REGULAR MEETING
of the
CITY OF RIALTO
CITY COUNCIL
City of Rialto, acting as Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency
MINUTES
Tuesday, August 9, 2022
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Rialto was held in the City Council Chambers located at 150 South Palm Avenue, Rialto, California 92376 on Tuesday, August 9, 2022. 0o0
This meeting was called by the presiding officer of the Rialto City Council in accordance with the provisions of Government Code §54956 of the State of California. 0o0
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Robertson called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. 0o0
The roll was called, and the following were present: Mayor Deborah Robertson Mayor Pro Tem Ed Scott, Council Member Rafael Trujillo, Council Member Andy Carrizales Council Member Karla Perez. Also present were City Manager Marcus Fuller, City Attorney Eric Vail and City Clerk Barbara McGee.
City Treasurer Edward Carrillo was absent.
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CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL –
EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1)
Two (2) matters:
1. Erica Sanchez v. City of Rialto, SBSC Case No. CIV SB 2132734
2. Heather Lassiter v. City of Rialto, SBSC Case No. CIVSB2109592
CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL -
ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(2)
Number of Matters: Two (2) matters
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
Pursuant to Government Code section 54957.6
Labor Negotiator: Marcus Fuller, Arron Brown, Al Ford
Employee Organizations:
Executive Management Team
Management Unrepresented Employees
Rialto City Employee’s Association (RCEA)
Rialto Mid-Management & Confidential Employee’s Association (RMMA) Rialto Fire Management Association (RFMA) Rialto Police Benefit Association – Management Rialto Police Benefit Association – General
Rialto Professional Firefighters of California - Local 3688 Unrepresented Employees
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CLOSED SESSION
Motion by Council Member Carrizales, second by Council Member Perez and carried by a 5-0 vote to go into Closed Session at 5:02 p.m. 0o0
The City Council returned from Closed Session at 6:30 p.m. 0o0
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Robertson called the meeting to order at 6:44 p.m. 0o0
OPEN SESSION
The roll was called, and the following were present: Mayor Deborah Robertson, Mayor Pro Tem Ed Scott, Council Member Rafael Trujillo, Council Member Andy Carrizales and Council Member Karla Perez. Also present were City Manager Marcus Fuller, City Attorney Eric Vail, City Treasurer Edward Carrillo and City Clerk Barbara McGee. 0o0
Pledge of Allegiance and
Invocation
Mayor Pro Tem Scott led the pledge of allegiance.
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Pastor Jose Vindel – Rialto United Methodist Church gave the Invocation. 0o0
City Attorney’s Report on
Closed Session
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL –
EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1)
Two (2) matters:
Erica Sanchez v. City of Rialto, SBSC Case No. CIV SB 2132734 The City Council gave direction to the City Attorney. There was no reportable action.
2. Heather Lassiter v. City of Rialto, SBSC Case No. CIVSB2109592.
No action was taken. This Item will be continued until the next regular meeting.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL -
ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(2)
Number of Matters: Two (2) matters
One Item was discussed. There was no reportable action.
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
Pursuant to Government Code section 54957.6
Labor Negotiator: Marcus Fuller, Arron Brown, Al Ford
Employee Organizations:
Executive Management Team
Management Unrepresented Employees
Rialto City Employee’s Association (RCEA)
Rialto Mid-Management & Confidential Employee’s Association (RMMA) Rialto Fire Management Association (RFMA) Rialto Police Benefit Association – Management Rialto Police Benefit Association – General
Rialto Professional Firefighters of California - Local 3688 Unrepresented Employees
There was no reportable action.
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PRESENTATION AND PROCLAMATIONS
Proclamation - Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance Mayor Pro Tem Ed Scott
2022 California Firefighter Memorial Ceremony –
Fire Chief Park
Introduction of new employee by Marcus Fuller, City Manager:
Christopher Jensen - Fire Division Chief - Fire Marshal 0o0
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Robertson asked if anyone wished to speak.
