It was a rock and roll session with no holds barred at the Hemet City Council meeting Tuesday night. Heated arguments were more the mode than the usual hum-drum get-togethers of the local council members. But first things first.
After the usual opening rites, the council went to the agenda. All votes were 4-0 in favor of passage.
1. Agreed to conduct a public hearing and accept public comments regarding the draft Substantial Amendment to the 2020-2025 CDBG Consolidated Plan and 2020/21 Annual Action Plan; accept the Substantial Amendment and authorize the City Manager to sign the certifications and substantial amendment application for submission to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
2. Agreed to Conduct a Public Hearing to consider placement of Calendar Year 2020 Delinquent Solid Waste Collection Fees on the Riverside County Property Tax Roll, and address any ejections or protests received, and Adopt Resolution Bill No. 21-xxx confirming and authorizing levy of delinquent solid waste fees as a special assessment. (This situation provoked angry public commentary, claiming that CR&R had been sending out exorbitant fee notices and threats without warning for bills alleged to be for past years, although the complainants claimed they never received any prior notice. One taxpayer told the council that “CR&R said I would not go to prison for non-payment, only serve six months in the county jail.” Mayor Karlee Meyer agreed to meet and consult with three of the citizen complainants at 11:00 Wednesday morning).
3. Agreed set a Public Hearing on June 22, 2021, for objections to the previous Council adopted May 11, 2021, weed abatement revolution.
4. Agreed to Public Hearing to Consider authorizing Annexation of Territory to Community Facilities District No. 2005-1 (Public Safety Services); Calling a Special Election; Declaring the Results of the Election; and Approving the Levy of Special Taxes for Such Annexed Territory Generally located between Warren Road, Fisher Street, Mustang Way, and Poplar Street.
5. Agreed to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 2021-____ (to be added later) as follows: RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HEMET, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE ANNEXATION OF TERRITORY TO COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO.2005-1 (PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES) AS ANNEXATION NO. 19 AND AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF THE LEVY OF SPECIAL TAXES TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF SUCH COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT; That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2021____, entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HEMET, CALIFORNIA, CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION AND SUBMITTING TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF CITY OF HEMET COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 2005-1 (PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES) PROPOSITIONS REGARDING THE ESTABLISHING OF AN APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT AND THE ANNUAL LEVY OF A SPECIAL TAX WITHIN THE COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT; That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2021-___, entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HEMET, CALIFORNIA, MAKING CERTAIN FINDINGS, CERTIFYING THE RESULTS OF AN ELECTION, AND ADDING PROPERTY TO COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 2005-1 (PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES).
6. Approved a Resolution of intention to order the annual levy of assessments for the existing Citywide Landscape Maintenance Districts for the Fiscal Year 2021-2022; preliminarily approving the Engineer’s Report and Appointing July 13, 2021, for a public hearing.
7. Set a Public Hearing on July 13, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. to receive public input and comments on the CITY OF Hemet’s 2020 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) and Water Shortage Contingency Plan.
9. Approved the resolution of intention to order the annual levy of assessments for the existing Citywide Streetlight Maintenance Districts and to levy and collect assessments within such districts for the Fiscal Year 2021-2022, preliminarily approving the engineer’s report and appointing July 13, 2021 for a public hearing.
10. Approved a resolution initiating proceedings and ordering the report of the engineer in connection with the annual levy of assessments for the existing Citywide Streetlight Maintenance Districts and the levy and collection of assessments within such districts for the Fiscal Year 2021-2022, and designate Harris & Associates as the Engineer for the purpose of these proceedings.
11. Approved a Resolution initiating proceedings and ordering the Report of the Engineer in connection with the annual levy of assessments for the existing Citywide Landscape Maintenance Districts and the levy and collection of assessments within such districts for the Fiscal Year 2021-2022, and designate Harris && Associates as the Engineer for the purpose of these proceedings. Two matters were continued for further study and consideration at a future meeting.
12. Annual Budget: The argument went on for more than an hour over the Annual Budget. Mayor Karlee Meyer and City Manager Chris Lopez went at it for quite a while with the Mayor wanting to spend money out of what the City Manager called “savings,” the Mayor expressed concern about the quality of services the city offers our citizens, while the City Manager argued that Measure U Funds might not be renewed in five years and worried about adding debt that we might not be able to cover.
The Mayor and Councilman Russ Brown also had at it for a spell. Council Person Krupa seemed to be sitting on the fence when the Mayor spoke up and said, “I’m willing to compromise.” Krupa agreed, the women on the council came together and that broke the standoff, bringing the matter to a final unanimous yes vote. The compromises were made and the Budget passed 4-0. All was smiles thereafter and it seemed as though a cool breeze had entered the council meeting.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
1. Broadcasting of City Council Meetings.
2. Council Protocols.
3 Vagrancy and Pan Handling Laws.
4. Animal Control Regulations for Businesses
5. Solar Feasibility
6. Review of Resolution No. 4703
7. Legal Review of Hemet Youth Baseball
8. Code Enforcement Efficiency Plan
A successful meeting was enjoyed by one and all. Did I hear the word taxes or levies mentioned more than once? Just sayin
Rusty Strait • Senior Reporter
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