MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL:
Joe Males
Mayor (District 4)
Malcolm Lilienthal
Mayor Pro Tem (District 3)
Jaculin "Jackie" Peterson
Council Member (District 2)
Linda Krupa
Council Member (District 5)
Mark Prestwich
City Manager
Steven Graham
City Attorney
John P. Maier
City Clerk
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
CITY OF HEMET, CALIFORNIA
Friday, June 2, 2023
Hemet Public Library Conference Room
300 E. Latham Ave., Hemet, California 92543
SPECIAL MEETING AT 9:00 A.M.
In accordance with the Governor’s Declarations of Emergency for the State of California (Executive Orders N-25-20 and N-29-20) and the Governor’s Stay at Home Order (Executive Order N-33-20), the City of Hemet is providing alternative measures for the public to attend/view City Council Meetings.
Council Chamber: In-person participation is limited in the Council Chamber in order to maintain social distancing room capacity.
Live Stream: This meeting will be live streamed on the City's website at hemetca.gov/agenda.
Public Comments: Members of the Public who wish to comment on matters before the Council, in lieu of attending in person, may submit comments on or before 2:00 p.m. the day of the meeting by using the following link: Online Comment Form. Comments will be recorded in the official meeting record.
Teleconference: Residents may also submit public comments by teleconference during Communications from the Public by using the following Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83831187022
Webinar ID: 838 3118 7022
Passcode: 745765
Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782
We appreciate your understanding during this unprecedented time of social distancing under the Safer at Home orders. These procedures may be modified in the future as social and public gathering protocols change. Thank you.
Notice Regarding Americans with Disability Act
In compliance with the Americans with Disability Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting or if you need agenda documents provide in an alternate format, please contact the City Cl erk’s Office at (951) 765-2307 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to ensure that reasonable arrangements can be made (28CFR 35.102 -35.104 ADA Title II)
Page
SPECIAL MEETING - WORK STUDY SESSION - 9:00 A.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. INVOCATION
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
5. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
Welcome to a meeting of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Hemet • Anyone who wishes to speak during public comment or on a particular item will be required to fill out a speaker slip and turn it in to the City Clerk. Each request will cover one speaker. • There is a 3-minute-per-person time limit for all items on the agenda. • All who wish to speak, including Council members and staff, need to be recognized by the Mayor before speaking.
• Members of the public shall comply with the adopted Rules of Decorum, Resolution No. 4545. A copy of which can be requested through the City Clerk’s Office.
• You may also fill out a form and submit your comments online at www.hemetca.gov. • Please state your name and item you are commenting on before speaking.
5.A Public Comment for Items Listed on the Agenda: Consent and Discussion Items
6. DISCUSSION - ACTION ITEMS
6.A Review of City of Hemet Vision and Mission Statement
6.B Review of 2022 Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives
2022 Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives
5 - 14
6.C Discussion of Fiscal Year 2023-24 Action Items
Conceptual Strategic Plan 2023-2024 Action Items
15 - 16
6.D Review of Draft Safe and Clean Streets Initiative
Draft - Safe and Clean Streets Initiative
17 - 22
7. ADJOURNMENT
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
I, John Paul Maier, MMC, City Clerk for the City of Hemet, declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing agenda was posted at City Hall located at 445 E. Florida Ave., the Library Conference Room located at 300 E. Latham Ave., Hemet, CA, and the City Website.
Date & Time: May 31, 2023 at 4:50 p.m.
Meeting Schedule: The City Council of the City of Hemet regularly meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Closed and Special Sessions will be duly noticed as needed.
Council Agendas: Agendas for Regular Meetings are avail able for public review on the City’s website at hemetca.gov and in the City Clerk’s Office, 445 E. Florida Ave. typically by 4:00 p.m. on the Thursday prior to the meeting, but n o later than 72 hours prior to the meeting. Agendas for Closed and Special Sessions are made available at least 72 hours prior to the meeting when possible, but no later than 24 hours prior to the meeting.
Livestream: Regular City Council Meetings are available for viewing during the meeting at hemetca.gov.
