CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2025, 3:00 P.M.
ART PICK COUNCIL CHAMBER
3900 MAIN STREET
110-178
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 3:00 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT IN PERSON/TELEPHONE
Errol Koschewitz spoke regarding City’s pension obligation. Jason Hunter spoke regarding Gage Canal shareholder bylaws. Aurora Chavez thanked the Fire Department for their assistance and spoke regarding senior meal programs and undergrounding of the Riverside Transmission Reliability Project (RTRP).
MAYOR/COUNCILMEMBER COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Falcone wished everyone a Happy New Year and reported on Neighbors of the Wood Street meeting. Councilmember Cervantes wished everyone a Happy New Year and reported on the Swearing in Ceremony of Riverside County Supervisor Jose Medina, Ward 2 Newsletter, Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California Pop-up Exhibition, and Women’s March. Councilmember Robillard wished everyone a Happy New Year and reported on the Hannukah Festival, and looking forward to the year ahead. Councilmember Conder wished everyone a Happy New Year and reported on grand opening of Panera Bread in Mission Grove, and 20th Hannukah Festival. Councilmember Mill wished everyone a Happy New Year and reported on the Hannukah Festival, the Swearing in Ceremony of Riverside County Supervisor Jose Medina, President Jimmy Carter Memorial Service at Habitat for Humanity, and honoring Dr. Ron Ellis Bruce for 30 years of service at California Baptist University. Councilmember Perry thanked everyone that participated in the Sledding Under the Stars event.
Councilmember Hemenway announced that La Sierra Senior Center is looking for volunteers for food distribution. Mayor Lock Dawson reported on Point in Time Count, the end of the Festival of Lights, and the State of the City event.
COMMUNICATIONS
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
There were no updates from the City Manager’s Office.
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2025, 3:00 P.M.
ART PICK COUNCIL CHAMBER
3900 MAIN STREET
110-179
COUNCILMEMBERS DECLARATION OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Mayor Pro Tem Perry announced that the Closed Session item regarding the City of Riverside v. Councilmember Charles Conder and former Councilmember Steven R.
Adams will not be heard during Closed Session.
Councilmembers Conder and Mill recused themselves from the Closed Session item regarding Phaedra Norton citing conflict of interest.
PRESENTATION
Mayor Lock Dawson presented a plaque to Councilmember Perry for his dedicated service as Mayor Pro Tem from July through December 2024.
MAYOR PRO TEM APPOINTMENT
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Falcone and seconded by Councilmember Conder to appoint Councilmember Mill as Mayor Pro Tem for January through June 2025. The motion carried unanimously.
CLOSED SESSIONS
The City Council adjourned to closed sessions at 3:28 p.m. pursuant to Government Code (1) §54956.9(d)(2)/54956.9(e)(3) to confer with and/or receive advice from legal counsel concerning Phaedra Norton Claim No.: 24-09-28; (2) §54956.9(d)(1) to confer with and/or receive advice from legal counsel concerning OG Riverside LLC v. City of Riverside, Riverside County Superior Court Case No. CVRI2407093; (3) §54956.9(d)(1) to confer with and/or receive advice from legal counsel concerning RD Riverside Retail LLC v. City of Riverside, Riverside County Superior Court Case No. CVRI2407089; (4) §54956.9(d)(1) to confer with and/or receive from legal counsel concerning Steven Thompson v. City of Riverside Claim No.(s): 220300; (5) §54956.9(d)(1) to confer with and/or receive from legal counsel concerning Gabriel Sanchez v. City of Riverside Claim No: 250004; (6) §54956.8 to instruct City’s Negotiator, Charles M. Futrell, regarding price and terms of payment for the purchase, sale, exchange, or lease of property located the Northwest Corner Intersection of Central Avenue and Victoria Avenue; Assessor’s Parcel Number: 223-092- 028 by Orin L. Williams, Assistant Superintendent, RUSD-Facilities, Planning & Development, Negotiator; (7) §54956.9(d)(2) to confer with and/or receive advice from legal counsel concerning anticipated litigation regarding one case; (8) §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; (9) §54957(a) for consultation with Larry
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2025, 3:00 P.M.
