> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# This Week in City Hall: May 18, 2026
- URL: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/this-week-in-city-hall-may-18-2026/
- Published: 2026-05-18T12:00:01.000Z
- Updated: 2026-05-19T23:15:16.000Z
- Description: City boards and commissions take up pallet yard zoning, parks budget cuts, housing conversions, and historic preservation at a busy week of civic meetings.
- Author: Micaela Ricaforte
- Tags: City Hall, Column, This Week in City Hall

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, May 19, at 12 p.m. at Hunter Hobby Park for a luncheon and tour by Riverside Live Steamers, and in afternoon sessions at 3 p.m. and an evening session at 6:15 p.m. ([agenda](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1409614&GUID=4ED9EBCC-815B-4CE2-BB6C-7FD8334F2483&ref=raincrossgazette.com)). The agenda includes:

- Consider an urgency [ordinance](https://riversideca.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=6824316d-4b62-45ee-a6c7-91641d97c42f.docx&ref=raincrossgazette.com) that would immediately halt new or expanded wooden pallet storage yards in Riverside for 45 days while the city develops permanent zoning rules for such businesses. ([item 7](https://riversideca.granicusideas.com/meetings/5330-city-council-art-pick-council-chamber/agenda%5Fitems/69fd38a9f2b670c49000545f-7-adopt-an-urgency-ordinance-establishing-a-45-da?ref=raincrossgazette.com))
- Scheduling a public hearing on June 23 to consider [proposed City service fee increases](https://riversideca.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=9d686a49-a8de-45da-b73b-32238b4e39f8.docx&ref=raincrossgazette.com) for 2026-27 and a City rule change that would allow future fees to rise automatically each year tied to inflation. ([item 8](https://riversideca.granicusideas.com/meetings/5330-city-council-art-pick-council-chamber/agenda%5Fitems/69fd38a9f2b670c490005460-8-proposed-fiscal-year-2026-28-master-fees-and-ch?ref=raincrossgazette.com))
- Scheduling a public hearing on June 23 to discuss the City's [proposed two-year budget](https://riversideca.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=e92dc946-456d-4c06-aa82-5d03f98c00b6.docx&ref=raincrossgazette.com) for 2026-28, which includes measures described as addressing a projected deficit, alongside a spending plan for Measure Z sales tax funds. ([item 9](https://riversideca.granicusideas.com/meetings/5330-city-council-art-pick-council-chamber/agenda%5Fitems/69fd38a9f2b670c490005461-9-proposed-fiscal-year-2026-2028-biennial-budget?ref=raincrossgazette.com))
- Discussing the recruitment of a city attorney ([item 17a](https://riversideca.granicusideas.com/meetings/5330-revised-city-council-art-pick-council-chamber/agenda%5Fitems/6a079ad47d796581bb0029da-17a-pursuant-to-government-code-ss54957-for-recrui?ref=raincrossgazette.com))
- Evaluating the city manager’s performance in a closed session ([item 17b](https://riversideca.granicusideas.com/meetings/5330-revised-city-council-art-pick-council-chamber/agenda%5Fitems/6a079ad47d796581bb0029db-17b-pursuant-to-government-code-ss54957-for-perfor?ref=raincrossgazette.com))
- Considering a new [City rule](https://riversideca.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=0b5d6df3-d61d-4020-b43f-87643fa4cb21.docx&ref=raincrossgazette.com) requiring reporting when people experiencing homelessness are transported. ([item 31](https://riversideca.granicusideas.com/meetings/5330-city-council-art-pick-council-chamber/agenda%5Fitems/69fd38a9f2b670c490005482-31-introduce-an-ordinance-amending-title-9-of-the?ref=raincrossgazette.com))
- Approving the final [subdivision map](https://riversideca.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=edb03566-b39b-4f5f-8455-939ef08ef9cb.docx&ref=raincrossgazette.com) for a 49-home development at Victoria and La Sierra Avenues, including three units designated affordable for very low-income households. ([item 35](https://riversideca.granicusideas.com/meetings/5330-city-council-art-pick-council-chamber/agenda%5Fitems/69fd38aaf2b670c490005488-35-final-tract-map-38921-matthew-esquivel-of-w?ref=raincrossgazette.com))
- Authorizing a $14 million federal grant application for citywide [traffic safety infrastructure improvements](https://riversideca.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=952dd661-d808-4ee9-ab59-b1c6230cd05e.docx&ref=raincrossgazette.com) that would require $2.8 million in City matching funds. ([item 36](https://riversideca.granicusideas.com/meetings/5330-city-council-art-pick-council-chamber/agenda%5Fitems/69fd38aaf2b670c490005489-36-submit-fiscal-year-2026-safe-streets-and-roads?ref=raincrossgazette.com))
- Considering an [agreement](https://riversideca.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=ccfc6ccb-c8b5-4d34-aa6f-c8ba32f3512d.docx&ref=raincrossgazette.com) with Lamar Central Outdoor, LLC to relocate 10 billboards in exchange for $2.5 million and a share of future advertising revenue paid to the City. ([item 39](https://riversideca.granicusideas.com/meetings/5330-city-council-art-pick-council-chamber/agenda%5Fitems/69fd38aaf2b670c49000548d-39-approve-agreement-with-lamar-central-outdoor?ref=raincrossgazette.com))

