For City Council Meeting February 24, 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) Approve a Financial Memorandum of Understanding between San Bernardino County and the City of Rialto in the amount of $859,100 for the Cactus Trail Solar Lighting Project, City Project No. 26088; (2) Adopt Resolution No. 8475 Amending the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Capital Improvement Project Budget; and (3) Authorize the City Manager or Their Designee to Execute all Related Documents.
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Approve a financial Memorandum of Understanding between San Bernardino County and the City of Rialto in the amount of $859,100 for the Cactus Trail Solar Lighting project, City Project No. 26088;
2) Adopt a Resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 capital improvement project budget; and
3) 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 to the downtown area.
The project extends within San Bernardino County Flood Control District (SBCFCD) right-of-way and is subject to their requirements for continued access for maintenance 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.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
To enhance the Cactus Trail safety and extend the use of the trail between Rialto Avenue and Baseline Road, San Bernardino County (County) and the City of Rialto (City) plan to install and construct pedestrian-oriented solar lighting along the 1.5-mile Cactus Trail. The estimated cost of the project is $859,100 and will be constructed by the City acting as the Lead Agency. The City will pay all costs for the project and provide quarterly progress reports and invoices to the County 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. Annual maintenance costs of the City are estimated to be $2,600 per year after completion of the Project
The recommended financial Memorandum of Understanding, included as Attachment 1, 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 2. To fund the pedestrian-oriented solar lighting along the 1.5-mile Cactus Trail, staff is recommending that the City Council approve the financial Memorandum of Understanding between the County and the City.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
Adoption of the Financial Memorandum of Understanding 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 Memorandum of Understanding and Resolution and approved them as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Operating Budget Impact
Approval of this action does not impact the Operating Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
The San Bernardino County Public Works is awarding funds to the City of Rialto for the Cactus Trail Solar Lighting project by reimbursing the total estimated project cost in the amount not to exceed $859,100.
Staff recommends increasing the budget in the revenue fund, account number 22234429-47583, in the amount of $859,100, and increasing the budget to offset expenditures in account number 22234429-53001.
Licensing
The proposed action does not require the payment of a business license tax.