For City Council Meeting October 14, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Christina Taylor, Director of Community Development
Title
Request City Council to: (1) Receive Presentations and Select Food Vendor for the Caf? Space at the John Longville Train Depot; (2) Authorize the City Manager or Designee to Negotiate a Lease Agreement With the Selected Food Vendor; and (3) Return to the City Council for Approval and Award of Lease Agreement.
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Select a Food Vendor to operate the Caf? at the John Longville Train Depot;
2) Authorize the City Manager or designee, to negotiate a Lease Agreement with the selected Food Vendor; and
3) Direct staff to return to the City Council for final approval and award of a Lease Agreement.
BACKGROUND
The John Longville Train Depot, also known as Rialto Station, is located at 261 South Palm Avenue (Site) and serves as a key transit hub along the Metrolink San Bernardino Line. The station spans 4.4 acres, includes 286 parking spaces, and an approximately 3,200 square-foot depot building. Ownership of the Site is shared between the City of Rialto (City) and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA). Within the building, an approximately 850 square foot space is designated for a caf? use. The space is equipped with a kitchen and service counter. The City's objective is to activate the cafe with a qualified food service operator to enhance the station's amenities and provide a community serving benefit.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
In November 2024, staff issued a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) along with a draft lease agreement to solicit qualified food operators. On April 17, 2025, following legal review by the City Attorney's Office, the RFP was published through the City's Planet Bids portal. The RFP outlined the evaluation criteria in the following categories:
* Food Service Experience;
* Operat...
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