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
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 2nd, 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 provided 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 agency 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 retailers – 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.
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 gave 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 actions should be implemented based on the data that was collected.
Mayor Baca inquired if the safety plan included 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 happening, 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 asked Vincente Giron for a status update regarding a left turn signal. The Kimley-Horn rep responded that he 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.
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 Rialto 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 discussed the next steps. Mayor Pro Tem Scott suggested 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.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 3:03 p.m.