City Council - Regular Meeting

agency to the redevelopment agency, the Rialto Utilities Authority of Rialto and Housing Authority will come to order at this time. Will the clerk please call the role? May Baka, present. Mayor Prom Scott, present. Council member Andy Carellis, present. Council member Ker Perez, present. Council member Evan Matoy, present. Uh, city attorney Eric Bell, present. City Manager Tanya Williams, present. Okay, thank you. All members present. And now we'll move into uh close session. Uh, call in our attorney, Eric Bale.

Thank you, Mayor. We have only one item on your close session tonight. It's a conference with your real property negotiator. Your real property negotiators are your city manager Tony Williams and your director of community development Christina Taylor. Uh the property that is the subject of our discussion is referenced by APN number in the agenda and up for discussion is only price and terms of sale. Thank you. Are there anyone from the audience that wish to address it? Seeing none, do I hear a motion to close uh so moved?

Motion's been made to close session. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposition hearing? None. We're going to close session.

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Hey, Rialto. My name is Maria from the city of Rialto's parks, recreation, and community services department, [music] and I'm excited to share some awesome news with you. We're thrilled to announce the completion of the resurfacing [music] project at Rialto City Park, reinforcing our city council's commitment to maintaining highquality [music] public spaces that meet the needs of our families. As a family first community, we believe that [music] well-maintained, safe, and accessible parks foster a stronger sense of togetherness and community pride. So, what's new? First, check out these bold, vibrant colors. Not [music] only do they look amazing, but they're designed for better visibility and to bring energy and enthusiasm. [music] These colors reflect our city's identity and our dedication to providing top tier recreation anemities. Plus, we've introduced Rialto's first ever pickle ball courts. As part of the project, one of the tennis courts has been converted into four designated pickleball courts, giving our residents a fun new way to stay active. There's still more. We added our city of Rialto's parks and wreck logo to the basketball courts and extended the fence between the pickle ball and tennis courts to enhance the experience of our players. Interested in playing on the pickle ball and tennis courts? [music] Visit the Rialto Fitness and Aquatic Center for access. The basketball court is open for public use, so come in and shoot some [music] hoops. We know that recreation plays a vital role in building a healthy and active community. That's why we continue to work towards keeping [music] our parks, recreational facilities, and gathering places to a high standard that enhances the quality of life for our residents. This project was [music] made possible by funding through department funds and the California Prop 68 per capita grant program. At the city of Rialto, [music] we take pride in shaping a thriving and innovative recreational landscape, ensuring that our city keeps pace [music] with growth while maintaining high standards our council desires and our residents deserve. We are committed to the future of Rialto, where families thrive, public spaces inspire, and recreation brings people together. We can't wait to see you at the courts.

What do you think about the new courts? Awesome. Love the fiberglass backboard. Nice. And I was here the other day when they were painting it. So, yeah. But I got to come with my son and shoot some hoop. It's impressive. You know, they did a great job with them. And the colors, I love the colors. [music] They're so vibrant and welcoming. It's like you just want to come and buy a new basketball. I love them. Gets your attention right away. Um, and it's uh very nice to see that the city's actually doing something for for the for the park. [music] It's a really nice upgrade.

I like how you can you you can raise a court, you can make it higher, I mean lower and higher for the little littleer kids. I like everything about it. I like the environment. I like how it's gated up for the kids. I like it. Shout out to Rialto. Y'all doing your big one. I think about the courts is it's fire and thank you for our community. Nice. I think about the court is that I love it so much. This is every hooper's dream and thank God for everything. Nice. What do you think? You like them? Fire. Yeah. You fire. All right. You guys want to shoot? Yeah. Go. Go. I'm going to see.

Hey, I'm going to shoot. The city of Rialto's upgraded permitting center is a seamless userfriendly experience for permit applications, business license requests, and secure online payments. Designed for efficiency, transparency, and convenience, this platform is built to service residents, contractors, and city staff alike. Everything you need all in one place. Check out this introduction video to the new online permit center coming June 2nd. Welcome to Civic Access, the online customer access portal for the city of Rialto. This introduction will navigate you through the various online services and functions offered by the city of Rialto. As a guest visiting the site, you will be able to paid invoices, search for records, and view scheduled inspections. If you are a registered user, you will have access to see more information about your applications and records, and even apply for certain development applications. To log in, click login or register in the top right corner of the page or with the tile in the center of the screen. If you have not registered for Civic Access, please create an account prior to logging in. After successfully logging in, you will see additional tabs and functionality. The first tab is the homepage. This will bring you back to the main page again from wherever you are in the website. The next tab is the apply tab. This is where you can apply for available online

permit, plan, and business license applications. After clicking apply, you will be automatically redirected to the city's decision engine, which is a guided application to help you find the correct permit, plan or business license application to apply for. The next tab is the dashboard. In the dashboard, you will be able to see the progress of your permit and plan applications that you submitted to the city. You will also be able to view all of your inspections and their associated statuses. Your dashboard will also show your open invoices. You can make payments by adding them to your cart and making a payment with a credit card. If you have business licenses with the city, they will be listed at the bottom of the dashboard screen. My work is another way to see all of your associated records in a list view. It is sectioned out into permits or plans, inspections, and invoices. If you applied for a permit or plan at city hall, you should see the record in this screen. If you have difficulty finding a particular record, you are able to filter and sort your records. There is even an option to export your records into a Microsoft Excel file. Providing the correct email address and contact information on your application is essential to being able to see your records in the online portal. Please contact the city if you are not seeing your applications in the online portal. If you want to see scheduled inspections, click on the today's inspections tab. If you would like to see upcoming scheduled inspections or past scheduled inspections, simply change your desired date. The search records tab allows you to search and view information available for permit, plan, licenses, and inspections records. You can search with record numbers,

keywords, or partial descriptions. Click on the record number to see more details of the record. If you cannot locate the record you are looking for, please contact the city. The last tab is the help tab, which is where you most likely found this video. Along with this introduction video, there will be other instruction videos and help guides available to you. If you need additional assistance, please contact the city. Now that we have gone over all of the menu options, let's quickly go over the six tiles that you see on the homepage. These offer you another way to quickly navigate the most frequently visited menu areas of Civic Access. This has been your introduction to Civic Access, the one-stop shop for development and permit application needs. If you need any additional assistance or information with civic access, please contact the city. Thanks for [music] watching. 19 emergency has hit working [music] families hardest. That's why all across the country, community action agencies are open and here to ensure the well-being [music] of every American family. For over 50 years, we've been delivering hope and opportunity. Now more than ever, working families need life-changing services, solutions, [music] and stability. Contact your local community action agency today. [music]

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When the earth shakes, the ground moves, and things start to fall, you'll ask yourself, how prepared [music] or unprepared are you? Have you removed OB

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When the earth shakes, the ground moves, and things start to fall, you'll ask yourself, how prepared or unprepared are you? Have you removed objects from over the bed and over your head? anchored your possessions securely to the wall. It won't be a pain and you're not doing it in vain. Are your emergency kits packed? What about [music] your family, your friends? Do they know what to do? How to get in touch and where to meet? Do you know how to drop, cover, [music] and hold on, covering your head and neck? What if you're outside? or in a car. After the shaking stops, look around. Figure out what to do. Stay away from damaged areas. Turn on a radio. Reach out for help. And if you're trapped, [music] do not move about. Stay calm. Only shout as a last resort. Once everything and everyone is safe, get prepared. An aftershock could be on its way. So before the earth shakes, the ground moves, and things start to fall, get prepared. Make a plan. Practice what you know because an earthquake can happen anytime, [music] anywhere. You never know. [music]

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meeting will come to order. The city council, city of Rialto, the acting successor agency to the redevelopment agency, the Rialto utilities authority, and the Rialto Housing Authority will now uh be in session. Would the clerk call the role? Mayor Baka present. Mayor PM Scott present. Council member Caris Cellers, present. Council member Perez, present. Council member Montoya, present. City attorney Eric Bell, present. City manager Tanya Williams, present.

