Upland City Officials Under Investigation

In case you were wondering why Upland's City Hall was raided by the FBI, among other agencies, this summer in June - there is an excellent detailed article written in the San Bernardino County Sentinel on what prompted the investigation and what was uncovered. A number of our city officials are implicated and it is sad to see how far reaching the corruption goes. Feel free to leave comments.



https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B4FXv9IMwB4xOThmZDBjYTAtYWVhMS00MzFiLWJjNWQtY2IzNzgxMjRhZTJh&hl=en

At the Planning Commission meeting tonight there was open discussion in regards to drafting a policy on historic stone curb repair, removal and replacement. There were many concerned residents present with apprehensions that the commission would allow for the Public Works department to replace the stone curbs in our neighborhood, specifically along Arrow Highway, with modern concrete curbs that would be half the cost.

Our fears were realized when the Board voted to not create a policy to preserve the stone curbs due to the increased cost, and one Board member remarked on how selfish it was of us to make this request in preserving our historic neighborhood curbs during this economic downturn. The stimulus money has already been allocated for this project - yet many Board members agreed that the money could be used for better purposes elsewhere.

If you are concerned about this - please visit the link below. Pasted below are the details. Please forward this to all that you think might share your concerns and contact the Upland Public Works Department and your local officials.

http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/public-policy/perfect-storm/protecting-places.html

Thank you -

Pleasant View Neighbors Group

Protecting Places in a Stimulus Environment

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Section 106 allows local citizens to participate in planning meetings as consulting parties when federal funding or actions impact historic places.

Will historic properties be subject to existing environmental reviews under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act?

The answer is yes. According to Section 1.6 of the Initial Implementation Guidance for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, "the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and related statutes, including requirements for plans and projects to be reviewed and documented in accordance with those processes."

The National Historic Preservation Act protects the rights and values of private property owners, local officials and citizens across the United States, giving them a place at the table when the actions of federal agencies threaten to affect historic properties. Section 106 of the act provides a process that requires those agencies to "take into account" the effects of their decisions and their projects on historic properties, as well as to work with states, tribes and local communities to seek ways to lessen the effects of those projects.

Section 106 requires a process, not an outcome. The goal is not to save every historic site, but to make sure that they are considered and that their value is weighed against other public values. Section 106 helps to prevent governmental agencies from running roughshod over the rights of citizens, private property owners, and local and tribal governments when it comes to the protection of our history.

Section 106 reviews are divided into four basic steps:

• Identify the project, its location and whether any historical or archeological resources are located within the project area. If the project area has not yet been surveyed for resources, the applicant is responsible for identifying resources.
• The federal agency and state historic preservation office review the findings and determine whether the project will have an effect on identified resources.
• If there is an effect, the two agencies determine whether the effect is adverse, and if so, whether the adverse effect can be avoided, minimized or mitigated.
• If the adverse effects cannot be avoided or minimized, the agencies work with the applicant to create a mitigation package to address the adverse impacts.

For more information on Section 106, please visit the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to readProtecting Historic Properties: A Citizen's Guide to Section 106 Review and their new Q&A briefing paper, Coordination of Section 106 for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Programs and Activities.

http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/public-policy/perfect-storm/protecting-places.html

October Updates

Hello All -

Our group will need to begin meeting again if we want to keep momentum. This weekend - Sunday, November 7th at 3 pm there will be a meeting for the group on the Bike Trail at Washington and 8th. This will be the last meeting before the winter holidays commence. At the meeting we need to vote on a meeting schedule for the new year - quarterly has been suggested. We also need to find a local indoor place to meet when the seasons are too hot or too cold. If you would like to volunteer your home please let us know. We also need to go over the group objectives for the year. A beautification project has been mentioned many times - maybe we can concentrate our efforts there. So bring you ideas, opinions, sense of humor, a neighbor, and goodies to share with the group.

Email pleasantviewneighbors@gmail.com if you have questions.

______NEWS___________________

It's been quite a while since we had an update. But there is some news for our group. As many of you know the City of Upland asked our group for an official letter of request for a crosswalk at the Bike Trail and Campus. Rene Guerrero wanted to include this project in the bid for the improvements to Arrow Highway. Below is a copy of the letter.

Rene Guerrero, Principal Engineer

City of Upland, Public Works Department

Engineering Division

1370 N. Benson Avenue

Upland, CA 91786

RE: Needed Crosswalk at Campus Avenue and Bike Trail

Friday, October 15, 2010

On behalf of the Pleasant View Neighbors Group I am making a formal request for a marked crosswalk, preferably with illuminated traffic signals and warning signs of pedestrian and bicycle crossing, at the intersection of Campus Ave and the Bicycle Trail. This letter complements the oral presentation made by our group at the May 24, 2010 City Council Meeting.

