Shootin’ For Freedom

Come out to support our fellow candidate for the 32nd district for Congress, David Miller, at this great event! Our very own Sheriff-to-be Paul Schrader will be running the Young Guns .22 Rifle Contest. Hear Sheriff Paul speak to the crowd during this event on some of the issues that are most important. We look forward to seeing you there!

http://www.facebook.com/events/351978788195760/

SAMHSA Issues Teen Court Funding Opportunity

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA),

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment is accepting applications for FY 2012 Teen Court Program grants.

This program provides treatment and related recovery support services to youth who are involved in a teen court program and have substance abuse and/or co-occurring treatment needs.

The program helps participating youth reduce their substance use and criminal activity, improve their health and quality of life, and increase their productivity.

Applications are due by May 30, 2012. Resources: For more information, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit

www.samhsa.gov/grants/2012/ti_12_004.aspx

To learn more about SAMHSA, go to

http://www.samhsa.gov

Administration

In December 2010, the City Council adopted a “Guiding Principles and Community Values” statement as part of our General Plan Update.  These four (4) guiding principles and community values envision a newRialtoand sets a course on how to create the Rialto of Tomorrow by improving our quality of life.  The four (4) Guiding Principles and Community Values are:

1.            Rialto is a Family First Community

• Our neighborhoods will be a safe place to call home.

• Essential community services and amenities must meet the needs and desires of our families.

• We will require high-quality housing for our families and establish well-maintained, safe, attractive neighborhoods.

• We will create a sense of community that bonds residents and families together, resulting in a stronger, betterRialto.

1. 2.            Rialto Shall Attract High-Quality New Development and Improve its Physical Environment

• First impressions matter. The quality and standards of our streetscapes and public spaces will reflect the high quality of development we require.

• Infrastructure keeps pace with our growth. Every act of construction will result in the improvement and enhancement of both the public and private realms.

• We pay attention to the details. We have high standards and will maintain our properties and enforce our codes at all times.

1. 3.            Rialto’s Economic Environment is Healthy and Diverse

• Businesses, City government, and economic development organizations will continue to work together to strengthen the local economy and support businesses.

• We will aggressively attract and retain businesses that provide goods and services we desire, create jobs, and build a sustainable tax base.

• Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.

• We take advantage of our status as the transportation hub of theInland Empire.

• Rialto is committed to environmental sustainability, which means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Rialto is an Active Community

• Our community will support the creation and maintenance of attractive parks, recreational facilities, and gathering places that meet the needs of our residents.

• We will create transportation alternatives that allow us to walk, bike, and use public transportation to travel within our community and reach regional destinations.

• We will continue to participate in community-based events that enrich our lives.

You will be seeing these Guiding Principles and Community Values on many documents and publications from the City ofRialtoas we enter a second century of progress.

City Clerk/Rialto Network

Paperless Agenda/Open Government Solution Enters Final Phase

The City Clerk’s Office is in the final phase of implementing a paperless Agenda process and a corresponding searchable web portal known as Legistar. Legistar generates a paperless agenda packet, creating a cost savings for the City. It also gives greater access to information by capturing all City Council actions as it happens and presents it over the internet. Legistar integrates with the City’s current Granicus Web Streaming and Municipal Code.

Administrative & Community Services

Finance Division

The City Financial Statements and Single Audit for fiscal year 2010-2011 is almost complete and will be presented at the April 24, 2012, City Council meeting by Macias Gini & O’Connell LLP (MGO).

The budget for fiscal year 2012-2013 is now in progress. Weekly meetings will take place to review and finalize numbers to prepare for a June approval.

Recreation Division

Rialto Community Playhouse Renamed!

At the City Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 23, 2012, Council Members unanimously voted in favor of renaming the Rialto Community Playhouse to the Sandra R. Courtney Community Playhouse.

Since 1982 the Rialto Community Players has brought the gift of live theater to thousands of families fromRialtoand surrounding communities.  Under Sandy Courtney’s leadership, they have created opportunities for people of all ages to develop their acting skills and have been a springboard for many actors and set builders to go on to do wonderful things inHollywoodand beyond.

Sandy Courtney’s tireless efforts have been instrumental in developing the Rialto Community Players into an award winning group.  The Inland Empire League, a distinguished group of Thespian judges presiding over eighty theater groups, has put Rialto Players at the top of the leader board every year for decades!

