By Staci Baird on Feb 14, 2026

Student Detained at Bonita High School + Taxes & City Council Preview

La Verne Daily News is free to read thanks to community supporters. If this work matters to you, consider becoming a supporting member.

The La Verne Civic Brief

Punny Valentines are in plentiful supply. We collected a few to share with you. Maybe some of them will make you chuckle?

Hello La Verne!

What I love most about running La Verne Daily News is the community connections, meeting people, and hearing their stories. This week, I talked with so many amazing people. I learned about new organizations that serve our community, and interviewed a woman who once lived in Washington state (we pulled up a map to reminisce together). With each person I meet, I feel more connected to our community. I hope the stories I'm publishing are helping you feel more connected to your neighbors, too. 🧡

— Staci Baird, Editor & Publisher

A student was taken into custody Friday

... after bringing a handgun onto the campus of Bonita High School, according to a message sent to families by Principal Kenneth J. Ritchie and a news release from the La Verne Police Department. No threats were made, and no students or staff were injured. Here's what we know so far: Read the story

These aren't the kinds of stories we love sharing, but we believe it's important to be a source of fact-checked information for our community. We know there are still more questions than answers at this point, and we will continue to follow up with BUSD and LVPD. We're working on a more comprehensive story about school safety. We invite parents and students to email newstips@lavernedaily.org and share their perspectives with us.

La Verne Opposes Countywide Sales Tax as Measure Heads to June Ballot

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted 5-1 this week to place a proposed 0.5% general sales tax on the June ballot, sending the measure to voters countywide.

The City of La Verne formally opposed the proposal in a Feb. 4 letter to the board. Mayor Tim Hepburn, who shared the letter to La Verne Daily News, urged supervisors to refrain from advancing the countywide sales tax increase, citing concerns about its impact on local communities. Hepburn acknowledged the County’s fiscal challenges but argued that cities like La Verne already face shrinking revenue authority and growing service demands without adequate funding. He said an additional County tax could strain residents and small businesses, make it harder for cities to secure support for local funding measures and school bonds, and fail to guarantee that La Verne would receive proportional benefits. The City also raised concerns about transparency and the effectiveness with which the County would administer the new revenue.

Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger cast the lone “no” vote. “Backfilling federal funding cuts on the backs of County taxpayers is not acceptable. Los Angeles County residents are already stretched thin," Barger said in a media statement published after the vote on Tuesday. "If the County is going to ask voters to approve a tax, it should be a special tax that provides clear purpose, enforceable accountability, and real transparency—not a general tax which can be used for other County needs," she said.

A regional coalition is backing the measure to help offset anticipated federal cuts to health care funding. Supporters say the general sales tax would create a dedicated revenue stream to protect services for vulnerable populations, including low-income residents, seniors and people experiencing homelessness. Opponents argue that higher sales taxes would add to the financial burden on residents already facing rising living costs.

In a separate development, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced in a Friday news release that it will consolidate and end clinic services at seven locations on Feb. 27, including the Pomona Public Health Center, 750 S. Park Ave., Pomona. According to the release, Public Health Clinics provide vaccinations, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, and tuberculosis testing and care. The Pomona clinic served 1,300 patients over the last fiscal year, according to an email from a Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Department of Public Health media relations spokesperson. Services will continue at six remaining Public Health Clinics, including a clinic in Montclair.

Here’s What's Happening at the Next City Council Meeting — and How to Weigh In

La Verne City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17
Where: City Hall Council Chambers, 3660 D St., La Verne
How to attend: In person or via Zoom at LaVerneCA.gov/zoom

🔗 Council Regular Meeting Agenda (pdf)
🔗 City Council Agenda Packet (pdf)

🏆 Community Design Awards

The City Council will recognize projects that demonstrate excellence in architectural design and alignment with the City’s General Plan policies.

🚰 Amherst Treatment Plant Pre-Filter Replacement

Council will consider awarding a $266,206 contract to replace aging filters at the Amherst Treatment Plant, funded through Water Capital Improvement Funds.

