CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024, 1:00 P.M.
ART PICK COUNCIL CHAMBER
3900 MAIN STREET
110-123
PRESENT: Mayor Lock Dawson and Councilmembers Falcone, Cervantes, Robillard, Conder, Mill, Perry, and Hemenway
ABSENT: None
Mayor Lock Dawson called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
Councilmember Robillard gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Councilmember Cervantes arrived during the following item at 1:03 p.m.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Errol Koschewitz spoke regarding the outcome of the Presidential Election and elected officials accountability. Patrick Maloney thanked everyone volunteering at the Voting Centers and reported on Halloween in the Wood Streets. John Ponsworth spoke regarding the Environmental Impact Report and administrative records for the development project at the former Kmart site.
MAYOR/COUNCILMEMBER COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Falcone reported on Ward 1 office hours, Kathy Allavie receiving the Frank Miller Civic Achievement Award, and Neighbors of Wood Street meeting.
Councilmember Cervantes reported on Pink on Parade for Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, Dia de los Muertos, and encouraged everyone to vote. Councilmember Robillard thanked staff for the Halloween Festival at Nichols Park and for the presentation in the community for block grant and reported on Naval War Center in Norco, Rabi at Temple Bethel, Veterans Day Parade, Tim Strack Park Groundbreaking Ceremony, and Ward 3 Community Conversations. Councilmember Conder reported on Joint Power Authority (JPA) dog howloween costume contest, JPA Defense Installation Innovation Forum in San Antonio, Texas, and Ward 4 Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful event. Councilmember Mill reported on the recent FutureFest event, Halloween events at Villegas and Hunt Parks, California Baptist University sporting events, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) meeting at Hunt Park, and cocoa with a Councilmember and Santa event.
Councilmember Perry reported on Riverside Youth Judo Club Competition, Ward 6 CDBG Meeting, and Tim Strack Groundbreaking Event. Councilmember Hemenway reported on Veterans Parade, Ward 7 CDBG event, and thanked Mayor Lock Dawson for attending a La Sierra University event encouraging students to get out and vote. Mayor Lock Dawson introduced Chief of Staff Mikaila Kruse and reported on Chairmanship of
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024, 1:00 P.M.
ART PICK COUNCIL CHAMBER
3900 MAIN STREET
110-124
Big City Mayors, Blue Zone meeting kickoff, speaking event at La Sierra University and thanked everyone for their civic engagement.
COMMUNICATIONS
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
The City Council received updates from the Economic Development Manager.
COUNCILMEMBERS DECLARATION OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Councilmember Robillard recused himself from Closed Session items regarding (1) Tony Platt v City of Riverside; and (2) The City of Riverside v Councilmember Charles Conder and former Councilmember Steven R. Adams, citing financial conflict of interest.
Councilmember Mill recused himself from Closed Session items regarding (1) Tony Platt v City of Riverside; (2) The City of Riverside v Councilmember Charles Conder and former Councilmember Steven R. Adams; and (3) Phaedra Norton v City of Riverside, citing financial conflict of interest.
Councilmember Conder recused himself from Closed Session items regarding (1) Tony Platt v City of Riverside; (2) The City of Riverside v Councilmember Charles Conder and former Councilmember Steven R. Adams; and (3) Phaedra Norton v City of Riverside, citing financial conflict of interest.
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 with (1) Mayor Lock Dawson voting aye on the Board and Commission appointments and resignations; and (2) the item to discontinue in-person Spanish interpretation services for City Council and City Council Standing Committee meetings removed from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion. The motion carried unanimously.
SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT - REOCCUPY FLIGHT STANDARDS DISTRICT OFFICE BUILDING - MUNICIPAL AIRPORT - 6951 FLIGHT
The City Council authorized the execution of Supplemental Agreement No. 3 to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Contract No. DTFAWN-13-L-00082.
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024, 1:00 P.M.
ART PICK COUNCIL CHAMBER
3900 MAIN STREET
110-125
BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
The Mayor and City Council (1) appointed Joshua A. Kopp to the Park and Recreation Commission Ward 5 seat for a term through March 1, 2027; (2) appointed Leah Stuart to the Commission on Disabilities Ward 2 seat for a term through March 1, 2025; (3) filed the resignation of Mohammad Noor from the Park and Recreation Commission Ward 5 seat; and (4) filed the resignation of David Prince from the Community Police Review Commission Ward 3 seat.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of October 22, 2024, were approved as presented.