Use of Equipment: Please contact the City Clerk’s Office if requesti ng to use the chamber equipment as part of a scheduled presentation 24 hours prior to the meeting at (951) 765-2307
CITY OF HEMET | STRATEGIC PLAN | 2021
THE CITY OF
Hemet
STRATEGIC P LAN
6.B
POPULATION
90,436
(July 1, 2021); CA
United States Census
Bureau
AREA & LOCATION
2 9.3 square miles, occupying half of
the San Jacinto Valley, Hemet is
home to Diamond Valley Lake, and
gateway to the Ramona Bowl, which
is the home of “Ramona,” the longest
running outdoor play in the US.
GOVERNMENT
STRUCTURE
Hemet is a General Law City, with a
Council-Manager form of government.
The City has a rotating mayor and
council members are elected by district.
The first district elections were held in
November 2016.
5 COUNCIL DISTRICTS
CITY OF HEMET | STRATEGIC PLAN 2022 HEMET IN BRIEF
HEMET IN BRIEF
A CITY OF OPPORTUNITY
9,1714,249360
MILES OF
STREETS
ACTIVE WATER
ACCOUNTS
3,195
ACRE FEET OF
WATER
INTRODUCED INTO
THE SYSTEM
STREET LIGHTS
132
MILES OF
WATER MAINS
82 SWORN POLICE
PERSONNEL
12 CITY PARKS
51 SWORN FIRE
PERSONNEL
108,884
LIBRARY CARD
HOLDERS
6.B
CITY MANAGER
IMPETUS FOR STRATEGIC DIRECTION
Over the last two years, the City has taken aggressive steps to remove scrutiny from the State Auditor. The Hemet City Council has developed and provided vision on the overall direction of the City, and has taken significant strides in addressing the following:
• ONGOING BUDGET DEFICIT
• HIGH STAFF TURNOVER
• LACK OF CLEAR, SHARED VALUES AND VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF THE COMM UNITY • DELAYED CAPITAL/INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS
• COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
PROCESS
In January 2021, the Hemet Mayor and Council called a special meeting where they, with the City Manager, discussed the current status of all items affecting the community. At that meeting and a subsequent meeting held in February 2021, the Council worked together to envision a clear policy direction for the City as it enters a new phase of growth. In May 2021, the Council held a community meeting to gather additional input on the overarching priority goals established by Council in January and February of 2021. In December 2022, the City's operational managers gathered to assess their progress and set new goals for the remainder of 2022/23 fiscal year.
STRATEGIC
DIRECTION
1 2
3 4
5 6
VISION
MISSION STATEMENT
COMMUNITY VALUES
PRIORITY GOALS
SUCCESS METRICS & INDICATORS
ACTION ITEMS FOR THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR
LINDA KRUPA JACKIE PETERSON
CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
KARLEE MEYERJOE MALESEDDIE PUST
CITY OF HEMET | STRATEGIC PLAN 2022
MALCOLM LILIENTHAL
6.B
OUR VISION
The City of Hemet shall be a model of excellence
in local government; a safe, well-planned community
with equal opportunity for all.
MISSION STATEMENT
The City of Hemet will be a destination of opportunity and empowerment for its residents, businesses, and visitors by capitalizing opportunity, striving for growth, and promoting diversity and respect for each member of our community.
VALUES
• We believe in an open, honest, and representative form of democracy.
• We are dedicated to the highest ideals of honor and integrity in order to merit the respect, trust and confidence of the citizens of Hemet.
• We believe our primary responsibility is to those who live, work, visit or otherwise come in contact with our City. • We are committed to enhancing the quality of life by providing exemplary services.
• We believe that the employees of the City are an important resource, and through them our mission and vision will be accomplished. We will support them with dignity, respect, and fairness.
GOALS
• To improve the quality of life by addressing the root causes of crime.
• To promote economic development that increases citizen access to quality jobs and shopping experiences while
increasing the City’s tax base.
• To manage the City’s growth by protecting and preserving the environment and maximizing the use of public infrastructure. • To improve the City’s image by preserving and enhancing the community’s aesthetic beauty and natural assets and by
building upon the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the community.
• To support the success of the community by maximizing our resources to provide the greatest possible benefit for the citizens of the City of Hemet.
