Government
Deaf Commission Rejects Proposal for City Deaf and Disability Office, Citing Scope and Timing
The Commission of the Deaf voted unanimously against forwarding a letter to the City Council requesting a new Office of Deaf and Disability Support.
Six Months In, the Public Comment Debate Is Still About Whether Speaking Changes Anything
Councilmembers say the October rules update keeps meetings moving. Critics say it manages dissent rather than addresses it.
This Week in City Hall: May 18, 2026
City boards and commissions take up pallet yard zoning, parks budget cuts, housing conversions, and historic preservation at a busy week of civic meetings.
City Council Approves $2.28M City Hall Lobby Overhaul, Moving Clerk's Office to Main Floor
The 301-day design-build project will relocate the City Clerk's Office to the ground floor and add a grab-and-go food area, funded partly through Measure Z reserves.
RPU Board Advances $34M Plan for Solar, Battery and Efficiency Programs
The Board of Public Utilities backed a working group's six-project spending plan, though some members questioned whether city-facility investments would deliver enough direct benefit to customers.
City Adds First Electric Buses to Paratransit Fleet
The Micro Bird G5 purchases replace two aging vehicles and qualify for state and utility rebates that offset the cost.
Ward 2, 4 and 6 Candidates Weigh in on City Manager Tenure, Futrell Reversal
Candidates from three contested council races respond to questions about city manager retention — and Mike Futrell's decision to stay.
This Week in City Hall: May 11, 2026
From electric buses to a River District workplan, City Council and six other boards and commissions hold meetings across the week.
Council Adopts Ward Event Policy, Bans Councilmember Branding
Policy approved Tuesday sets consistent rules for ward events and bans the use of a councilmember's name or logo in event branding.
Riverside Moves Closer to Turning Sewage Waste into Renewable Natural Gas
The council voted Tuesday to assign existing SoCalGas agreements to Riverside Bioenergy Facility LLC, a private partner that will build and fund the biogas upgrading system.
Measure Z, Explained: The Sales Tax Increase on Riverside's June Ballot
Voters will decide June 2 whether to raise the existing Measure Z sales tax to 1.25 percent and remove its 2036 sunset. Here's what's on the ballot, why it's there, and what each side is arguing.
City Manager Speaks Out as Council Evaluates His Performance, Conduct
The council reviewed Futrell's performance in closed session Tuesday but took no action, as the city manager publicly defended himself and his wife against allegations that have roiled City Hall since December.