ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
Call to Order/Roll Call 1:02 PM
EDC MEMBER PRESENT
Mayor Deborah Robertson
Mayor Pro Tem Ed Scott
CITY/AGENCY STAFF PRESENT:
Marcus Fuller, City Manager
Robert Messinger, Deputy City Attorney
Kathy Brann, Economic Development Manager
Paul Gonzales, Community Development Manager
Siri Champion, Senior Planner
Angela Perry, City Council/City Manager’s Executive Assistant PD Staff (3)
Additional Attendees: John Peukert, City of Rialto Resident Public Comments – None
Review/Approval of Minutes
Minutes from the April 27, 2022 – Accepted for the Record
REPORTS/DISCUSSION ITEMS
3 EDC-22-490 Kaptial Partners – Proposed Best Western Hotel Best Western representatives:
Anjuli N. Habbas, Partner
Kapil Nanda
Wyatt Helms, Assistant Engineer.
Committee Comments/Questions/Recommendations
Mayor Pro Tem asked if Best Western has approved this site – they said yes.
Mayor Robertson was concerned about the medical facility on the property. Anjuli said the owners run their medical practices out of the area.
Mayor Robertson stated she is concerned with the parking and architecture, as well as the p roperty owners on the south side . They are looking for a groundbreaking in September.
Mayor Pro Tem asked if they have operated hotels. They said they have hotels in the area of Palm Spring, Moreno Valley, Palmdale, and other states.
Mayor Robertson asked them to expla in what limited services are . Anjuli said limited services are standard services; he also explained the different hotel categories, such as plus and premium.
Mayor Robertson wants staff to use the September as a base and move backwards to ensure that they can meet their goal of September groundbreaking.
1. EDC-22-490 Traffic Impact Analysis - Draft VMT and LOS Guidelines (SB743) Justin ??? gave presentation
Committee Comments/Questions/Recommendations
Mayor Robertson asked for a previous contract regarding a study made by a consultant.
She said this keeps coming back , and it’s more away from what it was. How would they track people’s mileage if they have to drive further to work? Moreover, how do we pass SEQA? not everybody from this community can work from home. She said we let a contract out. Mayor Pro Tem asked Justin for information on his contract. Justin said his contract is not directly related; they have a consultant. Mayor Robertson said they asked for truck traffic data, eliminate truck routes, and ADT; this is a mix item. Marcus said, it’s all related; the good news is that they didn’t prevent; most cities are still using level of service as mitigation measurements.
Mayor Pro Tem asked if this is going to have any cost s. Marcus said this will incentivize and make it easy for denser projects in urban areas. Mayor Robertson said this is creating more density. Mayor Pro Tem said this will also encourage people not to leave their homes and to only own one vehicle.
Mayor Robertson asked if adopting the guidelines is mandated by State – they told her yes. Mayor Pro Tem, what’s the answer when people just aren’t going to live that way.
Justin said a project can be exempt from VMT where the new rules don’t apply. However, City rules still have to be imposed but not under SEQA. The City can apply level service standards. These services are similar from the services adopted by the City; if we use these tools, we can manage traffic. Regarding the VMT, they have 2 options; we screen out the project or require other measures, such an environmental impact report.
Mayor Pro Tem d id not support Justin suggestions, he thinks those measurements are not going to change the way people are going to live due to the overpopulation in the City.
Mayor Robertson said it’s time to do something before the State tell us we don’t qualify.
She said many communities don’t understand City’s limitations in terms of housing. Mayor Robertson asked when we should adapt this measure. Marcus said, it was due back in 2018.
Mayor Robertson asked if they know how these guidelines apply to CEQA. Justin said SBCTA created a model guideline that other agencies are adopting, such the County.
They said, this will bring the City’s specific guidelines up to date. Mayor Robertson wants to know how we are addressing logistics and industrial areas. Justin said heavy vehicles are regulated separately. Moreover, according to the guidelines, they are excluded. Justin explained some of the regulations for industrial vehicles.
Mayor Robertson asked if there is a specific plan past Casmalia.
