Saturday, December 18, 2010
Upland City Officials Under Investigation
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B4FXv9IMwB4xOThmZDBjYTAtYWVhMS00MzFiLWJjNWQtY2IzNzgxMjRhZTJh&hl=en
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
- Protecting Places in a Stimulus Environment
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.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
October Updates
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.
http://www.
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. ________________________________
Monday, July 5, 2010
June Updates
Friday, May 7, 2010
May - the Garden Month
Friday, April 30, 2010
May meeting scheduled one week early.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
3rd Meeting Notes
Meeting: 4/28/10, 5pm Washington & 8th Ave
- Burned home on Washington
- 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
- What is the next step if not torn down?
- Resend email via website to contact bank manager
- Additional Street Lighting
- 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
- Sign Petition
- Contact public works regarding specific, homes with issues etc. Anthony La ala@ci.upland.ca.us or
- Schedule a time (next meeting) to go door to door for petition signatures and present at a Upland city meeting
- Residents notify Edison on non-working street lights - note pole #
- Campus Bike Trail Crosswalk
- 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
- Send email contact and telephone number for official above, so we can contact him as well
- Possible PTA involvement based on the close proximity of Upland Junior High and Elementary School, may assist in getting some additional attention
- Curb Repair
- 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
- Need to plan to repair Monique’s curb
- Fundraising Efforts
- On hold until need is identified
- Foreclosed Homes
- Amanda created spreadsheet of current homes with realtor signs but agreed that there are several abandoned homes with no signage -
- Email pleasantviewneighbors@gmail.com with property addresses for sale or vacant
- Julie reference good website to review foreclosed homes, should send via email again TRULIA.COM
- Group agreed we need to contact appropriate parties for specific issues, including police as well as realtors
- Also discussed taking it upon ourselves to clean up yards, pick up trash etc.
- Possible volunteer opportunity?
- Discussed ideas for possible notifications about our group to realtors
- New Projects
- Need to attend Upland city meeting with petition results
- Incentives/Awards to create community
- Plant Exchange scheduled for next meeting
- Yard of the Month
- Plant Exchange
- Once a month workshop - May workshop on zero scaping easements
- Volunteer project or property
- Flyer Distribution
- Red-Ida
- Blue-Amanda
- Green-Monique
- Yellow-Irma & George
- Purple and White-Jay and Lou
- Orange-Jeanne
- Turquoise-Julie
Friday, April 16, 2010
3rd Meeting April 25th 5 - 6 pm
- Demolition of the burned down home on Washington email campaign
- Status of Public Works surveys for crosswalks on Bike Trail at Campus & speed control or extra lighting at the fork of E Arrow Hwy & San Bernardino
- Stone Curb self repair workshop - need location & date
- Emergency Preparedness/Safety Workshop ideas
Monday, March 29, 2010
26 Strong at 2nd Meeting!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Come to Our Next Meeting!
First Meeting a Success!
