Hello and happy Tuesday La Verne!

We tuned into Monday’s City Council meeting, and wow — it was packed tighter than a Trader Joe’s parking lot at noon. In today’s newsletter: the City’s asking for your feedback, new businesses are blooming along Foothill Boulevard, and a few events to check out this week (and next).

🚨Got a news tip for us? Email newstips@lavernedaily.org or chat with us now!

City Seeks Strategic Input (and Offers Raffle Rewards in Return) 🎟️

You have a chance to help shape the city’s future — and maybe win a prize while you’re at it.

The La Verne Community Survey gives residents an opportunity to share feedback that will directly influence the City’s Strategic Plan. The City Council will use this community input to set goals and guide decisions for the next few years. As of this week, only 52 people have responded, according to Senior City Management Analyst Erin Beilstein, who urged more residents to participate. No deadline was given. We’ve reached out for more info. Those who complete the survey can also enter a raffle, with prizes to be announced at an upcoming City Council meeting.

Take the survey online at laverneca.gov/633/Community-Survey-2025, or request a paper copy by calling (909) 596-8726 or emailing survey@laverneca.gov.

What or Who is La Verne Daily?

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La Verne Extends Tract-Map Deadline, Awards Arrow Highway Greening Contract; Noise Fixes Eyed at Pickleball Courts

❓Can someone please tell us what the ruckus is all about with the pickleball courts?

The City Council on Monday approved its consent calendar 5-0, then held a public hearing on a one-year extension for Vesting Tentative Tract Map 82001 at 500 Baseline Road.

Staff said the subdivision — about 19.4 acres into nine lots, including seven for single-family homes — was originally approved Sept. 20, 2021, when the site was in unincorporated Los Angeles County. The annexation to La Verne was completed in 2024. Under state law, vesting tentative maps may receive up to 10 years of extensions. Adoption of the resolution sets a new expiration of Nov. 3, 2026. There was no public comment.

In a separate action, the council awarded a construction contract for the Arrow Highway Urban Greening Project to Oppenheimer National, to the lowest responsible bidder at $318,500. The project traces back to a July 2021 grant agreement with the California Natural Resources Agency. After costs climbed when plans were completed in 2023, City staff narrowed the scope from a 1.3-mile median landscape upgrade that extended into Pomona, limiting it to a segment from White Avenue to Fulton Road, while still touching Pomona.

The median work will install drought-tolerant, low-water landscaping and 15-gallon trees to meet the grant’s carbon-sequestration goals. Staff noted a bid protest citing a clerical line-item error did not affect the low bid. The council also authorized change orders up to 25 percent of the construction amount (a cap of $389,125) and approved $45,000 for a construction-management consultant. Councilmember Wendy Lau recused herself from the vote because she lives near the median. The motion passed 4-0.

Council members and staff acknowledged Arrow Highway’s deteriorated pavement and said they are exploring coordination with Pomona and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments for future rehabilitation once work related to the Gold Line concludes.

During public comment, one resident urged the City to consider the cumulative cost of living effects of upcoming decisions — from proposed water and sewer rate increases to public-safety contract costs — and asked for heightened transparency and outreach, particularly for seniors and residents on fixed incomes. The council said staff would continue public engagement on budget issues.

In other business, the council discussed pickleball noise near neighborhood courts. Staff reported they recently took baseline decibel readings at several locations and will hang sound-attenuation blankets on the west and north fences as a test, then measure again during play to gauge effectiveness. The blankets are expected to arrive in the coming weeks.

The mayor highlighted the city’s legislative update summarizing bills signed or vetoed by the governor and urged residents to review the report, noting the City frequently submits support or opposition letters on measures affecting municipalities. He also said ballot drop boxes outside City Hall are emptied nightly by county election staff. Read the City’s Legislative Platform, and the 2025 position letters. (It’s not light reading, but we’ll be digging into these as well. In the meantime, you can skim the one-page summary on the City’s legislative priorities).

