[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6676928,"mediaKeyId","2343378-fe69e67b7984ae38027ca45179f76f63","parentId",2343378,"title","Council declines to direct staff to adopt 'wild burro' as official city animal after debate over mascot, flag","audioSeconds",1837,"startMs",6213000,"endMs",8050000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2343378-fe69e67b7984ae38027ca45179f76f63&start=6213&end=8050","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2343378-fe69e67b7984ae38027ca45179f76f63/thumbnail_6213000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6676928/Moreno-Valley/Riverside-County/California/Council-declines-to-direct-staff-to-adopt-wild-burro-as-official-city-animal-after-debate-over-mascot-flag","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6676928-d4e5fdf356fedd566ababf8a9c96bc8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182438&Signature=UdbL0q8vFRcM9Y8F4GhlAV~xHUTUe0KiOHMRmK3iPciOcGjAH9FrEfs9xpCUkSlwqHCR7ut2t3sV0KKQDuW9gx3xEeZlkFLaWV6zgTF39uCXBEE3LCx1V5TJQbI2y2d0jCpidMZt7CpdH65bgcRq2qOD8Hqok2UVVSTGigsMx7VI5D7vsUQ7njIoavpqK7LuFJcG~dSAj5LihC5LSiBbcxZfLUP4q~cOCQxYfGWA4OSKF59qbvkOqUw7S9K5A5uRyTOWxSg3arwcQH~~fKUkTusltTXg2Bww3ejM9TpKk30mbzM2RUOvv~Ch4qcTMw11nX8mp9FFUjs507N1aULmjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Moreno Valley, CA","date","2025-02-19T05:38:05.09Z","article","The council considered an Environmental and Historical Preservation Board (EHPB) recommendation Feb. 18 to keep a city flag competition separate from mascot discussions and then heard debate about whether to make the city\u0000s well‑known burro image the official living animal of Moreno Valley.

Community Development Director Angelica Frosolubo and EHPB Vice Chair Nathan Urena reported the board\u0000s discussion. The board voted to keep the flag competition and mascot separate, but Urena told the council the board favored a simpler path: codify the city\u0000s existing burro motif rather than conduct a new selection process.

\"If we already have Bernie the burro, why get rid of him? Just codify the actual burro and make it official,\" Vice Chair Nathan Urena told the council, referencing the burro motif used in parks and community events.

Councilmember Elena Gonzales argued in favor of elevating the burro to an official city animal to reflect local culture and branding. Several councilmembers and staff cautioned about operational and public relations impacts. City Manager Brian Mohan asked the council to consider how a departmental mascot used for Parks and Community Services events could be distinguished from citywide branding; he urged care to avoid confusion in media and promotional materials.

Public comment included cautionary remarks about potential negative responses and media attention. Roy Blackard warned the council to expect controversy and urged caution before adopting an official city emblem.

Councilmembers debated motions to direct staff to prepare a resolution to make the \"wild burro\" the official living animal and the finer distinction between a department mascot (Bernie the Burro) and an official natural animal designation. A motion to direct staff to draft a resolution for that purpose was put to a vote and failed by a 2–3 count.

The EHPB will remain available to advise on the flag design competition and mascot questions; staff did not receive direction to return a draft resolution recognizing the burro as the city\u0000s official animal.

Votes at a glance: motion to direct staff to draft resolution recognizing the wild burro as the official living animal — motion failed (Yes: Gonzales, Cabrera; No: Bernard, Delgado, Baca Santa Cruz).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council February 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Environmental and Historical Preservation Board recommended separating a city flag competition from discussions about an official mascot; a later motion to direct staff to prepare a resolution naming the 'wild burro' (\"Bernie the Burro\") the city's official living animal failed after council debate and public comment.","taxTitle","Moreno Valley, Riverside County, California","taxId",3981,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6676934,"Moreno Valley council awards contract to install 22 speed cushions, says design reduces emergency vehicle delay",274,4086000,4360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2343378-fe69e67b7984ae38027ca45179f76f63&start=4086&end=4360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2343378-fe69e67b7984ae38027ca45179f76f63/thumbnail_4086000.jpg","/articles/6676934/Moreno-Valley/Riverside-County/California/Moreno-Valley-council-awards-contract-to-install-22-speed-cushions-says-design-reduces-emergency-vehicle-delay","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6676934-0dd115df4fa82a24fcbf9698c96b8761/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182438&Signature=G4REkzYb0kYIc04N-dj-FQ-B9EsJ-lKHrNvYLkBFQeDw4pSOqGhjgD5IG46V0KTHaanvevrFzWw-~3f4F2~kasYHc408~9Syvh9AzCbG-SqJ11JekL7BG3Fo1DyQZbV2pSbYnhBpNq2r-WDjEm7wb-1tERVRWM5Vp9~98RaBG-7HLWCk82RI-eeqmbLABSQ2C8UBiL0U-5Y5DtHpvUjHZUnLwhZvRUNXaEf~Fbm3tKbluGux5XyqYo6upX-TA1R281VM8pWABXt0hwZroytqs1uAt5u8FoZ-2VwuH-d7gHnOEghZi-6F8tQ62HDsd5~UwD8k7TElrFlqMn57T7Wk1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Moreno Valley City Council unanimously approved a construction contract Feb. 18 to install 22 speed cushions at nine residential locations as part of the citywide Residential Traffic Management Program.

