The Riverside County Transportation Commission decided to keep satellite meeting locations available for committee and subcommittee meetings but to return full commission meetings to in-person gatherings at the main hearing room, with the addition of two full commission meetings per year held in the Coachella Valley.

Commissioners reviewed a one-year pilot of satellite meeting locations. Staff reported that during the pilot year satellite locations generated three public comments while the primary location saw four public comments on the same matters. Commissioners described competing priorities: several emphasized the value of face-to-face interaction among commissioners and staff for full commission meetings, while others said satellite locations improved access for commissioners and members of the public who travel long distances.

After discussion, a commissioner moved that committee meetings remain eligible to use satellite locations (remote participation) except the executive committee, while full commission meetings should be in person with two scheduled meetings annually in Coachella Valley. The motion was seconded and adopted by roll-call vote; three members voted "no." The motion preserves remote participation for many committee-level activities and keeps an in-person focus for formal commission sessions.

Commissioners who supported continuing satellite options noted the convenience for east-county commissioners and the benefit to public participation at remote locations. Commissioners favoring in-person commission meetings said on-dais, face-to-face discussion builds relationships important to multiagency coordination. Several speakers proposed compromise schedules such as quarterly in-person sessions or maintaining the option for extraordinary remote meetings under state law when necessary.

Staff will update meeting procedures and public-notice materials to reflect the new practice: committee meetings may use satellite locations (except executive committee), commission meetings will be held in person at the main facility, and two commission meetings per year will be scheduled in Coachella Valley. Staff also noted technical challenges experienced during the pilot and said they will continue to improve audiovisual and connectivity support for any permitted satellite locations.