STRATEGIC P LAN
QUALITY OF LIFE
To ensure that Hemet is
safe, clean, attractive,
and comfortable for all
who live, work, and visit
PARTNERSHIP & COLLABORATION
To pursue partnerships that will
increase the opportunities available
to the community, including our
businesses, unemployed, and
youth populations
ORGANIZATIONAL
EFFECTIVENESS
To identify the work needed inside
the City organization to effectively
provide services to the community
and ensure financial stability
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
To connect and participate in a
constant dialogue between members
of the community, City staff, and
elected officials to promote
togetherness and positivity
ECONOMIC
OPPORTUNITY
To ensure that Hemet is a
hub, with access to quality
jobs, shopping options, and
a varied and sustained tax
base
CITY OF HEMET | STRATEGIC PLAN 2022
6.B
STRATEGIC PLAN
QUALITY OF LIFE
To ensure that Hemet
is safe, clean,
attractive, and
comfortable for all who
live, work, and visit.
OBJECTIVES
Enhance the visual appearance
of the community to make it
attractive and reduce blight
Increase public safety
visibility and response
Create and explore
homelessness solutions
for the City of Hemet
ACTION ITEMS
• Continue proactive graffiti abatement
• Recruit a Principal Engineer
• Complete the annual CIP and ARPA projects: Library painting & patio shade, Mary Henley Park improvements and solar street light installation • Draft a Landscape Ordinance to the Municipal Code
• Launch the Senior Home Repair Grant Program
• Increase funding for abatement of board-ups
• Continue funding a Homeless Coordinator
• Increase the Homeless Outreach Team (ROCS) work days to 7 days per week
• Increase Traffic Bureau work days from 5 to 7 days per week • Coordinate and host targeted traffic enforcement and traffic sweeps • Coordinate DUI enforcement and Educational Events
• Continue implementing technology and software to reduce crimes and provide information to the public
• Implement the fire prevention program and conduct public education • Research and Discover an Emergency Medical Dispatch Protocol system • Introduce a fully staffed ladder truck
• Address public safety infrastructure needs at city facilites • Host quarterly citywide dump days at the Hemet library • Provide neighborhood clean-ups to reduce blight
SUCCESS INDICATORS
• Number of days ROCS team is active in the community
• Number of neighborhood cleanups
• Dollar amount spent on abatement efforts
• Implementation of fire prevention program
• Tonnage from each community clean up day
• Crimes reported - CA Incident-Based Reporting
• Number of Proactive DUI Events Held
• Number of traffic collisions involving fatalities
• Square feet of pavement rehabilitated
• Percentage of property and violent crimes cleared
• Approval of Senior Home Repair Grant
• Approval of the Landscape Ordinance
• Number of properties saved from fire incidents
QUALITY OF LIFECITY OF HEMET | STRATEGIC PLAN 2022
6.B
To ensure that Hemet
is a hub, with access
to quality jobs,
shopping options, and
a varied and
sustained tax base.
OBJECTIVES
Develop business practices
that welcome new development
by streamlining processes
Provide resources to help new
businesses to enhance the
customer service experience
ACTION ITEMS
• Use virtual inspections to minimize delays to the public • Continue to evaluate and refine the electronic plan checking system • Facilitate an electronic plan checking system for Community Development
• Develop housing standards that reduce plan review
• Improve education for businesses and property owners
• Provide $320,000 in CDBG small business grants
• Improve staff responsiveness to enhance customer service at the front counter, emails, and phone calls
• Continue processing development applications
• Continue processing ministerial permits
• Continue processing and reviewing Building Plan Checks • Review and process 500-600 Building Plan Checks
• Continue conducting site visits and field inspections • Acquire an expedited permit processing software, and conduct public workshops to demonstrate use
• Create landscape design guidelines and amend the zoning code to update landscape requirements
• Conduct monthly CPTED evaluations and education
• Reduce blight and homelessness in business districts with education • Improve education and promotion of anti-trespass with business and property owners
SUCCESS INDICATORS
• Percent of virtual inspections conducted
• Time frame for plan check return to applicant
• Number of commercial and development inspections
• Dollar amount of grant funding allocated
• Number of projects finaled
• Increased sales tax revenue
• Number of days City staff is available to the public
STRATEGIC PLAN
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITYCITY OF HEMET | STRATEGIC PLAN 2022
6.B
To connect and
participate in a constant
dialogue between
members of the
community, City staff, and
elected officials to
promote togetherness and
positivity.