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City Clerk McGee stated there are none at this time.
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City Council to Consider removing or continuing any items on the agenda Mayor Robertson abstained from Item B.2 Warrant Resolution No. 5 (08/04/2022) Voucher No. 225343 made out to the National Council of Negro Women for $5,402.40. 0o0
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. WAIVE FULL READING OF ORDINANCES
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B. APPROVAL OF WARRANT RESOLUTIONS
B.1 Warrant Resolution No. 4 (07/28/2022)
B.1 Warrant Resolution No. 5 (08/04/2022)
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C. CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY
C.1 Danielle Womack - Personal Injury
C.2 Leasha Sharnell Taylor and Sincerie Ann Fleming – Damages C.3 Garrison Property and Casualty Insurance a/s/o Destany Gross – Property Damage
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D. SET PUBLIC HEARING
D.1 Request City Council to: (1) Accept Petition from the Property Owner to Consider Modification of City Of Rialto Community Facilities District No. 2020-1 (El Rancho Verde); (2) Adopt Resolution No. 7953.Resolution Of Consideration Of The City Council Of The City Of Rialto, California, Acting As The Legislative Body Of The City Of Rialto Community Facilities District No. 2020-1 (El Rancho Verde), Declaring Its Intention To Modify The Rate And Method Of Apportionment Of The Special Tax Relating To Said Community Facilities District, Eliminate The Designation Of Improvement Areas, Remove Territory From The Boundaries Of The Community Facilities District, Increase The Special Tax Rates, Increase The Maximum Bonded Indebtedness, And Revise The Appropriations Limit Of Said Community Facilities District, And Other Related Actions In Connection Thereto; and (3) Set a Public Hearing for September 13, 2022. 0o0
CONSENT CALENDAR
E. MISCELLANEOUS
E.1 Request City Council/Rialto Utility Authority Board Adopt Resolution No.7954 and Rialto Utility Authority Board Adopt RUA Resolution No.07-22 Approving an Extraterritorial Wastewater Service Agreement with Hilario and Juana Lopez, for the property located at 18926 Valley Blvd., Bloomington, Assessor’s Parcel Number 0253-121-17-0000.
E.2 Request City Council to (1) Approve a Temporary Construction Easement Agreement with Robert D. Wilson for the property located at 1193 W. Merrill Avenue, Rialto, CA 92376 (APN:0128-161-10); and (2) Authorize the City Manager to Execute all Documents.
E.3 Request City Council to (1) Approve a Temporary Construction Easement Agreement with Syed Saidi and Sumera Sabir for the Property Located at 858 S. Riverside Avenue, Rialto, CA 92376 (APN:0131-231-12); and (2) Authorize the City Manager to Execute all Documents.
E.4 Request City Council to: (1) Approve Amendment #6 to Cooperative Agreement 93-049 between the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority and the City of Rialto; and (2) Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Documents.
E.5 Request the City Council of the City of Rialto to Adopt Resolution No.7955 Declaring that Certain 3,000 Square Feet Commercial Parcel Located at 136 S. Riverside Avenue Identified by Assessor’s Parcel Number 0130-241-30 as Surplus Land and Directing the City Manager to Follow the Procedures Set Forth in the Surplus Land Act, California Government Code Section 5422 et seq., as Amended on January 1, 2020, for the Sale of Surplus Land.
E.6 Request City Council to Adopt Resolution No.7956, Adopting the Fiscal Year 2022/2023 - 2026/2027 Measure I - Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan and Expenditure Strategy.
E.7 Request City Council to Approve the Updated Fiscal Year 2022/2023 Yearly Conference/Travel Expense Schedule for City Council Members.
