REGULAR CITY COUNCIL, HOUSING AUTHORITY, AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY JOINT MEETING MINUTES

25541 Barton Road, Loma Linda, CA 92354

April 14, 2026, 6:00 PM - April 14, 2026, 7:49 PM

Roll Call: (The following members were in attendance)

  • Phillip Dupper, Mayor/Chairman
  • Ronald Dailey, Mayor pro tempore/Vice-Chairman
  • Rhodes Rigsby, Councilmember/Boardmember
  • Ovidiu Popescu, Councilmember/Boardmember
  • Rhonda Spencer, Councilmember/Boardmember

Absent: None

1. Call to Order

1.A. Call to Order - PLEASE NOTE each agenda item will identify the applicable governing body taking action by the corresponding abbreviation: City Council [CC], Housing Authority Board [HA], and Successor Agency [SA]

The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm and recessed to Closed Session.

1.B. Roll Call

All City Council members present.

Staff present: T. Jarb Thaipejr, City Manager/HA Executive Director; Diane Robbins, City Attorney/HA General Counsel; Lynette Arreola, City Clerk/HA Secretary; Sonia Fabela, Finance Director; Dan Harker, Fire Chief; Lorena Matarrita, Community Development Director; Adrian DeSousa, Information Systems Specialist; and Lt. David Frayeh, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department

1.C. Closed Session - 6:00pm-7:00pm or shortly thereafter - Conference with Legal Counsel regarding Potential Litigation, one case, pursuant to Government Code 54956.9(d)(2)

The regular meeting resumed at 7:00pm. 

City Attorney Robbins stated that City Council met in closed session regarding a potential litigation matter; that direction was provided to staff; and had nothing further to report.   

1.D. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance - Councilmember Rigsby

The Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance were led by Councilman Rigsby.

1.E. Items to be Added or Deleted

No items were added or deleted.

1.F. Oral Reports/Public Participation - Non-Agenda Items (Each Speaker limited to 3 minutes. Pursuant to the Brown Act, no action or discussion can be taken by City Council, Housing Authority or Successor Agency)

Pedro Zelaya II, a junior at California State University, San Bernardino, noted that he was part of a community advocacy project group conducting a study on the needs of the Loma Linda community, with a focus on improving the quality of life, affordable resources and addressing the gaps within the support system. Through volunteer work at Ronald McDonald House, they gained insight into the importance of providing temporary housing and support services to families facing medical challenges. He thanked the City Council for the opportunity to speak.  

2. Presentation(s)

2.A. Proclamation - Donate Life Month - April 2025 [Katryn Mantz, OneLegacy Ambassador]

The proclamation recognizing April 2026 as Donate Life Month was presented to OneLegacy. Ms. Katryn Mantz accepted the proclamation on behalf of the organization and shared her personal experience regarding her son’s organ donation.,She spoke about the meaningful experience of meeting the recipients and shared that her son’s legacy continues to live on through them. Ms. Mantz thanked the City for its continued partnership and emphasized the importance of organ and tissue donation, describing it as a way of turning loss into life and legacy.

Mayor pro tempore Daily shared his family’s personal experience with his son and stated that they worked closely with OneLegacy. He expressed appreciation for the organization’s ongoing support and noted that they have maintained a lasting relationship with his family.

2.B. Proclamation - Child Abuse Prevention Month - April 2026 [Xeneida Brown, Child Abuse Prevention Coordinator]

The proclamation recognizing April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention Month was presented to San Bernardino County Children's Network. Ms.Xeneida Broown accepted the proclamation on behalf of San Bernardino County Children's Network. She shared statistic information on child abuse. She was thankful for the partnership with the City of Loma Linda for raising awareness and preventing child abuse.  

3. Public Hearing Items

3.A. Adopt and Introduce Council Bills as detailed in the Recommendation to Approve the Project Applications for the Request to Construct Two Fast Food Restaurants with Drive-Throughs, a Gas Station with a Convenience Store, and a Hotel Use at the Property Located at the Northeast Corner of Mountain View Avenue and Business Center Drive (Community Development) [CC]

Public Hearing was opened at 7:35 PM and closed at 7:36 PM

Community Development Director Matarrita presented the report into evidence stating that the Planning Commission reviewed the project application on March 18, 2027, and unanimously approved the project with some modifications to the Conditions of Approval.  She noted that because the gas station and hotel are not allowed in the Business Park (BP) Zone, there was a request for a zone change to General Commercial (C-2).  She noted that would allow the hotel by right and permit the gas station and drive throughs with a conditional use permit. She discussed the Tentative Parcel Map request, stating that the site plan meets all development standards including exceeding the required parking.  She also discussed the building elevations, preliminary landscape plan, master sign program, the CEQA environmental review, and Measure V. She stated that based on the analysis, the City is recommending that the project be approved as presented, subject to the findings and conditions of approval. 

