Rialto · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Rialto public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Proposed water store at 625 S. Riverside Avenue
A new water vending and refill business is proposed for a small existing lease space in a commercial zone on South Riverside Avenue. A public hearing tonight will let residents weigh in before the Commission decides whether to grant the conditional development permit.
Pacific Clinics conditional development permit denial
The commission is moving toward denying a mental health services clubhouse in a neighborhood commercial zone, saying it's too close to homes and the site is too small. The final denial resolution comes up October 21.
Truck yard near residential homes at Harupa and Willow
A 6.55-acre truck yard proposed across from homes at Jurupa and Willow Avenues didn't get heard because of a public notice error. It returns October 21, giving neighbors another chance to comment.
Adult mental health clubhouse relocation to North Riverside Avenue
The commission is moving toward denying a mental health services clubhouse in a neighborhood commercial zone, saying it's too close to homes and the site is too small. The final denial resolution comes up October 21.
Police Headquarters Cost Increase
The new police headquarters will cost $7.86 million more than planned, mostly for surprise utility, drainage, and culvert work plus a south parking lot on the old mortuary parcel. Council approved it, warning that delays would cost even more.
SBA Disaster Loans for December Storms
An SBA rep told the council that low-interest disaster loans are available for San Bernardino County residents and businesses hit by the December 16–26 storms — deadlines are April 6 for physical damage and November 9 for economic injury.
Youth civic engagement resolution request
The League of Women Voters asked the council to support a youth-led civic engagement committee to fight youth disillusionment with government and boost voter registration. The mayor voiced personal support.
Baseline storm drain project
The council hired CASC Engineering for three years of NPDES stormwater compliance work. Members flagged confusion about who inspects private-property storm drains and asked whether aging drains need upgrades — a storm drain master plan is budgeted for next year.
Sixth-cycle housing element approved by state
Rialto must plan for 8,272 housing units by 2029 under state law. The approved package overlays residential capacity on roughly 179 acres in two specific plan areas, with a 6,991-unit surplus buffer — meaning some commercial sites, including shopping centers and a Jack in the Box parcel, could eventually redevelop as housing.
Street and sidewalk repair funding
A resident said the street was destroyed by warehouse construction and asked whether it will be repaired; staff directed her to Public Works.
Kinder Morgan fuel pipeline terminus in Rialto
Mayor Pro Tem Scott reported on a ~$62 million prevailing-wage pipeline project ending in Rialto that could help ease California's gasoline supply crunch and lower prices.
Ambulance fleet replacement
The city is buying 13 mechanical CPR devices and 4 cardiac monitors so every frontline 911 unit runs the same equipment — better training and better cardiac arrest care.
Countywide ambulance service transition (Confire taking over from AMR)
On October 1 the county's fire agency takes over ambulance service in the largest such transition in the U.S. Rialto Fire has set up an incident management team and response plan to keep EMS coverage uninterrupted, and will bring back an interfacility transport agreement around January.
Valley Boulevard industrial rezoning
Three aging industrial-style buildings on East Valley Boulevard are stuck with a retail designation that doesn't fit, leading to vacancies. Rezoning to business park/industrial park could bring in auto services, machine shops and contractor businesses and create local jobs.
Willow and Valley Warehouse Project
Two industrial warehouse buildings are coming to a long-vacant corner at Valley Boulevard and Willow Avenue. Environmental advocates wanted a full EIR over wildlife concerns, but the council approved the project, citing the disturbed site and the Planning Commission's unanimous recommendation.
Federal immigration enforcement near Rialto schools
Three speakers described masked, unidentified agents detaining people near Rialto schools, causing attendance to drop. The mayor and police chief explained SB 54 bars local police from assisting federal immigration enforcement, and the department won't ask crime victims about immigration status.
Assembly Bill 179 impact fee implications
The city attorney warned that under new state law, if Rialto applies for state affordable housing funding, it must waive development impact fees or lose dollar-for-dollar state money — effective July 2027.
Fire Station 201 and 204 improvement projects
After cars crashed into Fire Station 201 — including one just last week — the city is building exterior safety protections. The council approved the $937,665 construction contract but held back a $188,965 construction-management change order, demanding competitive pricing from other on-call contractors.
Children's vendor stands and code enforcement fairness
A mother said a compliance officer shut down her kids' small cookie cart and asked the council to create reasonable guidelines distinguishing children's lemonade stands from commercial businesses.
Veterans' endowment fund proposal
Council Member Montoya pressed for a long-discussed endowment fund to pay for veterans' events like Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances; the council directed staff to bring a proposal back by the mid-year budget.
LLMD No. 2 Annexation for PPD 2024-001
A small commercial parcel south of Foothill Boulevard and east of Sycamore is being annexed into the landscaping and lighting district so the city can maintain its street lights and landscaping. The lone property owner supported it; no protests were filed.
$50,000 Water Conservation Grant and Rebate Programs
The regional water plan shows Rialto has five years of drought supply, but the Rialto-Colton basin is declining and doesn't recharge naturally. Recharge negotiations stalled for months but are restarting, with agreements hoped for by year's end — or the council may act to protect the city's water rights.
Police recognition and COPS TV filming
Two officers were honored for saving a choking toddler, the police headquarters earned gold-level green building status, and the COPS television program will film Rialto PD this fall for its 40th-anniversary season.
Labor side letters restore 4/10 workweek
New two-year compensation deals were adopted for the Rialto City Employees' Association and Teamsters mid-management unit, along with an updated citywide pay plan.
