For City Council Meeting October 14, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Tanya Williams, City Manager
FROM: Tim Sullivan, Assistant City Manager
Title
Request City Council to Authorize the Release of Bids for the Grace Vargas Senior Center Generator Installation, City Project No. 240201.
Body
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the release of bids for the Grace Vargas Senior Center Generator Installation, City Project No. 240201.
BACKGROUND:
The Grace Vargas Senior Center serves as far more than just a hall or activity space; it stands as a cornerstone of Rialto’s community support network. The center enhances the lives of local seniors through a wide range of social, nutritional, and health-focused programs while also fostering meaningful community connections. Its comprehensive offerings, from daily meals to engaging events and wellness services, reflect its vital role in promoting quality of life, inclusion, and long-term well-being. Furthermore, the facility serves as a cooling center, providing a place of refuge for residents who lack air conditioning or cannot afford the increased electrical costs to operate their units during the summer months.
Given the frequency of utility-related power outages in the City of Rialto, the installation of a backup generator at the Grace Vargas Senior Center is a critical infrastructure enhancement to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of the community’s seniors and other patrons. In the event of a power outage, the facility is expected to serve as a community cooling station for seniors and other vulnerable residents, helping to prevent heat-related illnesses and fatalities. This is particularly important during periods of extreme heat when power failures are more likely and when seniors are most susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
A reliable backup power system at the senior center will ensure continuity of services, reduce the strain on emergency responses, and align with broader community resilience and emergency preparedness goals.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
On May 16, 2023, a purchase order was issued to Harris and Associates in the amount of $95,527 within the City Manager’s signature authority for the design of a generator at the Grace Vargas Senior Center.
The project design has been finalized, and the project is now ready to proceed with construction bidding. The project had been construction-ready but was formally awaiting approval of the City’s 5-Year CIP program for funding.
The tentative timeline for the award is as follows:
Anticipate Release of Bids to be Issued October 2025
Anticipate Award by City Council November 2025
Anticipate Start of Construction February 2026
Anticipate Construction Completion November 2026
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:
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.
Approval of this action also complies with the following City of Rialto General Plan Goals and Policies:
Goal 5-8: Provide effective and comprehensive fire, EMS, and Disaster Preparedness services that meet the safety needs of Rialto.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Operating Budget Impact:
The proposed action will not affect the Operating Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact:
The project has been allocated $175,000 for the design phase. The full project is included in the City's Draft Fiscal Year 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Plan for FY 2026, with a total estimated budget of $1,536,000 to be funded through the General Facilities DIF Fund.
Staff will return to the City Council for approval of a budget resolution to appropriate the necessary project funds at the time of contract award recommendation and construction authorization.
Licensing
A business license application and payment of a business license tax are not required for this action.