Discussion ensued in regard to the construction start date, potential tenants, and the traffic impact at that intersection.

Mayor Pro Tem Dailey expressed appreciation to the applicant for making revisions to the project following discussions with the Planning Commission. He voiced his support for the project and noted that the proposed businesses are expected to generate additional revenue for the City.

Mayor Dupper stated that he was unfamiliar with the potential hotel chain, and, given his background in public safety, he wanted to ensure it would not attract undesirable activity.

Applicant Tony Dehbozorgi responded to questions and stated that he had met with the hotel chain operator, but has not yet secured the hotel chain. He thanked the City’s planning team for their work and support.

The public hearing was opened and closed with no public comments received.

Motion by Rhodes Rigsby, seconded Ronald Dailey, passing by a vote of 5-0-0-0-0,

Adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Measure and Reporting Program (MMRP) prepared pursuant to CEQA; Adopt Council Bill R-2026-11, waiving the full reading of the Resolution and directing to be read by title only: RESOLTION NO. 3292 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMA LINDA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE LAND USE MAP OF THE ADOPTED GENERAL PLAN TO CHANGE THE LAND USE DESIGNATION OF ONE PARCEL FROM BUSINESS PARK TO GENERAL COMMERCIAL AT AN APPROXIMATELY 4.3-ACRE SITE LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF MOUNTAIN VIEW AVENUE AND BUSINESS CENTER DRIVE, IDENTIFIED BY ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBER 0292-451-14 (GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 2024-0002); Introduce Council Bill O-2026-05 on first reading and set the second reading to May 12, 2026, for the Zone Map Change to amend the existing Zoning Map designation for the site from Business Park (BP) to General Commercial (C-2), waiving the full reading of the Ordinance and directing to be read by title only, Ordinance title: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY LOMA LINDA AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP TO CHANGE A PARCEL FROM BUSINESS PARK (BP) TO GENERAL COMMERCIAL (C-2) FOR AN APPROXIMATELY 4.3-ACRE SITE LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF MOUNTAIN VIEW AVENUE AND BUSINESS CENTER DRIVE, IDENTIFIED BY ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBER 0292-451-14 (ZONE CHANGE NO. 2024-0001); Approve Tentative Parcel Map No. 2024-0002 for the subdivision of the 4.3 acre site into four parcels under Parcel Map No. 20665; Approve Precise Plan of Design No. 2024-0002 for the review of the project site layout and architectural elevations; Approve Conditional Use Permit No. 2024-0002 to allow for the operation of the two fast food restaurants with drive throughs, gas station, operating between 5:00am and 11:00pm, and allowing the height of the hotel to exceed 35 feet; and Approve Master Sign Program No. 2025-0032 which establishes sign standards for the Mountain View Business Center, based on the Finding in the staff report and subject to the Conditions of Approval with the added request as recommended by the Planning Commission on March 18, 2026.

4. Consent Calendar

Mayor pro tempore Dailey expressed appreciation to the City and Omnitrans for installing bus stop sidewalks and shades. 

Motion by Ovidiu Popescu, seconded Ronald Dailey, passing by a vote of 5-0-0-0-0,

Approved the Consent Calendar as presented.

4.A. Approve the Minutes of February 10, March 4, and March 10, 2026 (City Clerk) [CC/HA/SA]

Approved the minutes of February 10, March 4 and March 10, 2026, as submitted.

4.B. Approve the Demands Register of March 24, and April 14, 2026 (Finance) [CC/HA/SA]

Approved as presented the City Council main Demands Register dated March 24, 2026, with commercial demands totaling $1,317,013.45, and Payroll dated March 12, 2026, totaling $467,208.77; the main Demands Register dated April 14, 2026, with commercial demands totaling $2,855,701.92, and Payroll dated March 26, 2026, totaling $414,717.18, Payroll Supplemental dated March 26, 2026, totaling $36,880.64; and Payroll dated April 9, 2026, totaling $482,330.94; and 

Approved as presented the Housing Authority Board the Demands Register dated March 24, 2026, with commercial demands totaling $5,056.32; and the Demands Register dated April 14, 2026, totaling $8,421.05; and 

Approved as presented the Successor Agency the Demands Register dated April 14, 2026, with commercial demands totaling $1,745.00.