E.8 Request City Council to Adopt by Second Reading ORDINANCE NO.1669 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIALTO, CALIFORNIA AMENDING SECTION 1.04.060 OF CHAPTER 1.04 OF THE RIALTO MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING DEPARTMENT AND POSITION TITLE MODIFICATIONS. 0o0
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scott, second by Council Member Trujillo and carried by a 5-0 vote to approve the Consent Calendar.
Mayor Robertson abstained from Warrant Resolution No. 5 (08/04/2022) Voucher No. 225343 made out to the National Council of Negro Women for $5,402.40. 0o0
NEW BUSINESS
TAB 1
Receive an Update and Confirm the Continued Existence of and Provide Further Direction to the Local Emergency in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic; Continuing “Hybrid” Public Meetings Brian Park, Rialto Fire Chief, presented staff report to Request City Council to: (1) Receive an Update on and Confirm the Continued Existence of the Local Emergency Throughout the City of Rialto in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic; (2) Make Findings for Continuing “Hybrid” Public Meetings Pursuant to AB 361; and (3) Provide any Further Direction in Relation thereto. 0o0
Council Member Perez inquired about monkey pox transmissible levels at super spreader events. 0o0
Fire Chief Park stated intimate contact is prevalent with close relationships as opposed to casual or verbal contact such as with COVID. However, safety measures will be considered as more data is available. 0o0
Mayor Robertson asked more data information on the current reported deaths and the location of the County-reported cases. 0o0
Fire Chief Park stated he will include that in a subsequent report. 0o0
Mayor Robertson also inquired as to how the schools are addressing the matter with sports. 0o0
Fire Chief Park stated it is more difficult at the County level to obtain data. The State has been very good at providing information. Thirty percent of the cases are between 35-44. 0o0
Council Member Trujillo asked about monkeypox home tests. 0o0
Fire Chief Park stated he does not believe that is available as yet, but he will continue to research it and will continue the social outreach to increase awareness. 0o0
TAB 1
Receive an Update and Confirm the Continued Existence of and Provide Further Direction to the Local Emergency in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic; Continuing “Hybrid” Public Meetings Motion by Council Member Trujillo second by Council Member Perez and carried by a 5-0 vote to (1) Receive an Update on and Confirm the Continued Existence of the Local Emergency Throughout the City of Rialto in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic; (2) Make Findings for Continuing “Hybrid” Public Meetings Pursuant to AB 361; and (3) Provide any Further Direction in Relation thereto. 0o0
TAB 2
Introduce for First Reading Ordinance No. 1668 Amending Chapter 17.46 of the Rialto Municipal Code Marcus Fuller, City Manager, presented staff report to Request City Council Introduce for First Reading Ordinance No. 1668, Amending Chapter 17.46 of the Rialto Municipal Code to Allow for Parcel Mergers Initiated by the Property Owner / Applicant. 0o0
Mayor Robertson asked who this was brought up by.
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City Manager Fuller stated he had questioned why a developer with multiple parcels do a tentative and final parcel map. The City was silent allowing for a voluntary parcel merger. 0o0
Mayor Robertson inquired about parcels.
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City Manager Fuller stated any type of parcel. The current merger Ordinance is related to unvoluntary to substandard residential parcels but don’t have the Ordinance for voluntary parcel mergers. 0o0
City Clerk McGee read Ordinance No. 1668 into the record. 0o0
ORDINANCE NO. 1668
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIALTO CALIFORNIA AMENDING CHAPTER 17.46 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE FOR THE MERGER OF PARCELS 0o0
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scott second by Council Member Trujillo and carried by a 5-0 vote to approve Ordinance No. 1668.
The vote was AYES: Mayor Robertson, Mayor Pro Tem Scott, Council Member Trujillo, Council Member Carrizales, Council Member Perez.
NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None.
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TAB 3
Professional Services Agreement with AdminSure, Inc.
