This Week in City Hall: February 24, 2024

Neighbor of the Week-Father's Day Edition: Justin Pardee & Ken Crawford

This week, we’re spotlighting two of the dads behind The Raincross Gazette—celebrating the father figures who lead with love, show up without fanfare, and shape lives in quiet, powerful ways. These aren’t celebrities—just regular Riversiders doing the most important job there is.

From Desert Jewel to Hidden Gem: The Story of Riverside’s White Park Cactus Garden

Once hailed as a world-class botanical marvel, the White Park cactus garden has faded from view—but new plans aim to restore this historic Riverside treasure to its former glory.

This Week in City Hall: February 24, 2024

A potential new police station at the Magnolia Ave. and Van Buren Blvd. intersection and a 126-acre adventure sports complex and mixed-use project on the former Riverside Golf Course site in the Northside is on this week's agenda.

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 closed and open sessions on Tuesday, Feb. 25, in afternoon sessions at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. and an evening session at 6:15 p.m. (agenda). The agenda includes:

Considering the $1.895 million purchase of a vacant building at the intersection of Magnolia Ave and Van Buren Blvd for a new police substation supporting the Arlington Village area with "neighborhood safety and accessibility."
Approving an amendment to the CalPERS retirement contract requiring an additional 0.5% contribution from senior police leadership for long-term pension sustainability.
Considering authorizing up to $40 million in revenue bonds to rehabilitate a 197-unit affordable housing complex (3941 Polk St), extending existing affordability requirements with no cost to taxpayers.
Considering Riverside Unified School District's request for street closures and traffic modifications near Victoria Ave and 13th Street to accommodate construction of the new Eastside elementary school.
Considering street closures near Mission Inn Ave. and Third St. and acquiring 29 properties through eminent domain to construct a Third Street railroad underpass.
Considering an agreement with Adrenaline Sports Resorts Collaborative to develop a 126-acre adventure sports complex and mixed-use project on the former Riverside Golf Course site in Northside.

Board of Public Utilities

The Board of Public Utilities meets on Monday, Feb. 24, at 6:30 p.m. (agenda) to consider a $300,000 contract for refrigerator recycling and another contract for underground cable replacement in the neighborhood by Don Derr Park.

Museum of Riverside Board

The Museum of Riverside Board meets on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 3:30 p.m. (agenda) for regular business.

Community Police Review Commission

The Community Police Review Commission meets on Wednesday, Feb. 265, at 5:30 p.m. (agenda) and will begin the review of an Officer Involved Death case from the January 2022 arrest of a suspected drug dealer, which ended in a fatal shooting after the suspect fled.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission meets on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 9:00 a.m. (agenda) to review proposed updates to the City's sign regulations for local businesses.