The city announced Dierck’s appointment and said he would officially begin Sept. 14, 2026. He most recently served as Fire Chief of the Montclair Fire Department after earlier roles there as Battalion Chief and Assistant Fire Chief, according to the release. His career began in 2008 with the Kern County Fire Department, where he advanced through Firefighter, Fire Engineer, and Fire Captain, the city wrote.

The release lists degrees including an associate degree in fire technology, a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from UC Santa Barbara, and an MBA focused on management, plus California State Fire Training Chief Fire Officer and Certified Executive Chief Fire Officer credentials.

Interim City Manager Noah Rau said in the release: “We are excited to welcome Chief Dierck to the City of Hemet. … His extensive operational experience, proven leadership, and commitment to developing strong fire service teams make him an excellent addition to our organization.”

Dierck said in the release: “I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as Fire Chief for the City of Hemet. … My commitment is to lead with integrity, support and develop our personnel, and ensure we continue to provide the highest level of fire, emergency medical, and public safety services to the residents of Hemet.”

The city said an official swearing-in ceremony will be held, with details to be shared on the city’s website and social channels.

Press release PDF: https://hemetca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13101/COH-2026-PRESS-RELEASE_2026-019?bidId=

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During that window, TrakiT and Tyler EPL will be unavailable for permit access and processing, according to the city’s notice. Systems go offline Oct. 12. Tyler EPL is scheduled to go live Tuesday, Oct. 20, when customers can again access and process permits through the new system, the city wrote.

Questions: Building & Safety, bldgstaff@hemetca.gov, (951) 765-2475; Engineering, engrstaff@hemetca.gov, (951) 765-2360; Planning, planstaff@hemetca.gov, (951) 765-2375.

City notice: https://www.hemetca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1127
Mobile: https://www.hemetca.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/1127

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The meeting is at the County Administrative Center, 4080 Lemon St., Riverside.

Agenda item 31293 asks the board to ratify the agreement for fiscal 2026-27 in Supervisorial District 5. The posted agenda text lists [$225,000 — School Services Law Enforcement Revenue 100%].

This newspaper will report the named vote after the meeting from a primary.

Meeting: https://riversidecountyca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=3372

LegiFile: https://riversidecountyca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?ID=31293

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Consent Calendar 18.L, Staff Report No. 26-292, approved a temporary at-will employment agreement for Phillips as a CalPERS retired annuitant under Government Code sections 21224 and 7522.56.

The packet sets the hourly rate at $135.38. The Fire Chief schedule lists a maximum of $23,466 per month ($135.38 per hour) and minimum of $17,510 per month ($101.02 per hour). No benefits, incentives or compensation in lieu are provided beyond the hourly rate and ordinary expense reimbursements.

Phillips’ CalPERS retired-annuitant service is limited to 960 hours per fiscal year across all employers; the city manager is to be notified near 900 hours. The at-will appointment provides no CalPERS service credit, requires no new appropriation and is funded by vacancy salary savings.

The appointment starts Sept. 14, after the prior interim agreement ends Sept. 13. Under Resolution Section 5 and Employment Agreement Section 3.A, the term ends at the earlier of 960 hours or Oct. 11, 2026. The staff report fiscal-impact section separately prints Oct. 16, 2026, a packet conflict noted here without choosing between dates.

Council pulled 18.A, 18.C and 18.F. Item 18.L was not pulled and passed with the remainder of the consent calendar, 5-0. Phillips is listed on the city website as Interim Fire Chief.

Meeting stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_2tNgky4Zk
Agenda packet: https://hemetca.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Id=6991
Packet PDF: https://hemetca.civicweb.net/document/240569/City%20Council%20Meeting%20-%20Sep%2008%202026.pdf?handle=A75E9FAE4F3B49F882775DE3B9A831B2
Prior How They Voted: https://hsjchronicle.com/how-they-voted-hemet-sept-8-2026-skr-measure-u/

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The posted agenda lists two closed-session items: public employee appointment for the title of City Manager under Government Code section 54957(b)(1), and a conference with labor negotiators under Government Code section 54957.6. The agency’s designated representative is listed as Noah Rau, Interim City Manager. Employee organizations listed are HMMA, HFFA, HPMA, HPOA, HNSPEA, HGEA, Battalion Chiefs, At-Will Employees, and Unrepresented Employees.