Shama Curian, Deputy Human Resources Director, presented staff report to Request City Council to: (1) Approve a Professional Services Agreement in the Amount of $256,000 Annually with AdminSure, Inc., a California corporation, for a 3-Year Term with 2 Optional 1-Year Extensions; (2) Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Documents. 0o0
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scott, second by Council Member Carrizales and carried by 5-0 vote to 1) Approve a Professional Services Agreement in the Amount of $256,000 Annually with AdminSure, Inc., a California corporation, for a 3-Year Term with 2 Optional 1-Year Extensions; (2) Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Documents. 0o0
TAB 4
Adopt Resolution No. 7957 approving a Construction Fee Credit and Reimbursement Agreement by and between the City of Rialto and Rialto Apartments, LLC; Adopt Budget Resolution No. 7858 Amending FY 2022/2023 Marcus Fuller, City Manager, presented staff report to Request City Council to (1) Adopt Resolution No. 7957 Approving a Construction Fee Credit and Reimbursement Agreement by and between the City of Rialto and Rialto Apartments, LLC, a California Limited Liability Company; and (2) Adopt Budget Resolution No. 7858 Amending the Fiscal Year 2022/2023 Budget; and (3) Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Documents. 0o0
Mayor Pro Tem Scott asked about the payback agreement timeframe. 0o0
City Manager Fuller stated 30 days after reconciliation of the cost. An audit determined there will be sufficient funds to make reimbursement of excess cost. 0o0
Mayor Pro Tem Scott asked if this is the same reimbursement agreement offered to every developer. 0o0
City Manager Fuller stated yes.
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Council Member Trujillo asked about onsite security.
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Tim Nguyen, Frontier Communities, stated the site will be gated, have a security guard and an onsite manager as well. 0o0
TAB 4
Adopt Resolution No. 7957 approving a Construction Fee Credit and Reimbursement Agreement by and between the City of Rialto and Rialto Apartments, LLC; Adopt Budget Resolution No. 7858 Amending FY 2022/2023 Council Member Carrizales asked if feedback from residents was received. 0o0
Mr. Nguyen stated yes there was.
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Council Member Perez asked if there will be sufficient parking on Foothill Boulevard. 0o0
Mr. Nguyen stated there will be sufficient parking and additional guests parking. 0o0
Mayor Robertson stated she is glad to see the project moving forward and asked about construction schedule. 0o0
Mr. Nguyen stated groundbreaking will be in a couple of weeks. Twelve months from now, it is anticipated first residents will be in. Six to 12 months project will be completed. 0o0
Mayor Robertson clarified within a year anticipate project completed. 0o0
Mr. Nguyen stated for sure.
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Mayor Pro Tem Scott reminded the City Council that this Item has already come before the Planning Commission and the City Council. This Item is strictly a fee reimbursement agreement.
They had some issues with the fee agreement. That is why I asked the questions I asked. 0o0
Mayor Robertson stated this was discussed in the EDC meeting. It is nice for a representative to commit to this community and the project is moving forward.
TAB 4
Adopt Resolution No. 7957 approving a Construction Fee Credit and Reimbursement Agreement by and between the City of Rialto and Rialto Apartments, LLC; Adopt Budget Resolution No. 7858 Amending FY 2022/2023 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scott second by Council Member Carrizales and carried by a 5-0 vote to (1) Adopt Resolution No. 7957 Approving a Construction Fee Credit and Reimbursement Agreement by and between the City of Rialto and Rialto Apartments, LLC, a California Limited Liability Company; and (2) Adopt Budget Resolution No. 7858 Amending the Fiscal Year 2022/2023 Budget; and (3) Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Documents. 0o0
TAB 5
Approve a Professional Services Agreement with ARUP North America, Ltd, of Triennial Review of the Concession Agreement Tom Crowley, Utilities, Manager, presented staff report to Request City Council/Rialto Utility Authority Board to (1) Pursuant to Section 2.48.290 (Special Expertise Procurement) of the Rialto Municipal Code, Approve a Professional Services Agreement with ARUP North America, Ltd. in the Amount of $120,830 for Preparation of 2019-2021 Triennial Review of the Concession Agreement, and (2) Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Related Documents. 0o0
Mayor Pro Tem Scott asked if the firm who will be handling the oversight is stated in the contract. 0o0
Mr. Crowley stated he does not believe it is specifically stated. 0o0
Mayor Pro Tem Scott emphasized it needs to be specifically stated and understood by all parties who the firm doing oversight will be.