The next regular City Council meeting is 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3.

Business Briefs: What’s New Around Town

Business is blooming along Foothill Boulevard!

Trader Joe’s opens Wednesday
The long-awaited Trader Joe’s (which moved in next to Marshall’s at Foothill Boulevard and White Avenue will open at 9 a.m. Wednesday, with a grand opening ribbon-cutting scheduled for 8:55 a.m.

Foothill Citrus Vet Hospital opens with surgery center
Foothill Citrus Veterinary Hospital has opened at 2187 Foothill Blvd., offering a full range of services, including a new surgery center for pets in need of advanced care.
(909) 596-1881
citrusvetclinic.com

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Grocery Outlet to replace 99 Cents Only store
Discount shopping fans can look forward to Grocery Outlet, which is taking over the former 99 Cents Only Store location at Wheeler Avenue and Foothill Boulevard. Known for its “treasure hunt” shopping experience, Grocery Outlet offers name-brand products, fresh produce, organics and household essentials at deep discounts. The store is undergoing tenant improvements before opening.

Amazon Fresh to close La Verne location
According to Mayor Tim Hepburn, Amazon Fresh is closing all its locations, including the La Verne store on Foothill Boulevard. The final day of operation is expected to be Nov. 16.

The Forge takes shape across from Damien
A new fitness facility, The Forge, has opened at 968 Palomares Ave., across from Damien High School. The gym offers private and group weight training, along with rock-climbing walls.
(909) 596-3383
trainwithforge.com

South Coast AQMD launches GO ZERO program
The South Coast Air Quality Management District has launched the $21 million GO ZERO Pilot Incentive Program, offering rebates to help residents and businesses switch to heat pumps for space and water heating. The program includes installer training and application support, with applications processed on a first-come, first-served basis while funds last. See aqmd.gov/go-zero for details.

📢 Want to share your business news? Email newstips@lavernedaily.org!

✏️ Draft Mode — What We’re Working On Next

• The City’s proposed water rate hike (and how you can weigh-in)
• The status of the La Verne Police Department contract

🔎What else would you like us to look into? Email staci@lavernedaily.org

Upcoming Events

Red Cross Blood Drive🩸
8 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 22
University of La Verne
Leo’s Den, Abraham Campus CenterMore info: https://laverne.edu/event/red-cross-blood-drive/

One Book, One University: “Our Migrant Souls: A Meditation on Race and the Meanings and Myths of “Latino” Héctor Tobar,” Community-Wide Lecture & Conversation with Author
3 p.m. Oct. 22
University of La Verne
Stephen & Ann Morgan Auditorium
Free, open to the public.
More info: https://laverne.edu/event/one-book-one-university-our-migrant-souls-a-meditation-on-race-and-the-meanings-and-myths-of-latino-hector-tobar/

Halloween Hop 💃 🕺
Dance for Those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities5-8 p.m. Oct. 24
La Verne Community Center
More info: https://www.laverneca.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=1876

Classic Car Show 🚘
10 a.m.- 3p.m. Oct. 25
Heritage Park
More info: https://www.laverneca.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=1867

Harvest Pumpkin Patch 🎃
Open through Oct. 30
Heritage Park
More info: https://www.laverneheritage.org/events

Trick-or-Treating in Old Town 🎃
3- 6 p.m. Oct. 31
Old Town La Verne
More info: https://www.laverneca.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=1871

🗓️ Promote your event (for free) in an upcoming newsletter! Email events@lavernedaily.org

Interested in sponsoring La Verne Daily News?

➡️ Join us as a sponsor before Dec. 1 and your first month is free! We’re a new community newsletter focused solely on news and information for the city of La Verne. Email staci@lavernedaily.org for more information.

This newsletter leveraged Qwen, a large language model developed by Tongyi Lab, ChatGPT and Apple Notes to transcribe, analyze, organize, and summarize information.