City Council - Regular Meeting

The city council, city of Rialto, the acting successor agency to the redevelopment agency, the Rialto Utilities Authority, the Rialto Housing Authority will now come to order. Will the clerk please call the roll?

Mayor Baca. Present. Mayor Potem S Scott. Present. Council Member Carla Perez. Present. Council Member Edwin Montoya.

Present.

City Attorney Eric Bell. Present. City manager Tanya Williams. Present. And Mary and Mayor Proterm Council. Let the record reflect that council member and the cabin service would join you in closed session and can someone come back and just give me the time or report the time when he went to close session. Thank you.

Thank you, madam clerk. At this time, I'll call on the city attorney.

Thank you, mayor. We do have two principal items for your closed session tonight. The first is a conference with legal counsel with regard to four items of existing litigation. Those items are specified in in the agenda under item number one. You also have an additional item of conference of legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation. There's only one item with regard to that, and that concludes your report.

Thank you. Is there any member from the audience who would like to address any the items that have been discussed for closed session? Seeing that there's no one interested in making a comment from all of the people that I see in the audience. The two With that, do I hear a motion to close motion has been made. Motion has been made by Carla Perez to close closed session seconded by Edward Montoya.

All those in favor signify by saying Aye. Aye. Any opposition hearing none. Closed session is closed. Meeting will come to order.

At this time, the city council, city of Rialto, the acting successor agency to the redevelopment agency, the Rialto Utilities Authority, the Rialto Housing Authority will be in order. Would the clerk please call the roll? Present. Present.

Council member Metoyer.

Present.

City treasurer Ed Carrillo. City attorney Eric Bell. Present city manager Tanya Williams present.

Thank you all members present and accounted for. So at this time, if everybody would, please stand and, pledge allegiance will be led this this afternoon by Story Hernandez. Granddaughter to Janet Hernandez.

Pledge allegiance

to the flag of The United States Of America and to the

Thank you very much. At this time, we'll do the invocation by doctor Victor Nolan. Works in action action Christian.

Father, Lord God, we thank you for this day. We thank you for the city council. While we're praying, we ask that you look upon our nation, look upon all the leadership as we make the wise decision to lead our cities, our county, and our nation. In your name, we pray. Amen. Amen.

K. You may be seated now. This time, we'll call on the city attorney to report on closed session.

Thank you, mayor. There were two primary items on the, city council's closed session. The first was a conference with legal counsel, with regard to four items of existing litigation. You heard a briefing from the city attorney's department and gave, direction on each one of the items. There was no other reportable action on those items. The second item was a conference with legal counsel with regard to one item of anticipated litigation. You heard from the city attorney's office and city staff regard to that item and gave direction, but there was no other reportable action at this time.

Thank you. Thank you very much. With that, then we'll move on to the agenda in reference to presentations and proclamations. If there is no objection with any members of the council, I'm just gonna move it around a little bit to allow the the last presentation to be recognition certificates for honoring women of history month. So that'll be the last item on the on the presentations and proclamations.

So at this time, we'll start with myself and behalf of the whole council. And then if I could have the whole council come with me because we're all part of this, we'll get on to the bottom and we'll present the the first one is a moratorium for Janet Marie story. If I could have Mike Story and his daughter and granddaughter come up front along with the other council members here. It's a memorandum for, Janet Marie Story. 06/11/1956, 02/28/2008 when she passed.

Janet lived a full life of warmth, creativity, devotion to those she loved. During her years at Rio Hondo Prep Middle School High School, she formed the lasting, friendship and met her beloved husband, Mike Story. She didn't, it's not on here right now, but I happened to be there at the memorial, that was done along with many of the other firefighters that were there. But she also met him because she pinched him in the rear.

It was Saint Patrick's Day.

And that was on Saint Patrick's Day. And I tell her I I saw him earlier today. I says, has she been pinching you since then? And he says, yes. She was a a proud junior junior student homebody, and she was the home queen.

Janet also was active member of the associate student body, a vibrant spirit shown on stage and participated in musical theater and various platform and performance, she was an excellent singer. And I heard her granddaughter saying, oh, she is great too. In July 9, 1978, Janet married Mike and later made their home in Rialto where together they raised their family. She was dedicated mother and enriched her children's life through education community, serving as a room mother at their elementary school and fostering confidence in young learners. She was a devoted member of the her church in the community and served the the deaconess at Sunrise Church through signing on teams, leading bible studies, mentoring women, ministry groups, organizing church fashion shows.

Janet touched the countless lives with her kindness and generosity. She is a loving, remembered by her husband of forty eight years or married forty years. Congratulations. Mike Story and her children, Doug, Malaney, and her grandchildren, Nicholas, Andrew, and Story. They also, leaves behind their parents, Irene Browning, Herb Story, along with many extended family members and dear friends.

The city of Rialto. She loved dedicated to Rialto, and cared so much about Rialto. They were involved, and I know through Mike, the sunrise, and feeding a lot of people here in the city of Rialto through their food banks too as well that is not on here. And the most important thing about Janet and and Mike and the family is faith. And I think, you know, when you have someone that really believes in faith and leads by example, that the children then follow that faith of our lord.

And it doesn't matter what denomination a person is, but the person believes in in faith and in our lord. And with that, in behalf of the city council, all members present, and that includes the mayor pro tem, Ed Scott to my right, Andy Caraceras, council member, Carla Perez right behind me, and Edward Montoya, city councilman. In behalf of all of us, we'd like to present this to, Mike Story. God bless you.

Talked a lot more at her celebration, and I had a lot of stories and things there. But I'm really grateful for the city doing this. This city meant so much to Janet. When I asked her where she wanted to be laid to rest, she said Rialto Cemetery. And I said why? Your family is all over the place. We have plots for them. She says no, Rialto is my life. Where else would I be laid to rest? Because Rialto, from Sunrise to the women's club to the people here at the city, she meant a lot to them.

