For City Council Meeting April 23, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Tanya Williams,Acting City Manager
FROM: Stephen Dopudja, P.E., Interim Utilities Manager
Toyasha Sebbag, Assistant to the City Manager
...Title
Request City Council Approve Resolution No. 8208 and RUA Resolution No. 08-32 accepting $1.05 million in grant funds secured by Senator Connie M. Leyva for the Rialto Habitat Nature Center Project.
(ACTION)
...Body
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council and Rialto Utility Authority Board:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 8207 and RUA Resolution No. 08-32 amending the 2023-2024 fiscal year budget;
2. Ratify the Clean Water Construction Grant Agreement No. D2101053 between the City of Rialto and the California State Water Resources Control Board; and
3. Authorize the City Manager/Executive Director to execute all documents.
BACKGROUND
The Rialto Habitat Nature Center (RHNC) is a project located on ten (10) acres just south of the City’s existing Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). At this location, a large depression exists that can be converted into a lake by using the City’s WWTP effluent to create a wetlands environment. The wetlands environment will help maintain temperature and flow control to the Rialto Channel for the protection of the endangered species existing in the area. The proposed project will also create recreational and educational opportunities in a predominantly industrial section of the City. On June 28, 2021, Senator Connie M. Leyva secured $1.05 million for this project.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) requested a formal application on October 22, 2021, to process the earmark funds in the amount of $1.05 million to the City.
On December 21, 2021, the City Council and Rialto Utility Authority Board adopted Resolution No. 7803 and RUA Resolution No. 09-21 authorizing the application to the SWRCB to receive funding. The funds do not require matching funds and can be used for any part of the project (CEQA, design, or construction activities). On July 28, 2022, staff signed an agreement with the SWRCB to access the funds (ATTACHMENT 1) and are recommending that the City Council and Rialto Utility Authority Board adopt Resolutions to accept these funds into the Rialto Utility Authority coffers.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The requested City Council 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 the potential to result 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
Approval of this action complies with the following:
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 has reviewed the staff report and resolutions and approved it as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
The requested action does not impact the Operating Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
Accepting the award will increase revenues in the amount of $1,050,000 in the Wastewater Concession Agreement Grant Fund Revenue Account No. 56607860-47536. The additional revenue will offset increased expenditures of the same amount appropriated in Account No. 56607860-53001, Phase 83: SWRCB for award expenditures associated with the Rialto Habitat Nature Center.