Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Riverside public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
9 issues in water utilities
Sewer Services Five-year Rate Plan through 2031
Nine years without sewer rate increases left the fund near a debt-coverage crisis. The proposed plan starts with a smaller bump in January 2027, then annual increases through 2031 to fix aging pipes, avoid spills like the $6.5 million ruptures since 2016, and fund $380 million in needed projects.
El Niño Storm Preparedness — Emergency Sewer Pumps
The city will rent temporary pumps for six months to protect the water quality control plant from flooding like the 2010 event, after waiving the normal waiting period.
Substation transformer procurement and capital work orders
The board approved a $3.45 million project replacing aging poles, wires, and transformers on the northside to prep Circuit 26 for the faster 12kV system. Hunter Substation is 60-65% done, with commissioning in early 2027 and full cut-over by mid-2027.
Gas turbine repairs at RERC
Staff discovered an oil leak in a turbine at the RPU work facility that GE consultants called a critical, immediate repair. The interim city manager granted emergency repair authority since the cost topped $100,000, and the Board will ratify the expense with a full report in early 2027.
Reclaim water storage tank rehabilitation
A $86,500 contract with J.T. Thorpe & Son was scheduled to recoat and rehabilitate the reclaim water storage tank at the Riverside Energy Resources Center, extending the life of a key facility component.
2027 Electric Resource Adequacy Plan
Riverside filed its annual plan showing it has enough power capacity — system, local, and flexible — to meet 2027 grid reliability requirements at the lowest cost. Staff also flagged coming CAISO rule changes that could devalue short-duration battery resources.
10-year Altec utility truck maintenance agreement
Riverside's electric utility signed a 10-year deal with Altec Industries for maintenance of its 30-plus bucket and line trucks, with required OSHA and dielectric testing done on-site. It's a services agreement, not a warranty — the city pays per call, capped at $1.65 million over the decade.
Booster station power distribution improvements
The board approved $227,000 in work orders to upgrade power distribution at four water booster stations — Lemona, Cook, Mockingbird, and Jefferson — plus an $86,500 tank recoating contract at the energy center.
35-year Canal License Agreement
The Board was scheduled to recommend a 35-year license letting 7664 Indiana, LLC use part of the Riverside Water Company Canal in exchange for $146,866.78 in total revenue to the city.