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Riverside public works presents 2024 recap, marks Public Works Week
Summary
Public Works Director Gil Hernandez reviewed 2024 accomplishments—paving, tree trimming, new equipment and pilot programs—and the council accepted the presentation as informational during a May meeting that included a proclamation designating Public Works Week.
Gil Hernandez, Riverside’s public works director, told the City Council that Public Works completed major service and capital tasks in 2024 and is staffing up to sustain operations. "Public works continues to grow and our services are expanding," Hernandez said during a department presentation to the council.
Hernandez highlighted achievements including paving 51 miles of roadway, trimming more than 60,000 trees, completing 5,417 catch-basin cleanings, and processing more than 900 land development permits last year. He also noted fleet and equipment upgrades arriving this year—new street sweepers and trash trucks—and pilot programs such as the Vehicle Miles Traveled mitigation bank and a hydrogen clean‑air car‑share grant.
The presentation emphasized operational metrics and investments. Hernandez said the department handled about 6,400 service requests in 2024 with an average response time of three days and that the wastewater plant now uses a serpentine drying system to reduce biosolid transport; the plant produces about 15 tons of biosolids per day. He also highlighted that traffic engineering secured $13,657,870 in federal and state grant funds for projects including grade separations and safety improvements.
The presentation included workforce and customer‑service recognition. Hernandez named employee awardees and described cross‑department efforts to keep trucks running, including hiring a dedicated trash‑truck mechanic and scheduling Saturday interviews to recruit refuse drivers. He closed by recommending that the council "receive and file this report and presentation." The council received the presentation; no formal vote on policy followed.
Council members praised staff during remarks after the presentation. Council Member Mike Falcone said residents in his ward show "deep gratitude for all the work that you do," and Council Member Alejandra Cervantes noted she was "so excited" to see new sweepers arrive. Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson issued a proclamation designating the week as National Public Works Week and posed for photos with staff.
Why this matters: the presentation outlines the immediate operational capacity and priorities for infrastructure upkeep—paving, tree care, storm drainage, refuse and wastewater—areas that shape daily services and public safety. The department also described near‑term projects (grade separations, quiet zones, Safe Routes to School studies) that tie to grant funding and multi‑year planning.
The council did not take additional formal action on the presentation during the meeting; staff information and the proclamation were acknowledged and will inform future budget and project scheduling.