### Commission on Aging

The Commission on Aging meets on Monday, May 18 at 4:00 p.m. ([agenda](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1408084&GUID=C913F3F8-E16D-49AD-9FC4-95FD901FBF17&ref=raincrossgazette.com)) to receive a [presentation](https://riversideca.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=97eec76d-b4bd-4be3-8d9d-2afbb54f4b9f.pptx&ref=raincrossgazette.com) from the Riverside Police Department on the Blue Envelope Program — a voluntary tool that allows drivers with developmental disabilities or other cognitive conditions to communicate their needs to officers during traffic stops by presenting a specially marked envelope containing their documents and medical information. ([item 2](https://riversideca.granicusideas.com/meetings/5341-commission-on-aging-art-pick-council-chamber/agenda%5Fitems/6a049d0cf2b6703368003e52-2-blue-envelope-program-enhancing-communication?ref=raincrossgazette.com))

### Park and Recreation Commission

The Park and Recreation Commission meets on Monday, May 18 at 6:30 p.m. ([agenda](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1398046&GUID=D5BBDC9E-6583-4261-B762-3EB968818E8B&ref=raincrossgazette.com)) to review [two-year departmental budget](https://riversideca.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=778fb90f-51eb-4dae-8bf2-e6428e2faace.docx&ref=raincrossgazette.com) that includes roughly $2.7 million in cuts affecting recreation programs, arts events, security at community centers and park maintenance. ([item 4](https://riversideca.granicusideas.com/meetings/5342-park-and-recreation-commission-art-pick-council-chamber/agenda%5Fitems/6a04eac0f395e7d62c000595-4-park-recreation-and-community-services-budget?ref=raincrossgazette.com))

### Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee

The Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee (Councilmembers Perry, Conder, and Mill) meets on Wednesday, May 20, at 1:00 p.m. ([agenda](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1407579&GUID=6B038C87-B30C-4C84-9925-1782CFB9DE59&ref=raincrossgazette.com)) to review updates on two public safety items: a [phased plan](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=15451164&GUID=8603F2B4-A8EF-471D-B826-117C5305D3B1&ref=raincrossgazette.com) to add 84 firefighters and seven frontline units to increase fire response capacity, ([item 4](https://riversideca.granicusideas.com/meetings/5333-safety-wellness-and-youth-committee-art-pick-council-chamber/agenda%5Fitems/69fe14e1f2b670f5a000135f-4-riverside-fire-department-master-plan-phase-1?ref=raincrossgazette.com)) and a [shift](https://riversideca.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=620eb9cd-5820-41d3-8227-82fd281ada31.docx&ref=raincrossgazette.com) in commercial truck enforcement toward joint patrols with the California Highway Patrol that issue state citations carrying license record points rather than city fines. ([item 3](https://riversideca.granicusideas.com/meetings/5333-safety-wellness-and-youth-committee-art-pick-council-chamber/agenda%5Fitems/69fe14e1f2b670f5a000135e-3-commercial-vehicle-enforcement-program-update?ref=raincrossgazette.com))

