Felon admits breaking into Corona family's home with knife
Man convicted in La Quinta attack sentenced to 12 years
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Thursday, February 01-February 07, 2024
VOL. 10,
Riverside mayor's State of the City emphasizes economic growth, homelessness efforts
Supervisors OK $15M consulting agreement requested by sheriff
By Staff
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iverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson delivered the annual State of the City address last week, emphasizing the city's poised position for economic growth. Riverside is in "MOTION," the mayor said, focusing her comments on how Riverside is building on attributes incorporated in the acronym — "Mission, Opportunities, Talent, Inclusivity, Optimism, Now." The address was organized by the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce in partnership with the city of Riverside and took place Jan. 25 at the Riverside Convention Center. According to Lock Dawson, as California's 12th largest city Riverside is larger than 99% of all cities in the country — in almost half of the nation's states it would be the largest city. “No longer are we a small town, waiting for our turn or recognition. Riverside has arrived and we’re in motion,” Lock Dawson said. “We are moving forward, leading the way locally, regionally, and nationally on development, technology, arts, parks, transportation, public safety. You name it, Riverside is innovating and setting the bar.” On homelessness, Lock Dawson said Riverside's approach to tackling what is a nationwide crisis with a three-pronged strategy of "prevention, intervention and enforcement." While homelessness rose 12% nationwide last year, it increased 6% in California.
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By City News Service
he Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a 10-year, $15 million consulting contract sought by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department for management of the flow of construction projects required by the agency. In a 5-0 vote without comment, the board authorized the sheriff's department, in coordination with the Department of Facilities Management, to retain the services of Greenville, South Carolina-based Gordian Group Inc. The contract will commence immediately and is slated to sunset at the end of 2033. Under the agreement terms, Gordian Group's consultants will be tasked with overseeing the sheriff's job order contract system. "The sheriff ... uses JOC to deliver qualified projects expeditiously without compromising quality, and the program reduces overhead cost of public works procurement, minimizes change orders and creates more efficient cost estimating," according to a statement posted to the board's agenda Tuesday. Gordian Group will be centrally involved in assisting the sheriff's department with placing projects out for
| Photo courtesy of the city of Riverside
The mayor said the city has been a leader in advocating for updates to the state’s mental health laws, noting lobbying efforts in Sacramento that contributed to Riverside County becoming one of the state's first counties to start a CARE Court program. "CARE Court connects a person struggling with untreated mental illness — and often also substance use challenges — with a courtordered Care Plan for up to 24 months," according to the Gov. Gavin Newsom's office. “These are the first meaningful changes to our mental health laws in over 50 years, and Riverside has led the way,” Lock Dawson said. The mayor also pointed to the city's Project Connect, which links people who have been released from
the jail system with assistance services. Through Project Connect, city officials worked with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and local nonprofit Victory Outreach to reduce the number of former inmates falling into homelessness when they are released from custody. The program received the 2023 Safety and Security Award from the Riverside Downtown Partnership. The ongoing Mayor’s Challenge to End Youth Homelessness partnered with the county to reduce youth homeless by 27% as the homeless youth population grew statewide. Lock Dawson touted Riverside officials' advocacy with state and federal representatives to secure See Homelessness Page 36
more than $300 million in resources during her tenure. As an example, Lock Dawson said Riverside gained 60% more grant funding in 2023, winning more than 50 grants. Funding totals included $35 million for housing and homelessness initiatives, $14.6 million for libraries, $41.2 million for parks and $105 million for public works and infrastructure. “Every day — every, every day — I fight to make sure Riverside has a seat at the table, that we are getting noticed, and that we are getting our fair share of funding,” Lock Dawson said. “And that has not always been the case.” Two "local strengths" — the Festival of Lights and the Cheech Marin Center for
See Consulting agreement Page 35
8th Taste of Jalisco Festival to get underway Friday in Cathedral City By City News Service
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he eighth Taste of Jalisco Festival, featuring a carnival, music, food trucks and tequila tasting, will get underway next week in Cathedral City. The event will be held from next Friday to Feb. 4 in downtown Cathedral City, 68600 E. Palm Canyon Drive, according to a statement from the festival. The festival will kick off at 5 p.m. the first day with a raising of flags by Cathedral City Mayor Mark Carnavale, live entertainment from Outlaw Marachi, and the opening of the artisan market and carnival, according to organizers. Additionally, a tequila garden will be available for attendees who are 21 years old or older and a tequila tasting competition will get underway at 7 p.m. Attendees can also head over to the neighboring Agua Caliente Casino at 9 p.m. the first night for an after-party See Taste of Jalisco Page 36