The Sandra R. Courtney Community Playhouse dedication ceremony is planned for late spring.

Human Resources Division

The City ofRialto, in conjunction with the San Bernardino County Workforce Development, is having a community Job fair on Wednesday, May 16, at the Cathedral of Praise inRialto. Employers from all over theInland Empirewill be invited out to present and accept applications for various job and career opportunities.  More details to follow.

Police Department

COPS Hiring Grant 2012

The Police Department has applied for the 2012 COPS Hiring Program (CHP) grant through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. This grant program will provide $111 million directly to law enforcement agencies to hire, retain, and/or rehire career law enforcement officers in an effort to create and preserve jobs and increase their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. Agencies can request new hire positions to expand their community policing and crime prevention efforts. 2012 CHP grants will provide up to 75 percent funding, with a funding cap of $125,000 per officer position, for approved entry-level salaries and fringe benefits of full-time officers for 36 months. The department intends to apply for (5) police officer positions which equates to approximately $625,000.

Citizen’s Police Academy

The Citizen’sPoliceAcademyis designed to provide residents with an understanding of the Police Department’s operations. Students will learn from Police Department personnel who are experts in the areas of SWAT, K-9, narcotics, patrol operations, traffic, criminal law, helicopter operations, crime scene investigation, and other related fields. Students will gain an overall knowledge of the Rialto Police Department, how it’s organized, and how it serves the community.

Instructors are drawn from all levels of the department. Students will meet the Chief of Police, Operations Captain, Area Commanders, Patrol Officers, Detectives, Dispatchers, and other department staff. Students are encouraged to ask questions and express their concerns about pertinent issues. A major goal of the Citizens’PoliceAcademyis to increase understanding between citizens and their Police Department, and to build a strong relationship for the future good of the community.

Classes will run for eleven weeks, every Wednesday evening, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. – May 2, 2012 to July 25, 2012. If you are interested in attending, please contact Lieutenant Kathy Thompson at 909-820-2560 or email to kthompson@rialtopd.com.

Coffee with the Chief

“Coffee with the Chief” offers resident’s an opportunity to personally meet their Police Chief and other representatives in a casual setting. At “Coffee with the Chief” community members will learn about the Police Department, special projects, and other related events. The next “Coffee with the Chief” will at Coffee Nuts –119 E Foothill Blvdon Tuesday, April 10, 2012, from 8:00 a.m., to 9:00 a.m.

CrimeMapping.com

CrimeMapping.com has been developed to help law enforcement agencies throughoutNorth Americaprovide the public with valuable information about recent crime activity by neighborhood.

The goal is to assist police departments in reducing crime through a better informed citizenry. Any member of the public can also sign up to Receive Crime Alerts. This additional service is free and provides customized reports via e-mail to any subscriber. For more information visit our webpage at www.rialtopd.com.

Code Red – Emergency Notification

Code-Red is a high-speed telephone Emergency Notification Service which will allow the Police Department staff to deliver pre-recorded emergency messages by phone to targeted areas or throughout the entire City. This fast and efficient service will allow Rialto residents and business owners who register their contact information with Code-Red to receive emergency information in the event of a major disaster or emergency.

The Code-Red registration is for Rialto RESIDENTS and BUSINESSES only. If you are not a City ofRialto resident, please contact your local Emergency Manager (through your local police or fire department) to inquire about your city’s mass notification system and the procedures for registering.

Code-Red Weather Warning is an additional notification system designed to deliver weather alerts after warnings are issued by the National Weather Service (NWS). This system functions the same as the emergency notification system and is also available to allRialto residents.

To register, please go to the Police Department website, and click on Code-Red.

National Night Out – 2012

National Night Out is a nation-wide program co-sponsored by Target in where neighborhood watch groups come together one night a year with Target representatives, police, fire, school and city officials, to celebrate the concerted effort in fighting crime throughout the year. This year’s event will be on August 7, 2012, from 5:00 p.m., to 8:30 p.m. National Night Out is a wonderful opportunity for our community to promote police-community partnerships, crime prevention, and neighborhood camaraderie.

It represents the kind of spirit, energy, and determination that is helping make our neighborhoods safer places throughout the year. It is a night to celebrate safety and crime prevention success and to expand and strengthen our commitment throughout the year.