And also, uh, Mayor and Mayor Prom, let the record and council members, let the record reflect that, city treasur is absent due to illness. Okay. Uh, at this time I'll uh call to order. We've just called roll call, so we'll do the pledge of allegiance. And if the uh members from the JOTC can lead us in the flag salute as a whole. Absolutely. Will you please stand up?

You got this. Right hand over your heart. Ready? Begin. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. At this time, we'll have the invocation led by uh Harry uh Prattton with the Greater Faith uh Grace Bible. Lord God, [snorts] hear our plea. Hear our cry this morning. Listen, oh Lord, as we come before you, asking you for guidance, direction, and blessings. Thank you for all those who are present today at this council meeting. May everything be done today, Father. uh be done in such a way that would meet the visions that you've instilled in the hearts and the minds of this real city council. That city real continue to be a place where families are welcome and loved, valued and appreciated. And I pray God they go through the agenda tonight when they face those really tough hard decisions. Give them wisdom, courage, and strength that they can make those tough decisions, Father. And may all that they do be designed to make sure reality is a flourishing city, a city that welcomes people, businesses to come and grow and flourish and people they're proud to be part of the city of reality. Again, Father, thank you for this great awesome city council administrative team, all the work they're doing day in and day out, seen and unseen. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

Amen.

Thank you very much, pastor. At this time, we'll call on the city attorney to report on close session. Thank you, mayor. We only had one item on close session this evening. It was a conference with your real property negotiator. You had a briefing from your uh director of community development with regard to the parcels listed on the agenda. Under discussion was price and terms. There was no other reportable action on that item tonight. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Uh we we'll move on to presentations and proclamations. We have a certificate of recognition for Rialta High School JOTC that'll be presented by council member Edward Mononttoya. Thank you, Mayor. I first before I read this recognition, I want to say thank you to everyone that showed up for us uh the day that we had the veteran standown. I I want you guys to know that I'm still getting phone calls to this day saying that the reason that this event that the event that we had in the city of Rialto, the veteran standown was so successful was because of you young men and women and the leadership of of our captain and sergeant- major. the professionalism and leadership that you guys all had and that you brought out. I'm still getting phone calls to this day saying that this was the best veteran [clears throat] standown that we've ever been to. And I have I have vendors and organizations that do these events all the time. And for them to say that it was the best because of you, that shows something. You guys should all be very proud of yourself and be proud of the leadership that you that you guys are uh that you guys have. So what we have here is a certificate of recognition. This is on behalf of myself and the entire council and the mayor. Certifi Certificate of Recognition to

the Rialto High School JOTC in appreciation and special recognition of your outstanding support, dedication during the Veterans Standown event. Your commitment, professionalism, and service exemplifies the values of leadership and respect. Your efforts helped honor the men and women who have served our nation, and your contribution made the event truly meaningful. We commend you for your outstanding character and scholarship along with dedication to public service and passion for making positive impact on our community. Who wants to receive this? Our commanding officer.

Thank you. [applause] Yeah, we'll we'll call the the council down here so we could all take a picture. Uh before we do that, I want to also I want to donate $1,000 to the Rialto High School JOTC. [applause] rece.

[clears throat]

One, two, three. Can we do one more, sir? Got to do it. Ready? One, two, three. Power pose. All right, perfect. [applause] Does anyone from U the JOTC like to say a few words?

Absolutely. I would like to say a few words. I'm Lieutenant Curtis Durham with Rialto High School's ROC, the senior naval science instructor for our program. And I just want to make sure that I thank everyone for your efforts, especially uh Councilman Mononttoya, who has uh gone above and beyond to make sure that the efforts of all these students, all these cadetses have been recognized. And a lot of you guys have been around for a long time. And I just want to make sure that our gratitude is is very much known and given in that we've been working real hard. These kids have been working real hard ever since I've been there for 10 years. And I very very very much appreciate uh the acknowledgement and the recognition. And I want to make sure also to give credit where credit's due. It all goes to these kids, but it also goes to a man over there, Sergeant Major Paulos. Uh he's a fantastic leader, dynamite individual, and the best example that I think I can ever come up with for the children of Rialto, the youth here. So, um he's doing a fantastic job. They're doing a fantastic job. And thank you guys very much for the recognition. Very nice. [applause] at this time. Then we'll move on to oral communications.

Yes, I have one that would like to speak in oral communication, but do they want to clear out first, please? Thank you. Thank you. And congratulations to all of you. Thank you, sir. [applause] [applause] While they're clearing that, we can call uh Patty Romo, please.

Hello. Good evening. My name is Patty Romo and I live down the street on Palm Avenue. I live across the street from the school and Ed knows me really good. Um, thank you, Ed. If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't got that transformer and my lights would have continued blinking for more months. Thank you for helping me. I'm back again becausece is mean. They're doing I'm going to say it like it is. They're doing me and my neighbors dirty. They do power outages often. They don't tell me and my neighbors. My neighbors are not here because they're Spanish speaking and they just didn't want to come. But I'm going to come because I don't like power outages every other week. You call Edison and they tell you we don't know about anything. But yet my friends live on Foothill and Palm and on Wedgewood and Palm and they get notices and they get the same power outage I do. So I'm just really I want to document it that I came over here and I am telling someone that is doing this dirty. They're just doing power outages and they don't just do them for one hour. They do them eight hours at a time. you know how cold it is or how hot it can be or if you're working from home, you tell your boss your power is off again, he thinks I'm crazy. He's like, "Well, where do you live at, Patty?" I'm like, "In Rialto." So, anyways, I want it documented that I came. Ed has hooked me up with Tim and he's going to help me get some contacts because um it's just ridiculous. Um if they would give us notices, at least me and my neighbors like they do to other people in other streets, then it would be okay. But don't give me a notice when I call and you tell me that there's no power outage and we're all me and my neighbors are standing outside. I mean, they're just doing us dirty. And I don't know if it's because I live in a I don't live in Los Kolina because I live in Las Cardinas area. I don't know if that makes a difference or not, but I'm here to have it documented that enough is enough. And hopefully this gentleman,

Tim, will help me get some context and have some people listen to me. I have a second complaint. I um Facebookked a couple of you guys a couple of months ago because um Cardenas had this all their trash piled up and when the wind blows it blows over to our street. I am sick and tired of going to all the shopping centers and their trash cans are piled up and I'll tell the people how when the wind blows it comes to our houses and they're like well we have these people that come around the property doesn't allow us to change enough. If you're a business, you should be able to afford to have your trash picked up. Gardenas um has somebody coming around picking up the trash and it fills up really fast. But there's also like the family dollars. There's on Foothill on Baseline, the shopping centers, the supermarkets. That's a lot of trash. I'm sorry. I don't know where you guys all live that you guys don't see the trash, but enough enough is enough with the trash of these businesses. They have to be held accountable. They're that's their parking lot. That's their business. They need to pick up their trash because when the wind blows over the trash is all over here. All the trash comes down palm and willow and everything. So that's my beef. And I wanted to come and bring you awareness and again document it. I'm going to start coming and doing this again. I used to come all the time and you guys don't know who I am, but I'm going start coming again. And I want again I'm here to get it documented about the power because the first time that this this whole thing about Edison happened is we were having flickering lights for two months. We're calling Edison. We're calling Edison. Me and my neighbors. Nobody would listen to us. I got a hold of Ed. I don't know who he called and they figured out it was a transformer. But that was months of suffering that you're just having lights flickering. So thank you Ed. And thank you Tim. And that's all. And the trash. Please do something about it. Please. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Thank Thank you very much, uh, Patty, for informing us of the outages that you're having around your neighborhood. I know that Southern California Edison probably is hearing this meeting right now. And I'm sure that Melissa, the governmental affairs uh rep, uh, probably heard the message. And if not, uh, I know that Tim does a really good job in following through and hopefully that we can, uh, remedy the situation of the outages that you do have so you don't have them concurrently as you have had them in the past. And then with the merchants, hopefully that we can send out a notice uh, to the businesses in the surrounding area to make sure that they pick up their their trash. I'm sure that Bertech has a lot of the U vans that are there for them to put in their trash. So, uh, we just need to inform the, uh, businesses that, uh, they need to, uh, go around picking up the trash because we don't want it flying or going anywhere else, uh, within our cities because we want to make sure that our city is beautified, kept clean, and has a positive image. Uh, again, Patty, thank you very much for coming.

