This Week in City Hall: May 19, 2025

Council will consider the potential conversion of a hotel into permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals, an $8.1 million contract for a Patterson Park renovation, and updates to industrial development standards that address community concerns about warehouse proliferation.

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, May 30, at 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 6:15 p.m. (agenda). The agenda includes:

A final review of the City's updated rates for hundreds of city services, from building permits to recreation programs, before a public hearing scheduled for June 17, 2025, for final adoption of the new fees.
Considering applying for $35 million in state funds to convert the Quality Inn motel on University Avenue into 114 affordable housing units that would provide permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals with mental health or substance use disorders.
Reviewing a five-year housing and spending plan that directs $8.6 million in federal grants toward affordable housing, homelessness prevention, and community programs for low-income residents.
Considering plan amendments and rezoning for a new 593-space parking structure at Riverside Community Hospital.
Considering an $8.1 million contract for a Patterson Park renovation that would add a splash pad, soccer field, fitness equipment, and an updated playground.
Reviewing proposed updates to industrial development standards that would create larger buffer zones around schools and neighborhoods, limit warehouse sizes, and increase notification requirements to address community concerns about warehouse proliferation.

Commission on Aging

The Commission on Aging meets on Monday, May 19, at 4:00 p.m. (agenda) to hear the Inland Coalition on Aging's "The Inland Empire Master Plan for Aging" presentation.

Park and Recreation

The Park and Recreation Commission meets on Monday, May 19, at 6:30 p.m. (agenda) to preview the City's 2025 summer aquatics program that will operate at seven City pools from June 9 to August 14.

Finance Committee

The Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee (Councilmembers Perry, Conder, and Mill) meets on Wednesday, May 21, at 1:00 p.m. (agenda) to discuss amendments to recreational vehicle parking rules that would allow RVs in city parks during operational hours, while prohibiting overnight parking, and reviewing the proposed design for a new downtown police headquarters building at an estimated total cost of $62 million, funded primarily through Measure Z.

Cultural Heritage Board

The Cultural Heritage Board meets on Wednesday, May 21, at 3:30 p.m. (agenda) to:

Discuss designation of the Boyd Residence at 4649 Ninth Street as a City Landmark due to its rare Hollywood Regency architectural style, association with Philip and Dorothy Boyd, who were instrumental in establishing UC Riverside, and its design by notable architect Charles Matcham and builder Harry Marsh.
Discuss the potential removal of a declining eucalyptus tree from the Hawthorne House City Landmark designation, located on the CBU campus.
Consider the proposed expansion of Pacific Grove Hospital (5900 Brockton Ave.) with a 29,300-square-foot building behind the existing historic structure with Mid-century Modern architectural character.

Economic Development Committee

The Economic Development Committee (Councilmembers Robillard, Cervantes, and Hemenway) meets on Thursday, May 22, at 3:00 p.m. (agenda) to review the City's July-December sponsorship plans to provide $140,537 in funding and services to non-profit organizations hosting community events, updates to the Streamline Riverside initiativeto improve the development permitting process, and a rebrand for the City's Econmomic Development department.