She prayed for everybody here. So I have the notebooks after decades of who she prayed for by name specifically. These people all up here. But the one thing I didn't share the other day is when I got appointed director in two thousand and two community development, Joe Sampson and Henry Garcia came over to where the office was looking for me, but I wasn't there. I was probably at the counter helping somebody.

But went Janet was in the office washing the windows, vacuuming, dusting, cleaning, putting stuff in there. And both Joe and Henry said, you know, we have people at the city that will do that for you. And Janet said, no, thank you. It's my privilege and my honor to do it for Mike. Thank you for so much for appointing him to be director. I will make sure that he does a good job. Not sure that happened, but I mean she made sure of it. But that's the kind of woman she was. That's the kind of woman we will miss. And every day I miss her and stuff.

And I just thank everybody who were able to come out that day. People have reached out to me since her passing, especially Ed. And it means a lot. And so I will you're going get rid of me that quick because even though she's will be her remains will be over to the cemetery, I'll still be around and because Rialto is my life too. So thank you so much for this memorial. Thank you. You

know, I I forgot mention, but I I wanna also mention, you know, I know that you mentioned that she was involved in the women's club, but, my wife, Barbara Baca, was involved with Janet

Oh, yeah.

In coordinating and scheduling a lot of the speakers there and then also also raising money in scholarships for a lot of the students there. I just wanted to mention that. Thank you. Next we have, is there anybody from the county in reference to the child abuse prevention month?

Yes, you have someone here.

We have someone

yes. Go to the podium.

Behalf of the city of Rialto, we'd like to present proclamation, and it says this, on April 2026 has been proclaimed as child abuse prevention month. The state, the federal, and the government for the purpose of promoting community involvement and preventing child abuse. All children have the right to receive the care, the protection, the guidance, and fam and a family that provides they have the right to be free from harm and have their physical and emotional and educational needs met. Whereas, just as over 30,000 children in San Bernardino County were referred in 2025 to the Children's and Family Service for suspected child abuse and neglect. Children assessment center staff, children and family service social workers, public health nurses, law enforcement officers, educators, behavioral health clinics, and others in the field are dedicated, compassionate, and skilled individuals working under enormous pressure to protect the children.

The prevention of child abuse requires righteous solutions, energy, strength, determination, commitment, and love and care for those concerned and individuals committed in the community. Whereas to protect factors and conditions that reduce and eliminate risks and promote social and emotional development well-being children. And has a lot of other whereas, but I'm not gonna read them all now. But it says now, therefore, I, Joe Baca, mayor of the city of Rialto, do hereby proclaim April 2026 as child abuse prevention month. I'd like to present this proclamation.

Juan Solis.

To Juan Solis representing the county. Juan, you wanna say if you're Sure.

So I I got a few mixed emotions. I was a resident Real told myself growing up. Had a hard life. Turned my life around. I was given a script, but those that know me. I go off script a lot. My my peoples are like to read the script. Read the script. I promise I will, but now I just wanna say that, you know, I I I Rialto's been close to my heart for a long, long time, obviously. And ended up being homeless, addicted, ended up in San Bernardino, turned my life around, was able to now as a father engagement coordinator for San Bernardino County.

But that's proclamation for another day that fathers are important. And when we talk about child abuse prevention, fatherhood is is linked right there with it. There's reports that show that when fathers are involved, children are less likely to be abused. Not to shame or blame no other. It's just the fact that how important fathers role are in the family and in the community.

But as I mentioned, that's a proclamation for another day. I'm also sitting on the statewide mandated reporting advisory committee, which is our reforming mandated reporting, which is another proclamation for another day. Today, we're talking about child abuse, and it comes in many forms and may include physical, emotional, sexual, and neglect. We recognize the detrimental effects that child abuse and neglect have not only on our victim's health and well-being, but on the health of our communities. Studies such as the adverse childhood experiences or ACEs demonstrate that children who experience severe adversity and maltreatment are far more likely to experience negative health and behavioral health outcomes later on in life.

We all benefit when children have safe, stable, nurturing environments that help prevent ACEs and eminently promote positive childhood experiences. If you do suspect child abuse, it can be unhonestly reported by calling the child abuse hotline at 808278724. And I do wanna close by saying that we do need more supporting and less reporting. That being said, let's continue supporting our families within our communities and the residents of Rialto. Thank you.

Next, we have the the police officers investigation work that will be presented by mayor pro tem at Scott.

Good evening. If I could call officer Dion Garia and chief claim. It is my distinct honor to present this proclamation number two series two zero two six. Whereas the city of Rialto proudly recognizes individuals who dedication and professionalism enhance public safety and strengthen our community. And whereas officer Dion Gary of the Rialto Police Department has demonstrated exceptional skill, commitment, and expertise in the performance of his duties and whereas through his specialized training and extensive knowledge of gang activity, officer Gary Gary provided critical assistance to the Santa Monica Police Department in connection with a shooting incident at the Santa Monica Pier.

And where as utilizing investigative intelligence and social media analysis, officer Gary developed key information that helped the Santa Monica Police Department identify the suspect and move the case forward and whereas his actions exemplify the highest standards of professionalism, collaboration, and dedication to justice. Now therefore, Joe Baca, the mayor of the city of Rialto, council members Carrasales, Perez, Montoya, and myself Ed Scott, do hereby commend officer Dion Gary for his outstanding service and extend the sincere appreciation of our community for his contributions to public safety. Dated this twenty fourth day twenty twenty six.

I want to thank everybody for being here. Thank you for this award. One of the things that I do wanna say is when I was hired about four years ago, the chief told me before I left his office after getting beat down for about an hour, he said, I'm gonna be your biggest role model. And five years later, he's been one of the biggest role models through action. So thank you guys, and, you know, thank you guys for this award.

