Governmental Processes Committee
August 6, 2025

7/25/2025
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RiversideCA.gov
Governmental Processes CommitteeAUGUST 6, 2025RECONSIDERATION TO AMEND CHAPTER 2.90 SECTION 2.90.030OF THE RIVERSIDE MUNICIPAL CODE TO REDUCE THE MEMBERSHIPOF THE BUDGET ENGAGEMENT COMMISSION RiversideCA.gov2
•Composed of18 members•Advise the City Council onspending and policy prioritiesbasedon the information received through quarterly financial andperformance reports•Works with City staff tomaximize public engagementonmunicipal budgetary issues•Provides input on performance measures and reportingprogramsBUDGET ENGAGEMENT COMMISSION 7/25/2025
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Chapter 2.90 Section 2.90.030 states, in summary:The Budget Engagement Commission shall be composed ofeighteenmembers consisting of: 1.Nineresident members,sevennominated by each of the Council members to represent each ofthe City’s wards, andtwoCitywide nominations made by theMayor; and 2.Ninebusiness members,sevennominated by eachof the Council members to represent a business located in anyward in the City, andtwoCitywide nominations made by theMayor.CHAPTER 2.90 SECTION 2.90.030 RiversideCA.gov4
•Continued challenges filling vacant positions•11 Meetings cancelled since 2023 due to Lack of Quorum•Missed opportunities to provide input on proposed Measure Zinitiatives, and quarterly financial reports with supplementalappropriations•Results in an unnecessary drain on City resourcesQUORUM ISSUES 7/25/2025
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ATTENDANCE HISTORYMeeting Seat Filled Members Present Members Absent Held/ Cancelled Reason for Cancellation 01/12/23 12 of 18 11 1 Held02/09/23 11 of 18 Cancelled Lack of quorum 03/09/23 11 of 18 7 4 Cancelled Lack of quorum 04/13/23 14 of 18 7 7 Cancelled Lack of quorum 05/11/24 14 of 18 5 9 Cancelled Lack of quorum 06/08/23 12 of 18 11 1 Held07/13/23 13 of 18 11 1 Held08/10/23 14 of 18 14 0 Held09/14/23 15 of18 13 1 Held10/12/23 16 of 18 7 9 Cancelled Lack of quorum 11/09/23 16 of 18 13 3 Held12/14/23 16 of 18 14 2 HeldMeeting Seat Filled Members Present Members Absent Held/ Cancelled Reason for Cancellation 01/11/24 16 of 18 12 4 Held02/08/24 16 of 18 8 8 Cancelled Lack of quorum 03/04/24 14 of 18 13 1 Held04/11/24 13 of 18 12 1 Held05/09/24 14 of 18 14 0 Held06/13/24 14 of 18 10 4 Held07/11/24 13 of 18 10 3 Held08/08/24 12 of 18 12 0 Held09/12/24 12 of 18 Cancelled Lack of items 10/10/24 13 of 18 8 6 Cancelled Lack of quorum 11/14/24 13 of 18 12 1 Held12/12/24 13 of 18 7 6 Cancelled Lack of quorum Meeting Seat Filled Members Present Members Absent Held/ Cancelled Reason for Cancellation 01/09/25 13 of 18 Cancelled Lack of quorum 02/13/25 13 of 18 11 2 Held03/13/25 12 of 18 10 2 Held04/10/25 12 of 18 Cancelled Lack of quorum 05/08/25 12 of 18 11 1 Held06/12/25 12 of 18 10 2 Held07/10/25 13 of 18 11 2 Held08/14/25 of 1809/11/25 of 1810/09/25 of 1811/13/25 of 1812/11/25 of 185 meeting cancelled in 20234 meeting cancelled in 20242 meeting cancelled in 2025 RiversideCA.gov6
IMPACT OF CANCELLATIONS•Resources per meeting:–BEC Secretary & Communications Team•~25 labor hours – BEC Secretary & Communications Team•$1,250 labor and materials–Other City Staff•Data gathering and content creation•Content review and approval •Meeting attendance•Duplication of efforts (agenda carryovers)•Lack of timely input from the BEC•BEC Member impact – employment, childcare, other arrangements 7/25/2025
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Below are four options recommended by the BEC for Committee discussion/selection to forward as recommendations to the City Council for adoption:1. Reduce the membership of the Budget Engagement Commission to seven Ward seats and four Citywide seats for a total of eleven members with Resident and Business seat appointments at the discretion of the appointing elected official; 2. Consider a pathway to membership reduction as follows; (a) immediately eliminate vacant seats for Wards 4, 6, and 7, as well as one of the two vacant Ward 2 seats; (b) as terms expire or members resign, eliminate their seat provided that at least one representative remains for the respective ward;3. If the will of the Council is to reduce the mayoral appoints from four to two, the BEC recommends the Council follow a similar pathway to membership reduction such that the following occurs: (a) immediately eliminate vacant seats for Wards 4, 6, and 7, as well as one of the two vacant Ward 2 seats and one of the Citywide seats; (b) as terms expire or members resign, eliminate their seat provided that at least one representative remains for the respective ward and two representatives remain for the Citywide seats4. Make no revisions to the ordinance.OPTIONS FOR DISCUSSION RiversideCA.gov8
That the Governmental Processes Committee:1. 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; and2. Recommend that City Council adopt an ordinance to amend Chapter 2.90 Section 2.90.030 of the Riverside Municipal Code.RECOMMENDATIONS