For City Council Meeting May 13, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Cynthia Alvarado, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Title
Request the City Council to: (1) Approve the Addendum to the Licensed Training Provider Agreement with the American Red Cross to Include the City of Rialto’s Participation in the Centennial Campaign, (2) Accept the Centennial Campaign Grants Funds in the Amount of $6,000; and (3) Accept the Authorize the City Manager or Designee to Execute all Related Documents Necessary for the Grant Award and Implementation.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Approve the Addendum to the Licensed Training Provider Agreement with the American Red Cross to include the City of Rialto’s participation in the Centennial Campaign,
2) Accept the Centennial Campaign Grants funds in the amount of $6,000; and
3) Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all related documents necessary for the grant award and implementation.
BACKGROUND
The City of Rialto Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department (PRCSD) has been a partner with the American Red Cross as a Licensed Training Provider for swim and water safety education programs. As part of its Centennial Campaign, the Red Cross is working to reduce drowning rates and promote water safety education, especially in communities with higher-than-average drowning incidents. Through this campaign, the City has the opportunity to enhance its water safety offerings, including expanding the City’s Learn-to-Swim programs, Junior Lifeguarding courses, and providing additional training for lifeguards and water safety instructors.
Funds will be allocated and used in the upcoming Fiscal Year 25-26 budget year.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The City of Rialto currently has an agreement in place with the Redcross for training purposes i.e. using the Red Cross curriculum for CPR, First Aide, and lifeguard training. The department is requesting to have the agreement amended to include the City’s participation in the Centennial Campaign.
The American Red Cross Centennial Campaign is a national initiative established to commemorate 100 years of Red Cross swim instruction and to address the critical public health need for water safety education-particularly in underserved communities. Through strategic partnerships with municipalities and recreation providers, the campaign offers targeted funding and program support aimed at reducing drowning risks and increasing community access to lifesaving aquatic programs.
As a Licensed Training Provider with the American Red Cross, the City of Rialto Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department (PRCSD) has been selected to participate in this campaign and has been awarded $6,000 to support its Learn to Swim and Junior Lifeguarding programs.
Use of Funds:
1. Learn to Swim Program Scholarships:
o The Centennial Campaign will provide scholarship funding for local youth and families to participate in swim lessons at a significantly reduced cost.
o Each swim session includes eight instructional classes, normally priced at $60.
o The Centennial Campaign will subsidize each session by $40 per participant, allowing residents to enroll for just $20 out-of-pocket.
o These subsidies are designed to remove financial barriers, encourage water safety education, and promote a lifelong skill that is essential for recreation and emergency preparedness.
2. Junior Lifeguarding Program Scholarships:
o The Junior Lifeguarding program prepares youth with foundational lifeguard skills and fosters interest in aquatics as a potential career path.
o Normally priced at $75, the Red Cross will provide a $35 scholarship for each enrolled participant.
o Additionally, the $19 Licensed Training Provider (LTP) fee, which would typically be charged per participant, is waived as part of the Centennial Campaign partnership.
o As a result, the total out-of-pocket cost for a Junior Lifeguarding participant is just $21.
These opportunities promote both recreational engagement and workforce development, aligning with PRCSD's mission to provide accessible, inclusive, and meaningful programs for Rialto residents.
Program Oversight and Accountability:
• All scholarship tracking and program delivery will follow the guidelines set forth by the American Red Cross, including detailed reporting of participant demographics, attendance, and outcomes.
• The PRCSD Aquatics Division will manage the implementation, marketing, and delivery of these subsidized programs throughout the 2025 swim season.
• The funding will be allocated based on program demand and enrollment, ensuring that as many residents as possible benefit from the initiative.
Broader Impact:
• Participation in the Centennial Campaign not only makes aquatic programs more affordable but also strengthens the City’s commitment to public safety by enhancing swim competency in the community.
• According to the CDC, formal swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by as much as 88% among children ages 1-4.
• The campaign also supports broader City goals related to equity, youth development, and community wellness.
By amending the existing Licensed Training Provider Agreement to include participation in the Centennial Campaign and accepting the $6,000 grant award, the City of Rialto will be better equipped to serve its residents, especially those who may not otherwise have access to vital water safety education.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action 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 the potential to result 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) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
This action is consistent with the following Guiding Principles in the General Plan:
Guiding Principles 1: Rialto is a Family First Community
• Essential community services and amenities must meet the needs and desires of our families.
Guiding Principles 3: Rialto’s Economic Environment is Healthy and Diverse
• 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.
Guiding Principles 4: Rialto is an Active Community
• We will create transportation alternatives that allow us to walk, bike, and use public transportation to travel within our community and reach regional destinations.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the addendum and approved it as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
There is no financial impact connected to this grant; Funds will be properly allocated in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget to coincide with the grant period.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
No impact
Licensing
This action does not require a business license.