A vibrant night at The Cheech! The Hecho en Park Ave. opening reception draws a full house, celebrating art, culture, and community on a perfect spring evening. (Ken Crawford)
Monday Gazette: April 7, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Monday!
From the jam-packed ArtsWalk events to the Citrus Festival and the Mayor's Ball for the Arts, it was a great weekend in Riverside. Be sure to revisit April's Raincross Rundown for a curated list of upcoming events and happenings our team is most excited about.
Awarding the contract for the renovation and expansion of the Museum of Riverside's historic 1912 building and reviewing updated fire threat maps and new fire safety requirements are on Council's agenda this week.
Welcome to our weekly digest on public meetings and agenda items worthy of your attention in the next week. This guide is part of our mission to provide everyday Riversiders like you with the information to speak up on the issues you care about.
City Council
City Council will meet in closed and open sessions on Tuesday, Apr. 8, in an afternoon session at 3:00 p.m. and an evening session at 6:15 p.m. (agenda). The agenda includes:
Reviewing a three-year commercial trash rate plan that would increase collection fees for Riverside businesses by 3.94% starting July 2025 during the transition to Athens Services, which will become the exclusive waste hauler under a 15-year agreement approved by City Council in May 2023.
Reviewing the City's second quarter financial update that shows overall fiscal health while implementing $14.49 million in targeted cost savings measures to address a projected budget deficit caused by decreased sales tax revenue and increased public safety overtime costs rather than drawing from reserves.
Adopting an urgency ordinance that requires property owners in high-risk fire zones to maintain 100 feet of defensible space around structures by removing flammable vegetation, which significantly increases home survival rates during wildfires and complies with state fire protection mandates.
Human Resources Board
The Human Resources Board meets on Monday, April 7, at 5:00 p.m. (agenda) to review its 2025 work plan.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee (Councilmembers Hemenway, Robillard, and Falcone) meets on Wednesday, Apr. 9, at 3:00 p.m. (agenda) for a presentation on the state of the national insurance market, with some specific focus on regional trends that affect California and Riverside.
Commission of the Deaf
The Commission of the Deaf meets on Wednesday, Apr. 9, at 5:30 p.m. (agenda) to consider its community outreach efforts.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission meets on Thursday, Apr. 10, at 9:00 a.m. (agenda) to review plans for a new 593-space parking structure at Riverside Community Hospital and consider a conditional use permit for the construction of eleven housing units and supportive facilities at Crest Community Church, near UCR, to provide affordable housing for youth and families experiencing homelessness or domestic violence.
The Budget Engagement Commission meets on Thursday, Apr. 10, at 5:00 p.m. (agenda) to review $10 million in Measure Z funding for a new Police Headquarters project, review the City's nonprofit support program spending, and spending on drone technology to enhance illegal fireworks enforcement.
Riverside Art Market Celebrates 10th Anniversary as Community Cultural Hub
Free family-friendly event to showcase 100 local artists at White Park.
The 10th Riverside Arts Market takes place at White Park. (Ken Crawford)
The Riverside Art Alliance's annual Riverside Art Market is set to showcase 100 local artists and artisans on April 12 at White Park. The free event, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., aims to support the Riverside Art Museum's community outreach programs.
Driving the news: Last year's market attracted 4,000 visitors and raised over $30,000 for museum initiatives, including free admission days and school field trips.
The event has grown steadily since its inception in 2016.
Why it matters: The market provides a platform for local artists while funding art education and cultural experiences throughout the Inland Empire.
Proceeds directly support the museum's community outreach efforts.
The big picture: The family-friendly event offers a diverse range of art genres and media, including paintings, sculptures, and textiles.
Demonstrations, performances, and children's activities are also planned.
What's next: Visitors can enjoy local food vendors and regional beer and wine producers, creating a comprehensive community experience.
Free parking will be available at designated downtown garages.
Go deeper: For more information about the Riverside Art Market, visit riversideartmuseum.org.
Tyler Street Railroad Crossing Closure Plan Delayed by Transportation Board
Proposal to address 90 daily train disruptions affecting thousands of commuters continued to future meeting.
The intersection of Tyler Street and Indiana Avenue in Riverside, with the 91 Freeway overpass visible in the background. City officials are considering a temporary closure of the nearby railroad crossing that causes significant traffic delays for thousands of motorists daily.
The Riverside Transportation Board has postponed discussion on a plan to temporarily close the Tyler Street railroad crossing, which could eliminate over five hours of daily traffic disruptions at one of the city's most congested intersections.
Driving the meeting: A proposed three- to six-month pilot project would close the at-grade crossing to vehicles and bicycles while keeping it open for pedestrians.
The crossing currently affects more than 15,000 motorists daily, with gates down for about 145 minutes each day and total disruption closer to 325 minutes.
Why it matters: The crossing's location creates significant traffic congestion and safety concerns, with two fatal accidents in the past decade.
A permanent fix would cost over $100 million due to complex site constraints.
The impact: If implemented, the pilot closure could improve traffic flow at nearby intersections by eliminating train-caused delays.
Previous temporary closures for construction work showed immediate benefits to nearby intersections.
Next steps: Before moving forward, the city plans extensive community engagement focusing on detours, impacts to nearby intersections, and potential cut-through traffic.
If approved by the Mobility and Infrastructure Committee, city staff will begin community outreach through existing planning processes and a public survey.
Opinion: Riverside's Season of Community Events and Celebrations
From insect fairs to vintage home tours, discover the diverse array of activities bringing Riverside residents together this spring in the Year of Arts & Culture.
Whenever I am out in the community, people ask me how they can get involved or find out about all the cool events happening in our city. Spring brings a jam-packed calendar of events and ways to come together as a community. So, I thought I'd make this month’s message all about Riverside community events, celebrations, and opportunities to get involved. Whether you’re a lover of the arts, an outdoor enthusiast, or just looking for fun ways to spend your weekends, there’s something happening for everyone!
We are sorry for yesterday’s calendar mix-up—below is the corrected rundown for the upcoming week, and be sure to check our full calendar for more events.