Public comments on the closed-session items are due by 2 p.m. the day of the meeting, according to the agenda. The agenda affidavit was posted Sept. 9, 2026, at 1:55 p.m.

Agenda and meeting page: https://hemetca.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Id=7191
PDF: https://hemetca.civicweb.net/document/240848/Special%20City%20Council%20Meeting%20-%20Sep%2010%202026.pdf

This newspaper will report any reportable action announced after the closed session from a primary.

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Primary source: City of Hemet, “City Council Meeting 9/8/26,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_2tNgky4Zk. Agenda packet: CivicWeb meeting Id 6991, https://hemetca.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Id=6991.

Item 16.A — Ordinance No. 2081 (SKR HCP mitigation fees)
Council opened and closed the public hearing (no registered speakers), introduced Ordinance No. 2081 by title, waived full reading, and authorized return for second reading and adoption.

Staff stated on the record that the staff report’s “September 23” line was wrong and that second reading should be September 22, 2026. The motion to introduce also asked staff to return Sept. 22 for second reading.

Vote: 4-1 (electronic board announced as 4-1). Mayor Pro Tem Joe Males voted No (named on the record). Voting Yes: Mayor Linda Krupa, Connie Howard-Clark, Jaculin Peterson, and Tom Lodge. (The four Yes votes are the remaining members after the announced 4-1 with Males dissenting. This newspaper will update if posted CivicWeb minutes differ.)

Fee schedule in the introduced ordinance from the Sept. 8 packet: individual single-family residence $250 (unchanged); agricultural development $500 per gross acre; all other development $900 per gross acre.

Consent calendar
Council pulled items 18.A, 18.C, and 18.F for separate consideration. The remainder of consent, including among others Resolution 2026-148 (Vactor, 18.G), Resolution 2026-149 (McComas, 18.H), and Resolution 2026-152 (Axon, 18.K), passed unanimously, 5-0.

Item 18.F — Resolution 2026-147, twelve police vehicles
Pulled, discussed, then approved 5-0. Packet figures: aggregate cost $943,305.93, with $342,000 from Measure U.

Item 18.H — Resolution 2026-149, Jim McComas Auto Body
Rode with the consent remainder (5-0). Packet: fiscal 2026-27 not-to-exceed raised from $50,000 to $85,000, with $40,000 supplemental from Measure U fund balance.

Item 18.G — Resolution 2026-148, Vactor sewer truck
Rode with consent remainder, 5-0. Packet NTE $881,668.88.

Item 18.K — Resolution 2026-152, Axon cameras
Rode with consent remainder, 5-0. Packet NTE $165,635.01.

Item 19.B — Resolution 2026-158, Dugout Froyo kitchen grant
Award of $100,000 for Dugout Froyo at Nuke Nation passed unanimously, 5-0.

Item 19.D — Urgency Ordinance 2082 and introduction of Ordinance 2083 (cannabis permit term / extension / renewal)
Combined motion adopted urgency Ordinance 2082 and introduced Ordinance 2083, 5-0.

This is a facts-only How They Voted brief. It is not an editorial.

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The hearing is Item 16.A on the Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, regular agenda. Closed session is listed at 4 p.m. Open session is at 6 p.m. The city’s kangaroo-rat fee page lists chambers at City Hall, 445 E. Florida Ave. CivicWeb’s standing council listing uses 450 E. Latham Ave. Confirm the room at the door.

Staff Report No. 26-279 asks the council to introduce Ordinance No. 2081 by title, waive full reading, and return it for second reading and adoption. The agenda recommendation line says Sept. 22. The staff report’s discussion section says Sept. 23. This newspaper will not lock either date until the council states one on the record.

The ordinance would amend Chapter 58 to match the Riverside County Habitat Conservation Agency’s 2026 nexus study, which that agency’s board adopted July 9, 2026. The city’s posted fee table and the Sept. 8 packet list:

Individual single-family residence on a single legally created lot: $250 flat, unchanged.

Agricultural development: $500 per gross acre. Staff says that simplifies a prior formula of $100 or 1 percent of valuation, capped at $500 an acre.

All other development: $900 per gross acre, up from $500. Surface mining stays on a separate calculation.

Qualifying nonprofits may still get up to a 75 percent reduction.

If adopted, the updated fees would take effect 60 days later under Government Code section 66017, staff wrote. Beginning July 1, 2027, the ordinance would allow annual CPI-U adjustments for the Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County region.

