The City Council's Land Use Committee failed to achieve quorum Monday, extending the wait for regulatory changes aimed at smoke shops linked to illegal drug activity.
City Council will weigh interim city attorney picks. The Housing Committee will review Safe Parking pilot details and a proposal to turn a University Ave hotel into affordable studios for people experiencing homelessness.
Welcome to our weekly digest on public meetings and agenda items worthy of your attention in the next 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 meet in a special closed session on Tuesday, Apr. 29, at 3:30 p.m. (agenda)to consider candidates for appointment to the role of Interim City Attorney, currently filled by Jack Liu.
Housing and Homelessness Committee
The Housing and Homelessness Committee (Councilmembers Cervantes, Mill, and Robillard) meets on Monday, Apr. 28, at 3:30 p.m. (agenda). The agenda includes:
Consider a Safe Parking Pilot Program that would provide 20 overnight parking spaces for vehicle-dwelling families with school-enrolled children; this proposal follows the Committee's January discussion of the concept and request for City staff to bring a detailed proposal.
Approving a joint application with Riverside Housing Development Corporation for $35 million in state Homekey+ Program funds to convert a 114-room motel (1590 University Ave.) into affordable studio apartments with support services that would provide stable housing for homeless individuals, including veterans and those with disabilities.
Board of Public Utilities
The Board of Public Utilities meets on Monday, Apr. 28, at 6:30 p.m. (agenda). The agenda includes:
Considering $2.5 million in agreements with Southern California Gas Company to provide free energy efficiency upgrades to income-qualified residents.
Considering a $16.4 million budget adjustment that increases spending on personnel and infrastructure without raising customer rates
Approving a $3.67 million contract with Tetra Tech, Inc. to design and oversee construction of PFAS removal technology at the Palmyrita Water Treatment Plant to ensure Riverside's drinking water meets new federal safety standards by the 2029 deadline.
Board of Ethics
The Board of Ethics Commission meets on Thursday, May 1, at 5:00 p.m. (agenda) for a presentation on term limits for board and commission members and to review the City's ethics complaint filing requirements.
The City Council's Land Use Committee failed to achieve quorum Monday, extending the wait for regulatory changes aimed at smoke shops linked to illegal drug activity.
City Council does not meet this week. Other agendas include a review of smoke shop regulations after police seized illegal products at 13 locations and a pilot program connecting Deaf residents to sign language interpreters via QR codes.