ART PICK COUNCIL CHAMBER
3900 MAIN STREET
110-180
Gonzalez, Riverside Chief of Police, or his respective deputy, and George Khalil, Chief Information Officer regarding threat to public services or facilities; and (10) §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 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 City Council reconvened at 6:25 p.m. with Mayor Lock Dawson presiding and all Councilmembers present.
Rev. Paul Munford of New Joy Baptist Church gave the Invocation.
Mayor Lock Dawson and led the pledge of allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT IN PERSON/TELEPHONE
One caller spoke regarding the sound on the live meeting broadcast.
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.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of December 10 and 17, 2024, were approved as presented.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NOS. 2275, 2338, 2296, AND 2280 - USE OF MASTER AGREEMENTS
PANEL - GENERAL ABATEMENT - WEED ABATEMENT - ABANDONED VEHICLE ABATEMENT
ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS - VARIOUS CITY LOCATIONS
The City Council approved utilization of Master Agreements panel to perform abatements at various City locations on a rotational as-needed basis as requested by the Code Enforcement Division for the award of specific project work under the Community & Economic Development Department Code Enforcement Division Contractors Master Agreements Panel with R&R B Inc., E&S Towing Enterprises, Inc., Twin
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2025, 3:00 P.M.
ART PICK COUNCIL CHAMBER
3900 MAIN STREET
110-181
Builders, California Building Maintenance, Master Landscape & Maintenance, Inc., and Twin Builders for abatement work from Request for Proposals (RFP) RFP 2275 and 2338 for General Abatement, RFP 2296 for Weed Abatement, and RFP 2280 for Abandoned Vehicle Abatement at various City locations on an as-needed rotational basis for exigent circumstances and for projects not-to-exceed $50,000 each.
FISCAL YEAR 2024 URBAN AREA SECURITY INITIATIVE GRANT PROGRAM - SUPPLEMENTAL
APPROPRIATION - RESOLUTION
The City Council (1) adopted a resolution authorizing a grant application for the Department of Homeland Security’s 2024 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant in the amount of $2,894,900; (2) authorized the acceptance of the UASI funding from the Department of Homeland Security California Office of Emergency Services in the amount of $2,894,900; (3) authorized the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record an increase in revenue in the amount of $2,894,900, or the actual amount awarded, and appropriate expenditures in the same amount in the UASI Fund, UASI 2024 program revenue and expenditure accounts; and (4) authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents, including but not limited to applications, payment requests, agreements, and amendments necessary to secure funds and implement the approved grant projects, and making minor and non-substantive changes; whereupon, the title having been read and further reading waived, Resolution No. 24206 of the City Council of the City of Riverside, California, Authorizing the Submission of Application and Acceptance of Grant Award from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the California Office of Emergency Services for the Fiscal Year 2024 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Grant Program and Authorizing the Execution of the Necessary Documents by the City Manager, or his Designee and Amending the Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025, Accordingly, was presented and adopted.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES MOBILIZATION AND
TRAINING GRANT - MULTIJURISDICTIONAL TRAINING AND MOBILIZATION EXERCISE - CALIFORNIA URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM 6 - SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION The City Council (1) accepted a grant awarded from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) in the amount of $519,000; (2) authorized the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record an increase in revenue in the amount of grant award and appropriate an equal amount of expenditures in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, 2024 Cal OES Mobilization Program revenue and expenditure accounts; and (3) authorized the City Manager, or designee, to sign Cal OES Mobilization Exercise and Training agreement, including making minor and non-substantive changes.
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2025, 3:00 P.M.
ART PICK COUNCIL CHAMBER
3900 MAIN STREET
110-182
CALIFORNIA FIRE FIGHTER JOINT APPRENTICESHIP COMMITTEE REIMBURSEMENT - FIRE
TRAINING SUPPORT - SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION
The City Council authorized the (1) acceptance of training reimbursement funds from California Fire Fighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee in the amount of $50,000; and (2) Chief Financial Officer, or his designee, to record an increase in revenue in the amount of the grant award, and appropriate expenditures in an equal amount in the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, California Fire Fighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee revenue and expenditure accounts.
