Many have asked for a copy of the Public Records Request I have made. Here it is:

Subject: California Public Records Act Request — City Manager Michael “Mike” Futrell, Susan Freeman, Hiring, Employment, Resignation, Contract Matters, Complaints, Communications, Vendors, and Related Records

To the City Clerk / Public Records Officer:

This is a request under the California Public Records Act, Government Code § 7920.000 et seq., and Article I, Section 3(b) of the California Constitution, for inspection and production of public records in the possession, custody, or control of the City of Riverside.

For purposes of this request, the term “records” includes all public records and writings as broadly defined under the California Public Records Act, including but not limited to emails, text messages, instant messages, Microsoft Teams messages, voicemails, phone logs, call-detail records, memoranda, letters, notes, handwritten notes, meeting minutes, calendars, appointment records, visitor logs, sign-in sheets, video recordings, audio recordings, photographs, contracts, drafts, reports, evaluations, complaints, investigations, settlement documents, agendas, staff reports, attachments, presentations, invoices, payment records, electronic files, metadata, and any records maintained on City-issued or personal devices/accounts where those records concern City business.

Please search all City systems and repositories reasonably likely to contain responsive records, including but not limited to City email systems, archived email, Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, text-message systems, City-issued phones, call-log systems, voicemail systems, calendar systems, agenda-management systems, City Manager’s Office files, Human Resources files, City Attorney files, City Clerk files, Mayor and City Council records, Finance/Purchasing records, visitor-management records, security logs, video/security camera records, and any records maintained by outside consultants, recruiters, investigators, law firms, or contractors acting for or on behalf of the City.

Time Period

Please produce all responsive records from six months before the hiring, recruitment, appointment, or first formal consideration of Michael “Mike” Futrell as Riverside City Manager through the date this request is fulfilled.

If the City interprets this date differently, please apply the broadest reasonable interpretation and include records from at least June 1, 2022 through the date of production, including any earlier records relating to recruitment, hiring, negotiations, candidate vetting, background review, employment discussions, or City Manager succession planning involving Michael “Mike” Futrell.

Please treat this as a continuing request through the date of final production and include records created after the date of submission if they concern the same subject matter.

Records Requested

1. Hiring, recruitment, appointment, and selection of Michael “Mike” Futrell
   

Please produce all records concerning the hiring, recruitment, vetting, interview, selection, appointment, negotiation, or onboarding of Michael “Mike” Futrell as Riverside City Manager, including but not limited to:

1. all recruitment materials;
2. job postings;
3. executive-search documents;
4. scoring sheets;
5. rankings;
6. interview notes;
7. candidate lists;
8. applications;
9. resumes;
10. background-check records, to the extent disclosable;
11. reference-check records, to the extent disclosable;
12. communications with or about any recruiting agency, consultant, headhunter, or executive-search firm;
13. contracts with recruiting agencies or consultants;
14. invoices and payments to recruiting agencies or consultants;
15. City Council communications concerning recruitment, selection, appointment, or hiring;
16. communications between City staff, Councilmembers, the Mayor, the City Attorney, Human Resources, or outside consultants concerning Futrell’s hiring or appointment;
17. all closed-session agendas, minutes, notes, report-outs, summaries, and records concerning Futrell’s hiring, appointment, employment contract, compensation, or terms of employment.
    
18. Employment agreement, amendments, compensation, benefits, and contract extensions
    

Please produce all records concerning Michael Futrell’s employment agreement, contract negotiations, compensation, benefits, amendments, extensions, renewals, proposed extensions, proposed renewals, demands, conditions, threats to resign, threatened departure, leverage, concessions, or any discussion of future employment terms, including but not limited to:

1. all executed employment agreements;
2. draft employment agreements;
3. proposed amendments;
4. contract-extension proposals;
5. Council agenda items;
6. closed-session items;
7. public-session items;
8. staff reports;
9. City Attorney legal memoranda or summaries, to the extent disclosable;
10. communications between Futrell and any Councilmember, Mayor, City Attorney, City staff member, former City Manager, consultant, recruiter, or outside attorney regarding his contract, compensation, benefits, extension, resignation, continued employment, or performance evaluation;
11. all records concerning any alleged or actual demand for contract extension;
12. all records concerning any statement, communication, or conduct suggesting Futrell might resign, leave, seek other employment, or condition continued employment on contract terms;
13. records concerning any comparison of Futrell’s compensation or contract terms to other city managers;
14. records concerning severance, payout, deferred compensation, leave accruals, vacation, sick leave, retirement, car allowance, housing allowance, travel, reimbursement, or other benefits.
    