4.C. Accept the Treasurer's Report - March 2026 (Finance) [CC]

Accepted the March 2026 Treasurer's Report as presented.  

4.D. Approve Professional Services Agreement with Planning Plus/P+ (Melanie Traxler) for Planning Consultant Services for the University Village Project (Community Development) [CC]

Approved the Professional Services Agreement with Planning Plus/P+ for the University Village Project as recommended in the staff report.

4.E. Approve and Award Contract to Leonida Builders Inc. for Orange Street Improvements (CIP 25-127) for $343,380.00 (Public Works) [CC]

Approved contract to Leonida Builders, Inc., for the Orange Street Improvements for $343,380.00; and contract to Goodman & Associates for an amount not to exceed of $14,000 construction survey; and a contract to GEOCON for $22,640,00 for geotechnical observation and testing as recommended in the staff report. 

4.F. Approve the Replacement of an AC Unit in the Community Room at City Hall by Loma Linda Heat and Air Conditioning, Inc. for $52,386.98 (Public Works) [CC]

Approved the replacement of the AC Unit in the Community Room by Loma Linda Heat and Air Conditioning, Inc., for $52,386.98, as recommended in the staff report. 

4.G. Adopt Council Bill #R-2026-14 - A Resolution to Reclassify the Current Incumbent in the Public Works Maintenance Worker II position to Lead Public Works Maintenance Worker (Administration) [CC]

Adopted, as recommended in the staff report, Council Bill #R-2026-14: 

RESOLUTION NO. 3293

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOMA LINDA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A RESOLUTION TO RECLASSIFY THE CURRENT INCUMBENT IN THE PUBLIC WORKS MAINTENANCE WORKER II POSITION TO LEAD PUBLIC WORKS MAINTENANCE WORKER.

4.H. Approve Notice of Completion for the Construction of Bus Stop Sidewalks at Various Locations for $49,825.88 Contractor: S & H Civilworks (CIP 26-132) (Public Works) [CC]

Approved and accepted the project as substantially complete and authorize the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion for the Construction of the Bus Stop Sidewalks at Various Locations as recommended in the staff report. 

5. New Business

5.A. Approve an Appropriation of $40,000.00 from General Fund Reserves and Award Contract to National Research Center (POLCO) to Conduct a Community Survey (City Manager) [CC]

City Manager Thaipejr presented the report stating that on February 10, 2026, the City was directed by City Council to prepare an Request for Proposal (RFP) to select a consultant to conduct a community survey of Loma Linda residents, students, workers and visitors.  He noted that of the four RPF's that were sent out two were received and evaluated.  National Research Center (Polco) was selected for a contract amount of $36,000.  As part of the approval, the City Council must authorize a a supplemental appropriation of $40,000 to fund the contract.   

It was noted that it had been approximately over 20 years that the last survey for the City has been conducted. 

Motion by Rhonda Spencer, seconded Ronald Dailey, passing by a vote of 4-1-0-0-0, Opposed by Ovidiu Popescu

to Approve the appropriation of $40,000 from General Fund Reserves and Award contract to National Research Center (Polco) to conduct a community survey as recommended in the staff report.

6. Reports

6.A. Reports of Council Members

Councilmember Spencer commented on the presence of unhoused individuals moving into the wash area and raised ongoing concerns regarding the safety of donkeys in the South Hills. City Manager Thaipejr responded that the City has been working regularly with the San Bernardino County HOPE Team to address the situation involving unhoused individuals. He also noted that City staff attended a town meeting focused on donkey safety and indicated that multiple agencies are collaborating to address and improve the safety of the donkeys.   

6.B. Reports Of Officers

City Clerk informed Council that a hardware upgrade was completed on all dais monitors to address issues with the agenda management software. She also noted that the IT Department had made some hardware upgrades to to resolve the microphone issues.

Additionally, she reminded the City Council that they would need to adjourn to a joint workshop with the Budget Committee scheduled for April 21, 2026.

7. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 7:47pm to the joint workshop meeting with the Budget Committee of April 21, 2026.

The minutes were approved as presented by City Council on May 12, 2026.

Lynette Arreola, City Clerk