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# This Week in City Hall: March 18, 2024
- URL: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/this-week-in-city-hall-march-18-2024/
- Published: 2024-03-18T15:30:36.000Z
- Updated: 2025-10-14T22:05:44.000Z
- Description: City Council will receive an update on the trash department's financial status now that new utility rates are in effect and will consider the sale of Downtown Parking Garages 1 & 2.
- Author: Gazette Staff
- Tags: City Hall, Budget & Finance, Column, #bulk-2025-10-14

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, March 19, in afternoon sessions at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. and an evening session at 6:15 p.m. ([agenda](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1182487&GUID=E13149D7-8C1A-4681-B746-8835953F8616&ref=raincrossgazette.com)). The agenda includes:

- A report on the [financial status of the trash department](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=12740154&GUID=9087122C-FA7C-4A06-94C8-D9E28C28FFCF&ref=raincrossgazette.com) now that new utility rates are in effect.
- Property sale agreements with Pelican Communities, who originally designed the recently opened apartments on Merrill Ave across from the Plaza, for [Downtown Parking Garages 1 & 2 on Orange St.](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=12740165&GUID=FA432507-67C3-44AF-B217-5E17796E1F6B&ref=raincrossgazette.com) and the [parking lot behind the Main Library on University Ave](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=12740164&GUID=4242634E-CD0C-4DAE-8287-2A1721CBE250&ref=raincrossgazette.com).
- Considering a reduction in Mills Act fees, a state program that provides property tax relief to owners of historic properties in exchange for their commitment to preserve and maintain the property.
- Awarding a $600,000+ contract for [architectural and design services for a Northside Agriculture Innovation Center](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=12740161&GUID=97A69B2C-54A2-462A-B13C-58EA4D3397C5&ref=raincrossgazette.com).
- Awarding Path of Life Ministries over $2 million for homeless shelter operating costs from January 1, 2024, through July 30, 2025.

### Commission on Aging

The Commission on Aging meets on Monday, March 18, at 4:00 p.m. ([agenda](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1182798&GUID=8F1F1CFE-2631-48FC-AC96-CF0927AE9D10&ref=raincrossgazette.com)) to appoint new chairpersons.

### Park and Recreation Commission

The Commission on Aging meets on Monday, March 18, at 6:30 p.m. ([agenda](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1171755&GUID=C40E58F9-0A67-4836-9599-34FE73F9C139&ref=raincrossgazette.com)) for presentations on recent and upcoming projects.

### Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee

The Finance Committee meets on Wednesday, March 20, at 1:00 p.m. ([agenda](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1182315&GUID=DBFD8316-D309-4570-9B90-D2EFD110AE19&ref=raincrossgazette.com)) to review [fireworks enforcement activities in 2023](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=12740037&GUID=A45AA09C-6B86-4FF5-AF69-84AB7E2CBFF1&ref=raincrossgazette.com).

### Economic Development Committee

The Economic Development Committee meets on Thursday, March 21, at 3:00 p.m. ([agenda](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1182316&GUID=E49508F8-5388-4757-B247-6945B40E248E&ref=raincrossgazette.com)) to consider potential reforms to the City's [Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=12734438&GUID=2315FBA4-34B9-4C4A-926E-666A79C909C3&ref=raincrossgazette.com) policy.

### Commission on Disabilities

The Commission on Disabilities meets on Thursday, March 21, at 5:30 p.m. ([agenda](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1162709&GUID=A6DBB043-89A7-4151-8656-F5C8BC5B4AE6&ref=raincrossgazette.com)) for an update on the [Parks Department's Friendly Stars program](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=12739866&GUID=9E4E1F03-3132-447A-A268-A4C23B132CF1&ref=raincrossgazette.com).