Monday Gazette: April 6, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Monday! Big news on the candidate forums: reservations for both the Ward 2 and Ward 4 forums have hit capacity. We're working to open up additional spots and will have an update later this week. In the meantime, Ward 6 still has space available, and we'd love to see that room fill up before forum night.
All three forums are free and open to every Riverside resident. Register for Ward 6 today while spots remain.
See you tomorrow!
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GOVERNMENT
This Week in City Hall: April 6, 2026
From nitrous oxide bans to billboard rules, here's what Riverside officials are deciding this week.
Welcome to our weekly digest of public meetings and agenda items worth your attention for this coming 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, April 7, in an afternoon session at 1 p.m. (agenda). The agenda includes:
- Considering a proposed city law that would ban the retail sale of nitrous oxide at smoke shops and other stores, in response to widespread illegal sales and rising arrest numbers tied to recreational misuse of the substance. (link)
- Considering a proposed city law that would ban the sale and distribution of kratom products at shops like gas stations and smoke shops, with violations carrying fines and possible jail time. (link)
- Considering updates to Riverside Municipal Airport's rules that would require animals to be leashed, mandate permits for all on-site business activities, and tighten restrictions on unauthorized entry into areas where aircraft operate. (link)
- Considering an ordinance that would update the city’s billboard rules to allow advertising companies to request relocating or replacing signs — including digital displays — in exchange for negotiated community benefits and billboard removals determined solely by the City Council. (link)
- Considering an ordinance to reduce the Budget Engagement Commission's membership from 13 to 10 seats — with a further reduction to 9 planned — to lower the quorum threshold after repeated meeting cancellations caused by unfilled vacancies. (link)
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee (Councilmembers Hemenway, Robillard, and Falcone) meets on Wednesday, April 8, at 3:00 p.m. (agenda) to review the city’s annual financial audit reports from an independent auditor, who issued a clean opinion on the city's fiscal year 2024-2025 financial statements while also identifying bookkeeping errors that city has since corrected.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission meets on Thursday, April 9, at 9:00 a.m. (agenda) to consider two permit requests — a day care for up to 117 children at 3481 Prospect Avenue and a wine and spirits shop and bar at 6491–6499 Magnolia Avenue — each requiring the Commission to make special findings under city rules.
Mobility and Infrastructure Committee
The Mobility and Infrastructure Committee (Councilmembers Conder, Hemenway, and Perry) meets on Thursday, April 9, at 1:00 p.m. (agenda) to review and approve the Board of Public Utilities' final 2025 work plan report and proposed 2026 schedule, which outlines the advisory board's planned oversight activities for the city's water and electric utilities.
Airport Commission
The Airport Commission meets on Thursday, April 9, at 3:00 p.m. (agenda) to receive the Riverside Municipal Airport Manager's April 2026 report, which describes aircraft activity up 11.8% year-to-date, revenues tracking above projections, and ongoing infrastructure work including a FAA-funded pavement study and completed roof repairs.
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2026 ELECTION
Judge Rejects Torres Challenge to Ayra's 'Educator' Ballot Label
A Riverside Superior Court judge denied the legal bid March 30, leaving the Ward 2 candidate's ballot designation intact heading into the June primary.
A Riverside Superior Court judge ruled March 30 that Ward 2 candidate Aram Ayra may keep his "Educator/City Commissioner" ballot designation on the June 2 primary ballot.
Why it matters: The ruling keeps Ayra's designation intact after opponent Gracie Torres argued it misrepresented his principal occupation — a dispute that now becomes part of the public record Ward 2 voters can weigh heading into June.
Driving the news: Torres filed suit March 20 under California Elections Code Section 13107, which requires a ballot designation reflect a candidate's primary professional occupation.
- Her challenge cited public records showing Ayra's primary employer as Associate Director of Development at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Empire, and UCR Osher Lifelong Learning Institute records showing he taught one six-session, 12-hour course during winter 2026.
Catch up quick: The Riverside City Clerk had approved Ayra's designation twice before Torres filed her petition. In a sworn court declaration, Ayra states he is transitioning out of his role at Big Brothers Big Sisters and that instructional work at UCR Osher — where he is scheduled to teach two courses this spring — will become his primary source of income.
What they're saying: Torres said she is making all court documents available for voters to review. Ayra called the lawsuit "a blatant attempt to undermine the democratic process."
What's next: The Ward 2 race — which also includes entrepreneur Christen Montero and consultant Mike Vahl — heads to the June 2 primary. Any candidate topping 50% wins outright; otherwise the top two advance to November.
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FROM THE MAYORS DESK
Opinion: How Riverside Is Becoming a Hub for the Jobs of Tomorrow
From electric buses to hydrogen rail, the mayor makes the case for homegrown economic momentum.
Riverside is positioning itself as a destination for international advanced manufacturing investment, with a two-day global investor showcase set for late April.
Why it matters: Six international manufacturers have already chosen Riverside in the past two years — bringing electric bus, hydrogen rail, and EV charging operations to the city. If the mayor's strategy holds, more high-paying manufacturing jobs could follow, reducing the pressure on residents to leave for work.
Driving the news: The SelectUSA Investment Roadshow — a federal program connecting international investors with U.S. cities — selected Riverside as a Southern California host site on April 29–30, highlighting the city's industry-ready sites and workforce pipeline.
The backstory: Mayor [NAME] has anchored the initiative in a personal narrative: as the only family member who stayed in Riverside, she ran for office to build the careers locally that didn't exist before.
By the numbers: Six international manufacturers in green transportation have landed in Riverside in two years, spanning electric buses, autonomous vehicles, hydrogen rail, battery supply, and EV charging.
What they're saying: The city is pitching a specific competitive edge — the entire city of Riverside is a Foreign Trade Zone, reducing tariff costs for international businesses, paired with some of the state's lowest municipal utility rates.
What's next: The SelectUSA Roadshow runs April 29–30. Riverside is also pursuing accreditation from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), which would make it only the third accredited economic development organization in California.
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This Week in Riverside
Today
- Volunteer Interest Hour at Riverside Meals on Wheels
- Financial Aid Awareness Week: Application Assistance at Welcome Center
- Goeske Bingo at Janet Goeske Center ($20- $100)
- Monday Carillon Recitals at UCR Bell Tower
Tomorrow
- Orange Terrace Library | Lego Club at Orange Terrace Library
- ScotSurplus Public Sale at ScotSurplus, UCR Corporation Yard
- Karaoke Tuesday Competition at The Hideaway
- Humbe at Riverside Municipal Auditorium
Save the Date
- April 11: 11th Annual Riverside Art Market at White Park
- April 11: Olivewood Cemetery Tour at Olivewood Cemetery ($21.20)
- April 12: The Expeditions of Juan Bautista de Anza through Riverside County at Riverside Medical Clinic Basement Meeting Room
- April 17: Frozen: The Broadway Musical at Woodcrest Christian School Royals Pavilion ($15- $20)
- April 18: Blue Zones Project Riverside: Moai Launch Party at North Park
- April 18: Fant-A-She’s at Riverside Municipal Auditorium ($37- $97)
- April 23: Raincross Gazette: Ward 2 Community Forum at UCR Alumni & Visitors Center
- April 29: Raincross Gazette: Ward 4 Community Forum at Riverside Citrus State Park - Sunkist Center
- May 6: Senior Conference at Janet Goeske Center
- May 17: Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social at Riverside's Heritage House
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