Thursday, May 29, 2025
City of Rialto
Council Chambers
150 S. Palm Ave.
Rialto, CA 92376
Rialto City Hall, Council Chambers, 150 S. Palm Ave. Rialto CA 92376 Economic Development Committee
Regular Meeting - Final
REGULAR MEETING - 10:00 A.M.
1 May 29, 2025Economic Development Committee Regular Meeting - Final
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any person wishing to address the Economic Development Committee on any items on the agenda, or any other matter, is invited to do so at this time. At the Committee ’s discretion, matters brought before the Committee that are not on the agenda may be referred to staff. (Government Code Section 54954.3(a).)
REVIEW/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
EDC-25-0339 Minutes from the April 24, 2025 Economic Development Committee meeting
EDC Minutes 04-24-25Attachments:
PRESENTATIONS
None.
REPORTS/DISCUSSION ITEMS
EDC-25-0343 Update and Preparation for Local Adoption of State-Mandated Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps
Attachment 1 - PowerPoint Presentation
Attachment 2 - Fire Hazard Severity Zone Comparison
Attachments:
UPCOMING MEETING/FUTURE DISCUSSION ITEMS
ADJOURNMENT
2 City of Rialto
Legislation Text
File #: EDC-25-0339, Version: 1, Agenda #:
Minutes from the April 24, 2025 Economic Development Committee meeting City of Rialto Printed on 5/22/2025Page 1 of 1
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3 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Call to Order/Roll Call 1:00 PM
EDC MEMBERS PRESENT
Mayor Joe Baca
Mayor Pro Tem Ed Scott
CITY/AGENCY STAFF PRESENT
Tanya Williams, City Manager
Christy Lopez, Deputy City Attorney
Paul Gonzales, Community Development Manager
Paul Guerrero, Economic Development Manager
Jay Garcia, Chief Building Official
Vicente Giron, Engineering Manager
Matt Bennett, City Engineer
Amparo Corona, Principal Budget & Financial Analyst
Daniel Casey, Principal Planner
Sandra Robles, Senior Planner
Veronica Ortiz, Senior Permit Technician
Kim Dame, Administrative Analyst
Heidy Gonzalez, Administrative Assistant
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
REVIEW/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes from the October 23, 2024, EDC meeting – Approved Minutes from the January 30, 2025, EDC meeting – Approved Minutes from the March 4, 2025, EDC meeting – Approved
Minutes from the March 27, 2025, EDC meeting - Approved
4 REPORTS/DISCUSSION ITEMS
EDC-25-0246
New Enterprise Permitting and Licensing System – Rialto’s Online Permit Center
Presented by Jay Garcia
Committee Comments/Questions/Recommendations:
Jay Garcia introduced the new program – the Enterprise Permitting and Licensing System. The portal is expected to launch June 2 nd, 2025. This portal is expected to streamline the process of permit issuance and business licenses. Mr. Garcia went over some of the features the portal will have, discussed the timeline, and showed a video that will also be available for customers to get acquainted with the new system. Mr. Garcia advised that the consultant would be present the first week the system goes live in case there are any issues that need to be resolved.
Mayor Baca suggested the informational video be broadcasted on the City’s cable channel.
EDC-25-0298
Update regarding the South Rialto Mixed Use Development Project by Costanzo Investments
Introduced by Daniel Casey
Committee Comments/Questions/Recommendations:
Daniel Casey provided an overview of the proposal for the project and the work status.
Chris Costanzo from Costanzo Investments provide d staff with a detailed run down on the history of the project from conception until the most recent years. It has been a lengthy project partially due to working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agenc y regarding the Delhi Sands Fly in the area.
Mr. Costanzo advised that aside from working around the Delhi Sands Fly, the location is a great site for retail ers – Northgate, Pollo Campero; all the tenants are still fully committed to opening their businesses at this location.
Mayor Pro Tem Scott asked who will maintain the habitat and if the area would be fenced in. Mr. Costanzo advised that his company will work together with the Rivers and Land Conservancy to maintain the enclosed habitat.
5 Mayor Baca brought up an area for improvement – San Bernardino Avenue; specifically, the lack of traffic lights, and expressed his interest in seeing this addressed by this project.
Mr. Costanzo informed staff that it is not within the budget to be able to address this issue.
Furthermore, it was previously never brought up as a requirement.
Mr. Costanzo explained the next steps for the project , provided a timeline for projected completion, and g ave his thanks to City staff for working with Costanzo Investments throughout these years.
EDC-25-0227
Request the Economic Development Committee to Provide Feedback and Recommend Approval of the Safety Action Plan to the City Council.