SERVICE AGREEMENT AMENDMENT - TERM EXTENSION - AUTOMATED SCHEDULING AND
DISPATCHING SOFTWARE SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE - SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION
The City Council (1) approved the Service Agreement amending Agreement for Total Support and Maintenance Program with Trapeze Software Group, Inc., Dallas, Texas, for the RouteMatch TS™ Software used by the Special Transportation Division in the amount of $130,117.25 for Fiscal Year 2023-24 and an additional seven months of support until January 31, 2025, in the amount of $71,727.13; and (2) authorized the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Service Agreement Amending Agreement for Total Support and Maintenance Program with Trapeze Software Group, Inc., for RouteMatch TS™ Software, including making minor and non-substantive changes.
DECLARATION AND DISPOSITION OF POLICE SERVICE DOG “RICC-VIGO” AS RETIRED AND
SURPLUS PROPERTY
The City Council (1) declared Police Service Dog “Ricc-Vigo” as retired and surplus property to the needs of the Police Department; and (2) approved the donation of Police Service Dog “Ricc-Vigo” to his current handler, Officer Joseph Cleary, at no cost to the City.
RIVERSIDE MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENT - UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CATALYTIC
CONVERTERS - ORDINANCE ADOPTED
The City Council adopted an ordinance to amend the Riverside Municipal Code to add Chapter 9.29 prohibiting the unlawful possession of catalytic converters in the City of Riverside; whereupon, the title having been read and further reading waived, Ordinance No. 7695 of the City of Riverside, California, Adding Chapter 9.29 to the Riverside Municipal Code Regarding Unlawful Possession of Catalytic Converters, was presented and adopted.
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2025, 3:00 P.M.
ART PICK COUNCIL CHAMBER
3900 MAIN STREET
110-183
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL 2360 - AGREEMENT - LA COLINA SUBSTATION UPGRADE PROJECT The City Council (1) approved a Professional Consultant Services Agreement for Request for Proposal 2360 for La Colina Substation Upgrade Project with Leidos Engineering, LLC, Reston, Virginia, for a term of 3.5 years from date specified in the Notice to Proceed once issued by City, in a not-to-exceed amount of $1,292,028, with the option to extend for one additional two-year term; (2) authorized the City Manager, or his designee, to issue change orders, if needed, in an amount not-to-exceed 15 percent, or $193,804, to the contract with Leidos Engineering, LLC, for Request for Proposal 2360 La Colina Substation Upgrade Project, and (3) authorized the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Professional Consultant Services Agreement with Leidos Engineering, LLC, including making minor and non-substantive changes.
TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM MITIGATION FEE PROGRAM AGREEMENT AMENDMENT - THIRD
STREET GRADE SEPARATION PROJECT - SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION The City Council (1) approved Amendment No. 2 to Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee (TUMF) Program Agreement with the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) to increase the funding amount by $3.0 million from $8.25 million to not-to- exceed $11.25 million for the Third Street Grade Separation Project; (2) authorized the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record an increase in revenue in the amount of $3.0 million and appropriate an equal amount in expenditures in the TUMF Fund, Third Street/Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Grade Separation Project revenue and expenditure accounts; and (3) authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Second Amendment to Agreement with WRCOG, including making minor and non- substantive changes.
BID 8072 - COOLIDGE AVENUE STORM DRAIN IMPROVEMENTS
The City Council (1) awarded Bid 8072 for Coolidge Avenue Storm Drain Improvements to Dominguez General Engineering, Inc., Pomona, in the amount of $358,600 and a 10 percent contingency of $35,860; and (2) authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute the construction contract, including making minor and non-substantive changes.
FINAL TRACT MAP 31930 - SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL LOTS - CRESTHAVEN/CENTURY HILL -
RESOLUTION ADOPTED
The City Council (1) adopted the Resolution of Acceptance for final approval of Tract Map 31930; (2) approved the Subdivision Improvement Agreement and accompanying deed of trust which provide the security for the installation of public and private
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2025, 3:00 P.M.
ART PICK COUNCIL CHAMBER
3900 MAIN STREET
110-184
improvements in accordance with the plans for the development of Tract Map 31930; and (3) authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Subdivision Improvement Agreement, including making minor and non-substantive changes; whereupon, the title having been read and further reading waived, Resolution No. 24207 of the City Council of the City of Riverside, California, Accepting the Final Map of Tract No. 31930, was presented and adopted.
