Redlands City Council agenda: July 21, 2026

REDLANDS, Calif. — The Redlands City Council will meet Tuesday, July 21, to consider creating a nonprofit housing corporation that could allow the city to acquire and continue operating Step Up In Redlands, the city's Homekey-funded permanent supportive housing project, after the original developer defaulted. Council will also consider awarding more than $12 million in public works contracts for road improvements, landfill expansion and Fire Station 264.

Here's how the meeting breaks down:

Closed Session

Before the public meeting, the council will hold a closed session, which is legally confidential except for any “reportable action” announced by the city attorney. Under California law, closed sessions cover sensitive matters such as litigation, human resources issues and property negotiations.

During the closed session beginning at 5:00 p.m. on July 21, the council will:

• Confer with legal counsel regarding two ongoing lawsuits involving Armstrong Cal Builders, Inc. and Coyote Aviation.
• Discuss anticipated litigation related to a workers' compensation claim.
• Confer with labor negotiators regarding negotiations with several city employee organizations.

Consent Calendar (H 1-12)

The consent calendar groups together routine, non-controversial items for approval in a single vote, unless a council member pulls an item for separate discussion or a public comment is submitted.

On this agenda, highlights include:

• Approval of a limited-term administrative analyst position to support city capital projects.
• Approval of a $125,000 construction management agreement with Tilden-Coil Constructors for Fire Station 264.
• Approval of a funding agreement with the Redlands Historical Museum Association for museum staffing.
• Approval of updated cooperative fire protection and mutual aid agreements with the U.S. Forest Service and San Bernardino County Fire Protection District.
• Adoption of a new salary schedule and compensation plan for city employees.
• Adoption of ordinances adjusting water and wastewater utility rates.
• Approval of in-kind city support for the Redlands Optimist Club Oktoberfest and the Downtown Redlands Artwalk.
• Approval of a $150,000 on-call architectural services agreement with Acton Architecture, Inc.

Public Hearing (I 1)

Public hearings are formal opportunities for residents to speak on specific items that legally require public input before the council can take action. These often involve land use decisions, budgets, fees, tax-related measures and environmental or development reviews. The council must open the hearing, allow public comment, then close the hearing before voting.

A public hearing will be held to consider the city's delinquent weed abatement enforcement cost report and authorize it to be submitted to the San Bernardino County Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector for collection.

New Business (J 1-8)

The new business section addresses larger or more complex topics requiring individual council discussion and action.

Highlights include:

• Council will consider creating the Redlands Housing Corporation, a nonprofit entity that would position the city to acquire and operate Step Up In Redlands, after the original developer defaulted. The permanent supportive housing complex serves people experiencing homelessness, and the action is part of the city's effort to preserve the project while pursuing a long-term ownership solution.
• Officials will discuss the city clerk's compensation and consider a related resolution.
• Council will consider approving new three-year labor agreements with the city's police officers, firefighters and Teamsters union employees. The proposed contracts include salary increases ranging from 7% in the first year for police officers and firefighters to 4% for Teamsters employees, followed by 3% raises in each of the next two years, along with expanded pay scales and increases to certain benefits and incentive pay.
• Consideration of a $1.49 million agreement with PBK Architects California, Inc. for the design of Fire Station 264.
• Council will consider awarding a $5.54 million construction contract to widen the California Street and Redlands Boulevard intersection. The project includes a new right-turn lane, traffic signal upgrades, sidewalk improvements and expansion of the Mission Zanja culvert beneath the roadway. The San Bernardino County Flood Control District will reimburse the city for 50% of eligible costs related to the culvert improvements under a cooperative agreement approved in 2024.
• Council will consider a $600,000 on-call pavement repair contract for water utility projects.
• Council will consider awarding a $5.1 million construction contract to expand the California Street Landfill. Phase 5 would add enough disposal capacity to keep the landfill operating for an estimated seven to eight years after the current phase reaches capacity in early 2027. Southern California Edison will contribute about $1.4 million toward the project, reducing the city's cost to about $3.7 million.
• Officials will consider a nearly $600,000 agreement for construction quality assurance and regulatory compliance services related to the landfill expansion.

Meeting details

5:00 p.m. Meeting open for public comment before closed session
6:00 p.m. Open Session

City Council Chambers
35 Cajon Street
Redlands, California

To join via Zoom: Visit www.zoom.us, click Join a Meeting
Enter Meeting ID: 896 2789 8341
Audio-only Zoom access: Dial 1-877-853-5247, then enter the Meeting ID

See full agenda here.