Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Riverbank public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
30 issues with high priority
Groundwater Sustainability Plan Amendments
A resident asked whether the site is pumping well water and whether the county's moratorium on new wells near the Superfund site still stands. Staff said the three identified wells aren't used for drinking water and the Stanislaus County moratorium remains in place.
Sewer and Water Rate Increases
Water service fees brought in $3.3 million but the fund ended with just $4 million in unrestricted reserves — not much cushion for emergency repairs or future projects. Staff have put out an RFP for a water rate study and proposals are being evaluated.
Woodhaven Overlay Project Completion
Two street projects went to United Pavement Maintenance, with $150,000 in extra SB 1 gas-tax money added to Woodhaven. Expect more paving work — and Council Member Call warned everyone to be patient with traffic in the meantime.
Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance Update
State housing officials told Riverbank its accessory dwelling unit rules are out of step with state law. A cleanup ordinance goes to the commission on October 20.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
A longtime resident told the commission that a bed and breakfast opened on his cul-de-sac, bringing wedding crowds, parking headaches and safety worries — and said the city has no rules covering B&Bs. Staff took his information to investigate.
Fire district response times and growth
Riverbank contracts for police and fire and already runs below its own staffing goals (0.77-0.85 officers per 1,000 versus a 1.25 goal; ISO fire rating of 4 versus a goal of 2). Speakers warned response times would worsen.
Boyett Petroleum economic incentive agreement
Fuel wholesaler Boyett will move its headquarters to 6436 Oakdale Road with about 150 employees, and the city gets new sales tax revenue — but the council renegotiated the deal so Riverbank keeps 60% of the new revenue instead of 40%, over 20 years instead of 25. A future workshop will decide whether the city's share funds parks and other one-time projects.
Community Pool Deterioration
The pool's concrete is cracking and spalling, exposing rebar and creating a safety hazard. Design work will be covered by redirected ARPA funds, but the roughly $150,000 construction will likely need general fund money later.
Data Center Moratorium Extension
The council froze new data center applications for 45 days so staff can study water, power, noise, and health impacts and bring back regulations. AMEDIS, manager of the Riverbank Industrial Complex, warned the pause could scare off a potential billion-dollar investment, while residents urged independent, second-party information and community education before any approval.
Paradise Village Supportive Housing
Sierra House's $361,000 subsidy continues, but PLHA funding ends in 2028 and the general fund will pick up the full cost; the $1.5 million state allocation is being directed to affordable housing instead.
Annexation Proposal
Riverbank is looking at annexing 1,500 acres — a huge land grab that could dramatically expand the city's footprint. Residents are already pushing back, and the decisions made now will shape growth, traffic, and neighborhood character for decades. If you live anywhere near the proposed boundary, this one's worth paying attention to.
Prime Farmland Conversion and Measure M
The project would permanently convert roughly 1,000 acres of some of the world's most productive orchard land. Farming families within the project area testified emotionally about losing land worked for generations.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Funding
Staff disclosed the plant has potentially enough spare capacity for only about 225 homes, subject to engineering verification, and the planned expansion from 1.8 to 2.29 million gallons a day isn't in place. Multiple speakers called this the project's fatal flaw.
Jackson Avenue and Stanislaus Street Neighborhood Park
The council approved design services for a new roughly 2-acre neighborhood park behind Galaxy Theaters, funded by the sale of a surplus city property rather than new debt. Residents debated whether to build new or upgrade existing parks like Silva Park, and raised concerns about long-term maintenance coming from the general fund.
2026 Point-In-Time Count shows homelessness rising
The count found 40 unsheltered people in Riverbank, up from 27 in 2025, with most having been housed in Riverbank before losing housing. Barriers to services include transportation and missing ID documents. Residents questioned whether the count undercounts people living in vehicles.
Flooding and floodplain risk
Speakers testified the site lies in the 100-year floodplain and flooded in 1970, 1977, and 1997. The applicant said only a small cherry orchard area is in the floodplain and ~20 edge homes would be protected by design or omitted.
Unpermitted Food Vending Enforcement
The county's new nine-city task force is cracking down on unpermitted food vendors, and a recent enforcement action in Riverbank sparked resident complaints about how it was handled. Council members want better education for vendors and residents, transparency, and a workshop before committing the city to the task force agreement.
Possible early permanent closure of Claribel Road segment
As part of the North County Corridor project, the county may close Claribel Road from Roselle to Claus earlier than planned — and permanently — to shorten the project by about six months. The railroad crossing means Patterson Road would take a big hit. Residents should watch the project schedule.
Proposed Modesto Walmart Supercenter near Riverbank
Modesto is preparing an environmental review for a 181,000-square-foot Walmart Supercenter with a fuel station and 732 parking spaces at 4000 Oakdale Road, just outside Riverbank. The original Tivoli Specific Plan EIR excluded a Walmart Supercenter, which is why a full EIR is needed. Riverbank plans to press Modesto to study traffic impacts on roads its residents use.
Sandoval family water shutoff on Roselle Avenue
A father and daughter told the council they've gone nearly seven months without running water amid the North County Corridor project, blaming a failed drainage system and lack of accountability across city, county, and Modesto.
Lucky House Tiny Homes project extension
The 38-home tiny homes development on Ward Avenue got its site plan approval back in 2023, but the developer hasn't built yet. This hearing was about whether to keep the approval alive another year. What happens here shapes whether that housing actually gets built.
E-bike and e-moto safety crisis
88 calls for service since November, crashes injuring kids, and vandalism like a ripped-off car bumper. Neighboring cities have passed impound ordinances; Riverbank council members want one too, with a workshop and more data coming.
City Financial Health and FY 2024-25 Audit
Riverbank ended the year with $144.3 million in net position, up 4.5%, and a $1.45 million surplus on day-to-day operations. Sales tax revenue jumped about 23%, but the water fund is running thin with rates unchanged since 2019 — a rate study is in the works.
Affordable Housing Funding — $1.5 Million NOFA
The city has $1.5 million available for affordable housing projects, with proposals due May 4.
Future City Hall site acquisition
The city is hunting for land for a new city hall and leased space at 3313 Santa Fe — "City Hall East" — to house Development Services while space problems persist.
Rezoning of the MID pasture at 0 Roselle Avenue
Residents object to the Planning Commission's approval rezoning the horse pasture at Roselle Avenue and Glow Road from civic use to high-density housing, citing traffic, loss of neighborhood character, and a community petition with 400+ signatures. The item is expected before the council April 28 or in May.
40-year lease extension at former Riverbank Army Ammunition Plant
The interim lease with the Army was set to expire March 31, 2026. The 40-year extension gives the city and master developer Aemetis the long-term property interest needed to finance infrastructure improvements and keep redevelopment of the Riverbank Industrial Complex moving.
RYBSA Facility Fees and Youth Baseball Sustainability
A new fee schedule would cost the volunteer-run youth baseball league $16,500 a year — enough to bankrupt it. The council crafted a three-year phase-in starting at zero fees, with the league covering lights, deposits, and field prep and pursuing grants and sponsorships.
Police staffing and deputy reallocation
A resident reported a wave of vehicle break-ins in Riverbank and Oakdale and asked the city to pursue funding for an additional officer and to fill a community service officer position.
Public Records Lawsuit
A watchdog group is suing Riverbank for refusing to hand over records on city employee pay. That means the city may spend taxpayer money fighting a transparency case instead of just releasing the numbers. If you care where your tax dollars go, this is a fight over whether you get to see the receipts.