EMERGENCY ACTION TO STRENGTHEN AND STABILIZE CALIFORNIA’S MARKETPLACE FOR
HOMEOWNERS AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTY INSURANCE - RESOLUTION The City Council adopted a Resolution requesting that the California Insurance Commissioner, State Legislature, and the Governor take emergency action to strengthen and stabilize California’s marketplace for homeowners and commercial property insurance; whereupon, the title having been read and further reading waived, Resolution No. 24183 of the City Council of the City of Riverside, California, Requesting the California Insurance Commissioner, State Legislature, and the Governor Take Emergency Action to Strengthen and Stabilize California’s Marketplace for Homeowners and Commercial Property Insurance, was presented and adopted.
OFFICE OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION 2024-2025 CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRANT -
WOMEN OF RIVERSIDE HISTORIC CONTEXT STATEMENT - SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION The City Council (1) accepted the State of California, Office of Historic Preservation 2024-2025 Certified Local Government Grant (CLG) in the amount of $40,000 to prepare a Women of Riverside Historic Context Statement and create a study list of associated sites; (2) authorized the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record and increase in revenue and a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $40,000, or in the amount of the grant award, in the Grants & Restricted Programs Fund, CLG Women’s Historic Context Statement revenue and expenditure accounts; and (3) authorized the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Office of Historic Preservation grant award including making minor, non-substantive changes, and to sign all documents and instruments necessary to complete the transaction, including, but not limited to agreements, payment requests and so on, which may be necessary to complete grant funded activities.
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024, 1:00 P.M.
ART PICK COUNCIL CHAMBER
3900 MAIN STREET
110-126
SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT ADDENDUM - SOFTWARE LICENSING The City Council (1) approved a Third Addendum to the Software License Agreement with Schneider Electric Smart Grid Solutions, LLC, Chicago, Illinois, for a one-year term in the amount of $115,000, plus two optional extensions for a total amount of $362,537; and (2) authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to effectuate this Addendum and optional extensions, including making minor and non- substantive changes.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL 2324 AGREEMENT - CURRENT CITY ENTERPRISE APPLICATIONS
NEEDS ANALYSIS
The City Council (1) approved the Professional Services Agreement to SDI Presence, LLC, Chicago, Illinois, in the amount of $394,325 for a needs analysis of current enterprise applications as requested in Request for Proposal 2324; and (2) authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute the agreement and any additional documentation to effectuate this agreement and to make minor non-substantial changes.
AVIATION PROGRAM AGREEMENT AMENDMENT - AS-NEEDED EMERGENCY AIR SUPPORT
SERVICES - SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION
The City Council (1) approved the Seventh Amended Aviation Program Agreement between the City of Riverside and the City of Corona for a one-year term for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 for a total amount of $120,000; (2) authorized the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record an increase in revenue in the amount of $120,000 and a supplemental appropriation in the same amount, in the General Fund, Police - Aviation Unit revenue and expenditure accounts; and (3) authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute the necessary contract documents with the City of Corona including making minor and non-substantive changes.
BID 7775 - REJECT ALL BID AND RELEASE BID BONDS - FAIRMOUNT PARK STORM DRAIN -
DEXTER TO BOWLING GREEN
The City Council rejected all bids and released bid bonds received for Bid 7775 for Fairmount Park Storm Drain at Dexter to Bowling Green.
FUNDING AGREEMENT - DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF BOX SPRINGS - CENTRAL AVENUE SLOPE PROTECTION PROJECT NO.1-0-10006 - SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION The City Council (1) approved the Funding Agreement with Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District for the Design and Construction of Box Springs -
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024, 1:00 P.M.
ART PICK COUNCIL CHAMBER
3900 MAIN STREET
110-127
Central Avenue Slope Protection Project No.1-0-10006; (2) authorized the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record an increase in revenue and a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $351,388 in the Storm Drain Fund, Chicago and Central Avenue Slope Repair revenue and expenditure accounts; and (3) authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Funding Agreement with Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, including making minor and non-substantive changes.
AGREEMENT - 2024 FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS TRAFFIC CONTROL SERVICES The City Council (1) approved the Traffic Control Services Agreement with Cat Tracking, Inc., Riverside, for the Festival of Lights Traffic Control Services, in the amount of $183,000 as an exception to bidding in accordance with Purchasing Resolution 24101, Section 702(w); (2) authorized a 10 percent change order authority in the amount of $18,300, for changes including, but not limited to, safety or traffic concerns, or unforeseen conditions; and (3) authorized the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Traffic Control Services Agreement with Cat Tracking, Inc., including making minor and non- substantive changes.