This gets sent to City Council.
2. Citywide Truck Route, Speed and Volume Studies
John Gerado gave presentation
Committee Comments/Recommendations
Mayor Robertson and Mayor Pro Tem asked about community outreach.
Mayor Pro Tem asked John for the number of people who responded to the public survey posted on social media and Rialto website . John said, between 50 -80 people. Mayor Robertson asked if they did the public survey through Rialto Progress magazine. John said no.
Marcus said they are enforcing trucks to use any street in the City that is the most direct route as long as they are conducting logistics businesses in Rialto. Mayor Robertson said this is one of her main focusing. She stated, trucks have no reason to go west on Baseline; trucks should not go any further off the 210 frwy on Pepper beyond the signal; she wants Pepper to be eliminated as a truck route. Marcus said we want fewer routes on the map.
John said the Vehicle Code referred to the most direct path, it does not discuss County or City.
Mayor Robertson said, we have 2 statements, one is for the most direct path to serve Rialto, and the other is the direct path for anywhere they need to go. She asked, if we create the ordinance, how do we adjust the ordinance to precluded it.
Mayor Robertson explained the traffic situation with Riverside Ave.
Mayor Pro Tem asked Marcus why the electronic billboard on Ayala Ave. and Riverside Ave. leads trucks to turn right on Ayala Ave., otherwise they will be cited. John said the sign was there in response to residents ’ complaints. Mayor Pro Tem asked John for the total of complaints. John said they have a lot of complaints between the County and the City.
Mayor Pro Tem asked why are we doing this when we said the truck route was going to be eliminated; once we eliminate the route, what would be the truck route s. John said either north bound toward Sierra and the 15-frwy area.
Mayor Robertson talked about the route on Locust as part of the Plan. Mayor Pro Tem wanted to know if trucks are going through Locust. John said no.
Mayor Robertson wanted to know why Casmalia route is going to be eliminated when there is a lot of industrial activities in that area.
Mayor Pro Tem asked why the truck routes are being eliminated on Alder from Baseline to Casa Grande. Marcus explained truck routes limitations and vehicle codes.
Mayor Robertson wanted to know why Alder , not a through route, is part of the route elimination. Marcus said Alder was part of the 2010 General Plan.
Mayor Pro Tem said the community is misled; they think trucks are only supposed to transit on commercial routes.
Mayor Pro Tem asked John, what would be the route from one Walmart to another Walmart. John said Valley and Cedar up. Mayor Pro Tem disagreed with John; he said that is not the most direct route. John stated, “it’s the most direct route for a designated truck route.” Mayor Pro Tem asked John if truck drivers are aware of this information.
John said yes, most truck drivers use GPS for truck path guidance.
Mayor Pro Tem wanted to know if trucks can continue their route down south Riverside Ave. once they get off from the 15 and 210 frwy. John said yes.
Mayor Robertson asked why Riverside Ave. coming down to Baseline is a direct route.
John said anything south Ayala Ave. will not be a truck route; the designated, direct truck route will be going down Ayala Ave. He said the moratorium expired.
She asked if trucks can still go on Pepper Ave. off the 210 frwy. John said yes.
Marcus asked if JB-hunt trucks are going to be driving in the City or San Bernardino City.
John said they will be driving in the San Bernardino area south bound Pepper making a left on Baseline and Foothill.
Mayor Robertson asked John for the City boundaries along Pepper Ave. John does not have that information; he went over San Bernardino City route limitations. Marcus said back in 2010, Foothill was still state highway; they did not designate it as a truck route, it was already a truck route. Today, it’s legally not designated as a truck route.
Mayor Robertson has concerns about
One of the PD guys spoke about the San Bernardino Vehicle Code, he spoke the most Concern about truck route on Ayala/Riverside/Locust
Eliminate piece on Ayala from Baseline to 210, Eliminate Pepper south of the 210, Leave in Alder
Mayor Pro Tem asked John if the new map will work better for the City and if it will eliminate residents’ grievances. John said it might be confusing for truck drivers on eliminating Alder; he is concerned about the access to main routes from the 15 and 210 frwy and how that will impact residential and business areas. Mayor Pro Tem agreed with John.