I want to thank all the neighbors for coming to the first meeting, and if you weren’t able to make it – here are the notes about what we discussed. TEXT IN BLUE SHOWS ACTION TAKEN OR PROGRESS
Things that we would like to work on –
Safety
Increase Road Safety
Bike Path intersection at Campus and Washington
No crosswalk/Pedestrian signal or warning lights to oncoming cars –
Would like similar warning signs with flashing lights as located on Bike Path intersection with East Arrow Hwy – right before Cherokee Lumber
Safety Investigation to be conducted now by Rene Gurierro 931-4235 Monthly Traffic Safety Advisor Committee Mtg Discussed the best type of warning signal - might conduct monthly mtg with other officials to figure out solutions
East Arrow Hwy and San Bernardino fork
Very dangerous intersection
Cars need more warning, or speed bumps installed
Safety Investigation to be conducted now by Rene Gurierro 931-4235 Monthly Traffic Safety Advisor Committee Mtg Discussed various ways traffic might be slowed such as issuing more patrols to monitor speeds, increase street lighting so bend in the road in more obvious - Speed Bump are out because they cause issues for emergency vehicles
Increase Street Lighting
Research process to follow through city and Edison
Might need to get petition going or signatures for households 500 ft. from installation sites
Would like to be provided with historical looking lighting to match downtown
Historic type lighting is a redevelopment issue that might lack money to support from general fund
Bike Parking
Lack of parking area for bicycles downtown
Community Group Projects
Neighbor Home Improvement Outreach - Exterior
Educate community about city and county programs available Most are incoming qualifying or require equity
House Focus - Burned house at 936 Washington between 9th and 10th – Can group help with Demolition or encourage owner to so something
contacted Code Enforcement - Sandi Bare 946-3613, quotes from her email follow: I don't want to paraphrase this "The address for this property is 936 Washington. I took the owner to court almost a year ago and got a guilty verdict regarding the neglect of this property. Unfortunately, he appealed the verdict and his appeal keeps getting passed around to different attorneys which delays compliance. In the meantime, the owner has gone through a judicial foreclosure, so now I am sending notices of violation to the lender that repossessed the property. He informs us that because it was a “judicial” foreclosure, his attorney has advised him to do nothing with the property for the one year period that the court gives the previous owner to reclaim the property. I wish you could do something to help, but unfortunately the legal process has tied our hands. I will be meeting with the Community Development Director on Wednesday to discuss other options and hopefully there is something more we can do besides wait for the court
Community garden – beautification projects 1 Flower Box Gifting idea, find city owned locations that might work in neigborhood with water
Create forum to discuss projects on –
Neighbor can post problem or home improvement project they need help with
Create a tool and skills set collective for community so we can evaluate proposed
projects realistically in relation to our abilities and available equipment
Will need to come up with a fair way of choosing projects –
Jay proposed follow model of Habitat for Humanity
Tool Share – if large tool rented can maybe split price with a neighbors working
on same project (ie – tiller, stump grinder, rotor rooter, paint sprayer)
Heritage Home Street/District Tour
Divide tours by historic districts/seasons – to promote walking tours – smaller more frequent
Monday, February 22, 2010
Join Us for Our First Meeting!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Welcome to the Neighborhood Group!
Home Improvement Programs
- Upland City Housing Improvement Program
- Provides loans up to $75,000 to lower income households to bring homes up to code
- Upland Pride Paint Program – pamphlet ; Provide a max of $4000
- Upland Housing Rehabilitation
- Emergency Repairs Program - pamphlet
- Can be structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and code violation
- Provide a max of $5000
- Historic Home Rehabilitation Program
- Provides deferred loans to rehab significant properties
- Max loan $50,000
- San Bernardino County Utility Help
- Income qualifying discounts for monthly gas & electric bills
- Weatherization program - help with insulation, old windows, inefficient appliances, ect.
Other Areas to Look Into
- Easement Improvement Resources
- Water Conservation Incentives
- Solar Power
- Gardening Store Involvement
- Hardware Store Involvement
Emergency Preparedness
- Emergency, Food, Shelter & Services
- Research Resources and Programs through the city – pamphlet
- Homeowner’s Guide to Earthquake Safety – pamphlet
- What should every homeowner do for house and individual safety after earthquake?
- The Gas Company – call to see about emergency shut off instructions
- San Antonio Hospital – what they might need from first responders
- What does a first responder do?
BUSINESS/COMMERCIAL INTERESTS
I think we should have a clear plan put together prior to contacting commercial interests for their involvement. Might need to register as a non-profit and find out legalities for things like soliciting assistance, and liability issues.
PUBLICITY FOR GROUP SUCCESS
I am considering the option of making a documentary of this process, since I am a freelance videographer. This might help us get more official and business involvement down the line. Those not wanting to be on camera can opt out, but please still be part of the group.
________________
Please leave me your comments. This site might have to be reworked a couple of times - so it might be a little disorganized in the beginning. I am just running with it. Also if you want to take on a certain area of involvement - let me know - and it's yours. I am hoping for those who show interest in the group, that we can meet up in person in maybe a few weeks for coffee and to go over what we would like to focus on.
Thanks again!
Julie