1217 East Holt, we sent them a notice of decision to appraise. We made an offer based on approved appraisal for 6.5 million, and that property owner did not respond to our notice of decision appraise, did not respond to the offer, and when we gave notice of this hearing on May 15th, that property owner has not responded. I'm not sure why. It may be that they decided to not fight the right to take and just seek greater compensation in the eminent domain proceedings. Essentially, it sums up what the project is, the properties involved, and what the process has been so far. If the city council chooses to adopt the resolution, at least on the Capri Motel, the next steps would be that we file eminent domain proceedings, make a deposit of just compensation for the appraised amount, and then seek pre-judgment possession of the motel so that we can start the housing project. I'm happy to answer any questions. That's essentially the process so far and what the process would be if the council adopts the resolution.

Okay, so thank you. Anybody have any questions you'd like to ask? I'd like to just say something that... The Capri Motel has been there, once again, forever. And it's been an eyesore and a blight for many years. I remember even back when I first came to town back in the mid 1970s, it wasn't that pretty back then. So we are actually acquiring it to put up what you've been hearing is called affordable housing. I don't like that word, affordable housing, because it has a stigma attached to it. I like it to be called workforce housing because people who work in our community will be able to afford to live in their own home or apartment. You might say, well, how great is that? Well, it's greater than not being able to afford to live in this city. Workforce housing people who are starting in the workforce, and I'll go back to me. When I left the military and I ended up in town, I was working at Vons for $6.40 an hour. But with my GI Bill and an 8% loan, I was able to buy a $44,000 home. You can't do that today. So there has to be assistance from a community that cares to say affordable housing and stigmatize the development as if we are letting in people who don't deserve our, that's crazy. This is workforce housing and I'm all for it. With that being said, yes, sir, Mr. Bowman.

I would just like to add also that this particular piece of property, although it has a lot of history, the history is most likely not the most favorable that we would like to see in the city. It has required over the years a significant resource response in our emergency side of the city, both in police and fire. So it's time. It's time to do the deed and take the property.

And then what happens to us is... Mr. Mayor, I'm sorry. I hesitate to interrupt you. I just want to point out something. So you have a public hearing opened. You've taken a staff report. I don't believe there are any written comments. I don't know whether there are any cards to speak. But at this point, if the council is going to deliberate this item, I would respectfully recommend you close the public hearing and then engage and continue the discussion that you and Councilmember Bowman have started. Thank you.

All right, thank you. So we close the public hearing, and you've already heard what we have to say. But I would also like to just add that there are people in town believe that your city leaders like us should be able to do something about these blighted properties. And there are others in town. We're limited on how we can do that and the use that we are taking these properties for. Can't just do it. Yes, sir?

So, Mr. Mayor, I'm sorry, the public hearing's closed. Not that it's not an important point. If you could reopen the public hearing, and sir, if you could come to the podium so that we can get your comments in the record. This would be important if this ever gets litigated. Is the address, I'm sorry, Mr. Mayor. There's a comment from the, I'll just do it, so it's in the record. There's a comment from the gallery that we might have the address listed wrong. Could you please address that, Mr. Easter?

As far as I know, the address is correct and that's the property 1207 where we have a deal.

And we've been dealing with the owners of the properties at those addresses, sir. So I'll, Mr. Mayor, I'm sorry. Yeah, I'll do.

We can't have this conversation going on right now. Thank you.

The weight of law.

Thank you. Okay. So thank you. Well, thank you. Okay. So the discussion, the public hearing is over. We've had a discussion. I'll entertain a motion. Motion by Ms. Macias to approve. Second? Second. Second by Mr. Bowman. We'll now begin our roll call vote.

Thank you. Mayor Leon.

Yes.

Mayor Pro Tem Wapner.

Yes.

Council Member Bowman. Yes. Council Member Parada.

Yes.

Council Member Macias.

Yes.

Carries 5-0.

Okay. All right. So that takes us to item number 25, Madam City Clerk.

29.

What did I say? I said 25. Oh, okay. Let's go backwards. Item 29.

This is a public hearing to receive and respond to public comments on the draft 2025 urban water management plan, draft water shortage contingency plan, and resolution adopting the 2025 urban water management plan and water shortage consistency plan. Notice of public hearing has been given. Affidavits of compliance are on file and there are no written communications.

Okay, so at this time I'll open the public hearing and let the record reflect any written comments.

There are no written comments.