Staff wrote there is no direct General Fund impact. Fees are paid by applicants and remitted to the regional habitat agency.

Packet and hearing materials: CivicWeb meeting Id 6991
City fee page: City fee page
Nexus study packet: Nexus study packet

The Chronicle will report the named vote after the meeting from a primary.

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The item is Consent Calendar 18.F, Resolution 2026-147, Staff Report #26-298. Staff lists nine 2027 Ford Police Interceptor Utilities, including one K9 unit; one 2026 Ford Maverick; and two 2026 BMW RT-P motorcycles.

Funding would come from the adopted fiscal 2026-27 budget: $687,000 from the Vehicle Replacement Fund and $342,000 from Measure U, account 115.09.1000.65400. Staff wrote that no new appropriation is required. The packet cites a budget appropriation of $1,029,000 for the purchase.

Vendors listed in the packet include Peoria Ford, Tim Moran Ford of Hemet, BMW of San Marcos, AEP for upfitting, and Dungeon Wraps for decals.

Unless the item is pulled for discussion, it would be voted with the rest of the consent calendar Tuesday night.

This story does not report a vote. The council has not yet acted on the resolution.

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The hearing is Item 16.A on the regular agenda, Staff Report #26-279. Closed session is listed at 4 p.m. Regular session is at 6 p.m. CivicWeb lists the chambers at 450 E. Latham Ave. The city’s public-hearing notice and fee page also list City Hall chambers at 445 E. Florida Ave.

Ordinance No. 2081 would amend Chapter 58, Article IV, to implement the Riverside County Habitat Conservation Agency’s 2026 nexus study, adopted by the RCHCA board July 9.

Staff’s fee table lists:

Individual single-family residence on a single legally created lot: $250 flat, unchanged.

Agricultural development: $500 per gross acre, simplified from a prior formula of $100 or 1 percent of valuation, capped at $500 an acre.

All other development: $900 per gross acre, up from $500 an acre.

Surface mining would stay under a separate calculation. Qualifying nonprofits could still receive up to a 75 percent reduction.

Beginning July 1, 2027, the ordinance would adjust the fee annually by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County region. Staff wrote that the fee would take effect 60 days after adoption under Government Code section 66017.

Staff recommends that the council open the hearing, introduce the ordinance by title and waive full reading, and authorize the city manager to bring it back for second reading and adoption. The agenda recommendation lists Sept. 22 for that return. The staff report discussion lists Sept. 23. Both dates appear in the packet.

Staff’s fiscal note says there is no direct General Fund impact. Fees are paid by applicants and remitted to RCHCA.

Written comments were due to the City Clerk by 2 p.m. the day of the meeting, subject line “SKR Mitigation Fee.” Contact listed on the city page: Jilleen Ferris, P.E., (951) 765-2360, jferris@hemetca.gov.

This story does not report a vote. The council has not yet acted on the ordinance.

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Tuesday, Sept. 8

Hemet City Council, 6 p.m., Council Chamber, 450 E. Latham Ave. (the Aug. 7 public-hearing notice also lists City Council Chambers at City Hall, 445 E. Florida Ave.). The Sept. 8 agenda packet is posted.

Item 16.A is a public hearing on Ordinance No. 2081, amending Chapter 58 of the Hemet Municipal Code to update Stephens’ Kangaroo Rat Habitat Conservation Plan mitigation fees. Staff report #26-279 says the Riverside County Habitat Conservation Agency adopted the 2026 SKR HCP Nexus Study on July 9, 2026. Proposed fees in the staff report: individual single-family residence, $250 current and $250 proposed per residence; agricultural development, variable calculation now and $500 per gross acre proposed; all other development, $500 current and $900 proposed per gross acre.

A footnote says the prior agricultural formula was $100 or 1 percent of building valuation, whichever greater, not to exceed $500 per gross acre, simplified to a flat $500. Nonprofit projects may qualify for up to a 75 percent reduction. Surface mining stays on a separate calculation under Section 58-99.

Staff recommends the council introduce the ordinance and return it for second reading and adoption at the Sept. 22 meeting. Written comments may go to the City Clerk with subject line “SKR Mitigation Fee.” Contact listed on the city fee page: Jilleen Ferris, P.E., (951) 765-2360, jferris@hemetca.gov. Nexus study materials: hemetca.gov/1375/Stephens-Kangaroo-Rat-2026-Fee-Update.