Thank you. Any other uh, oral communications? Seeing no other oral communications, we'll move on to the consent calendar. Is there any item that any member wishes to remove or continue? Hearing none. Do I hear a motion? Move approval. Uh motion's been made by Mayor Prom Edcott, seconded by Carla Perez. All those in favor signify by saying I.

I. Any oppositions? Hearing none. We'll move on to our tap items. We'll move on to tap number one. And this is a public hearing notice.

Good evening, Mayor, Mayor Prom, and members of the council. This evening, I am requesting that the city council conduct a public hearing for the placement of leans for delinquent refuge collection accounts for the second quarter of 2025. On October 28th, 2025, the city council scheduled the public hearing for this evening, December 9th, to review and consider the placement of leans related to delinquent refues. The notices were mailed to the owners of the properties shown in attachment one on November 14th of 2025. At this time, I request that the city council conduct the public hearing, take public testimony, and consider placement of leans against the delinquent properties identified in exhibit A of the resolution, and adopt resolution number 8438 authorizing the filing of leans against the properties for delinquent refuge accounts with the San Frernardino County Auditor Controller Recorders Office. This concludes my presentation and I'm available for any questions. Are there any questions from members of the public?

Hearing none, we could have a motion to close the public hearing. Some moved. Motion's been made by Carla Perez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tim Edcott. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Now we'll uh move on to the item in terms of uh

move approval of res resolution 8438. Motion's been made by Mayor Prod Scott, seconded by Andy Katetus. Uh, any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposition hearing? None. Motion carries. Move on to tap number two. Uh, good evening, honorable Mayor Baka, Mayor Prom Scott, and city council members. The item before you is for city council to approve a lease agreement between the city and snacks SB LLC doing business as 985 Coffee for the Jong Langville train depot. The lease term is for one five years with one three-year extension option. The first year rent amount is $1,500. Move approval. Second.

Seconded by Edward Mononttoya. Any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Hearing none. Motion carries. Thank you very much, Paul. Uh we'll move on to tab number three.

Good evening, Mayor and Council. Before you this evening is a disaster relief program. The request by staff is to uh review and approve or adopt the ad the disaster relief program and adopt a resolution amending the fiscy year budget appropriating $100,000 to fund the disaster relief. Um on Friday, November 21st, the Vista View Apartment suffered a fire that destroyed 16 apartment units and displaced approximately 70 people. At the city council meeting on November 25th, the city council directed staff to establish a disaster relief fund and allotted $100,000 to directly assist the residents. Since that time, city staff has developed guidelines for the administration of the program. These are included in your staff report as attachment one. These guidelines are designed to be applicable for a variety of disaster situations. So the program will not have to be reworked in the event uh another disaster, a different type of disaster occurs. The funds can be utilized to provide support or relief to the Rialto residents. The program outlines included in your staff report address eligibility requirements, documentation requirements, um expenses, reimbursements, um and things like application review process and um compliance and audit requirements that the city may have. Um I'm happy to answer any questions about the program. I can walk through it directly or just entertain questions from council at this time.

Are there any questions by any member of the council? We had already voted on this, discussed it in the past. Uh so move is there any requests to speak on this? Yes, we have a whole stack. Thank you. Uh we'll call on individuals that are interested in speaking. Will the clerk call the first individual?

Anna Gonzalez. All right. Good evening, mayor, council, and staff and community here and at home. My name is Anna Gonzalez. I'm here with the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice, speaking on behalf of the famil family's displays from the Vista View Apartments and supporting them through this crisis. I want to address concerns raised regarding the disaster relief program guidelines and specifically the expectation that families disclose every form of support they have received and produce extensive documentation in order to qualify for the aid. Let me be clear. In the middle of a disaster, our role is not to vet families. It is to protect them, to help them. When 16 families lost everything overnight, there was no time to create intake systems or gather paperwork. We stepped in because there was an immediate human need. Mothers, children, elders standing in the cold with nowhere to go. That is what disaster response looks like. I heard comments from staff last week saying we have to be careful about distributing taxpayer funds. Well, these families are taxpaying Rialto residents. Many of them have lived, worked, and raised their families in this community for over a decade. They are not outsiders. They are not opportun opportunists and they are your neighbors. For that reason, trying tying relief eligibility to disclosure of every donation, every hotel receipt, every item lost while they are still traumatized and displaced creates barriers, not solutions. At the last meeting when we asked for the city council to declare an emergency, it was not just to unlock funding. Although

that is a critical need, it was also to allow the city to use emergency powers to protect tenants from unsafe conditions, prevent displacement, and respond with an urgency. And emergency is not just a word. It's a tool. And these families need that tool right now. Families in temporary housing are being offered units with serious health and safety violations. Where is code enforcement? infestations, broken appliances, and conditions none of us would ever put our families through. I hope the city is paying close attention because disaster relief is not about financial support. It is about ensuring families are rehoused safely and with dignity. I urge the council to re-evaluate the documentation burden for the families. Remove duplication of benefits. Prioritize immediate need over bureaucracy. Rephrase language that can deter folks from seeking help. Refra Ensure rehousing meets basic health and safety standards. Thank you so much for listening and I hope you do the right thing tonight. [applause] Last name.

You don't know the last name? I have Lette. I don't know how you pronounce your last name. Okay.

So, good evening. My name is Jose. I'm one of the 16 families affected by the fires. I'm here tonight to speak to the council um because we feel they have not responded and it is not clear where we are at. Inevitably, She says she's feeling lost. Up until tonight, she's been staying in hotels and the people from the apartments have not been responding to her. She says the apartments that she has been shown were infested with roaches, spiders, and have doors that are falling off, which is a safety hazard for her small children. So, they have no plans to fix these said units that they've shown. Um, and this is not a home for families.

So as 16 families are in an uncertain position. We're staying up in hotels up until this point. It has been said that we have all been accommodated, but that is not the case. Um, we are still trying to figure out food and other resources. And tonight we're here to speak about the funds that were appropriated to us and where where have they gone? Where are they? So we come asking for your help. Do not leave us out in the cold. Do not forget about us. We are asking you who can help us to help us. Gracias.

Thank you. [applause]

I only have one here.

Oh. Good evening. We are here to speak to you again about the promises that you've made us mayor and council. Um because none of these promises have been met. So, us 16 families are here to ask you to put your hand on your heart and to fulfill the promises that you've made because we've been shuffling from hotel to hotel and we need shelter. So, last time you were here, you appropriated these funds, but the paperwork that is required for these funds is extensive, and we've lost everything in the ire. So, we are here to ask you to help us out um because this is what you've promised us.

So we understand that it may be bothersome that we come to speak about the same topic again and again. Um but we are coming to ask you that um you make good on your promise so that we can have a dignified Christmas in the same way that you all will. Gracias.

So, thank you. Um, it's up to you guys to make good on your promise so that these families can have a dignified home. Next question we have is [applause] you don't even know either.

Give me ammo. Give me ammo. Okay. Well, they're writing this. Okay. Um, Okay.

Good evening. I'm one of the 16 families affected here. Um, we are here to ask for your help to put pressure upon the people who own the apartment buildings. I am one of the families that has not been rehomed. Um, and I'm asking for your help. is single. So, she says the majority of the units were two bed, two bath units, and that she won't speak for everyone, but for herself, um, they have been trying to rehome her into a unit with one bathroom and two bedrooms. She says amongst five people, this is just not possible. Um, so she's asking for your help. Uh, because some of these apartments are also uninhabitable. So, she says this is the second time now that she's been shown a unit that was not ready to be moved into. And she says that um when they show her the unit, they say that this is just an example of what you will get. So she feels like they're playing games by not showing her the actual unit that she will be living.

