Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Dimas public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues
Flock Safety mobile security trailer pilot
A one-year pilot would lease a mobile security trailer equipped with automatic license plate readers, with $35,000 appropriated. Supporters see a crime-deterrence tool; the technology raises privacy questions for some residents.
AED and CPR requirements on city fields (AB 310)
The field allocation policy would be updated to meet new state law (AB 310) requiring access to defibrillators and CPR training — a player-safety improvement at city sports fields.
Sanitation annexation of existing golf course
A joint tax-sharing resolution with the county, La Verne and the water district would bring the existing golf course parcels into the sanitation district.
Tree Preservation Ordinance exemptions for single-family homes
The city was considering exempting single-family properties from its tree preservation ordinance, which currently restricts tree removal. Homeowners would gain flexibility, but protections would remain on open space, slope, and HOA-maintained areas.
Route 66 Centennial monument sign
The council was asked to pick a spot for a monument sign celebrating Route 66's centennial and approve about $60,000 to build it. It's a civic pride and tourism project along the historic corridor.
Fourth of July celebration costs
Staff suggested skipping an annual Fourth of July event because of its cost and planning burden, keeping the City Birthday and Music in the Park events instead. Residents who love a hometown fireworks show had a stake in the outcome.
Lone Hill Park watershed management project
A regional stormwater management project at Lone Hill Park was up for environmental clearance and conceptual design approval. It could improve water quality and park facilities, with final design dependent on construction funding.
2027 Solid Waste Rate Increase
Waste Management requested a 3.51% increase to San Dimas solid waste collection rates for 2027, continuing year four of a five-year adjustment plan. This affects monthly trash bills for all residential and commercial customers.
Anticipated litigation (closed session)
The council met behind closed doors before the meeting on one lawsuit threat and gave staff direction. No details were disclosed and no action was reported.
Charter Oak Mobile Home Estates wall project cost overrun
The city-owned mobile home park and senior apartments need a new property manager after DeFalco backed out. Residents described years of incompetent management and suggested the city hire its own manager instead — the RFP release starts that search.
Halloween safety in San Dimas
Councilmembers urged drivers to slow down Halloween night, especially on the busy San Dimas Avenue strip between Bonita and Gladstone. City staff are checking crosswalks and sidewalks to keep trick-or-treaters safe.
Sexual assault awareness at San Dimas High School
Student leaders told the council they're organizing a November 19 panel with professionals to address sexual assault, harassment, and mental health after a recent crisis at the school.
Trash Wranglers equipment support
San Dimas High School students running the Trash Wranglers cleanup club asked the city to help sponsor trash pickers and gear — they've grown to about 60 members but ran out of tools. Rotarian Raymond Foster offered to help connect them with funding, and the council voted to add the group's needs to a future agenda.
SB 1123 ADU/JADU moratorium extension
The state Housing Department required San Dimas to make it crystal clear that apartments and condos on Housing Element sites are allowed by right — no discretionary hearings. Nothing changes in practice, but it keeps the city compliant with state law.
Caltrans right-of-way conditions and encampments
Councilmember Vienna thanked staff and the sheriff's captain for meeting with residents about homelessness, and Councilmember Bratakos discussed proactive approaches near the train station learned at a regional conference.
Storm Drain Transfers to LA County Flood Control
Three city-owned miscellaneous transfer drains (1852, 185201, 185202) would be conveyed to the LA County Flood Control District, shifting their operation and maintenance costs to the county.
Zoning Code Cleanup: CUPs and Unclassified Uses
A zoning change for Specific Plan No. 6 would allow new vehicle sales, service and outdoor vehicle storage conditionally — the step needed for a Rivian electric vehicle sales, service and delivery center in a 51,000-square-foot industrial building. The city expects new jobs and sales tax revenue.
Bonita Avenue Right-of-Way Vacation
The council and Successor Agency were asked to spend $106,260 to hire Psomas to prepare a cleanup plan for the 344 Bonita Avenue property — a step toward remediating that site.
Parental Access to Youth Incident Reports
Staff reviewed how the city's Kids Fun Club program handles incidents involving children, recommending the city keep telling parents at pickup, documenting the conversation, and handing them a note summarizing their child's involvement.
