MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL:
Jaculin "Jackie" Peterson
Mayor (District 2)
Carole Kendrick
Mayor Pro Tem (District 1)
Tom Lodge
Council Member (District 3)
Joe Males
Council Member (District 4)
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
NOTICE AND CALL OF A SPECIAL MEETING
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Hemet Public Library, Second Floor
300 E. Latham Ave., Hemet, California 92543
SPECIAL MEETING AT 5:30 P.M.
SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION AT 6:30 P.M.
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: POTENTIAL USE OF AB 2449’S JUST CAUSE OR EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES PROVISIONS - In the event a City Councilmember joins the meeting virtually under AB 2449, then members of the public can utilize the number below to participate via teleconference. If all participating Councilmembers are physically present, then the call-in feature will be unavailable, but the meeting can still be viewed at the link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87438599974
Webinar ID: 874 3859 9974
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
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 provided in an alternate format, please contact the City Clerk’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
1. SPECIAL MEETING - 5:30 P.M.
2. CALL TO ORDER
3. ROLL CALL
4. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD - RULES OF DECORUM, RESOLUTION NO. 4545
At this time, members of the public may only comment on an item appearing on the Special Meeting Agenda. Please adhere to the following when addressing the Council:
o Comments will be limited to 3 minutes or less.
o Comments should be directed to the Council as a whole and not directed to individual Council Members.
o Please follow the adopted rules of decorum: Resolution No. 4545.
4.A. Public Comment for Items Listed on the Agenda: Discussion Item
5. DISCUSSION - ACTION ITEM
5.A. Discussion and Action on City Council District One Vacancy, Including Potential Appointment of a Qualified Individual to Fill the Vacancy or Calling a Special Election to Fill the Vacancy
Staff Report #25-134 - Pdf
Recommendation:
It is respectfully recommended that the City Council discuss and take one of the following actions:
(1) Appoint a qualified candidate to finish the remainder of the unexpired term of the District One City Council seat to December 12, 2028 (Applications Attached); or
(2) Call a Special Election to elect a qualified candidate to finish the remainder of the unexpired term of the District One City Council Seat (Draft Resolutions Attached); or
(3) Discuss and take other such action as the City Council deems appropriate, consistent with state and local law.
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6. ADJOURNMENT OF SPECIAL MEETING
7. SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION – 6:30 P.M. OR SOON THEREAFTER
8. CALL TO ORDER
9. ROLL CALL
10. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD - RULES OF DECORUM, RESOLUTION NO. 4545
At this time, members of the public may only comment on an item appearing on the Closed Session agenda.
Please adhere to the following when addressing the Council:
o Comments will be limited to 3 minutes or less.
o Comments should be directed to the Council as a whole and not directed to individual Council Members.
o Please follow the adopted rules of decorum: Resolution No. 4545.
11. DISCUSSION ITEM
11.A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED
LITIGATION
Significant Exposure to Pursuant to Paragraph (2) of Subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9
Number of Cases (1)
12. ADJOURNMENT OF SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION
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 Hemet Public Library located at 300 E. Latham Ave., Hemet, CA, and the City Website.
Date & Time: May 6, 2025, at 6:00 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 available 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 no 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 requesting to use the chamber equipment as part of a scheduled presentation 24 hours prior to the meeting at (951) 765-2307.
Disclosure of
Campaign
Contributions
(Levine Act –
Government Code
Section 84308):
Pursuant to Government Code section 84308, members of the Hemet City Council are disqualified and not able to participate in any agenda item involving contracts (other than competitively bid contracts, labor contracts, or personal employment contracts with City of Hemet employees), franchises, discretionary land use permits and other entitlements if the Councilmember received more than $500 in campaign contributions from the applicant or contractor, an agent of the applicant or contractor, or any financially interested participant who actively supports or opposes the City’s decision on the agenda item in the previous 12 months. Members of the Hemet City Council who have received,
and applicants, contractors, or their agents who have made, campaign contributions totaling more than $500 to a Councilmember in the previous 12 months are required to disclose that fact for the official record of the subject agenda item and shall not make, participate in making, or in any way attempt to use their official position to influence the subject agenda item. Disclosures must include the amount of the campaign contribution and identify the recipient Board member and may be made either in writing to the City Clerk prior to the subject hearing or by verbal disclosure at the time of the hearing.