Thank you. And I will now close the public hearing and entertain a motion or discussion on the item. Motion. Move the item. Moved by Mr. Bowman.

Second.

Second by Ms. Parada. And so we'll begin our roll call vote.

Mayor Leon? Yes. Mayor Pro Tem Wapner? Yes. Council Member Bowman?

Yes.

Council Member Parada? Council Member Macias? Yes. Carries 5-0.

All right, that moves us to item number 30. And Madam City Clerk?

Thank you. This is a purchase and sale agreement by and between the City of Ontario and San Bernardino County.

Okay. I'll entertain a motion or discussion on the item. Actually, no. There are quite a few blue slips written to this item. So the first thing we'll do is we'll call up Tina Silva. You have two minutes.

I'm gonna start putting my card in after everybody. Good evening again. You know, when voters approved Prop 70 back in the 80s, they understood that this land would be preserved for public benefit and open space at a time when Ontario has already lost roughly 90% of agricultural land. Selling these acres for commercial development moves us even further away from that promise. Ontario was founded as an agricultural colony In the early and mid 20th century, tens of thousands of acres of the city were devoted to farmland. Today, only about 10% of the city's land area remain designated as important farmland. Every remaining acre that we have is very important to preserve the history of our city. We just had a model colony awards. I love one of the reasons why I love living in Ontario is because we respect our historical part of our city, just like the farmland should be protected and restored and used and to feed people. If you haven't been to Farmer Randy's farm, I suggest you all go and take a look. Once the Prop 70 restriction is removed, it's gone forever. Replacement land is not the same as preserving this land. A future park does not replace protected land that exists today. Ontario residents deserve both the Grand Park and the Prop 70 preserve. Please delay this plan until one can be brought up to preserve Prop 70 land. Thank you.

Thank you. Next speaker is Marnie McBride.

Good evening again. I'm here tonight to talk about the purchase of Prop 70 land at Bondview and Eucalyptus. There are dozens of reasons why this council should vote no on this item, but I'm only going to mention a few. The city is proposing to spend $95 million to purchase 73 acres of Prop 70 land, and that's a cost of $1.3 million per acre, which is an outrageous price. And quite frankly, our protected lands are priceless. We shouldn't be selling them or buying them at any price. Preservation means preservation. No question. Voters approved Prop 70 to protect the land, not to sell or trade one parcel for another. The public was promised permanent protection under Prop 70. Grant Park and Prop 70 Preserve are two different projects, different and distinct. Ontario deserves both and this does not have to be an either or choice by this council. I respectfully request that the council slow down on this project and work to ensure transparency with the public before approving any further transaction regarding Prop 70 land. Ontario residents deserve no less, thank you.

Thank you. Next speaker, Chris Robles.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem and city council members. I urge you to reject this item. This land was acquired using Prop 70 funds to preserve agricultural land and open space for future generations. Tonight you're being asked to approve a transaction that removes those protections from this property. I support parks. I support the Grand Park. But the Grand Park and Prop 70 preserve are two different projects. As has been said, Ontario deserves both and not one or the other. You're actually ripping off Ontario taxpayers who already own the 74 acres. You and the county are now trying to consolidate all of this land with the park. We know why. It's to commercialize the protected land. The city should not have to remove protections from existing preserved land in order to create a new park somewhere else. Replacement land is not the same as preserved land. The public was promised that this land would be protected. Once the Prop 70 restrictions are removed, it's game over. They're gone. I'm also concerned that the conservation easements and the future preservation measures are still being promised rather than fully completed. Why should protections be removed today based on promises that may occur tomorrow? Before spending $95 million of public funds, the city should provide greater transparency, stronger guarantees, and a clear explanation of why this protected land cannot remain protected. I'm asking you to please reject this transaction and preserve the Prop 70 land as the voters intended.

Randy Beckendale.

Good evening again, Mayor. I'm Randy Beckendam. I'm executive director of the Southern California Agricultural Land Foundation, which was formed to manage the Prop 70 lands almost 38 years ago. The first executive director of the nonprofit, Mr. Chuck Hale, was city manager of Vista. He was recruited to manage the Prop 70 lands. And he came into his position with a vision of Beyond Dairies. He said that right up front. He knew in the future the dairies would have to move out. And so from the beginning, there's been this vision for Beyond Dairies. The Prop 70 lands are supposed to be conserved for agriculture. The spirit of Prop 70, 1988, was to preserve open space in danger of development.

One minute remaining.