Mayor Robertson proposed Locust Ave. to be a designated truck route since Locust Ave. is already an industrial corridor. John said Locust doesn’t have connection with 210 frwy.
Mayor Pro Tem asked John how many trucks are coming down Riverside Ave. south of Ayala Ave. John said 200 out of 12,000 on average daily traffic, and north Ayala Ave. 560 out of 12,200.
Mayor Robertson was concerned about truck traffic increasing on Riverside Ave. and 210 frwy.
Mayor Pro Tem asked John for the point of disperse for the trucks coming down Ayala Ave. John said at the 210 frwy many of them turn on Casmalia.
Marcus asked John if we should keep Casmalia. John said if redirecting route truck is going to be the main focus, we can consider it. Marcus said we keep Casmalia and Locust within the city limits but between Locust and Ayala Ave. might not be necessary.
Mayor Robertson said we should designate Locust; it would help decrease the traffic on Alder.
Marcus asked John, in terms of extending Riverside Ave. to the 210, where do we land.
John said regarding traffic, Riverside Ave. is safer than Ayala Ave.
Mayor Robertson asked John to talk to the other cities about Pepper Ave.
Mayor Robertson asked if we need to make designated routes when trucks have to make deliveries on the not designated routes. John said trucks still have to follow Municipal Codes. He said we should consider keeping Cedar as a truck corridor.
Mayor Robertson asked John if the section between Baseline and Renaissance on Ayala Ave. is going to be eliminate. John said yes.
Council discussed routes in Fontana regarding trucks heading toward the City.
John suggested to continue with the routes on Maple to Cedar corridor on Foothill Blvd.
Marcus said the trucks that need to go through the City, they need to be designated.
Council decided to continue routes on Riverside Ave. and Ayala Ave. and eliminate routes on 210 frwy down Baseline.
Mayor Pro Tem suggested to eliminate the route on Slover between Cactus.
Mayor Robertson asked John to make truck recognition on the map for areas in the Agua Mansa.
Ball talked about Agua Mansa, small portion that is ours. Mayor Robertson talked about Colton’s projects. Marcus said that it will need to be folded into the general plan.
Marcus suggested another moratorium on truck routes since the one on Ayala Ave. already expired. John will put together a summary.
Speed
The Sgt Daniel Smith prior to leaving said he was concerned about the map routes. He said nothing has been surveyed for Linden Ave. between Baseline and Renaissance.
The original survey speed is 35 mph prior to commercial development; they can’t get the 10-year window due to the roadway changes.
Ayala/Linden, then John & Justin spoke.
John said they can’t recertify a double survey if there are changed conditions.
Speed
John went through that presentation (AB 43)
Marcus said this was by state law. Attachment shows roads going to 10/15 miles an hour.
Marcus asked why the City set speed limits on residential collector roads, such Etiwanda Ave. and Linden Ave. He said by law, the roads can be set with a “prima facie” speed limit of 25 mph., without regarding the 85% speed law otherwise required by the Vehicle Code.
Marcus said it will go to Transportation Commission in June then go to Council.
Marcus said to Justin to look at doing a special meeting in June with Transportation.
Public outreach should be done.
4. EDC-22-435 Commercial- and Residential- Mixed Use Districts of the Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan
Marcus asked Siri and Paul to give the presentation
Committee Comments/Questions/Recommendations
Land west of Food 4 Less – MPT is in favor of us sponsoring a change.
Land between Foothill/Cactus – developer want to put residential ; however, the current specific plan says it has to be 50% commercial . Developers need to submit a Specific Plan Amendment, or the City can sponson it.
Siri said Foothill Central Specific Plan is funded by SCAG at no cost to the City, this would be an option to move fo rward with the Specific Plan Amendment. She said the other option would be for the City to pay for it.