So I thought this was a fitting time not only to have you meet officer Geary, one of our best kept secrets, but also to let you know that the SCAT team, which we had been rebuilding for a number of years, is now fully operational as effective yesterday. So even though this is their first week, this is the SCAT team. For those of you that aren't familiar with SCAT, it's one of our gang teams here in the city. And the team behind me, headed by Sergeant Parcher, is the brand new, new revised SCAT team. And if I can just tell you the quality of personnel on that team alone is represented by officer Geary.

We'll just kind of set the tone for what we have on that team from our other members. So mayor pro tem, I'm not sure that the council knows or members of the audience, but the mayor pro tem got in touch with me and said, hey, do I know anything about this incident that happened on the pier and he said because he's hearing that Rialto police assisted in that and then when I told him that officer Geary was instrumental in solving or helping Santa Monica solve that case then it was his idea to bring him forward. So thank you for that, mayor. For time, I appreciate that. And thanks a lot to our members.

Next,

we'll move on to the presentations and proclamation. This is the first time that I believe in in the history of the city of Rialto that we've ever really honored women as members of the council as a whole during women's history month. So this will be sort of like a historical perspective in a sense for the women that are receiving it today. So I'm gonna do is call on in order of making the presentations. I'll start with our appointed council member Edward Montoya to lead us off, and then I'll call on Carla, and then I'll call on Andy, and then I'll call on the mayor pro tem, and then myself, to make the last presentation.

So we'll go in that order, and you can go up to the front. And then afterwards, will all of the women that are receiving it please stay together because that will be a historical picture, that maybe we can put and frame it and put it in that empty spot in the back back there for the future as we continue to do this on an annual basis.

Rebecca, can I get you to come up, please? So my ward is going to Rebecca Cisneros. I've known Rebecca for quite quite a while. I'm gonna go ahead and read read a little something I that I typed out. So today for Women's History Month, I'm honoring to present this award to a truly accept exceptional woman, Rebecca Cisneros.

I first met Rebecca around 2014 when we were both attending college. She worked for the red Veterans Resource Center, and we both became instant friends. Rebecca is an Iraqi Iraqi combat veteran herself, and she was incredibly supportive during my time in school, always there to help until the day I graduated. When I started my nonprofit focused on mental health substance abuse, support for veterans and first responders, Rebecca stepped up as one of my credentialed staff. She has helped countless veterans and first responders giving her time freely, her wisdom, and especially her compassion.

Never asking for anything in return, never seeking recognition, just continuing to serve selflessly. She now carries the same dedication forward helping veterans and their families with front sight military outreach, a church dedicated to supporting veterans and their families. Most recently, Rebecca has agreed to join me as one of my mentors with the San Bernardino County Superior Veterans Treatment Court, where she will especially where she's especially passionate about assisting justice involved female veterans. Rebecca never wants or expects the spotlight, but women of her caliber deserve to be recognized. Her strength, unwavering service, and genuine heart make her a powerful example of what leadership and compassion looks like.

Rebecca, thank you for all you do, past, present, and future. This award is for you With deep gratitude and respect, you are loved.

So

right right here, I'm presenting her the award from the city signed by myself and the entire council as well as an award from fifth district supervisor Joe Baca junior.

Thank you. Thank you.

Would you like to? Okay.

It's been a long journey, but I'm grateful to everyone who supported, loved, encouraged me along the way in that journey. Most of all, God. Because if it wasn't for his redeeming grace and his love and his mercy upon me, I would not be here today. I was a veteran who struggled with the thoughts of taking my life. And so without everyone and God, I would not be here today. Thank you. Thank you.

Good evening. My recognition is a little different tonight. The person that I'm honoring and in remembrance is miss Maria Diaz. If I can have her family please come up. Although miss Diaz is no longer with us, I felt it was still important to honor her and remember her.

Her family shared a few words regarding miss Diaz. She was born on 07/22/1951 in Irapuato, Mexico. Shortly after her birth, she immigrated to The United States with her parents, beginning a journey that would shape a life defined by perseverance, community, and entrepreneurial spirit. She spent her early childhood in Azusa, California before her family eventually settled in Orange, California, where she completed high school and went on to attend college. While in college, Maria took a part time job at Foster Freeze, an experience that would change the course of her life.

It was there that she met her future husband, Victor, who worked next door at an Italian restaurant called Rocco's. Their chance meeting blossomed into a relationship, and before long, they were married and started a family, raising three children together. As their family grew, Maria and Victor sought more affordable housing and relocated to the Inland Empire. However, the long commute back to Orange County soon became unsustainable. Drawing on their combined experience in the restaurant industry, they made the bold decision to open their own Italian restaurant in Rialto, California in 1984.

Maria quickly became the heart and voice of the business. I've known her for warmly greeting customers and answering the phone with her signature phrase, brother's pizza, and I have that vivid sound in my in my head. She created a welcoming atmosphere that kept people coming dedication, tireless work ethic, and genuine love for serving others, the restaurant flourished and became a beloved staple in the community. Beyond her business, Maria was deeply committed to giving back. She was active in her church and consistently supported local charities and fundraising events.

Her contributions did not go unnoticed. She was honored multiple times by the state senate and various organizations for her achievement as a small business owner. Maria stands as a remarkable example of a minority female entrepreneur who, through courage, passion, and resilience, built not only a successful business, but also a lasting legacy in her community. Her life's work continues to inspire others to pursue their dreams and uplift those around them. So fun fact.

My first job here in Rialto as a teenager was Stater Brothers. I remember always seeing her in there. Always very happy. You know, she she was always so kind to all of us. And few years later, my husband and I actually had our first date at Brothers Pizza. When we had our firstborn, we would often go there, you know, for dinner with our our eldest Angelique, and I believe it's her sister. She so funny. She had her order memorized. And so it was always that, you know, personable atmosphere there, but it all stemmed from miss Maria Diaz and who recently passed January 23. So if we could please close in her memory tonight, we'd appreciate that.

