CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022, 1 P.M.
VIRTUAL MEETING
TELEPHONE PUBLIC COMMENT
107-213
PRESENT: Mayor Lock Dawson and Counc ilmembers Edwards, Cervantes, Fierro, Conder, Perry, and Hemenway and Councilwoman Plascencia
ABSENT: None
Mayor Lock Dawson called the meeting to order at 1 p.m.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Rebeccah Goldware spoke regarding the board and commission interview process and transparency. Malissa McKeith spoke regarding the interview process for commissioners.
Larry Burns spoke regarding the Planning Commission interviews.
COMMUNICATIONS
INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS AND LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
The City Council received an update on intergovernmental relations and legislation.
HOMELESS SOLUTIONS UPDATE
The City Council received an update on homeless solutions.
SUSTAINABILITY UPDATE
There was no sustainability update.
STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE
The City Council received an update on the Strategic Plan.
HEALTH, SAFETY, AND SECURITY UPDATES
The City Council received an update on health, safety, and security.
LEGAL UPDATE
There was no legal update.
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022, 1 P.M.
VIRTUAL MEETING
TELEPHONE PUBLIC COMMENT
107-214
DISCUSSION CALENDAR
INNOVATION DISTRICT MASTER PLAN REVIEW - TRIANGLE DISTRICT BOUNDED BY STATE ROUTE 91, INTERSTATE 215/STATE ROUTE 60, AND THIRD
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Cervantes and seconded by Councilmember Fierro to (1) review and approve the proposed Master Plan for a portion of the Innovation District - Triangle District bounded by SR-91, I-215/SR-60, and Third Street; (2) change the branding to Arts and Innovation District; (3) remove all references of “RID”; (4) include an implementation timeline; and (5) consider hiring canvassers to canvas neighborhoods knocking door-to-door for greater community engagement and input.
The motion carried with Councilmembers Edwards, Cervantes, Fierro, Perry, and Hemenway and Councilwoman Plascencia voting aye and Councilmember Conder voting no.
CLOSED SESSIONS
The Mayor and City Council adjourned to cl osed sessions at pursuant to Government Code (1) §54956.9(d)(1) to confer with and/or receive advice from legal counsel concerning Mohamad Seirafi v City of Riverside, et al., USDC Case No. 5:19-cv-2054-CAS- KKx; (2) §54956.9(d)(1) to confer with and/or receive from legal counsel concerning Darin Hefner v. City of Riverside, WCAB Claim No.(s): 210065; (3) §54956.9(d)(2) to confer with and/or receive advice from legal counsel concerning significant exposure to litigation regarding one case; (4) §54956.9(d)(4) to confer with and/or receive advice from legal counsel concerning the City Council deciding whether to initiate litigation regarding one case; (5) §54957.6 to review the City Council's position and instruct designated representatives regarding salaries, salary schedules, or compensation paid in the form of fringe benefits of all Executive Management employees including the City Attorney and City Clerk, all Management and Confident ial employees as defined by PERS, Fire Management Unit, Riverside City Firefighte rs Association, Riverside Police Officers Association (Police and Police Supervisory Un its), Service Employees International Union #721, International Brotherhood of Electr ical Workers #47, and Riverside Police Administrators Association.
RECESS
The Mayor and City Council recessed at 3: 08 p.m. and reconvened at 6:15 p.m. with Mayor Lock Dawson presiding and all Councilmembers present.
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022, 1 P.M.
VIRTUAL MEETING
TELEPHONE PUBLIC COMMENT
107-215
Councilmember Edwards gave the Invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
MAYOR/COUNCILMEMBER COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Edwards reported on the removal of invasive palm trees at the river bottom by the Parks, Recreation, and Comm unity Services Department team, walk through Reid Park, Lunar Festival, Neighbors Better Together meeting, virtual meetings on the Riverside Gateway Project, and the Mayor’s Big Tent Tour at the Main Library.
Councilmember Cervantes reported on t he 2022 - New Mayors and Councilmembers Academy, Ward 2 Neighborhood virtual meet ings, tree planting event with the Tree People, and Keep Riverside Beautiful cleanup event. Councilmember Conder reported on the 15th Air Force Commander Conference. Councilwoman Plascencia reported on meetings with developers in Ward 5, appo intment to the Public Safety Committee with the League of California Cities, and restarting Community Coffee. Councilmember Perry reported on the Riverside Police Depart ment Explorer Academy graduation.
Councilmember Hemenway reported on the Virtual Workshop on Riverside Gateway Parks. Mayor Lock Dawson reported on the Big Tent Tour.
DISCUSSION CALENDAR
CULTURAL HERITAGE BOARD COMMENT LETTE R IN RESPONSE TO RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE’S DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR RIVERSIDE-
DOWNTOWN METROLINK STATION IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Cervantes and seconded by Councilwoman Plascencia to (1) approve t he request by Cultural Heritage Board to submit a comment letter in response to the Riverside County Transportation Committee's Draft Environmental Impact Report for t he Riverside-Downtown Metrolink Station Improvements Project; and (2) include a sentence in the letter that states this is not the expressed statement of the City Council. The motion failed with Councilmembers Edwards, Cervantes, and Councilwoman Pl ascencia voting aye and Councilmembers Fierro, Conder, Perry, and Hemenway voting no.
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022, 1 P.M.
