Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Riverbank public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
38 issues with medium priority
State Park Grant Application
The council will approve applying for a Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program grant — state money for parks.
Part-Time Employee Compensation Plan
A citywide study found Riverbank pay is a few percent behind the market at the top of the ranges. The council adopted the study and new salary schedules for both bargaining units — about $211,000 in implementation costs, aimed at recruiting and keeping staff.
City communications plan
Only seven entries came in, and council felt none fully captured Riverbank, so it extended the contest 60 days and asked for better promotion through schools and community groups.
Veterans parade and America's 250th anniversary recognition
Council Member Call proposed a July 4, 2026 community celebration with a drone light show at Riverbank Community Park, seeking a $7,500 Parks and Rec contribution toward a ~$20,000 event; the council sent it to a future agenda.
Zellman Court three-lot subdivision
A vacant 14,704-square-foot lot near Oakdale Road will be split into three parcels, each getting a single-family home. It's infill housing in an established neighborhood, separate from the nearby tiny-homes project despite the same developer.
License Plate Reader Privacy
A resident questioned who operates and accesses the city's license plate cameras; a council member later explained data is held about a year locally, shared only within California, and not with federal agencies.
Jacob Myers Park Trail Project Discontinued
Protected elderberry beetles, overgrown vegetation, and a December 31 ARPA spending deadline made the one-mile trail loop unaffordable. The council killed the project and moved the remaining money.
School Capacity and Transportation for New Growth
Riverbank Unified raised its Level 1 fees: residential jumps from $5.17 to $5.38 per square foot and commercial/industrial from $0.84 to $0.87 — costs that flow into new development.
Traffic on Patterson, McHenry and Coffee Roads
Speakers said Oakdale Road, Patterson and Highway 108 are already congested, and Riverwalk's only practical outlet is via a few key intersections; the developer commits to widening roughly half a mile of Patterson and signalizing the Coffee/Patterson entrance.
Modesto subdivision referral near truck routes
Modesto is proposing a 127-lot subdivision that could affect Riverbank's regional truck routes south of the Ammo plant. Riverbank staff will send a letter after consulting the city engineer.
Downtown infill duplex development
A vacant lot between 2nd and 3rd Streets downtown will get a two-unit duplex. It's part of the city's goal to reuse underutilized parcels in the infill opportunity area.
Bike ordinance concerns and general plan update raised by council
After a street takeover by about 60 bike riders damaged vehicles on Patterson, the city is cracking down on dangerous riding — with a 30-day bike impound, a $150 release fee, and an appeal process. The ordinance covers e-bikes, scooters, streets, parks, trails, and shopping center parking lots.
Local authority over housing decisions
The council backed a Cal Cities resolution pushing for a constitutional amendment to restore local control over housing and land use, responding to more than 500 state housing laws enacted since 2010. It doesn't commit Riverbank to any future ballot measure.
Beer and wine service at downtown Kinfolks Flatstone Grill
The Claribel Road Target wants to sell distilled spirits, not just beer and wine, and host instructional tastings. Neighbors weighed in at a public hearing about whether more alcohol sales fit the area.
Opportunity Stanislaus economic development contract
Council declined to renew the $25,000-a-year economic development MOU, with members saying they hear about services but don't feel them. Staff will look at partnering with local chambers instead; Opportunity Stanislaus's CEO asked for a six-month deferral.
Illegal fireworks enforcement
Deputy Tovar laid out this year's plan: aerial surveillance to identify properties, $1,000/$2,000/$3,000 escalating fines to homeowners, and extra deputies on July 4.
Sierra House contract performance
Council wants performance metrics for the Sierra House homeless shelter by its September renewal, citing low occupancy (~3-5 people) and high per-person costs.
LGU Homes dog park in River's Edge
LGI Homes will build a ~$480,000 dog park in the 36-lot River's Edge subdivision in exchange for a $202,000 park fee credit. The city will maintain it through the CFD.
