City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: SEPTEMBER 15, 2026 FROM: COUNCILMEMBER STEVEN ROBILLARD WARDS: ALL SUBJECT: ESTABLISHMENT OF A THREE -MEMBER CITY COUNCIL WORKING GROUP O
N ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STRATEGY AND POLICY
ISSUE:
Consideration of establishing an ad hoc three- member City Council Working Group on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy and Policy, to serve for approximately 13 months, to evaluate municipal governance and explore cross-jurisdictional policy impacts.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
1. Approve the establishment of an ad hoc three- member City Council Working Group on Artificial Intelligence Strategy and Policy; and
2. Appoint three members of the City Council to serve on the working group, directing them to return to the full City Council within 13 months with comprehensive policy recommendations and an AI strategic framework.
BACKGROUND:
During the previous City Council meeting, Council Member Robillard requested the creation of a dedicated three- member council working group to develop a comprehensive, forward- looking strategy addressing the rapid advancement and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI).
Recognizing that AI touches upon multiple facets of municipal operations and community infrastructure, this item brings forward the formal establishment and appointment structure for City Council consideration at the September 15, 2026, meeting.
The City Council Rules of Procedure and Order of Business do not establish a specific or clearly defined process for creating City Council working groups or ad hoc committees. However, a best practice is for the However, when establishing such a body, important characteristics should include a specific and limited purpose, membership consisting of less than a quorum of the City Council, and a defined temporary duration. The working group or ad hoc committee to should be established to address a particular issue or assignment and then should conclude its work once that purpose has been fulfilled.
Per Riverside City Charter Sections 201, this ad hoc committee would be treated as a Brown Act Body. (“To carry out the purposes set forth in this section, the provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act […] shall apply to the City Council, and any commission, committee, board or other body created by Charter, ordinance, resolution or formal action of the City Council, or the Mayor.”) CC Date: 9-15-26
Item NO.: 09
REVISED
AI Strategy & Policy Working Group ● Page 2
Additionally, the body should not have continuing subject-matter jurisdiction or a meeting schedule fixed by formal action, as those characteristics may cause the body to be considered a standing committee and subject to the applicable requirements of the Sunshine Ordinance and Brown Act.
DI
SCUSSION:
A
rtificial intelligence technologies present substantial opportunities to improve municipal service delivery, streamline operational workflows, and enhance data- driven decision- making.
Simultaneously, AI adoption raises critical policy considerations regar ding algorithmic transparency, ethical standards, cybersecurity, and data privacy.
B
ecause the implications of AI cross the jurisdictions of several standing Council committees, establishing a dedicated three- member City Council Working Group provides an agile and coordinated structure to conduct a comprehensive assessment without duplic ating committee efforts.
T
he working group will be tasked with examining core focus areas, including:
• M
unicipal AI Governance: Policies governing ethical, safe, and transparent use of AI across City departments;
• Economic & Workforce Development: Fostering local AI innovation, business attraction, and workforce readiness;
• Critical Infrastructure & Land Use: Addressing resource needs for data centers, high- capacity electrical grids, and water-cooling demands;
• Cybersecurity & Data Privacy: Protecting municipal networks and safeguarding resident data;
• Education & Local Economy: Partnering with regional institutions to promote digital literacy and support local economic resilience.
U
pon completing its review, stakeholder engagements, and cross -departmental coordination, over an estimated 13- month period, the working group will return to the full City Council with a proposed AI Strategic Framework and policy recommendations for formal deliberation and adoption. The ad hoc working group will be temporary and will sunset automatically upon submission of its final report.
F
ISCAL IMPACT:
T
here is no direct fiscal impact associated with establishing this working group or appointing its members. Any future policy initiatives, consultant engagements, or technology procurements stemming from the working group’s recommendations will be brought before the City Council with individual fiscal impact analyses.
P
repared by: George Khalil, Chief Innovation Officer
Approved as to form: James Johnson, City Attorney
AI Strategy & Policy Working Group ● Page 2
Concurs with:
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Steven Robillard, Councilmember Ward 3