Riversiders Raise Ethics, Watchdog Concerns at City Council

Residents came to Tuesday's City Council meeting with questions about a surplus truck donation, a missing watchdog, and a rejected housing grant — and largely received silence in return. But near the close of the meeting, they got one win: the council agreed to move next week's Measure Z tax vote to an evening session after two weeks of public pressure.

The evening's most scrutinized item drew almost no council response: Item 31, a proposal to donate a surplus 2007 Ford Ranger pickup truck to the Arlington Business Partnership, a private nonprofit. Ward 1 resident Jason Hunter questioned whether the transfer met the threshold required under the California Constitution, which prohibits gifts of public funds to private organizations. The staff report justified the donation under a provision governing contributions to other agencies but did not address the constitutional standard Hunter cited. The truck, valued at approximately $1,200 with over 75,000 miles, received minimal maintenance before the donation — a departure from standard city practice of auctioning surplus vehicles as-is.

Hunter also noted that Councilmembers Falcone, Robillard and Mill are endorsing Oz Puerta, the ABP's executive director and a Ward 6 council candidate, while Councilmember Jim Perry sits on the organization's board. "The perception on this is really bad," Hunter said. "I think that in and of itself should warrant further conversation."

Fellow Ward 1 resident Becky Watley was blunter. "It doesn't smell good, guys," she said.

The item passed over Falcone's no vote and Robillard's recusal, with no response from staff or council to the legal or ethical concerns raised.

Residents also pressed the council — again — about the Inspector General, a watchdog position voters approved more than a year ago that has yet to be filled. An unnamed caller raised the Inspector General's absence alongside the city's first-quarter financial report. "We need somebody auditing these numbers," the caller said. The financial report, presented by Deputy Finance Director Sergio Aguilar, flagged that personnel costs grew 7% in the first quarter while revenue growth trailed behind — a trend staff said it is actively monitoring. No one responded.

The $20.1 million HomeKey housing grant drew its own round of public advocacy. Two speakers urged the council to contact the California Department of Housing and Community Development to request an extension — though that window has almost certainly closed. As the Gazette reported in February, the final extended deadline of February 10 passed without any of the four councilmembers who voted to reject the grant in January filing a motion to reconsider, and the $20.1 million is expected to return to the state. An unnamed student caller said she cannot find affordable housing anywhere in the city. "I don't understand why we would turn down grant money," she said. A second speaker, Janice Rooths of Ward 2, cited her years working alongside Path of Life Ministries as evidence that housing-first approaches work. No action was taken and no councilmember addressed the timeline.

The evening session change came after residents argued for two consecutive weeks — in chambers and on the phone — that scheduling a major tax discussion at 1 p.m. on a Tuesday excluded working residents. "Things that you don't want to hear from the public get pushed to the one o'clock session," resident Rich Gardner told the council Tuesday. Councilmember Steven Robillard moved to reschedule the vote; Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes seconded, and the motion carried without objection.

A proposal to bring one or more of five revenue measure options before voters is on the March 3 agenda, including possible extensions or expansions of Measure Z. The March 3 meeting will begin at 6:15 p.m.