[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-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",[32,74,86,97],{"_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":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6637102,"mediaKeyId","2592736-82df7e3f736b2ee1425e841f22e36b9d","parentId",2592736,"title","Council holds fee‑waiver and PLHA reallocation request for Riverbank Residential Home Village until pre‑development review","audioSeconds",1096,"startMs",6021000,"endMs",7117000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2592736-82df7e3f736b2ee1425e841f22e36b9d&start=6021&end=7117","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2592736-82df7e3f736b2ee1425e841f22e36b9d/thumbnail_6021000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6637102/Riverbank/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-holds-feewaiver-and-PLHA-reallocation-request-for-Riverbank-Residential-Home-Village-until-predevelopment-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637102-bf34ff6b0f5ab1f2b2c84b8e3e8d813a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190467&Signature=IgPYJV~4FD1wIlYekRc8e4hdVPMg4F7WobnI3EBSXB43o0fi8kdRnOc4CCY5KswVC-kVAt0T6AkSfC9oslCCIbeqG4rImFlPLNI0K8mc2x5y5gFVuVAAw9YdGowSmhX3lWMtxe4B7Yj7c8KfFQ678JcZyXZ-A~g~05sTepv3SvB22GDjlPOmgzaIAvr1Jyc9AHKtNzrwodWzyC6FRivOJSRS0DTNtwJosNBvCiQVW60wvHYRys9DG0n8ix0iSnkO0nH4Dqb9uMx6gzronjH0h3UMb5sEtU-yUNKJSLgH8tewEyuFKM-8sZN9-9WDLAEqXDulp2duPO1U8~h46mfOSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-12T17:20:48Z","article","The City Council on March 11 heard a lengthy presentation and public comment on a proposed 67‑unit supportive housing project, the Riverbank Residential Home Village, and on requests from the developer, Central Valley Community Resources (CVCR), for fee waivers and for the city to reallocate Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA/SB2) funds to help match a Homekey Plus grant application.

Project and funding request: City staff said the proposal is for a permanent supportive housing development on the northwest corner of Oakdale Road and Morrell Road targeted at people at risk of homelessness, including young adults, seniors, veterans and families. On January 28 the council authorized reallocation of $1.5 million that had been secured through a state allocation requested by a state senator; CVCR has since sought additional state funds via the Homekey Plus program. CVCR requested waivers of multiple city fees (building permit, system administration, system development/impact fees, water/sewer connection fees, plan check, utility deposits and others) totaling approximately $2,160,000 and asked the city to reallocate roughly $417,298 in PLHA funds (2021–2023 cycles) to their project as local match.

Questions from council and public: Council members pressed for clearer project details and justification for each waiver. City staff explained what each fee covers and which fees the city cannot waive (for example, state and county fees). Councilmembers and residents raised concerns about process and siting, including whether the project is program‑based/transitional or permanent supportive housing, traffic and stormwater impacts on a developing neighborhood, utility impacts and whether adequate outreach had occurred. Several residents from nearby Crossroads West and Parkwoods expressed opposition or worry about neighborhood impacts; others supporting the project said the need for affordable and supportive housing is real and that matching fee waivers can unlock larger state grants.

Key staff and applicant points: City staff noted the Crossroads West Specific Plan designates the corner as high‑density residential and that permits would still require discretionary approvals; staff also said there is not yet a formal application on file. CVCR representatives and grant consultant Thurman Consulting said the project is intended as permanent supportive housing with affordability set at extremely‑low or very‑low AMI levels, and that the Homekey Plus grant process requires demonstration of local match and a ‘shovel‑ready’ status to be competitive. A Thurman Consulting representative said the grant application is due in May and that the application process and design have evolved; CVCR representatives said they are continuing to refine building plans, unit mix (they had revised unit types), and infrastructure designs.

Council action: After public comment and extended council discussion, Councilmembers agreed the item was premature for full fee‑waiver consideration because the project lacks a completed predevelopment package and finalized plans. The council voted (5–0) to place the fee‑waiver/PLHA request on hold and asked the applicant to complete the predevelopment process so the council and public can review final plans and supporting technical reports (stormwater, traffic, water/sewer calculations) before deciding on any waivers or reallocations. The motion passed on a roll‑call vote of 5–0 (Uribe: yes; Pimentel: yes; Call: yes; Vice Mayor Fauci: yes; Mayor Hernandez: yes).

What the council requested before a future decision: a formal pre‑development submission and staff review including definitive engineering for storm drainage, traffic analysis, a water/sewer service plan with connection impacts and calculations, a clear unit mix and affordability schedule, and an explanation of how waived fees would be accounted for and used as local match in the Homekey Plus application. Councilmembers also asked staff to clarify which fees are enterprise (funds that support services such as utilities) and therefore difficult to waive without offsetting revenue.

