Rusty Strait | Senior Reporter

Following a report from a closed session in which the City Attorney announced a litigation settlement, the council went into the regular session with an invocation and pledge of allegiance.

Into Public discussions, Matt McPherson delineated the many sites downtown owned by Simon Chu that have no permits or incompleted repairs and that are violating several regulations and requirements. No one seemed to catch it when he said the proposed hotel for the mentally ill homeless had jumped from 100 to 400 rooms. Was that for real? Does Matt know something most of us missed?

Ed Bush, an operator of a local mortuary, countered with how much cooperation he had from the planning commission and how smooth his application for local licensing went while praising the City for all they did to help it along.

Mayor Lilienthal led off the regular presentations. The City made the following Presentations and declarations:

A. There was a mix-up. The Mayor and County Supervisor, Jeff Hewitt presented proclamations for National Stepfamily Day. Only problem? They had separate dates. Alls well. Everyone was smiling for the cameras.

B. The Hemet Public Library received a Proclamation declaring September as monthly Library Sign-up Month. The Hemet library director gave a sizzling defense for libraries, stating, “The Public Library is not just for books anymore.”

C. The Proclamations from City and County for National Suicide Prevention Month were accepted by Clarence Browser who was given a standing ovation when he recited a Poem about his lifetime battle with suicide temptations. Councilman Russ Brown praised him for exposing his personal experience. It was praise well deserved.

13.A – Approved City Warrants Registers Dated July 28, 2022, in the amount of $953,103.42, August 11, 2022, in the amount of $985,401.58, and August 25, 2022, in the amount of $1,632,981.80. The Payroll Periods of July 11, 2022 – July 24, 2022, in the amount of $847,259.63, July 25, 2022 – August 27, 2022 in the amount of $815,445.24, and August 8, 2022-August 21, 2022, in the amount of $833,200.92.

14.A – Approved the City of Council Meeting Minutes of June 14, 2022, and the City Council Meeting Minutes of June 28, 2022.

14.B – Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 2022 of the city council for Hemet, California, acting in the capacity as the Legislative Body of City of Hemet Community Facilities District No. 2022-01 (Tres Cerritos), Authorizing the Levy of a Special Tax therein.

14.C – Approved a letter of opposition to Senator Robert Hertzberg’s Senate Bill 262.

14.D – Adopted 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 revised position, GIS Specialist.

14.E – Adopt 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 revised position, of Administrative Assistant.

14.F – Adopt 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, Program Coordinator – Office of Violence Intervention.

14.G – Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Approving the City’s Classification and Compensation Plan for Compensation Plan for employee salary ranges.

14.H – Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, approving a Grant of Easement and Right-of-way to Southern California Edison Company for underground electrical supply systems and communications systems.

14.I – Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California to Approve the Community Development Block Grant – Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) Hemet CARES Business Support Grant Funding Recommendations for Round Three.

14.J – Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Approving a Service Agreement by and Between the County of Riverside and the City of Hemet for Stetson Avenue Roadway improvements; and Authorize the Finance Director to Deposit with the County of Riverside $212,500 (Including Contingencies) for the Administration, Engineering Design, Construction of Improvements and Inspection, and Authorize the City Manager to Execute all Contract Documents in the final form and format as approved by the City Attorney.

14.K – Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California Approving a Subdivision Improvement Agreement, Improvement Security, and Final Parcel Map 37779, Located at Southeast Corner of Stetson Avenue and Sanderson street (Ranch McHolland, LLC).

14.L – Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, awarding unleaded and diesel fueling services to Merrimac Petroleum DBA Merrimac Energy Group for a Term of Three (3) Years, With an option for two (2) One Year extensions for an Amount Defined by the Markup Above or Below the Oil Price Information Service Rack Price for Unbranded Low in the Inland Empire Region and Authorizing the Interim City Manager to Execute the Agreement for Unleaded and Diesel Fueling Services and Authorizing the Interim City Manager to Execute a Purchase Order in Support of the Award.

14.M – Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, approving a first amendment to the Agreement for Professional Engineering Services for the Preparation of the City’s West Side Master Drainage Plan by and between the City of Hemet and Michael Baker International, Direct the Finance Director to appropriate $218,216.43 of unencumbered flood control development impact fees, and authorize the Interim City Manager to execute all contract documents in the final form.

