For City Council Meeting April 08, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: John Rossi, Interim Utilities Director
Toyasha Sebbag, Assistant to the City Manager
Title
Request the City Council/Rialto Utility Authority Board to: (1) adopt Resolution No. 8339 and RUA Resolution No. 08-40, approving a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to receive $2,500,000 in funding from the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) 2.0 for the Regional Utilities Supporting Housing (RUSH) Pilot Grant Program, and (2) authorize the City Manager/Executive Director or designee to execute final documents in a form approved by the City Attorney/General Counsel.
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council/Rialto Utility Authority Board:
1. Adopt resolutions approving a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to receive $2,500,000 in funding from the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) 2.0 for the Regional Utilities Supporting Housing (RUSH) Pilot Grant Program, and
2. Authorize the City Manager/Executive Director or designee to execute final documents in a form approved by the City Attorney/General Counsel.
BACKGROUND
On October 24, 2023, the City Council/Rialto Utility Authority (RUA) Board authorized staff to apply for the Regional Utilities Supporting Housing (RUSH) Pilot Program grant for the Rialto City Well 3A Groundwater Treatment Facility.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
On October 9, 2023, staff met with the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and confirmed that City Well 3A met the RUSH Pilot Program’s eligibility requirements for capital projects addressing utility restrictions in housing development. SCAG awarded the City/RUA a $2.5 million grant to add groundwater treatment to City Well 3A. This project supports the City’s long-term drought resilience by (1) enhancing infrastructure for improved water reliability and flexibility; (2) providing up to 2,750 acre-feet per year (AFY) of local groundwater supply; (3) reducing energy use and carbon emissions by decreasing imported water; and (4) preserving natural habitats in the Bay-Delta and Colorado River regions by reducing water diversion. The project is expected to provide these benefits for up to 50 years.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed 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
This action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3 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.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the resolutions and approved them as to form and will review and approve as to form all agreements and amendments required in connection with securing grant funding.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
This action does not impact RUA’s operating budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
Upon grant acceptance, staff will request a $2.5 million revenue increase and corresponding appropriation. The grant is reimbursable and requires no matching funds.
Licensing
This action does not require a business license.