Campus Avenue is a heavily traveled street. Daily many children cross Campus Avenue at the Bicycle Trail on their way too and from school. They range in age from kindergarten age to high school age. Most cross without adult assistance. In addition many adults who use the Bicycle Trail for recreational purposes also cross Campus Avenue.

Campus Avenue is the only heavily traveled North South street between Claremont and Rancho Cucamonga which does not have a marked and controlled crossing at the Bicycle trail. Aside from the risk of injury to a pedestrian crossing Campus Avenue the city is potentially at risk for allowing a dangerous situation to arise.

Please visit our website if you need further information about our involvement with this topic.

Respectfully,

Members of the Pleasant View Neighbors Group

pleasantviewneighbors@gmail.com

http://www.pleasantviewneighbors.blogspot.com

Rene also mentioned that there will be many traffic detours due to the construction on Arrow Highway - so be expecting an influx of traffic down our less travelled streets. I asked if this would give cause to have the city provide additional street lighting down our darker streets to increase safety - if you would like to see this happen please contact him by phone and tell him your concerns. _____________________

Other news in the neighborhood is that there is FINALLY a new owner of the burned down property on Washington Blvd. Code enforcement's Sandi Bare reported that the owner in a construction contractor and is filing all the paperwork for demolition. It's been a long 4 years looking at those remains - let's hope this demo goes according to plan. If you see this person or his crew working at the property - please stop to say hello and thank him for his efforts. Invite him to join our group, or suggest contacting us if he needs volunteer help. _________

Other news is that the Upland Heritage Historic Home Christmas Tour is coming up December 19th. There are probably many volunteer opportunities if you are interested. Or simply save the date and go enjoy the tour yourself. ________________________________

June Updates

On May 24th many members of our group showed up to the Upland city council meeting to introduce our group and our concerns to the officials. The two main concerns that were addressed were the need for a crosswalk on the bike path at Campus, and a plea for the city to step in and get involved with the demolition of the burned down home at 936 Washington Blvd.

If you would like to do something to support the group's campaign

for a crosswalk on the Bike Trail and Campus - please contact

Rene Guerrero rguerrero@ci.upland.ca.us (909) 931-4235 (calling is better)

Ask him when he intends to call for a Street Safety Advisory Committee meeting with City Council members regarding crosswalk. Our group asked for this action to be followed through at the city council meeting earlier this month.

About the burned down house - everyone we have contacted through the city seems to be in agreement that their is nothing that can be done by the powers that be to speed up the demolition of the house. On September 15th, the right of redemption period will be over, where the owner of the foreclosed home has the right to buy back the house. If you have questions regarding this issue please direct them to

Dan Peelman City Attorney Info: Tel: (909) 815-6133.

Also in May our group had a write up story in the Inland Empire Weekly.

Click link to read http://www.ieweekly.com/cms/story/detail/joys_n_the_hood/3227/

We are working on a Contractor Referral page for this site so if you would like to recommend someone that you personally have had a good experience with and who does quality work - please visit the link on the right. Stuff to include:

Company Name, Contractor Name, Contact Info - phone, email, website

Type of Work - Specialty

Price - cheap, fair, expensive

Was estimate given and more or less in end

Length/time of repairs.

Photos of work done if you want

Was work subbed out -

Specialty licensing - historical home experience?

And anything else you want to include

Any complaints

And lastly we are trying to create a co-op of sorts for community/neighborhood shared equipment. Our first and most requested item we are trying to obtain is a community push lawnmower in good condition. Until we can get one donated, many neighbors wrote in that they had a lawnmower that they are happy to lend out if needed. Thank you! So if you need to borrow one please send in an email - (pleasantviewneighbors@gmail.com) & we will send you contact info for who has one to lend. Or if you have something you wish to donate - wheel barrow, edger, hole digger, shovel, compost, hoses, paint, brushes, fencing - please contact us.

We would like to get more contributors to the website, please make comments, add to the contractor referral page, or volunteer to head up a section of the site if you have the time.