She's asking, "Please help put pressure upon this apartment building units owners to give us not exactly what we need, but at least what we deserve um so that we can continue to go on. Um,

so she's asking about a $15,000 fund and she's wondering what's happening with this fund. I mean, what can they do about it? That'll be all. Thank you. [applause] Claudia [clears throat] is Claudia.

Good evening. My name is Claudia. I'm a organizing member of Community Action Environmental Justice. We are here representing the families that are affected by the fires

and we're realizing that our city is not prepared for a catastrophe of this level. It is frustrating that we are the only group that is present 247. It's frustrating hearing the families cry. asking for help and not knowing where to direct them.

It's really uncomfortable to hear how things are promised and they are not met. Social media filled the gap where there was no one else with donations. And the ones who are there can prove it with photos. and we've fought alongside them. We've put ourselves in their shoes because we have a family to come home to three meals a day. Hearing in our WhatsApp group that the families are asking what time they will have dinner break their heart. and these families still don't have an answer.

So hearing that the schools are telling the kids that they've had a home when they don't is frustrating when the hotels promise them an habitable unit and it's not. So, they're being told that the price that they will pay is the same, but it's not true because they are now going to be required to pay a gas bill and the parking spaces that were previously included with their old contract. Um, and this group cannot do anything to help those families with that respect. So, they're asking for your help with this. So, they're asking for your help with basic commodities such as fridges and stoves, things to hold the clothes for their children.

They're not asking. They're asking for So, there's been no one from the city representing to say that these units are verifiably habitable, that these kids need clean mattresses and places to stay. So we need you as representatives of our community to be there for these families. So, the families have been speaking about a $15,000 fund and these families have no idea how to access these funds and the city has not. So, we cannot provide these answers the way you can. We ask that you help us help them. forch.

Where are you?

So, we're asking for your help to share some of the emotional burden that we have had in dealing with these families and that if it were not for Anna asking the school district for a place to say these people would be in the streets. So they're asking that you please while you're having a comfortable Christmas with your family, your laughs and your food, you think of these families who do not have anything. as sorry for expressing myself in this way, but we've been with these families for the last three weeks and I've heard their stories. We've seen parents cave when they [snorts] need to be strong for their children. We're asking for your help.

These residents need your help. Please help them. [applause] Thank you. Are there any others? Yes. You have uh Dor Cortez. Cortez.

Good afternoon. My name is Dora Cortez. [snorts] So, um, tonight we come to ask for your help. Um, we are waiting to have the dinner with our families that we so wish to have on Thanksgiving. Um, and we need your help. So, we go out and we see people buying their Christmas gifts, but really what we want is just a roof over our heads. Um, that's all we're asking for. Not to get rich or for luxuries, just a roof over our heads. So, we're in the streets and when we have to go to work early in the morning, like at 3 in the morning, it's very hard. When we have to come back from said shift and prepare a lunch with nowhere to prepare it, it is difficult. Um we are asking for your help.

So, look at this beautiful Christmas tree. We won't have this tree. We won't have any of these things for our Christmas. We're asking for the help that you provided in the funding and that the requirements that you put forth are fair, seeing as we've lost all of our paperwork. So with the help of Anna and God, we thank that we are not in the streets and we need your help as well. [applause]

Meen Toya Meen [snorts] Miss concerns. Um,

good evening, council. Um, I come to you tonight because last week I wrote read draft that was put forth about the funding and find that a lot of families are not going to be able to meet the requirements for Yeah. So, the receipts for the things that we had, video proof, photo proof, um tax returns, we will not be able to reproduce because we've not even been able to see the unit and the damage that was caused.

Yeah. So, So, I just hope that there's not too much bureaucracy in accessing these funds because otherwise we'll just be where we already are. Goofsto. So, the residents have a lot of questions about the $100,000 grant relief fund and the $15,000 um GoFundMe that is circulating on social media and that Anna cannot answer the questions as to how they can be accessed. We're thankful for the temporary help since the fire, but we do need a permanent place to stay. So be to be able to start over again, we need these funds. Um, Property Management

um utilities um trash or sewer oil. So the response from the hotel manage or the apartment management has been very slow. Um, and the units that are being shown are just not up to par with the units that they previously inhabited, either through size or quality and details such as utilities and garage spaces which they previously did not have to pay. We have hope that we'll be in a permanent place by Christmas and we ask for your help.

We have Myra [applause] Myra. Hi everyone, my name is Myra Sid and I am just here to ask for help, financial help for all of us, you know. So, you know, just so we can start a home again, you know. Last two weeks ago, they did offer me an apartment. I have not been able to move in. The sink still doesn't work. It's dirty. I don't mind cleaning it, but just, you know, I would want like at least a working sink, you know, something where my kids can be safe, you know. Um, they've added fees, you know, now we got to pay gas, we got to pay garage fees, things that we were not prepared for. And I just asked for you guys to help us out. you know, now we have to start o over these fees would help out. I know that they everybody says, "Oh, you guys really don't need help, right? Because the city's already helping you guys, but we haven't received anything." And I just ask if you guys can, you know, do something for us. I know there's some families that still have not had an apartment. They have not offered them. I'm thankful that they did. I just hope that it gets fixed, you know, soon. I haven't heard of when, you know, when they can start fixing these apartments, but I'm going to see if you guys can help out and kind of talk to management or, you know, or if you guys want to go look at the apartments you guys'elves and, you know, kind of see the conditions of these apartments that are being offered to us. And that's pretty much it. Thank you

guys for your time. [applause] That's your last one. That was the last one.

Okay. Uh thank you very much all of you, you know, who came up and testified. I have a couple of questions and I'll start with the first one and then I'll ask my other colleagues if uh they want to ask any additional questions. Um and my question is to the city of Rialto. Uh why have they not received any funds at all as of yet? So there were some funds dispersed from the management company and there have been some funds dispersed from the Red Cross is our understanding from our program. Tonight is the step we need to take in order to be able to disperse the funds. We had to allocate it to the budget and then we had to have some guidelines in place in order for us to even

So we have not dispersed anything since uh November the 27th when the council approved this.

Correct. Uh then my next question would be well I'm hoping that uh that we expedite uh the assistance to these people that need the help uh and then also when I I read the the requirements on here uh I think we need to make some modifications and some exceptions to the requirements out here uh because there's you know these people have lost almost everything so it becomes very difficult to prove that you have anything uh in possession at that time. All you know is that they were residents and the landlord can testify that they were actually uh tenants in in that place. Uh so that should be some sufficient uh enough so when I look at this requirements we need to modify it uh to allow that process to occur. So this way they can get assistance otherwise if we go by this requirement that is here it becomes very difficult. Is that correct u attorney?

I can't say whether it's difficult or not. Well it would be very difficult right? I mean if you lost everything would it be very difficult for you to have documents. [laughter] It it would certainly be easier if there was no documentation requirement, but we do have a we are dealing with public funds and we need to be able to verify that the people are residents or the lease holder or the

yeah residences and that's where the the the landlord can you know has has them already having leases in those areas for those apartments that they had. I mean so that's a problem that currently exists. Uh so there needs to be some modification as I read uh this as well. And and then you know when it says legal residence all we really mean by that terminology is just a resident at that point not a you know any other definition or is that different definition? No that's correct. the the term legal resident is simply a resident of the city that can establish their residency

because they can be interpreted different ways and and people get scared when they look at something like this has nothing to do with anybody's immigration status.