DISCUSSION CALENDAR
IN-PERSON SPANISH INTERPRETATION SERVICES FOR CITY COUNCIL AND CITY COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS - SPANISH TRANSLATION OF CITY COUNCIL STANDING
COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDAS
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Mill and seconded by Councilmember Cervantes to not accept the Governmental Processes Committee recommendation (1) to discontinue in-person Spanish interpretation services for City Council and City Council Standing Committee meetings unless a 72-hour notice for Spanish translation is received; (2) to discontinue Spanish translation of City Council Standing Committees agenda unless a 72-hour notice of Spanish translated agenda is received; and (3) direct staff to continue with the current process for interpretive and translating services for City Council and City Council Standing Committee public meetings and agendas and study what other cities are doing to enhance this service.
The motion carried unanimously with Councilmember Conder voting no.
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AMENDMENT - CITYWIDE FIBER OPTIC NETWORK Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Cervantes and seconded by Councilmember Robillard to (1) approve the proposed First Amendment to the Development Agreement between the City of Riverside and SiFi Networks Riverside, LLC,
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024, 1:00 P.M.
ART PICK COUNCIL CHAMBER
3900 MAIN STREET
110-128
for a Citywide Fiber Optic Network as recommended by the Mobility and Infrastructure Committee, and (2) authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Agreement and any additional documentation to effectuate this agreement and to make minor non-substantial changes. The motion carried unanimously.
CLOSED SESSIONS
The Mayor and City Council adjourned to closed sessions at 2:09 p.m. pursuant to Government Code (1) §54956.9(d)(1) to confer with and/or receive from legal counsel concerning Jorge Franco v. City of Riverside, WCAB Claim No.(s): ADJ6630932 - ADJ6630933; (2) §54956.9(d)(1) to confer with and/or receive advice from legal counsel concerning People of the State of California v. Pepe's Inc., Riverside County Superior Court Case No. CVRI2205025; (3) §54956.9(d)(1) to confer with and/or receive advice from legal counsel concerning Michael Bixler v. City of Riverside, et al., Riverside County Superior Court Case No. CVRI2300102; (4) §54956.8 to instruct City’s Negotiator, Charles M. Futrell, regarding price and terms of payment for the purchase, sale, exchange, or lease of real property, generally described as 2681 Dexter Dr., Riverside, CA., 92501, Assessor’s parcel number: may include portions of 207060005, 207070006, 207070007, 207110010, and 207090011, by Topgolf International and/or assigns; Matt Smith, Negotiator; (5) §54956.9(d)(1) to confer with and/or receive advice from legal counsel concerning Tony Platt v. City of Riverside, Riverside County Superior Court Case No.
RIC182201; (6) §54956.9(d)(1) to confer with and/or receive advice from legal counsel concerning City of Riverside, a charter city and municipal corporation, the City Council of the City of Riverside, acting by and through its duly elected councilmembers, Erin Edwards, Clarissa Cervantes, Ronaldo Fierro, Gabriela Plascencia, James Perry, and Steven Hemenway, in their official capacity v. Councilmember Charles Conder and former Councilmember Steven R. Adams, in their official capacity, and does 1 through 50, inclusive, Riverside Superior Court Case No. CVRI2300725; (7) §54956.9(d)(2)/54956.9(e)(3) to confer with and/or receive advice from legal counsel concerning Phaedra Norton v City of Riverside, Claim No.: 24-09-28; (8) §54956.9(d)(2) to confer with and/or receive advice from legal counsel concerning anticipated litigation regarding one case; (9) §54956.9(d)(4) to confer with and/or receive advice from legal counsel concerning the City Council deciding whether to initiate litigation regarding two cases; (10) §54957(a), for consultation with Larry Gonzalez, Riverside Chief of Police, or his respective deputy, and George Khalil, Chief Information Officer regarding threat to public services or facilities; and (11) §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 except the
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024, 1:00 P.M.
ART PICK COUNCIL CHAMBER
3900 MAIN STREET
110-129
City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk, all Management and Confidential employees as defined by PERS, Fire Management Unit, Riverside City Firefighters Association, Riverside Police Officers Association (Police and Police Supervisory Units), Service Employees International Union #721, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers #47, and Riverside Police Administrators Association.
