City of Riverside to Hold Public Hearing on Proposed Charter Amendments
Published: 7/1/2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 1, 2020
Contact:
Phil Pitchford
Public Information Officer
951-826-5975
City of Riverside to Hold Public Hearing on Proposed Charter Amendments
Proposed changes to city’s governing document headed to voters in November
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The City of Riverside will conduct public hearings on Tuesday (7/7) and July 21 to consider six possible amendments to the City Charter proposed by the Charter Review Committee.
The hearings will be held in the Art Pick Council Chamber at City Hall, 3900 Main Street. Masks and social distancing are required. Public comment also will be accepted via telephone by calling 951-826-8600; via eComment at www.riversideca.gov/meetings; or via mail to the City Clerk at [email protected] or City Clerk, 3900 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92522.
“The charter is the City of Riverside’s version of the U.S. Constitution, so it is very important for the public to have its say about possible changes,” Mayor Rusty Bailey said. “I encourage residents of Riverside to review the possible changes and make their voices heard.”
The Charter Review Committee met for more than a year to review the charter in detail, interviewing former and current elected officials, and considering proposals from City staff and the public. The committee’s final report recommended six amendments:
* Give the Mayor a vote on all matters requiring action before the City Council.
* Require an election to fill an elected office vacancy with more than one year remaining on the term;
* Consolidate Mayor and City Council election dates with statewide elections.
* Require the City Council to submit all proposed City Charter amendments to a Charter Review Committee.
* Require the City Council to publish an annual report specifying the nature of any material written complaints or whistle-blower complaints alleging fraud, waste, abuse, or criminal conduct.
* Clean-up items.
At the conclusion of the hearing on July 21, the City Council will determine which proposed amendments will be on the ballot on Nov. 3. Members also will decide whether to author ballot arguments for or against any charter amendment measure.
“The Charter Review Committee did a very thorough review of our city’s governing document, and we thank them for their efforts and expertise,” Mayor Pro Tem Erin Edwards said. “Now we need the public to weigh in with its feedback.”
For more information or a copy of the proposed measures, contact the City Clerk’s Office at 951-826-5557 or [email protected].
For the latest information and resources regarding COVID-19 -- www.RiversideCA.gov/COVID-19
