1 City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL DATE: FEBRUARY 24, 2026
FROM: MAYOR PATRICIA LOCK DAWSON WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL (RIMINI, ITALY)
ISSUE:
The issue for City Council consideration is approval of the travel expenses for Mayor Lock Dawson for the City’s international trip to Rimini, Italy scheduled for March 2-6, 2026.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That City Council consider Mayor Lock Dawson’s request for travel expenses for the City’s international trip to Rimini, Italy March 2-6, 2026 for the KEY Energy Transition Expo scheduled for March 4-6, 2026.
BACKGROUND:
Recognizing the importance of international affairs, trade and tourism, the City Council adopted an amendment to the Administrative Policy Manual on March 12, 2013 to establish guidelines for the approval of international travel; Policy 04.001.10(International Travel) was added to provide specific guidelines that City Officials and employees must follow when arranging international travel. Consistent with the Policy, the reimbursement of expenses for a Mayor’s international trip must be approved by the City Council during a City Council meeting in advance of the proposed travel.
Mayor Lock Dawson is requesting the approval of travel expenses for the City’s planned trip to Rimini, Italy for March 2-6, 2026 for the KEY Energy Transition Expo scheduled for March 4-6, 2026.
In 2025, city staff attended the Ecomondo Conference in Rimini, Italy, which focused on the Green and Circular Economy. Through their diligent work, staff engaged with over 30 companies in a span of a few days and introduced them to Riverside and our goal of becoming a hub for Green Technology. Through their hard work, the City has been invited to participate in the KEY Energy Transition Expo from March 4-6.
The Expo is an opportunity to interact with over 67,000 attendants from 104 countries representing over 1,000 companies. The focus of the Expo is energy and renewables: Photovoltaic, energy efficiency, wind, sustainable cities, solar, electric mobility, geothermic, cogeneration, hydroelectric, storage systems, management/maintenance, and security.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total estimated fiscal impact of this action is approximately $2,047.83. The Economic development travel and meeting expense account will be utilized for the cost of travel which will total $2,047.83. Sufficient funding is budgeted and available in the General Fund, Economic Development, Training account number 2815001-427200.
Travel Expenses
(Remini, Italy)
Flight $1703.83
Per Diem $344
Total $2,047.83
Submitted by:
_______________________
Patricia Lock Dawson, Mayor
Approved by: Rebecca McKee-Reimbold, Interim City Attorney Attachment: Tentative Schedule/Itinerary
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Date City/Activities
March 3, 2026 Arrival in Rimini, Italy
March 4-6, 2026 KEY Energy Transition Expo
March 6, 2026 Mayor Lock Dawson returns to California