For City Council Meeting December 9, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Christina Taylor, Director of Community Development
Title
Request the City Council to: (1) Adopt the Disaster Relief Program Requirements, and (2) Adopt Resolution No. 8439 Amending the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year Budget Appropriating $100,000 for the Disaster Relief Fund.
(ACTION)
body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council:
1) Adopt the disaster relief program; and
2) Adopt a Resolution amending the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget appropriating $100,000 for the Disaster Relief Fund.
BACKGROUND
On Friday, November 21, 2025, the Vista View Apartments suffered a fire that destroyed sixteen apartment units and displaced approximately 70 people. At the City Council meeting on November 25, 2025, the City Council directed staff to establish a disaster relief fund and allotted $100,000 to directly assist residents.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
City staff have developed guidelines for the administration of the disaster relief program (Attachment 1). These guidelines are designed to be applicable for a variety of disaster situations, so the program would not have to be reworked in the event of a different type of disaster occurring, and the funds need to be utilized to provide support or relief to City of Rialto residents.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Establishing a disaster relief fund does not constitute 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 organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
Implementation of the Disaster Relief Program is consistent with City of Rialto Guiding Principles and General Plan Goals:
Guiding Principle No. 3: “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.”
Goal 5-9: Include provisions for vulnerable populations in emergency response procedures and recovery efforts
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the staff report.
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the resolution and approved it as to form and will review and approve as to form all documents required in connection with administering the program.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will authorize an appropriation of $100,000 from Fund Balance to the General Fund Account 10104257-52021-DISRF-42.