15. Resignation, Pasadena employment, withdrawal, rescission, or retention
    

Please produce all records concerning Michael Futrell’s acceptance of, recruitment for, negotiation with, or withdrawal from the City Manager position with the City of Pasadena, and all records concerning any resignation, proposed resignation, notice of resignation, rescission, withdrawal, retraction, continued employment, or retention by the City of Riverside, including but not limited to:

1. any resignation letter, notice, email, memorandum, text message, or other record submitted by or on behalf of Michael Futrell;
2. any record stating or reflecting an effective resignation date;
3. any record accepting, rejecting, discussing, or acknowledging a resignation;
4. any record concerning whether the City Council accepted or declined to accept a resignation;
5. any record concerning whether Futrell attempted to rescind, withdraw, or retract a resignation;
6. any record concerning whether Council approval was required for withdrawal or retention;
7. any communications with the City of Pasadena, Pasadena elected officials, Pasadena staff, Pasadena recruiters, Pasadena consultants, or Pasadena representatives regarding Futrell;
8. all communications concerning Pasadena’s hiring process involving Futrell;
9. all communications concerning Riverside’s April 2026 public statements regarding Futrell’s departure or continued employment;
10. drafts of press releases, public statements, talking points, media responses, social-media posts, Q&A documents, or communications plans regarding Futrell’s move to Pasadena or decision to remain in Riverside;
11. all communications involving the Mayor, Councilmembers, City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, Human Resources, Public Information Officer, or outside counsel regarding Futrell’s Pasadena appointment, resignation, rescission, or retention;
12. all records concerning whether Riverside acted in reliance on Futrell’s resignation or expected departure;
13. all records concerning any interim City Manager, acting City Manager, succession plan, transition plan, or recruitment plan resulting from Futrell’s expected departure;
14. all records concerning any closed-session discussion, report-out, or action regarding Futrell’s resignation, rescission, withdrawal, retention, employment status, performance evaluation, or contract status.
    
15. Performance evaluations, counseling, warnings, discipline, complaints, investigations, and corrective action
    

Please produce all records concerning performance evaluations, performance reviews, counseling sessions, warnings, complaints, investigations, discipline, corrective actions, workplace concerns, management concerns, employee complaints, Council complaints, resident complaints, staff complaints, or third-party complaints involving Michael Futrell, including but not limited to:

1. annual or periodic performance evaluations;
2. closed-session evaluation materials;
3. Council evaluation forms;
4. Councilmember comments, notes, rankings, or scoring materials;
5. performance goals and performance metrics;
6. records of counseling, coaching, warnings, admonishments, reprimands, corrective-action plans, or performance-improvement plans;
7. all complaints by employees, former employees, department heads, union representatives, Councilmembers, commissioners, residents, vendors, or members of the public concerning Futrell;
8. all complaints alleging bullying, retaliation, intimidation, hostile conduct, abuse of authority, pressure on staff, pressure on Council, improper influence, misuse of City resources, conflicts of interest, procurement irregularities, contract irregularities, favoritism, or inappropriate conduct;
9. records of any investigation, inquiry, review, or fact-finding related to such complaints;
10. all records concerning any complaints involving the conduct of Futrell and Susan Freeman together or in connection with one another;
11. all records concerning any complaints or concerns that Susan Freeman contacted, pressured, influenced, criticized, confronted, or interfered with City staff, elected officials, contractors, vendors, commissioners, or residents regarding City business or Futrell’s employment.
    
12. Susan Freeman communications, involvement, visitor logs, events, public comments, and City access
    

Please produce all records concerning Susan Freeman’s communications, involvement, presence, attendance, participation, or access relating to City of Riverside business, City facilities, City events, City officials, City staff, City vendors, or City contractors, including but not limited to:

