1 CITY OF RIALTO
REGULAR MEETING OF THE WATER SUBCOMMITTEE
August 29, 2023 - 10:00 A.M.
MINUTES
The Regular meeting of the Water Subcommittee of the City of Rialto was held in the Civic Center Council Chambers located at 150 S. Palm Avenue, Rialto, California 92376, on Wednesday, August 29, 2023.
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CALL TO ORDER Call to order at 10:01 A.M.
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ROLL CALL The roll call was taken by The Assistant to the City Manager , Toyasha Sebbag.
Subcommittee Members / City Staff:
Mayor Deborah Robertson
Council Member Ed Scott
Robert Messinger, Assistant City Attorney
Tom Crowley, Utilities Manager
Toyasha Sebbag, Assistant to the City Manager
Additional Attendees:
Steve Dopudja, Dopudja & Wells Consulting
Art Griffith, FG Solutions
Bill Coffey, Service Line Warranty of America
Dr. June Hayes, Resident
Zoom Attendees
Peter Lucetti, RWS/Table Rock
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PUBLIC COMMENTS Public Comment received from Genesis Ibrahim-Balogun:
♦ Genesis Ibrahim-Balogun mentioned that she has been
conducting research to enhance the community experience at the Rialto Habitat Nature Center. As a result of her efforts, she has proposed the concept of implementing the “Rialto Bridge”.
Ms. Ibrahim-Balogun stated:
“Having the Rialto Bridge not only adds architectural history, but bridges (pun intended) together community history to community progression. I believe the bridge should be placed in between both bodies of water, so individuals can cross and see the bridge from anywhere in the RHNC. The RHNC is a public
2 environment that creates connections between human and nature, so why not add history to the mix”.
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES-
Regular Meeting of July 26, 2023
Minutes Prepared By: Nicole Hemmans, Sr. Administrative Analyst
Meeting Date: July 26, 2023 - Minutes Approved.
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NEW BUSINESS ITEMS
WS-23-782 – Amendment to
Marketing License Agreement for
the Service Line Warranty of
America Program.
Utility Manager, Tom Crowley and representatives of Service Line Warranty of America (SLWA), Bill Coffey, provided a presentation on the marketing campaign and Amendment No. 1 to the Marketing License Agreement.
Questions & Comments
♦ Mayor Robertson supports the S LWA program and the benefits it provides to residents of the City in the event of a Service Line issue to their home.
♦ Councilmember supports the program but does not agree with the city receiving royalties on revenues received by SLWA from residents ’ monthly membership payments.
♦ The Water Subcommittee recommend advancing this matter for consideration by the City Council.
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WS-23-785 – Provide Feedback –
Water and Wastewater rate Study.
Utility division staff request feedback on the Water and Wastewater Rate Study.
Questions & Comments
♦ Discontinuation of Annual Lease Payment to the City of Rialto:
3 o Councilmember Scott suggested that the discussion of this matter be held in a closed session due to its
relevance to an ongoing lawsuit and requested that it
be included in the next closed session agenda.
♦ Ready-to-Serve fee:
o Councilmember Scott reminded staff that City Council
previously directed staff not to have a Stand-By rate.
♦ Revised Tier Rate Structure:
o Councilmember supports looking at the 3 rd and 4th tier rate structure.
♦ Low-Income and Senior Discount to include a temporary hardship program:
o Discussion was tabled.
♦ Rialto Utility Authority $30 million Lease Back -Payment to the City of Rialto:
o It was agreed that the discussion of this matter will be held in a closed session due to its relevance to an
ongoing lawsuit and requested that it be included in the next closed session agenda.
♦ Effluent Sales to Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA):
o It was agreed that the discussion of this matter will be held in a closed session due to its relevance to an
ongoing lawsuit and requested that it be included in the next closed session agenda.
♦ Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Reserve Fund Policy:
o Mayor Robertson and Councilmember Scott supports a
CIP Reserve Fund Policy.
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WS-23-786 – Provide Feedback –
Draft public engagement strategy.
Utility division staff request feedback on the Draft Public Engagement Strategy (PES).
Questions & Comments
♦ Mayor Robertson and Councilmember Scott suggest having a professional service agency handle the public engagement.
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WS-23-787 – Water Subcommittee
request for information.
Utility division staff provided information requested by City Council:
4 Questions & Comments
♦ Water FIP Project Status List:
o Mayor Robertson requested a separate meeting to discuss the Water FIP Project Status List.
♦ Wastewater FIP Project Status List:
o It was decided that discussion on Wastewater FIP Project Status List would be included in
the next closed session
agenda.
♦ Soto Resources Projects and Funding Opportunity Spreadsheet:
o Received for review by Water Subcommittee.
♦ $5.7 million received by San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District (SBVMWD) from Urban Drought Relief:
o Mayor Robertson requested staff to reach out to SBVMWD to explore potential opportunities for our city's benefit or participation in the funding process.
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WS-23-784 – Third Amendment to
PSA with Dopudja Wells Consulting
Staff request the Water Subcommittee recommend the City Council/Rialto Utility Authority approve the Third Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Dopudja Wells Consulting for Additional Services for the As-Needed Support Activities, Water Supply Assessment, Rialto Habitat Nature Center, and IEUA Effluent Monetization.
Questions & Comments
♦ The Water Subcommittee recommends advancing this matter for approval by the City Council.
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WS-23-772 – First Amendment to
PSA with Enplanners
Staff request the Water Subcommittee recommend the City Council/Rialto Utility Authority approve the First Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Enplanners for Additional CEQA Services for the WIFIA Application and the Rialto Habitat Nature Center.
Questions & Comments
♦ The Water Subcommittee recommends advancing this matter for approval by the City Councill.
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UPCOMING MEETINGS/OTHER
DISCUSSION ITEMS
♦ None
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ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 12:05 p.m.
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