Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in La Verne public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
34 issues with medium priority
Temporary groundwater transfers with Three Valleys MWD
The state-required five-year update refreshes the city's water supply planning and drought response playbook, including new rules on water loss reporting, potable reuse, and turf irrigation bans starting 2027.
Unlicensed dirt bike activity in neighborhoods
Richard Bowen reported a group of young teens riding unlicensed dirt bikes through stop signs on Emerald Avenue, harassing drivers and endangering pedestrians. He asked police to review his video footage before someone gets killed.
Waste Management Billing Dispute Raised in Public Comment
Starting September 1, Waste Management bills residents directly instead of the city — same rates, new bill format, 120-day late-fee grace period, plus August workshops and a weekly help desk at City Hall. Check your first bill carefully.
Water System Planning and Rates
The council funded a $249,946 update to the Water Master Plan, the first since 2020, including the city's first conditions assessment of wells, reservoirs and pump stations. The results will feed the upcoming water rate study.
Christmas Morning Event Goes Community-Led
The century-old Christmas Morning tradition will now be run by a community committee, with the city providing $13,000 in seed money and $3,000 for city costs. Candy bags return, golf carts replace volunteer runners, and the committee must report back under the city's new partnership rules.
Emergency Response
La Verne just lifted evacuation orders after a battery storage fire was finally put out, so residents can head home. The bigger takeaway: these battery facilities near neighborhoods can create real emergency risks, and the city’s response is now in the spotlight.
Emergency at Water Facility
An explosion and fire at a La Verne water facility forced evacuations and injured one person. If you’re nearby, expect possible disruptions to emergency response and water service while crews secure the site and assess damage.
Public Art Fund Ordinance and Policy
The city has roughly $671,000 collected from developer in-lieu fees but no formal rules for spending it. The draft ordinance would require bigger developments to fund public art, and council wants more oversight — Planning Commission, council review, local artists, and historical fact-checking — before approving a final version.
Farmers Market Return and Chamber Partnership
The city cut its Chamber subsidy to $35,000 but backed a plan to bring back a farmers market, possibly in the City Hall parking lot, with vendors getting a break on business license fees until a new master-license system is set up.
Purchasing Policy and Competitive Bidding
The city raised its no-bid purchase threshold to $7,500 and replaced mandatory five-year rebidding with a documented review. Critics warn it invites favoritism toward long-time contractors, pointing to unbid contracts like RKA's million-dollar-a-year deal.
Middle Management 2% COLA
Sergeants and the captain get a new three-year contract aligned with the officers' union deal — pay raises, a master's degree incentive, and higher CalPERS contributions — costing $19,412 this year.
LACAHSA Homelessness Prevention Grant
The city accepted $460,000 in county funding to build a homelessness prevention program, finish the Valley Rancho Mobile Home Park feasibility study, and train staff on homelessness law.
Gold Line Pedestrian Bridge Funding Amendment
The council approved adding $2 million in restricted COG funds to the Gold Line pedestrian bridge project, bringing the total to just over $28 million. Bids were delayed three weeks with 60 prospective bidders, and the council wants a serious cost conversation — and La Verne signage on the bridge — before construction.
Street Sweeping Contract Transition
Athens Services wanted an 18% rate hike, so the city signed a one-year interim deal with CMAX at the same $39.14 per curb mile ($173,000 cap). A competitive RFP comes later this year — and residents asked why the city didn't start bidding earlier.
Trailer Parking Ordinance Update
New rules require street-parked trailers to be hitched to an operable vehicle, with time limits by type and fines starting at $55. Aimed at safety and cutting visual blight; exemptions exist for emergencies, remodels, and moves.
Employee Compensation and Benefits Update
The council updated benefit resolutions and the full-time salary chart, including roughly $43,000 in added medical contributions and $147,595 in negotiated raises — all general fund costs offset by Measure LV money. Negotiations with remaining employee groups continue.
EIFD Board Appointment and Recruitment
Only two people applied for the public seat on the Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District board, so the council reopened recruitment for 60 days instead of appointing. Council members want better outreach and public education about what the EIFD actually does.
CCW Psychological Evaluation Policy Change
Universal psych evaluations for concealed-carry applicants are gone; the chief can still order one case-by-case based on background findings, and the $150 subsidy is eliminated. Some residents said the extra screening layer made them feel safer.
Short-Term Rental Pool Party Nuisance
Resident Pam Berry described a renter on her cul-de-sac hourly-renting a swimming pool on an app for up to $100/hour, drawing crowds of up to 100 people and repeated police visits. She urged the council to tighten short-term rental ordinances to cover this.
Police Middle Management Labor Agreement
Sergeants and the captain get a new three-year contract aligned with the officers' union deal — pay raises, a master's degree incentive, and higher CalPERS contributions — costing $19,412 this year.
Sewer-to-Water Internal Loan
The new fund loan policy sets rules for a short-term loan from the sewer fund to the water fund to keep cash flowing — the water fund is running short based on the rate study.
Community Project Partnerships and Public Resource Use
After the Walk of Honor plaque controversy, new rules now require council approval for any community group project using city staff or resources beyond three hours or $1,500. Critics called the original plaque project a backdoor deal; council members framed the regulation as transparency going forward.
Staffing Vacancies and Turnover
The city reported a 6.67% vacancy rate (13 openings out of 195 positions), but one resident flagged a roughly 12-13% turnover rate and questioned management. Council asked for better data next year distinguishing retirements, promotions, and separations.
CDBG Curb Ramp Improvements
An $88,495 contract will build missing or substandard curb ramps and repair sidewalk panels, improving accessibility for people with disabilities around town.
Utilities Manager Salary Increase vs. Budget Pressure
Staff proposed raising the vacant Utilities Manager pay range 9.3% while the city manager's own email warns of a $1.8 million budget deficit. Staff said the position sits in the water fund and the raise is needed to compete with Upland and other agencies.
Route 66 Centennial and America 250 Celebration Programming
A full year of events is planned — Route 66 passport program, youth essay and photo contests, banner program, car show, and veterans spotlights — funded mostly through partnerships plus $25,000 from the public art fund.
2026 Parks & Recreation Master Plan
La Verne's first new parks plan since 2006 sets a 20-year roadmap for park improvements, recreation programs, and inclusivity. Residents shaped it through nearly 800 surveys, and a county grant paid for the work.
Villages at Legacy Green environmental studies
The residential project at the old Lutheran High School site needs a full Environmental Impact Report, so the council approved contract amendments with the environmental consultant and developer reimbursement.
Firefighter pilot program update
The quarterly update on adding three firefighter/EMT positions was received and filed — a two-year pilot aimed at better shift staffing and less overtime.
Amherst Treatment Plant Filter Replacement
The city awarded a $266,206 contract to replace aging water treatment filters, coming in well under the $318,000 budget.
Old Town Density Reduction
Lowering the minimum density from 38 to 20 units per acre aims to make projects like the old Paper Pak site financially buildable — and protect up to $60 million in tax revenue tied to the city's infrastructure financing district.
Tri-City Mental Health Authority representation
La Verne needed a new representative on the joint mental health authority board serving La Verne, Claremont, and Pomona after Carolyn Cockroll resigned. Trent West was appointed unanimously.
Kuns Park Playground Replacement
The 30-year-old playground gets replaced with an ADA-compliant structure with rubberized surfacing and shade, funded through Measure A.
City Hall ADA Accessibility
A resident said City Hall entrances and doors still aren't ADA compliant; staff said some improvements were made with prior CDBG funds and an ADA transition plan is in the works.