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED MITIGATION BANK PROGRAM - ORDINANCE ADOPTED The City Council adopted an Ordinance amending Title 16 of the Riverside Municipal Code by adding Chapter 16.80 regarding the Vehicle Miles Traveled Mitigation Bank Program; whereupon, the title having been read and further reading waived, Ordinance No. 7696 of the City of Riverside, California, Amending Title 16 of the Riverside Municipal Code by Adding Chapter 16.80 Regarding the Vehicle Miles Traveled Mitigation Bank Program, was presented and adopted.
DISCUSSION CALENDAR
COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT (CFD) NO. 2021-2 (RIVERPOINTE/PARK PLACE) - ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL TAX BONDS SERIES 2025A - SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS - RESOLUTION Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Falcone and seconded by Councilmember Hemenway to (1) adopt a Resolution authorizing the issuance of the Community Facilities District No. 2021-2 (Riverpointe/Park Place) Special Tax Bonds, Series 2025A (Tax Exempt) in an aggregate principal amount not-to-exceed $4,100,000; (2) approve the financing team, as identified in the staff report, for this transaction and authorize the City Treasurer or any duly authorized designee, to pay the costs of such firms in connection with this financing from CFD 2021-2 Series 2025A bond proceeds; (3) authorize the City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, or designees to execute all documents related to the issuance of the Special Tax Bonds for Community Facilities District No. 2021-2 (Riverpointe/Park Place) and the ability to make minor changes to these documents as required to carry out the financing; and (4) authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record supplemental appropriations in the CFD 2021-2 Riverpointe/Park Place Fund related to the issuance of the Community Facilities District No. 2021-2 (Riverpointe/Park Place) Special Tax Bonds, Series 2025A (Tax Exempt). The motion carried unanimously.
Whereupon, the title having been read and further reading waived, Resolution No. 24208 of the City Council of the City of Riverside, California, Acting as the Legislative Body of
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2025, 3:00 P.M.
ART PICK COUNCIL CHAMBER
3900 MAIN STREET
110-185
Community Facilities District No. 2021-2 (Riverpointe/Park Place) of the City of Riverside, Authorizing the Issuance of its Special Tax Bonds, Series 2025a in an Aggregate Principal Amount not to exceed Four Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($4,100,000) in One or More Series of Bonds and Approving Certain Documents and Taking Certain Other Actions in Connection Therewith, was presented and adopted.
STOREFRONT RETAIL COMMERCIAL CANNABIS BUSINESS PERMIT PROCEDURE GUIDELINES
AND APPLICATION REVIEW
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Cervantes and seconded by Councilmember Falcone to (1) adopt a Resolution postponing the permitting process under Riverside Municipal Code (RMC) 5.77.120 to consider changes to application and/or permit requirements, which may include modification of requirements for or a reduction in the number of permits, or repeal of Cannabis Ordinances; (2) proceed with the potential storefront retail permit locations in Ward 2; (3) continue this item for 60- 90 days to meet and discuss with each Councilmember to determine how many storefront retail permit will be issued in each ward; (4) clean up the permit transfer language to include a timeline; and (5) look into additional safety measures as identified by the Police Department.
Following further discussion, a substitute motion was made by Councilmember Perry and seconded by Councilmember Conder to (1) direct staff research for City Council consideration and study the effects of geographic density, proximity to sensitive receptors and other health and safety concerns in furtherance of the stated goals of the cannabis business activities ordinance and other related ordinances, including but not limited to retail access by residents and/or protection of health and safety of the residents from negative impacts: (a) instituting a two Cannabis Permit per Ward limit, (b) explore limiting Cannabis uses to Industrial/Manufacturing zones, (c) establishing a minimum distance requirement between cannabis business storefronts, (d) establishing new and/or additional sensitive use categories and associated minimum distance requirements, (e) explore the number of cannabis business permits which are authorized for issuance to a number less than 14, pursuant to RMC 5.77.100, and (e) crime analysis of the aforementioned research for the health and safety of the residents; (2) postpone and direct staff to return to City Council within 90 days to receive a report and recommendations; and (3) review the permit transfer process. The motion carried with Councilmembers Robillard, Mill, Conder and Perry voting aye and Councilmember Falcone, Cervantes, and Hemenway voting no.