Presented by Matt Bennett
Committee Comments/Questions/Recommendations:
Matt Bennett informed the Committee that City Council accepted the Safe Streets Grant in May of 2023. The purpose of the safety action plan is to improve road safety. The plan identified high risk roadway segments and intersections and created a priority list of where to focus efforts.
A representative from Kimley-Horn presented the comprehensive data-driven report that was conducted for the safety action plan. He advised that the data was collected over the last 5 years (2018-2023) and explained how corrective action s should be implemented based on the data that was collected.
Mayor Baca inquired if the safety plan include d areas that surround the City’s school districts; he commented that the congestion when schools get out for the day increases significantly. The Kimley-Horn representative informed the Committee that the data would have to be reviewed as to when exactly these occurrences are happenin g, but overall, there isn’t a specific action plan within the safety action plan to address the congestion at schools.
Mayor Pro Tem Scott pointed out that the intersection of Cedar Avenue and Merrill Avenue has the highest number of collisions and fatalities. He ask ed Vincente Giron for a status update regarding a left turn signal. The Kimley -Horn rep responded that h e believed it was scheduled for construction soon. Mr. Bennett expressed that he wasn’t quite certain what project the left turn signal belonged to. Amparo Corona advised that the construction award for the project has been granted.
6 Mayor Pro Tem Scott requested the report to be shared with all council members. He would like at least one City Council member present when there are discussions regarding the safety action plan moving forward.
Mayor Pro Tem Scott recommended incorporating flashing stop signs on Acacia and Rialto Avenue. The Kimley-Horn rep advised that his team would have to review the site specific countermeasure improvements.
The rep from Kimley -Horn shared the next steps for the safety action plan. Mr. Bennett confirmed that the final safety action plan would be reviewed by all Councilmembers. Ms.
Corona mentioned that one of the goals of the action plan is to enable the City to become eligible to apply for further grants, such as the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant. The grant would be five billion dollars over the next five fiscal years – the City can apply for up to five million dollars.
EDC-25-0301
Downtown Complete Streets Initiative
Presented by Sandra Robles
Committee Comments/Questions/Recommendations:
Sandra Robles provided background on the REAP 2.0 grant. Originally SCAG partnered with the County and six regional county transportation commissions to develop the program. The City of Rial to applied for the grant in 2023 and was awarded some of the monies. Ms. Robles informed Committee members that the Rialto Downtown Vision from 2010 was revisited to formulate some options. Ms. Robles discussed the five options - sidewalk widening and angled parking, improve accessibility between Riverside Ave and the Metrolink Parking Station, install distinctive wayfinding signage, develop a pedestrian paseo, or extend the Pacific Electric trail.
Mayor Baca commented that he would like to see a concept to revitalize downtown, along with improving/increasing housing; Mayor Pro Tem Scott agreed. Mayor Baca pointed out that the light poles downtown don’t match, and perhaps a project to update those would be a possibility as well. The wayfinding signage (Option 3) was preferred.
Ms. Robles discusse d the next steps. Mayor Pro Tem Scott suggest ed that this item should go to City Council as a next step.
Upcoming Meetings/Other Discussion Items:
The next EDC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 29, 2025.
7 ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 3:03 p.m.
8 City of Rialto
Legislation Text
File #: EDC-25-0343, Version: 1, Agenda #:
For Economic Development Committee May 29, 2025
TO: Honorable Economic Development Committee Members
APPROVAL: Brian Park, Fire Chief
FROM: Chris Jensen, Fire Marshal
Update and Preparation for Local Adoption of State-Mandated Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps
DISCUSSION
The California State Fire Marshal’s Office has initiated the rollout of updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps across the state. These updates are required under California Government Code § 51179 and Public Resources Code § 4202, and mandate that all local agencies adopt the updated maps within 120 days of release. The updated maps for San Bernardino County, including the City of Rialto, were released on March 24, 2025, which sets the local adoption deadline at July 22, 2025.
A public hearing is required as part of the local ordinance adoption process, pursuant to Government Code § 65090. The updated FHSZ maps are designed to increase fire resiliency in areas prone to wildfire risk and to guide future development in compliance with California Building Code Chapter 7A, which outlines construction standards for buildings in the Very High and High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
KEY POINTS
· Adoption of updated maps required by July 22, 2025.
· Impacts are not retroactive to existing developments (e.g., Lennar homes). · The updates are anticipated to expand High and Very High Fire Hazard zones, particularly in northern incorporated areas and in future development near the Lytle Creek Specific Plan. · California Building Standards Code (Title 24, Part 2, Chapter 7A) applies to new construction in VHFHSZs and HFHSZs.
· Insurance impacts are unrelated to the map updates; maps support mitigation standards that may improve insurability long-term.
