For City Council Meeting January 14, 2025
TO: Honorable and City Council
FROM: G. Michael Milhiser, Interim City Manager
AUTHOR: Toyasha Sebbag, Assistant to the City Manager
Title
Request City Council to 1) Conduct Public Hearing to receive community feedback and 2) Approve the naming of the Rialto Habitat Nature Center to the “Dr. June Hayes and Deborah Robertson Habitat Nature Center.”
(ACTION)
body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council to 1) Conduct Public Hearing to receive community feedback and 2) Approve the naming of the Rialto Habitat Nature Center to the “Dr. June Hayes and Deborah Robertson Habitat Nature Center.”
BACKGROUND
On January 24, 2012, the City Council approved the policy for naming parks and other City facilities. The procedure for the naming of city parks and facilities includes the following:
The Recreation and Community Services Department (Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department) will submit a staff report to City Council requesting a public hearing to consider the recommendation. Citizens can comment on the proposal directly to the City Council via the Public Hearing.
The City Council will make the final determination in naming all City parks and facilities.
The naming of City parks and facilities is subject to the following criteria:
• A park can be named after an individual, whether living or deceased.
• A facility can be named after an individual or organization.
• No more than one park or facility can be named after an individual or organization.
• To have a park or facility named after any individual or organization, that individual or organization must have completed a minimum of 20 years of service to the community or have donated a minimum of 50% of the value of the park or facility.
The Policy for Naming of City Parks and Facilities, Re-naming Procedure section C, step 7 states that Council Members and City Employees may also recommend the naming of a City Park or Facility. The procedure in these cases would include steps 5 and 6 only and are listed below:
Re-naming Procedure section C, step 5 states that the Recreation & Community Services Department will submit a staff report to City Council requesting to set a Public Hearing to consider the recommendation. Citizens will have the opportunity to comment on the recommendation directly to the City Council via the Public Hearing.
Lastly, step 6 states that the City Council will make the final determination in the naming of all City Parks and Facilities.
Policy Criteria
At the November 12, 2024, City Council meeting, Councilmember Scott proposed naming the Rialto Habitat Nature Center after Dr. June Hayes and Deborah Robertson in recognition of their significant contributions to environmental stewardship and sustainability on behalf of the City of Rialto.
Following the recommendation, Councilmember Baca moved to approve the proposal, and Mayor Pro Tem Carrizales seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
On December 10, 2024, the City Council approved to set the Public Hearing for January 14, 2025, to allow the public to participate in the decision-making process of naming the Rialto Habitat Nature Center.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
Planned to be constructed on City-owned property adjacent to the Rialto Wastewater Treatment Plant is approximately 10 acres of open water, vegetation, and wetland habitat. The project will improve fish and bird habitat with the creation of a lake, island, and surrounding wetlands comprised of tertiary treated effluent from the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project is anticipated to improve surface water quality for native fish and aquatic species by reducing warm-season water temperatures in the Rialto Channel, a tributary to the Santa Ana River. The project will also serve to improve the quality of life for residents of Rialto as the lake will be designed to include pedestrian trails, open space, and educational environmental programming.
The project is expected to receive a $3 million federal WaterSMART Grant, pending City Council approval in the coming months. With this latest award, the project is fully funded at $8.2 million in state and federal grant funds.
The naming of this facility will honor the vision and contributions of both Dr. June Hayes and Former Mayor Deborah Robertson to environmental stewardship and sustainability on behalf of the City of Rialto.
Dr. June Hayes was elected to the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District in 2016, re-elected in 2020, and again in 2024. Representing Division I, she served areas of Rialto and Fontana, including the Fontana Water Company, Marigold Mutual Water Company, Rialto Water Services, and West Valley Water District. A lifelong resident and dedicated advocate for Rialto, Dr. Hayes played a pivotal role in shaping San Bernardino Valley’s future and solidifying its position as a leader in watershed resilience. Dr. Hayes also served as Vice Chair of the Rialto Utilities Commission from 1995 until her passing in October 2024.
Former Mayor Deborah Robertson was elected to serve as Rialto’s in 2012, 2016 and 2020. During her tenure, Rialto has gained recognition as a leader in municipal innovation, particularly in environmental sustainability, economic development, and equity, achieved through collaborative efforts to position Rialto as an environmental steward. In 2021, she was appointed by the Biden-Harris Administration to the Environmental Protection Agency Local Government Advisory Committee. A Rialto resident since 1988, Robertson previously served 12 years on the Rialto City Council, during which she was a Rialto Airport Commissioner and a Budget Oversight Advisory Committee member. In addition, since 2002, she has represented Rialto and Fontana on the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Council, as well as on various regional committees focused on economics and energy policy.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The requested 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 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: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
Guiding principle: 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 staff report.
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.