Public process and next steps: Community Development staff noted that zoning/specific‑plan provisions mean a future planning commission hearing will likely be required; that hearing will include a 300‑foot mailed notice and newspaper advertisement per city practice. The council directed staff and the applicant to return once the predevelopment application is complete; only then will council revisit the fee waiver and PLHA reallocation requests.

Speakers in this item (first reference with role/title): Maricela H. Garcia, Community Development Director (City staff); Deanna Garcia, Central Valley Community Resources representative (applicant); Milan Hughes, Thurman Consulting (grant consultant); Mayor Rachel Hernandez (Mayor); Councilmember Uribe (Councilmember); Councilmember Pimentel (Councilmember); Councilmember Call (Councilmember); Vice Mayor Fauci (Vice Mayor). Ending: Council continued the fee‑waiver and PLHA reallocation request until the predevelopment application and technical reports are complete and available for public review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 11,2025 Riverbank City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","City Council on March 11 placed on hold a CVCR request for roughly $2.16 million in city fee waivers and a reallocation of $417,298 in PLHA funds for a proposed 67‑unit Riverbank Residential Home Village, telling the applicant to complete the predevelopment submission before fee decisions are made.","taxTitle","Riverbank, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",79254,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6637106,"Riverbank council pauses Verizon lease for Castleburg Park tower, requests more data and alternate sites",3429,2476000,5905000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2592736-82df7e3f736b2ee1425e841f22e36b9d&start=2476&end=5905","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2592736-82df7e3f736b2ee1425e841f22e36b9d/thumbnail_2476000.jpg","/articles/6637106/Riverbank/Los-Angeles-County/California/Riverbank-council-pauses-Verizon-lease-for-Castleburg-Park-tower-requests-more-data-and-alternate-sites","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637106-1d13cd55a094a8a79f83b48d004e396d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190467&Signature=XLAnpXstc30553ZFcMwGsNFR6mPl8jzyX0uytST0OjPLBDV6KN5STNf3HfhVcbQKoxCc~qppjHckTddJBxxmXRSqtqZMDFKy4oY7v6YTK0W9ulBbFnr2liJjggSwL4fx1UuXAQCbIGVqdXg0ep-HGsyQoltUxfKhAvGNomEq3TQEWN1Kt0ywgVWbQdk9cxAq2dWkmRWFsfH~s5xFK-U3ojl3VfgtNqkVqglkO21VNTEQjS-KLoyOFIf9JwxWb-9SpT5VfJkDhRvtTsxM7ucYCWd82pAHekky3LHsUsWsx3V6vGm-36xHJr-RqFd2th7DBG26yLJl01R-VRgc0pwDqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Riverbank City Council on March 11 continued consideration of a proposed land-lease agreement with Verizon Wireless to install cellular equipment at Castleburg Park, saying they wanted more technical data and community outreach before making a final decision.

The council heard a presentation from Verizon and an independent radio-frequency (RF) consultant about a site Verizon said would fill a local coverage and capacity gap. Carmina de Guzman, an RF engineer for the project, told the council, “the proposed site is needed as the existing tower sites are at full are nearing full capacity.” David Witkowski, founder and CEO of Oku Solutions, who reviewed the RF safety analysis, told the council that predictive exposure reports are conservative and that measured field levels typically come in lower: “When we actually measure a site in the real world, they usually come in about 5 to 10 times lower.”

Why it matters: Verizon said several nearby sectors are reaching capacity, which can cause dropped calls, slow data and reduced service quality during heavy usage. Verizon asked to lease a portion of Castleburg Park to place equipment on an existing light pole and a small ground-level equipment room. Parks staff said lease revenue would be used to maintain park facilities.

Council members raised questions about the notification and outreach Verizon had done and requested more concrete technical evidence before proceeding. Councilmember Call said he had not heard buy‑in from residents in his district and asked for more community education. Vice Mayor Fauci said the park is used by sports teams, families and youth and expressed reluctance to site the facility at a park without further outreach and alternatives.

What the council asked for: the motion to continue (passed 4–1) directed staff and Verizon to return with additional material, including (as requested by council):
- A full drive‑test and capacity/coverage data package showing current performance and how the proposed site would change it.
- An analysis of feasible alternative locations (commercial parcels or other non‑park sites) within the RF search radius, including documentation of any prior outreach or landlord responses.
- A clear outreach plan and at least one community informational session focused on technical findings and public questions.

