Ward 1 September Update

City of Riverside, California sent this bulletin at 09/01/2023 03:21 PM PDT

Councilmember Edwards and Mayor Lock Dawson

Dear neighbors,

Whether you join me outdoors or in the Council Chambers, there's something for everyone this month. Stay tuned for Public Utility rate decisions (watch the video of the first discussion here), World Rivers Day, and the return of Riverside Pride Fest. Mark your calendars for a peek of the Museum of Riverside's lobby during Doors Open. And pick up a new novel on a Sunday (Yes! Our libraries are now open later and on Sundays.)

I am currently serving as your Mayor Pro Tem (pictured left with Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson). I look forward to serving Riverside in this way through December.

See you soon,

Office Hours at Main Library, 9-18 @5:45

Apply For A Commission

Want to get more involved with your community? Apply for a commission today! Ward 1 currently has vacant seats on the Board of Library Trustees and Human Resources Board--apply here. Check out more information. E-mail Ward 1 Assistant Paloma Montes when you've submitted your application.

County-wide collaboration in the river bottom

Wildland Rangers engage a homeless person in the river bottom

I work hard to address the Humanitarian Crisis in the river bottom, and many of you have raised the point that this is a county-wide issue that requires county-wide solutions. You're right!

That's why, since 2021, cities in Western Riverside County--led by the RivCo Parks--have come together in a group called the Santa Ana River Homelessness Collaborative.

After a year of coordinated outreach, the numbers are in. With more than 2,822 hours of work by wildland rangers, teams have:

Placed 65 people in permanent housing and 94 people in temporary housing,
Connected 130 people with employment services,
Referred 191 individuals to rapid re-housing, and
Engaged a total of 600 people.

This is just a glimpse of what the Santa Ana River Homelessness Collaborative has accomplished. The work continues. By remaining committed to addressing homelessness in the River Bottom, this group has also beautified the habitat in the River. Check out this site to learn more.

How is the City tackling the crisis in the river bottom?

Read this recent Press Enterprise article to learn more about the work being done by the City of Riverside's Wildlands Public Safety and Engagement Teams.

Getting Ahead of Fire Season

Fire Prevention at the Old Boy Scout Camp

Southern California has kept us on our toes with winter rains, a once-in-a-generation hurricane, and now, fire season. Good news for neighbors around the Fairmount Park Boy Scout Camp: Riverside just received a $1,416,920 grant to begin the removal of palm trees and other fire-prone invasive trees. Keep your eyes out for the work which is scheduled to take place right after nesting season in September.