For City Council Meeting February 24, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Christina Taylor, Community Development Director
Title
Request City Council Adopt Resolution No. 8476 Amending the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year Budget Appropriating $250,000 for Repairs to a City-Owned Property Located at 119 N. Riverside Avenue.
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt the attached Resolution (Exhibit A) amending the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget appropriating $250,000 for repairs to a City-owned property located at 119 N. Riverside Avenue.
BACKGROUND
The subject property is located at 119 N. Riverside Avenue, Rialto, California. The parcel is 20,240 square feet and improved with a 4,390-square-foot building.
In 1992, the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Rialto ("Agency") purchased the former train station from SANBAG (now SBCTA), the County Transportation Commission, for the purpose of utilizing the building for a restaurant. Cuca's Restaurant leased the building from 2000 to 2023.
In April 2022, the City Council adopted the Rialto Pacific Electric Trail Expansion Feasibility Study, evaluating the feasibility of extending the existing 20-mile pedestrian and Class I bicycle path located on the right-of-way previously used by the Pacific Electric Railway from its current terminus at Cactus Avenue to the eastern boundary of the City at Pepper Avenue. The subject property is adjacent to a portion of the right-of-way for the trail extension.
On March 6, 2023, the San Bernardino County Oversight Board approved amendment No. 5 to the City’s Long Range Property Management Plan allowing the City to retain the property for governmental purposes such as a historical site, museum, or other uses that acknowledge the property’s historical significance in the City and are compatible with the City’s Rialto Pacific Electric Trail Expansion project.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The building has been vacant since Cuca’s vacated it on December 31, 2023. It is currently in need of repairs to the roof, HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems. The requested funding will be utilized to replace the roof, HVAC system and any incidental repairs related to this work. Staff recommends waiting on the electrical, plumbing and ADA repairs until a tenant is selected for the space. This will ensure the systems are modified to meet specific tenant needs.
As the roof and HVAC repairs are made, staff will be releasing a request for proposals (RFP) for an operator who can occupy a portion of the existing building and can provide quick, healthy options for residents and for those utilizing the trail. The RFP process will include a walk-through of the building so potential operators can understand existing conditions and anticipate needed modifications. The remaining portion of the building, not needed for the restaurant, will be utilized to pay homage to the historical significance and impact of the former rail line.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action 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
Approval of the proposed action also complies with the following City of Rialto Guiding Principles, 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.” Approval of this action also complies with the City of Rialto General Plan Goals:
Goal 3-2: Improve historic commercial areas, including Downtown and major commercial corridors.
Goal 3-4: Revitalize aging and underperforming commercial and industrial areas.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the staff report and resolution and has approved it as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
None.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
The approval will allocate $250,000 from the General Fund Capital Improvements Fund, Account No. 33007302-53001, for the repairs on the City-owned property located at 119 N. Riverside Avenue.
Business License
The approval to allocate funds from the General Fund does not require a City business license. However, any contractors selected to conduct the repairs will be required to obtain a City business license prior to the execution of any contract.