Mr. Crowley stated recommendations and modifications to the agreement will be made. 0o0
Mayor Robertson agreed with Mayor Pro Tem Scott. She believes it is very important. 0o0
Motion by Council Member Carrizales, second by Council Member Trujillo and carried by a 5-0 vote to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with ARUP North America, Ltd. in the Amount of $120,830 for Preparation of 2019-2021 Triennial Review of the Concession Agreement, and (2) Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Related Documents and the requested modifications to the agreement stating which firm will be doing the oversight. 0o0
TAB 6
Approve Final Construction Work Authorization to RWS for Construction of Riverside Avenue Central Water improvements Project Tom Crowley, Utilities, Manager, presented staff report to Request City Council/Rialto Utility Authority Board to (1) Approve Final Construction Work Authorization to Rialto Water Services in the amount of $2,982,691 for the Construction of Riverside Avenue Central Water Improvements Project, and (2) Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Related Documents. 0o0
Mayor Pro Tem Scott emphasized he wants to make certain that everything related to future paving projects and waterlines will get done to stay ahead of the curve. 0o0
Mr. Crowley stated the Water Department has already repaired everything on the Pepper Avenue project. 0o0
Council Member Trujillo stated he is glad all services are being coordinated to avoid damaging the current pavement. 0o0
Mayor Robertson asked who will be handling the outreach. 0o0
Mr. Crowley stated Veolia will be handling the outreach. Secondary outreach will be handled by the City. 0o0
Mayor Robertson emphasized the importance of giving the residents ample notice of what will be happening on that day. 0o0
Motion by Council Member Carrizales second by Council Member Perez and carried by a 5-0 vote to (1) Approve Final Construction Work Authorization to Rialto Water Services in the amount of $2,982,691 for the Construction of Riverside Avenue Central Water Improvements Project, and (2) Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Related Documents. 0o0
TAB 7
City Council/Rialto Utility Authority Board to End the Moratorium on Water Disconnections and Late Penalties for Water and Wastewater Accounts that are in Arrears Tom Crowley, Utilities, Manager, presented staff report to Request City Council/Rialto Utility Authority Board to End the Moratorium on Water Disconnections and Late Penalties for Water and Wastewater Accounts that are in the Arrears in Accordance with SB 998 Requirements Effective January 1, 2023. 0o0
TAB 7
City Council/Rialto Utility Authority Board to End the Moratorium on Water Disconnections and Late Penalties for Water and Wastewater Accounts that are in Arrears Mayor Robertson asked why it took four months to implement the payment process. 0o0
Robert Lee, Veolia, Customer Service Manager, stated for two reasons. He wanted to make certain arrearage payments for water and wastewater is applied so monthly payment to customer is the smallest possible. Second, to minimize confusion to the customer. There was no process in place to present correct information on the bill related to payment range amount. We had to work with the bill print vendor to modify the bill template and reprogram. 0o0
Mayor Pro Tem Scott emphasized shame on the City for not getting it done sooner. If a vendor can’t perform, you fire them. If Veolia can’t do that, then we can certainly fire Rialto Water Services. That’s not a good excuse. It has gone long enough. Mayor Robertson and I have attempted different plans to resolve the problem.
He asked if the majority of late payers were the same habitual late payers the City had prior to COVID. What is the percentage? 0o0
Mr. Crowley stated 75 to 80 percent. In water and sewer, it would parallel that. 0o0
Mayor Pro Tem Scott stated this may be an opportunity to catch these people who are behind because it’s really hard to catch up. This should have been in place a long time ago. The community should know it only applies to Rialto Water Services customers. It’s not West Valley customers.
