The meeting was called to order at 7:01am.

Gabriel Rivera, Associate Planner, presented the report, explaining that the applicant submitted a preliminary development review application for the city’s review.  He noted the proposed project lacked legal access and adequate turning radius.  The Community Development Department issued a letter outlining staff’s comments and provided two alternative access recommendations; however, the applicant proposed access via a public alley, which the existing dimensions are nonconforming. The Planning Commission denied the appeal, and the matter is now before the City Council.

Ghani Ayesh noted that the public road adjacent to his property was dedicated and approved by the City in the 1970's.  He noted several project developments with similar access road dimensions as his project were approved in the 1970’s.  He noted that the access road dimensions for his project follow the Fire Code Section 503.

Fire Marshall Ingalls explained that the International Fire Code serves as the baseline, with the State of California adopting amendments as appropriate; that the State did not adopt Fire Code Section 503, but instead granted local jurisdictions the authority to establish their own fire access standards; and that the City has a very comprehensive guideline for fire department access for Loma Linda, including its own requirements for roadway width and turning radius.

Discussion ensued, Councilmembers noted that the projects the applicant was referring to as being similar to his project were approved under different regulations from previous decades; and that construction projects must comply with current codes and locally adopted Fire access standards  They expressed support to staff’s recommendations.  

Finance Director Fabela presented the 2025-2026 Mid-Year Budget, detailing the following:  1) the General Fund Revenue changes totaling $1,281,700; 2) the General Fund Expenditure changes totaling $370,500;  3) the Summary of Changes in Fund Balance by Fund Type with the total fund balance beginning at $20,506,095 and the estimate total fund balance ending at $20,195,995, which the General Fund Unassigned, Assigned and Committed funds; 4) the distribution of the General Fund Budget uses; 5) the other revenue changes with total Sewer Fund of $540,300, total LLCCP Fund of $20,800, total Water Funds of $75,200 and total Other Funds of $(697,100) and with the total City changes to revenues of $1,220,900; 6) the Other Expenditure Changes to the Enterprise Funds, Special Districts, Capital Funds and Housing Authority is $989,600; 7) the Summary of Changes in Fund Balance of Fund Type with the Beginning Enterprise Capital Funds balance of $3,143,591, and the Ending Capital Fund Balance of 1,733,157; 8) and the Summary of Changes in Fund Balance by Fund Type with the Beginning City Fund Balance of $63,012,369 and the Ending City Fund Balance of $62,268,163. In conclusion, Finance Director Fabela recommended City Council approve a Net Increase in city-wide revenues of $1,220,900 and a Net increase in city-wide expenditures of $989,600. She thanked all the departments for their assistance in analyzing their mid year budgets.

Discussion ensued.  Staff reported that the General Fund deficit is now projected at $320,100, improved from earlier estimates of almost $1.3 million in higher-than-expected revenue, despite an additional $370,000 in expenditure. The increase in revenue, which was unusually high, contributed to a sales tax correction in the first quarter of 2026 from the CDTFA, which helped reduce the deficit by $150,000.

There was further discussion on budget variability with the Fire Department, particularly with overtime, mutual aid reimbursement delays, and employee injuries and long-term disabilities.  Staff stated that they could look at long-term averages to better forecast personnel cost estimates.

A request was made to fill some of the 12 vacant positions.  City Manager Thaipejr stated that he was being cautious to fill positions because he cannot predict if the upcoming budget can sustain the additional positions.

There were no changes or concerns since the first reading; No presentation was provided. There were no questions or comments from City Council.

In response to Councilmember Spencer's inquiry on the community survey, City Manager Thaipejr stated the he emailed her and Andrea De Leon the draft Request for Proposal for review.