Public Works Director Melissa Walker told the council the contract — to be awarded to Cali State Paving Inc. — covers placement of speed cushions, advanced warning signage, red curbing, and pavement markings. Walker said the speed cushion design is a \"split\" or staggered hump that won a Federal Innovation Award under a program sometimes nicknamed \"Build a Better Mousetrap.\"

\"Most people are used to speed humps in parking lots or on streets. A speed cushion was a design. It's basically like a split speed hump,\" Walker said during her staff report. \"It allows for our fire apparatus and other emergency apparatus to go over it without having to stop or slow down. One of the problems we had with traditional speed humps is that it slows down our emergency personnel, which is always a bad thing.\"

Walker said the new squad assigned to Kennedy Park (Station 65) and the city's busy call volumes made traffic calming a higher priority. The project includes signs and curb treatments to improve safety and will proceed with work on the highest‑priority streets identified by staff.

Councilmember questions clarified the site selection process: speed cushions are limited to appropriate residential streets (not high‑speed arterials), require neighborhood petition support and meet engineering criteria. Walker said the city will seek to install additional cushions in future years as funding permits; this contract covers the first round of priority locations.

The motion to award the contract passed unanimously.","The council unanimously approved a construction contract to install 22 speed cushions on nine residential streets; staff said the \"split\" design slows regular traffic while allowing emergency apparatus to pass without delay.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6676938,"Moreno Valley council adopts policy on excused absences for council members, sets 1‑hour notice standard",3472,4368000,7840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2343378-fe69e67b7984ae38027ca45179f76f63&start=4368&end=7840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2343378-fe69e67b7984ae38027ca45179f76f63/thumbnail_4368000.jpg","/articles/6676938/Moreno-Valley/Riverside-County/California/Moreno-Valley-council-adopts-policy-on-excused-absences-for-council-members-sets-1hour-notice-standard","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6676938-d9d7f4d54c2b8fd9275a7cea46728907/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182438&Signature=KmvHqJ1vQZKNaA9v5pv09tDPkYXzQn9YVP4PQ53lhdl1cR8StDJ6WIkH~PPrxtOUQ19ynfP2sYu~DqluqdhpSEukgbzKnrBsWDTffRolCaaDEavZTJK8JwuqnaYk2oWdFWpoO5Ki6LPMf2~~qRRNJ~C5wLTh0qMu-maxP0cExJoUpHgDGiAM0HL~c2TGquGKzpKlGY~X6YEVwF38lKd~VVBnSP2Cew-HxjWceViWSXN3v~HnAMQ9Qb88O71eX3sHEHOizUiFrr51QuKuBvoWkApRQxkFApPMmzbzeN9ibFrZ6uriJdCpWtc9HZ81AVygWBDIlMhFpjiWT-k4Z2kGOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Moreno Valley City Council voted Feb. 18 to adopt a formal policy outlining when elected members may be excused from council meetings and to require, when practicable, at least one hour\u0000s advance notice to the city clerk.

The resolution, adopted 4–1, establishes four categories of excused absences: illness; caregiving for a household member; attendance at an official city event; and other reasons granted by a two‑thirds vote of the council. Councilmembers must notify the city clerk in writing — by email or text — at least one hour before a meeting unless prevented by illness or technical problems. The policy will be added to the council\u0000s rules of procedure and codified in the city policies.

The proposal emerged after staff told the council it has been left in an unclear position when councilmembers seek excused absences. City Clerk Eddie Rodriguez provided a tally of recent absences: since 2023 the clerk reported Mayor Cabrera had two excused and one unexcused absence; Councilmember Bernard two excused and one unexcused; Councilmember Delgado three excused and one unexcused; and Mayor Pro Tem Baca Santa Cruz one excused and two unexcused; Councilmember Gonzales had none.

Mayor Pro Tem Brenton Baca Santa Cruz framed the policy as a matter of accountability. \"I would like for us to adopt a resolution saying that unless we're on council business, then the absence is unexcused,\" he told colleagues during deliberations. Councilmember Delgado, who moved the motion to adopt the staff recommendation and set the notice period to one hour, said the change would reduce confusion and protect staff from being placed in the middle of disputes about excusal.

\"We do have to take a look at, the ultimate cost,\" city manager Brian Mohan told the council earlier in the discussion, when responding to a public suggestion about purchasing locally; Mohan explained staff must balance local purchase preferences with the duty to get competitive pricing. (That remark concerned a different agenda item but was part of the consent calendar deliberations held during the meeting.)

