FOR Economic Development Committee [August 12, 2021]
TO: Economic Development Committee Members
APPROVAL: Marcus Fuller, City Manager
FROM: Michael Tahan, Interim Public Works Director
Title
Request Economic Development Committee to Provide Feedback and Recommendation to the Draft of the City of Rialto’s Climate Adaptation Plan.
Body
BACKGROUND:
In 2018, the City of Rialto received a Caltrans Adaptation Planning Grant to comply with the SB 379 requirement for a General Plan element addressing climate change adaptation and a resiliency strategy. The grant application is included as Attachment 1. On June 26, 2018, the City Council accepted the California SB1-Public Transportation-Adaptation planning grant in the amount of $350,000. Caltrans approved the restricted grant agreement on October 1, 2018 and issued a notice to proceed. The grant originally had an expiration date of February 28, 2021, but due to delays as a result of COVID-19, the City was granted an extension to September 30, 2021.
ANALYSIS/ DISCUSSION:
The City of Rialto’s Climate Adaptation Plan, which lays the groundwork to prepare the City and its residents for the expected impacts of climate change and meets the requirements of both SB 379 and SB 1000 has reached the stage of public review and associated revision. The Plan builds on the City’s General Plan Safety Element and Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) to evaluate various measures of preparedness and vulnerability and address them where they threaten health and safety of Rialto residents. The purpose of the plan is to identify low-cost and grant eligible projects that couple with State-mandated land use policy to create a safe and healthy Rialto. The plan was developed in coordination with City staff, regional agencies, and Rialto residents to create an implementable plan that best reflects the broad values and goals in the community while adapting to climate change.
California Senate Bill 379 requires that Safety Elements of General Plans be reviewed and updated to include climate-related hazards and resilience strategies. Similarly, California Senate Bill 1000, the Planning for Healthy Communities Act, mandates that cities and counties adopt environmental justice elements, or integrate such goals, objectives, and policies into their General Plan elements. Accordingly, a review of the Rialto General Plan was conducted and edits for consistency with the CAP are included as part of this effort.
A draft plan is included as Attachment 1. Feedback and recommendation received from this meeting will be incorporated to the final plan. The Final Plan is anticipated to be presented to the Planning Commission in August/September 2021 and to the City Council in September/October 2021.
Financial Impact:
The Rialto Climate Adaptation Plan was funded through the Grant Fund Account No. 203-500-7305-3001-180811 in the amount of $350,000 from the California SB1-Public Transportation-Adaptation planning grant and from Measure I Fund, Account No. 201-500-4310-2011-180811 in the amount of $45,400 as a local match.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff is requesting feedback and recommendation from the EDC as it relates to the City of Rialto’s Climate Adaptation Plan.