The Mayor and City Council returned to open session at 3:00 p.m. with Mayor Lock Dawson presiding and all Councilmembers present.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
CASE PR-2024-001665 - ZONING MAP AMENDMENT - VEHICLE FUEL STATION WITH CONVENIENCE STORE - 3570 AND 3596 VAN BUREN - ORDINANCE INTRODUCED Public Hearing was called to consider Planning Case PR-2024-001665 (Zoning Code Map Amendment, Conditional Use Permit, Design Review, and Public Convenience and Necessity) to facilitate construction of a vehicle fuel station with a 3,048 square-foot convenience store (7-Eleven), with the off-sale of alcohol. No one spoke regarding the matter. The public hearing was officially closed.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Mill and seconded by Councilmember Perry to (1) determine that the proposed project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15332 (In-Fill Development Projects) of the CEQA Guidelines, as the project will not have a significant effect on the environment; (2) approve Planning Case PR-2024-001665 (Zoning Code Map Amendment, Conditional Use Permit, Design Review, and Public Convenience and Necessity) based on the findings outlined in the staff report and summarized in the findings in the staff report and subject to the recommended conditions; and (3) introduce an Ordinance amending the Zoning Map. The motion carried unanimously.
Whereupon, an ordinance entitled “An Ordinance of the City of Riverside, California, Amending the Zoning Map of the City of Riverside Pursuant to Chapter 19.090 of the Riverside Municipal Code by Rezoning Approximately 0.85-Acres of Property located at 3570 And 3596 Van Buren Boulevard, Generally Situated on the Southwest Corner of Van Buren Boulevard and Primrose Drive, from the MU-V-SP – Mixed-Use – Village and Specific Plan (Magnolia Avenue) Overlay Zones to CR-SP – Commercial Retail and Specific Plan (Magnolia Avenue) Overlay Zones,” was presented and introduced.
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024, 1:00 P.M.
ART PICK COUNCIL CHAMBER
3900 MAIN STREET
110-130
LIQUID WASTE HAULER PROGRAM AND SEPTIC RECEIVING STATION UPDATE - ORDINANCES
INTRODUCED - RESOLUTION
Public Hearing was called to receive an update on the Liquid Waste Hauler Program and Septic Receiving Station, introduce an Ordinance to amend the Riverside Municipal Code (RMC) Title 14, Public Utilities, and Discharge of Wastes into the Public Sewer and Pollutants into the Storm Drain Systems, Sections 14.12.120 and 14.12.295 to allow receipt of specific non-industrial/non-automotive commercial septic waste, and adopt a Resolution to update septic receiving station tipping fees and repeal Resolution 20976.
No one spoke regarding the matter. The public hearing was officially closed.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Conder and seconded by Councilmember Perry to (1) introduce an Ordinance to amend the Riverside Municipal Code Title 14, Public Utilities, and Discharge of Wastes into the Public Sewer and Pollutants into the Storm Drain Systems, Section 14.12.120 Definitions, to include definitions for Commercial Septic Waste and Commercial Wastewater; (2) introduce an Ordinance to amend the Riverside Municipal Code Title 14, Public Utilities, and Discharge of Wastes into Public Sewer and Pollutants into the Storm Drain Systems, Section 14.12.295 (M) Liquid Waste Haulers, to include Commercial Septic Waste; and (3) adopt a Resolution to update septic receiving station tipping fees and repeal Resolution 20976. The motion carried unanimously.
Whereupon, ordinances entitled, “An Ordinance of the City of Riverside, California, Amending Section 14.12.120 of the Riverside Municipal Code to Update Provisions Regarding Discharge of Wastes into the Public Sewer and Pollutants into the Storm Drain Systems,” and “An Ordinance of the City of Riverside, California, Amending Section
14.12.295 of the Riverside Municipal Code to Update Provisions Regarding Liquid Waste Haulers,” were presented and introduced; and whereupon, the title having been read and further reading waived, Resolution No. 24184 of the City Council of the City of Riverside, California, Amending Resolution No. 19160 Increasing Liquid Waste Hauler (LWH) Dump Fees; and Repealing Resolution No. 20976, was presented and adopted
The Mayor and City Council adjourned to closed sessions at 3:20 p.m. with Mayor Lock Dawson presiding and all Councilmembers present except Councilmembers Robillard, Mill, and Conder.