City of Rialto Printed on 5/22/2025Page 1 of 2
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9 File #: EDC-25-0343, Version: 1, Agenda #:
· Proactive outreach and a strategic communications plan will be necessary to manage anticipated public concern.
TIMELINE& NEXT STEPS
Milestone Target Date
State Fire Marshal Map Release March 24, 2025
Draft Map Review and Analysis Begins March 24 - April 2025 Public Outreach Strategy Finalized April 2025
Economic Development Committee Update May 29, 2029
Public Hearing & Council Adoption By July 22, 2025
RECOMMENDATION
1. Receive and file the update.
2. Direct staff to continue coordination with the State Fire Marshal and planning staff.
3. Recommend support for a public outreach and education strategy.
4. Prepare to schedule a public hearing and ordinance adoption by July 22, 2025.
ATTACHMENTS
1. PowerPoint Presentation
2. Fire Hazard Severity Zone Comparison
City of Rialto Printed on 5/22/2025Page 2 of 2
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10 City of Rialto
Fire Hazard
Severity Zones
11 City of Rialto
Fire Hazard
Severity Zones
Background of Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps
▪ Developed by CalFire and first introduced in 1992 following the 1991 Oakland fire storm
▪ Classifies areas as moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones
▪ Maps were based on vegetation types, topography, fire history, and weather patterns
Purpose of the Maps
▪ Guide local governments in land-use and emergency planning ▪ Required fire prevention programs such as defensible space, fuel modification plans, and construction requirements
12 City of Rialto
Fire Hazard
Severity Zones
What do the Maps Measure
▪ Fire hazard severity maps evaluate “HAZARD,” not “RISK” ▪ Hazard is based on the physical conditions that create a likelihood and expected fire behavior over a 30 to 50-year period without considering mitigation measures such as home hardening, recent wildfires, fuel reduction efforts.
▪ Risk is the potential damage a fire can do to the area under existing conditions, accounting for any modifications such as fuel reduction projects, defensible space, and ignition resistant building construction.
What new Data is Included in the New Model
▪ Local climate data covering the years 2003-2018
▪ Ember transport (casting) is being modeled based on local distributions of observed wind speed and direction values 13 City of Rialto
Fire Hazard
Severity Zones
Adoption Process Overview
▪ Local maps for Rialto were released on March 24, 2025 ▪ The public review period must be a minimum of 30-days. Rialto made the maps available through social media and the Fire Department website on April 10, 2025, and will continue to solicit questions and concerns from the public.
▪ Local adoption by Ordinance (AB-211) must occur within 120- days of the maps being released which sunsets on July 22, 2025 California Government Code 51175 - 51189
▪ Mandates adoption of the maps
▪ Similarly to the California Fire Code adoption process the City cannot lower the determined fire hazard severity zone but may consider raising it with determined facts & findings
14 City of Rialto
Fire Hazard
Severity Zones
15 City of Rialto
Fire Hazard
Severity Zones
Fire Hazard Severity Zones
16 City of Rialto
Fire Hazard
Severity Zones
Fire Hazard Severity Zone Comparison
2007 Maps 2025 Maps
Moderate High Very High Total
Acreage
17 City of Rialto
Fire Hazard
Severity Zones
Fire Hazard Severity Zone Key Points
▪ Adoption of maps required by July 22, 2025
▪ Impacts are not retroactive to existing permitted development ▪ The map updates removed the very high fire hazard severity zone from the City of Rialto, However, expanded the high & moderate fire hazard severity zones
▪ California Building Standards Code (Title 24, Part 2, Chapter 7A) applies to new construction in the very high and high fire hazard severity zones but does not apply to the moderate fire hazard severity zone
▪ AB 38 inspections and hazard disclosure required at time of real estate sale in the very high and high fire hazard zones ▪ Insurance impacts are unrelated to map updates however, support mitigation standards that may improve insurability long- term
18 City of Rialto
Fire Hazard
Severity Zones
Fire Hazard Severity Zone Recommendation
✓ Receive and file the update
✓ Continue coordination with the California State Fire
Marshals office and Planning staff regarding the FHSZ’s ✓ Recommend support for continued public outreach &
education
✓ Prepare to schedule the public hearing and Ordinance
adoption by July 22, 2025
✓ Continue to monitor legislative impacts on Rialto
development based on the fire hazard severity zone
requirements
19 City of Rialto
Fire Hazard
Severity Zones
Fire Hazard Severity Zone Questions or Concerns
Chris Jensen
Division Chief/Fire Marshal
Rialto Fire Department
Phone (909) 820-2504
Mobile (909) 800-0770
131 S. Willow Ave
Rialto, CA 92376
20 21