City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: FEBRUARY 10, 2026 FROM: CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: CITY COUNCIL RETREAT – 2025 AND 2026 BOOK OF WORK ISSUE:
The purpose of this report is to provide the City Council with an update on progress made under the 2025 Book of Work and to present the proposed 2026 Book of Work for review and discussion as part of the City Council retreat.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council conduct a retreat to review and discuss the proposed 2026 Book of Work, including updates from the 2025 Workplan, and provide feedback and direction to staff, as appropriate.
BACKGROUND:
The City Manager’s Office, in collaboration with the Executive Leadership Team, developed the Book of Work as a planning and coordination tool to guide Citywide initiatives and cross departmental efforts. The Book of Work was originally established to advance the goals of the Envision Riverside 2025 Strategic Plan and to promote alignment, efficiency, and collaboration across the organization.
Although the Envision Riverside 2025 Strategic Plan concluded in 2025, the Book of Work framework continues to serve as an interim tool to guide operational priorities while the City’s General Plan update is underway and anticipated for completion in 2027. During this transition period, the Book of Work provides continuity and structure for advancing key initiatives and addressing emerging priorities.
The 2025 Book of Work reflects progress achieved over the past year, including initiatives that have been completed, those that remain ongoing, and efforts that will continue into 2026. The proposed 2026 Book of Work builds on this foundation by carrying forward unfinished initiatives and introducing new priorities responsive to evolving City needs, organizational capacity, and community expectations.
Staff seeks City Council review and feedback on the proposed 2026 Book of Work to ensure continued alignment with the City’s mission and vision during this planning period.
Vision
“Riverside is a city where every person is respected and cherished, where equity is essential to community well-being, where residents support one another, and where opportunities exist for all to prosper. In Riverside, everyone comes together to help the community, economy and environment reach their fullest potential for the public good.” Mission
“The City of Riverside is committed to providing high quality municipal services to ensure a safe, inclusive, and livable community.” DISCUSSION:
The Book of Work is intended to highlight key organizational priorities and strategic initiatives for the year and is not an exhaustive list of all City services or staff responsibilities. In addition to the initiatives identified in the Book of Work, City departments remain focused on delivering core municipal services and responding to the day-to-day needs of residents, businesses, and visitors.
The initiatives included in the Book of Work are designed to be adaptable and may evolve over time in response to completed objectives, shifting priorities, or unforeseen circumstances. The City Manger and Executive Leadership Team are responsible for implementation and coordination of the Book of Work initiatives, with success dependent on collaboration across departments and the contributions of City employees at all levels of the organization.
The City Council retreat provides an opportunity for Councilmembers to review progress to date, discuss the proposed 2026 priorities, and offer feedback or direction to help guide staff efforts during the upcoming year.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with this report. Funding for specific initiatives or projects identified in the Book of Work will be brought forward to the City Council for consideration and approval, as appropriate.
Prepared by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Attachments:
2026 Proposed Book of Work
Presentation
City Council Retreat – 2026 Book of Work ● Page 2