For City Council Meeting April 08, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Mark P. Kling, Chief of Police
Title
Request City Council to: (1) Authorize the Rialto Police Department to Apply for the Discretional General Funding Through the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors 5th District, in the amount of $1,500,000, to be Applied to Technology Necessary for the Real Time Crime Center, and (2) Authorize the City Manager, or Designee, to Execute any and all Documents.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Authorize the Rialto Police Department to apply for the Discretional General Funding through the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors 5th District in the amount of $1,500,000, to be applied to technology necessary for the Real Time Crime Center, and
2) Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute any and all documents.
BACKGROUND
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors has designated Discretionary General Funding to support various county initiatives. These funds are allocated by the Board to address specific needs and projects within the county, particularly those that may not be fully funded through other revenue sources. The Board utilizes Discretionary General Funding to support a broad array of programs, projects, or unforeseen expenses that may arise throughout the fiscal year, ensuring the county can respond to local priorities and emerging opportunities.
The Discretional General Funding allows the Board of Supervisors to respond to urgent or evolving community needs, such as infrastructure improvements, economic development, social services, or emergency response. The funds may be used to support county departments, police departments, local non-profits, community organizations, or other entities that align with the Board’s strategic goals for improving the well-being of residents in the region.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
As part of its ongoing commitment to public safety and technological innovation, the Rialto Police Department is working to establish a state-of-the-art Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC). The RTCC will improve situational awareness, enhance coordination with local and regional law enforcement agencies, and enable faster, more effective responses to active incidents. The RTCC will provide a central hub for real-time data analysis and communication, allowing for better coordination with local, regional, and even national law enforcement agencies. This advanced technology will not only enable faster, more informed decision-making during active incidents, but also strengthen collaboration across various levels of law enforcement, ultimately contributing to safer communities and more efficient responses to public safety challenges.
During the groundbreaking ceremony for the new police station, held on May 13, 2024, Supervisor Joe Baca Jr., along with members of the City Council, were present when the Rialto Police Department requested funding to support the technology infrastructure for the RTCC. This request was part of a broader vision to modernize the department and improve our ability to serve and protect the community.
As a result of the request, the department has submitted a letter to Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. seeking discretionary funding. In response, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, 5th District, has indicated a willingness to allocate $1,500,000 in discretionary funds to support the technology needs of the RTCC. These funds would be used to purchase and install advanced systems, including software, hardware, and other technological tools, to ensure the RTCC operates efficiently and effectively.
We are now requesting the City Council's authorization to apply for these discretionary funds. Should the request be approved, the funding will be directed toward several key areas, such as integrating real-time data systems, enhancing communication systems, purchasing data analytics tools, and supporting staff training for the successful operation of the RTCC. This discretionary funding is essential for the successful implementation of the RTCC and supports the department's continuous efforts to update, enhance, and stay at the forefront of technological advancements. By securing this funding, the Rialto Police Department will significantly enhance its ability to prevent and respond to crime, improve public safety, and better serve the community. The funding will also assist the police department with building stronger interoperability relationships with law enforcement agencies throughout the 5th District.
Staff respectfully requests that the City Council authorize the application for $1,500,000 in discretionary funding from the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, 5th District, to support the technology infrastructure for the Real-Time Crime Center. This funding is essential for the continued success of the RTCC and will directly contribute to enhancing law enforcement capabilities in Rialto, without impacting the City’s general fund.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action does not meet the definition of a project as defined by Section 15378 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). 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, and excludes the following:
1) Continuing administrative or maintenance activities, such as purchases for supplies, personnel-related actions, general policy and procedure making
2) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or in direct physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
The City of Rialto has outlined key goals and objects relating to public safety. The funding of this award is consistent with meeting these objectives.
Goal 5-8: Provide effective and comprehensive policing 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
This application does not impact the city’s operating budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
This application does not impact the city’s capital improvement budget.
This award requires a 25% cash match. The police department has already allocated allowable non-general fund monies to meet this match requirement.
Licensing
This staff report does not require a City of Rialto business license.