Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Riverside public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
25 issues in public safety
Drone as First Responder Program
Riverside PD received a grant for a drone-as-first-responder program and has picked a vendor, hoping to launch in the spring.
November Airport operations and activity report
The Airport Manager's monthly report gives the Commission — and the public — a regular look at how the airport is doing, from operations counts to activity trends. It's the standing mechanism for accountability on airport matters.
Possible cancellation of December Airport Commission meeting
The Commission was scheduled to decide whether two commissioners' absences from the May 28 meeting get recorded as excused or unexcused. Attendance records can matter if absences become a pattern, since they can affect a commissioner's standing.
Revised Rules of Library Conduct (RMC 9.75)
The library is tightening its conduct rules so serious misbehavior can lead straight to exclusion without a formal warning notice, and so police or security can issue exclusion notices. Excluded patrons stay out while their appeal is pending. It's part of the city's broader work managing conduct and homelessness in libraries.
Ethics complaint against Councilmember Philip Falcone
A resident filed an ethics complaint alleging a councilmember used his city email to mock and stonewall her over a controversial social media post. The board found no likely ethics violation and dismissed it, which some say shows the process needs better informal resolution options.
Fatal collisions and MAIT quarterly update
Ten fatal crashes with eleven deaths have occurred this year, better than last year but still high. Police say unsafe turning is now the top cause and is hard to enforce because it can happen anywhere.
Code of Ethics and Conduct annual review
The commission reviewed the city's ethics code as required, learning about new digital-conduct rules and expanded complaint eligibility. No changes were recommended this year.
Riverside Police Department community relations update
The Police Department was scheduled to brief the Human Relations Commission — a chance for commissioners focused on equal opportunity and justice to hear directly about policing in the city.
Police Military Equipment Policy annual review (AB 481)
Drone patrols during the Fourth of July period resulted in roughly 100 citations in a three-hour window, about the same as last year. Commissioners raised questions about year-round drone use in residential neighborhoods.
Homeless encampment removals update requested
A commissioner asked for a future briefing on encampment removals around the city and suggested a presentation from the PSAT team that conducts the cleanups.
Appeal of employee discipline (Mark Hernandez grievance)
A city employee appealed disciplinary action, and the Human Resources Board heard the case in closed session. The board recommended the City Manager deny the appeal, with written findings to follow within ten working days.
Cultural Heritage Board vacancies and quorum risk
Two commissioners resigned recently, leaving 11 active members, and with quorum at eight, three absences can stall business. Vacancies exist in Ward 6, Ward 7, and a Ward 3 citywide seat, and council offices are actively recruiting.
Federal immigration enforcement reporting under Resolution No. 24310
Under Resolution 24310, the city must keep reporting ICE activity. In July, 311 got zero community reports but police got two notifications of ICE or Border Patrol activity in the city — updates will continue at both council and commission meetings.
E-bike and bicycle safety ordinance
A resident urged the committee to scrap the no-bicycles-on-sidewalks rule for minors and build protected bike lanes, following the deaths of two 14-year-olds in an e-bike/e-motorcycle collision. Chair Mill stressed the ordinance work began months before the crash.
Tow fees charged by police-contracted tow companies
The city charges contracted tow companies $70 per police-referral tow, including junk and low-value hauls nobody will ever claim — a cost tow operators say is unfair since they lose money cleaning up city streets. Meanwhile, the towing and storage rates companies may charge haven't budged in about a decade and sit 30–50% below area averages. The committee wants data and a fee comparison before deciding whether to change either.
Vehicle Vandalism in Casa Blanca Senior Community
A resident reported more than 40 cars vandalized in recent months in his 55-plus community and asked for more police patrols.
Senior disaster preparedness presentations
United Way will present disaster preparedness sessions — with emergency kits and raffle items — at three senior centers in November and December, in English and Spanish.
Senior support and elder abuse prevention (Y.A.N.A.)
The police-run YANA program calls isolated seniors weekly, but with only 7 volunteers for 26 participants it can't take anyone new. Volunteers must first complete the 11-week Citizens Academy and a background check, which slows recruitment.
E-bike safety regulations
The proposed e-bike ordinance was delayed a week for cleanup language; riders like Marcella Cook worry about bans on river trail access, and Menifee's speed-limit model was cited as a template.
Community survey development
The commission wants to survey residents with disabilities about their needs, but acknowledges mass surveys get poor response rates. They see a dual benefit: even non-responses create chances to tell people the commission exists.
Disability Resource Center presentation
RCC's Disability Resource Center was scheduled to present, offering the commission a window into services supporting students and community members with disabilities.
Library Incident Reports, February–March 2026
A summary of incident reports from February and March was on the agenda, covering safety and conduct matters at library facilities.
Accessibility of City facilities
The commission is moving past talking to actually visiting city facilities — starting with parks — to evaluate firsthand how well they serve people with disabilities. An ad hoc committee will build a standard set of accessibility questions first.
Emergency communication and Wi-Fi access gaps
The Commission flagged Wi-Fi dead zones and emergency communication concerns, particularly in the Orange Crest area, and placed them on a future agenda.
2027 Deaf Commission workplan and goals
Four goals: a Deaf community/culture center, better access and equity in city services (emergency communication, interpreters, captioning), jobs and accessible housing for deaf residents, and digital civic engagement in ASL. It goes to the January meeting, then the city's Safety and Wellness Committee.