1. emails to or from Susan Freeman and any City email account;
2. text messages, Teams messages, instant messages, letters, notes, voicemails, or other communications to or from Susan Freeman and any City official, Councilmember, Mayor, City staff member, commissioner, consultant, vendor, contractor, recruiter, attorney, or representative;
3. visitor logs, sign-in sheets, access records, badge records, security logs, and front-desk logs showing Susan Freeman’s presence at City Hall or other City facilities;
4. records showing Susan Freeman’s attendance at City functions, ceremonies, events, meetings, receptions, briefings, public events, community events, press events, or City-sponsored events;
5. invitations to Susan Freeman for City events;
6. communications inviting Susan Freeman to City events or arranging her attendance;
7. records identifying whether Susan Freeman attended City events in any official, unofficial, guest, spouse, consultant, vendor, volunteer, speaker, advisor, or other capacity;
8. photographs, videos, programs, seating charts, event lists, name badges, attendee lists, or protocols identifying Susan Freeman at City events;
9. public comments made by Susan Freeman at City Council meetings, committee meetings, commission meetings, public hearings, or other City meetings;
10. meeting videos, transcripts, minutes, speaker cards, eComments, written comments, and audio recordings reflecting any public comment by Susan Freeman;
11. correspondence between Susan Freeman and the Mayor, Councilmembers, City Manager’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, City Clerk, department heads, or staff;
12. records of complaints by employees, residents, officials, or vendors concerning Susan Freeman’s actions, conduct, communications, presence, influence, or involvement in City business;
13. records concerning any City staff concerns regarding Susan Freeman’s access to City officials, staff, events, information, or facilities.
    
14. Vendor recommendations, referrals, introductions, contracts, conflicts, and business relationships involving Susan Freeman
    

Please produce all records concerning any business, vendor, contractor, consultant, company, nonprofit, entity, client, employer, or business relationship involving Susan Freeman that had, sought, proposed, requested, was recommended for, or received any contract, vendor relationship, meeting, introduction, referral, recommendation, payment, grant, sponsorship, partnership, or business opportunity with the City of Riverside, including but not limited to:

1. contracts with any company owned by, controlled by, employing, retaining, represented by, affiliated with, or financially benefiting Susan Freeman;
2. proposals, bids, quotes, invoices, purchase orders, checks, payments, reimbursements, grant records, sponsorships, or vendor records involving any such company or entity;
3. records concerning any request by Susan Freeman to introduce, recommend, promote, refer, advocate for, or support any vendor, consultant, nonprofit, contractor, business, developer, donor, or service provider;
4. records concerning any vendor introduction, recommendation, referral, endorsement, or meeting arranged by Susan Freeman;
5. communications between Susan Freeman and City officials or staff concerning vendors, contracts, procurement, events, sponsorships, grants, donations, city services, development, permitting, consulting, communications, public relations, community relations, nonprofit partnerships, or business opportunities;
6. conflict-of-interest analyses, ethics opinions, City Attorney reviews, FPPC-related communications, Form 700-related records, recusals, disclosures, or advice concerning Susan Freeman, Michael Futrell, or any related vendor/business relationship;
7. records concerning any concern, complaint, warning, or inquiry about whether Susan Freeman’s relationships or communications created an actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest.
   
8. Communications with former City Manager, prior City leadership, and contract-extension issues
   

Please produce all records involving Michael Futrell, Susan Freeman, any former City Manager, City Attorney, Mayor, Councilmember, Human Resources official, or senior staff member concerning:

1. contract-extension discussions;
2. proposed contract terms;
3. executive employment demands;
4. threats or statements concerning resignation or departure;
5. pressure on Councilmembers;
6. public or private advocacy to influence Council action;
7. communications with Councilmembers regarding employment terms;
8. any prior incident in which Council was asked, urged, pressured, or advised to approve or extend an employment contract for a City Manager or executive employee;
9. any complaint, concern, or allegation that City staff, a City Manager, a spouse, or a third party improperly influenced or attempted to influence Council action regarding executive employment.
   
10. Council meetings, closed sessions, agendas, minutes, videos, and public comments
    

Please produce all records, including agendas, amended agendas, revised agendas, minutes, closed-session descriptions, report-outs, staff reports, attachments, meeting videos, audio recordings, transcripts, speaker cards, written comments, eComments, emails, and public comments, for all City Council meetings, special meetings, committee meetings, or closed sessions where any of the following were discussed:

1. Michael Futrell’s hiring;
2. Michael Futrell’s appointment;
3. Michael Futrell’s employment agreement;
4. Michael Futrell’s compensation;
5. Michael Futrell’s contract extension or amendment;
6. Michael Futrell’s performance evaluation;
7. Michael Futrell’s discipline, counseling, warning, or complaints;
8. Michael Futrell’s resignation, proposed resignation, Pasadena employment, rescission, withdrawal, retention, or continued employment;
9. Susan Freeman’s communications, public comments, attendance, involvement, or complaints concerning City business;
10. any vendor, contract, referral, recommendation, or business relationship involving Susan Freeman.
    