Tract Map Extension at 720 N. Oakway Avenue
A time extension for Vesting Tentative Tract Map 84436 keeps an approved subdivision at 720 N. Oakway Avenue and a neighboring parcel alive while the developer readies to build.
Public Comment on City Action
A San Dimas hardware store owner says the city damaged his property without giving him proper notice, and he’s asking the community to back him up. If that’s true, it’s a local accountability test: did the city follow its own notification rules, and who pays for the damage?
Future of the Walker House / Vincenzo's Terrazza
The city extended the restaurant's lease at the historic Walker House six months at $6,300/month — well below the ~$20,200 market rate — after the operator missed its own extension deadline. The council weighed roughly $23,850 in past rent reductions, returned late fees, and $568,000 in coming capital repairs like HVAC and roof replacement.
Possible Return of the San Dimas Rodeo
Councilmember Nakano requested a future agenda item to explore bringing back the San Dimas Rodeo in 2028, including a feasibility committee and study of funding, venue, public safety, and economic benefit. Colleagues voiced support.
EV Charging Fees at City Stations
Nine city EV chargers that are currently free cost the general fund over $100,000 a year in electricity — double what it was two years ago. The council signed a deal with Liberty Plugins to handle payments and will hold a public hearing to set the actual charging fee, with possible idle fees, resident discounts and senior rates on the table.
Wildlife-Crossing Signage on Route 66
After a mountain lion was handled three houses from his home, Councilmember Vienna asked staff to research wildlife-crossing signage on Route 66 within 18 weeks, noting a history of horse, coyote, and mountain lion incidents between San Dimas Avenue and San Dimas Canyon Road.
Deteriorating Street Pavement Condition
Councilmember Bratakos asked for a future meeting and report on the deteriorating condition of Valley Center Road between Gladstone and Arrow Highway; the city manager will bring back the plan.
Citywide Landscape Parcel Tax Increase
LA County is considering a half-percent sales tax (the Healthcare Funding Restoration Act) for the June 2026 ballot. San Dimas is formally opposing it, arguing its residents already pay less than neighboring areas and voted down a local increase.
Adoption of the FY 2026-27 City Budget
The city's finances are trending better than feared: revenues are above projections, sales tax is up $200,000, and strong interest earnings are shrinking the projected deficit. The council approved amendments mostly to cover higher water costs.
Assessment district hearings continued
The Boulevard and Northwoods open space maintenance district hearings were pushed to June 23 over a noticing error — the Boulevard rate would rise 2.9% to $662.66 per parcel, while Northwoods stays flat at $449.21 as the district sunsets in January 2027.
Termination of the railroad cantilever signal project
A 1915 Santa Fe cantilever signal has sat in storage at Horse Thief Canyon Park since 2021, waiting on donations to build its display at the San Dimas Railroad Museum site in Rhodes Park. Only about $4,000 of an estimated $50,000-$60,000 has been pledged, so the council gave the project 90 days to show real fundraising progress before deciding whether to build it or donate it to another city or museum.
Zone Zero wildfire rules and defensible space
About 500-600 San Dimas homeowners are getting defensible space notices for the first time after the state updated its fire hazard severity maps. Protest deadlines run through March 5, with inspections in May.
E-bike safety concerns
The city pushed out e-bike law information after a spike in deadly crashes regionally; the mayor called e-bikes 'essentially motorcycles' and warned parents. Councilmember Bratakos noted riders must be 16 for scooters.
Kimberley Avenue private street maintenance
Residents described crumbling pavement, potholes, and trash trucks tearing up their private street with no HOA or city maintenance. Councilmembers explored whether a special assessment district could let the city maintain it, and asked staff to gauge resident interest.
City Hall HVAC boiler replacement
The 25-year-old City Hall boiler needs replacing, but the only bid came in at $226,148 — nearly double the budget. The council rejected it and staff will re-bid after tweaking the plans.
School facilities bond (Measure A) and broken classroom A/C
A San Dimas High junior described classrooms that hit 90 degrees when air conditioning failed, arguing the bond measure would fix conditions that hurt learning.