If you go down to where this 74 acres is, it's a corridor of open space in the midst of these monoliths. Imagine 20 acres under one roof, and there's multiple warehouses down there of that size. This provides a corridor between up here and the Chino Airport. It's an important visual, even, to have that open space preserved as a break to those warehouses. But it's ideally suited to be repurposed as regenerative farming, as I spoke to earlier. So I urge you to rethink all of this. Give us preserved farmland and the Grand Park.

Our next speaker is Karen May.

Good evening, Council, Mayor. Happy Election Day. We're here, you know, celebrating our civic engagement, and I hope everybody got their vote in before 8 o'clock. I'm in my canvassing gear, so apologies for being a little bit disheveled because I was knocking doors all day. But my name is Karen May, I live just a few blocks away. And I really want to speak in strong opposition to the proposed transfer and sale of the 73 acre property located at the northwest corner of Merrill Avenue and Bonview Avenue in Ontario. And I want to clearly state for the public record that I oppose this transaction because I believe it violates both the intent and the requirements of Prep 70 and the public trust obligations associated with land acquired for conservation, agricultural, park, and open space purposes. I want to make sure that that's in the record because I do genuinely believe that this transaction is violating the spirit of Prop 70. This has been very much sort of a shill game and I think it's really important for the audience to understand what's going on here sort of under the table and sort of the musical chairs with this property. We do not want Prop 70 designation in Grand Park, okay? That is not the intent of Prop 70. The intent of Prop 70 was to preserve agricultural land for, and I believe for regenerative farming. that would increase our ability to feed our population with good, wholesome food. And it's not the same thing as putting a demonstration plot in the park. And that should not be designated as Prop 70. That would be losing preserved land. That would violate the intent of the Prop 70. And I want to make it very clear what's going on here. So please come talk to me.

All right, our next speaker is Joaquin. Hold off with the applause until afterwards. It'll be fine. Joaquin Castillejos.

GOOD EVENING MAYOR AND COUNCIL, MY NAME IS JOAQUIN CASTILLO REPRESENTING CCAJ AND I'M SPEAKING IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED TRANSFER AND SALE OF THE APPROXIMATELY 73 ACRE DAIRY PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER, SOUTHWEST CORNER OF MERRELL, NORTHWEST CORNER OF MERRELL AVENUE AND BONVIEW AVENUE IN ONTARIO. I want to clearly state for the public record that I oppose this transaction because I believe it violates both the intent and requirements of Prop 70 and public trust obligations associated with land acquired for conservation, agricultural park, and open space purposes. The property being sold is currently operating as a dairy farm and cultivated agricultural land. The purchase agreement itself acknowledges that the property consists of active dairy operations, row crop cultivation, agricultural improvements, irrigation facilities, wells, livestock related infrastructure, and farming operations. Prop 70 was intended to protect public conservation lands and ensure that lands acquired with public bond funds are not simply converted into revenue generating real estate transactions. The voters approve these protections to preserve open space, agricultural resources, and public recreation opportunities for future generations. While this transaction may technically seek approval through appraisal and administrative processes, compliance and procedural requirements does not automatically satisfy the underlying purpose of the law. As a practical matter, it is difficult to understand how this parcel meaningfully advances the city's stated vision for a future Grand Park. I'm also concerned about the permanent loss of productive agricultural land. California continues to lose farmland at an alarming rate due to urban expansion and warehouse development. The proposed purchase price of $95 million further underscores economic development pressures surrounding this property. When conservation lands become viewed primarily as real estate assets, the public purpose behind their acquisition is placed at risk. Please oppose this item. Thank you.

Our next speaker is Maricela Contreras.

Buenas noches. Mi nombre es Maricela Contreras y soy comunidad de Ontario.

Un momento, señora. Necesita alguien que traduzca.

Oh, por favor, please. Oh, disculpe. My name is Maricela Contreras. I'm part of the community and I am opposed to the proposal of the sale of the 73 acres within the city of Ontario. So we are all parents here and we are all in search of a better quality of life for our children here. Todos las compañías que se ponen son importantes porque generan trabajo, pero también necesitamos generar vida.

All of the companies are also important. They generate jobs for the community, but we also need to consider the quality of life here.

Que son parques, árboles y comunidades para sembrar nuestros vegetales orgánicos.

And we're also in need of making sure that we have the adequate land to be able to farm our organic vegetables and other things within our community. Muchas gracias. Thank you very much.

