For Water Subcommittee Meeting January 29, 2026
TO: Honorable Water Subcommittee Members
APPROVAL: Sachin Chawla, Director of Utilities
FROM: Nicole Hemmans, Senior Administrative Analyst
Title
Request that the Water Subcommittee Receive a Presentation from Grant Consultants, Soto Resources, and Provide Feedback on a Proposed Amendment No. 5 to the Professional Services Agreement with Soto Resources in the Amount of $200,000 to Provide Additional As-Needed Grant Writing Assistance. (ACTION)
Body
BACKGROUND:
Soto Resources was awarded a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) on July 13, 2021, for $50,250 to provide funding research and strategy reports for the Rialto Habitat Nature Center (RHNC) and as-needed grant writing assistance to the City's Utilities Division. Since then, Soto Resources has assisted the Utilities Division with obtaining $19 million in grant funding, increasing their contract to $462,600 as of their fourth amendment issued on August 5, 2025.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
Since 2021, Soto Resources scope of work has expanded to include the City's interests in AMI, Well 3A Treatment, septic to sewer, and other CIP Project and has provided ongoing reporting to the City on the latest funding opportunities to potentially fund approximately 27 City projects.
Below is a list of total funding awarded to date:
Part of their successful management style includes weekly meetings with staff to discuss anticipated and potential capital improvement projects and to identify new funding opportunities. In addition, internal and external action items including meetings with state and federal grant staff, grant management of approved grants, and to-do items are tracked meticulously to ensure the City/Rialto Utility Authority (RUA) does not miss upcoming funding opportunities.
Grant opportunities are regularly announced by the state and federal governments. The City of Rialto/Rialto Utility Authority currently has three (3) applications totaling $9.244 m...
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