But here we have her son and daughter-in-law and granddaughter. So anybody would like to share any words?

Hi. Thank you, guys. Maria was my mother-in-law. I actually it's funny. I worked at Brothers Pizza. So I used to joke with Maria that the reason I married her son was because I wanted to be related to her because She was just the best mother-in-law in the world. She really was. She loved her community. She loved I think everybody knows who Maria is. I think everybody remembers, you know, twenty minutes for your order to be ready, and she would be so proud to be receiving this award and to be recognized by the city. So on behalf of her family, thank you guys for this. She loved what she did, she loved the community. And I don't know how she remembered everybody, how she remembered everybody's orders, but she knew exactly who everybody was and what everybody was getting. So she would be so thankful for this. So thank you guys for this.

Do you want to hold this?

Thank you.

Good evening everyone. So my honoring tonight is for Jacqueline Augustine. So Jacqueline can you please join me at the podium? And as she walks up I'll I'll read off. Honor of Women's History Month, we proudly recognize Jacqueline Augustine for her outstanding contributions and dedication to City Of Rialto.

A proud 30 year old resident and and a Rialto Rialto High School graduate, she built a successful career in criminal justice serving seventeen years as a case manager a lead and a leader specializing in DUI cases. As CEO of Jack's Grill and Bar, Billards Incorporated established in 2020, Jacqueline is helping revitalize Downtown Rialto through her restaurant bar and billiards establishment. Her leadership also led her to all ladies billiards team that earned second place in the world at twenty twenty three BCA Nationals. I don't know what the BCA Nationals are, but I know it has to do with your post, but that's that's amazing. And Jacqueline actively supports numerous non nonprofits and consistently consistently gives gives back to the community.

Through her hard work and dedication, she has earned the respect and admiration of those around her and serves as an inspiration and example of leadership and perseverance. One of the reasons I I I selected a business owner here in the city is you can join me a little bit closer here. So not only does she give back to the community, but they made a huge investment here in the city of Rialto. For all those that have not been to their restaurant, it's here on Riverside Avenue, it's in downtown. And they've made a huge investment, and they really set the tone on how and what kind of businesses we should be supporting here in the city.

So for your investment, for all your hard work and dedication, wanna present this to you. And I've there you go. I've got a now, her husband Stacy might think he's the the the brains and the beauty of the company, but I have an Isle Of Rialto sticker for you, so you can hand that to him. And a limited edition Rialto Dodger hat.

Thank you.

And if you wanna say a few words. And I also wanna share that there's a certificate of recognition from our supervisor Joe Baca junior.

Thank you.

If you wanna say a few words. Well,

I wasn't ready for a speech or anything, but I just wanna say thank you so much for honoring me with this award. I really appreciate it. It's an honor to be a resident of Rialto. I was pretty much raised here my whole life. And just to remember walking down Willow Avenue going from middle school to my home and now being here in front of, you know, everyone, it's it's really an honor, and I really appreciate it. Thank you.

Thank you.

There you go. Yeah, Stacy's got a sticker. We got you, bro.

Tonight, I honor a very special person in this community. There's a saying that behind every good man is a better woman. Well, this is a woman who is behind every person in this city and has dedicated her life to our city. Tonight, I honor Barbara a Magee. Come on down.

Barbara's a little bit surprised by this because we kept it very secret. Her staff finally has kept a secret from her, I believe. Barbara A. McGee was appointed to the position of city clerk of Rialto in 1994. In 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024, she was reelected to serve as city clerk.

Miss McGee is a US passport agent, a notary public. She has a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Southern University Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and a Master's Degree leadership from Azusa Pacific University. She also has her CMC certified municipal clerk, International Institute of Municipal Clerks. Ms. McGee was awarded the distinction community outreach award for the California Clerks Association of California.

She received the Athena award from the Rialto Chamber of Commerce for community involvement. She was named Woman of the Year in 1999 by Assembly Member John Longville and again in 2012 by Assembly Member Wilma Amina Carter. She was instrumental in establishing Rialto as a healthy city. In fact, she established Rialto as a healthy city and she was successful in obtaining a start grant for a certified farmers market to promote healthy living in the community. She wrote two different grants and was awarded a 100,000 in state money for transparency and to enhance services of the Rialto City Clerk's office in Rialto for citizens and the community.

She wrote a grant for The United States for the city of Rialto and was awarded funding. The city of Rialto was one of the biggest counts in the county for the community involved in the census count. In 2013, she also wrote and obtained a two year grant from First Five of San Bernardino to benefit youth ages five and under in the community. She worked as a financial chair for the Rialto School Board measure that passed in 1999. Among projects, she has helped develop and organize a symposium of hate crimes for the city of Rialto instrumental on organizing the Rialto Family Festival, a celebration for the Rialto community to promote diversity in our city, which is funded through donations and sponsorship.

Miss McGee is active in the community. She participates in sponsoring youth from Qi exchange program. She has sponsored students from Japan, Germany, China, Brazil, Spain, Italy, Turkey Turkey and Yugoslavia. She co chaired the East Rialto Kiwanis Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway for 300 families in Rialto. She organized a secret Christmas gift giving for 100 children of need in the Center of Healing's childhood trauma.

She co chaired the Rialto Relay for Life for American Cancer along with MAD and organizes the annual Move With MAD Walk Run-in October. She annually organizes a tribute ceremony to honor those who serve in the military on Memorial Day in the city of Rialto. As a board member for Athletes for Life annual life skills camp, she helped organize the annual life camp for 300 youth ages 11 through 18 to stay overnight. Four days of Cal State University San Bernardino for the last twelve years. Not only has she done all that, but she is one of the best department heads in this city.

And, we have a lot of good great department heads. But, the thing that I'm most impressed about Barbara is she has an amazing staff. And, she has developed those people to move in other positions in the city, whether it be Mariana in the fire department, Christian in the fire department, or our own Melissa out front here at City Hall with the city council. She has unbelievable staff. They love our city.

