For City Council Meeting [November 15, 2022]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Marcus Fuller, City Manager
FROM: Tim Sullivan, Director of Maintenance and Facilities
Title
Request City Council to: (1) Adopt Resolution No. 8011 Amending the Capital Improvement Program to Add “Rialto Library Study Room Project, City Project No. 230203” and appropriate Budget of $700,000; (2) Approve a Funding Agreement with the County of San Bernardino related to the Rialto Library Study Room Project; and (3) Authorize the City Manager to Execute all Documents.
(ACTION)
Body
BACKGROUND:
On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into federal law. Included in this $1.9 trillion stimulus bill was the $350 billion Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to assist state, local, and tribal governments with pandemic recovery efforts.
San Bernardino County will receive a total of $423.5 million from ARPA. On June 8, 2021 (amended on August 24, 2021), the County’s Board of Supervisors took its initial step toward investing the funds by passing the San Bernardino County Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Spending Plan. This plan allocated the County’s total $423.5 million through December 31, 2024, into three (3) distinct spending categories and numerous subcategories aligned with the overarching goal of rebuilding stronger communities in response to the pandemic.
The County of San Bernardino has a lease agreement with the City to operate a Public Library at 251 West First Street in the City’s building. There are two (2) atrium areas within the Library that the County desires to convert into study rooms. This proposed project was evaluated and determined to be an eligible use of the County’s ARPA allocation and has committed $700,000 in ARPA funds for this effort.
DISCUSSION:
In July 2022, City staff began discussions with the Library and County ARPA compliance employees regarding a proposed project to fund the design and construction of the conversion of the two (2) open atriums at the Rialto Library (“Project”). These under-utilized outdoor atriums would be converted into enclosed study room areas to expand Library uses. Each open atrium is approximately 300 square feet for a total area of 600 square feet. The additional square footage will extend the usable sheltered space for Library programming. A conceptual floorplan of the study rooms is included as Attachment 1.
The Project was evaluated and determined to be an eligible use of the County’s ARPA allocation. A subrecipient Funding Agreement must be executed between the County and the City to sub-award the ARPA funding for this project as part of the federal requirement. The Agreement is included in this report as Attachment 2.
The Agreement establishes funding transfers by the County of an amount not to exceed $700,000 to the City on a reimbursement basis for expenditures related to the Project. It will be necessary for the City to commission an architect to prepare the required drawings to convert the open atriums and incorporate them into enclosed spaces within the library building.
The design will also include structural, architectural, electrical, HVAC, and related improvements. Should City Council approve the proposed Funding Agreement, and prior to construction activity, staff will return to Council to seek approval for the award of a construction contract.
All costs related to the Project will be funded by the County through its ARPA funds, and at no cost to the City.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action does 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. Prior to commencing construction of the Project, appropriate environmental analysis pursuant to CEQA will be completed.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
The City of Rialto General Plan establishes various guiding principles, goals, and objectives through which the City looks to improve the community and protect the quality of life for our residents. This action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3A in 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.
Approval of this action also complies with the following City of Rialto General Plan Goals and Policies:
Goal 3-11: Provide community facilities that adequately support established programs, can accommodate future needs, and are accessible to all members of the community.
Goal 3-13: Provide high-quality library resources to meet the educational, cultural, and lifelong learning needs of all residents.
Policy 3-13.1: Continue the innovative partnership with the San Bernardino County Library and Friends of the Rialto Library to improve the quality of library services in Rialto.
Policy 3-13.2: Coordinate with San Bernardino County to develop programs and services that meet future needs of adults, children, and new readers.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed and recommends approval of this staff report and agreement.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
There is no impact to the operating budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
The Agreement establishes funding transfers by the County of an amount not to exceed $700,000 to the City on a reimbursement basis for expenditures related to the Project.
Staff Recommends adopting a Resolution to amend the City’s Capital Improvement Program to identify this capital project, and to increase revenue in the Major Capital Grant Fund, Account No. 223-400-4430-7536-230203 and to appropriate expenditures in Account No. 223-500-4430-3001-230203 in the amount of $700,000.
Licensing
A Business License application and payment of a Business License tax are not required for this action.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
• Adopt the Resolution Amending the Capital Improvement Program to Add “Rialto Library Study Room Project, City Project No. 230203” and appropriate Budget of $700,000.
• Approve a Funding Agreement with the County of San Bernardino related to the Rialto Library Study Room Project.
• Authorize the City Manager to Execute all Documents.