After brief deliberation and public comment — including remarks urging clear rules and accountability — the council approved the resolution 4–1. Mayor Pro Tem Baca Santa Cruz cast the lone dissent.

The resolution requires the city clerk to notify the council, city manager and city attorney of approved excused absences and to record them in the minutes. Staff will incorporate the policy language into the city\u0000s rules of procedure and return materials as needed for formal codification.

Votes at a glance: adoption of excused‑absence policy — motion passed 4–1 (Yes: Bernard, Delgado, Gonzales, Cabrera; No: Baca Santa Cruz).","After debate and public comment, the City Council adopted a policy defining excused absences for council members and requiring at least one hour\u0000s notice to the city clerk when possible; the measure passed 4–1.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6676943,"Moreno Valley council directs staff to draft resolution affirming support for law‑abiding immigrants, to return for vote",3570,7200000,10770000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2343378-fe69e67b7984ae38027ca45179f76f63&start=7200&end=10770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2343378-fe69e67b7984ae38027ca45179f76f63/thumbnail_7200000.jpg","/articles/6676943/Moreno-Valley/Riverside-County/California/Moreno-Valley-council-directs-staff-to-draft-resolution-affirming-support-for-lawabiding-immigrants-to-return-for-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6676943-e9759b29716f4a7f5e20b3b6e29f49e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182438&Signature=D2FXG3OnzHzaGsbSHr87kU2AhUA8OzIsSHmPwZVfvc3n-qNthBvdU9-M3RooFaZ60Je5ONu7hznSm0d92LjKVtmCq4SSZHw3nBHkGZJA1FIu8-5lW8EHdo-W2Jfg6lBZ6ECfVCC0HbakYkFG6TIT4OpMEUdMDJ7BjPAra8HYNZx5gC9Eo2kj8c4lEqYI2Opj4lulGvpuMhUtqAuCemxj1HHF1eDxfE~whW3YZK2EZe6yYoFgwL1FPTCccYImMe84al8r-VD34DGRaplozeem~r0txPPvAsTTu1OHa9Z7aBAmvJjgTtFlnI~uZ6jLEVKc7hbS4hqMP74jZ-dJeEyYjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Moreno Valley City Council on Feb. 18 voted to direct city staff to prepare a resolution affirming the city\u0000s support for law‑abiding immigrants and refugees and return the draft to the council for a final vote.

The council\u0000s action, approved 4–1, asked staff to model the resolution on language recently adopted by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. Councilmember Elena Gonzales and Mayor Pro Tem Brenton (Porto) Baca Santa Cruz joined Mayor Ysidro Cabrera and Councilmember Shaylinda Bernard in voting to send the draft back to the dais; Councilmember Mike Delgado voted no.

The staff report noted state and local context: California\u0000s Senate Bill 54 (the California Values Act) and recent resolutions by Riverside County and the Moreno Valley Unified School District, and summarized fiscal exposure if a jurisdiction were to act contrary to federal requirements. City Manager Brian Mohan told the council the city has never declared itself a sanctuary city and emphasized that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility.

Council and public speakers framed the item as a statement of community values and as a practical measure to reduce fear among residents. Eddie Torres, policy director for Inland Coalition for American Justice, said many local residents are already living with anxiety and urged the council to learn from the county and school district approaches. Natalia Saka of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) urged the city to adopt policies that limit collaboration with federal immigration enforcement and to connect residents to legal help.

\"Learning from the county, learning from the school district, learning from other cities on what they're doing to protect our community is a great step forward,\" Torres said during public comment.

City staff told the council the county resolution affirms Riverside County as \"a vibrant, compassionate, and welcome county for all law‑abiding immigrants and refugees\" and does not purport to change federal law or county enforcement authority. The staff report also noted recent and historically significant federal grant funding to the city, and warned that any jurisdictional actions that directly conflict with federal law could risk federal funding — a point raised to clarify potential fiscal implications.

After deliberations, Mayor Cabrera moved to direct staff to draft a resolution modeled on the county measure and return it for final vote at the council\u0000s next meeting; the motion was seconded and carried 4–1.

The council did not adopt an ordinance or policy at the Feb. 18 meeting. City staff will prepare the draft resolution for the council\u0000s review at a future meeting; the staff report and public comments will be included in that packet.

Votes at a glance: direction to draft resolution — motion passed 4–1 (Yes: Bernard, Gonzales, Baca Santa Cruz, Cabrera; No: Delgado).","The Moreno Valley City Council voted 4–1 to direct staff to draft a resolution modeled on a Riverside County measure that affirms the city\u0000as welcoming for law‑abiding immigrants and refugees; the draft will return to the council at the next meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council declines to direct staff to adopt 'wild burro' as official city animal after debate over mascot, flag

Moreno Valley council awards contract to install 22 speed cushions, says design reduces emergency vehicle delay

Moreno Valley council adopts policy on excused absences for council members, sets 1‑hour notice standard

Moreno Valley council directs staff to draft resolution affirming support for law‑abiding immigrants, to return for vote