CITY OF RIALTO
CDBG AD HOC COMMITTEE MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2025
IN PERSON MEETING
150 S. PALM AVE., RIALTO CA, 92376
a. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm by Mayor Baca.
b. ROLL CALL:
ROLL CALL/COMMISSIONERS PRESENT ABSENT PRESENT TO
DATE
Mayor Joe Baca X
Council Member Karla Perez X
Tanya Williams – City Staff X
Cynthia Alvarado – City Staff X
Toyasha Sabbag – City Staff X
Ana Lenou – AGI X
Cindy Hernandez – AGI X
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mrs. Cynthia Alvarado added a Subsequent Need item to the agenda – CDBG-CV Discussion – which passed unanimously.
CDBG-CV – Mayor Baca wants to add an inclusive playground to our funding. Like Rancho Cucamonga. Do a study to look at cost and a prospective date for it to be available. c. Presentations
25-0191 CDBG Overview and Program Objectives
• Mrs. Ana Lenou provided an overview of the presentation. All funds will be new, with no carryover expected. The exact funding amount is unknown until an agreement with HUD is finalized. Reimbursements can occur between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. • Mayor Baca emphasized the need for better public outreach to raise awareness. • Mayor Baca inquired whether repairing or replacing part of the senior center roof is eligible for funding.
• Mayor Baca requested a report on the number of applicants receiving funding over the past five years.
d. Reports/Discussion Items
1. 25-0192 CDBG FY 2025-2026 Applicant Program Presentations
A. Inland Fair Housing
Presenter: Arrived late and Carmen Garcia presented at 7:14 pm.
B. Sensory Room
Presenter: Sean Pickel, Daycare Site Supervisor, Child Development Division.
C. Senior Mobile Recreation
Presenter: Sheree Lewis, Recreation Program Services at Senior Center.
• Mayor Baca asked if staff has identified the need for Senior Mobile Recreation programs at each senior living facility expressing interest. o Mrs. Lewis responded that they have reached out to Rialto senior living facilities and all show interest in the Senior Mobile Recreation Program.
D. Teen Center
Presenter: Crystal Quintero Recreation Programmer.
• Council Member Perez asked if there will be requirements on who is eligible? o Mrs. Quintero responded that yes, participants must meet low income CDBG requirements.
E. Empower Rialto
Presenter: Paul Ramirez, Executive Director of Legal Aid in San Bernardino.
• Mayor Baca asked what days/times the services are provided. o Mr. Ramirez responded that they have open hours on the 1 st and 3rd Tuesdays.
o Mrs. Alvarado also responded that the hours are posed at the Sr. Center. But will also post it at City Hall, have it added to the city website, and update the flyer in the Rialto Progress Magazine.
o Mr. Ramirez added that they have done presentations to Rialto Community Groups to help renters and those with student loans.
• Mayor Baca requested staff to follow up on how many of the 1,012 Rialto residents served received assistance in person versus by phone. Additionally, he asked for a weekly social media ad about Empower Rialto’s presence in Rialto and for an ad about Empower Rialto’s availability to be placed in the local paper.
F. NCNW Bethune Center
Presenter: Barbara Williams, Program Director. Amy Malon, President.
• Mayor Baca asked where their facility will be located. o Mrs. Barbara Williams responded that they are considering renewing the contract at Rialto’s Senior Center but are also exploring other location options.
G. Impactful Emotional Teaching Boxing
Presenter: Darious Harris, President and Tameka Grayson, Chief Operating Officer.
• Mayor Baca inquired about the age group of the participates. o Mr. Harris responded that the kids range in age from 8 to 17 years old.
H. Veterans Programs
Presenter: Estevan Bennett.
• Mayor Baca concerned that he stopped by the Veterans Program location twice and no one was there.
o Mr. Bennett explained that their operating hours are Monday – Thursday, 10 AM to 2 PM.
I. Cedar House Outreach Services
Presenter: Alicia Hughes, Marketing Manager and Jake Strommen, Marketing & Outreach Coordinator.
• Council Member Perez asked if they are currently providing services to Rialto residents.
o Mrs. Hughes responded that a good number are Rialto residents because they take Social Security. And that they offer training classes on the use of Naloxone.
J. Mobile Food Distribution
Presenter: Mike Story, Executive Director.
K. Business Signage and Façade Improvement
Presenter: Paul Guerrero, Economic Development Manager.
L. Annual Curb, Gutter, Sidewalks
Presenter: Amparo Corona, Principal Budget and Financial Analyst.
M. Community Center 500
Presenter: Amparo Corona, Principal Budget and Financial Analyst.
N. Mobile Home Rehabilitation
Presenter: Kim Dame, Administrative Analyst.
O. Boost
Presenter: Mélanie Faure, Community Impact Manager.
2. 25-0193 Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Subrecipient Application Review & Recommendations A. Recommendation for Applicants
Questions asked by Committee?
• Staff Recommendation is to delay funding recommendations until the funding allocation is known. Mayor Baca agreed and suggested keeping the door open for other applications. • Mayor Baca asked about reopening Notice of Funding Availability. Staff explained that if reopened, it must be done quickly with a 30-day comment period. • Mrs. Lenou explained that the funding allocation should be known by May 15th. Federal resolution votes may delay budget approval, but once the House and Senate approve the budget, HUD funding amount will be confirmed.
• Council Member Perez’s feedback to staff is to hold off on any recommendations at this time.
NEW ITEM: CDBG-CV Discussion. Mrs. Alvarado provided an update on the CDBG-CV Ad-Hoc Committee's direction and sought guidance from the committee on how to proceed with the CDBG-CV funding, given the tight expenditure deadlines
• Mayor Baca expressed that there is no urgency to spend the funds immediately as the deadline to use the funds is December 2026. He suggested revisiting recommendations at a later time. Mayor Baca highlighted the possibility of using funds for inclusive playgrounds, shade structures, soccer fields, or batting cages at parks. He also recommended funding specific organizations, such as the food distribution center, and proposed reallocating funds from the Veterans Program kits to other uses.
• Council Member Perez requested revisiting the applications to ensure funds are allocated thoughtfully, particularly for future COVID preparedness. • Mrs. Lenou updated the committee on grants provided to businesses for outdoor seating, which can only be used for construction within property limits, not for program operations. • Mayor Baca suggested infrastructure for Wi-Fi at parks. Mrs. Lenou noted that the city’s infrastructure costs are covered under CDBG-CV, but monthly fees will require a separate funding source. A cost analysis will be presented.
• Council Member Perez requested the most recent updates on park restroom conditions and sanitation measures to prevent the spread of disease.
• Mayor Baca advocated for improvements to the city’s parks. • City Manager Williams outlined that the items for CDBG-CV funds will not go forward. Instead, she will schedule a follow-up CDBG-CV meeting to discuss effective use of the funding, including potential projects and exploring funding from sources other than the General Fund.
3. ADJOURNMENT
With no other business to attend Mayor Baca adjourned the meeting at 7:33 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
__________________________________
Cynthia Alvarado-Crawford, Director
Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services