The council voted Tuesday to assign existing SoCalGas agreements to Riverside Bioenergy Facility LLC, a private partner that will build and fund the biogas upgrading system.
The City Council on Tuesday approved a policy setting new rules for ward-specific events, programs and projects — including banning the use of a councilmember's name or logo in event branding.
The resolution establishes a citywide framework meant to provide more consistency in how ward-based events are planned and administered.
City staff said the policy is intended to support local business growth, neighborhood vitality and community connection while keeping the program equitable across council wards.
The Governmental Processes Committee recommended the policy after adding two notable changes: a ban on using a councilmember's name or logo in event branding and a requirement that the Arts and Culture team provide an annual report to the full council.
"I kind of feel like our name shouldn't be on it ever, period," said Councilmember Philip Falcone, who chairs the committee, during its Jan. 7 meeting. "If it says Ward 1, for example, that should be enough. It doesn't need to have my name on it.”
Currently, ward events are marketed under the city's "Local Vibes" branding, but some councilmembers have added their own logos to event materials.
The policy also includes election-cycle safeguards and clarifies how recurring annual events may continue under the rules.
The policy bars councilmembers from participating in planning a ward event within 90 days before an election in which that councilmember’s name will appear on the ballot — but allows annually recurring events continue if they have happened for at least three years.
At the April 1 committee meeting Falcone called the event threshold “a good compromise.”
“I know when I went to the full city council before we sent it back to committee, Councilor Mill expressed concern because he has a Fall Festival each year. And I think this is a good compromise that for long standing ongoing events like a Fall Festival every October or what have you, whether it be an election year or not — I think this is a compromise in that way, and maintains and enables him to still have that event, for example,” he said.
Staff said those provisions were aimed at preserving longstanding community events while avoiding the appearance of political advocacy.
The item stemmed from the city's fiscal year 2023-24 budget, which set aside $876,000 for citywide events, including $725,000 for programs intended to boost community engagement, tourism and economic development.
Council first considered the policy Oct. 28, 2025, but sent it back for more review. The Governmental Processes Committee later reviewed it on Jan. 7 and April 1 before unanimously recommending approval.
City staff said the resolution does not create any additional fiscal impact because funding for ward-specific events and projects is already included in the city's fiscal 2025-26 budget allocation.
Civic Engagement Reporter who calls the Inland Empire home. Five years covering SoCal. APU journalism grad. Good conversations over coffee and stories that matter.
The council voted Tuesday to assign existing SoCalGas agreements to Riverside Bioenergy Facility LLC, a private partner that will build and fund the biogas upgrading system.
Voters will decide June 2 whether to raise the existing Measure Z sales tax to 1.25 percent and remove its 2036 sunset. Here's what's on the ballot, why it's there, and what each side is arguing.
The council reviewed Futrell's performance in closed session Tuesday but took no action, as the city manager publicly defended himself and his wife against allegations that have roiled City Hall since December.