Our next speaker is Juan Estela Contreras. Okay, I'm sorry. I'm a mistake. I didn't cross it out. Nancy Del Sol.

Hi, I'm really honored to be here to be able to express and because my community is really important. My name is Nancy Del Sol and I'm part of the community of Ontario. And I oppose the proposal to purchase the 73,000 acres because I believe the land is much more than property to be developed. Land is a living space and sustains life, supports ecosystems, provides habitat for wildlife, and gives our community the opportunity to learn how to grow our own food and to eat food that is from the earth and made with love. I think now that if this changes, we're going to lose a lot our connection with

with community, I think it's going to be a lot of divisions between us.

And I think in the world, we need more spaces like this, especially I moved from LA like five years ago. And one of the things I love about Ontario is the green spaces. That's my favorite part. So keeping that Ontario as a green space and nature more environment, that's what I love. So I just wanted to share that. Thank you.

Thank you. Our next speaker is Claudia Cuevas.

Hola, muy buenas noches, alcalde y concejales.

Mayor and city council members.

My name is Claudia Contreras and I come from... No, Claudia Cuevas. And she comes from her organization CCAE. CCAE. And I'm here regarding the proposition for the 73 acres being acquired within the City of Ontario that's being heard tonight. I'm opposed to the transfer of the property. Porque considero que viola la Proposición 70.

I believe there is a violation with Proposition 70 in doing this.

Socava el propósito que los votantes de California aprobaron. It's against what the residents of California approved. Los fondos de los bonos para la conservación agrícola. The votes were for the conservation of agricultural land. Esta propiedad no es un terreno baldío. This is not empty land. El contrato de compraventa confirma que se trata de un terreno Un terreno lechero y agricola en activo con tierras de cultivo.

The current lands in question, it's actually land that's currently used for agricultural and dairy and cultivating land.

Sistemas de riego, pozos, instalaciones ganaderas y otras mejoras agrícolas.

There's also systems with water, also animal holdings, and other agricultural type of activities at this location.

El contrato también reconoce que la propiedad fue adquirida en virtud de la ley de bonos para la conservación de la fauna silvestre, las zonas costeras y los parques.

And we're also looking at the fact that the properties that were acquired were part of the votes that were done in favor of conservation of fauna and other zones, coastal zones and parks.

Sigue sujeta a una restauración en la escritura que debe eliminarse antes de que pueda llevarse a cabo la venta.

And also there were restrictions regarding being able to eliminate these types of uses within any sale of land.

La intención de los votantes al establecer estas protecciones era... One minute remaining. Preservar los recursos públicos de conservación.

The voters established protections to be able to preserve public land for conservation.

Los espacios verdes y los recursos agrícolas. y no facilitar la conservación, conversión de los terrenos protegidos en una operación inmobiliaria.

And also being able to preserve the open space and agricultural land.

Por estas razones, insto respetuosamente a la Junta a que rechace esta transición.

This is why I am here tonight respectfully opposed to the action before you and not approving the sale of the land.

Preserve esta propiedad con fines agricolas.

and preserve the land with the agricultural uses in space, open space. Also for the conservation and for making sure that she's opposed to the sale of the 70 acres of land.

Okay, thank you. Your time is up and we appreciate everybody's comments. I'll close this portion of the meeting. Sorry, no applause. I'll entertain a motion or discussion on the item from the Council. Mr. Mayor. Yes, Mr. Walker.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. For the City Manager, City Attorney, I just want to confirm the State of California has reviewed this transaction and found it to be consistent and lawful under Prop 70.

That's correct, sir. The State Department of Grants and Local Services, OGALS, blessed the county's land plan that coincides with the Grand Park that ultimately would be facilitated through this acquisition. If the city were to buy these acres for $95 million, those $95 million then carry the restrictions, the color of money for Prop 70. As the county reinvests those dollars, the lands that are acquired with those dollars are then preserved and protected in perpetuity in consistency with the OGAL's land plan.