Does West Valley have a plan? It would be nice to know as a City. 0o0
Mr. Crowley stated he would contact West Valley.
The sewer customers that are in West Valley are in the Fontana service area. Those are handled differently as they did with the tax roll. 0o0
Mayor Pro Tem Scott asked if the customers that live in the City of Rialto that get West Valley water, are put on a tax roll and not working out payment plans for their sewer arrearages. 0o0
Mr. Crowley stated that at the end of June 2022 when those customers were adopted. Direction was not to include first-time offenders. Those were not included. We can come back and offer payment plans. 0o0
TAB 7
City Council/Rialto Utility Authority Board to End the Moratorium on Water Disconnections and Late Penalties for Water and Wastewater Accounts that are in Arrears Mayor Pro Tem Scott asked if they’re all on the same sewer system, why would it be different for someone that’s getting West Valley water versus Rialto Water Services. 0o0
Mr. Crowley stated one of the reasons is the moratorium shutoff. 0o0
Mayor Pro Tem Scott stated that is no excuse. Why would we be treating sewer customers differently that get their water from West Valley versus those that get their water from Rialto Water Services? 0o0
Mr. Crowley stated the tax roll option available to them at the end of the year, and there are no customers who have arrearages that are over a year old. 0o0
Mayor Pro Tem Scott asked if Rialto Water Services customers are given the tax roll option. 0o0
Mr. Crowley stated they are not.
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Mayor Robertson asked when the City received $525,885 for wastewater arrearages, did that include sewer customers in the West Valley District. Were their arrears applied? 0o0
Mr. Crowley stated yes, we did.
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Mayor Robertson asked so how did we manage to calculate to the State on an application to get money for them in their arrears on wastewater but then we could not extend to them the same. 0o0
Mr. Crowley stated it can be done. In this group that we are doing the payment plan, we have only identified the water and sewer customers. That doesn’t mean we cannot get direction and do the wastewater customers. 0o0
TAB 7
City Council/Rialto Utility Authority Board to End the Moratorium on Water Disconnections and Late Penalties for Water and Wastewater Accounts that are in Arrears Mayor Pro Tem Scott asked if tax rolls for sewer were placed on vacant properties, vacant houses and vacant buildings. 0o0
Mr. Crowley stated no.
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Mayor Pro Tem Scott clarified if you are a West Valley Water customer, and your sewer bill is not paid, it is placed on the tax roll. 0o0
Mr. Crowley stated correct.
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Mayor Robertson stated we oversee the wastewater bill. We’re either billing directly or we are having West Valley capture the sewer bill.
Mayor Pro Tem Scott asked for an explanation.