OBJECTIVES
ACTION ITEMS
• Report Measure U Successes (personnel recruitment, retention and equipment purchases)
• Plan for the Annual Fire Open House & fire prevention events • Host four annual community engagement events
• Consolidate budget, CIP, and strategic plan tracking in one online portal • Share monthly updates on SeeClickFix
• Boost public safety engagement with community youth programs • Begin bi-monthly community meetings with the community • Develop a community engagement plan
• Host regular community meetings with Police, like Coffee with a Cop • Implement a business liaison through Police
• Begin to roll out the military banner program again
• Maintain a growing public safety volunteer program
• Implement a Business Crime Prevention Program
• Water Conservation Group to attend three community engagement events • Improve accessibility to the monthly newsletters
• Continue process for Skatepark
• Provide continued educational and public announcement updates on social media platforms
• Promote adult literacy and learning through library programs • Provide creative outlets for the youth in a welcoming environment • Expand access to information and emerging technologies at the library
SUCCESS INDICATORS
• Percent increase of social media followers
• Number of community meetings held each quarter by Police • Number of community meetings held each quarter by Fire • Number of community meetings held each quarter by Public Works
• Number of citywide community meetings held by the Council/CM • Percent increase to newsletter subscribers
• Number of Library visits
• Increase in SeeClickFix requests
• Access to budget, strat plan, and CIP in one location onine • Number of registered Library borrowers
• Completion of community engagement plan
• Total expenditures toward Library personnel and operations • Employment of surveys to ascertain satisfaction of community members
• Progression in skate park phases
Increase
transparency for the
public
Deliver messaging to the
Community that connects,
is consistent and relevant
Increase the
community’s pride
within the City
STRATEGIC PLAN
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTCITY OF HEMET | STRATEGIC PLAN 2022
6.B
PARTNERING & COLLABORATION
To pursue partnerships that
will increase the
opportunities available to the
community, including our
businesses, unemployed,
and youth populations.
OBJECTIVES
ACTION ITEMS
• Identify operator for Brubaker Park baseball fields
• Increase proactive approaches for mental health services with RUHS Behavioral Health
• Provide legal training and process/form education for the members of the City's boards and commissioners
• Continue the growth of Fire Explorer’s Program
• Explore partnership with AMR to improve emergency transportation • Develop Pipeline Program for Youth through Workforce Development • Implement a part-time worker program to supplement ROCS program
• Partner with the school district to remain in contact with the District's families
• Expand and promote the Adopt a Street Program
• Continue long held community celebrations, like the annual Christmas Parade and Veterans Day celebrations
• Schedule quarterly citywide clean ups with CR&R
• Continue Business Focus Group to garner feedback & implement recommendations
• Expand the City's relationship with HUSD for pathways programs
SUCCESS INDICATORS
• Number of streets adopted citywide
• Number of citywide clean ups held in concert with CR&R • Number of City-related highlights published in the Chamber of Commerce’s newsletter
• Number of Fire and Police Explorer participants
• Number of banners erected and taken down
• Number of City board members and commissioners trained Develop concepts and
programs to increase
opportunities for youth
recreation
Develop programs to offer
support to the community’s
businesses
Develop concepts and
programs to enhance
quality of life services
STRATEGIC PLAN
PARTNERING & CO LLABORATION
PARTNERING & COLLABORATIONCITY OF HEMET | STRATEGIC PLAN 2022
6.B
To identify the work
needed inside the City
organization to effectively
provide services to the
community and ensure
financial stability.
