For City Council Meeting March 11, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Cynthia Alvarado, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Title
Request City Council to: (1) Approve the submission of a grant application for additional funding in the amount of $300,000 from the Clean Mobility Options (CMO) program to support the fourth year of Rialto’s Bike Share Program. (2) Authorize the City Manager of their designee to sign all necessary documents to complete this grant application.
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council (1) Approve the submission of a grant application for additional funding in the amount of $300,000 from the Clean Mobility Options (CMO) program to support the fourth year of Rialto’s Bike Share Program. (2) Authorize the City Manager of their designee to sign all necessary documents to complete this grant application
BACKGROUND
On June 8, 2021, City Council adopted Resolution No. 7733, accepting the Clean Mobility Options (CMO) Voucher Pilot Program in the amount of $1,000,000. City Council awarded a Professional Services Agreement to Drop Mobility, in the amount of $1,100,000 for the Bike Sharing Implementation Program, City Project No. 170810.
On July 25, 2023, City Council approved the Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department to submit a grant application for Window 1 Mobility Project Voucher (MPV) under the Clean Mobility Options (CMO) program for additional funding connected to Rialto’s Bike Share Program.
In July 2023, City Council approved the application for additional funding from Clean Mobility Options with up to $500,000 in additional funding available.
On November 20, 2023, the CMO Program Manager approved Rialto’s additional funding application, awarding the city of Rialto an additional $493,707.48.
On August 12, 2024, City Council accepted the award of $493,707.48 from Clean Mobility options and approved Resolution No. 8280, amending the budget, adding an additional funds to Bike Share Program.
On December 17th, Clean Mobility Options announced an additional funding opportunity that will allow the grant awardee to designate these additional funds to the fourth year of operation in the amount of $300,000. Grant application is due March 3, 2025.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The Clean Mobility Options (CMO) Voucher Pilot Program is designed to support zero-emission transportation solutions in historically underserved communities across California. This includes funding for car sharing, bike and scooter sharing, innovative transit services, and on-demand ride programs.
When the City of Rialto initially secured funding for the Bike Share Program four years ago, the impact of inflation and increasing operational demands were not fully anticipated. In response to these financial challenges, the City successfully applied for additional funding in 2023 to help cover rising costs, primarily for program operations.
In 2025, the Clean Mobility Options program, in partnership with Cal Start, announced an additional funding opportunity of $300,000 to support the fourth year of the program. If awarded, these funds will specifically address increased expenses related to bicycle maintenance, bike stand repairs, and bike replacements. The application for this funding is due by February 19, 2025.
Notably, this grant does not require matching funds from the City. The $300,000 will be allocated as follows:
• Direct Labor: $202,677.91
• Fringe Benefits (10%): $20,267.80
• Equipment/Capital Costs: $46,156.75
• Subcontractor (Third-Party Services): $30,900.54
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed request is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to section 15378(b), a project does not include: (5) Organization or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
Approval of this action complies with the following City of Rialto General Plan Goals and Policies:
Our city government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
There is no financial impact to the General Fund. This is not a grant match required grant. If awarded, the funds are administered by a third party (CMO) who seeks the City’s approval before releasing payments to Drop Mobility. Payment requests are fully vetted by City staff before moving forward to the City Manager for payment approval signature.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
No financial impact
Licensing
Approval of this action does not require a Business License application and payment of a Business License tax.