The Rialto Police Department and its personnel are proud to host such a great event and we would like to say a special “Thank You” to all of our citizens for their willingness to work with us to make this a better and safer Rialto. If you have any questions about this event, please contact Sergeant Robert Smithat 909-820-2582 or email to rsmith@rialtopd.com.

Fire Department

 Student Workers from Mt. San Antonio College

 The Rialto Fire Department has partnered with the Fire Technology Department at Mt. San Antonio Community College to offer Students opportunities to participate in various administrative duties in the Rialto Fire Department. Four students have been selected to spend a semester receiving training and performing work in the administrative aspects of fire prevention,EMS, and general fire department operations. Each student will work one day per week, Monday through Thursday, and receive college credit for their time. Although the students will not be directly involved in emergency operations, the experience will provide them with a well rounded perspective of how a fire department functions. They will also be providing the fire department with much needed assistance with various tasks.  The students will start work on the first week of April.

Improved Response Times

 One of the key elements in providing quality emergency service is having a rapid response. To help accomplish this, the Rialto Fire Department recently upgraded their fire station alerting system to provide state of the art technology in alerting our firefighters of calls for service.  This upgrade, along with the rapid response of our firefighters, has reduced the reaction time out of the fire station by 12%. The RFD also participated in a study that validated a new method of dispatching that can cut the amount of time it takes for dispatchers to process calls by up to 50%. The success of this pilot study has now led to the implementation of these new dispatching techniques at the CountyCommunicationsCenter, which provides emergency dispatching services for the RFD. The new dispatching process will be implemented on April 2, 2012. We are excited about these improvements as reductions in response times like these have a direct relationship to reduced fire losses and improved patient outcomes in medical emergencies.

Emergency Communications Grant

 The Fire Department has been awarded $21,000 through FEMA’s Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) program. These funds will be directed towards purchasing radio equipment that will be used in the City’sEmergencyOperationsCenterduring disasters, local emergency incidents, and other city activities. This equipment will be used heavily by our Rialto Amateur Radio Club volunteers to ensure that communication systems are available when the community needs them the most.

New Fire Station 202

Rialto’s new Fire Station 202 is nearing completion. The City is currently planning the grand opening event, which is scheduled for May 12, at 10:00 a.m. The new fire station, located at1700 N. Riverside Ave, will be a fantastic centerpiece for the neighborhood with beautiful architecture and a new community room that will be available for public gatherings. The grand opening will be an open invitation event, and a great opportunity for the public to tour the new facility.

Firefighter Recruitment at the State of Women Conference

 The RFD was a proud participant in the 6^th annual State of Women Conference held on March 3^rd at theRialtoSeniorCenter. The event, which celebrated the influence and accomplishments of women in our communities, was a perfect venue for the RFD to encourage young women to consider a rewarding career in the fire service. Firefighters from the RFD set up a booth that displayed a variety of firefighting equipment and provided informational brochures designed specifically for women who want to know more about a career in the fire service. This event is one of many that the RFD is planning to encourage members of our community to participate in fire related programs such as the department’s Explorer Post and to provide information on the steps to take to become a firefighter.

 Development Services Department

 Panda Express Commences Construction

Panda Express commenced construction on a new Chinese fast food restaurant at1605 S. Riverside Avenue, in the building formerly occupied by Hollywood Video. The remodeling project should be completed within the next 90 days with a grand opening in late May or early June.

Two New Projects under Construction on Foothill   Boulevard

The newest Walgreens is under construction at the corner ofFoothill   BoulevardandPepper Avenue.   The site is taking shape as the walls are coming up out of the ground.

The County of San Bernardino will begin construction on a 9,000 square foot addition and major tenant improvement work to the church/bowling alley building located onFoothill Boulevard and Larch Street. Construction and improvements are expected to take about six to eight months. The facility will be utilized for job educational classes and job placement assistance.  The facility will employ estimated 150-200 workers and attract 600-750 daily visitors which should boost economic activity alongFoothill   Boulevard.

Really an EDD office is that what Rialto needs? The facility will employ county workers none of these jobs will go to people living in Rialto, plus the reason 600-750 people will be there is because they are unemployed, so what kind of economic growth will this spur????????