OBJECTIVES
ACTION ITEMS
• Provide a balanced budget that does not utilize one- time revenues to balance budget
• Maintain the City’s 20% reserve
• Utilize a
grant writer to continue applying for grants in line with priority goals • Evaluate the Code Enforcement process
• Continue ERP replacement and RFP process
• Develop non-swor
n investigative position(s) for low solvability crimes, & follow-ups in the Police Department
• Continue to evaluate the internal service function and future needs • Implement a Polic
e drone program
• Draft standardized conditions of approval
• Continue to contribute toward the 115 Trust to deal with OPEB/PERS c osts
• Finalize Council protocols
• Host employee rec
ognition events three times a year
• Continue citywide training programs
• Implement the citywide fire prevention plan
• Implement a consolidation software for budget and strategic plan • Implement Laserfische and hold quarterly training
• Develop a procurement policy
• Complete an audit of City assets and maintain annually • Implement Neogov Onboard with welcome video
• Purchase Neogov Performance and Implement
• Continue implementing maintenanc
e grids for sidewalks, tree trimming
• Establish a department wide file structure in Public Works (Operations) • Review and Validate User Fee Study to include Bureau of Life & Safety Operate in a
financially
sustainable
manner
Evaluate existing
practices to ensure
continuity with
industry best
practices
Increase employee
retention by training
and creating a
positive workplace
Streamline
fire prevention
coordination efforts
Provide Council
with policies that
help provide
consistency and
lessen liabilities
STRATEGIC PLAN
ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS
• Number of Workers' Compensation claims
• Response time for Police Department
• Response time for Fire Department
• Average time from call to dispatch for Police services • Retention rate for all City employees
• Percent of Fire response with a total time of 6 minutes, 20 seconds and under from call entry to arrival on scene
• Reduction of accidents in marked City vehicles
• Number of Information Technology service requests completed
SUCCESS INDICATORS
ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESSCITY OF HEMET | STRATEGIC PLAN 2022 • Add 15 firefighters
• Creation and implementation of the Fire and Life
Safety Agency (Department of Life & Safety)
• Replace the City server and storage system
• Replace Citywide helpdesk
• Implement National incident based reporting
system (NIBRS) and Racial and Identity Profiling
Act (RIPA)
• Conduct specialized training i.e. de-escalation
• Improve facility infrastructure
6.B
THE CITY OF
Hemet
STRATEGIC P LAN
6.B
Conceptual FY 2023-24 Strategic Plan Action Items
Quality of Life/Beautification
1. Complete Hemet Valley Bikeway Construction
2. Complete the FY 21/22 SB1 Pavement rehab project (CIP 5749)
3. Complete Skate Park Construction
4. Hold at least one Neighborhood Cleanup in each Council District
5. Initiate Gibbel Park soccer field design
6. Prepare Draft Arts in Public Places Policy for City Council Review/Consideration
7. Expand Citywide Paving by $2 million
8. Repave Hemet Auto Mall
9. Implement first responder drone program
10. Reduce Response times to priority 1 and priority 3 calls for service by 10%
11. Expand Flock System by 20 additional cameras (33% Increase) to enhance crime solvability
12. Consideration of Car Wash Moratorium
13. Discussion on eliminating the City's wrought iron security fencing requirement around commercial developments
14. Safe and Clean Streets Initiative
Economic Opportunity
1. Develop Economic Development Strategic Plan
2. Hotel Investment Program
3. Façade Improvement Program (Macro/Micro)
4. Identification of Business Investment Incentives
5. Establish Business Concierge Program
Community Engagement
1. Organize and Hold Community Chalk Art Festival
2. Develop and Implement Hemet Chili Cookoff Competition
3. Complete Bimonthly Community Update Events
4. Implement Monthly Community-Police Engagement Group to receive timely feedback on services
5. Host six community meetings with Police Department
6. Expand the public safety volunteer program by 10% (from 69 to 76 volunteers)
7. Implement a business crime prevention program and liaison
8. Expand Police Explorer Program by 40% (from 14 to 20)
9. Grow Hemet Police Facebook and Instagram followers by at least 10% (FB: from 33,000 to at least 36,000 followers; Instagram: from 9,000 to at least 10,000
10. Develop and implement advisory body marketing campaign to solicit applications
11. Prepare Legislative Platform for City Council consideration
12. Prepare Boards and Commission Handbook
13. Complete free website redesign of www.hemetca.gov through CivicPlus
6.C
Partnering and Collaboration
1. Identify a Management Entity for the Simpson Memorial Center
2. Collaborate with Riverside County and consultants to update West Hemet Master Drainage Plan
3. Complete Brubaker Park Improvements in collaboration with an entity selected to manage the facility
4. Add one additional clinician (100% Increase) to Crisis Intervention Team to reduce response time to mental health calls for service
5. Implement California Violence and Intervention Program (CalVIP) grant to reduce violence & involvement in violence in our city.
