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 meet in closed and open sessions on Tuesday, April 7, in an afternoon session at 1 p.m. (agenda). The agenda includes:
Considering a proposed city law that would ban the retail sale of nitrous oxide at smoke shops and other stores, in response to widespread illegal sales and rising arrest numbers tied to recreational misuse of the substance. (link)
Considering a proposed city law that would ban the sale and distribution of kratom products at shops like gas stations and smoke shops, with violations carrying fines and possible jail time. (link)
Considering updates to Riverside Municipal Airport's rules that would require animals to be leashed, mandate permits for all on-site business activities, and tighten restrictions on unauthorized entry into areas where aircraft operate. (link)
Considering an ordinance that would update the city’s billboard rules to allow advertising companies to request relocating or replacing signs — including digital displays — in exchange for negotiated community benefits and billboard removals determined solely by the City Council. (link)
Considering an ordinance to reduce the Budget Engagement Commission's membership from 13 to 10 seats — with a further reduction to 9 planned — to lower the quorum threshold after repeated meeting cancellations caused by unfilled vacancies. (link)
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee (Councilmembers Hemenway, Robillard, and Falcone) meets on Wednesday, April 8, at 3:00 p.m. (agenda) to review the city’s annual financial audit reports from an independent auditor, who issued a clean opinion on the city's fiscal year 2024-2025 financial statements while also identifying bookkeeping errors that city has since corrected.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission meets on Thursday, April 9, at 9:00 a.m. (agenda) to consider two permit requests — a day care for up to 117 children at 3481 Prospect Avenue and a wine and spirits shop and bar at 6491–6499 Magnolia Avenue — each requiring the Commission to make special findings under city rules.
Mobility and Infrastructure Committee
The Mobility and Infrastructure Committee (Councilmembers Conder, Hemenway, and Perry) meets on Thursday, April 9, at 1:00 p.m. (agenda) to review and approve the Board of Public Utilities' final 2025 work plan report and proposed 2026 schedule, which outlines the advisory board's planned oversight activities for the city's water and electric utilities.
Airport Commission
The Airport Commission meets on Thursday, April 9, at 3:00 p.m. (agenda) to receive the Riverside Municipal Airport Manager's April 2026 report, which describes aircraft activity up 11.8% year-to-date, revenues tracking above projections, and ongoing infrastructure work including a FAA-funded pavement study and completed roof repairs.
New language bars city officials from biased or partisan online posts in quasi-judicial matters, but exempts private speech after attorneys raised First Amendment concerns.
The City Council voted to approve a grant application for affordable housing funding as state regulators raise questions about Riverside's commitment to its housing targets.