Why it matters: The project supports water system reliability and infrastructure modernization. Ratepayer-funded improvements affect long-term system performance.

Public Input: Consent Calendar item. Residents may request it be pulled for discussion and comment.

🚉 Metro A-Line Pedestrian Bridge Easement

Council will consider accepting a permanent easement from the Los Angeles County Fairplex Association for the planned pedestrian bridge connecting the La Verne A-Line station to the Fairplex campus.

Why it matters: The bridge is a key component of transit-oriented development and pedestrian connectivity near the station.

Public Input: Consent Calendar item. May be pulled for discussion.

Footprint of the pedestrian bridge and perimeter area. Source: City Council Agenda Packet for Feb. 17 (page 49)

🚗 Old Town Car Shows Agreement

Council will consider approving an agreement with Flying Deuces to host two car shows in Old Town in 2026, including a waiver of City fees.

Why it matters: Car shows draw visitors to Old Town and impact traffic, parking and local businesses.

Public Input: Consent Calendar item. May be pulled for comment.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

🚓 AB 481 Military Equipment Policy Renewal

Council will consider renewing the La Verne Police Department’s military equipment use policy as required by state law. The La Verne Police Department 2026 Annual Military Equipment Report is included in the City Council Agenda Packet for Feb. 17 (beginning on page 67).

Why it matters: AB 481 governs law enforcement acquisition and use of military-style equipment, including transparency and annual review requirements.

Public Input: Formal public hearing. Residents may comment before council action.

Community Engagement
Within 30 days of submitting and publicly releasing the annual report, the department is required to hold at least one "well-publicized and conveniently located community engagement meeting." During the meeting, the department should discuss the report and respond to public questions regarding the funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment.

🌾 Weed Abatement Protest Hearing

Council will hear protests from property owners identified as having weeds, brush or rubbish requiring abatement. The declared parcel list begins on page 126 of the City Council Agenda Packet for Feb. 17. It lists 168 parcels.

Why it matters: The action affects affected property owners and addresses fire prevention and neighborhood maintenance.

Public Input: Formal protest hearing. Impacted residents may speak before the council directs enforcement action.

DISCUSSION CALENDAR

🚒 Fire Station No. 1 Living Quarters Improvements

Council will consider awarding a $489,000 contract to upgrade the living quarters at Fire Station No. 1 to meet gender compliance standards.

Why it matters: The project addresses facility modernization and workplace compliance standards.

Public Input: Public comment allowed during discussion.

💰 Mid-Year Budget Review

The Finance Department will present updated revenue and expenditure projections for fiscal year 2025-26, including a projected $390,000 increase in revenue.The Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Budget was approved by the City Council on June 16, 2025.Based on economic and operational changes that have occurred since then, the FinanceDepartment is providing a mid-year financial update for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Updatedestimates have resulted in net increases of $390,000 in revenue for the General Fund and$247,232 in expenditure increases for the General Fund, mainly due to building permit activity.Details of the revenue and expenditure changes for all funds are listed in the City Council Agenda Packet for Feb. 17, starting on page 152.

Why it matters: Mid-year adjustments provide insight into the City’s fiscal health and potential structural budget pressures.

Public Input: Public comment allowed during discussion.

📄 Amended Employment Agreement – City Manager

Council will consider approving an amended employment agreement following the City Manager Ken Domer’s performance evaluation. Based on the City Council’s direction following the performance evaluation, the following amendments to the employment agreement are presented for consideration:

• An increase in the City Manager’s monthly vehicle allowance from $612 to $650.
• An increase in the City’s monthly retiree health savings contribution on behalf of the CityManager from $100 to $150.
• Authorization for an additional annual vacation accrual cash-out of up to 40 hours.

Domer voluntarily elected to forgo a previously approved 2.5% merit step increase.

Why it matters: The agreement includes compensation and benefit adjustments tied to performance review outcomes.

Public Input: Public comment allowed during discussion.

🗣 General Public Comment

Residents may address the City Council on items not listed elsewhere on the agenda. Comments may be submitted by email to cityclerk@laverneca.gov and will be included in the public record. Speakers are limited to three minutes.