City of Hemet
City Council Meeting
STAFF REPORT
Meeting: Special City Council Meeting - May 08, 2025
Department: Administration
Submitted by: Mark Prestwich, City Manager
John Maier, City Clerk;
☐ Receive and File ☐ Consent Calendar ☒ Business Item ☐ Public Hearing
TITLE:
Discussion and Action on City Council District One Vacancy, Including Potential Appointment of a Qualified Individual to Fill the Vacancy or Calling a Special Election to Fill the Vacancy
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is respectfully recommended that the City Council discuss and take one of the following actions:
(1) Appoint a qualified candidate to finish the remainder of the unexpired term of the District One City Council seat to December 12, 2028 (Applications Attached); or
(2) Call a Special Election to elect a qualified candidate to finish the remainder of the unexpired term of the District One City Council Seat (Draft Resolutions Attached); or
(3) Discuss and take other such action as the City Council deems appropriate, consistent with state and local law.
BACKGROUND:
On November 5, 2024, the City of Hemet held a General Election for the City Council District One Office. The County Registrar of Voters canvased the election returns and certified the results to the City Council on December 5, 2024, showing a total of 5,121 votes were cast. Carole Kendrick received the most votes with 2,726 votes, and on December 10, 2024, the City Council declared and determined that Carole Kendrick was elected as a Member of the City Council for District One. On April 21, 2025, Carole Kendrick notified the City of her resignation date, effective May 9, 2025.
On December 10, 2024, the City Council approved the City Council Protocols, which address the City Council's recommended processes for filling vacancies. Section 7.4 of the Protocols directs the City Clerk to solicit applications for an appointment process.
On April 23, 2025, Mayor Peterson requested a Special Meeting to discuss options for filling the vacancy by the City Council. Responsive to the City Council Protocols and the Mayor's request for a Special Meeting, the City Clerk created a City Council Candidate Application, noticed the Council District Seat One vacancy in the Press Enterprise, advertised the vacancy on the City's website and
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social media platforms, advertised the vacancy through a Press Release, and coordinated an application acceptance period ending on May 6, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Peterson further requested a Special Meeting on May 8, 2025.
ANALYSIS:
The City Clerk solicited applications for qualified candidates for the District One City Council seat from April 23, 2025, to May 6, 2025 (13 days). A total of seven candidates submitted applications. Of the seven applicants, seven (7) candidates were qualified and are current residents of District One.
The eligible candidates provided proof of identification, and their voter registration was verified with the County of Riverside Registrar of Voters' Office. The qualified candidates are listed below:
Robert Galletta
Paul Gray
Dana Hill
Constance "Connie" Howard-Clark
Norm Kyriss
Carlos Michel
Lori VanArsdale
Each candidate was notified that an interview would be conducted during the May 8, 2025, City Council Special Meeting. The City Council may interview eligible candidates and appoint one candidate to fill the vacancy.
A consolidated list of questions for consideration in the interview process for the qualified candidates.
The following questions were identified:
1. Introduce yourself, describe how long you have been a resident of District One, and explain why you would like to serve on the City Council.
2. Collaboration and teamwork are essential for effective governance. How would you approach building relationships and working with fellow council members, City staff, and the community to achieve common goals?
3. Are you prepared to spend the necessary time to review agendas and materials for City Council Meetings, Committees, and other functions?
4. What is the top priority for bringing quality of life to the City of Hemet? Where do we start?
5. The City of Hemet has limited financial resources. As a council member, how would you prioritize budget allocations and ensure fiscal responsibility while meeting the needs of the city residents?
6. Hemet is a growing city with a diverse population. How would you ensure equitable access to City services, resources, and opportunities for all residents, regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds?
7. The City Council often needs to make tough decisions that may have both positive and negative impacts. Can you provide an example of a difficult decision you have made in the past and how you approached it? What did you learn from that experience?
DISCUSSION:
Vacancy
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Government Code Section 36512 details the process for filling the vacancy. That section provides that the City Council shall, within 60 days from the commencement of the vacancy, either fill the vacancy by appointment or call a Special Election to fill the vacancy.
The City Council has 60 days from May 8, 2025, to decide whether to fill the vacancy by appointment or call a special election to fill the vacancy. The deadline for action is July 7, 2025. If no action is taken, the City Council will be required to call a Special Election.
Appointment
The City Council may fill the vacancy by appointment. A person appointed would finish the unexpired term for District One. If the City Council chooses to appoint a person to the seat, the process for selecting a qualified candidate is at the discretion of the City Council, typically by either direct appointment or application process.
For a direct appointment, the City Council could select a qualified candidate without engaging in an application process. Alternatively, the City Council could direct that applications be submitted and then establish a process for reviewing and selecting a qualified candidate from the applicants.
Hemet Municipal Code Section 2-44 and Government Code Section 34882 establish the requirements for appointment. A candidate must reside in and be a registered voter of the City of Hemet—District One to be considered qualified.
Special Election
The City Council may also decide to call a special election instead of appointing. If called, the special election would be held on the next regularly established election date, not less than 114 days from the call of the election. As action on the vacancy must occur by July 14, 2025, under Elections Code 1000(e), the special election date would be November 4, 2025.