They show respect to our residents, and you couldn't ask for finer people staff that works in the city clerk's office. Barbara is just an amazing person. She never wants credit for anything. She never wants to be honored or held up. She just wants to do her job every day and make sure everybody's happy.

So this is indeed an honor for me to give this to Barbara for Women's History Month. No crying. There's three rounds so Dave can get your picture. You wanna say some words?

Let me do this first.

Thank you. I also wanna present a certificate from Joe Baca, 5th District County Supervisor, to honor you also, Barbara.

Thank you. Thank you.

So I need to update my

Come on. Say a few words.

I need to update my resume. Well because that's I got

this from one of your people.

No, that's good. No, it's good. It's it's all it's all true. It's just some other things that I I feel real honored that it's not in there, but that's good. Go ahead and But I just wanna say thank you.

And I am Oh, I'm so surprised and it's a lot of people in this city that definitely deserves this honor. When I was selected, I was selected to serve the people, the citizens of Rialto, and I enjoyed doing that, and I like doing that. So I didn't run and be the city clerk to get an award for being woman of the year. Woman recognized for no, I'm sorry. I've been a woman of the year.

So this is woman history month. So I I do appreciate that. And I am just so My heart is beating. I'm just so honored that you out of all the people you know that you picked little me.

It was an easy choice.

So And and thank you and thank you and and I want to say congratulations to the other women that have received the award and will and will be receiving the award so.

You Thank for all you do.

It worked good, but you know, but you know guys, it's hard being a woman, but you know what? I enjoy it.

Well, first of all, I want to say congratulations to all of the other women that were identified and recognized. And I also have a woman that I'd like to recognize as we begin to recognize each of those that have contributed to the city of Rialto and our community as a whole for their involvement. And also, I'd like to first of all start by saying that fifth district supervisor Joe Baca junior also has an award, for Anna Gonzalez as well. So, Anna, could you please come up front? K.

I've known this young woman for some time. Anna Gonzalez has been a dedicated community leader in the city of Rialto since moving here at the age of 10. Her early commitment to civic engagement began during her time at Eisenhower High, where she served as METCHA vice president before graduating in 2005. You know, and I can identify with METCHA because when I was in a community college, I was a member of UMAS. They didn't have METCHA then.

But they had UMAS, and then METCHA came about. From 2006 to 2013, Anna was a small business owner, a small business owner, who are actively supporting our local youth, particularly in Rialto Little League at Birdsall Park where her son also participated and helped with the concession stand, helped with the the league itself, during that time. She was a leader in high school trying to get many individuals civically involved of the importance of voting. And I think as we look at today's society, it's one of the most important things that we can do. And Anna, you took that leadership to educate a lot of our youth about the importance of voting and participating in civic government, and I think that's important.

In nineteen sixty nineteen sixteen, annacom

'26.

Oh, 2016. Oh, I gotta get that right. 2016, Anna completed the Rialto Institute progress further restraining the understanding of local government and the importance of civic duty. She was appointed to the Rialto Budget Advisory Committee, so she served on the Rialto Budget Advisory Committee from 2017 to 2018 where she contributed in addressing key financial issues, and I know that our our financial person appreciates when we have individuals in the community contributing to financial decisions that are impacting our city, including the utility tax. During COVID, during the pandemic, she played an important part in supporting families by assisting with the rent, the utility, relief efforts, advocating for small businesses who were facing economic hardship.

From 2024, she served on the community advisory committee for the general plan, updating it where she shared her environmental justice elements leadership. Her efforts successfully brought into compliance the California Senate Bill one thousand twenty twenty four. Anna also leadership has been widely recognized. In 2017, she received women of distinguished award from the Chicano Latino Caucus of San Bernardino County. Later was honored as one of the assembly majority lead by one of the assembly majority leaders by senator Eloise Reyes where she received the California woman of the year award.

Academics, she achieved and graduated with an a degree in business administration, liberal studies with emphasis in social behavior science and humanities from San Bernardino Valley College. She later graduated from Cal State University of San Bernardino with a bachelor in liberal science focusing on k through eight education along with a minor in sociology. Today, she serves as executive director for the Center for Community Action Environmental Justice. But in that capacity, she has reached out to the community because recently we had the fires that just happened not too long ago last year where many of the individuals were displaced. She took the leadership to make sure that individuals were provided housing and food and got the assistance that they needed and then the replacement of individuals who are now living in other apartments or another homes too as well.

It's because she cared about the community. She was willing to feed them and work with other organizations such as the Elk Lodge and also the Moose Lodge out here as well. Today, Anna serves as executive director for the Center for Community Action Environment. Anna Gonzalez is a dedicated individual rooted her service and leadership and service that remains deeply committed to uplifting and empowering all residents, residents, not one segment of our community, but all segments of the community representing everyone. And I think that's important when we have leaders that care about everyone in our communities.

She has been a strong a strong force. She has touched the lives of many individuals in our communities and improved their lives. And with that, in behalf of the city council, we'd like to present you with woman of the one of the woman of the year awards presented by the city of Rialto and mayor Joe Baca and other members of the council would like to present this to you.

Well, first of all, thank you mayor Baca for this honor. Thank you city council staff and community for always supporting the cause. I could not do this work alone, but I actually want to pass this award to my mother. So mom, if you can come please really quick. I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for this amazing woman and who shaped me and just made me who I am.

And we went through it when growing up, but my mom never gave up, and this is a result, mom, the product of your hard labor. And to the community, community, thank you for being here and, you know, acknowledging not just me, but all the amazing women that were presented with this award. Barbara, I mean, I could not say enough of your amazing work and labor for the community. Well deserved. Thank you. And to all the other women that were presented this award, we all know why we get up every day, and it that's to serve the community of Rialto and beyond in the Inland Empire. So thank you all so much, and

Thank you, and congratulations. Can I have all of the women that received the awards please come up front? What do you want them? On that side or this side? K. On that. Yeah. Follow me. You can go to that side. The the the four women.

