FOR: Water Subcommittee Meeting [February 28, 2024]
TO: Honorable Water Subcommittee Members
APPROVAL: Stephen Dopudja, P.E., Interim Utilities Manager
Toyasha Sebbag, Assistant to the City Manager
...Title
Request that the Water Subcommittee Provide Feedback on the Growing Water Smart Technical Assistance Grant funds of $10,000.
(ACTION)
...Body
BACKGROUND:
On October 10, 2023, the City Council/Rialto Utility Authority Board authorized staff to apply for the Sonoran Institute and the Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy’s California Growing Water Smart Technical Assistance Grant for the project, developing a Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) Guideline Handbook for public and city use.
From June 12th through 14th, 2023, the Sonoran Institute, Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy, Civic Well, and Water Education for Latino Leaders (WELL) conducted a California Growing Water Smart Workshop. The City of Rialto applied for and received competitive grant funding for ten people to participate in the 3-day workshop. There was no funding match required to participate in the workshop. Staff and elected officials from the City of Rialto (Rialto) and the cities of Baldwin Park, Indio, and El Monte attended.
Rialto Workgroup Attendees Included:
1. Mayor Deborah Robertson
2. Councilmember Rafael Trujillo
3. Cynthia Alvarado, Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Services
4. Mike Orona, Deputy Director of Maintenance and Facilities
5. Vince Giron, Engineering Manager
6. Toyasha Sebbag, Assistant to the City Manager
7. Siri Champion, Senior Planner
8. Micaiah Harris, Mayor’s Intern
9. Owen Knapper, Mayor’s Intern
10. Genesis Ibrahim-Balogun, Mayor’s Intern
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
On November 17, 2023, staff received notice that the project submitted to the Sonoran Institute was awarded $10,000 (ATTACHMENT 1). The project identified in the grant is to support hiring a consultant to create a user-friendly document for residents and developers who must adhere to the state’s MWELO (ATTACHMENT 2). This includes providing clear visuals, concise and informative content, staff training, and introducing standards for permeable ground cover. No matching funds are required to accept the grant.
The money awarded to the city is insufficient to develop a comprehensive MWELO Guideline Handbook for public and city use; therefore, a phased approach to developing MWELO guidelines will be used. Specifically, grant funds will be utilized to hire a consultant that the Mayor Interns will work with to develop internal policies on city facilities for medians that meet the MWELO guidelines, including interviewing the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, and Council Members to receive input on the landscape median plant pallets.
After receiving the City’s W-9 and ACH forms, the Sonoran Institute will forward the contract for the City Attorney's review.
RECOMMENDATION:
Request that the Water Subcommittee Provide Feedback on the Growing Water Smart Technical Assistance Grant funds of $10,000.