Costs of Special Election
There are no scheduled municipal elections for November 4, 2025, and it is uncertain if there will be other elections to consolidate a special election with. The Registrar of Voters, working with the City Clerk's Office, has estimated the cost of a Special Election to be approximately $34,000. As there are no other elections to consolidate with at this time, if the actual expenses exceed $34,000, the City will be required to pay those additional costs in their entirety.
STRATEGIC PLAN INTEGRATION:
GOAL FIVE: ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS
To identify the work needed inside the City organization to effectively provide services to the community and ensure financial stability.
Objective 1: Operate in a financially sustainable manner.
Objective 2: Evaluate existing practices to ensure continuity with industry best practices.
Objective 3: Provide Council with policies that are consistent while lessening liabilities.
Objective 4: Increase employee retention by training and creating a positive workplace.
FISCAL IMPACT:
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The current estimated cost for a Special Election is $34,000.
ALTERNATIVE(S):
The City Council may also decide to call a special election instead of appointing. If called, the special election would be held on the next regularly established election date, not less than 114 days from the call of the election. As action on the vacancy must occur by July 14, 2025, under Elections Code 1000(e), the date of the special election would be November 4, 2025.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Attachment 1: Galletta, Robert_Application_05012025_Redacted Attachment 2: Gray, Paul_Application_05062025_Redacted
Attachment 3: Hill, Dana_Application_05052025_Redacted
Attachment 4: Howard-Clark, Constance_Application_04282025_Redacted Attachment 5: Kyriss, Norm_Application_05062025_Redacted Attachment 6: Michel, Carlos_Application_05012025_Redacted Attachment 7: VanArsdale, Lori_Application_05062025_Redacted Attachment 8: Call and Hold Special Election Resolution Attachment 9: Candidate Statements Resolution
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CITY OF HEMET RESOLUTION NO. 2025-XXX 1
CITY OF HEMET
HEMET, CALIFORNIA
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-xxx
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF HEMET, CALIFORNIA, CALLING AND GIVING
NOTICE OF A SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE
HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2025, FOR THE
ELECTION OF THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
IN DISTRICT ONE AND REQUESTING THE REGISTRAR
OF VOTERS, COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE TO CONDUCT
THE ELECTION
The City Council of the City of Hemet, California (hereafter referred to as the “City Council”) does resolve as follows:
WHEREAS, pursuant to the requirements of the laws of the State of California relating to general law cities, the City Council of the City of Hemet, calls and orders to be held in the City of Hemet, California, on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, a consolidated Special Municipal Election for the member of the City Council in District One to fill a remaining (4) year term, which shall end December 10, 2028; and WHEREAS, The City Council requests the Register of Voters, County of Riverside, to conduct the consolidated election.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HEMET FINDS, DETERMINES, ORDERS, AND RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1.That pursuant to the requirements of the laws of the State of California relating to general law cities within said state, there shall be, and there is hereby called and ordered held in the City of Hemet, California on Tuesday, November 5, 2025, a special municipal election of the qualified electors of said city for the purpose
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CITY OF HEMET RESOLUTION NO. 2025-XXX 1
of electing members of the city council in District One for the remaining four (4) year term, which shall end on December 2028. City Council Districts are defined in the Hemet Municipal Code Section 2-45 - Establishment of City Council Electoral Districts.
SECTION 2.That the ballots to be used at the election shall be in form and content as required by law.
SECTION 3.That the polls for said election shall be open at seven o'clock a.m. on the day of the election, and shall remain open continuously from said time until eight o'clock p.m. of the same day when said polls shall be closed, pursuant to Elections Code §10242, except as provided in § 14401 of the Elections Code of the State of California.
SECTION 4.That in all particulars not recited in this Resolution, said election shall be held and conducted as provided by law for holding municipal elections in said city.
SECTION 5. That the City shall reimburse the County Registrar of voters for services performed when the work is completed and upon presentation to the City of a properly approved bill.
SECTION 6. That notice of the time and place of holding the election is given and the City Clerk is authorized, instructed and directed to give further or additional notice of the election, in time, form and manner as required by law.
SECTION 7. That the City Clerk is directed to forward without delay to the County Registrar of Voters a certified copy of this Resolution.
SECTION 8. That the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Resolution and enter it into the book of original Resolutions.
