This Week in City Hall: October 21, 2024

"There's Always Room at the Table": A Conversation with La Sierra University's First Black President Dr. Christon Arthur

Three months into his new, historic appointment, the president of La Sierra University looks back on his career trajectory and the role service plays in both his personal and professional leadership.

Santa Ana River Watershed Cloud Seeding Program Update

Santa Ana Watershed's cloud seeding added 11,000 acre-feet of snow, but the next phase is postponed due to wildfire risks. California enters the new water year with strong reserves.

This Week in City Hall: October 21, 2024

The City Council is busy this week with an agenda that includes adopting an 8% tax on cannabis, extending the City Manager's contract by two years, a $500,000 partnership for a trial of autonomous shuttles, and reconsidering a $2.8 million nonprofit resilience fund agreement.

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, October 22, in afternoon sessions at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. and an evening session at 6:15 p.m. (agenda). The agenda includes:

Reviewing the impacts of California's insurance crisis and considering a resolution urging state action to improve insurance accessibility and affordability.
Considering an increase to approved funding (from $702,900 to $3,758,016.08) and applying for a state grant to cover higher costs for the Jurupa Avenue Extension project.
Extending the City Manager Mike Futrell's contract by two years and approving a 5% salary increase.
Adopting an 8% tax on cannabis businesses following the legalization of retail cannabis sales last year, with potential annual revenue of $1.5-2 million once fully implemented.
Approving 17 new Mills Act agreements to preserve historic properties, which would result in about $11,327 in annual property tax reductions and secure over $2.5 million in property improvements over ten years.
Accepting a $500,000 grant to develop prototype plans for "missing middle" housing, aiming to increase housing options and streamline development.
A $500,000 commitment from Riverside Transit Agency to launch a two-year pilot program of electric autonomous shuttles as part of a larger partnership with Ohmio for establishing their international headquarters and manufacturing facility in Riverside.
Reconsidering a contract with IECF to begin administering a $2.8 million nonprofit resilience fund funded by ARPA dollars.

Commission on Aging

The Commission on Aging meets on Monday, October 21, at 4:00 p.m. (agenda) for regular business.

Park and Recreation Commission

The Park and Recreation Commission meets on Monday, October 21, at 6:30 p.m. (agenda) for an update on sponsorship efforts for parks and recreation programs which raised over $200,000 in 2024.

Museum of Riverside Board

The Museum of Riverside Board meets on Wednesday, October 23, at 3:00 p.m. (agenda) to review plans for its 100th-anniversary gala, expanding its collection, and making progress on renovation plans while balancing legal requirements for Indigenous artifacts and maintaining its accreditation status.

Community Police Review Commission

The Community Police Review Commission meets on Wednesday, October 23, at 5:30 p.m. (agenda) to wrap up a review of an officer-involved death case and plan training on police procedures to enhance its oversight capabilities.

Human Relations Commission

The Human Relations Commission meets on Thursday, October 24, at 6:00 p.m. (agenda) to consider significant updates to its bylaws for the first time in over a decade and review the City's Guidelines for Social Media Usage.