05 Dec 2012
by rialto-now
in Bad Commerce, Budget, Ca, Cancer, City of Rialto, Currupt, Inland Empire, June Hayes, Megan Matson, Mike Story, mmatson@t-rockcap.com, Rialto, Sheet Metal Workers Union, Sonia Axter, SOSRialtoWater@gmail.com, Table Rock Capital, Ullico, Uncategorized, wwwstoprialtowaterratehikes.com
Tags: climate, environment, transportation, water
Rialto Water Services selects Veolia Water
to upgrade and operate City of Rialto’s water, wastewater services
Partnership will focus on updating City’s infrastructure and adding efficiencies
RIALTO, Calif., December 3, 2012 – Rialto Water Services has selected Veolia Water West Operating Services (Veolia) to improve, operate and maintain the City’s water and wastewater services.
Under a public-private concession agreement signed between the City and RWS in March of 2012, RWS will manage the Veolia contract and oversee a $41 million capital improvements program improving the cost efficiency, compliance, water quality, and reliability of the City’s wastewater and water systems for the 30-year life of the concession. The capital improvements program produces 445 construction jobs, and all affected City employees have accepted jobs at Veolia.
The RWS concession refinances the City’s aging water and wastewater systems, and provides the capital necessary to fix and replace water and sewer lines, develop necessary new infrastructure and seismic upgrades, improve cost efficiencies, and provide lease payments back to the City supporting additional economic development and jobs locally. Rialto retains full ownership of the water and wastewater systems, control and ownership of the water supply and water rights, and transparent public authority over all rate setting.
For RWS, Veolia was a natural choice as Operator, considering Veolia’s 40-year history in California and 9 years providing environmental services and employment to Rialto residents as operator of the City’s wastewater plant and collection system.
Neighboring West Valley Water District will take an expanded leadership role on the City’s water supply side, heading up the perchlorate remediation to ensure the continued safety of the water supply, and expansion of the City’s water capacity. West Valley will continue to serve the balance of Rialto’s residents, and to innovate with the City on the 2013 debut of the nation’s first bioremediation plant approved for drinking water.
“The RWS partnership ensures that the City’s water and wastewater infrastructure is upgraded and run in the most cost-efficient manner, while also laying the groundwork for new economic development,” says City Administrator Mike Story. “We’ve worked with Veolia for years in the community, and with West Valley on water supply and treatment, and this arrangement allows for both continuity and improvement in the water resource and wastewater service, and assures us that the total commitment to the residents of the City of Rialto is met.”
Under the contract, Veolia Water will operate and manage (O&M) a sewer collection system consisting of more than 260 miles of pipeline, six lift stations, and a wastewater treatment plant currently operating at approximately eight million gallons per day. Veolia Water will also provide O&M services for the City’s water system, with a total user population estimated to be approximately 50,000. The water system includes five water reservoirs, distribution, eight groundwater wells, and related pumping infrastructure.
“We’ve worked with Rialto for almost 10 years and have established a relationship of trust that supports the community’s economic vitality,” said Laurent Auguste, president and CEO, Veolia Water Americas. “Rialto is taking the right step in restoring and improving its infrastructure, and we’re excited for the opportunity to help them through our new and expanded role.”
The financial backing and structuring of Rialto’s groundbreaking public-private concession was provided by San Francisco-based Table Rock Capital, led by Peter Luchetti. RWS is jointly owned with an affiliate of the labor-owned financial services company, Ullico Inc.
“With the loss of redevelopment financing, creative partnerships such as these are increasingly critical to communities who want to restore infrastructure, gain efficiencies, and get a competitive edge when it comes to creating jobs and economic growth,” said Luchetti.
Story praised all of the partners in the deal: “Table Rock has worked hard to back and structure this and get it right for Rialto, and we’re glad to see Veolia stepping in to take a supportive, expanded role in our community. Then the expertise West Valley brings to the City to manage the perchlorate remediation and ensure our water quality and supply is invaluable.”
