For City Council Meeting September 22, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Mark P. Kling, Chief of Police
Title
Request City Council to (1) Approve the California Office of Traffic Safety Motorcyclist Safety Education and Training Program Grant Agreement No. MC27010 in the Amount of $19,500; (2) Adopt Resolution No. 8576 Amending the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year Budget; and (3) Authorize the City Manager or Their Designee to Execute All Related Documents.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Approve the California Office of Traffic Safety Motorcyclist Safety Education and Training Program Grant Agreement in the amount of $19,500;
2) Adopt Resolution No. 8576 Amending the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year Budget; and
3) Authorize the City Manager or Their Designee to Execute All Related Documents.
BACKGROUND
The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) has awarded the City of Rialto Police Department $19,500 through the Motorcyclist Safety Education and Training Program, Grant Agreement No. MC27010, for the grant period of October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
The Rialto Police Department has historically addressed motorcycle safety through proactive traffic enforcement and community education initiatives, including the Ride to Live motorcycle safety program. Ride to Live provides free motorcycle safety education and hands-on training to members of the public. The 2026-2027 grant will allow the Department to continue motorcycle safety training, outreach, and public awareness efforts.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
Motorcycle safety remains a serious traffic safety concern in Rialto. The grant agreement states that in 2024, the Rialto Police Department investigated motorcycle-involved traffic crashes resulting in two fatalities and 24 injury crashes. It also cites OTS 2023 crash rankings showing 14 motorcycle victims killed or injured in Rialto. These incidents demonstrate the continued vulnerability of motorcyclists and the need for sustained rider education and public awareness.
The Motorcyclist Safety Education and Training Program Grant allocates funding for the following activities:
• Three free-to-the-public motorcyclist safety and training courses during the grant year
• Department website and social media updates promoting motorcycle safety and safe riding
• Advanced motorcycle training for law enforcement personnel
• Participation in Motorcycle Safety Month in May
• A motorcyclist safety and road-sharing presentation at an appropriate venue or community event
• Motorcycle training supplies and approved in-state travel supporting grant goals and objectives
The grant budget provides funding for overtime associated with motorcyclist training instruction and a motorcyclist safety presentation, related benefits, approved in-state travel, and motorcycle training supplies. The Department will use these resources to continue and expand community access to motorcycle safety education through the Ride to Live program. If accepted, eligible grant-related costs incurred during the grant operational period will be reimbursed in accordance with the OTS Grant Agreement and applicable grant requirements.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposal 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
The City of Rialto’s General Plan has outlined guiding principles and goals relating to public safety. This action is consistent with the City of Rialto’s General Plan Guiding Principle 1, “Rialto is a Family First Community.”
Our neighborhoods will be a safe place to call home.
Approval of this action is also consistent with the City of Rialto General Plan Goal and Policies:
Goal 5-8: Provide effective and comprehensive policing services that meet the safety needs of Rialto.
Policy 5-8.4: Initiate proactive crime suppression and prevention strategies throughout the community.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Operating Budget Impact
The California Office of Traffic Safety has awarded the City of Rialto Police Department $19,500 for the 2026-2027 Motorcyclist Safety Education and Training Program. Accepting the grant will increase revenues in the amount of $19,500 in the OTS Motorcyclist Safety Education and Training Program Grant Revenue Account No. 22216996-47551-27RTL-08. The additional revenue will offset increased expenditures of the same amount appropriated in the amount of $17,000 in Account No. 22216996-51020-27RTL-10, $247 in Account No. 22216996-51050-27RTL-50, $1,753 in Account No. 22216996-52022-27RTL-12, and $500 in Account No. 22216996-52021-27RTL-42 for grant expenditures such as overtime, benefits, supplies and equipment utilized by this grant.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
There is no impact on the Capital Improvement Budget.
Licensing
This action does not require a business license.
ATTACHMENTS
1. OTS Motorcyclist Safety Education and Training Program-Grant Agreement
2. Budget Resolution