Roselle Avenue overpass reopening
Residents want to know if Roselle Avenue will reopen southbound by October as the overpass work wraps up; a resident asked the city to seek answers from the state and post updates.
Annual landscaping, lighting and storm drain assessments for FY 2026/27
The council started the annual levy process for five landscaping/lighting districts and two storm drain districts (Heartlands and Sterling Ridge). Property owners in those districts will keep paying the assessments on their tax bills.
Settlement in Advance Materials lawsuit; direction on Miller Arms case
The council unanimously decided to settle the Advance Materials case and gave staff direction in the Miller Arms case — both long-running suits against the city.
Crossroads pedestrian safety
A resident raised concerns about unsafe walking access into the Crossroads shopping center from Oakdale and Claribel. Staff explained sidewalks and crosswalks will come as pad buildings and apartments are built out, and the county will finish the Claribel/Oakdale corner.
Tivoli North specific plan EIR scoping
Modesto's massive Tivoli North plan (up to ~3,900 homes) extends Claribel Road between Oakdale and Roselle; residents can comment on the EIR scope through June 5.
McRitchie Community Center event rentals and alcohol service
The downtown community center can now be rented for private events with alcohol served, supporting downtown revitalization. Renters must obtain any required ABC license and security.
Silva Park Phase 3 water splash pad
A resident reminded the council that phases 2 and 3 of Silva Park were approved unanimously in 2013, but the splash pad adjacent to the restrooms has never been built; he asked the council to get it moving again.
NRT transit budget cuts loom
The mayor reported the regional bus system faces potential large budget cuts that could mean route cuts if the budget isn't addressed.
2025 Fire Code ratification
The council ratified the fire district's updated fire code with local amendments, covering fire access, building safety systems, and hazardous materials operations — no major impact on existing businesses.
Palmer Avenue Sidewalk Project
The city picked United Pavement Maintenance to build the Palmer Avenue sidewalks — a safety win for pedestrians in that neighborhood.
Speed Hump Policy Consideration
Two council members want staff and the traffic committee to look at creating a speed hump policy after residents asked for traffic calming on their streets.
Countryside III Water Main Reimbursement
The city will pay back the Countryside III subdivision developer up to $260,120 for installing a bigger 12-inch water main — better water capacity for that growing area.
Budget Advisory Committee Recruitment
The city is recruiting residents for its revived budget advisory committee, which advises on the city's finances. Applications are open until April 9.
Crossroads West Infrastructure Cost Recovery
The Machado family asked the city to study adding Crossroads West roads and canal trails to the citywide development fee program, citing the surprise 18-acre school site and Costco traffic. The nexus study will determine if developers citywide help pay.
Commercial Lease at 3313 Santa Fe Street
The council was scheduled to approve a commercial lease for a property at 3313 Santa Fe Street. The tenant and lease terms weren't described in the agenda.
System Development Fee Program Update
The city was set to hire Willdan Financial Services to update its citywide system development fees — what builders pay to fund roads, parks, and other infrastructure. Changes to these fees can affect housing costs and how much money the city has for growth-related services.
New parks and recreation fee schedule
The city's parks department recovers only 16% of its costs. The new schedule keeps most resident rates flat, raises non-resident fees (since ~88% of fee-period Jacob Myers Park visitors come from outside Riverbank), simplifies facility rentals to hourly pricing, and eliminates the free handicapped-placard parking exemption.
Parks and Recreation financial sustainability
A new study shows the parks department recovers only about 16% of its costs. Recommendations include a cost recovery policy, a scholarship program for low-income residents, and pruning duplicate or under-enrolled programs.
VOLT Institute resident scholarships
The city is shaping a scholarship program with Opportunity Stanislaus to help residents train for industrial trades at VOLT Institute, with council favoring a small resident buy-in and four eligible course tracks.
Tot Time program closure
The city's preschool program closed because it cost about $8,100 to run and recovered only 15% of costs, especially with free transitional kindergarten now available. Council wants to explore parent-led or partnership models.