VIRTUAL MEETING
TELEPHONE PUBLIC COMMENT
107-216
SANTA ANA RIVER WORKING GROUP OVERVIEW - DEVELOP SCOPE OF SERVICES FOR
PUBLIC OUTREACH PROCESS, POSSIBLE STRU CTURES FOR CREATION OF COMMUNITY-LED
GROUP - POTENTIAL FUNDING FOR BASELINE ANALYSIS, FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS, COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT PLAN, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT, AND DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Hemenway and seconded by Councilmember Edwards to approve Mayor Lock Dawson, Councilmembers Edwards and Hemenway recommendation to (1) receive and order filed a report from the Santa Ana River Working Group; (2) direct the City Manager to: (a) develop a scope of services for a public outreach process that includes: (i) a survey to identify, the level of community interest for investing in the initiative, interested private residents/groups to help spearhead the initiative; and (ii) a coordination plan with public and private landowners to identify potential opportunities and deve lopment constraints: (b) explore possible structures for the creation of a community-l ed group tasked with continuing the work of the Santa Ana River Working Group to ensure longevity of the initiative; and (3) direct the City Manager to seek potential funding fo r future project steps that include, but are not limited to: (a) baseline analysis identifying opportunities and development constraints; (b) feasibility analysis (economic & physical) including ways to increase and leverage public and private investment; (c) community engagement plan that includes:
(i) project visioning and defining the key components of the project, including the project boundaries, that illustrate the vision for the “River District”; and (ii) a public awareness campaign in support of the Santa Ana Riverside Working Group’s Short-term and Long-term vision; (d) Environmental Impact Report; and (e) development policy and regulatory framework. The motion carried unanimously.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Jason Hunter spoke regarding his removal from an Oversight Board and public comments made during afternoon portion of the City Council meeting.
CONSENT CALENDAR
It was moved by Councilmember Hemenway and seconded by Councilmember Perry to approve the Consent Calendar as presented affirming the actions appropriate to each item. The motion carried unanimously.
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022, 1 P.M.
VIRTUAL MEETING
TELEPHONE PUBLIC COMMENT
107-217
RECONSIDER CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE STATE OF EMERGENCY AND MAKE A FINDING THAT
STATE AND/OR LOCAL OFFICIALS CONTIN UE TO RECOMMEND SOCIAL DISTANCING
MEASURES
The City Council (1) reconsidered the circ umstances of the state of emergency; and (2) made a finding that state and/or loca l officials continue to recommend social distancing measures.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of January 18, 2022, were approved as presented.
STATE LIBRARY GRANT AWARD - ZIP BOOKS PROJECT - SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION The City Council (1) accepted a grant awar d from the California State Library for Zip Books Project in the amount of $25,000 for t he purchase of Library materials; (2) upon receipt of the grant award, authorized the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $25,000 and an increase in revenue in the same amount to the Grants and Restrict ed Programs Fund, Zip Books Project grant accounts, and (3) authorized the City Ma nager, or designee, to execute grant documents with California State Library, in cluding making minor and non-substantive changes.
LEASE AGREEMENT - FAMILY RESOURCE CENT ER - CESAR CHAVEZ COMMUNITY CENTER - BOBBY BONDS PARK - 2060 UNIVERSITY
The City Council (1) approved the Lease Agreement with Riverside Unified School District at the Cesar Chavez Community Center at Bobby Bonds Park; and (2) authorized the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Lease Agreement with Riverside Unified School District, including subsequent option al term extensions, and making minor and non-substantive changes.
LEASE AGREEMENT AMENDMENT - CHILDREN’S HEALTH, EDUCATION, ENRICHMENT AND RESOURCE CENTER - BOBBY BONDS PARK - 2060 UNIVERSITY
The City Council (1) approved the Second Amendment to the Lease Agreement with Riverside Unified School District at the Children’s Health, Education, Enrichment and Resource Center at Bobby Bonds Park; and (2) authorized the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Second Amendment to the Lease Agreement with Riverside Unified School District, including making minor and non-substantive changes.
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022, 1 P.M.
VIRTUAL MEETING
TELEPHONE PUBLIC COMMENT
107-218
REPAIR OF WATERLINE AT BUBBLING WELLS LAKE - FAIRMOUNT PARK - RESOLUTION The City Council (1) approved the Declaratio n of Emergency and Resolution of Urgent Necessity for the repair of Bubbling Wells Lake at Fairmount Park in accordance with City Charter 1109; (2) approved the Construction Agreement with Stilwell Construction, Inc., in the total amount of $65,703.56 for t he repair of the waterline at Bubbling Wells Lake; and (3) authorized the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Construction Agreement with Stilwell Construction, Inc., including making minor and non-substantive changes; whereupon, the title having been read and further reading waived, Resolution No. 23821 of the City Council of the City of Ri verside, California, (1) Declaring that the Repair of the Waterline at Bubbling Wells Lake at Fairmount Park are of Urgent Necessity for the Preservation of Life, Health, and Pr operty, (2) Waiving the Formal Competitive Procurement Requirements of City Charter Section 1109, (3) Authorizing an Increase to the Construction Agreement in the Amount of $65,703.56 to Stilwell Construction, Inc., for the Repair; and (4) Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Necessary Contract Documents, was presented and adopted.
ASSET FORFEITURE FUNDS - FUNDS TRANSFER
The City Council authorized the Chief Financ ial Officer, or designee, to record a supplemental appropriation of asset forfeiture funds in the total amount of $745,500 and record an increase in revenues in the sa me amount to the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, Police Asset Forfeiture Programs as detailed in the staff report.
AGREEMENT AMENDMENT - ENVIRONMENTA L COMPLIANCE TRACKING DATABASE SOFTWARE - WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT - 5950 ACORN
The City Council (1) approved the Third Am endment to the Professional Consultant Services Agreement for Environmental Comp liance Tracking Database Software for Riverside Water Quality Control Plant with En foTech & Consulting, Inc., Brunswick, New Jersey, to extend the contract term through January 31, 2025, in the amount of $103,200, for a cumulative contract total amount of $475,620; and (2) authorized the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Third Am endment to the Environmental Compliance Tracking Database Software Consultant Service Agreement, including making minor and non-substantive changes.