ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2026, 3:00 P.M.
ART PICK COUNCIL CHAMBER
3900 MAIN STREET
EDC-85
PRESENT: Chair Robillard and Vice Chair Cervantes
ABSENT: Member Hemenway
STAFF PRESENT: Margie Haupt, Sol Garay, Rakel Engles, Susan Wilson, Stephanie Gallegos, Pamela Galera, Matthew Taylor, Miranda Evans, Desi Messei, Paige Montojo, Amaris Gonzales, Melanie Bruns (virtual), Diana Alegria, and others
ALSO PRESENT: Paul Nolta
Chair Robillard convened the meeting at 3:14 p.m.
ORAL COMMUNICATION FROM THE AUDIENCE
There was no one wishing to address the Committee.
DISCUSSION CALENDAR
FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 CITY SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM
Following discussion, it was moved by Vice Chair Cervantes and seconded by Chair Robillard to (1) receive recommendations for the City Sponsorship Program for the six- month period of July 1 to December 31, 2026; (2) recommend that City Council approve City Sponsorship support, pending final budget approval for Fiscal Year 2026- 2027, in the form of monetary funding and/or in-kind contributions of $158,214, for charitable and community events, which are produced by local non-profit organizations; and (3) authorize the City Manager, or designee, to make non- substantive changes to the recommendations. The motion carried unanimously.
PRESENTATIONS
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER ANNUAL REPORT: SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT
AND GROWTH OUTCOMES
The Economic Development Committee received a presentation on the Small Business Development Center Annual Report: Small Business Impact and Growth Outcomes.
NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK - MAY 3-9, 2026: HIGHLIGHTING THE HEART OF THE
LOCAL ECONOMY
The Economic Development Committee received a presentation on National Small Business Week - May 3-9, 2026: Highlighting the Heart of the Local Economy.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2026, 3:00 P.M.
ART PICK COUNCIL CHAMBER
3900 MAIN STREET
EDC-86
BUSINESS EXCELLENCE SERIES: AMPERSAND GIFTS AND GOODS
The Economic Development Committee received a presentation on Business Excellence Series: Ampersand Gifts and Goods.
CITY OF RIVERSIDE - SIGN FIELD GUIDE
The Economic Development Committee received a presentation on City of Riverside - Sign Field Guide.
COMMUNICATIONS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM UPDATE AND INTRODUCTIONS
The Economic Development Committee received a team update and introductions from the Community and Economic Development Department.
RIVERSIDE'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEBSITE: A NEW DIGITAL GATEWAY FOR
BUSINESS ATTRACTION, GROWTH, AND INVESTMENT
The Economic Development Committee received an update on Riverside's Economic Development Website: A New Digital Gateway for Business Attraction, Growth, and Investment.
AWARD-WINNING TEAM: CELEBRATING TWO CALED AWARDS
The Economic Development Committee received an update on the Award-Winning Team: Celebrating Two CALED Awards.
2ND ANNUAL AEROSPACE EXPO: SUCCESS SNAPSHOT
The Economic Development Committee received an update on the 2nd Annual Aerospace Expo: Success Snapshot.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
There was no legislative update.
ITEMS FOR FUTURE COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
There were no future items requested at this time.
The meeting adjourned at 4:12 p.m.