15.A1 – Adopt Resolution No. 2022-XXX, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Calling a Special Election to Fill the vacancy in the City Treasurer seat; Adopt Resolution No.2022-XXX, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Calling for the holding of a special Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, for the Election of the Office of City Treasurer As Required by the Provisions of the Laws of the State of California Relating to General Law Cities Adopt Resolution No 2022-XXX, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Adopting Regulations for Candidates for Elective Office Pertaining to Candidates Statements Submitted to the Voters at the Special Municipal Election to be held on March 7, 2023;

15.A2 – Nominate and appoint a qualified individual to fill the vacancy for the City Treasurer seat; or 15.A3. – Discuss and take such other action as the City Council deems appropriate and consistent with state and local requirements. (Keep listening to this one).

15.C – Consider the requested waiver for undergrounding utility lines related to the proposed Holiday Inn project at 3850 West Florida Avenue submitted by Ace Design LLC. Mayor pro-tem made a comment that should resonate with all those who remember the Salvation Army debacle when they put in their new quarters at Acacia and Palm. Quote the Mayor pro-tem “Why do we keep granting waivers for laws? Why do we have laws if we will just move around and make exceptions.”

15.D – Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, to Establish City Council of the City of Hemet, California, to Establish Hemet Community Facilities District No. 2022-02 (Saddle Point II), generally located east of Warren Road, West of Fisher Street, South of Mustang way and North of Poplar Street (Lennar).

Just saying.

rustystrait@gmail.com

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The first order of business was reseating councilman Joe Males who was bounced off the council due to a complaint by his opponent’s supporter in the 2020 election, only to be reelected when the old-line establishment ran one of their own against him in the reelection.

Then came new officers. Malcolm Lilienthal was sworn in as the new mayor unanimously and Karlee Meyer as mayor pro-tem, also unanimously.

The council then recessed into closed session and did not return until nearly 8 p.m. when it was open to public comment, followed by the following presentations:

A: Service Award to Karlee Meyer, honoring her year as mayor.

B: Highlight reel of recent accomplishments in Hemet.

C: Hemet Holidays; Community highlights and awards in connection with the annual Christmas Parade, held at night this year.

D: International Volunteer Day Proclamation. Especially honoring police volunteers who donated more than 20,000 hours in the past year, freeing up line officers to their police duties.

E: International World Disability Day Proclamation.

Approved City of Hemet Warrant Registers dated November 4, 2021.

Adopted a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, awarding a Professional Services Agreement with the law firm, Best, Best and Krieger in the amount of $44,000 for redistricting consulting services authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.

Approved a public hearing to elicit comments of citizens, public agencies, and other interested parties regarding community needs and priorities, and; receive and consider all comments for incorporation in the City of Hemet 2022 Annual Action Plan draft, and; form the CDBG Ad Hoc committee and appointing two council members for the 2022 CDBG application selection and funding recommendations. The mayor appointed himself and Karlee Meyer as the ad hoc committee members.

Approved Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of September 14, 2021, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of September 28, 2021, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of October 12, 2021, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of October 26, 2021, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of November 9, 2021, Special Joint City Council and Planning Commission Meeting of November 10, 2021, and the Special Closed Session City Council Meeting on November 30, 3021.

Authorized the mayor to execute an Amendment to the Western Riverside Council of Governments’ Joint Powers Agreement.

Waive further reading and adopt by title only Ordinance 1987, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, amending two sections of Chapter 90 (Zoning) of the Hemet Municipal Code to establish Objective-design and Development Standards and to amend Site Development Review Applications Citywide. Waive further reading and adopt by title only, Ordinance 1981, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, approving a Second Amendment to Development Agreement Amendments No. 20-001 for Tres Cerritos West between the City of Hemet and JMP Bixby Hemet.

Waive further reading and adopt by the only Ordinance 1986, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California amending Chapter 62 of the Hemet Municipal Code to incorporate the State mandated requirements of Senate Bill 1883, authorizing enforcement actions for violations.

Waive further reading and adopt by the only Ordinance 1984, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, amending the Commercial and Manufacturing Sections of Chapter 90 (Zoning of the Hemet Municipal Code to include Emerging Trend Businesses for allowable uses.

Waive full reading, read by title only, and introduce an Ordinance entitled, an Ordinance Of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, adding Article VI (Cannabis Business Tax) to Chapter 72 of the Hemet Municipal Code.