State Appeals Court Overturns Wal-Mart Decision

The Court of Appeal for the State of California(Fourth District) recently released its opinion in the case of Rialto Citizens for Responsible Growth v. City of Rialto and Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust.   The City of Rialto and Wal-Mart appealed the July, 2009 decision of the Superior Court overturning the approvals of theWal-MartSupercenter store located at the corner of Riverside Avenue and San Bernardino Avenue.

The Court of Appeal has tentatively ruled in favor of the City ofRialtoand Wal-Mart, by reversing the decision of the Superior Court.  The plaintiff, Cory Briggs, has requested that the Court grant oral arguments to contest the ruling.  The oral arguments will be scheduled for the next 90 days.

Wal-Mart still plans to proceed with the EIR fixes in accordance with the Superior Court decision as a dual track strategy.  If in fact the appellate court decision is confirmed, then they will move forward in accordance with that decision (all prior approvals in place).  The schedule for the supplemental EIR track and reconsideration of the land use entitlements is as follows:

• 45 day review period:                      March 28, 2012  to  May 11, 2012
• Transportation Commission:        May 2, 2012
• Planning Commission:                   May 30, 2012
• City Council:                                     June 26, 2012

While the pathway still has some uncertainties, it seems that we are finally heading toward closure on this long litigation.

Construction Progresses on Target Food Distribution Center

Construction of street, sewer, water and storm drain improvements is proceeding inAlder Avenue,EastonStreet andLaurel Avenue.  Construction of the distribution center is on schedule for completion in July, 2013. In the interest of safety for everyone, please adhere to all construction zone lane closures and speed limits during construction.

County Landfill Improvements

Construction of street, storm drain and landscape improvements at theCountyLandfillsite is on schedule for completion in September 2012.  In the interest of safety for everyone, please adhere to all construction lane closures and speed limits during construction.

 Colton Middle School

Construction of the new middle school and street, traffic signal, storm drain, water and sewer improvements is on schedule for the fall opening of the new middle school.  Please adhere to all construction zone lane closures and speed limits during construction.

Family Dollar

Plans for the new Family Dollar store are nearly complete and construction of the new store on Baseline Avenue is scheduled to begin this spring. We do not anticipate any street closures during construction; however, there may temporary lane closures on Baseline Road during construction.

 Another $1 Discount Store??????? Why are we the bottom rung destination for shopping opportunities?????

TELACU III

Construction of the TELACU Senior Housing is proceeding on schedule. Street, water, sewer and storm drain improvements will be completed inLilac   Avenueand the street reopened completely for the 12/13 school year beginning in August. Thank you for your cooperation during construction.

Should I Pull a Building Permit?

Recently a home owner contacted the City Building Division through a friend with the following questions:

If I have a contractor come to my home and install a direct vent gas fireplace, will this require both plumbing and electrical permits and are inspections required?

My fear is that I finished off my entire basement (framing, electrical and plumbing and drywall) about 5 years ago without any permits.  If an inspector comes into my home is he likely to take notice of prior work and cite or fine me for permit and/or code violations? (The inspectors would have to examine both the electrical service and gas manifold which are located in the basement.)”

Our Advice:  Come talk to us. When we talk to our homeowners and contractors, they usually admit avoiding the City for one of the following reasons:

1. Unknown process. They weren’t familiar with the process, so they stayed away from it.

1. Cost. They had a preconceived notion that a permit costs thousands of dollars, or that their property taxes will skyrocket.

1. Bad advice. Other parties (neighbors, friends, bad contractors) gave them bad advice.

1. Horror stories. They have heard of horror stories about mean inspectors, and they wanted to avoid that.

We will assist you through the permit process with minimal anxiety and costs. Call or visit the building department and have a conversation at the front desk. Bring a sketch of what you want to do or a list of what you have already completed.

Please remember when choosing a contractor that they are licensed by the State and City and that all necessary Building Permits have been obtained prior to the commencement of work on your home or business.

Public Works Department

Earth Day Celebration

In April, the City will be engaging the community through two major clean up events:

Earth Day Celebration which will be taking place on Saturday, April 21, 2012 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.  The community is invited to join staff in various cleaning activities.  If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Amy Crow at 909-421-7221, acrow@rialtoca.gov, or Katie Nickel at 909-820-2501, knickel@rialtoca.gov.

Mormon Helping Hands Volunteer Day which will be taking place on Saturday, April 28, 2012.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has pledged 200 volunteers to clean various City parks and theCityCemetery.

