For City Council Meeting February 25, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Eric S. Vail, City Attorney
Barbara A. McGee, City Clerk
Title
Request City Council to Consider Adoption of Ordinance No. 1699 Amending Chapters 2.16, 2.18, 2.20, 2.22, 2.24, 2.27, and 4.01, and repealing Chapters 2.25, 2.64 and 2.68 of the Rialto Municipal Code to consolidate and Reorganize the City’s commissions reducing the number of commissions from (9) to (4).
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council introduce by separate motion, waive the full reading of proposed Ordinance No. 1699 entitled “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIALTO CALIFORNIA AMENDING CHAPTERS 2.16, 2.18, 2.20, 2.22, 2.24, 2.27, and 4.01, REPEALING CHAPTERS 2.25, 2.64 and 2.68 OF THE RIALTO MUNICIPAL CODE TO CONSOIDATE AND REORGNIZE THE CITY’S COMMISSIONS
BACKGROUND
Over the years, the City Council has established (9) commissions to advise the City Council on various issues of concern to the City and its residents. Currently, these existing commissions include:
In reviewing the status of these commissions, it has become apparent that there are commissions that are no longer necessary, commissions that have not met for several years or that struggle to make a quorum to conduct business. Through a review of the City Council Sub-Committee on Commissions, the recommendation is to reduce the current commissions from nine (9) to four (4) and to make other significant changes to increase efficiency and opportunities for residents to take an active role in the governance of the city.
The remaining 4 commissions would include 7 members for a total of 28 commissioners and 4 student liaisons. The student liaisons are non-voting members.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
If adopted the proposed ordinance would make a number of significant changes to the existing commission structure which are more fully set forth in the proposed Ordinance. These changes are briefly described below.
Commission Membership, Appointment, and Term Limits:
• Member Appointment. RMC section 2.16.020 would be amended to provide that the Council as a whole will receive and review all commissioner applications, and the Council as a whole will interview and select commission members at regular or special meetings, with each appointee requiring a majority vote of the membership of the Council. Additionally, there is a provision that allows for the Council Subcommittee to interview candidates and to make a recommendation fo the reappointment to the City Council.
• Nonvoting Student Members. RMC section 2.16.050 would be amended to provide that each commission would have one (1) nonvoting high school (10th - 12th grade) student member appointed by the Council. Student members would serve one (1) year terms.
• Member Terms. RMC section 2.16.070 would be amended to establish a term limit of three (3) terms of four (4) years each on a single commission. Partial terms of two (2) years or more would be counted as a whole term. A commissioner having served the full-term limit on one commission would be allowed to sit out one year and then be eligible for reappointment to a new commission and serve for another three (3) terms of four (4) years each.
• Implementation of Reorganization. RMC section 2.16.100 would be added to the municipal code and would terminate all existing commission terms on April 10th, 2025, or such other date the Council selects. The Council would review applications, interview potential commission appointees, and then make appointments such that new commission terms would commence on April 10, 2025. In order to have staggered terms, 4 members will have longer terms and 2 will have shorter terms determined by lot at the first meeting of each commission. The longer term will serve for slightly under 4 years and the shorter ter for slightly under 2 years. This is a one-time adjustment needed to accommodate the reorganization ordinance taking effect. After these initial terms, regular terms will be a full 4 years running from January 1st to December 31st.
The Four Remaining Commissions:
The reorganization will result in four (4) commissions, each of which will have either new or augmented functions and duties. These commissions are:
• Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission (RMC Chapt 2.18). This commission will replace the former Recreation, Parks and Social Services Commission and will absorb its duties and functions. This new commission will also advise the Council related to policies, programs and services for senior citizens.
• Planning Commission (RMC Chapt 2.22). The Planning Commission with continue with its existing duties and functions, but will also absorb the previous duties of the Transportation Commission (RMC Chapt 2.64) and the Mobile Home Rent Review Commission (RMC Chapt 4.01).
• Rialto Utilities Commission (RMC Chapt 2.24). This commission will continue to carry out its existing duties and functions regarding water and wastewater but will also be tasked to monitor and promote their interests in Public, Education and Government (“PEG”) channel access and programming.
• Neighborhood Beautification and Historical Preservation (RMC Chapt 2.27) A new commission that absorbs all of the duties of the prior Neighborhood and Housing Preservation and Beautification Commission and the Historical Preservation Commission.
The Dissolved or Absorbed Commissions:
The following committees are proposed to either be repealed in their entirety or to be absorbed into one of the Four Remaining Commissions discussed above.
• Recreation, Parks & Social Services Commission (RMC Chapt 2.18). This commission is renamed the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission which absorbs all of its prior duties and functions.
• Historical Preservation Commission (RMC Chap 2.20). This commission will be combined with the Neighborhood and Housing Preservation and Beautification Commission (RMC Chapt 2.27).
• Rialto Cable Advisory Commission (RMC Chapt 2.25). This commission will be dissolved and the text of Chapter 2.25 will be repealed. Part of its prior functions related to PEG access and programing will be absorbed by the Rialto Utility Commission.
• Mobile Home Rent Review Commission (Chapt 4.01). This commission will be dissolved, and its functions will be absorbed by the Planning Commission. Chapt 4.01 will continue to exist in the RMC, but instead of authorizing a separate commission, it will now describe Mobile Home Rent Review to be implemented by the Planning Commission.
• Transportation Commission (Chapt 2.68). This commission will be dissolved, and its functions will be absorbed by the Planning Commission. Chapt. 2.64 will continue to exist in the RMC, but instead of authorizing a separate commission, it will now describe Transportation Commission to be implemented by the Planning Commission
• Human Relations Commission (RMC Chapt 2.64). This commission will be dissolved
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed actions do not constitute a “project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(b) of the State CEQA Guidelines, 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
This action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3A of the General Plan:
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 ordinance and approved it as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
There is no impact to the operating budget with this action.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
There is no impact to the Capital Improvement Budget with this Action