Accept a resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, accepting the funding award in the amount of $21,175 from the State of California, Department of recycling Resources and Recover, through the 2020/2021 City/County Payment Program; and authorize the Finance Director to record revenues in the Miscellaneous Recyclables (Account 110-0454) in the amount of $21,175, and record a supplemental appropriation of $21,175 in the Public Works Park Fund 110-4250-2801 for eligible funding expenditures. Adopted a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California Awarding a Three-Year Microsoft Enterprise Licensing Agreement via the “Riverside County EA) with Dell Marketing LP for $436,976.85 and Authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement, Annual Purchase Orders, Annual Applicable “True-up” Adjustments and all other Supporting documents related to the Agreement.

Adopt a resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California accepting 2021 Federal Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) in the amount of $30,860, authorizing the MOU/Interlocal Fiscal Agent Agreement with Riverside County, authorizing the City manager to execute the Agreement on behalf of the City, and authorizing the Finance Department to establish an expenditure account and increase the budget in the amount of $27,774 (grant amount less 10% paid to the Fiscal Agent). Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Approving a subdivision improvement Agreement, Improvement Security, and Final Tract Map 36890, Located at Northeast Corner of Thornton Avenue and Elk Street (D.R. Horton Los Angeles Holding Company, Inc).

Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, approving the Agreement between the City of Hemet and USI Insurance Services LLC, for Benefits Broker Services.

A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, awarding Lynch Quality Wells, Well 12 Repair, in the amount of $275,382.00, Waive any Minor bid irregularities, Authorize the City Manager to Execute all Contract Documents, and authorize the City Clerk to record the Notice of Completion Upon Acceptance of the Work by the City Engineer. Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, approving the revised job description for Public Works Director/City Engineer.

Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Establishing an investment Policy and Rescinding Resolution No. 2020-083.

Approve an application for funding from the California Water and Waste Water Arrearage Payment Program. Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California Approving a Dormancy Agreement with Lennar Homes of California, associated with CFD 2021-01 (Saddle Point), generally located between Warren Road, Fisher Street, Mustang Way, and Poplar Street and Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Agreement in Substantially the Form and Format Attached and as Approved by the City Attorney.

Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Amending Resolution of Intention to Establish City of Hemet Community Facilities District No. 20921-02 (Heritage Pointe) and to Authorize the Levy of a Special Tax Within City of Hemet Community Facilities District.

Receive a report on the progress of the 6th Cycle Housing Element Update, Safety Element Update, and new Environmental Justice Element.

Receiving the following status and update regarding the Legal Review of Hemet Youth Baseball’s use agreement for Brubaker Park.

Receive the update regarding staff efforts to upgrade the condition of the eleven baseball playing fields at Brubaker Park, including efforts to solicit a concessionaire agreement for the management of the fields. Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Approving a New Agreement for Services Between the City of Hemet and Epic Land Solutions, Inc. For Providing the Real Estate Broker Services for the Property Located at the Northwest Corner of Stetson Avenue and Sanderson Avenue (APN 456-050-044), zoned Community Commercial, 17.83 Acres in Size, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement through December 2022 for an amount not to exceed $50,000 for on-call services for additional City-owned properties in the surplus land list of the City of Hemet.

Provide direction regarding participation in two pavement rehabilitation projects with Riverside County Transportation Department over various streets.

Waive full reading, read by title only, and introduce an Ordinance entitlee, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California amending Article II of Chapter 1 of the Hemet Municipal Code, and Remove “Code Enforcement Efficiency Plan” from the Future Agenda items list.

Introduce, read by title only, and waive further reading of an Ordinance Entitled, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, amending Articles I and II of Chapter 53 of the Hemet Municipal Code related to Personal Conduct, and Remove “Vagrancy and Pan Handling Laws” from the Future Agenda Items list. Receive a report and proposed recommendations provided by Communication Strategies, LLC regarding the status of the City of Hemet’s existing telephone system and provide direction to city Staff relating to selection and requisition of the report’s recommendations.

Discuss desired Investment Strategy with Public Trust Advisors and provide direction to Staff ad Public Trust Advisors on the recommended investment strategy for the City of Hemet.

Receive a report on potential zoning code amendments regarding restaurants and outdoor dining, with certain exceptions to parking.

Receive a report on a potential Zoning Code Amendment for Second Story Design criteria, provide direction to staff, and remove Building Code Ordinances for New Single-Family Residence construction from the future agenda item list.

With a loud and enthusiastic exhale, it ended. What began as a crowded chamber ended with only the cleanup crew (wherever they were) to lock up the place. One thing is for sure, Hemet will certainly milk every hour of service out of its Council Members. I’ve never heard any of the Council Members complain, but they are the most underpaid servants in the State of California. Just sayin’ rustystrait@gmail.com

Rusty Strait | Senior Reporter

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

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