For City Council Meeting August 25, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Yazdan Emrani, P.E., Director of Public Works
Title
Request City Council to: (1) Adopt Resolution No. 8565 Authorizing the Submission of a 2026 Urban Greening Grant Program Application to the California Natural Resources Agency for the Cactus Trail Urban Greening Project; and (2) Authorize the City Manager or Their Designee to Execute all Grant-Related Documents.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of a 2026 Urban Greening Grant Program application to the California Natural Resources Agency for the Cactus Trail Urban Greening Project; the grant application; and,
2) Authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute all grant-related documents.
BACKGROUND
The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) administers the Urban Greening Grant Program, which provides competitive grant funding for projects that support urban greening, increase tree canopy and shade, reduce the effects of extreme heat, and provide environmental and community benefits.
In June 2026, the City of Rialto, in coordination with Townsend Public Affairs, Inc., prepared and submitted a concept proposal to CNRA for the Cactus Trail Greening and Urban Cooling Project. The concept proposal identified Cactus Trail as the proposed project location and included urban greening improvements intended to increase shade and improve pedestrian comfort along the trail corridor.
On July 16, 2026, CNRA notified the City that the Cactus Trail Greening and Urban Cooling Project had been selected to advance to Step 2 of the competitive grant process. As a Step 2 applicant, the City was invited to submit a Full Proposal through CNRA's Resources Agency Project Tracking and Reporting (RAPTR) system. The Step 2 solicitation period opened on July 21, 2026, and closes at 5:00 p.m. on September 4, 2026.
Following advancement to Step 2, City staff and Townsend Public Affairs continued development of the project scope and cost estimates. The proposed improvements currently include planting approximately 250 shade trees along Cactus Trail, installing irrigation improvements, incorporating drought-tolerant landscaping and groundcover, installing benches, and constructing related improvements necessary to support the urban greening project.
As part of the Step 2 Full Proposal requirements, the City is required to provide a resolution adopted by the City Council as part of the grant application requirements. Adoption of the proposed resolution will allow the City to complete the Full Proposal and submit the required documentation to CNRA prior to the September 4, 2026, deadline.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The Cactus Trail Greening and Urban Cooling Project is intended to improve pedestrian comfort, expand urban tree canopy, reduce exposure to extreme heat, and enhance the overall trail environment through targeted urban greening improvements.
The California Natural Resources Agency’s Urban Greening Grant Program provides funding for projects that use urban greening strategies to provide environmental and community benefits. The City is seeking grant funding to implement improvements along Cactus Trail, including the planting of approximately 250 shade trees, installation of irrigation improvements, drought-tolerant landscaping and groundcover, benches, and related improvements necessary to support the project.
The proposed improvements would provide additional shade along the trail corridor, reduce heat exposure for pedestrians and recreational users, improve the visual character of the corridor, and support increased use of the Cactus Trail as a comfortable and accessible community amenity. The project would also complement the City’s broader efforts to expand and maintain its urban forest and improve pedestrian environments.
The City’s concept proposal for the Cactus Trail Greening and Urban Cooling Project was selected by the California Natural Resources Agency to advance to Step 2 of the competitive Urban Greening Grant Program. Advancement to Step 2 allows the City to submit a Full Proposal for consideration for grant funding. The Full Proposal must be submitted by September 4, 2026, and requires an authorizing resolution from the City Council as part of the application package.
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize submission of the Full Proposal, adopt the resolution, and authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute all documents necessary to complete the grant application process. If awarded, grant funds would assist the City in implementing urban greening improvements along Cactus Trail that support shade, urban cooling, pedestrian comfort, sustainability, and quality of life within the community.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed request 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:
Approval of this action complies 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 General Plan Goals and Policy:
Goal 2-12: Design streetscapes in Rialto to support and enhance the City’s image as a desirable place to live, work, shop, and dine.
Policy 2-12.4: Incorporate street trees and other landscape treatments along corridors to provide sufficient shade canopy and promote pedestrian comfort.
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.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the resolution and approved it as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
The proposed action has no impact on the Operating Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
Urban Greening Grant Program does not require leveraging funds by the City, and will fund 100% of the project cost. The City is seeking approximately $2,000,000 in Urban Greening Grant Program funding for the project.
If awarded, staff will return to the City Council for acceptance of the grant and approval of any necessary budget appropriations.
Licensing
This action does not require the application for a business license or payment of a Business License tax.
AttachmentS
Resolution