Barbara. On that side. Take your award. Thank you. Next, we'll move on to oral communications.

And once Barbara sits down, she can let us know if there's any individuals from the audience that would like to address the council.

Mayor and mayor pro tem, we have Anna Gonzalez.

Anna Gonzalez? Yes.

Alright. Good evening again. Mayor Baca, council residents here, and staff, amazing staff for doing all the amazing work. I'm just here today to thank you all once again for passing the housing element. When when our community heard the great news that you all made a great decision, we quickly started mobilizing and gathering to see if we can support the city in attracting affordable housing developers, and a lot of folks have answered that call.

So I'm just looking forward to working with the amazing staff in providing some support in bringing those projects and making them possible in this city because our residents really do desperately need that support. And I just, you know, wanted to clarify some comments that were made that, you know, if anybody's ever wondering what CCAEJ does and what we do with litigation, please visit our website at ccaej.org. All of our financials are there, and you will find out exactly where the money goes to. So thank you all so much for all your amazing leadership and for your support in providing affordable housing for our community. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Anyone else? That concludes oral communications. At this time, we'll move on to the regular agenda. The city council members will look at the consent calendar. If there's anyone that would like to pull an item at this time, they can pull any item from the consent item. Anyone from the audience? Seeing none at this time, do I have any members that Approval. Motion's been made by council member Andy Caraceras to move the consent item, seconded by mayor pro tem Ed Scott. All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye. Any opposition? Hearing none. Motion carries. Next, we'll move on to the tab items, tab one.

I guess I would got to the next two items, mayor. Alright. So, tab one is actually asking the city council to, adopt urgency ordinance seventeen twelve. It's entitled an interim urgency ordinance of the city of council of the city of Rialto, California declaring a temporary moratorium on the establishment expansion and intensification of massage partners within the jurisdictional boundaries of the city of Rialto and finding that this action is exempt from CEQA. So basically, in nutshell, in recent years, we have we as a city and also police departments experienced an increase in crime at some of these massage establishments.

And what we're just asking the council to do is to pass a forty five day moratorium that would help the police department work with our legal staff and also other departments to strengthen our ordinance due to recent state laws that have been passed. In many senses, our city right now is a little bit out of compliance because our guess our process is a little more stringent than what the state allows. So we're just trying to do

Motion's been made by Carla Perez, seconded by council member Evermoto. Any discussion? Roll call. Roll call?

Yes. And I need to read the ordinance into the record from the motion, please. Move

to approve urgency ordinance number one seven one two entitled an interim urgency ordinance of the City Council of the City of Rialto, California declaring a temporary moratorium on the establishment, expansion, or intensification of massage parlors within the jurisdictional boundaries of the City Of Rialto and finding that said actions is exempt from CEQA.

Thank you. Motion's been made. Been seconded. Any further discussion? Hearing none.

No, I'm doing the roll call.

Roll call.

Yes. Council Member Perez. Aye. Council Member Montoya.

Aye.

Council member Caracelos. Aye. Mayor Pro Tem Scott. Aye. Mayor

Baca. Aye. Thank you. Motion carries. Thank you.

Thank you, council. And your last item for tonight is tab two.

Tab two?

Yes. And tab two basically is is Approval. An Thank

you. Second.

K. Motion's been made by Andy Caraceras, seconded by Edward Montoya. Any discussion? All city council. So So we'll we'll start start with with Andy Garasetas to my right.

Thank you, mayor. I just want to once again congratulate all the award recipients, recipients and there was there was many that we could have chose from and and I'm glad that mayor you brought this up and that now we have a new award that is really significant to our community and especially to the women, the hardworking women of this community that as mayor Pro Tem said, behind every successful man, there's a extra successful woman. So I agree with all that. And lastly, attended the the opening ceremonies for for the our our baseball, t ball leagues and along with council member Montoya and mayor pro tem Scott. It was great to be out there and and see all the the parents that are getting their kids involved.

I really appreciate the fact that so many parents bring their kids here to the city of Rialto because of the programs that we have here in Rialto and because of the excellence that they see in our, our the board of directors that has been doing a fantastic job for so many years. So I wanna congratulate them. And that's all I have, mayor.

Thank you. Mayor pro tem Ed Scott.

Thank you. I too had the opportunity to attend the opening ceremonies for Little League at Birds Hall, Frisbee And Rialto Parks. Mayor Baca, you are well represented by your daughter, Natalie. She did a great job. It was it was a nice day, a little warm but nice day and it's amazing to watch the kids out there get started and how enthusiastic they are starting Little League especially the kids that played t ball.

There were some kids that were like two years old out there. It was just absolutely amazing. Their hats, their pants. But it was a fun day. The other thing I wanna bring up tonight is for public works.

I've noticed in driving this city that we're kinda behind on striping especially crosswalks. And when I drive Riverside Avenue and I see crosswalks that are faded or you can't even see them, that's very concerning for me especially with older people like me and kids crossing when they're to and from school, we need to make sure these crosswalks are kept striped. So maybe you can have one of your staff members go through the city and check out the crosswalks and the striping in the city and make sure that we are up to par and up to speed on it. We had a death this week up on Casa Grande. I have a real concern about the speeders on Casa Grande and what we're gonna do to slow people down.

So I'm gonna ask that staff immediately take a take a look at that. It seems to me that maybe between Sierra Avenue and I think it is Locust that there needs to be at least a stoplight somewhere in there to slow people down. Are going awfully fast. And I think the police department has been up there and observed the the same situation. Rest the soul of the individual who happened to be on a motorcycle and crashed into the barricades. But sad sad day for the city. Anyway, that's all I have for this evening. Thank you.

Thank you. Next, I'll call on council member Carla Perez.