### Cultural Heritage Board

The Cultural Heritage Board meets on Wednesday, May 20, at 3:30 p.m. ([agenda](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1415457&GUID=F665823C-38C9-4812-8C31-E22291E84A9B&ref=raincrossgazette.com)) to review rehabilitation plans for two historic Riverside properties — the [Harada House National Historic Landmark](https://riversideca.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=63c57253-d99c-40cc-bb0d-55d0ef663d65.pptx&ref=raincrossgazette.com) on Lemon Street ([item 6](https://riversideca.granicusideas.com/meetings/5340-cultural-heritage-board-art-pick-council-chamber/agenda%5Fitems/6a03b7024425388bcd0009b2-6-proposal-by-robyn-peterson-museum-of-riverside?ref=raincrossgazette.com)) and the [1891 Barley Mills Building](https://riversideca.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=849cbeaf-5695-4643-ba36-571220092262.pptx&ref=raincrossgazette.com) on Commerce Street ([item 5](https://riversideca.granicusideas.com/meetings/5340-cultural-heritage-board-art-pick-council-chamber/agenda%5Fitems/6a03b7024425388bcd0009b1-5-proposal-by-darrin-olson-of-iron-lofts-llc-to?ref=raincrossgazette.com)) — as part of separate Certificate of Appropriateness requests before the board.

### Planning Commission

The Planning Commission meets on Thursday, May 21, at 9:00 a.m. ([agenda](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1399048&GUID=2EC7838E-BED3-409A-9D81-41D0F0C8C12A&ref=raincrossgazette.com)) to review a [mixed-use development proposal](https://riversideca.legistar1.com/daystar.legistar6.sdk.ws/View.ashx?M=F&GovernmentGUID=RIVE&LogicalFileName=b5711a2d-fa03-4bd0-812c-3b7022a535ba.docx&From=Granicus&Format=docx&ref=raincrossgazette.com) for the Eastside neighborhood ([item 2](https://riversideca.granicusideas.com/meetings/5337-planning-commission-art-pick-council-chamber/agenda%5Fitems/69fe6ac3f395e7dacd005786-2-planning-case-pr-2023-001469-gpa-rz-spa-tm?ref=raincrossgazette.com)), a [new rule](https://riversideca.legistar1.com/daystar.legistar6.sdk.ws/View.ashx?M=F&GovernmentGUID=RIVE&LogicalFileName=531746a7-0e17-45aa-825f-f98d250cc378.docx&From=Granicus&Format=docx&ref=raincrossgazette.com) that would allow vacant commercial buildings to be converted to housing ([item 3](https://riversideca.granicusideas.com/meetings/5337-planning-commission-art-pick-council-chamber/agenda%5Fitems/69fe6ac3f395e7dacd005787-3-planning-case-pc-2026-00408-proposal-by-the-c?ref=raincrossgazette.com)) and a progress update on the [Riverside 2050 General Plan and Climate Action and Adaptation Plan](https://riversideca.legistar1.com/daystar.legistar6.sdk.ws/View.ashx?M=F&GovernmentGUID=RIVE&LogicalFileName=5f9e527d-edef-48f1-a08f-f008456ba754.pdf&From=Granicus&Format=pdf&ref=raincrossgazette.com). ([item 6](https://riversideca.granicusideas.com/meetings/5337-planning-commission-art-pick-council-chamber/agenda%5Fitems/69fe6ac4f395e7dacd00578d-6-riverside-2050-general-plan-update-and-climate?ref=raincrossgazette.com))

### Economic Development Committee

The Economic Development Committee (Councilmembers Robillard, Cervantes, and Hemenway) meets on Thursday, May 21, at 3:00 p.m. ([agenda](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1410496&GUID=AF74A919-50B4-44BB-A19D-DB0D523170AE&ref=raincrossgazette.com)) to review [staff funding recommendations](https://riversideca.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=e8132322-d36e-448d-8bc4-47eb66fb8784.docx&ref=raincrossgazette.com) for the City's Arts and Cultural Affairs Sponsorship Program, which proposes distributing $158,214 among applicants for the July-December 2026 period ([item 2](https://riversideca.granicusideas.com/meetings/5335-economic-development-committee-art-pick-council-chamber/agenda%5Fitems/69fe5404f395e7dacd004f46-2-fiscal-year-2026-2027-city-sponsorship-program?ref=raincrossgazette.com)) and receive a [report](https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=15452711&GUID=9FD11A2C-E14D-410A-9305-26AB2D2C8E88&ref=raincrossgazette.com) on City-sponsored activities during National Small Business Week — including workshops on business funding, a local business spotlight, and a Riverside Rewards shopping promotion at participating businesses. ([item 6](https://riversideca.granicusideas.com/meetings/5335-economic-development-committee-art-pick-council-chamber/agenda%5Fitems/69fe5404f395e7dacd004f4b-6-national-small-business-week-may-3-9-2026-h?ref=raincrossgazette.com))