Council action: Councilmember Call moved to continue the item; the motion carried on a roll-call vote of 4–1 (Councilmember Uribe: yes; Councilmember Pimentel: yes; Councilmember Call: yes; Vice Mayor Fauci: no; Mayor Hernandez: yes). The item will return to a future meeting after the information requested by council is provided.

Background and context: Parks Director Michael Patton explained the proposal was the result of multi‑year negotiations and that leasing park property for communications equipment is an existing practice the department has used to generate revenue. Verizon said it had identified a “gap” in mid‑band coverage near Castleburg Park and that mid‑band capacity normally serves higher-data‑use scenarios within roughly a half‑mile radius. Verizon representatives said some nearby sites were already near exhaustion and that planning for a macro site typically takes two to three years.

Public comments: Residents and community groups asked for more outreach and expressed concerns about siting a facility at a park used by children. Several residents requested alternatives and noted low awareness of the project in affected neighborhoods.

What happens next: Verizon and staff agreed to return with the requested coverage/capacity data, an alternatives analysis and a community outreach plan. Council members asked that the return include documented contact with landlords or commercial property owners who might host the equipment if a non‑park site is feasible.

Speakers in this item (first reference with role/title): Michael Patton, Director of Parks and Recreation (City staff); Yvonne Pinto, municipal engagement (Verizon Wireless); John DuBois, real estate specialist (Verizon Wireless); Carmina de Guzman, RF engineer (Verizon Wireless); David Witkowski, founder/CEO, Oku Solutions (RF/EMF consultant); Mayor Rachel Hernandez (Mayor); Councilmember Uribe (Councilmember); Councilmember Pimentel (Councilmember); Councilmember Call (Councilmember); Vice Mayor Fauci (Vice Mayor); Olivia Rambula (Riverbank Chamber of Commerce, resident). Ending: Council asked staff to schedule a follow‑up once Verizon provides the requested technical and outreach materials.","After presentations from Verizon and RF and safety consultants, the City Council voted 4–1 to continue consideration of a proposed Verizon cellular lease at Castleburg Park and asked staff and Verizon for additional drive-test data, a formal alternative-sites analysis and public outreach before returning the item.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":79,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6637095,"Votes at a glance: Riverbank City Council, March 11, 2025",3471,2434000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2592736-82df7e3f736b2ee1425e841f22e36b9d&start=2434&end=5905","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2592736-82df7e3f736b2ee1425e841f22e36b9d/thumbnail_2434000.jpg","/articles/6637095/Riverbank/Los-Angeles-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-Riverbank-City-Council-March-11-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637095-99d78b3c4a3a770afaa63edbb493764c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190467&Signature=RWhx2F~D90yJrebvItKRAKqU5oJcaBgP6upW1p4t9dvum9rxfZrrmSvZ2ffSAO8BLsBsp9221lmhTo4ogHkAr5R4tfZcNoFvEXe6xRMxyjjFlj8q0IWRhpq6jbMsAFNIVN9qmBgb9eu9Si8HoAGhBgfL9~X8J7UtUZtyS93gP5LeaKXRgOsP1o4ssWIbLnjjOyXtNi~UrRPAJzRJOIaexlE1ZuxViYeyHzS-csrzYGbnVLYvsFght52qMgmXu5yEk3xrCPqPRCI7m8lJzn2NwdQbiNWyB3edo3bZeC05UzisKMlOtO81BDz6O~AlMuGvyuqNK6dP-o4htV8E8w-70g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its March 11, 2025 meeting the Riverbank City Council recorded the following formal actions and votes.

Consent calendar: The council approved the consent calendar (including a correction to the February 25 minutes) on a roll‑call vote of 5–0. Items on the consent calendar included approval of previous meeting minutes and award of construction contracts for two pavement overlay projects (Oakdale Road overlay and Patterson overlay). Staff stated no amendments were requested and the correction to the minutes clarified that direction — not a motion — had been provided on a previous agenda item.

Unfinished business (11.1): Lease with Verizon Wireless — the council continued the item to a future meeting for additional data collection, alternative site analysis and public outreach; motion passed 4–1.

Appointment (12.1): The council approved a resolution appointing Armando Rodriguez Jr. as an alternate to the Planning Commission effective April 1, 2025. Roll call: 5–0 in favor.

New business (12.2): Fee waiver and PLHA reallocation request for the Riverbank Residential Home Village project (Central Valley Community Resources) — council voted 5–0 to continue the fee‑waiver and PLHA request until the applicant completes a predevelopment application and provides supporting technical reports (stormwater, traffic, utility impacts).