Thank you, mayor. I would like to take a moment to wish a happy fiftieth anniversary to mister Terry and miss Kathy. They celebrated their fiftieth anniversary on March 11 and also renewed their vows. Congratulations to you both. I'd also like to wish my mother a happy birthday. Her birthday is tomorrow. And also just as a reminder, if we can please close in memory of miss Maria Diaz. And that is all. Thank you, mayor.

Thank you. Next, I'll call council member Edward Montoya. Yes. Thank you, mayor.

So this past couple of weeks, I was blessed to be able to hang out with the police and fire departments on a couple of different occasions. I was able to attend the Travis House mental health event with PD and fire, and that was really it was really cool to get to get to know some of the the men and women of both departments. I was also able to go hang out with them at Starbucks where we had coffee with first responders. So that was another pretty cool time. It was pretty hot, but it was a good time.

Thank you guys for allowing me to be there with you guys. I attended the California University of Science and Medicine match day right here down the street. That was a really cool event. And if you don't know what match day is, it's where your doctors are getting ready to go through a residency. And all across the nation, they're opening their envelopes all at the same time to find out where they're going to be doing their residency.

So that was a really cool event to see all all of our new doctors that are coming out into our communities get their their residency packets. That was really it was really awesome. And then I attended all three of the Little League opening ceremonies, North Rialto, Rialto City Park, and Rialto Eastern with mayor pro tem Ed Scott and council member Carzales. That was also very hot. But it was it's really good to see so many parents getting their kids into the community. But that is all. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Next, I'd like to, first of all, congratulate Kathy and Terry on their anniversary, celebrating their anniversary. Thank you very much. It's pleasant when we see, individuals that can celebrate so many years, together. So congratulations to to both of you.

I attended the and I mentioned it earlier the Janet story. There was many, individuals from the fire department and the police department that were also, present on that day at sunrise. I just wanted to mention that it was on March 14 that we did that. I also wanna thank the firefighters for putting on Saint Patrick's Day. I went out and enjoyed a nice time with the the firefighters. It was nice green beer since I gave up wine for Lent so I could have beer. Cheater. Cheater.

So

it was nice to celebrate and hopefully that in the future we can do a community event that would celebrate Saint Saint Patrick's. Maybe we can put that somewhere along

That's the great idea.

Just Yeah. That we can put that on on our, sheets of things that we wanna do in terms of the future to invite and especially when they play the pipes and they get together. I'd like to see our residents come to our area and not have to go to another city, to enjoy, Saint Patrick's Day, and we can celebrate it right here. Because I think all of us have a little Irish in us, you know, somewhere.

Some of

us celebrate birthdays that day. That's why.

Also, I'd like to thank, my daughter, Natalie, Baca, for attending the Little League ceremonies that was mentioned by our mayor pro tem. It's something that I've done every year, and, she attended the the Rialto, Parks, Little League, attended the the one at Eastern Little League and then also at Birdsall Park. I think it's always nice that we see a lot of our youth participating as we see the summers coming up right now. I'd like to see since we're seeing summers that are coming up and hopefully we can put in our agenda somewhere along the lines and get some kind of support, for the splash pads, as we see the heat waves that are coming in right now, I think that to show that our community is advancing and providing a service for a lot of our youth that will be able to go and enjoy these plast pads, so they can freshen up and cool off a little as we see the weather temperatures continue to climb. So, hopefully, we can we can do that.

And I appreciate the fact that, mayor pro tem, Scott brought up the the not only the speeding area, but the also when you you look at the crosswalks that need to be repainted, also to the public works is that we continue to work on on making sure that all the pot potholes are are fixed too as well within our streets. And then we look at our sidewalks too as well that are part of the city. That we fix those sidewalks so there's no additional damage that can be done to an individual that may get hurt. So if we take a proactive stand and start taking steps to improving it. And I think our community is beginning to realize that it's a lot safer, a lot better, and a lot cleaner.

And that we're taking proactive stands on addressing these issues, that we talked about now too as well. And with that, if I would, have the, the approval, and it was mentioned earlier, approval of this council, as a whole to to adjourn in memory of, Maria Diaz. Is there any objection to adjourning and hearing none, then we will adjourn in memory of, Maria Diaz. And that concludes, my report. So, therefore, therefore, we'll start with our woman of the year. One of them, Barbara McGee, city clerk.

I just wanna say truly, Metropom. You really surprised me in all the time I've been at the city. This you really got one on me this Yes. So but truly, from my heart to I really appreciate you for All

that comes from my heart.

For thinking about little old me. So I appreciate that. So thank you very much.

Thank you for all you do.

Thank you. Yeah, little ole me. But I but I also want to let the council and the constituents and the citizen know that we had a great passport date Saturday. We did passport from, yes, from nine to three.

And nine was about two miles off.

Yes, we did about, oh about 500. So and I and I do wanna thank police department. They was out there with me with the sun and also. And and as you said, my great staff. So Staff.

To come by and say hi to you guys, but I was afraid you'd make me work.

Yeah. They probably put you to work, so I I just wanna say that was a great day. So we did a lot of passports. Also, we have an event coming up, which is the Rialto Wheels. And we do that program to make sure that the youth and the young people of Rialto ride safe and be safe and stay within the bike lanes and helmets and things of that.

So just to be safe with the residents in our city. And police department and fire department has been a great partner with that. And so I'm asking this council, you wanna be a partner with me and sponsor one of those bikes for a kid, and the staff can let you know what age we're looking at. I know mayor Pro Temi has always given me a bike out there, so I expect to get one this year. Even though. Well, should last year I know the mayor was out there trying to ride his bike, but it rained.

I brought my bike and I was ready to ride it, but it was raining. Yes, got bailed out because of the rain

and and we had Council Member Perez and also Montoya out there that gave back. So so this year we gonna do that, but we do it for the safety components to make sure that the kids are safe in the city and riding in there. And PD has always sponsored the little kids on being safe in this space. What is that called though? No, the the small one where they teach the kids to the what? Safe safe moves. Yes. Safe moves. So they do safe moves. Where'd go? Oh, I hope you guys plan on supporting that again this year. Yes? Yes, ma'am. Oh, thank you. Thank you. So that's all I have.