1356 W. Cienega Avenue lot split and two-story homes
The council approved splitting one large lot into two, each with a two-story house plus an ADU. Neighbors on private Kimberly Avenue fear parking shortages, lost privacy, fire access problems, and construction impacts they say the city can't regulate later. Councilmembers said state housing law (Housing Crisis Act/SB 9) left them no legal path to deny a compliant project.
Seven-lot subdivision finalized at 327 East Baseline Road
The council approved the final tract map for a seven-home subdivision on 1.41 acres at 327 East Baseline Road, finishing a process started with the tentative map approval back in May 2024.
City staffing under AB 2561 transparency law
The state now makes cities publicly report job vacancies each year. San Dimas is in great shape: only 2 vacancies among 77 full-time positions, with a 1.6% vacancy rate at the end of 2025 — a sign of low turnover and stable city services.
Renewal of San Dimas Mobile Home Accord
The accord caps space rents and rent increases at all five mobile home parks and was renewed unchanged through 2031 with full agreement from park owners. About 906 households rely on these protections.
Area Infrastructure and Construction Updates
The city hired DMS Consultants for $103,437 in design work on the San Dimas Canyon Road project — new pavement, ADA ramps, and bike lanes — using a $850,000 federal grant secured through Congressman Cisneros's office. Construction, estimated at $3.6 million, will come back to the council later.
Cancellation of the June 2, 2026 municipal election
The city officially called its election for mayor (two-year term) and council seats in Districts 2 and 4, consolidated with the LA County statewide primary. That means candidates for those seats will start lining up soon, and San Dimas voters will pick their leadership this June.
Library programs during renovation
The San Dimas Library is closed for renovation, but staff are keeping programs alive at the Senior Center — including a book club and yarn-and-stitch group — plus virtual offerings through LA County Library.
City Manager compensation increase
The council quietly added a new retirement benefit for City Manager Brad McKinney: annual 401(a) contributions worth up to $28,787.62 a year, tied to the vacation hours he'd have accrued but for his 400-hour cap. Approved with no discussion on the consent calendar.
Via Verde 76 Gas Station Remodel and Code Amendments
The new owner of the long-neglected Via Verde 76 station is investing roughly $1 million to convert the dead service bays into a bigger convenience store with fresh food, coffee, and Thrifty ice cream. The council scrapped the old 1,000-square-foot cap for this specific plan area and gave gas stations citywide a half-space-per-pump parking credit. Some worry about competition with the nearby Vons and alcohol sales near the 57 freeway.
America's 250th Anniversary Celebration — San Dimas 2026
The city's 2026 committee is planning a July 3 celebration combining the farmers market, classic cars, a band, and a FAA-cleared drone show over Civic Center Park. Sponsors include the Singye law firm, LA Metro, and local businesses.
AB 1786 — Best-Value Contracting Support
The city signed onto a bill that would free cities from always taking the lowest construction bid on complex projects over $1 million. Council members said the lowest-bid rule has burned them before with problem contractors.
New sheriff's Community Action Team sergeant
The San Dimas Sheriff's Station introduced Sergeant Lawler as the new CAT team sergeant, working with code enforcement on quality-of-life issues; he replaces the departing Sergeant Kamal.
SGVCOG public safety grant extension
The council extended the deadline to spend the remaining $140,149 of a $200,000 public safety grant to June 30, 2026 — funding security cameras, drones, and emergency communication upgrades.
Waste Management performance and SB 1383 compliance
San Dimas is only diverting about 45% of residential and 14% of commercial organic waste, risking state fines. A grant-funded contract with Go2Zero Strategies will fund targeted education — including for multifamily properties dealing with contamination fees — with enforcement as a last resort.
Public Safety Spending and the A-Line Fatality
A resident criticized the city's $9.5 million law enforcement spending and new bus stops, and Councilmember Vienna countered that public safety is under 29% of the general fund — below neighboring cities. The council also addressed a fatal vehicle-bicycle collision near the A-Line, urging safety from both drivers and cyclists.