Mr. Crowley stated West Valley does not capture the sewer bill. 0o0
Mayor Pro Tem Scott asked what is the difference between a Rialto Water customer and a West Valley customer as it relates to sewer. It’s all in the same sewer. You can’t shut it off. So why would we be doing something different. 0o0
Mr. Lee stated the City has two resolutions. One for water and one for sewer. The City’s current sewer resolution allows for the tax roll. Also, because the water customers don’t get to the point where they are typically tax rolled. Processes are in place following SB 998 to notify the customers that the water will get disconnected for nonpayment. Customers will pay the payment so they will be up to current so the water is not disconnected so the wastewater charges will not build up as if they were sewer-only customers who gets the water from different agencies who we do not any recourse to say that your wastewater will get disconnected. 0o0
TAB 7
City Council/Rialto Utility Authority Board to End the Moratorium on Water Disconnections and Late Penalties for Water and Wastewater Accounts that are in Arrears Mayor Pro Tem Scott asked if someone was affected by COVID living in the West Valley service area and couldn’t pay your water bill, and their sewer was on their tax bill and the San Bernardino County was not providing any leeway on tax bills, then you had to pay your tax bill whether you were destitute or not. 0o0
Mr. Lee stated the San Bernardino County did have a waiver program for the last two years. However, following the City’s decision this year, only the customers who were repeat tax-rolled were tax rolled. First-time tax-rolled were excluded. Once tax-rolled, customers who have a mortgage, who have an impound account or escrow account, their payment will stay the same. If their tax roll was removed for one year, their payment would decrease. Next year, when tax roll payment would increase double on the escrow side to cover the shortfall of the tax roll. 0o0
Mayor Robertson asked if the moratorium was in place on both water and wastewater. 0o0
Mr. Lee stated the penalties were applied on both water and wastewater. The disconnection only applied to the water customers since you cannot disconnect wastewater. 0o0
Council Member Trujillo asked what kept RWS from creating payment plans throughout the moratorium. 0o0
Mr. Lee stated payment plans were available to customers this whole time. The process was the customer had to contact RWS and request the payment plan for 12 months or sometimes longer. 0o0
Council Member Trujillo asked if the payment plans were marketed to the customers. 0o0
Mr. Lee stated the disconnection notice does state the payment arrangement and SB 998 also required payment arrangement. 0o0
Council Member Trujillo clarified communication was one way. Customers had to approach RWS. 0o0
TAB 7
City Council/Rialto Utility Authority Board to End the Moratorium on Water Disconnections and Late Penalties for Water and Wastewater Accounts that are in Arrears Mr. Lee stated payment plan information notification was sent out to low-income residents and in the CARES Program. 0o0
Mayor Pro Tem Scott stated we wanted everyone on an automatic payment plan such as Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas Company. It makes it easier for people. People are now two years behind, maybe three. It would have been a lot easier to have had them on a payment plan a year or two ago. No one listened. 0o0
Council Member Trujillo asked why is the informational presentation not separated. What percentages of customers are residential and commercial? 0o0
Mr. Lee stated the number has not been disclosed in the graph to make it concise. I did have that data at one point. I don’t have the exact percentage, but it was in the single digits. 0o0
Mayor Pro Tem Scott asked if anyone from Rialto Water Services is present. 0o0
Mr. Crowley stated no.
Mayor Pro Tem Scott asked why not.
He is requesting this Item be tabled for four weeks.
0o0
Council Member Trujillo stated there are still a lot of questions remaining. He suggested Director of Community Services Alvarado-Crawford be present at the next meeting to provide a CDBG Utility Assistance update. 0o0
Mayor Robertson recommended a representative from Rialto Water Services be present at the next City Council meeting. 0o0
Mayor Pro Tem Scott emphasized that the moratorium remains in place. 0o0
TAB 7
City Council/Rialto Utility Authority Board to End the Moratorium on Water Disconnections and Late Penalties for Water and Wastewater Accounts that are in Arrears Council Member Perez reiterated the importance of reaching out to those who owe higher amounts, so they can take benefit from the utility programs available. 0o0
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Scott, second by Council Member Carrizales and carried by a 5-0 vote to table Item until the September 13, 2022 City Council meeting. 0o0
Community Services
Community Services Director Alvarado-Crawford gave a report. 0o0
REPORTS
The City Council and gave their reports.
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ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Council Member Perez, second by Council Member Trujillo and carried by a 5-0 vote to adjourn the City Council Meeting at 8:32 p.m.
The City Council adjourned in memory of:
Daren K. Gilbert
Former New Orleans Saints NFL Player
Son of Rialto Commissioners Artist and Joanne Gilbert
Deborah Moseley
Mayor Robertson’s High School Classmate
Rosa Diaz
Rialto Resident
_______________________________
MAYOR DEBORAH ROBERTSON
ATTEST:
_____________________________
CITY CLERK BARBARA A. McGEE
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Rialto City Council Meeting Minutes – August 9, 2022 Page 12