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.
City Council does not meet this week. The Transportation Board will weigh options for more 20-minute parking spaces downtown to help local businesses and a Tyler Street railroad crossing closure pilot to ease traffic congestion.
City Council will consider significant amendments to previously authorized retail cannabis regulations, including reducing the maximum number of cannabis business permits from 14 to 7.