Organizational Effectiveness
1. Complete FY 23/24 Tree Trimming Grid
2. Complete FY 23/24 Sidewalk Repair Grid
3. Complete Update to Street Engineering Standard Plans
4. Conduct specialized training on de-escalation
5. Development of Cadet program for a pipeline program for youth through workforce development
6. Implement New Patrol Schedule and Staffing
7. Recruit an Economic Development Manager to manage economic development initiatives
8. Launch LaserFiche Public Portal
9. Launch Net File for Campaign Committees (Form 460 & 700 Management Software)
10. Build LaserFiche Workflow for Forms - Internal Processing for Human Resources
11. Implement E-Filing Policy for Form 700 and Campaign Committees
12. Complete City Council Protocols
13. Replace citywide legacy telephone system with a unified communications as-a-service (UCaaS) system.
14. Replace citywide network switching hardware in support of the citywide telephone system replacement (UCaaS).
15. Develop a long-range (10-year) I.T. Sustainability Plan to prioritize future technology investments
16. Deployment of Windows 11 on city desktop, laptop and tablet computers to maximize security
17. Deployment of Microsoft M365 mobile device management on all city-owned apple ipads and iphones to maximize security
18. Implement IT Service Management (ITSM) Free service software features to create help desk system efficiencies.
19. Deployment of multi-factor authentication (MFA, 2FA) citywide to increase network security and meet cyber insurance guidelines.
20. Implement internal network penetration test scans to ensure recently replaced network, servers and firewalls are properly configured to meet PCI, HIPAA, CJIS and cyber insurance guidelines.
21. Implement citywide social media archiving to reduce public record requests within the city clerks office covering social media.
22. Implement citywide SMS/Text message archiving to effectively respond to public record requesting SMS/Text Messages.
23. Upgrade existing ArcGIS system to ArcGIS Professional, ensuring compatibility with citywide public safety, financial, permitting and records management systems.
24. Conduct Citywide Classification & Compensation Study
6.C
June 2023 City of Hemet
1 DRAFT Safe and Clean Streets Initiative
Promoting Community Safety and Beautification Strategies to Position the City of Hemet for Increased Investment and Prosperity Introduction
On April 18, 2023, City of Hemet staff
representing the Police, Fire (including Code
Enforcement), Public Works, City Attorney’s
Office, and Office of the City Manager met
at the City’s Covell Building to discuss
strategies to clean and beautify the
community. Participants in this
“Beautification/Code Summit” discussed
challenges in the community, opportunities
to improve the City’s Municipal Code to aid
cleanliness and beautification efforts,
opportunities to streamline operations,
improve communication, discuss resources
that would add value, and seek
opportunities for innovation.
Following the Summit, an
interdepartmental team of department
directors, led by Police Chief Pust, were
tasked with preparing recommendations for
the City Manager by May 23, 2023 in
support of advancing efforts that would
result in a cleaner, safer city. Concepts were
reviewed and feedback provided by the City
Council Clean Up/Graffiti Ad Hoc
Committee consisting of Mayor Males and
Mayor Pro Tem Lilienthal on May 30, 2023.
The resulting draft strategy, preliminarily
branded the Safe and Clean Streets
Initiative, promotes an accelerated series of
initiatives to beautify and position the City
of Hemet for increased prosperity and
investment.
Disciplined financial stewardship and
improving economic performance in recent
years has grown the City’s General Fund
financial reserves to a remarkable $54
million, which equates to over 80% of
current annual General Fund expenditures.
This has prompted a decision by the State
Auditor in October 2022 to remove the City
of Hemet from a Local High Risk designation
the State Auditor applied in 2016.
This strong economic performance and
the City’s growing financial resources are
allowing the City to consider additional
strategic one-time investments intended to
position itself for increased commercial
investment and community prosperity.
Initiatives are designed to integrate with
and build upon several existing
partnerships, as well as engage residents in
solutions.
6.D
June 2023 City of Hemet
2 Safe and Clean Streets Initiative
Strategies at a Glance
“Safe” Strategies
1.Deploy Enhanced Technology Cameras for Crime Suppression. To suppress crime and improve community safety, the City will install high quality surveillance cameras at eight of the City’s main intersections and implement a Real-Time Crime Suppression Center by September 2023. Data will direct active patrols and special teams’ resources to areas of need. Implementation of this initiative will include establishing appropriate data handling and data retention policies in order to ensure the City complies with all relevant privacy laws and regulations.
