For City Council Meeting [June 8, 2021]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Sean Grayson, Acting City Manager
FROM: Brian Park, Interim Fire Chief
Title
Request City Council Authorize a Training Agreement with the San Bernardino Community College District for Training and Instructional Services.
Body
BACKGROUND
The Rialto Fire Department entered into an agreement for inter-agency instructional services with The Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) on August 10th of 2015. Crafton Hills College (CHC) now offers a comparable program, and the Fire Department has an interest in partnership with the San Bernardino Community College District.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The Rancho Santiago Community College District has provided fees to the Rialto Fire Department for firefighter training in the amount of $3.50 per student contact hour.
Crafton Hills College has the equivalent State Distance Education Program and funds to compensate fire agencies, including the Rialto Fire Department, for a course of instruction developed through the Fire Department Training Staff that has been approved by both college’s Chief Instructional Officers. All training and instruction is taught under the line of sight supervision of instructors who meet the college’s minimum or equivalent qualifications for part-time Fire Technology Instructors. Therefore, staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a training and instructional services agreement with Crafton Hills College.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The request is not a Project as defined by Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. 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. By definition, a Project does not include: The creation of government funding mechanisms or other government fiscal activities which do not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment according to Section 15378 (b)(4) of the CEQA Guidelines.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
The City of Rialto General Plan establishes various guiding principles, goals, and objectives through which the City looks to improve the community and protect the quality of life for our residents. The proposed item supports the General Plan in the following areas:
5-3.1: Provide for fire personnel, equipment and fire stations to have adequate and appropriate resources to meet the needs and serve all areas of Rialto.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed and supports this staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
Under the proposed Agreement, the City shall consider the funds received as compensation for services for educational and training related purposes as they relate to fire and public safety training programs, which will be recorded in Revenue Account No. 010-400-5151-7627.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
There will be no impact to the Capital Improvement Budget for authorizing the proposed agreement.
Licensing
This action does not require a business license.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council Authorize a Training Agreement with the San Bernardino Community College District for Training and Instructional Services.