Thank you. Next, I'd like to call on our city treasurer, Edward Carrillo.

Janet Story memorial. That's all I have. Thank you.

Thank you. Next, I'd like to call on city manager, Tanya Williams.

Good evening, mayor. No report this evening. Thank you.

Thank you. Next, I'd like to call on our assistant city manager, Tim Sullivan.

Thank you, mayor. No report this evening.

Thank you. Next, I'd like to call on, Eric Vail, our city attorney.

Thank you, mayor. Nothing to report this evening.

Thank you. Next, I'd like to call on our police chief, Mark Clean.

Thank you, mayor and council. I I do wanna congratulate our city clerk. I know I've worked for a few in my career, I would tell you that by far, you you so deserve this, and you are the best Certi Clerk I've ever worked with. And because of that challenge, I know that my command staff in the back, all of us will not just combine, but separately, we'll actually donate and get bikes for you. So that's in addition to whatever the RPBA has been in the past, our command staff will do that for you.

Yeah, you always have.

So I appreciate it.

We'll take that. And then I just want the council to know that it's getting close and you're gonna start getting some calls from most likely either Melissa or Jessica trying to set up some times for you to take a walk through our new station because we would like you to get you at least through that before we move in. And so just be prepared to be getting that. I'll clear that through the city manager's office and anything else I can do to accommodate that for you, I'll I'll certainly make that happen. So thanks a lot.

And and Mark, if you can. Supervisor Joe Baca junior also had a certificate for police officer Gary too as well. He'd like to present.

Sir, I'll come get that. Thank you. Next,

I'd like to call on our new fire chief, Chris Jensen.

Thank you, mayor. On behalf of, Briaque Fire Department, we too just wanna congratulate all the women recognized this evening for, women's history month. And, it was a lot of information about each one of them that represented women well here in the city of Rialto. So on behalf of Rialto Fire, thank you for that. I also just wanna remind the city council of the award and badge pending ceremony that is set for Thursday, April 9 at five p.

M. This is the last council meeting before that event. And I just also wanted recognize Chief Kathy and Chief Huber in the back of the room here. They attended the Fresno Training Symposium where they completed their certified all risk safety officer training this last week which is a significant accomplishment and an opportunity for us to provide safety officers directly on our incidents here in the city of Rialto. And the last thing I just wanted to mention is a few hours ago we had a significant fire in the 300 block of Resource Drive.

Fast action by business staff and quick action by the fire suppression crews, Captain Plone, and under the command of Battalion Chief Stapleton, they prevented a significant incident from becoming a catastrophic multi million dollar loss. So I just wanted to recognize them tonight. Thank you.

Thank you. Next, I'd like to call on public works Yas Amrami.

Thank you, mayor. Just a couple of quick announcements. We're gonna have our household hazardous waste event this Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28 from 8AM to 12PM at 246 South Willow Avenue. And during the month of April, the site will be open on April and April. We also have a community cleanup day scheduled for Saturday, April 11 from 8AM to 2PM.

The activities include used tire collection, household hazard waste, electronic waste drop off. And last but not least, we're going to have used oil filter exchange April 4 from 9AM to 2PM and the location is in AutoZone 241 Waste Baseline Road. Thank you.

Thank you. Next I'd like to call on our community development director, Christina Taylor.

Thank you mayor. I'd just like to thank Yaz, our public works director for coming out and presenting to the Beautification Commission and giving them a good overview of what the department does citywide. They really did appreciate that and they had a ton of questions that he was able to answer for them. So it was really good to have him there. We look forward to having other departments present there as well. And that's it, thank you.

Thank you. Next, I'd like to have our Parks and Recreation Director and I'd like to say welcome back because you've had substitutes that have been given your report.

First of all, thank you Scott for reading my announcements. The last council meeting. I did watch.

You did

fantastic. Thank you. Alright. Here's what's going on in Rianso. Our youth volleyball summer session registration will open up Monday, March 30, both online and in person at 7AM.

Those who go in person usually start the line about 03:45AM at the community center. Team Glow Hunt will be Friday, April 3 at Rialto Community Center from 07:30 to 09:30PM. Our spring extravaganza will be Saturday, April 4 at Frisbee Park from 10AM to 2PM. Youth basketball summer season registration opens in person only on Monday, April at Carl Johnson Center Gym from 6PM to 9PM. Disco night senior prom will be Thursday, April 9 at Grace Vargas Senior Center from three to 7PM.

And our fitness and aquatic center will have their open house from April, Monday through Friday during hours of operation, which is 5AM to 8PM, and then Saturday from 7AM to 12PM. And then, of course, your save the dates, Rialto on wheels, Saturday, April 25 here at Rialto Civic Center from 9AM to 2PM. The obstacle course will be out for miss Barbara's event and collaboration with Dawn's. The international festival will be Friday, May 1 at Rialto City Park from 05:30 to 09:30PM. And because I didn't have the information, we will be sending about three or four teams to the SMF Federation Championship All Star Games in LA this weekend.

So cheer our little guys on and hopefully I have some great news to report when we meet again. That's it.

Thank you very much. Next, I'd like to have our finance director, Scott Williams.

Thank you, mayor. No report.

Thank you. Next, I'd like to have our human resource director, Shama.

Thank you, mayor. Nothing to report.

Next, I'd like to have Shakim give our utility director a report. Thank you, mayor. Nothing to report today. Thank you. That concludes the reports from our staff. Do I hear a motion to adjourn?

So moved.

Motion's been made by Carla Perez to adjourn. Do I hear a second? Second. Seconded by Edward Montoya. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposition? Hearing none. The council is adjourned.