For Water Subcommittee Meeting March 4, 2025
TO: Honorable Water Subcommittee Members
APPROVAL: John Rossi, Interim Utilities Director
FROM: Toyasha Sebbag, Assistant to the City Manager
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Staff request that the Water Subcommittee provide feedback on the Utility System Fire Preparedness update. (ACTION)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Water Subcommittee provide feedback on the Utility System Fire Preparedness update.
BACKGROUND
At the January 30, 2025, Water Subcommittee Meeting, staff received feedback from the Water Subcommittee to provide an update of fire infrastructure and coordination with local agencies.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The information below provides a staff update of fire infrastructure and coordination with local agencies
• Rialto Utility Authority (RUA) staff met with Chief Park regarding fire hydrant maintenance. Staff developed a communication protocol and is coordinating with Rialto Water Services (RWS) and Veolia North America (Veolia), as well as adjacent water agencies (West Valley Water District and Fontana Water Company). The protocol requires all water purveyors to notify the fire department of the location of fire hydrants that are out of service or undergoing maintenance. The information will then be uploaded into the fire department’s Geographic Information System (GIS) system and available in real time to fire department response personnel. Also, the fire department is working on a citywide evacuation plan.
• Related GIS files regarding the City’s water system pressure zones and purveyor boundaries have been provided to the fire department.
Staff proposes to bring a Wildfire Preparedness Addendum to update the Water Master Plan. The update will include a critical analysis that will evaluate individual Southern California Edison circuits and the potential impacts from Public Safety Power Shutoffs. This information will then be compared with water production and storage facilities serving the City. The analysis will prioritize water facilities for backup generation. In addition, given the cost implications of backup generators, the analysis will help identify cost savings for permanent versus mobile generators.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The requested 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 a potential for resulting 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 the proposed action also complies with the following City of Rialto Guiding Principles, General Plan Goals and Policies:
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 staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
There is no impact on the operating budget with this action.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
There is no impact on the capital improvement budget with this action.