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CITY OF HEMET RESOLUTION NO. 2025-XXX 1
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CITY OF HEMET RESOLUTION NO. 2025-XXX 1
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 8th day of May, 2025. ____________________________
Jackie Peterson, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
John Paul Maier, City Clerk
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CITY OF HEMET RESOLUTION NO. 2025-XXX 1
State of California )
County of Riverside )
City of Hemet )
I, John Paul Maier, City Clerk of the City of Hemet, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the Hemet City Council on the 8th day of May, 2025, and was passed by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members:
NOES: Council Members:
ABSTAIN: Council Members:
ABSENT: Council Members:
_____________________________
John Paul Maier, City Clerk
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CITY OF HEMET RESOLUTION NO. 2025-XXX 1
CITY OF HEMET
HEMET, CALIFORNIA
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-xxx
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF HEMET, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING REGULATIONS
FOR CANDIDATES FOR ELECTIVE OFFICE PERTAINING
TO CANDIDATE STATEMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE
VOTERS AT THE SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION FOR
DISTRICT ONE TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 4, 2025
The City Council of the City of Hemet, California (hereafter referred to as the “City Council”) does resolve as follows:
WHEREAS, under the provisions of the laws relating to general law cities in the State of California, a Special Municipal Election shall be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, for the election of a Municipal Officer; and
WHERAS, Section 13307 of the Elections Code of the State of California provides that the local agency's governing body adopt regulations pertaining to materials prepared by any candidate for a municipal election, including costs of the candidate statement.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HEMET FINDS, DETERMINES, ORDERS, AND RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The foregoing Recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by this reference.
SECTION 2. GENERAL PROVISIONS. Pursuant to Section 13307 of the Elections Code of the State of California, each candidate for elective office to be voted for at the City of Hemet Special Municipal Election to be held on November 4, 2025,
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CITY OF HEMET RESOLUTION NO. 2025-XXX 1
may prepare a candidate's statement on an appropriate form provided by the City Clerk.
The statement may include the name, age, and occupation of the candidate and a brief description of no more than 200 words of the candidate's education and qualifications expressed by the candidate himself or herself. The statement shall not include party affiliation of the candidate, nor membership or activity in partisan political organizations.
The statement shall be filed in typewritten form in the office of the City Clerk at the time the candidate's nomination papers are filed. The statement may be withdrawn, but not changed, during the period for filing nomination papers and until 5:00 p.m. of the next working day after the close of the nomination period. The City Clerk is NOT permitted to edit any material contained in candidate statements. Candidates are responsible for proofreading spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Since the statement cannot be changed after it is submitted, it is important for candidates to carefully prepare and proofread their statements.
SECTION 3. FOREIGN LANGUAGE POLICY. Pursuant to the Federal Voting Rights Act, candidates statements will be translated into all languages required by the County of Riverside. The County is required to translate candidates statements into the following language(s): Spanish. The County will print and mail voter information guides and candidates statements to all voters in English and Spanish or the County will send voter information guides and candidate statements in Spanish to only those voters who are on the county voter file as having requested a voter information guide in a particular language. The County will make the voter information guide and candidates statements in the required languages available at all polling places, on the County's website, and in the Election Official's office.
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CITY OF HEMET RESOLUTION NO. 2025-XXX 1
SECTION 4. ADDITIONAL MATERIALS. No candidate will be permitted to include additional materials in the voter information guide.
SECTION 5. PAYMENT. The candidate shall be required to pay for the cost of translating the candidates statements into any required foreign language pursuant to Federal and/or State law. The candidate shall be required to pay for the cost of printing the candidates statement in English and any foreign language as required in the voter information guide. The City Clerk shall estimate the total cost of printing, handling, translating, and mailing the candidate's statements filed pursuant to this section, including costs incurred as a result of complying with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (as amended), and require each candidate filing a statement to pay in advance to the City, his or her estimated pro rata share as a condition of having the candidate statement included in the voter information guide. The estimate is just an approximation of the actual costs that vary from one election to another and may be significantly more or less than the estimate, depending on the actual number of candidates filing statements.
Accordingly, the City Clerk is not bound by the estimate and may, on a pro rata basis, bill the candidate for additional actual expenses or refund any excess paid, depending on the final actual cost.
SECTION 6. The City Clerk is directed to provide each candidate or the candidate's representative a copy of this Resolution at the time nomination papers are issued.
SECTION 7. All previous resolutions adopting regulations for candidate statements are repealed.
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CITY OF HEMET RESOLUTION NO. 2025-XXX 1
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CITY OF HEMET RESOLUTION NO. 2025-XXX 1
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 8th day of May, 2025. ____________________________
Jackie Peterson, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
John Paul Maier, City Clerk
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CITY OF HEMET RESOLUTION NO. 2025-XXX 1
State of California )
County of Riverside )
City of Hemet )
I, John Paul Maier, City Clerk of the City of Hemet, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the Hemet City Council on the 8th day of May, 2025, and was passed by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members:
NOES: Council Members:
ABSTAIN: Council Members:
ABSENT: Council Members:
_____________________________
John Paul Maier, City Clerk
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