For City Council Meeting June 23, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Tanya Williams, City Manager
FROM: Yazdan Emrani, P.E., Director of Public Works
Title
Request City Council to: (1) Authorize a Task Order in the Amount of $729,782.74 for the Cactus Trail Solar Light Project, City Project No 26088 With St Francis Electric pursuant to the City's "On-Call" Agreement; and (2) Authorize the City Manager or Their Designee to Execute all Related Documents.
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Request City Council to: Authorize a Task Order in the Amount of $729,782.74 for the Cactus Trail Solar Light Project, City Project No 26088 with St Francis Electric pursuant to the City's "on-call" agreement for Traffic Signal Maintenance and Repair Services; and
2) Authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute all related documents.
BACKGROUND
In May 2023, the City of Rialto completed the Cactus Trail Improvements that provided a 1.5-mile Class I trail along the west side of Cactus Avenue between Rialto Avenue and Baseline Road. The project included repaving an existing dirt path to a paved trail with a two-way bike path and a paved pedestrian path. The Cactus Trail is accessible by all residents and visitors regardless of mode of travel, including by car, bus, rail, bike, wheelchair, and by walking from adjacent residences, schools, parks, and businesses. The project connects active transportation systems from the north section of the City to the Pacific Electric Trail and the downtown area. The project extends within the San Bernardino County Flood Control District (SBCFCD) right-of-way and is subject to its requirements for continued maintenance access to the Rialto Channel. The funding for the Cactus Trail project, completed in 2023, included ATP grant funds, Open Space Development Impact Funds, and County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr.'s discretionary ARPA funds.
On February 24, 2026, the City Council approved a $859,100 Memorandum of Understanding between San Bernardino County and the City of Rialto for the Cactus Trail Solar Light Project.
On June 2, 2026, City staff issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to both contractors currently under contract with the City for duties similar to this project’s scope. The RFP included the complete project scope and location. Both contractors submitted proposals, which were subsequently reviewed by staff. The proposal from St Francis was determined to be the lowest responsible bid.
On December 18, 2024, the City issued RFQ No. 25-018 for Traffic Signal Maintenance and Repair Services. St. Francis Electric, LLC was selected based on its qualifications, strong past performance, and responsiveness. The firm has provided similar services for the City of Rialto for the past nine years and continues to work under a current agreement for related work. St. Francis Electric brings significant experience with the installation and ongoing maintenance of solar lighting and traffic signals, and their technicians are highly familiar with the City’s equipment and needs. The new agreement has an annual budget of $700,000 for a three-year term starting July 1, 2025, with options for two one-year extensions through June 30, 2030. A copy of the St. Francis Contract Service Agreement is included as Attachment 1.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
To enhance safety on the Cactus Trail and extend its use between Rialto Avenue and Baseline Road, San Bernardino County (County) and the City of Rialto (City) plan to install pedestrian-oriented solar lighting along the 1.5-mile trail. The estimated cost of the project is $729,782.74, and will be constructed by the City, acting as the Lead Agency. The City will pay all project costs and provide the County with quarterly progress reports and invoices for full reimbursement, not to exceed $859,100. The County’s obligation cannot exceed $859,100 without written amendment(s). If bids exceed estimates by more than 25%, parties must agree on alternative action, or the agreement terminates. Any party requesting work beyond the original scope would be responsible for paying that portion. The fully executed financial Memorandum of Understanding, included as Attachment 2, delineates the roles and responsibilities of the County and the City for the installation. The solar lighting construction will be along the Cactus Trail alignment, as shown on Attachment 3.
The Cactus Trail solar lighting project will deploy 99 solar-powered light posts, spaced 80 feet apart along the 1.5-mile corridor. Each post utilizes a high-efficiency LED fixture delivering 1,550 lumens with a Type II optical distribution, ensuring focused illumination for both bicycle and pedestrian paths while minimizing light spill into adjacent areas. The fixtures, finished in durable architectural black with tamper-resistant security fasteners, are designed for resilience against weather, vandalism, and theft, and operate on an automatic dusk-to-dawn schedule with a wildlife-friendly 2700K color temperature.
The project will be completed in four phases: Phase 1, Procurement & Pre-Construction Engineering; Phase 2, Civil Works & Foundation Construction; Phase 3, Assembly, Installation & Wiring; and Phase 4, Testing, Commissioning & Closeout. Key steps include kickoff meetings with all agencies, field surveys for precise siting, utility clearance via DigAlert, and permit acquisition. Materials will be procured from vetted vendors and staged offsite for quality assurance. Construction proceeds in segmented work zones to maintain trail access, with systematic foundation installation, assembly, and commissioning. Upon completion, the trail will be restored, and full maintenance documentation will be provided to the City.
To ensure seamless installation and uninterrupted trail access, the schedule incorporates an eight-week material procurement lead time, during which all designs are finalized, permits secured, and utility clearances completed. Physical work on the trail only begins once all materials are staged locally. Active construction then follows an accelerated 40-day window: 25 days for civil works drilling, reinforcing, and pouring concrete foundations, followed by 15 days for mechanical assembly, pole erection, and system integration. The entire project is structured to be completed within 17 weeks, from contract award to final system testing and handover, ensuring minimal disruption and on-time delivery. A copy of St. Francis’ proposal for this project is included as Attachment 4.
Schedule
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 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. 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 Goals and Policies:
Goal 3-11: Provide community facilities that adequately support established programs, can accommodate future needs, and are accessible to all members of the community.
Goal 3-11.1: Allocate resources for the maintenance and operations of City facilities; explore alternative funding options for maintenance and operational costs of new facilities.
Goal 4-8: Establish and maintain a comprehensive system of pedestrian trails and bicycle routes that provide viable connections throughout the City.
Goal 4-9: Promote Walking.
Policy 4-9.3: Provide pedestrian-friendly and safety improvements, such as crosswalks and pedestrian signals, in all pedestrian activity areas.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
Approval of this action does not impact the Operating Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
On February 24, 2026, the City Council adopted resolution No. 8475 to appropriate $859,100 for the Cactus Trail Solar Lighting Project.
Funds for the proposed task order in the amount of $729,782.74 with St Francis Electric are budgeted in Account No. 22234429-53001.
Licensing
Prior to execution of the Professional Service Agreement/Purchase Order/Construction Contract/Amendment, the vendor shall submit a business license application and pay a Business License tax as well as Administration and State fees.
ATTACHMENTS
1. St. Francis Electric Contract Service Agreement
2. Fully Executed Financial Memorandum of Understanding with San Bernardino Count.
3. Cactus Trail Site Map
4. St. Francis Electric Proposal