2.Expand Patrol Staffing by Eight Officers to Enhance Data Driven Patrols on Commercial Corridors. Supported by data-driven GIS mapping and policing strategies, enhanced patrol staffing will conduct directed traffic/vehicle enforcement and crime suppression and deterrence efforts along commercial corridors.
3.Expand Community Behavioral Assessment Team (CBAT) to Seven-Day a Week Coverage. Adding an additional Police Officer and Mental Health Clinician in coordination with expanded CityNet services as of July 1, 2023 will provide seven-day a week services to address and mitigate mental health and homelessness challenges.
4.Add 30% more Flock Cameras as a Resources Multiplier. The City’s 40 Flock safety cameras helps neighborhoods, businesses, and law enforcement work together to eliminate crime and provide objective evidence to investigate and solve crime. The FY 2023-24 budget includes funding to install another 20 cameras citywide to grow the City’s crime suppression efforts.
5.Utilize Drone as a First Responder Program as Crime Deterrent. The Hemet Police Department launched its new Drone as a First Responder Program on April 17, 2023, the first city in Riverside County to do so. This tool, which can arrive in seconds, will enhance the City’s law enforcement capabilities and provide critical information and documentation of crime scenes, improving officer situational awareness and efforts to solve crimes.
6.Establish a City Prosecutor Pilot Program to Prosecute Infractions and Misdemeanors not Prosecuted by the District Attorney’s Office. In recent years, the volume of cases presented to the Riverside District Attorney’s Office has reduced the probability that infractions and misdemeanors will be prosecuted. As a result, some cities have initiated efforts to designate a City Prosecutor to ensure victims of crime receive justice and people engaged in unlawful activities are held accountable. The proposed Pilot Program
6.D
June 2023 City of Hemet
3 is expected to result in community service and penalties for violators and deter unlawful behavior. Funding is available in Measure U fund reserves to initiate this pilot program.
7.Distribute Section 602 Trespass Letters to All Commercial Businesses on Main Corridors within 45 Days. The Hemet Police Department will proactively engage all business owners on main commercial corridors and seek permission via Section 602 Trespass Letters that, when signed, allow law enforcement to arrest anyone loitering or engaged in unlawful activity on private property. This effort will be sustained annually.
8.Expand Business Watch Program and Improve Business Engagement with Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). By October 2023, the Hemet Police Department in coordination with its ROCS team, will gather criminal activity information on high volume call areas on main commercial corridors. This will include assessing businesses creating any type of nuisance issues. The effort will include education and enforcement, including Zoom workshops with the Chamber of Commerce/business community.
9.Establish Monthly Community/Police Engagement Focus Group. Hemet Police Department Command staff will create an integrated and diverse focus group to meet monthly comprised of diverse Hemet community members to provide recommendations on how to improve service delivery and engagement.
10.Support and/or Sponsor State Legislation and Ballot Measures that Impose Stricter Penalties and Accountability for Criminal Actions. The City of Hemet seeks to further reduce crime and criminal activities. Efforts will be made to support and/or sponsor State legislation and ballot measures that impose stricter penalties and accountability for criminal actions.
6.D
June 2023 City of Hemet
4 Safe and Clean Streets Initiative
Strategies at a Glance
“Clean” Strategies
1.Initiate Proactive Seven Day a Week Crews for Graffiti, Shopping Carts, and Debris Pickup Along Commercial Corridors. The current service levels do not meet community expectations for cleanliness. To improve the appearance of the community, Public Works will initiate seven day a week proactive patrols with the use of part-time employees beginning at 6:30 a.m. Additionally, the Department of Life Safety/Fire Prevention will aggressively enforce combustibles close to buildings. These crews will be responsible for responding to all See-Click-Fix issues within 24 hours. Friday and Saturday patrols will be contracted with Liberty Men’s Restoration. This effort will be coordinated with CalTrans to ensure right-of-way access is permissible.
