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Riverside council delays implementation of voter-approved inspector general office to refine language; continuance passes 4–3
Summary
Council voted 4–3 to continue finalizing the ordinance establishing an inspector general office, moving the matter to Nov. 18 so staff can clarify when outside counsel may be used and ensure the office's independence. Supporters said they wanted careful drafting; opponents said the voters already decided.
The Riverside City Council on Tuesday voted 4–3 to continue consideration of the ordinance establishing a voter-approved inspector general office until Nov. 18, citing the need to refine language related to use of outside counsel and to preserve the new office's independence.
City Councilmember Philip Robillard, chair of the ad hoc committee that drafted the ordinance, moved the continuance, saying committee members and the city attorney's office identified "keyword changes" that are minor in form but important in intent and are difficult to make from the dais. "When you're doing little keyword changes, it's very difficult to do that from the dais," Robillard said.
Opponents on the dais urged immediate action. Councilmember Mills said the council should honor the will of voters who approved the inspector general initiative and move forward rather than delaying: "It's been about a year since the voters of the city said they want an inspector general," Mills said. "Move forward." Councilmember Falcone also objected to the continuance, urging council to hear the language concerns and vote immediately.
Public callers and speakers voiced mixed reactions. Some, like Pete Benavides of Blindness Support Services, supported the continuance as a chance to get the ordinance right and said the public's vote deserved meaningful follow-up input. Other callers warned that without careful drafting the office could be ineffective; one caller urged the council to ensure the inspector general would have autonomy.
The roll call vote was taken by ward: Ward 2, Ward 3, Ward 6 and Ward 7 voted yes; Ward 1, Ward 4 and Ward 5 voted no. The motion carried, moving the item to the Nov. 18 meeting. Council members also agreed to bring the package back to the Governmental Processes Committee for a six-month "temperature check" to evaluate whether the new timing and speaking limits are working.
Next steps: council staff will revise the ordinance language to address the committee's clarifications on outside counsel and independence, and the item will return for formal adoption at the Nov. 18 meeting. The continuance does not change the charter language approved by voters but delays adoption of implementing ordinances and the hiring process until the revisions are complete.
