For City Council Meeting May 27, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Tim Sullivan, Assistant City Manager
John Rossi, Interim Utilities Director
Title
Request the City Council/Rialto Utility Authority Board Authorize the release of Bids for the Automatic Meter Infrastructure Project.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council/Rialto Utility Authority Board authorize the release of bids for the Automatic Meter Infrastructure Project.
BACKGROUND
The City of Rialto (City)/Rialto Utility Authority (RUA) has secured $8 million in grant funds to implement an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Project: Department of Water Resources Urban Community Drought Relief Grant Funds for $6,000,000 and the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Reclamation Grant Funds for $2,000,000.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
Implementing an AMI water system offers operational, customer service, and financial benefits. AMI enables remote, real-time water meter reading, eliminating manual reads and reducing labor, vehicle use, and human error. The system provides timely data that improves billing accuracy, detects leaks early, and reduces non-revenue water losses.
Residents will have access to detailed usage data, allowing them to monitor water consumption, receive leak alerts, and manage water use proactively. In turn, this should lead to higher customer satisfaction of our residents. AMI also supports compliance with state water efficiency mandates (SB 606/AB 1668) and strengthens RUA's state-mandated drought response and conservation programs.
While AMI requires upfront investment, it delivers long-term savings through operational efficiencies, improved revenue recovery, and enhanced planning capabilities. By securing substantial grant money, it is anticipated that much of the AMI project will be funded by these grants.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action is not a "Project" as defined by the California...
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