Okay, thank you for clarification on on that. And then uh it it seems like some of the problems that that they're having right now uh and this is just my suggestion to to Anna is that uh you should uh go to legal counsel and try to get ACLU, you know, to help them out or get Tim Prince has already agreed to help them, you know, to work with the the landlord that needs to be done as well because some of this is legal action that does not pertain to what the city can do and it has to be done by someone else against the landlord not against the city can't do that we can't force the landlord to do anything is that correct uh city attorney

as I understand the facts yes that's correct today

so the only way it can be done is if it's done through an outside source putting pressure on the landlord uh to make sure that they're following through with what they are required to do. Now, now when I read this other document too as well, it becomes very difficult uh to determine uh the assistance that you're getting from each of the entities that that are described on here as part of the requirement. uh cuz you don't know how much uh is coming from uh the Red Cross or coming from other areas. And then my last question would be is what's the status of our of our GoFundMe uh page?

So, I can answer that. The the city's GoFundMe page was established the day after the council action, so November 26th. I haven't checked it today, but I think as of last week it had about $6,000 in there. Sorry, it's um slightly over $15,000 at this point. So, we've received even more donations into that GoFundMe account.

Yeah. And and there that the same thing with with the requirements there. There should be some modifications in it, some exceptions to as well that would allow them to get assistance because uh we hate for any of them to be displaced being put in some of these uh homes or some of these apartments uh where they're crowded and then I heard that one had four children, you know, earlier. Uh it's very difficult to put that family with another family if they're putting them together or not. I don't know, but there's possibilities and I don't know who whose responsibility it would be to check that out, you know, uh to make sure that uh families are being placed and are not being displaced and and it's actually factual, not hearsay. Uh I I'll turn it over to uh Council Member uh Mayor Pro Tim Scott.

Thank you. I I have a few questions. Um, Miss Miss Taylor, you've met with the property owners of the complex. Um, currently, how many families do they say have been placed in apartments who have signed actual leases? As of about 4:40 this afternoon, um 10 of the 16 units have either moved in, transferred, or have keys to new units, and that leaves six or seven.

Six, right? And so, two units are pending movein, meaning they're looking at their um options that have been offered. Um, two units have indicated they do not need help with accommodations. Um, one unit is pending a decision on an offer made by the apartment complex and they have not decided yet. And then one unit has declined all offers so far. And of the six units that haven't been placed, are they currently staying in a hotel? Yes. So, let's see. One, two. Yes. Uh, three, four. So all of them but one are currently at the heirs

at the airs hotel. And is the city paying for those hotel rooms? Yes. And so staff had made contact. So we have expended money. Um we have not been build by the heirs yet, but yes, we will be expending money as soon as they send us the Okay. So we've taken responsibility. Correct. And that happened the day after the council meeting last and they will be provided those rooms until such time as they have suitable apartments. Yes, sir. Okay. And it's my understanding that the Red Cross has uh dled or expended some funds.

Do we know how much those funds are, who they've gone to? So, I don't have the specific information on how much exactly went to everybody individually, but there were 17 cases opened by the Red Cross with just under $14,000 in financial assistance provided in total. Okay. And is the school district providing any housing for anybody or a hotel rooms? Um, not that I'm aware of at this time. No. No. Okay. So, that's incorrect.

Um, Excuse me. Can we please keep it quiet so that we can ask questions of staff? Um, we've let you speak and now it's our turn to speak and we need to hear from staff so we can make a a good decision for you. Thank you. Um, so we're taking care of hotels. The criteria and and I do agree with the mayor on a couple things here. It's pretty hard for any of these families to provide photos of damages because they're not allowed into these apartments.

So, they don't really know what's in their apartment. They're two-bedroom apartments. I I think it would be pretty easy to figure out uh what's in a two-bedroom apartment and be able to assist them. And it was also my understanding that the Red Cross would assist with furniture uh appliances, etc. Is that correct, Chief Jensen? Yes. Uh the Red Cross is still um assisting through third party resources to provide furniture, appliances, and so forth. Okay. Okay. And have you verified that with the Red Cross? Yes, sir. I spoke with them at 5:30 this evening to confirm.

Okay. So, I I think we need to go through this with the city manager and and take out the things that we know or at least wave the things that we know cannot be done reasonably. Um, and then start processing people to to assist them. Um, I I think we need with the people that got up and spoke tonight, I think we need to get the apartment [clears throat] managers in a room with these residents and iron out the issues between them and the residents. I think we have to mediate that. Uh, if it can't be mediated, then they need to go seek legal counsel and and uh deal with the landlord. But hopefully we could come to a reasonable understanding with the landlord and the residents.

Okay. And I want to clarify who qualifies for this. It's residents that have rental agreements with the apartment complex. Is that correct? Correct. Okay. Um mayor proim correct the the guidelines currently say that the appropriate applicant and the person that would receive money is the named leie on the lease. Okay. So whoever is on a lease correct husband and [clears throat] wife boyfriend girlfriend sister whatever it is. Correct. And it would be one amount for that unit.

For the unit. Okay. All right. So, I think the first thing we have to establish is is what amount of funds do they qualify on an average two-bedroom apartment. My understanding from when I talked to the land or the management company and even the chief, there was a belief that the units that were smoke damage, fire damage or unreoverable. Probably most of the rest of them furniture-wise is unreoverable because of water damage. Would that be correct, Chief? Yes.

So there may be some personal items that they can reclaim, but there's not a lot a lot of value to personal. Those are photographs and family momentos and stuff like that. So um hopefully they can recover what they can recover. But I I think we need to move ahead assisting those are in apartments getting what they need into their apartments. And it needs to be reasonable things. I know I've gotten some calls about people wanting computers and cell phones and stuff like that. I'm I'm not sure that those kind of items qualify and hopefully people had in some insurance although I'm I'm doubtful that most renters don't have renters's insurance like they should. um

but again the the apartment complex has some responsibility here and and that's a legal matter as the mayor has established between the resident and the uh apartment complex. So you know I want to move forward with this tonight so that we can start assisting but I want to make sure you and your staff are available starting tomorrow. Yes, sir. To start processing stuff and moving forward. Y Okay. Uh, I have uh council member Edward Montoya, then council member Andy Caraceres.

Yes, sir. Thank you, Mayor. Um, I agree with the mayor and mayor prom regarding the terminology on on the guidelines. Um, there's some things here that that do need to get fixed. Um, but one thing that's concerning, I I've spoken to some of these residents and they claim that there's been no funding as far as Red Cross and there's minimal funding. There's minimal funding from the landlord. Is there a way that we can get a list of who has been paid by which entity? So, I have a list from the management company for every unit what's been dispersed um and when it was done. So, I do have that for all 16 units. Um from the Red Cross, that may take a little more work. I'm not sure what they disclose um as far as what's been provided to each individual um for aid. Like I said, I have the totals from Red Cross that they've assisted um the 17 families and what that total amount of assistance was provided, but we can reach out to them and see if it's possible to get a further breakdown.

Okay. [clears throat] Um, now as far as I know, we're supposed to be approving the program guidelines tonight, but if we have to modify the terminology, I don't think that that should hold us back from authority. Okay. I I think that should be done. Um, now do we do we uh create a a small committee to do something like that to to revise these guidelines? The committee is the city manager and Miss Taylor.

Okay. And council, there's there's several sections that deal with receipts and bills and things like that. if the council is willing to wave those for this particular I think I may have mentioned that earlier that they should have been waved you know because there should be exceptions there's no way that they can have proof I I understand mayor we just need a decision from the council to give us direction if if you're willing to do that and you vote on that works

that's why I'm saying we should sit down with with the apartment management properly and and or any manage agement in another apartment complex and determine what on average is in a two-bedroom apartment and come up with with a amount of money to to assist in replacing the items that they need to replace. If the fund has $115,000 including your $100,000 tonight and the 15 in GoFundMe that there's 16 units or families involved that's $7,187 fees. But that doesn't include the hotel expenses. No, it doesn't include any that's just

as far as I'm understanding the the money that that we're attempting to to give them is not to replenish their furnishings. It's to help them live, to help them to have housing to help them get into their new apartment and get those essential items. I I think the previous landlord has already done that with the majority of them. Okay, Andy. Yes.