Delinquent refuse liens
After a public hearing, the council approved filing liens against properties with unpaid trash bills from late 2025 with the county recorder.
Fire department radio contract
The city locked in a five-year deal with the county for fire radios and dispatch — there's no alternative provider, since the county owns the system.
Fire Station 1 vehicle strikes and rebuilding
More than seven cars have crashed into Fire Station 1, and Mayor Baca wants the council to start planning to rebuild or relocate it. Council Member Montoya noted insurance money has been in hand for years while firefighters remain in portable buildings.
Police drone technology shared with Fire Department
Police Chief Mark Kling showed the council live drone footage with heat signatures from a recent fire, and Fire Chief Chris Jensen explained how it helps crews know what they're rolling into. Rialto is positioning itself as a regional leader in public safety tech.
Cybersecurity and Network Infrastructure Replacement
The city's core network equipment is at end-of-life and losing security updates, exposing the city to cyberattacks. The council bought new switches and firewalls to build layered defenses.
Juneteenth Jam 2026 and future city funding
Juneteenth Jam drew 10,000 people and gave out scholarships and books, but organizer Vickie Davis says the event has outgrown its resources and outgrown Ferguson Park. She and a long line of supporters asked the council to treat it as an investment in the community, not just an annual event.
Omnitrans service and future bus rapid transit corridors
Rialto logged over 470,000 transit boardings last year, and students ride free. Omnitrans is studying bus rapid transit corridors on Foothill, San Bernardino Ave, and Riverside Ave, with a report to the council expected by year's end.
Recognition of life-saving 911 response
Mayor Pro Tem Scott and Council Member Montoya will honor the dispatchers, officers, and paramedics who saved a choking three-year-old on August 5 — and they want the mother and child there too.
Records management system renewal
A $330,964 five-year renewal of the city's records software, covering resolutions, ordinances, minutes, and permits. A resident asked that the public be told what updates change.
Setback variance precedent at Baseline/Riverside intersection
The car wash building will sit just 5.75 feet from Baseline Road instead of the required 50 feet. Staff noted all four corners of the intersection have received similar variances, keeping the shopping center's layout intact.
Hydrofluoric acid use in automated car washes
A commissioner flagged hydrofluoric acid — a dangerous chemical once common in touchless car washes — and urged the city to consider banning it locally, noting federal agencies are working to restrict it.
QuickQuack car wash at Baseline Road and Riverside Avenue
A new automated car wash is coming to the old Bank of America site in the North Rialto shopping center. It brings jobs and a service residents use, but required a big setback exception and raises questions about traffic and water use.
Jail Staffing Contract
A new state rule requires a female jailer on duty at all times, so the city is adding jailers through a five-year, $4.1 million Allied Universal contract to keep officers in the field instead of booking prisoners.
MS-4 Water Permit and Settlement Offer
The mayor spoke against a regional water-quality permit that could cost Rialto $537 million over 20 years; a resident asked for public transparency on a related settlement offer and violations.
Citywide Public Safety Cameras
The police department is buying 30 new body cameras and 20 car cameras for $1.25 million, expanding the program Rialto pioneered nationally.
Billboard Easement Sale
The city sold easements under four digital billboards on city-owned parcels for about $3.8 million, keeping its free ad benefits but giving up a long-term income stream from the leases.
Homeless Services Funding
The council renewed the SWAG homeless outreach contract at roughly $814,000 a year, crediting it with cutting the counted homeless population from 156 to 44. Some residents questioned the cost per person.
Campaign Contribution Limits
Rialto adopted its own campaign finance rules, keeping the $5,900 limit but creating an annual contribution cycle. Critics said the public had no chance to weigh in before an election.
Fairfield by Marriott hotel at Alder and Renaissance Parkway
A vacant 2.6-acre corner near the freeway will get a four-story, 95-room hotel. It should bring jobs and visitors and replace empty land with landscaped improvements.
Grocery and retail recruitment for northern Rialto
Commissioners discussed efforts to land a Stater Bros., Ralph's or Sam's Club for the shopping center near Terra Vista in Fontana's sphere, with Commissioner Gutierrez long advocating for a market up north.
Fireworks Enforcement Team
Police will field a dedicated sergeant and four officers against illegal fireworks from June 14 through July 5, including undercover buys against Facebook Marketplace sellers.
Cactus Trail solar lighting
Ninety-nine solar lights will be installed along the 1.5-mile Cactus Trail between Rialto Avenue and Baseline Road, making evening walks and rides safer. The county is helping fund it, and two local residents originally pitched the idea.
FY 2026-27 City Budget Adoption
The council set the budget adoption hearing for June 23 instead of June 9 after Mayor Pro Tem Scott said the council needed more time to scrutinize the budget binders. Residents can weigh in at the June 23 hearing.
Rialto-Colton Groundwater Basin Decline
The regional water plan shows Rialto has five years of drought supply, but the Rialto-Colton basin is declining and doesn't recharge naturally. Recharge negotiations stalled for months but are restarting, with agreements hoped for by year's end — or the council may act to protect the city's water rights.
Replacing Contract Workers with City Employees
Mayor Pro Tem Scott has pushed for years to bring plan checking and inspections in-house, arguing contractors deliver slower, lower-quality work. The council capped contract services at half their budget and required a December report on hiring progress.
Public Works Director Authority Ordinance
A new ordinance would give the Public Works Director the same legal authority as the City Engineer for things like project approvals and truck routes, speeding up city operations. It passed first reading and needs a second vote to take effect.