Mayor Robertson asked Siri how long it will take for SCAG to take in and if those resources will hold up both projects. Siri said the best approach is to proceed with the City initiated Specific Plan to be covered by the rezone strategy. She said we have until June 2023 to get those funds.
Mayor Pro Tem said that property is hard to get it rezone. He said we need to expedite the process; we need to get something done before we hit recession.
MPT wants them to look at Southwest Willow/Foothill.
Mayor wants to know about Northwest Eucalyptus/Foothill. Mayor Robertson said the Foothill Specific Plan it was going to be residential only.
Siri said there are no requirements for commercial in the Residential - Mixed Use.
Mayor Pro Tem wants to know which is the fastest way to do it. Marcus said we have a consultant on board now. Mayor Pro Tem said they have to do public outreach.
Paul made a couple of suggestions.
Paul said El Patio – someone is inquiring. However, they did not put it on the plans for what it’s for. Looked like a façade change ; t hey listed for “cash and carry ” type of business. Paul will check if they change ownership.
Paul said regarding the old Stater Bros building, they want to do black-market business concept. He explained that type of business.
Marcus recommended Siri to use the same consultant to move forward.
Mayo Pro Tem asked Siri if there were any offers to purchase the property. Siri said yes.
Mayor Robertson talked about climate control.
5 EDC-22-436 Smart Cities Plan to Mitigate Impacts of Warehousing and Logistics Siri give the presentation.
Committee Comments/Questions/Recommendations
Mayor Robertson said we need to figure it out how do we quantify the benefits to the environment to be able to make improvements for the future; we need to know the total for commercial developers and residential. She asked how do we get credit for carbon print reduction. She wants to know what elements we have already implemented, and what direction we are moving forward.
Mayor Robertson was concerned about large industrial properties, such as Colombia S.
She said once the property gets sold, new owners are not going to get grandfather rules for developing.
Mayor Robertson talked about the property on Pepper Ave. and 210 frwy how it was designated to be residential zon e and turned out to be a junk yard. She was concerned about all the residents’ complaints.
Mayor Pro Tem wants more information about the Plan before moving forward.
Mayor Robertson asked if they have been granted the funds. Siri said yes. Mayor Robertson stated we need a consultant to start the process. Siri started the procurement process through SCAG. Mayor Pro Tem asked what exactly is going to be. Siri said they will identify the costs and benefits , and she went over different technology approaches that might benefit the project . Mayor Pro Tem is in favor of the zero emissions vehicles.
He wants to know in what direction we are moving forward.
Mayor Robertson said we need to coordinate with new business es; businesses need to integrate their surveillance and stay connected. She said we need to understand our build up on industrial.
6 EDC-22-445 Items to be considered on the EDC Agenda
Committee Comments/Questions/Recommendations
- Marcus will have the Truck route study for the next meeting.
- Mayor Pro Tem Scott wants an update on the Renaissance properties and where we at on the housing. Marcus asked Kathy to bring information about the bids for the next EDC meeting so they can get an agreement with Lewis.
Amendment to Renaissance Specific Plan. Kathy said, they should have a schedule back from the consultant next week.
- Mayor Robertson wants updates for the next meeting about things people are coming in regarding developing projects ; w ho’s maintaining what. She wants to see the sign ordinance. Marcus said, he asked the chief to outline how we will go forward with sign enforcement. Mayor Robertson asked about how are we addressing commercial owners on how they are maintaining the property; landscape areas are looking pretty bad. Marcus said, he will follow up with Tim on those issues.
- Mayor Pro Tem asked about the Rite Aid in the north part of City. Kathy has reached out to the owner, he hasn’t replied.
- Mayor Robertson asked Paul for an alphabetical list of what is currently moving through the organization on the planning and commercial development.
Mayor Robertson talked about signs on clear projects, like the one across from Stater Bros, between Foothill and Acacia . She also mentioned securing the corner on Eucalyptus and Foothill, there are many distraction s, such as the night balloon selling.
Marcus said, we have to educate and remind the community about the regulations for signs.
- Paul talked about Best Western Hotel information coming to EDC.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 2:57 p.m.