May - the Garden Month

The city of Upland is having a Western Landscape Contest that encourages the use of xeriscaping and drought tolerant foliage. Awards of $500, $750 & $1000 for winners. See link below for details if you would like to enter or nominate someone.

http://www.westernlandscapecontest.com/

As for our own little neighborhood group - we would like to have a front yard landscaping contest as well. If you plan to distribute fliers in the neighborhood please send in one to two nominations from the area you distribute in - email in the addresses. Or if you would like to nominate your own front yard or a neighbors that is encouraged as well. If you have photos to share we encourage you to post on our shutterfly account - the link is under

How to Get Involved

Photos and Calendar

As for prizes - we will have to see what our resources are - but winners can definitely expect a high five and a pat on the back - and pride and prestige amongst your neighbors. Maybe you can teach some of us not so green thumbie people what we are doing wrong as well. We will try to get some sort of award together for the winners. We will go over details at next meeting on the 23rd - and put a deadline of the last day of May to enter contest. Winners will be announced at June Meeting.

As for the May meeting coming up on Sunday the 23rd at 5 - 6:30 pm - we will have a xeriscaping workshop to accompany our garden/plant exchange. So if you have something from your garden that seems to thrive and you have extra to give - please dig some up and bring it to the meeting to share/exchange for something new. If you bring something to share please provide name, light conditions you had it in, and watering frequency.

Mark your calendars because we plan to collectively attend the City Council meeting the following night, Monday May 24th at City Hall. The more people that we have to represent our group, the more likely our concerns will be heard.

Fliers for meeting announcements are ready for delivery. Please send in your address if you signed up, and let us know if you will be needing an area map. Two garden contest nomination forms will be included to leave at houses you wish to nominate. Email in the addresses you leave them at, so we can follow up.

Lots of info. Email in if you have questions.

pleasantviewneighbors@gmail.com

Hope to see you at next meeting.

May meeting scheduled one week early.

Our group will meet next on Sunday, May 23rd 5:00 - 6:30 pm.

We made this change to prevent scheduling conflicts with Memorial Day weekend.

Hope to see you there!

3rd Meeting Notes

Meeting: 4/28/10, 5pm Washington & 8^{th Ave}

1. Burned home on Washington
1. Per Code enforcement (Sandi Bare SBare@uplandpd.org) - bank has been given a deadline to tear the property down by May 28, 2010, but enforcement concerned that this will not happen. Also learned that owner (the bank) must replace the property with the same type home
1. What is the next step if not torn down?
2. Resend email via website to contact bank manager
2. Additional Street Lighting
1. Per Julie project on E Arrow Hwy this year but will be quite some time before we see far reaching results. Some cities/property owners are required to pay for their street lights via assessment. Contact Bob Critchfield BCritchfield@ci.upland.ca.us
1. Sign Petition
2. Contact public works regarding specific, homes with issues etc. Anthony La ala@ci.upland.ca.us or
3. Schedule a time (next meeting) to go door to door for petition signatures and present at a Upland city meeting
4. Residents notify Edison on non-working street lights - note pole #
3. Campus Bike Trail Crosswalk
1. Julie discussed conversation that she had with Rene, not giving any inkling of change in the near future. Rene Guerrero rguerrero@ci.upland.ca.us (909) 931-4235
1. Send email contact and telephone number for official above, so we can contact him as well
2. Possible PTA involvement based on the close proximity of Upland Junior High and Elementary School, may assist in getting some additional attention
4. Curb Repair
1. The group agreed to contact the city with specific addresses or problem areas, this seems to yield the best result - Anthony La ala@ci.upland.ca.us
1. Need to plan to repair Monique’s curb
5. Fundraising Efforts
1. On hold until need is identified
6. Foreclosed Homes
1. Amanda created spreadsheet of current homes with realtor signs but agreed that there are several abandoned homes with no signage -
2. Email pleasantviewneighbors@gmail.com with property addresses for sale or vacant
1. Julie reference good website to review foreclosed homes, should send via email again TRULIA.COM
3. Group agreed we need to contact appropriate parties for specific issues, including police as well as realtors
4. Also discussed taking it upon ourselves to clean up yards, pick up trash etc.
1. Possible volunteer opportunity?
5. Discussed ideas for possible notifications about our group to realtors
7. New Projects
1. Need to attend Upland city meeting with petition results
2. Incentives/Awards to create community
1. Plant Exchange scheduled for next meeting
2. Yard of the Month
3. Plant Exchange
4. Once a month workshop - May workshop on zero scaping easements
5. Volunteer project or property
8. Flyer Distribution
1. Red-Ida
2. Blue-Amanda
3. Green-Monique
4. Yellow-Irma & George
5. Purple and White-Jay and Lou
6. Orange-Jeanne
7. Turquoise-Julie