For Water Subcommittee Meeting March 27, 2025
TO: 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 participation in the 2025 Regional Urban Water Management Plan to meet the requirements of the Urban Water Management Planning Act with a cost-share of $38,960. (ACTION)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Water Subcommittee provide feedback on the participation in the 2025 Regional Urban Water Management Plan to meet the requirements of the Urban Water Management Planning Act with a cost-share of $38,960.
BACKGROUND
California Water Code section 10621(a) requires urban water suppliers to update their Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) at least once every five (5) years; the 2025 UWMP’s are due to be updated and submitted to the California Department of Water Resources by July 1, 2026.
San Bernardino Valley and eight other local water providers share many water supply characteristics, including location, climate, demographics, water sources, and regional water management, which were leveraged to prepare regional UWMPs in the 2010, 2015, and 2020 planning cycles.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
For the 2025 UWMP, San Bernardino Valley and the participating agencies jointly prepared and agreed to a Scope of Work that was incorporated into a Request for Proposals (RFP), which resulted in the selection of Water Systems Consulting, Inc. (WSC) as the consultant to prepare the 2025 UWMPs.
A regional UWMP development streamline cost, staff time, and data while also allowing for a greater level of consistency and overall value of the UWMP. On December 16, 2024, the San Bernardino Valley Board of Directors approved a contract with WSC and the cost sharing whereby San Bernardino Valley will pay 50% of the common costs, with the balance equally split among the other eight agencies.
WSC’s proposed cost to complete the IRUWMP is $432,734. San Bernardino Valley is proposing to pay $111,438 (or 50% of the regional sections) of the total costs, with the remaining costs to be divided up among the other agencies. With the proposed cost-share agreement, RUA’s share of cost would be $38,960.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed 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.
Goal 3-8: Promote affordable and quality water service capable of adequately meeting normal and emergency water demands to all areas in Rialto.
Policy 3-8.4: Advocate regular evaluation of the entire water supply and distribution system to ensure its continued adequacy, reliability, and safety.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed the staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
The total cost to complete the 2025 Regional Urban Water Management Plan is $432,734. San Bernardino Valley is paying $111,438 (or 50% of the regional sections), with the remaining costs divided up among the other participating agencies. As such, the cost-share of $38,960 attributed to Rialto falls within the signature authority and authorization of the Executive Director.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
The proposed action is not expected to impact the City’s Capital Improvement Budget.