Rusty Strait | Senior Reporter
The Hemet City Council rolled on like a slow freight train Tuesday night, but not in any boring way. It took almost an hour getting out of the station. However, it wasn’t long before the business at hand got underway. The City Attorney stated that one legal item was agreed to by a a 5-0 vote.
Next came public comments:
Citizen #1 stated that he had previously been told that he couldn’t run for city council because you could not live in a trailer but Mr. Petty running in District 5 is living in a trailer, “ I’m just asking if I had a trailer at my place of business would that qualify me?” He was told that you couldn’t live in an RV unless it were in a park and he was further advised that Code Enforcement was looking into that issue.
Citizen #2 stated that he was a nobody, not important on social media and didn’t own any hospitals. Further, “I am not a resident of the City of Hemet and do not live within the sphere of influence. There is a group going around called Hemet United, who are advocating increasing the physical side of the City of Hemet. They are circulating a petition for signatures and are near completion of making this happen. If this plan comes to fruition, the City of Hemet will be required to provide police and fire services.” He went on to delineate the numbers of costs that would bring on without the income to cover them. He was definitely against any annexation any time soon.
Citizen #3 Spoke against Measure ”H,” which is on the November ballot. She quoted Measure U, stating that the City Council should devote 100% of the proceeds to public safety. She said that in the past six years, Measure U has brought in $65,000.00 and still none of the promises made by the City Council has been kept in expending Measure U. She further asked, “Where is the annual audit? I haven’t seen it. She stated that there were fewer police officers in 2021 than in 2017. She said further, “We have a chaotic city government. Every other City in the county has had a city manager for at least five years. Hemet can’t keep one a year. So until the City gets some leadership, I cannot vote for Measure “H.”
Citizen #4 promoted Candy Corner at Valley Wide on October 27th.
Citizen #5 Commented about appointing a new City Treasurer to replace Sue Savage. She suggested that the Council should reach out to the community to get more applicants for the job instead of settling for the one applicant currently available.
Citizen #6 Spoke about an outsider’s view that Hemet is not good and that the Post Office (among other buildings) is a disaster. He asks for solutions.
Citizen #7 Spoke about tree limbs creating darkness on the streets at night, making it dangerous for women and children to walk along the streets.
Citizen #8 Spoke about the founding fathers and how they have affected us today.
Citizen # 9 Spoke in favor of the Ramona Bowl and coming events. Asking for candy donations for one event.
Citizen #10 Spoke in favor of alternatives to abortion. Definitely pro-life
Citizen #11 Spoke in favor of Casa Loca at the Ramona Bowl and also of the Ramona Pagent’s 100th Anniversary and that tickets are currently available.
Next came presentations of proclamations:
1. Declare that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
2. Declare that October is Emotional Awareness Month
3. Declare that October is Adopt-a-Dog month
4. Declare Water Professionals Appreciation Week
5. Declare Fire Prevention Week
VOTES:
• Passed 5-0 – Council received and filed the City of Hemet Warrant Registers Investment Report for July 2022
• Passed 5-0: Adopted a resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California approving the City’s Classification and Compensation Plan for employee salary ranges
• Passed 5-0: Adopted a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, approving the application for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Older Adult Home Modification Grant Program for $942,000 and Authorize the Interim City Manager to Execute all Documents
• Passed 5-0: A resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Approving an Amendment to the City’s Classification and Compensation Plan to include the new position. Environmental Compliance Coordinator
• Passed 5-0: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Approving an Agreement for Repair Services with Bravo Sign & Design, Inc., and authorizing the Interim City Manager to Execute the Agreement and authorizing the Interim City Manager to approve purchase orders in support of the Agreement and Deputy Fire Marshal, and Approving authorizing the Finance Director to Establish a Supplemental Appropriation in Liability Insurance Account 683-2200-2725 for $67,154.91 and an additional Supplemental Appropriation in Fund 685 in the amount of $19,250 Including a 10% Contingency, to Remove and replace the Damaged Welcome to Hemet Monument Sign (Also adding the Ramona Pageant to the sign),
• Passed 5-0: Adopt the Resolution Establishing the Hemet Fire and Life Safety Agency and the Department of Life Safety, Amending the Classification and Compensation Plan to add the New Position of Chief Building Official/Deputy Fire Marshal, and Approving Budget Amendments in Support Thereof.
• Passed 4-1: Adopted a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Designating the Code Enforcement Division to Serve as an Enforcement Agency Under AB 1276 (Passed reluctantly) Passed 5-0 Adopted a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Approving a Grant of Easement and Right-of-way to Eastern Municipal Water District (“EMWD”) for Pipelines, Equipment, Structures, and/or Appurtenances.
• Passed 5-0: Adopted a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, approving the First Amendment to the Agreement for Services between the City of Hemet and HR Green Pacific, Inc. For a Contract Amount annually of $100,000 and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement for a One-Year Term with month-to-month extensions.
• Passed 4-0: Adopted a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, authorizing the Finance Director to record a supplemental appropriation of $7,910 in support of the completion of the FY21-22 AB 1600 Report (Linda Krupa voted “No.”
• Passed 5-0: Appointed Dale Gilman to fill the vacant City Treasurer seat.
• Passed 4-1: Appointed Staci Olsen and George Schaefer to the Measure “U” Citizen Oversight Committee.
• Passed 5-0: Adopted a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, authorizing acceptance of Grant Funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (SAFER GRANT) for $7,071,090.00; and Authorizing the City manager, or designee, to Execute any Necessary Documents to meet the Grant Requirements.
The Council started late and ended late, but oh, the results. I believe the City was served well Tuesday night. Just sayin’
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