Item 6b: City Receiving $10 million for Transitional Housing Program
On Tuesday, the council will consider a resolution that would accept a $10 million pass-through grant from the State of California and consider approving an agreement with the Young Scholars for Academic Empowerment DBA Truevolution Inc. The funds would support “Project Legacy,” which would create a 49-bed transitional housing project at six different city properties.
Item 14: Certifying Environmental Impact Report for Proposed Warehouses
The council will look to certify the environmental impact report and development plans for two parcels off Barton Street and Alessandro Boulevard. The two parcels will have two warehouse buildings that will total more than 600,000 square feet. Across from the property is a housing track that has over 100 homes.
Item 23: Grant Application for $5 Million
Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson will recommend that the council authorize her staff to apply for the Clean California Local Grant Program through Caltrans. The application would be in partnership with the Salvation Army and be allotted $5 million in funding. According to the city’s document, the funds would go toward beautification projects through the Salvation Army’s First Impressions Program.
The mayor is also requesting that the public works department submit for the same grant in partnership with the Riverside County Transportation Agency and the Riverside Transit Agency.
Item 29: Funding Agreement with Riverside County Flood Control
The council will consider approving a cooperative funding agreement with the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. The funding would go towards Stage 1 of the design and construction of the “Box Spring Master Drainage Plan Line D.” The agreement would be for $3.5 million, with the storm drain going from Third Street and Kansas Avenue in Downtown to Commerce Street and Mission Inn Ave.
Housing And Homelessness Committee
Item 2: Presentation on Housing Barriers Faced by Formerly Incarcerated People
On Monday, the committee received a presentation from Starting Over, Inc. to discuss housing barriers that formerly incarcerated individuals and their families commonly face. According to their presentation, Riverside County has a jail population 50% higher than the California county average. Starting Over is participating in several state efforts, including one to ban the refusal of housing to individuals based on their criminal background.
Board Of Public Utilities
Item 5: Mission Square Property End of Year Income Report
On Monday, the board received an end-of-year financial operations reporter for Riversides “Mission Square Office Building” on 3750 University Avenue. The city has owned the property since 2015, and according to the board presentation, has over a 98% occupancy rate. According to their annual report, the property took in over $2.5 million in revenue and had $1.8 million in expenditures.
Item 6: Update on Gage Canal Trail Improvement Project
The board will also be receiving an update on the Gage Canal Multipurpose Trail Improvement Project. According to the city’s presentation, Riverside will be receiving construction bids this month and be awarding a contract agreement in February or March. The trail will go from Palmyrita Avenue to Blaine Street and include an unpaved path and paved shared-use path.
Jonathan Linden is a freelance reporter covering politics for The Raincross Gazette. Jonathan graduated from Biola University with a B.A in journalism and also reports for 91.9 KVCR in San Bernardino.
City Council set to consider a 23-unit affordable housing project in La Sierra, a 24-station electric vehicle charging hub at the Riverside Airport, and the $2.4 million purchase of electric trucks for its fleet.
City Council does not meet this week. Potentially stricter rules for industrial development near neighborhoods and a review of the City’s homelessness outreach and cleanup spending are on committee and commission agendas this week.
