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) Approve a Funding Agreement with the County of San Bernardino, Substantially Similar to the Agreement attached to the Staff Report for the Carl Johnson Gym Project and to the Fergusson Park Resurfacing Project; (2) Adopt Resolution No. 8405 Amending the Capital Improvement Program to Appropriate $203,000 to the Carl Johnson Gym Project and $120,000 to the Fergusson Park Resurfacing Project; and (3) Authorize the City Manager to Execute all Necessary Documents.
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Approve a Funding Agreement with the County of San Bernardino, Substantially Similar to the Agreement attached to the Staff Report for the Carl Johnson Gym Project and to the Fergusson Park Resurfacing Project;
2) Adopt a Resolution amending the Capital Improvement Program to appropriate $203,000 to the Carl Johnson Gym Project and $120,000 to the Fergusson Park Resurfacing Project; and
3) Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.
BACKGROUND
On July 28, 2025, the City submitted a funding request to the Office of 5th District County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. in support of two priority projects essential to strengthening the City of Rialto’s recreational infrastructure and cultural identity:
• Carl Johnson Center – Gym Winches and Bleachers
• Fergusson Park – Outdoor Court Renovation and Conversion
On August 20, 2025, San Bernardino County notified the City of Rialto that the requested funding had been approved.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
For over two years, the Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department has been working to address critical health and safety projects at two key locations, both of which have experienced challenges due to years of deferred maintenance.
At the Carl Johnson Center gymnasium, the courts have long been in need of complete resurfacing, a condition made more urgent after the space was used extensively during the pandemic. In addition, the gym walls require painting to restore and maintain the facility’s condition. What most directly drove the urgency of this project, however, was the mechanical failure of two manual winches, leaving two basketball backboards that are over the bleachers stuck in place, creating not only a functional limitation but also a significant safety issue for athletes, spectators, and program staff.
The Fergusson Park outdoor courts (basketball and tennis) have also declined due to heavy community use. Large areas of the court surfacing are worn away, and the surface has become slippery, presenting safety concerns for community users. Renovating these courts is essential to restoring safe, accessible recreational opportunities for the community.
Recognizing these needs, on July 28, 2025, the City submitted a letter formally requesting funding support from the 5th District County Supervisor’s Office for two park improvement projects that directly support Rialto’s recreational infrastructure and cultural identity. These projects address both immediate facility needs and long-term community benefits.
Carl Johnson Center – Gym Winches and Bleachers
Project Scope:
This project includes painting the interior gym walls, resurfacing the gymnasium floor, replacing outdated manual winches with modern electric systems, and installing new bleachers to replace aging units.
Community Impact:
The Carl Johnson Center gymnasium is a cornerstone of community recreation. It hosts three full seasons of youth basketball annually—approximately 376 games—as well as a thriving girls’ volleyball program with over 300 games. Each season, the facility serves an estimated 300 youth basketball athletes and 175 volleyball athletes.
Beyond athletics, the gym functions as a hub for mentorship, teamwork, and community pride. The proposed improvements will enhance safety, functionality, and overall experience for participants and spectators.
Funding Overview:
• City CDBG Funding Secured: $113,000
• County Funding: $203,000
• Total Project Funding: $316,000
Fergusson Park – Outdoor Court Renovation and Conversion
Project Scope:
The project will resurface 2.5 basketball courts, replace three basketball posts, backboards, and hoops, resurface one tennis court, and convert one tennis court into four permanent pickleball courts.
Community Impact:
Fergusson Park is among the City’s most utilized outdoor recreational spaces. Its basketball courts are a consistent draw for youth and adults, offering safe and accessible opportunities to stay active and engaged.
The park also serves as the home field for the Rialto Panthers Junior All-American Football Team and is a key site for signature community events, including Movies in the Park and the City’s annual Juneteenth Celebration. Renovations will ensure the park continues to meet the recreational needs of Rialto’s growing and diverse community.
Funding Overview:
• City Budget Allocation: $100,000
• County Funding: $120,000
• Total Project Funding: $220,000
For both projects, the City of Rialto has secured and allocated more than 25% of the total project costs, demonstrating its strong commitment to these initiatives. With confirmation of additional funding support from the 5th District County Supervisor’s Office, the City is prepared to move forward immediately with implementation.
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 the 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
Guiding Principles 1: Rialto is a Family First Community
Essential community services and amenities must meet the needs and desires of our families.
Guiding Principles 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.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the resolution and agreement and approved them as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Operating Budget Impact
There is no impact on the Operating Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
The City of Rialto has been awarded $323,000 from San Bernardino County to complete two park projects (Carl Johnson Center Gym and Fergusson Park Resurfacing Project). These funds will increase revenue in Account Number 22488813-47560 and increase offsetting expenditures in the amount of $323,000 in Account Number 22488813-53001.
San Bernardino County requires a 25% match for these types of funding projects. As outlined in the staff report, the Carl Johnson Center – Gym Winches and Bleachers Project has $113,000 allocated from the City’s CDBG funding (Account No. 22341856-53001), and the Fergusson Park – Outdoor Court Renovation and Conversion Project has $100,000 allocated (Account No. 33007304-53001).
Licensing
This action does not require a business license.
ATTACHMENTS
1. San Bernardino County Funding Agreement
2. Budget Resolution