Thank you, Mayor. I agree with what's been said by my colleagues and uh I do think that the best thing is to sit down with the landlord and a representative of the families uh to make sure that we hash this out. Basar Maspro. Thank you, mayor. Okay. Thank you. I think one of the other items that was mentioned and I think that we should ask someone to really look at is the condition in which they're placing some of the people as well. I think that's very important. uh make sure that they're sanitary, that is there, they're clean, they're good, and they're not overcrowded because it seems like, you know, we we've got 16 units and we've got families that are still being displaced. And it seems like there's discrepancy between the landlord and the people that are not being placed right now. on. I think we need to look at that or have someone look at that as well uh to make sure that it's accurate because that's how we're going to determine who we're actually going to be providing the

relief funds that we have or the GoFunding funding to as well. And then, you know, my advice is for them to get legal counsel and, you know, go after the landlord, you know, but that's uh that's me. That's up to you guys to do. Uh meanwhile though we do have something that we have to agree and I think both of us here have said that uh we should modify make exceptions uh to the uh approval. A motion's been made by Andy Cosetz, seconded by Carla Perez with the modifications that we've talked about giving the authority to giving the authority to the uh

Yeah. But before you vote, I just want to make sure that staff and us are clear on the city's allocated $100,000 tonight. There's whatever is going to be in the GoFundMe, right? The city is paying for hotel stays. Is that separate from the $115,000 or is the city going to use those funds to pay for the hotel stays which reduces the amount of individual aid given to families?

Well, I think that that the the original discussion uh when we first made the motion to add the relief fund was to make sure that that they were able to get housing. Now the 15,000 it seems like that have come in now or it could escalate to be a lot more could be to provide the additional assistance that they may need uh as well whether it's uh uh as uh the mayor pro Tim here indicated uh looking at the conditions of the home whether it was a onebedroom twobedroom if they had you know couches in there they had beds in there whatever uh items that they need that can come out of those funds is that agreeable uh I I I think it is m Mr. Bell. There's out out of there appears to only be six families that are currently either staying in a hotel or somewhere else. The rest of them, according to the information Miss Taylor gave us, have been placed in new apartments. Correct.

Mostly correct. Yes. So there's 11 rooms that are still occupied at the heirs in varying dates depending on when people will actually take possession of the apartment. So there are 10 that have been reassigned. Some have moved in already. Some have keys already but haven't quite moved in because they're waiting to get furnishings or whatever in. But essentially yes what you said. So there are so those those people we should be able to fund some money for furnishings and stuff. so that they can move in immediately, at least be there before Christmas if they find a place that's suitable. And I think that's she's saying there are 11 that have

10 10 of them have according to what I got from the apartment management company this afternoon. There are 10 that have there are um five that are pending. But, uh, Miss Taylor, I I heard from the audience out here that a lot of them have not been placed and they didn't like some of the conditions where they try to put them in. So, that is a problem too as well. Yes. And and they could very well be some of the five that have not yet been placed. Right. So, you know, we need to verify that. That's all is to make sure that uh we're providing the assistance where it needs to be provided and it's not duplicated to as well. Okay. With that, we had a motion.

We could recommend that that the city covers the hellale costs in addition to the $100,000, right? And then that way if there are funds left over in the disaster fund, it stays there in the general fund and it's there for future use. Um but that way there's not, you know, concern over whether how much funding is available per family. Okay. But there are 10 or 11 signed leases. Is that correct? Correct. Okay. So, out of those 10 or 11, how many families have not moved into those 10 or 11 units?

I'm showing three of the 10 that are listed on what the management company has sent me that are still currently in the hotel. Okay. The others are all pending. So, we should move forward to give them what they need to get into those apartments so we can stop paying the hotel rooms. Got it. And then have meetings with the landlords and these tenants. Yep. To come up with a plan to get them apartments that are suitable.

Yep. Got it. Okay, you got that? Uh, Eric, I think we collectively have great. And if not, we're willing to volunteer to give information, too. All those in favor? My motion's been made. First, I need to Who made the motion? The motion was made by, I believe, Andy Garcettes and seconded by Carla Perez. with the with the amendments

with the amendments and and modifications uh done uh and making exceptions uh to some of the documents or requirements uh that uh are currently in here right now uh to allow those to receive assistance. Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposition? Hearing none. Motion carries. Thank you. We'll move on to tap four.

Yes. Good evening, honorable mayor, city council. Thank you for the opportunity to present for the council's consideration our fiscal year 202526 midyear budget update for the general fund operating budget. Uh by way of reminder, this um covers the fiscal year beginning July 1 through June 30. And these will include estimates through um December 31 this month. And um just uh a couple of notes on budget strategy before we get started with the the tables. The um the council adopted a budget the 25th of June that included reasonable estimates of revenues and expenditures and ending reserves and um the um the city is in uh a good place. Our agenda this evening and we will move quickly through these uh will be the status of the most recent um audited results. The audit is near completion. We um the finance department uh uh delivered what we refer to as the trial balance to the um the city's contracted auditor last October. So there are no major uh changes expected. Um, so these uh are u reasonable and firm estimates of fund balance. We'll take a quick look at general fund uh estimated revenue year-to- date at at the end of December as well as expenditures and uh finish up with department requests uh as well as a couple of uh personnel and operational requests.

So I'll just walk through this table uh quickly. these this is where we began at the beginning of the fiscal year uh 72.3 million and the the fiscal year ending June uh the city recorded uh 174 million in revenues um that was contribution of an array of different uh revenue sources a little bit better than uh expected sales tax revenue and um 39 million uh in expenditures and that that brings us to the 35.5 revenues over expenditures and there are some audit entries at uh year end as well as transfers out the council recall um there was a transfer to RUA in the amount of 30 million 25 million with sewer 5 million water and uh capital grants match and that's these these items right here that brings us to an estimated uh fund balance reserve um undesated of 70.3 million. Um below these are our um reserve fund balances for um economic uncertainties um as well as non-spendable which represents things like uh prepaids, inventory and etc. Um as well as reserved for incumbrances at year end. A quick look at general fund revenue. In the left most column, leftmost column, we have our adopted budget of 165 million for the general fund [snorts] and the um the the estimates that you see on the right hand side with these these percentages. Um these are comparable to last year um

same time last year and um the uh where these uh these top three that represent 75% of general fund revenues where these percentages are they are a matter of timing. um property tax is remitted to the city uh by the county for instance, sales tax by the state um as well as utility user tax and um other uh entities. So the the takeaway from this is that revenues at at midyear again do due to that the percentages are due to timing. This is what it looked like this time last year and no adjustments are recommended for revenue. Um the pie chart the distribution this shows our our distribution by source and of course sales tax is our uh primary revenue source. So, as such, we want to take just a quick look um at at sales tax trend. And again, year year-over-year, this is our most recent measurement, which was uh June of this year uh by our analytics firm. And some of these percentages, it's a little bit more uh noise as you notice that the actual dollars are relatively uh small, but that the two largest uh categories in these uh major industry groupings um uh of course are business and industry and the the county pool which is the city's share um as a contribution to the whole. It increases as our sales tax base increases. Quick look at expenditures again our adopted budget from June. Uh personnel represents 78% per the distribution chart and um it operating

expenditures this just like revenues it's a matter of timing. So major uh uh whether it be probably major maintenance would would be the biggest example just where it falls in the fiscal year. um and operating e uh expenditures for personnel are similar to this time last year. Next we have a couple of department um requests um the the personnel requests that you see on the right hand side um both for public safety. So in for the police department, these are the the the final two uh crime analyst assistant positions. This represents the seventh and eighth for uh eight total roles in the bureau of the real-time crime center. Uh fire uh emergency manager in this position addresses citywide preparedness, of course, emergency response coordination and securing grants and interdep departmental planning. There are a couple of miscellaneous items that are being brought forward that represent the the general fund request. One is community development for um additional appropriation request uh for increased costs associated with the ICS conference. Uh and then with uh police there's a request for additional appropriation for firearm replacement project as well as so that's addressing outdated ammun ammunition um and equipment as well as SWAT equipment ballistics things of that nature. Um beyond those these uh other requests

are non-general fund so they represent um a an adjustment to CBD G funding um establishment of uh for fire. This is a city establishment of city match for emergency operations s the EOC grant. So this is we need to appropriate these non-general fund funds as well as a small adjustment to police. So in conclusion, the city is in a good place. Um we have no recommendations uh in terms of adjustment to revenue. The um the audit is near completion. We expect that to be brought forward in January. And that concludes uh our report and we are available to answer any questions or take further direction from the council.

