For City Council Meeting October 14, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Christina Taylor, Director of Community Development
Title
Request City Council to: (1) Receive Presentations and Select Food Vendor for the Café Space at the John Longville Train Depot; (2) Authorize the City Manager or Designee to Negotiate a Lease Agreement With the Selected Food Vendor; and (3) Return to the City Council for Approval and Award of Lease Agreement.
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Select a Food Vendor to operate the Café at the John Longville Train Depot;
2) Authorize the City Manager or designee, to negotiate a Lease Agreement with the selected Food Vendor; and
3) Direct staff to return to the City Council for final approval and award of a Lease Agreement.
BACKGROUND
The John Longville Train Depot, also known as Rialto Station, is located at 261 South Palm Avenue (Site) and serves as a key transit hub along the Metrolink San Bernardino Line. The station spans 4.4 acres, includes 286 parking spaces, and an approximately 3,200 square-foot depot building. Ownership of the Site is shared between the City of Rialto (City) and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA). Within the building, an approximately 850 square foot space is designated for a café use. The space is equipped with a kitchen and service counter. The City’s objective is to activate the cafe with a qualified food service operator to enhance the station's amenities and provide a community serving benefit.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
In November 2024, staff issued a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) along with a draft lease agreement to solicit qualified food operators. On April 17, 2025, following legal review by the City Attorney’s Office, the RFP was published through the City’s Planet Bids portal. The RFP outlined the evaluation criteria in the following categories:
• Food Service Experience;
• Operation Plan;
• Business Plan and Financial Projections;
• Financial Capacity;
• Project Schedule, and
• References.
One (1) addenda was issued during the RFP period on May 1, 2025, to clarify Proposers questions.
Proposal Evaluation Process
By the RFP deadline of May 20, 2025, the City received three (3) proposals. A Selection Committee, comprised of staff from Community Development, Finance, and Public Works, reviewed and scored the proposals based on the RFP criteria. On June 23, 2025, the vendors were ranked in the following order:
• Everytable
• Nine Eight Five Coffee
• Grizzygrub
On September 18, 2025, all three (3) vendors were interviewed by the City’s Economic Development Committee. Based on both the scoring and interviews, Everytable and Nine Eight Five Coffee were selected as the finalists. Both vendors are present at tonight’s meeting for City Council consideration.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
This action is not a "Project" as defined under 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.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
The proposed action is consistent with the City of Rialto's General Plan Guiding Principle 3, Rialto's Economic Environment is Healthy and Diverse. "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 to negotiate and draft a lease agreement to return to City Council for final approval.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
There is no direct fiscal impact to the City’s General Fund as a result of this action.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Comparison Table
2. Everytable Proposal
3. Nine Eight Five Proposal
4. Request for Proposal RFP 25-041