On Tuesday, February 28th, Hemet City Council Meeting turned into a free for all, with all standard procedures taking second place to three specific issues:

1. The proposed Mental Health Facility proposed at the corner of State Street and Menlo Avenue.

2. The proposed Bicycle lane up and down Palm Street. Seventeen or eighteen citizens took the floor to either protest or supported the Mental Health facility. The majority of those in favor of the project were folks involved in mental health. At times the evening took on the aura of an old-time Southern Holy Roller meeting with shouting and amens.

The council members were unified in meetings with their constituents who supported the project but not in that location. Most didn’t even want it in Hemet and it was the same old “Not in my backyard” excuse.

Stacie Olsen, initially for the Mental Health Village, spoke up about the need for the idea but not at that location. “That particular corner is a magnet for the homeless.” She said these particular homeless are a dangerous group of people, sleeping on sidewalks and worse. “This is not a safe location that is already out of control in a residential area.”

The next speaker said there was a misconception about the facility. “It is not a haven for the homeless. It is a crisis center. Coachella wanted the recovery center but there was some a conflict that prevented building it there. “The Center will be like a Village, a four-story building with a Cafeteria and a pharmacy open to the public. It will even allow patients to bring their pets with them.”

Another speaker insisted that the location would place additional stress on an already overworked Police Department. “No one says help is unnecessary, but not at this location. We know that most of the homeless have mental problems. Hemet is a catch-all for such people. Temecula is known to send homeless people here.”

The next speaker hailed the idea that 600 well-paying jobs would be created, boosting the Valley’s economy.”

Mayor Males wanted an accurate number of beds that would be at the facility. “I first heard 178 and then it shot up to 400. Why were we misled on the count?” The speaker admitted that all in all, there would be 486 beds.” The mayor also mentioned that patients would be free to walk away at any time.

Councilwoman Linda Krupa stated, “I am against it. I recently spoke to 75 people who are all against the project.”

Mayor Joe asked how long someone could stay at the center and was told 3 to 6 months.

The most prolific speaker against the center being erected anywhere in the Valley was Jim Lindenberger who operates the Community Pantry. “I’m not against the facility, but never in this city or the valley.” He accused the Council of having a meeting last March but kept it secret. The Council is not doing its job. Why aren’t we doing something now instead of wasting time?”

He also stated the Valley doesn’t need a Taj Mahal “Build it in the desert.” He ended by accusing the Council members of simply not doing their job.

By a 3-2 vote, the Council voted to rescind its support.

After much dialogue about the need for paving streets or installing bicycle lanes on Palm Avenue, the Council voted 3-2 to accept the Hemet Valley Bikeway project.

By a 5-0 yes vote the Council agreed to the following:

1. Open a public hearing and take testimony, if any; and

2. Introduce, read by title only, and waive further reading of an Ordinance of the City Council of Hemet, California, amending various sections of Chapter 90 (Zoning) of the Hemet Municipal Code, including Division 2 Nonconformities of Article II Administrative Regulations and Article III Special Uses and Conditions of Chapter 90 (Deemed Approved Alcohol ad Tobacco Use Nuisance Regulations).

By a vote of 5-0, the Council adopted a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Approving the Second Amendment to the Agreement for Services between the City of Hemet and Wildan Engineering for $265,357.32 for a total amount not-to-exceed $435,357.52; and (w) the Finance Director to increase the Department of Life Safety budget for $265,357 to Contract Inspection/Plan Check (Account no. 120-3300-2610).

By a vote of 5-0, the Council adopted a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Awarding C.S. Legacy Construction Inc., a Construction Agreement for the Construction of a Skate Park at Gibbel Park for $2,216,687 Excluding the Additive Bid Items, and waiving any minor bid irregularities, and Authorizing the City Manager to Approve Additional Construction Expenditures not to exceed 10% of the Contract Amount or $221,668 and Authorize the Finance Director to Appropriate an additional $519,055 of Unencumbered ARPA funds to the Project Account to fund the total project costs, and Authorize the City Clerk to Record the Notice of Completion upon acceptance of the work by the City Engineer, and Direct the City Engineer upon project completion to bring the final plans to City Council acceptance.

The Consent Calendar was accepted without change on a 5-0 vote.

One thing was evident throughout the evening, Karlee Meyer still has resentments against Joe Males being Mayor.

All in all, the Council settled some crucial issues, but not to everyone’s liking, especially the many who spoke in favor of the Recovery Village. Oh well, we can’t have everything we want., Just saying’

rusty strait@gmail.com

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