Mayor pro.

Thank you. Um when I met with you and the uh city manager in our meeting to go over this item, I asked a question about the utility users tax and how much per year that tax relates to residential units in the city. Can you give me that amount? So I since that time I've had a discussion with an outside firm of how you would go about determining that the the total amounts approximately 20 million. It is um it is very difficult to stratify between residential or commercial. We get these these this is self-report. we will receive for instance third largest would be something like Edison um and and they remit. So our recommendation is to um to have an outside uh audit and to verify u these and to see if we can in fact uh make the determination of how much of that is derived from residential. Well, I I think it's a little easier than that, frankly. And I'm I'm very concerned about the economy, not only in this city, this state, and this nation. And we are being taxed to death, charged to death, insuranceed to death, and we're paying exorbitant amounts for food. We've had some windfalls in sales and property tax. Additionally, there was one sales tax generator that we weren't collecting money from and we recovered about $20 million from them. So, I'm going to propose to this council that we suspend the utility tax on all

residential units in this city for a period of 12 months beginning January 1st. and we've done it before and we didn't have to do an audit. I don't know why we need to do an audit now, but we need to give some relief back to our residents. They're facing a a utility tax increase. They've had a uh trash increase. We have water and sewer coming up. Um Edison just raised rates by 13%. We're being taxed and charged to death and it's time to give something back. So, I'm gonna propose tonight that we direct your staff to suspend the utility tax for all residential customers in this city for a period of 12 months.

Before we we have a uh a second to that, I'd just like to ask a couple of questions. Sure. I don't disagree with you on on that. Uh I have a a question. I I know we're pretty solvent in terms of the unrestricted funds, but it goes along the the same lines of of sales tax, and I'm just curious in terms of uh uh fuel and service stations. Why, you know, we there's a decline in in revenue between uh uh 2024 and 2025. Is is that because of uh the high cost of gas or or what? You know, I I I don't know. Or is it the turf that we we're having right now? What attributed to this minus, you know, that we

we have less sales tax revenue there?

So, since the the briefing, we took a pretty detailed look. The most recent um available data is the um the second quarter. So fuel prices really hadn't come down, but there seems to be an inverse relationship where they got so high that it it seemed to be impacting travel, but that's a large category. It's not just gas stations on the corner. For instance, we we have tank farms and things of that nature that are included. So there are some adjustments in there. And again, these percentages, it's one quarter prior year versus one quarter. So again, sales tax just like uh UT, it's self-report. They could be late. Um so they could miss a quarter. So there can be noise in there. And and I had these very questions in our last uh meeting. We we have quarterly updates with the analytics firm. And I asked what uh what is the nature uh of this? Why why isn't it going the other direction with fuel prices high? Um and it and it appears to be it appears to be a combination of travel and the um some of the commercial businesses which again it could roll over the next quarter and we'll know very soon if that's the case and I can advise the council.

The same thing then goes with the building and construction. It it seems like you know in terms of sales tax we're not uh why is it that we have an a decrease? Is it because we're not building the economy or what? It's it's the economy.

I I wouldn't say that it it um it they're not not building um but there are times when there's a large project in the prior year. So what you're seeing is just that comparison quarter over quarter. And so if they are it it could represent um you know the the actual channel of a developer someone you know building up inventory and then that didn't happen the same quarter the following year. So it doesn't necessarily mean a decline. Uh but I will say looking through looking through sales tax it is it's a mixed bag. I mean, in other words, there are there are positives, double-digit positives, and there are there are some negatives sprinkled through there as well.

Are are you aware there's a a sell a gasoline sales tax increase for the state in January? Sales tax as part of the Bradley Burns or state level? Because we state level and I believe it's 60 cents a gallon. Yeah. And I I I mean part of that is refineries threatening to to leave but well we all know why they're leaving but but our but it doesn't change our share our shares that 1% Bradley Burns. I'll second council member or mayor promp's motion.

Okay. A motion's been made that uh we uh sus for 12 months we suspend the utility tax. Mayor vote. Could I give you language that would do that in your resolution? Yes, of course. Um, right. You have before you tonight to adopt resolution 8440. You would add section two to that resolution and it would read, "City council hereby suspends the utility user tax for residential customers beginning January 1, 2026 through December 31st, 2026." So moved. Motion's been made by

and motioned to receive the midyear budget presentation and it was seconded by uh Andy Katetis. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Any oppositions hearing? None. Motion carries. Yes. Yes. Yeah. Yes.

It's Thank you very much. Next we'll move on to tap five. We can move this. Good evening, Mr. Mayor, Mayor Prom, and members of council. Yazam Rani, your public works director, here to provide some good news in terms of the uh grant that we received earlier this year. We were approved for uh safe routes to school in the amount of $3.9 million. Uh this project will deliver uh a lot of safety improvements through enhanced pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure for the schools that have been identified in this report. There are um seven schools and uh we are recommending the council to uh to receive the to approve the receive of the the grant.

I'll second it, but I have a question. Okay. The motion's been made uh by uh council member Carla Perez, seconded by Mayor Po. Ed Scott, a question. Are are you familiar with a new uh bill that was signed into law that also establishes safe routes for seniors? Um I am not.

Can can you look into that? And there's supposed to be substantial money for safe routes to seniors. It may not come into place until next year, but it's certainly a novel concept and a good idea, especially around apartment complex, senior centers, and where people we want people to walk instead of driving. Yet, our sidewalks are all popped up in the air where you trip and fall. and we're only taking care of sidewalks between schools and some residential areas. So, I I'm in support of that. And I I do have a question related to that bill, and that is there's a number of bills that are protection for senior citizens that we don't seem to be aware of. And I'd like to know where our lobbyists are at making us aware of these bills that have been signed into law because we should be taking advantage of those funds that are available to us whether it be traffic, transportation or simple uh one of the items is the licensing of caregivers which is well needed in this state. So, I I hope you can reach out to our lobbyists and find out where those important bills are at and what we're going to do to implement uh our involvement in them.

Okay, a motion's been made and it's been seconded. Any other further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposition? Hearing none. That concludes all the items on on the agenda. We'll move into uh council's report. We'll start with uh I would like to start okay with Andy Kosetis.

Thank you, mayor. Yes. Uh my my son's waiting for me for his birthday dinner tonight. So, I will make it quick. I just uh want to start off by thanking our very own Cynthia Alvarado for another great um Christmas parade. Everything was seems like every year it just steps up and uh gets better and better. I think Gabe has some some pictures up there. Uh, but I also wanted to thank uh There you are eating.

There I'm eating. Yes. I also wanted to thank Council Member Mononttoya for uh helping out with the distribution of all the free uh Konchas and Champurado that we gave out. uh and also the Rialto uh nights cheer team that was out there helping out uh volunteering their precious time to uh give out all the konchas and chapor and uh oh there's our mayor and uh Santa looks like um we we all had a great time that evening and uh I I just want to thank our community. I want to thank our uh all of our staff for a great year. I want to uh wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year. and uh Thank you.

Thank Okay. Next, I'd like to call on Edward Mononttoya.