Okay, is that all? Anybody else? Yeah, I'd just like to remind everybody, okay, so basically what we have going on here is a land swap. And some of you are saying you want it to go into the Great Park, although the Great Park is gonna be an amazing facility for everybody. And we haven't out, you know, said, well, wherever, as he said, where the county purchases the land in the Great Park, we haven't said what they can and cannot do with that. On the other hand, I don't think you're giving us credit as you act like we don't care, but we do. We have currently We have a founder's garden out by the arena, which is a garden that is many acres that is there for you to see what has been here and the vines and the citrus and the other things. But we also have over here Huerta de Valle, which is a park, a farm for people that does all of this stuff, growing plants. product and produce for the people in the community, as well as Seeds of Joy at Munoz Park, which is expandable. We do a lot of things to make sure that we have fresh and easily accessible, I would say produce, but it goes beyond that, just plant life of all kinds for the community. It's not like we don't care, we do care. And I think that there's, Well, anyway, I'll just leave it alone at that. I've kind of explained my thoughts. So I will entertain a motion and a second. Moved by Mr. Bowman.

I'll second.

Second by Mr. Wapner. Debbie, did you have something to say?

No, no, I'll just get a second if nobody else.

Okay, it's been moved and seconded, so we'll have to take a vocal vote. Mayor Leon. Oh, I need my city clerk right now. We're still in a meeting.

There were emails that were submitted.

Well, we understand that. Okay. Go ahead.

Mayor Leon?

Yes.

Mayor Pro Tem Wapner? Yes. Council Member Bowman?

Yes.

Council Member Parada? Yes. Council Member Macias? Yes. Motion carries 5-0.

All right, that's not allowed. That is absolutely not allowed. We have respect for you. Just have respect for the meeting, if nothing else. Okay, so that takes us to staff matters, Mr. City Manager.

Nothing to answer.

I'll move on to council matters. Mr. Watner.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. You know, there have been occasions that the city has expended money for members of the council to attend conferences or other city related business. And for whatever reason, the council member hasn't attended, hasn't gone or has left early. So in my research, Mr. City Manager, Mr. City Attorney, I haven't found any policy on record that would require reimbursement to the city if money's been expended and whatever the intent wasn't fulfilled. So I just request concurrence of the council that you do the research and bring back a proposed or policy. I don't think it has to be in order to propose policy that we can review and discuss. Is there concurrence of the council to do that?

Just want to confirm, Mr. Mayor, that there is a majority of the council who's directing the city manager and city attorney to research and adopt to bring a policy for your consideration with respect to expense reimbursements for travel on city business.

Is that inaccurate?

It sounds like he's saying that if you said you're going and then you don't, then is there a reimbursement to the city for making their arrangements for you?

If money's been expended by the city, that it be reimbursed if, for whatever reason, the council member doesn't attend or they don't attend the sessions at the conference.

Yeah, and that's a conversation we'll have later. It's a matter of we're going to have a conversation. Okay.

So I see a concurrence of the majority of the council to direct the city manager and the city attorney to do that, and we will. Thank you.

Okay. Mr. Bowman? Go ahead. Ms. Macias? Not tonight, sir. Debbie?

No.

I'd just like to ask the chief of police or whoever's here, I am getting very frustrated with e-bikes. And it's even getting crazier because I'm seeing mini bikes, the kind that I used to ride when I was a little kid, on a farm, not on the streets. I'm having... almost accidents with people. I was actually, speaking of Euclid, and a guy on an e-bike didn't even pay attention to the light, just went straight ahead of me. I was far enough back not to hit him, but he just crossed the street without any thoughts about being subject to traffic laws. And I just wanna know, are we enforcing against these people? And I see them going up and down my street on sidewalks, in the wrong direction on the street, absolutely no thought about traffic, and I'm just waiting for the first person to get seriously hurt and then blame us. There's no helmets on these people, often, sometimes, but I think actually it's a burgeoning danger that we're not, I don't know if we're doing anything, so is Rudy here?

I don't see, who's here from the- Captain Carrillo is here with us tonight. This item has come up consistently, Mr. Mayor. Right now, the vehicle code does allow us to do enforcement. We do some enforcement, but as you point out through your comments, there's a great deal of frustration about the ability to actually intercede and either cite or to prevent kids and young people, or anybody really, from doing that. Interestingly, because this is up and down the state of California, the County of San Diego has been able to get special legislation as a pilot program, additional enforcement mechanisms, everything from helmets to additional folks riding on these e-bikes that are able to, through local ordinance, be able to cite and enforce. as opposed to relying on the vehicle code. So we are exploring as to whether or not we might be able to get similar treatment under the law to stem the behaviors that you're describing. And we're working and talking with Chief Lopez just this morning. As a matter of fact, that's what OPD is working on now with our state lobbyists.

Okay, so we thank you for participating in our meeting. Our next regularly scheduled meeting will be on June 16th, 2026. Thank you for being here.