RiversideCA.gov
1 RiversideCA.gov
WORKSHOP – REVIEW OF BOARDS
AND COMMISSIONS
November 18, 2025
City Manager’s Office
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2 GPC Launched review of Boards & Commissions
BACKGROUND
May 2025 Workshop Highlights
Requested staff to solicit feedback from all Boards and Commissions Discussed each Chair’s role in agenda-setting
Considered consolidation of Boards or Commissions with overlapping missions (Council-led)
Considered whether the number of Boards and Commissions is typical for peer cities
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3 BOARD & COMMISSION FEEDBACK
KEY THEMES
Consolidation Resistance – Boards prefer to remain standalone, citing unique roles or legal mandates.
Improved Communication – Requested more clarity on roles, responsibilities, and Council direction and more collaboration between Commissions.
Quorum & Scheduling Challenges – Noted that meeting times may impact Commissioner and public participation.
Emphasis on Autonomy – Desire to retain independent governance.
Board Specific Feedback – Operational suggestions including youth engagement, training from consultants, and onboarding suggestions.
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4 COMPARABLE CITIES
Meeting FrequencyNumber of BoardsCity
Mostly monthly30Long Beach
Mostly monthly26Pasadena
Mostly monthly22Burbank
Mostly monthly18Glendale
Mostly monthly13Anaheim
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5 HYBRID GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK
What a Citywide Resolution Could Provide
Baseline expectations for all Boards and
Commissions
Chair roles: agenda-setting and liaison duties
Meeting procedures: decorum, public
comment, etc. (Robert’s Rules)
Quorum and attendance expectations
Bylaws template for consistency
Regular review cycle for alignment with City
goals
What Boards and Commissions Would Retain
Charter authority to adopt their own rules
Flexibility to include board-specific provisions
Tailored bylaws based on structure or subject
matter
Rules must not conflict with the Citywide
Resolution
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6 STRUCTURAL CHANGES
• Some Boards/Commissions have
overlapping areas of focus
• 27 current vacancies, quorum issues
persist
• Most Boards oppose consolidation or
reductions
• Inconsistent appointment timelines
and onboarding
Current Observations
• Are there specific Boards that should
be evaluated for consolidation?
• Should membership sizes be
reviewed for possible reduction?
• What tools would support more
timely appointments?
• Should a Governance Resolution be
adopted for Boards & Commissions?
Committee Input Requested
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7 That the Governmental
Processes Committee:
Provide direction to staff regarding next
steps related to Board and Commission
membership structures, consolidation
opportunities, and the potential
development of a Citywide
governance Resolution.
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