Please include any public comments made by Susan Freeman and any public comments made by residents, employees, former employees, vendors, or officials concerning Michael Futrell, Susan Freeman, the City Manager’s employment, contract, resignation, retention, or conduct.

1. Search terms requested
   

Please search all responsive repositories using, at minimum, the following search terms and combinations:

• “Futrell”
• “Mike Futrell”
• “Michael Futrell”
• “Charles Futrell”
• “Charles M. Futrell”
• “City Manager”
• “resignation”
• “resign”
• “resigned”
• “rescission”
• “rescind”

  

• “withdraw”
• “withdrawal”
• “retract”
• “Pasadena”
• “City of Pasadena”
• “employment agreement”
• “contract extension”
• “extension”
• “renewal”
• “compensation”
• “performance evaluation”
• “evaluation”
• “closed session”
• “Government Code 54957”
• “interim City Manager”
• “acting City Manager”
• “transition”
• “succession”
• “recruitment”
• “recruiter”
• “search firm”
• “headhunter”
• “Susan Freeman”
• “Freeman”
• “wife”
• “spouse”
• “visitor”
• “vendor”
• “recommend”
• “recommendation”
• “introduction”
• “introduce”
• “referral”
• “complaint”
• “warning”
• “counseling”
• “discipline”
• “retaliation”
• “intimidation”
• “pressure”
• “harassment”
• “hostile”
• “conflict of interest”
• “Form 700”
• “FPPC”
  

Please also search for communications where “Futrell” and “Freeman” appear within the same record or thread, and where “Susan,” “Freeman,” “wife,” or “spouse” appears in records concerning City Manager employment, contract, resignation, public communications, City events, vendors, or complaints.

1. Personal devices, private accounts, and third-party platforms
   

To the extent City officials, employees, consultants, contractors, or elected officials used personal phones, personal email accounts, private messaging applications, social-media direct messages, or other non-City accounts to conduct City business concerning the subjects in this request, please produce those records as public records.

This request includes, without limitation, public-business communications on:

1. personal email accounts;
2. personal cell phones;
3. text messages;
4. iMessage;
5. WhatsApp;
6. Signal;
7. Facebook Messenger;
8. Instagram direct messages;
9. LinkedIn messages;
10. Teams or other collaboration platforms;
11. any other communication method used for City business.
    
12. Native electronic format and metadata
    

Please produce electronic records in their native electronic format, including attachments, embedded files, metadata, header information, sender/recipient fields, timestamps, file paths where available, and parent-child relationships between emails and attachments.

For emails, please produce complete email threads, including attachments, recipients, CC, BCC, timestamps, and all replies/forwards.

For text messages and chat messages, please produce the complete conversation context necessary to understand the communication.

For videos and audio recordings, please produce the original digital file or a reasonably accessible electronic copy.

1. Withholding, redactions, and exemption log
   

If the City contends any record or portion of a record is exempt from disclosure, please:

1. identify the specific statutory exemption claimed;
2. explain how the exemption applies;
3. produce all reasonably segregable non-exempt portions;
4. provide a redaction/withholding log identifying the date, author, recipient, general subject matter, type of record, and exemption asserted.
   

Please do not withhold entire records where redaction of exempt portions would permit disclosure of the remainder.

1. Preservation demand
   

Please preserve all potentially responsive records, including emails, text messages, phone logs, voicemails, Teams messages, calendar entries, security logs, visitor logs, videos, drafts, metadata, and records on personal devices or accounts used for City business. This preservation request includes records held by elected officials, City employees, former employees, consultants, contractors, attorneys, recruiters, and agents of the City.

Please immediately suspend any routine deletion, retention purge, overwriting, auto-delete, or destruction policy applicable to potentially responsive records.

1. Rolling production and narrowing
   

Because this request covers time-sensitive matters of public interest involving the City Manager, City Council oversight, executive employment, public trust, and possible conflicts of interest, please produce records on a rolling basis as they become available.

If the City believes any portion of this request is overly broad, unduly burdensome, or requires clarification, please contact me promptly and identify the specific category or search term at issue. Please do not delay production of clearly responsive records while discussing any narrower subset.

1. Fee waiver / electronic production
   

I request that records be produced electronically wherever possible. Please notify me in advance if the City contends that any fees will exceed $25.00.

Because these records concern the conduct of public business, executive employment, City Manager accountability, public meetings, public comments, possible conflicts of interest, and public trust in municipal governance, disclosure is in the public interest.

1. Response deadline
   

Please provide the City’s determination within the time required by the California Public Records Act and identify the estimated date of production for responsive records.