For Water Subcommittee Meeting July 24, 2025
TO: Water Subcommittee Members
APPROVAL: John Rossi, Interim Utilities Director
AUTHOR: Toyasha Sebbag, Assistant to the City Manager
Title
Staff Request that the Water Subcommittee Provide Feedback on a Contract Amendment with Soto Resources in the Amount of $62,100 for the Preparation of the Cal OES Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Water Subcommittee provide feedback on a contract amendment with Soto Resources in the amount of $62,100 for the preparation of the Cal OES Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).
BACKGROUND
On May 13, 2025, the City Council/Rialto Utility Authority (RUA) Board authorized staff to submit a Notice of Interest (NOI) and full application to the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) for up to $7 million in federal funding through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) to support the Resilient Power Infrastructure for Critical Water Facilities Project.
On June 16, 2025, staff was notified by Cal OES that RUA's NOI was accepted and deemed an eligible HMGP activity. As a result, the City/RUA was formally invited to submit a full sub-application for funding consideration by September 15, 2025, deadline.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
Staff requested a proposal from Soto Resources, RUA's grant consultant who assisted with the preparation of the NOI and has secured over $21 million in funding for RUA over the past five years, to prepare the full sub-application.
The proposed project for the sub-application of the Resilient Power Infrastructure for Critical Water Facilities Project would install permanent backup generators at seven critical water system sites. This would ensure uninterrupted potable water service during emergency power outages, extended Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events, and wildfire-related disruptions. The targeted locations are:
1. City Well 2
2. Chino Well 2
3. Rialto Well 3
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