Thursday, Sept. 10

San Jacinto Unified School District Board of Trustees, 6 p.m., Board Room, 2045 S. San Jacinto Ave. Regular meeting. A district public-hearing notice dated Aug. 24 says the board will take community input on whether each pupil has or will have sufficient textbooks or instructional materials for fiscal 2026-27 consistent with the curriculum framework. Questions: Dulce Noriega, (951) 929-7700, ext. 4260. The full board packet was not confirmed posted when checked Monday morning.

Mt. San Jacinto College Board of Trustees, 4 p.m., Board Room TA-301, Temecula Valley Campus, 41888 Motor Car Parkway, Temecula. Regular meeting listed on the college events calendar.

Agendas post on the Diligent Community portal no less than 72 hours ahead; the Sept. 10 packet was not confirmed posted when checked.

Tuesday, Sept. 15

Hemet Planning Commission, 6 p.m., 450 E. Latham Ave. A Sept. 1 cancellation notice said the Sept. 1 meeting was cancelled for lack of agenda items and that the next regular meeting is Sept. 15. No Sept. 15 packet is posted.

San Jacinto City Council, 6:30 p.m. open session (closed session typically 5:30 p.m.), Community Center, 625 S. Pico Ave. Regular meeting on the city calendar. No packet is posted, so no item list is available.

Riverside County Board of Supervisors, 9:30 a.m., 4080 Lemon St., 1st Floor Board Chambers, Riverside. Regular meeting. Valley items cannot be confirmed until the packet is posted.

Wednesday, Sept. 16

Eastern Municipal Water District Board, 9 a.m., Board Room, 2270 Trumble Road, Perris. The board meeting is listed on EMWD’s site. Public-notice pages list Sept. 16 as the meeting date for board action related to the Menifee and Watson Road II Booster Pump Station and Matthews Transmission Pipeline Project (comment period ended June 29) and the Quail Valley Subarea 4 Programmatic EIR (comment period ended May 18). The detailed Sept. 16 agenda packet was not confirmed readable when checked.

Lake Skinner Regional Water Transmission System draft program EIR comments remain open through 5 p.m. Oct. 8; that is a comment deadline, not a hearing on this calendar.

Thursday, Sept. 17

Lake Hemet Municipal Water District. The Aug. 20 board agenda listed Minute Order item 7 as cancellation of the Sept. 17 meeting and adjournment to Thursday, Oct. 15, at 3 p.m., 26385 Fairview Ave., Hemet. August 20 minutes confirming that vote were not separately posted when checked.

Monday, Sept. 21

Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District Board, 5:30 p.m. or soon thereafter, Board Chambers, 901 W. Esplanade Ave., San Jacinto. The Sept. 21 CivicWeb packet is not posted. A Press-Enterprise notice published Aug. 22 states that on Aug. 17 the board adopted a resolution of intention for Winchester Community Facilities District Zone 33 (San Pedro Farms) and set this public hearing. Written protests may be filed with the Clerk of the Board; interested persons may speak at the hearing.

The Aug. 17 staff report (primary packet) described two noticed matters for this date, at the petition of KB Home Cal Management Services, LLC, Tract 36467, north of Holland Road, east of Leon Road, west of Eucalyptus Road, south of Ano Crest Drive, Winchester — 396 single-family and 110 multifamily equivalent dwelling units:

• Hearing A / Resolution 1469-26: Winchester CFD Zone 33 for parks and landscaping operations and maintenance. Maximum annual special tax $1,697 per single-family EDU and $1,018 per multifamily EDU; estimated maximum collection about $784,014, base year fiscal 2027-28. Escalation each July 1 starting July 1, 2028.
• Hearing B / Resolution 1470-26: CFD 2020-1 Annexation 14, Tax Zone 15, for stormwater / WQMP operations and maintenance. Maximum annual special tax $175 per single-family EDU and $105 per multifamily EDU; estimated about $80,850, base year fiscal 2027-28, with the same July 1, 2028 escalation start.

Tuesday, Sept. 22

San Jacinto Planning Commission, 6 p.m., Community Center, 625 S. Pico Ave. Regular meeting on the city calendar. No packet is posted.

Hemet City Council, 6 p.m., 450 E. Latham Ave. Fourth-Tuesday date. Staff’s Sept. 8 recommendation would return Ordinance No. 2081 for second reading here if introduced Sept. 8. No Sept. 22 packet is posted yet.

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