For the Neighborhood Beautification and Historical Preservation Commission Meeting of October 8, 2025
TO: Honorable Chair and Commission Members
FROM: Christina Taylor, Director of Community Development
AUTHOR: Christina Taylor, Director of Community Development
Title
Overview of Rialto Municipal Code Chapter 2.27 Neighborhood Beautification and Historic Preservation Commission
body
DISCUSSION:
On August 26, 2025, the Rialto City Council appointed seven members to the City’s Neighborhood Beautification and Historic Preservation Commission (NBHPC).
Responsibilities of the NBHPC are established in Rialto Municipal Code (RMC) Chapter 2.27.050 Duties and Chapter 2.20.050 Powers and Duties of Historic Preservation Commission. Since both code sections have an extensive list of duties which are applicable to the commission, this report will provide an overview of the beautification portion of the duties specified in RMC Chapter 2.27.050. The historical preservation portion will be covered at the next meeting.
The Commission acts as an advisory body to the City Council regarding matters of historical preservation and neighborhood beautification. The list of duties is extensive but can be grouped into three distinct categories: Community Growth and Development, Community Wellness, and Veterans as shown below:
Community Growth and Development
1. Encourage the preservation of neighborhoods;
2. Recommend housing strategies which will fortify neighborhoods and encourage the removal of blight throughout the community;
3. Oversee the housing strategies as determined by the city council;
4. Recommend the property maintenance standards that should be legislated and enforced to preserve existing housing and neighborhoods;
5. Oversee median strip development program;
6. Street lighting improvement program;
7. Underground utilities development program;
8. Tract entrance landscaping program, including at least two suitable design alternatives available to proposed developers;
9. Street tree (parkway) planting program;
10. Commercial parking lot landscaping program, including those areas immediately adjacent to the buildings;
11. Development program for landscaping standard commercial/industrial development;
12. Beautification program for future annexed areas, but excluding any recognized park to be included in any such annexed area;
13. Suggest procedures for the care, maintenance, pruning, fertilization, watering, planting, removal, replacement, staking and spaying of such types of vegetation as may be included in the beautification plan and for planting on street intersections, medians, and other locations to prevent traffic hazards:
a. Suggest areas requiring increased maintenance and care, both public and private;
b. Suggest increased maintenance and care in commercial/industrial, institutional, multi-residential, residential, and open undeveloped areas.
14. Recommend planting, removal, replacement or relocation of any tree on other properties;
15. Advise and recommend the beautification of any streets, sidewalks or parks to be constructed, installed, widened, altered or increased in size;
16. Advise and recommend the development of plans for the beautification of city-controlled property and a comprehensive landscaping plan;
17. Recognize public and/or private property owners for beautification efforts within the city;
Community Wellness
1. Prioritize the needs of our disadvantaged communities.
2. Promote civic engagement.
3. Improve access to public facilities.
4. Promote food access.
5. Promote safe and sanitary housing.
6. Reduce pollution exposure.
7. Promote physical activity.
8. To promote community wellness and wholeness through education, resources and activities by:
a. Identifying and/or receiving any issues that are alleged to be adversely affecting the ability of people to get fit, stay healthy and pursue happiness;
b. Recognizing that obesity is a serious public health threat to the health and well-being of adults, children and families; and
c. Identifying and implementing environmental changes to support individual efforts to make healthier choices.
Veterans
1. To identify the needs of the city's veteran residents and create citizen awareness of these needs.
2. Render advice and assistance to other city boards and commissions to city departments and private agencies on matters affecting the city's veteran residents.
3. Support existing services to the city's veteran residents, both public and private, and encourage coordination among organizations providing such services.
4. Serve as an advocate for the needs of veteran residents.
Each of the categories provides a significant number of items for consideration by the Commission.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the NBHPC receive this report and provide feedback to staff on their areas of interest.