###
Contact:
Steve Lambert, The 20/20 Network for Veolia/RWS, 909.841.7527, steve@the2020network.com
Mike Story, City of Rialto, 909.820.2525, mstory@rialtoca.gov
Megan Matson, Table Rock Capital, 415.497.2320, mmatson@t-rockcap.com
Sonia Axter, Ullico, 917.293.6754, saxter@ullico.com
25 Nov 2012
by rialto-now
in Andy Carrizales, Beatriz E. Valenzuela, Budget, Burglury, Ca, Centurion Security Patrol, Chief Mat Fratus, City of Rialto, Coffee Nutz, Crime, Currupt, Deborah Robertson, Ed palmer, Ed Scott, Edward J. Carrillo, Family, Family Sports, Flores Park, Fun, Grace Vargas, http://www.guardianwatch.com/, Inland Empire, Joe Baca Jr, Josef (Joe) Britt, June Hayes, Layoffs, Lazy, Mike Story, Nieghborhood Watch, Poor, Protest, Public Safety, Rafael Trujillo, Rialto, Rialto Fire, Rialto Police Department, Rialto Rotary, Run Watcha Brung, Sarmad (Sam) Syed, SCAT, Shawn O'Connell, SWAT, Taxes, Twitter @IEBeatriz., youth
25 Nov 2012
by rialto-now
in Bad Commerce, Budget, Ca, City of Rialto, Crime, Currupt, Deborah Robertson, Ed palmer, Ed Scott, Flores Park, Inland Empire, Joe Baca Jr, Mike Story, Nieghborhood Watch, Protest, Public Safety, Rialto, Rialto Fire, Rialto Police Department, SCAT, SWAT, Taxes, Twitter @IEBeatriz., Uncategorized, youth
This week I David Phillips learned another hard but valuable lesson.
I had a long conversation with Mrs. Deborah Robertson about her intentions with our police department. She did state that her only intention was pension reform but she never said at the cost of 22% of the cities budget. Yes she is holding her Vote on the Special Election Hostage over the Police officers paying their full 9% pension costs. Her statement to me was my goals while in office havent changed since my campaign.
She has this power for many reasons:
- The biggest reason she has this power is the council took the entire month of October off for the election. Knowing full well the decision on the special election must be made before December 1st to make the deadline for the special election in March (Utility Users Tax sunsets in June 2013). This gives Deborah the leverage necessary to squeeze the Police for what she wants now.
- The tax Measure “V” that just died over the cities inability to be straight and honest with the community.
- Talk of the PERS tax being re-instated.
- That the last 2 chiefs have rebuilt the police into something we can be proud of and staffed the department with people that will bend to a TYRANT forcing her will upon the electorate to see the awesome programs and resources not be lost at the cost of severe arm twisting. FYI the police have taken concessions for the last 4 years with no end in sight.
So whats the solution?
First its supporting the Utility Users Tax at 8%. All council members stated they dont support raising it beyond that point at the workshop last Tuesday.
Second email, call and text Deborah Robertson and tell her what you think of her hard line stance and what it does for her ability to show she wants to work with the council and the community rather than fight us and try to rule with an IRON FIST.
Deborah Robertson
Email: robertsonformayor2012@gmail.com, robertsond@rialtoca.gov,
Phone: Office- (909) 820-2525 Fax- (909) 873-2921 Cell- (909) 644-8520
Third be at the council meeting on Tuesday November 27th and voice your concerns over the possibility that she will vote no on allowing the community to vote on the future of our city and our police.
Fell free to jin us on the Rialto Now Facebook Page or the Rialto Residents for Rialto PD group at the following link:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/309058217201/
Below is a message put out last night
****Urgent Action Required***
Deborah Robertson is holding the communities ability to decide on the need of the Utility Users Tax hostage. She has made a strong ultimatum to the cities most important barging unit. Pay you full 9% pensions or I vote no one the Utility Users Tax Special Election. We must show our support for these men and women to have enough time to discuss this impact on their families. The vote on the Special Election must be unanimous one no vote and it doesn’t happen. Plus because council went dark in October this is it. If the vote doesn’t happen in November the special election wont happen prior to the tax unset in June.
We need a mass showing of resident support for these vital men and women. Make signs and show up.
17 Nov 2012
by rialto-now
in Bad Commerce, Budget, Ca, City of Rialto, Deborah Robertson, Ed palmer, Ed Scott, Family, Flores Park, Grace Vargas, Inland Empire, Joe Baca Jr, Layoffs, Mike Story, Public Safety, Rialto, Rialto Fire, Rialto Police Department, Uncategorized, youth
Tags: economy, government, politics
Hello Rialto Now readers there is a workshop we need to attend our very TAX DOLLARS depend on it.
merchantcircle.com
Five Years ago the city put a Utility Users Tax on the Ballot it was sold as a way to pay for Police and Fire supplies, services and Equipment we thought exclusively. Now looking back it was thrown into the general fund and used a revenue source to keep the city afloat. I am very proud of you Rialto residents for showing the city council that lies and using the fact that we like our fire and police services as tax hostages with measure “V”. Sadly though because we told them with our vote on measure “V” to be honest with us and stop lying they are floating the idea of raising the Utility Users Tax.
