Tuesday Gazette: September 22, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Tuesday! Riverside voters have a chance to hear directly from candidates running for city office tomorrow evening. Temple Beth El is hosting a community conversation titled "Riverside's Values and Vision for the Future," a civil dialogue moderated by Rabbi Emerita Suzanne Singer. Candidates Aram Ayra, Chuck Conder, Gracie Torres, and Rich Vandenberg are all slated to take part, speaking to the challenges and opportunities facing our city ahead of the November election. The evening kicks off at 6:30 p.m. at Temple Beth El, 2675 Central Avenue, across from Poly High, and wraps with an informal reception where attendees can meet the candidates directly. RSVP is required, and note that a valid photo ID will be checked at the door as part of the venue's security protocol.
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CITY HALL
Riverside Considers Body Cameras, New Tactics for Code Enforcement After Harassment Allegations
Proposed changes could change how the city responds to neighborhood complaints and records its officers' interactions with residents.
City leaders are weighing body cameras, expanded hours and new complaint rules for code enforcement after harassment allegations against two former supervisors.
Why it matters: Any changes could shift when officers respond to your noise, parking or property complaints — and how sidewalk vendors are treated going forward. No policies changed yet.
Driving the news: The Economic Development Committee on Thursday directed staff to keep researching reforms, following a city-commissioned investigation alleging two former supervisors harassed mostly immigrant street vendors for years.
- The investigation described unwarranted home entries, seized property and supervisors impersonating peace officers; both employees no longer work for the city.
By the numbers: Riverside's permitted sidewalk vendors fell from 37 in 2024 to 15 this year, and the city doesn't know why.
- The city has issued 103 vendor citations since 2024, but payment rates have dropped each year.
What they're saying: "We are not pretending it didn't happen," Committee Chair Steven Robillard said.
Yes, but: Eddie Torres of the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice said the staff report leans too heavily on enforcement over helping vendors get licensed.
What's next: Staff will study body cameras, expanded evening and weekend hours, and specialized vendor-enforcement roles before bringing recommendations to the full City Council.
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CITY HALL
Riverside HR Board Approves First Reclassification Policy Overhaul Since 2014
The revised policy spells out when positions qualify for reclassification and how approved changes affect employees' pay and status.
Riverside's Human Resources Board approved the first update to its reclassification policy since 2014, tying the process to the fiscal year.
Why it matters: City employees or departments requesting a reclassification now follow a standardized annual cycle, clearer eligibility rules and defined pay formulas instead of an ad hoc process last revised in December 2014.
What's new: The policy adds defined eligibility rules, a formal classification-study process and specific pay formulas for upward, lateral and downward changes.
- Upward reclassifications guarantee at least a 5% pay increase, capped at the new range's maximum.
Driving the news: The Human Resources Board approved the revision without opposition Monday, Sept. 14.
- Senior Human Resources Analyst Daisy Morehouse said the changes align the policy with the city's current practices and organize it into defined sections.
Between the lines: The update follows a city investigation into the Community and Economic Development Department, which found conflict over proposed transfers of employees with active complaints.
- The revision addresses only whether a transferred position should be reclassified, not whether a transfer was appropriate — and city materials don't connect the revision to that investigation.
What's next: Reclassification requests for filled positions will generally follow an annual window tied to the July-June fiscal year, with approved changes taking effect the pay period that includes July 1.
Read and share the complete story...
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Noteworthy
The Riverside Police Department is offering a free car seat check event on Sept. 26 from 8-11 a.m. at 10540 Magnolia Ave., part of Child Passenger Safety Week; properly installed seats cut infant fatalities by 71%.
UCR kicks off the school year with nearly 100 Welcome Week events, including a bookstore giveaway offering four $100 gift cards to enrolled students.
RCC's Viewpoints Managing Editor Marissa Lievanos was the only community college student chosen for the New York Times Corps journalism mentorship program's 2026-27 cohort of 21 participants.
Riverside's new Local Vibes Event Series launches with the free Fall Festival at Villegas Park on Oct. 10, followed by Planes & Treats at Riverside Airport on Oct. 17.
This Week in Riverside
Today
- MSRPAC's Monthly Community Cat Spay/Neuter Day at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center's Spay-Neuter Clinic ($45)
- ScotSurplus Sale at ScotSurplus Store
- County Board of Supervisors Meeting at 4080 Lemon Street, 1st Floor
- FREE YOGA - Mandala Yoga with Alejandro at Community Yoga Center
- Inland Empire Latino Economic & Policy Summit at Riverside Art Museum
- Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic Training Course at Riverside City EOC
- Karaoke Tuesday Competition at The Hideaway
Tomorrow
- Riverside East Rotary Club at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern
- Stretch & Dance Class at Janet Goeske Senior Center
- Riverside Mission Belles at Victoria Presbyterian Church ($25)
- FREE YOGA - Seated Yoga with Kristin Varner at All Saints Episcopal Church
- History on the Rocks - Round Two! Presented by The Mission Inn Foundation at Mission Inn Foundation ($71.21)
- Rayland Baxter :: Farm House Collective at Farm House Collective
- FREE Beginning Square Dance Lessons with Line Dancing at Cowtown Square Dance Center
- Riverside Jams at Carbon Nation Brewery
- Riverside City Council Candidate Forum: Values and Vision for tour Future at Temple Beth El
Save the Date
- Sep 24: Where are Riverside County's Ballots and How Secure Are Its Elections? at The Cheech Marin Center
- Sep 25: FREE YOGA - The Evolution of Ashtanga with Kristin Varner at Community Yoga Center
- Sep 25: Moon Festival at Heritage House
- Sep 25: Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting at Zacatecas Café
- Sep 26: FREE YOGA - The Art of Vinyasa with Catherine Murray at Community Yoga Center
- Sep 26: FREE YOGA - Yin Yoga with Kristin Varner at Community Yoga Center
- Sep 28: FREE YOGA - Moody Mondays with Cherie Amour at Community Yoga Center
- Sep 30: FREE YOGA - Seated Yoga with Kristin Varner at All Saints Episcopal Church
- Oct 3: Aquamotion Aquathon at Shamel Pool
- Oct 4: Riverside Historical Society Local History Book Fair at Villegas Community Center
- Oct 7: Fifty & Better Health Fair at Janet Goeske Center
- Oct 17: Spooky Music Organ Concert at First Congregational Church of Riverside ($30)
- Oct 22: Experience RUSD, Riverside Unified State of the District at Riverside Municipal Airport
- Oct 24: Vintage Car and Warbird Show at Riverside Airport - Commemorative Air Force Hanger and Museum
- Nov 14: Riverside Veterans Parade - Downtown Riverside/Market St.
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