 Pacific Electric Inland Empire Trail, Phase I from Maple to Cactus Avenue (“Rialto Trail”) Project

 The “Rails to Trails” project is in the final stage of the design.  Public Works staff is reviewing the final design Plans and Specifications.  It’s anticipated that the project will go out to bid for construction in the coming months.  The City has received a Transportation Development Act (TDA), Article 3, Grant in the amount of $330,000 from SANBAG.  Staff is working to obtain a Traffic Enhancement (TE) Grant in the amount of $600,000 also from SANBAG for this project.  The project includes construction of an eleven (11) foot-wide concrete trail along with landscape, lighting and traffic signals betweenMaple AvenueandCactus Avenue.

Trickleside Alley Improvement Project

 The Trickleside Alley Improvements at the down town area is in the design phase.  Public Works staff is reviewing the 80% Plans and Specifications.  The design is schedule to be completed by the end of April 2012.  The alley improvements project included replacement of a deteriorated 4-inch water main with a new 8-inch water main, upgrade the existing water meters to the City’s Standards, and reconstruct the alley asphalt pavement with stamped concrete pavement.

Citywide Overlay Project

As a part of the overall maintenance program for City streets, the Public Works Department prepares an annual list of streets in need of preventive care, which includes overlay and slurry seal treatments.  Streets for this year’s overlay have been selected from the Pavement Management Program survey. The street overlay work includes the grinding of existing pavement from the shoulders and replacing 1½ inch to 2 inches of Asphalt Rubber Hot Mix (ARHM) for the entire width of street.  The scope also includes new striping on the pavement, installing traffic signal detection loops and providing Americans with Disability Act (ADA) access ramps along the affected streets. Portions of Cactus Avenue, RialtoAvenue, Merrill Avenue, Etiwanda Avenue, Sycamore Avenue, Grove Street, Fromer Streetand Santa Ana Avenueare included in this project. Bids are slated to open on April 3, 2012.

Traffic Signal at Valley Boulevard & Cactus Avenue

The traffic signal atValley BoulevardandCactus Avenueis located next to the newBacaElementary School, which is currently under construction.  The signal would improve not only the safety of students and pedestrians who will be crossing the intersection daily but also traffic operation.  Vehicles at this intersection incur excessive delays due to heavy and high speed traffic onValley Boulevard.  The signal is jointly sponsored by Colton Joint Unified School District (CJUSD). The project is currently under construction. There were numerous utility related issues were resolved including the relocation of West Valley Fire Hydrant, Repair of Gas line leak, and installation of Cable lines.

 Solid Waste Management News

During the Month of March there were 193 residents served at our Household Hazardous waste site.  The stats for the Month of March are as follows:

• 775 gallons of used motor oil
• 6 pallets of paint
• 9 drums of misc. poisons and other toxic liquids
• Approximately 45 auto batteries.
• 9 barrels of sharps (needles and lancets)

Free Dump Day

The regularly scheduled Quarterly Free Dump/Cleanup Day will be held on, April 14th – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.  There are no changes to the services offered to the public and the drop-off locations for the various items are as follows:

• Household Hazardous Waste, behind246 S. Willow Avenue
• Used Tire Drop-off,RialtoAirport,335 W. Rialto Avenue
• Electronic Waste Collection, south lot City Hall,150 S. Palm Avenue
• Salvation Army Collection, south lot City Hall,150 S. Palm Avenue
• Mid-Valley Landfill,2390 Alder Ave.

The City ofRialto Household Hazardous Wastesite gives free sharps containers to residents with diabetes, and used oil collection containers and oil filter buckets to residents who change their own oil.  Those containers are available at our Hazardous Waste Site during our regular operating hours. The site is located at 246 S. Willow Avenueat the back of the south driveway.

Special Collection

This quarter’s special collection will be for the San Bernardino County Animal Shelter.  Animal Shelter staff will be on hand at the City Hall parking lot Saturday, April 14^th from 8:oo a.m., to 3:00 p.m., accepting donations of old blankets and towels as well as other pet supplies.  For a complete list of needed items, pick up a flyer at City Hall or call (909) 421-7221.

RialtoNow Readers dont worry we will swing by city hall and grab the flyers and post them on our Blog, check us everyday for the latest.