Now the Utility Users Tax expires in June 2013. City Council is holding this workshop to get your opinions as well as hopefully show what services will need to be cut and personnel we will lose if its not extended. Another reason to hold the workshop is to float increasing the rate to as much as 15% up from 8%. At 8% they bring in just over $11 million they were banking on measure “V” bringing in about $5 million the amount we are short year to year.
What happens from here:
- Workshop to get the cities temp on an increase or leaving it the same, showing the cuts that will be made if the tax isn’t extended and talk of impending bankruptcy if it fails.
- The results will be tabulated together and city staff will make a recommendation to the council on a direction to proceed at the November 27th council meeting. Be advised this council meeting is just as important as the workshop, why? Because the decision to reinstate the tax and put the issue on a special election ballot in March must be made in November. If the decision isn’t made in November and unanimous the tax will end and the city will be scrambling to find ways to pay its obligations.
I hate taxes more than life itself, we never seem to get real representation in our government and the unions have the elected officials ears so we are unheard. We also pay the highest taxes across the board here in California and these taxes crush the hard working middle class as well as chase away the wealthy job creators to other more business friendly states.
With that being said I will vote for the extension of the Utility Users Tax but only at 8% and only if the city doesn’t lie to get the tax passed just tell us what you need!!!!!!!!
Finally please contact Mr. Joe Baca Jr. and let him know it’s important that he does his job as a Rialto City Council Member and attend Tuesday’s workshop. He ran for this office now he must take time out of his schedule to work through this issue together.
Below is the information on the workshop:
Utility Users Tax Workshop
The City of Rialto is conducting a Public Workshop to receive updated information regarding the Utility Users Tax. The Workshop will take place at 6:00 pm on November 20th at the Civic Center 150 So. Palm Ave.
http://www.ci.rialto.ca.us/gov_5913.php
14 Nov 2012
by rialto-now
in Andy Carrizales, Bad Commerce, Budget, Burglury, Ca, City of Rialto, Crime, Currupt, Ed palmer, Ed Scott, Family, Grace Vargas, In & Out, Inland Empire, Mike Story, Rialto, Rialto Police Department, Small Business, Target, Twitter @IEBeatriz., Uncategorized, youth
Last night we covered the massive tax grab that is before Rialto voters this next year (2013).
Well let’s ease your fears not everything I saw last night before leaving at 8pm was bad. They are moving along with some great projects that will bring commerce to the city of Rialto.
We saw the intern class of 2012 and it looked like a good group of educated young men and women looking to make their mark on city government. The program’s goal is to increase young people desire to enter working for a city.
City Staff Introduced the Intern Class of 2012
First off they are helping Target move forward smoothly on the construction of its massive cold storage facility they are building on Alder and Easton up by the 210 freeway. This cold storage facility will handle all distribution of all cold storage items for the entire west coast. Target has a great grocery program and great deals and this facility will be busy and create tons of new jobs in the Rialto area.
Second is the best news of all In & Out project is underway.
It seems the city finally understands that we want this fast food restaurant like YESTERDAY. The cities contractors are working on providing the In & Out Contractors a working useable pad. This means that the parking and egress will be complete then In & Out says it can complete the building in 180 days (150 days of construction 30 day grace period). Below is a picture of the stats provided by Robb Steel.
Picture shows money and time frames
Finally the moratorium on Cash For Gold businesses was extended for a year to allow city staff and police personnel develop working guide lines for these types of businesses. At the last coffee with the chief we were informed by Chief Farrar that an investigation was done and found that the existing Cash For Gold businesses were buying Gold that was stolen and not asking for ID then just sending it off to be melted and sold. For this reason the Moratorium was originally put in place to keep thefts from rising even higher and more of these places pop up. Let me begin by saying our Chief of police and his officers don’t just accuse you of doing something they get proof and then catch you doing the crime or wrongful act. So while this TAB item was being discussed Ed Palmer and Ed Scott said they visited 2 of these businesses and saw them doing everything right and wanted to make sure they were brought in on the formulation of the new guide lines so to be given a fair shot at complying with these new rules. These two almost went as far to say that this seemed like a witch hunt on reputable businesses that have done nothing wrong. That’s funny Chief Farrar pointed out all three as the ones buying stolen gold without taking the proper ID techniques.
