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 5, in afternoon sessions at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (agenda). The agenda includes:
Considering a resolution establishing a formal citywide policy governing how ward-specific special events, programs, and projects are approved and managed across all City Council districts.
Considering an ordinance updating the City's Code of Ethics to add rules addressing misconduct through digital communications by city officials and employees.
Considering adopting an ordinance increasing administrative citation fines to $100 for a first offense, $500 for a second, and $1,000 for repeated violations of the same City rule.
Considering adopting an ordinance rezoning roughly 2.72 acres in Ward 6 from single-family to multi-family residential, which would allow higher-density apartment development on three parcels along Hedrick and Jones Avenues.
Considering transferring existing utility agreements at the City's water treatment plant to a bioenergy company to support a project that would convert organic waste into renewable natural gas.
Considering introducing an ordinance reducing speed limits on streets throughout Riverside under a new citywide program, with new signage and pavement markings to follow on affected roads including Victoria Avenue.
Conducting a closed session to evaluate the performance of the City Manager, as permitted under California law governing personnel matters.
Human Resources Board
The Human Resources Board meets on Monday, May 4, at 5 p.m. (agenda) to hold public hearings on two proposed City personnel policy updates — one addressing benefits for temporary and seasonal employees, and one covering disability accommodations for job applicants and city workers.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission meets on Thursday, May 7, at 9 a.m. (agenda) to review the city's two-year Capital Improvement Program to determine whether planned public projects are consistent with Riverside's General Plan 2025, as required by California state law.
Board of Ethics
The Board of Ethics meets on Thursday, May 7, at 6 p.m. (agenda) to consider an educational review of City ethics rules governing confidential information and use of City resources, discuss the formation of working groups under its 2026 work plan and receive an update on a potential ballot measure related to Charter review.
Civic Engagement Reporter who calls the Inland Empire home. Five years covering SoCal. APU journalism grad. Good conversations over coffee and stories that matter.
City staff says no name change is on the table yet, but a community engagement process is underway following decades-old abuse allegations against Cesar Chavez.
The Board of Public Utilities voted unanimously to recommend the funding move to City Council, with some members questioning whether EV chargers are the right investment for low-income communities.
Riverside boards take up homelessness housing updates, utility contracts, EV infrastructure, a park land purchase, and the future name of the Cesar Chavez Community Center.