Votes (high level):
- Consent calendar (including correction to Feb. 25 minutes): Passed 5–0.
- Oakdale Road overlay (contract award on consent): Passed as part of consent 5–0 (agenda item 9.3; bidder and contract details in staff report).
- Patterson overlay (contract award on consent): Passed as part of consent 5–0 (agenda item 9.4).
- Item 11.1 Verizon land lease at Castleburg Park: Motion to continue passed 4–1 (Uribe: yes; Pimentel: yes; Call: yes; Vice Mayor Fauci: no; Hernandez: yes).
- Item 12.1 Appointment of Armando Rodriguez Jr.: Passed 5–0.
- Item 12.2 Fee waiver / PLHA request (Riverbank Residential Home Village): Continued to return after predevelopment application is complete; 5–0.

For each of the continued items, council directed staff to return with additional information before final action would be taken.

Speakers and attributions in the vote record: Council votes and roll calls were recorded on the public record and are summarized above. For items that were continued, council specified the additional evidence or steps they required (drive‑test/coverage data and alternatives analysis for the Verizon item; completed predevelopment application and technical engineering reports for the housing item).","Summary of formal votes and outcomes taken at the March 11 meeting, including consent calendar approval, contract awards on overlays, an appointment and continuances for two agenda items.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6637099,"Riverbank finance department outlines 2024 activity, housing loan oversight and utility workload",612,944000,1556000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2592736-82df7e3f736b2ee1425e841f22e36b9d&start=944&end=1556","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2592736-82df7e3f736b2ee1425e841f22e36b9d/thumbnail_944000.jpg","/articles/6637099/Riverbank/Los-Angeles-County/California/Riverbank-finance-department-outlines-2024-activity-housing-loan-oversight-and-utility-workload","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637099-a6f9c61379397e3b18908c0be5a18dbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190467&Signature=Uo5YDjGDyLQo65i1G2z49y7oJVYs0KfLPnQpHc0MwgrO~qSuk7tgd~2E4RpvurqKM1KxrIjEtk1uffS99hbyIRQmCq4JXdWUjynq4i28LwuPtkIqQci8dxkeI1rnQsOq13nR2DjnseAyyv6UnZvrVXoX5zWcufJZTxKhBqFYVpKqb9s0FSw0UCsSHkNMlRZBd1T-5gMtygcWvlYUlgqHYR9m1YaSCmuDhRRJNEFZ59PQgpKEGpE0xIHjpARcGLIpULM2qX9Mqj39FJ46wbhcs216fqIr9OuVGo4F1X6uXzSPc4cg-5liDWEJZ6e7BGZMQkxg25dZh-RR608qsQXq4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented an overview of the Finance Department’s responsibilities and 2024 activity statistics at the March 11 Riverbank City Council meeting.

Assistant City Manager Tamiel Kantor (presenting for the finance department) outlined the department’s roles: budgeting and long‑term financial planning, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, utility billing, business licensing, cashiering, vendor payments and housing program support. Kantor described the department’s staff composition (assistant city manager, assistant finance director, accountant, accounting technician and clerical positions) and its coordination with external auditors and compliance reporting to state agencies.

2024 statistics presented by staff included: the finance team generated roughly 44,000 utility statements over the year; processed approximately 7,400 bimonthly statements per cycle; 795 new utility accounts signed up and 577 closed; 311 payment arrangements/extensions; 105 utility liens recorded with 15 payments received; 37 new business license applications; and accounts payable processing of nearly 10,000 invoices. In housing administration, staff said the city currently manages 91 active city loans, performs annual borrower reviews, insurance checks and site drive‑bys; staff reported completing 25 drive‑bys of properties with city loans in 2024.

Council and public questions: A member of the public asked whether the 25 drive‑bys covered all city loans; staff confirmed those 25 visits were for the 91 city loans managed. Councilmembers thanked staff for the overview and noted the department’s small staffing relative to the workload.

What this means: The presentation provided a working inventory of routine services staff performs and a data snapshot of workload drivers (utility billing volume, loan portfolio oversight and payment processing) that factor into budget and staffing decisions.

Speakers in this item (first reference with role/title): Tamiel Kantor, Assistant City Manager (presenter/finance); Mayor Rachel Hernandez (Mayor); public commenter who asked about drive‑bys (name not specified in transcript). Ending: Council members thanked staff and requested follow‑up as needed on departmental resource needs.","The city’s finance presentation reviewed staffing, functions, 2024 statistics on utility billing, loan portfolio activity and housing program oversight; staff answered questions about home‑loan inspections and drive‑bys.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council holds fee‑waiver and PLHA reallocation request for Riverbank Residential Home Village until pre‑development review

Riverbank council pauses Verizon lease for Castleburg Park tower, requests more data and alternate sites

Votes at a glance: Riverbank City Council, March 11, 2025

Riverbank finance department outlines 2024 activity, housing loan oversight and utility workload