2.Establish Trash Enclosure Pilot Program. There are a number of unsightly commercial trash enclosures in the city that attract scavenging, graffiti, and homeless activities as they are designed without locking doors and without secure roofs. Many of these trash enclosures were built before 1990 before recycling was mandated in California and are therefore not large enough to accommodate the bins required today. The City will establish a Trash Enclosure Pilot Program to improve the City’s appearance and allocate $450,000, including $50,000 from CR&R, to support rebuilding or modifying approximately 10 trash enclosures. Implementation of this program will include a modification of the City’s Municipal Code to allow for use of an additional parking space(s) to accommodate all bins and waiver of fees.
3.Reestablish and Conduct an Annual Community Service Day. This will mobilize hundreds of volunteers of all ages for a morning once a year to complete projects throughout Hemet that benefit all sectors of the community and increase civic pride.
The effort will be organized by the City in partnership with Hemet businesses, organizations, and non-profits. Projects will include cleaning up trash/debris, improving trails, weeding, painting, and assisting with home repair, renovation, and maintenance projects.
4.Improve Community Awareness and Use of “See-Click-Fix” App. The City utilizes a service request app called See-Click-Fix to provide residents with an easy opportunity to submit requests for potholes, graffiti, homelessness encampments, fire hazards, water leaks, etc. Because the tool is underutilized by our community, the City will enhance communication efforts to raise awareness and use of this tool. Additionally, the City will adjust service level expectations to resolve and/or address service requests within 24 hours.
5.Expand the City’s Adopt-a-Street Program by 100% in Six Months. The City today has eight miles of streets supported under its Adopt-a-Street Program. Public Works and
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June 2023 City of Hemet
5 City Manager Office staff will coordinate community outreach efforts to solicit additional participants/participating organizations in support of city beautification.
6.Establish a Council District Commercial and Residential Beautification Contest.
Improving neighborhood beautification can build community pride, attract new residents and businesses, and grow improve the quality of life of residents. Each of the five Council Districts will have an opportunity to nominate a project for “Most Outstanding” property and several “Honoree” properties. Property owners who have recently remodeled the exterior of their property or made significant improvements to their landscaping may also be eligible to be recognized as one of Hemet’s “Most Improved” properties. Example categories include:
•Best Residential Appearance
•Most Improved Residential
•Best Commercial Appearance
•Most Improved Commercial
•Best Water Wise Landscaping
(Xeriscape)
•Best New Commercial Project
7.Create an Art in Public Places Program. Hemet has a strong arts history and an opportunity to further enhance its civic beauty and pride, cultural and aesthetic environment, and increase property value through public art and murals. This program can also provide new employment opportunities for local and regional artists and craft workers. Funding for the program can come from fees collected for new development and remodel projects.
8.Expand Proactive Code Enforcement Efforts on Commercial Corridors. Code Enforcement today actively patrols Florida Avenue and the downtown area twice per week. This will be expanded to five days per week to post violations and work with the City Attorney and City Prosecutor to rectify.
9.Consider Adjusting Street Sweeping Service Levels in Commercial Corridors. The City’s contract with CR&R for street sweeping includes twice a month street sweeping in commercial corridors. CR&R is providing a slightly enhanced level of service by sweeping the commercial corridors every other week. To improve the cleanliness and appearance of the City, the City will consider adjusting commercial corridor street sweeping to weekly service as is common in other communities.
10.Develop and Launch a Two-Year Façade and Property Improvement Pilot Program. The goal of the program is to assist local businesses with completing façade and property improvements to enhance business-use properties and improve the economic climate.
With the creation of program criteria, this two-year pilot program will provide matching grant funding to business owners and/or property owners of retail, commercial, industrial, and office properties within the City of Hemet to complete exterior improvement. It is envisioned that there will be micro and macro grants available totaling at least $450,000 annually.
11.Create Storefront Vandalism Relief Program. The City previously provided funding to offset the cost of storefront vandalism to local businesses. Creation of a Storefront Vandalism Relief Program will reimburse small businesses impacted by deliberate actions resulting in the destruction or damage to business storefronts. Examples of eligible damages include broken windows, broken doors, broken locks, etching on
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June 2023 City of Hemet
6 windows, graffiti, and more. Funding is available through Code Enforcement fines and Measure U fund reserves.
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