Then the most irritating portion of the two hours I saw (besides the massive tax grab) was when someone asked if these new rules would apply to door to door Gold Buyers? Then Mayor Vargas said yes I had someone come to my door and ask if I had gold I wanted to sell, after those two homes on my street were broken into. She wasn’t sure if the two incidents were connected but had concerns. Then one of the council members said oh Grace is referring to people passing out flyers for Gold buying businesses and that people didn’t buy gold as an independent buy without a shop. It showed the ignorance of the people leading our city. As a security guard for a shopping mall we were kicking independent gold buyers out of the mall all the time. They would both hover around the Cash for gold stores and kiosks and tell people that the price they were being offered was to low and try and steal the sale, or hit up people eating in the food court. People like these do exist; they are aggressive and can be very underhanded. They carry a small jeweler’s magnifying glass and sometimes a small chemical test kit. If someone like this approaches your home inform the police and then send them down to council chambers to educate the city council and staff.
13 Nov 2012
by rialto-now
in Andy Carrizales, ARMC, Budget, Burglury, Ca, City of Rialto, Coffee Nutz, Crime, Deborah Robertson, Dr. Michael Neeki, Flores Park, In & Out, Inland Empire, Mike Story, Nieghborhood Watch, Public Safety, Redlands PD, Rialto, Rialto Police Department, rialto unified school district, RUSD, San Bernardino County’s regional dispatch center, SCAT, Street Crime Attack Team, SWAT, Taxes, Twitter @IEBeatriz., Uncategorized, youth
Coffee with the Chief was held at Coffee Nuttz at 8am.
Chief Farrar talking with the attedees
Rialto pd staff in attendace Chief Farrar, Captain DeAnda and Lt. Karol and Volenteer Cordinator Judy Roberts.
Captain DeAnda and Lt. Karol and Volenteer Cordinator Judy Roberts
Chief Farrar began with showing off the new Ford Taurus police units.
New Canine Car Ford Taurus Utility
Chief Farrar announced officer Nelson as the new Community officer. He will attend the outreach programs the Police Department puts out as well as schools and will be the begining of the eventual return of community policing to Rialto.
Dr. Michael Neeki, who regularly works in the trauma center at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Rialto, pulls double duty as a tactical medic for the Inland Valley SWAT team. Click this link for the full story on CBS 2 news http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012/11/12/rialto-er-doctor-trades-in-scalpels-for-guns-as-swat-volunteer/
Newest reserve officer was sworn in. Chief Farrars goal is to beef up the reseve unit to give Rialto PD the ability to add officers to the street at a low cost.
Grants submited for police officer supplies like bullet proof vests. Also Lt. Karol also spoke about a grant to get a vehical to help deal with big rig traffic in the city.
Someone asked if people can help with grant writting and Chief Farrar said all help would be great and appreciated.
Air Support Unit last 2 months logged 200 hours of flight time. Also Redlands PD has decided to join this joint effort. With thier addition to our regional Air Team Rialto now has the availability of thier fixed wing Air Support Unit a great resource.
Javier palitto helped design the new badge which will be displayed at Council Meeting tonight. Badge will display Rialti PD’s commitment to the Community. Come on out and see the badge or watch on TV tonight. Also Chief Farrar will be introducing the first new Rialto Police Officer graduating Topof Class.
Resident gave the police big kudos for thier work with Community and the School District.
Question was raised about new Mayors ability to work with police? All three command officers said they have always worked well with all Mayors and council members and look forward to working with Mayor Robertson.
Plan is by next year to reintegrate the Narc program.
The Crowd about 20 in attendance
Also the Chief updated us on the canine unit and Cash for Gold businesses:
The Rialto Police Canine Team competed on November 2nd and 3rd in the Riverside County Sheriff’s 17th Annual Canine Trials. The canine team did excellent competing against 40 other canine teams, from all over California, Texas, and Baja Mexico.
Officer J. Maltese and K-9 Smoky – First Place in Building search (3 years in a row) and
Third Place in Area Search
Officer C. Compton and K-9 Jango – Second Place in Area search and Fifth Place in Area Search for Narcotics
Officer A. Anderson and K-9 Gilly – Second Place in Protection and Fifth Place in Parcels Narcotics
Officer J. Breen and K-9 Kimo – First Place in Protection
The moritorium on new Cash for Gold businesses has been lifted and in iys place are stiff restrictions these businesses must follow much like those for Pawn Shops in an effort to keep people from selling stolen items there.
rialtonow 