Thursday Gazette: July 30, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Thursday! Some days just feel like a good one to pause and notice the people who make this city warmer — the neighbor who waves every morning, the coworker who always checks in on you, even the server who remembers your order. We're big believers that a little extra kindness on an ordinary Thursday can go a long way, so today, tell someone you appreciate them. It costs nothing, but it could mean everything to someone.
See you tomorrow!
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CITY HALL
Midweek Update: City Hall Moves on Housing, Roads, and Leadership
The city tapped an interim city manager, cleared the way for new housing and road work, and rolled out a rebate program for home energy storage.
A quick check-in on what's happened so far this week at City Hall and what's still ahead.
New Interim City Manager
At Tuesday's City Council meeting, councilmembers approved the appointment of Tom Hatch as interim city manager, following former manager Mike Futrell's voluntary departure last month. Hatch brings more than 36 years of experience and has previously served as interim city manager for Orange, Santa Fe Springs, Santa Ana, and Placentia.
Also at Tuesday's Meeting
Road Funding (SB-1 Gas Tax)- The council adopted a resolution allocating the city's roughly $9 million in FY 2026–27 SB-1 gas tax funds to road projects, covering:
- Columbia Avenue (215 Freeway bridge to Chicago)
- University Avenue (Mt. Rubidoux to Pine; Market to Lime)
- Chicago Avenue (Alessandro to Central)
- Adams Street (California to Arlington)
- Tyler Street (Magnolia to the 91 Freeway westbound ramps)
- La Sierra Avenue (Cypress to Arlington)
- Several residential streets in La Sierra: Fairfield Court, Darien Court, Cypress Avenue, Palm Terrace Lane, Golden Avenue, Anaheim Street, Reid Court, and Knoefler Drive
Timeline: Pre-construction begins this September; construction runs June–November 2027.
Annual Paving Budget- Approved a $26 million road work budget for FY 2026–27.
- Boosted by Measure A sales tax funds after Measure Z revenue fell $3.2 million short amid the city's broader budget shortfall
- Citywide pavement condition has slipped slightly — about 21% of streets now rated "poor" or "very poor"
Land Use Actions- Two separate approvals:
- Rezoning of the 7.03-acre former Riverside Scrap Iron & Metal brownfield site to enable a 300-unit multi-family residential development, incorporating the historic Barley Mills Building for resident amenities.
- Historic district removal — two parcels at 4472 and 4480 Orange St. were removed from the Prospect Place Historic District after it was found their original historic structures had been demolished.
Homeless Shelter Funding- Approved an $836,089 increase to the agreement with Mercy House Living Centers, extending funding through December 31, 2026 for the Bridge Housing Program (a 23-bed non-congregate shelter at 2881 Hulen Place).
- Funded via HHAP Round 4 grant money
- Maintains 24-hour staffing, case management, and housing navigation services
- A new competitive bidding process for the program's future operator will run in 2027
- Results so far: 315 people served; 109 (~35%) moved into permanent housing — a rate staff say beats typical regional shelter benchmarks
Also This Week
New Energy Storage Rebate Program- The Board of Public Utilities approved a new Energy Storage Rebate Program for residential customers on Monday, funded by a $5 million supplemental appropriation from the Electric Public Benefits Fund's Public Benefits Cash Reserves.
- General residential customers: $500 per kWh of storage capacity, up to $10,000
- Low-income customers (SHARE program): $850 per kWh of storage capacity, up to $17,000
- Developed with input from a Public Benefits Charge Community Working Group (formed 2025)
- Participants must be on a time-of-use electric rate
- Rebates apply retroactively to installations dating back to July 1, 2026
- First of six initiatives totaling $34 million approved earlier this year to spend down accumulated Public Benefits Charge reserves on storage, solar, and efficiency programs
Other Notes
- The Housing and Homelessness Committee's Monday meeting was canceled.
What to Watch
The council received a presentation on the City's third-quarter financial results — more on that to come.
Read and share the complete story...
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CITY HALL
City Council Taps Tom Hatch as Interim City Manager
Hatch, who has led interim transitions in four Southern California cities, begins the role July 31.
Riverside hired a veteran interim city manager Tuesday, filling a vacancy left after Mike Futrell's resignation.
Why it matters: Hatch takes over during a search for a permanent city manager, following a leadership shakeup that included a possible censure and a defamation claim against the city.
Driving the news: Council voted unanimously Tuesday to appoint Hatch and authorize the mayor pro tem to sign his employment agreement.
- Assistant city manager Edward Enriquez had served as acting, then interim, city manager while the city searched for a professional candidate.
- Hatch brings more than 36 years in local government, including seven years as Costa Mesa's city manager.
The backstory: Futrell resigned June 16 after a possible censure appeared on a closed-session meeting agenda, days after his wife filed a defamation claim against the city.
- Susan Freeman's June 10 claim alleges defamation, reputational harm and First Amendment retaliation tied to a Dec. 11 city letter.
By the numbers: Hatch will earn $195.05 an hour, capped at 960 hours a year under CalPERS retiree rules, with no city benefits beyond workers' compensation.
What's next: Hatch's contract runs July 31, 2026 through July 31, 2027, or until a permanent city manager is hired. The city's recruitment page is already live.
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SPORTS
Jaylen Clark shows Riverside kids success starts before the NBA
NBA guard Jaylen Clark brought his community camp home to Riverside for a fifth year, proving the price of good coaching doesn't have to be steep.
Jaylen Clark split the young basketball players into two groups and pitted them against each other in a series of one-on-one drills.
One group attacked the basket while the other played defense.
The losing team had to run suicides down the court, under 30 seconds.
Each player battled for points and a chance to impress the Riverside native, now a shooting guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
When it was time to pay the price for losing, one of the kids didn't make the run under the set time. Instead of letting it slide, Clark had the team run again, until every player finished their suicide run under 30 seconds.
Read and share the complete story...
Noteworthy
UCR admitted a record 74,340 undergraduates for fall 2026, surpassing last year's mark and leading the UC system in first-year California resident admissions.
Councilmember Sean Mill will host a Community Connection town hall today, July 30, from 6-8 p.m. at the Bourns Family Youth Innovation Center, open to all Ward 5 residents.
Euryale Brewing Co. will close its doors after 10 years, hosting a farewell celebration July 31 from 3–10 p.m. with beer specials and prizes to thank the community.
What's Happening in Riverside
Today
- History on the Rocks! Presented by The Mission Inn Foundation at Mission Inn Foundation ($65.50 - $71.21)
Tomorrow
- Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting at Zacatecas Café
- Creative Arts at My Learning Studio ($57)
- Reading Assistance Program (RAP) at My Learning Studio ($57)
- Courthouse, Murals and Heroes Walking Tour at Mission Inn Foundation ($23.18)
- Calle 24 - Eterno Tour at Fox Performing Arts Center
Save the Date
- August 1: FREE YOGA - The Art of Vinyasa with Catherine Murray at Community Yoga Center
- August 1: FREE YOGA - Yin Yoga with Kristin Varner at Community Yoga Center
- August 2: FREE YOGA - The Evolution of Ashtanga with Kristin Varner at Community Yoga Center
- August 3: FREE YOGA - Moody Mondays with Cherie Amour at Community Yoga Center
- August 5: FREE YOGA - Seated Yoga with Kristin Varner at All Saints Episcopal Church
- August 7: Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting at Zacatecas Café
- August 8: Casino Night with CARE at Riverside Airport Cafe ($50)
- October 7: Fifty & Better Health Fair at Janet Goeske Center
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