Monday Gazette: July 6, 2026

Hello Riverside, and Happy Monday! Quick reminder: the newsroom is on a short summer break this week, so there won't be a newsletter Tuesday, July 7 through Saturday, July 11.

See you back here on the 12th!

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GOVERNMENT

This Week in City Hall: July 6, 2026

Council certifies election results, seats a new member, and weighs an interim city manager; Finance Committee eyes investment policy and fiscal health.

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 hold a special meeting in closed and open sessions on Tuesday, July 7, in an evening session at 6:15 p.m. (agenda). The agenda includes:

• Adopting resolutions certifying the June 2026 election results and calling a runoff election for the Second and Fourth Ward council seats to be held November 3, 2026, since no candidate won a majority in those races. (item 2)
• Swearing in Luis Hernandez as the newly elected Ward 6 councilmember. (item 3)
• Discussing in closed session the appointment of an interim City Manager. (item 4)

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee (Councilmembers Hemenway, Robillard, and Falcone) meets on Wednesday, July 8, at 3:00 p.m. (agenda) to review proposed updates to the city's investment policy that extend allowable holding periods for certain short-term investments (item 2), and reviewing a set of financial health indicators comparing Riverside's fiscal condition, credit ratings, and income levels to similar California cities (item 3).

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FROM THE MAYOR'S DESK

Opinion: Riverside, State Lawmakers Target Missing Middle Housing to Boost Homeownership

Mayor Lock Dawson points to nearly 3,000 homes in the pipeline and backs AB 1903 as tools to close Riverside's homeownership gap.

As Mayor of Riverside, I hear from families, working professionals, and recent graduates-(including my own children!) who are asking the same question: Will I ever be able to afford a home in the community I love?

For generations, the California Dream included the opportunity to buy a home, build equity, and put down roots. Today, for too many that dream feels increasingly out of reach with only 55.3% of households in California owning their home and homeownership in Riverside faring slightly better with a 56.3% homeownership rate.  That’s far less than the 63.5% national rate.

One of the biggest barriers is that California stopped building enough starter homes. The state's "missing middle" housing: condominiums, townhomes, and other ownership opportunities that bridge the gap between renting and purchasing a single-family home. These have become increasingly difficult to build due to rising costs but also legal uncertainty and regulatory complexity. 

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GOVERNMENT

Board of Ethics Considers Overhaul of Complaint Process

Board members say the changes, still in early discussion, aim to reduce political influence over ethics investigations.

The Board of Ethics is weighing charter changes that would shield preliminary complaints from public view.

Why it matters: If you've filed — or plan to file — an ethics complaint against a council member, early reviews could soon happen behind closed doors before any public hearing.

Driving the news: An ad hoc committee presented the proposals at the board's July 2 meeting, after members reviewed ethics systems in other cities.

• Members stressed the ideas remain in the discussion stage; no formal action was taken.

What's new: The committee's plan would place the ethics board in the city charter, expand the future inspector general's investigative role, and let pre-hearing reviews stay private.

• Charter placement "would basically cement the Board of Ethics" as part of the city, Vice Chair Luis Hernandez said.

Yes, but: City staff warned the private pre-hearing proposal may conflict with California's Brown Act, which requires open meetings for local governing bodies.

• Board member Kathleen Fanning questioned shifting appointment power to the inspector general: "Why wouldn't we be beholden?"

What's next: The Charter Review Committee, expected to be appointed next year, would decide whether to recommend any changes to the City Council for a future ballot.

• The discussion was Hernandez's final meeting on the board; he was elected to the City Council's Ward 6 seat, and Chair Newman has resigned.

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This Week in Riverside

Monday, July 6

• Animal Kids Camp - Summer Sessions at Mary S. Roberts pet Adoption Center ($240)
• BCOE High School Summer Camps at Winston Chung Hall
• Jr Titan Youth Summer Camp at Notre Dame High School ($160)
• Volleyball Youth Summer Camp at Notre Dame High School ($160)
• Human Resources Board at Riverside City Hall

Tuesday, July 7

• ScotSurplus Sale at Corporation Yard
• Resume & Cover Letter at My Learning Studio ($42)
• Money Money Money at My Learning Studio ($27)
• The Art of Reading & Writing at My Learning Studio ($57)
• City Council at Riverside City Hall
• Reading Comprehension Group at My Learning Studio ($57)
• Trivia Night at Back to the Grind
• Karaoke Tuesday Competition at The Hideaway

Wednesday, July 8

• Riverside East Rotary Club at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern
• Stretch & Dance Class at Janet Goeske Senior Center
• Essay Writing 8th+ at My Learning Studio ($42)
• Writing Skills at My Learning Studio ($57)
• Finance Committee at Riverside City Hall
• "I Beg Your Garden" Oops, All Druids (D&D) - Adult Summer Reading Program at Main Library

Thursday, July 9

• Miss Nelson is Missing at Landis Performing Arts Center
• Leveraging AI: Stronger Neighborhood Groups with AI at Empire Underground
• The Dead of Summer Author Ryan La Sala and Drag Queen Story Hour Combine! at Cellar Door Bookstore ($42.80)
• Paint and Sip -Citrus and Chardonnay - Riverside - One Drink Included at ($60.54)

Friday, July 10

• Courthouse, Murals, & Heroes Tour at Mission Inn Foundation & Museum ($23.18)
• Live Rock en Español classics in Riverside! at The Hideaway Cafe & Lounge ($12.51)
• Murder Mystery Co. Dinner Theater Show at The Old Spaghetti Factory ($69)

Saturday, July 11

• Low-Cost Vaccination Clinic at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center's Spay-Neuter Clinic ($10- $28)
• K-POP Superstars at Fox Performing Arts Center
• Olivewood Cemetery Tour at Olivewood Memorial Park ($23.18)
• Painting Pop Stars Comedy Sip and Paint Event at BACK TO THE GRIND ($23.18)
• Reading Foundational Skills (RFS) at My Learning Studio ($196)
• Ripperside Cinema Galore Presents: Black Roses at Back to the Grind ($12.51)
• Songs From the Big Screen at Antioch Church ($7.18)
• Speed Dating for Ages 50+ at Cactus Cantina ($28.52 - $33.85)
• The Stars and Pipes Forever at First United Methodist Church of Riverside
• DSB The Tribute to Journey! at The Concert Lounge - Romano's Mission Grove ($25.35 - $53.48)

Sunday, July 12

• Celebration for Cheech's 80th Birthday! at The Cheech Center for Chicano Art & Culture
• Quiet Mind, Creative Heart at Cupid's Coven Wedding Chapel ($44)

Monday, July 13

• Basketball Youth Summer Camp at Notre Dame High School ($160)
• Leadership Youth Summer Camp at Notre Dame High School ($160)
• River Camp with IE Kids Outdoors at Martha McLean Park ($235)

Tuesday, July 14

• Study Skills- Test Taking at My Learning Studio ($57)

Save the Date

• July 20: Camp Riverside with IE Kids Outdoors at California State Citrus Heritage Park ($200)

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