For City Council Meeting September 9, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Cynthia Alvarado, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Title
Request City Council to: (1) Ratify the submission of a grant application to the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation in the amount of $35,000 to establish a Sensory Mobile Trailer; and (2) Accept the grant award and adopt Resolution No. 8405 amending the Fiscal Year Budget; and (3) Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all related documents necessary for the grant application, award, and acceptance of the funds.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Ratify the submission of a grant application to the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation in the amount of $35,000 to establish a Sensory Mobile Trailer; and
2) Accept the grant award and adopt a Resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2025–2026 budget; and
3) Authorize the City Manager, or their designee, to execute all necessary documents related to the grant application, award, and acceptance of funds.
BACKGROUND
On March 14, 2025, the Rialto Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department (PRCSD) applied for the 2025 San Manuel Cares Grant under the program pillar "Inspiring Our Future Through Education." As part of this effort, PRCSD recognizes that children with sensory processing needs often face barriers that limit their participation in traditional recreational programming, restricting opportunities for learning, growth, and social engagement.
To address these barriers, PRCSD identified the need for a Sensory Mobile Unit, a customized, retrofitted trailer designed to provide calming, structured, and sensory-friendly experiences. The unit will be deployed directly to community parks, school events, and special events, ensuring equitable access to recreation for children and families across Rialto. More than just providing fun experiences, the Sensory Mobile Unit will foster cognitive development, strengthen motor skills, encourage social interaction, and support families in an inclusive, supportive environment.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The Sensory Mobile Unit will be designed and implemented in three phases. First, the City will secure and customize the trailer to serve as a fully functional unit. The trailer will be retrofitted with soundproofing to reduce auditory overstimulation, adaptive seating to accommodate various mobility needs, climate control for comfort, and built-in storage to house specialized equipment. These modifications will create a safe and calming environment tailored specifically for children with sensory processing challenges.
Once the trailer is complete, the second phase will focus on equipping the unit with specialized sensory activities. We will be installing evidence-based tools, including tactile walls, sensory carousels, weighted lap pads, bubble tubes, noise-canceling headphones, and calming light features. These additions aim to minimize sensory overload, encourage self-regulation, and support the growth of social, cognitive, and motor skills in the children involved.
The final phase involves implementing a comprehensive community outreach plan. Staff will partner with schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations to schedule visits and increase awareness of the Sensory Mobile Unit. Outreach efforts will include printed materials, digital campaigns, and targeted social media messaging to ensure the program reaches families most in need. The goal is to connect with at least 1,000 participants within the first year and establish the Sensory Mobile Unit as a trusted and accessible resource for inclusive recreation.
The anticipated outcomes of this program are significant. Through outreach and scheduled visits, approximately 1,000 participants are expected to engage with the unit in its first year. Of the children who participate, at least 70 percent are expected to show improved engagement in social and recreational activities. Furthermore, it is anticipated that 75 percent of participating children will experience reduced sensory overload and anxiety, as reported by parents and observed by staff. These outcomes align directly with the City's goal of fostering inclusion, supporting family needs, and ensuring equitable access to recreational opportunities for all.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The request is not a Project as defined by Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has the potential to result 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 the following City of Rialto Guiding Principles:
Guiding Principle 1: Rialto is a Family First Community. Essential community services and amenities must meet the needs and desires of our families.
Guiding Principle 3: Rialto’s Economic Environment is Healthy and Diverse. 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.
Guiding Principle 4: Rialto is an Active Community. We will create transportation alternatives that allow us to walk, bike, and use public transportation to travel within our community and reach regional destinations.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the resolution and approved it as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Operating Budget Impact
There is no impact on the General Fund. All costs associated with the purchase, customization, and operation of the Sensory Mobile Unit will be supported through the grant funding. These funds will increase revenue in the amount of $35,000 in Account Number 2248813-53050 and increase offsetting expenditures in the amount of $35,000 in Account Number 2248813-53050.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
There is no impact on the Capital Improvement Budget.
Licensing
This action does not require a business license.