Yes, sir. Thank you, Mayor. Uh, I also attended the the holiday parade and festival and this was my first one that I've ever attended with the city and it was it was a really good time. I there was a lot of residents out there. There was a lot of people on the street. Uh, but there was a lot of people when we came back here to do the Christmas tree lighting. And uh, thank you, Council Member uh, Carzalees. Thank you uh for welcoming me to assist you and your family in in handing out uh everything and and the assistance of of the Rialto High School cheer. Uh it was a really great event. Thank you everybody who attended. Thank you staff who put it all together. Thank you Cynthia. And um that is all I have. Can't you? Uh, thank you. Next, I'd like to call on uh Mayor Pro Tim Edcott.

Thank you. Uh, the only thing I have tonight is I want to wish uh my colleagues, city staff, um, and most importantly the residents of this community happy holidays, merry Christmas, and a happy new year. Thank you. Thank you. Next, I'd like to call on Carla Perez, Councilwoman. Thank you, Mayor. I have nothing to report. just want to uh thank all of our staff uh for everything they do um each and every day. Uh thank you for all your support and I would like to wish um all of our staff as well as our community a happy um or merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Thank you. Uh next I'll like to report a little bit. Uh, I'd like to thank um the Elks Elks Lodge for hosting many of the individuals that were here tonight speaking in behalf of the uh Vista View uh residents. Uh we had uh uh turkey that was uh well not turkey but food that was distributed to those individuals on Thanksgiving Day. So the Elks lodge was uh was there and also the Masons were there participating along with 25 members and I'd like to uh personally thank Raul uh Morales for opening the facilities and allowing us to bring the families and feed them on that particular day. Uh I was one of those individuals that was there as well on on Thanksgiving Day feeding the individuals. And uh there's a lot of other volunteers that I'll give later on to the uh council hopefully that we can provide some kind of certificate and thank them for being there on that day. And I won't mention all of the names that are are there but the Masons and the Alads that were there. Thank you very much. And Rahul Morales. Uh, next I'd like to also state that uh uh I attended the um u an event uh it was called cheers Christmas cheers hosted by Rick Lozano from channel 11 and uh also I'd like to u thank the Cynthia Alvarado for doing an outstanding job in putting together the the Christmas holiday uh parade that was done on that day. I believe that that was since I've been here in the city of Rialto. I think that's uh the most I've seen in terms of individuals that actually came out that night and seen the uh the pro the parade uh that was

done. Uh it was well done and many of the vendors have participated to as well and many of the activities for a lot of the children. I also like to give a thanks to the police department and the fire department uh for being there too as well. Um they're at each and every one of our events. And then also like to I know that I saw uh Tim Sullivan there and I saw Barbara McGee that were also present uh at that time. So thank you very much uh for being there. And uh last but not least, I want to wish everybody a merry Christmas and a happy new year. So, now I'll call on staff. I'll call on Barbara McGee, city clerk. First, I'd like to say a happy holiday to Rialto residents and a healthy and approate new year for the residents and also staff and my uh elected officials and city manager and city attorney. But I also wanted to say uh thanks to NSG for continuing to have the partnership with me to give out toys and my toy drive. I know you have it in the paper for the 17th, but we have moved it to uh December the 22nd because the kids are still in school. So that would be December the 22nd at the farmers market. And I also want to um thank uh staff,

Rialto staff for helping me to give a hundred kids gifts throughout Rialto. So I appreciate you for helping me out. And that's from all the departments in the city from the police, fire, finance, human resource, public works. So I just wanted to say thank you. I appreciate you and to helping me to put a smile on the 100 kids that is in the foster homes and the group homes around the city of Rialto. Thank you. Uh, next I'd like to call on our city manager, DA Williams. Good evening. No report, but I do want to wash wish the mayor, city council, the staff here at the city of Rialto and our residents a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Good. Next, I'd like to call on our assistant city manager, Tim Sullivan. Thank you, mayor. No reports for me tonight. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, next, I'd like to call on Eric Bale, our city attorney. Thank you, mayor. In li of a report, I'd just like to wish everybody in here at home, in your community, merry Christmas, happy holidays, happy Quanza, happy Hanukkah, happy winter solstice, whatever floats your boat in terms of what you're going to celebrate this uh this winter season. Thank you. Thank you. Next, I'd like to call on our police chief, Mark Clean.

Good evening, Mayor. Mayor Pro Tim and council. Uh, and first of all, on behalf of the police department, we'd actually like to express our uh, sincere hope that you have a very merry Christmas and happy new year, Madam City Clerk, and my colleagues here. Uh, just very briefly just to let you know that, uh, we're very busy. Uh, but I think that that just goes because of the increased staffing that you've provided us. During the month of November, uh we processed and took about 7,139 calls uh for service, which is uh an increase. We cleared 451 of those by arrest and we took uh little over,00 reports. Uh the building's coming along. If you drive along Willer, you'll see the lights are on. Uh so power is to the building. They're continuing to get all the finishing touches for the inside with anticipation that we'll uh hopefully move in by mid January. And then again, I'll reiterate, I understand the council wants to take a walk through of the building. We just want to make sure that it's a little clean uh before you have any type of trip hazards in there. So, I'll have uh that happen just before we take occupancy. Anyway, thank you so much for everything that you've done for us this year and I'll be again behalf of the PD really appreciate you all. Thank you.

Thank you. Uh, next I'd like to call on our acting uh, fire chief Chris Jensen.

Thank you, Mayor and Council. On behalf of Rialto Fire, we just want to wish everybody happy holidays and um, just a reminder to be safe during this holiday season. Um, as Chief Clling just mentioned, it's been very busy. Um and we continue to um have a lot of fires in and around um the city. And so please uh pay extra attention to safety. Have two ways out of your home. Don't use candles and keep your Christmas trees watered. And uh we appreciate the community and all the hard work that all our colleagues and the council have done on behalf of Rialto Fire. Thank you.

Thank you. Uh, next I'd like to call on our community development director, Christina Taylor. Thank you, mayor. Nothing to report this evening. Thank you. Next, I'd like to call on yachts. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And no report for me. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, next, I'd like to call on our parks recreation director, Sia Alvarado.

Uh, good evening, Mayor, Mayor Brom, and members of the council. Here's what's going on in Rialto. Our youth basketball winter season skills assessment and registration is happening now through Friday at Carl Johnson Center gym. Uh, registration starts at 6 PM. Our Charlie Brown Christmas senior social will be Thursday, December 11th at the Grace Vargas Senior Center from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The teen center laser tag holiday party will be Friday, December 12th at the Rialto Community Center in the FR Francis Brooks building from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wreck and roll will be Saturday morning at Frisbee Park from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Pet pictures with the Grinch are going to be Saturday, December 13th at Frisbee uh dog park from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Uh Miss Barbara has updated the toy drive information which will be on December 22nd. Feeding America senior mobile pantry food distribution will be Wednesday, December 17th at Grace Vargas Senior Center from 9 to 11 as well as the Department of Aging and Adult Services bus pass distribution will be Wednesday, December 17th at Grace Vargas Senior Center from 10 to 11:00 a.m. Um, and on behalf of my department, I'd like to give my team a shout out along with all the other sister departments that helped uh make Saturday happen. Uh but most importantly our amazing city clerk for being the hostess with the mostess and doing the VIP reception for our dignitaries. Uh she did an amazing job as always and it just helps make our life easier. So happy holidays everybody.

Okay. Thank you. Next I'd like to call on our uh finance director Scott Williams. Thank you mayor. No further update. Next I'd like to call on our human resources Shama Karen. Thank you mayor. Nothing to report. Next, uh, I'd like to call utilities director Shashid. Thank you, mayor. No update. Happy holidays, everyone. Thank you. That concludes our department. Do I hear a motion to adjourn? Motion's been made by uh, Council Member Carla Perez to adjourn. Seconded by uh, Edward Mononttoya, council member. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. I.

I. Any opposition? Hearing none. Council's a journey.