Inclusiveness, Community Engagement, & Governmental Processes Committee TO: INCLUSIVENESS, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, DATE: JULY 5, 2023 & GOVERNMENTAL PROCESSES COMMITTEE
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER WARDS: ALL SUBJECT: PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 2.90 SECTION 2.90.030 OF THE RIVERSIDE MUNICIPAL CODE TO REDUCE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE BUDGET ENGAGEMENT COMMISSION ISSUE:
Review and discuss options to amend Chapter 2.90 Section 2.90.030 of the Riverside Municipal Code to reduce the membership of the Budget Engagement Commission.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the Inclusiveness, Community Engagement, and Governmental Processes Committee:
Consider options to amend Chapter 2.90 Section 2.90.030 of the Riverside Municipal Code to reduce the membership of the Budget Engagement Commission; and Recommend that City Council adopt an ordinance to amend Chapter 2.90 Section 2.90.030 of the Riverside Municipal Code.
BACKGROUND:
The Budget Engagement Commission is composed of 18 members who advise the City Council on spending and policy priorities based on the information received through quarterly financial and performance reports, including revenues from the transaction and use tax, to work with City staff to maximize public engagement on municipal budgetary issues and to provide input on performance measures and reporting programs.
On January 10, 2017, the City Council adopted Ordinance 7363, establishing a Budget Engagement Commission (BEC) by amending Title 2 of the Riverside Municipal Code by adding Chapter 2.90. Section 2.90.030 – Membership, which states, “A. Number. The Budget Engagement Commission shall be composed of eighteen members consisting of: 1. Nine resident members, seven nominated by each of the Council members to represent each of the City’s wards, and two Citywide nominations made by the Mayor; and 2. Nine business members, seven nominated by each of the Council members to represent a business located in any ward in the City, and two Citywide nominations made by the Mayor.” DISCUSSION:
Because of the significant role that the BEC serves, this discussion item was requested by Councilmembers to identify possible solutions to address the quorum challenges that the BEC has experienced.
Since the inception of the BEC in 2017, there has been a consistent lack of applications in the pool to fill vacancies, specifically for the Business seats. Several meetings are canceled due to a lack of a quorum because of vacancies and absences. The current appointed Commissioners consist of six resident and six business members for a total of 12 out of 18 seats filled. The Budget Engagement Commission has six vacancies as of July 1, 2023.
On June 8, 2023, at the request of Commissioner Benevidez, the BEC discussed a recommendation to amend Chapter 2.90 Section 2.90.030 to reduce the membership of the BEC. Following discussion, it was moved by Commissioner Hutchins and seconded by Vice Chair Benavidez to (1) recommend an amendment to Chapter 2.90 Section 2.90.030 of the Riverside Municipal Code to reduce the membership of the Budget Engagement Commission; (2) forward the recommendations to the Inclusiveness, Community Engagement and Processes Committee (ICGC) for consideration; and (3) request that the recommendation of the ICGC come back to the Budget Engagement Commission before going to City Council for consideration.
Below are three options for Committee discussion/selection to forward as recommendations to the City Council for adoption:
Recommend that City Council consider an amended ordinance revising Chapter 2.90 Section 2.90.030, reducing the membership of the Commission to seven ward seats and four Citywide seats, for a total of 11 members; OR Recommend that City Council consider an amended ordinance revising Chapter 2.90 Section 2.90.030, reducing the membership of the Commission to seven ward seats and two Citywide seats, for a total of nine members; OR Make no revisions to the ordinance.
A reduction in the membership could reduce the challenge that the BEC is having establishing a quorum, thereby ensuring that the Commission can conduct meetings as scheduled.
Of note, this item was also discussed at the June 22, 2023, Human Relations Commission (HRC) meeting because of similar challenges with establishing a quorum. Following discussion, it was moved by Commissioner Lewis and seconded by Commissioner Guo that the HRC make no amendments to the ordinance at this time and work on filling existing vacancies of the HRC to help address this issue. The HRC also recommended that vacant Ward seats be filled by existing Citywide members if allowable. There are current vacancies in Wards 2, 3, and 5. Staff will continue to monitor attendance and provide a future update to the Committee if challenges establishing a quorum continue for the HRC.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority 5 – High Performing Government and Goal 5.3 – Enhance communication and collaboration with community members to improve transparency, build public trust, and encourage shared decision-making.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Prepared by: Randy Solis, Principal Management Analyst Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Chief Financial Officer/Finance Director Approved by: Edward Enriquez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachments:
Code of Ordinances – Chapter 2.90 Section 2.90.030 (Budget Engagement Commission) Presentation
BEC and HRC Membership Reduction ● Page 2