COUNTY.
MINUTES
City Council Meeting
City of Hemet
Hemet Public Library, Second Floor
Thursday, August 28, 2025
1 SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION - 5:30 P.M.
2 CALL TO ORDER
The City Council of the City of Hemet met on this date in a Closed Session at 5:32 P.M. in the City Council Chamber, 300 E. Latham Avenue, Hemet, California, with Mayor Peterson
ROLL CALL
City Clerk Maier provided the Roll Call as follows:
Present: Mayor Jackie Peterson
Mayor Pro Tem Linda Krupa
Council Members Connie Clark, Tom Lodge, and Joe Males
Absent:
Staff Present:
City Manager: Mark Prestwich
City Attorney: Steven Graham
City Clerk: John Paul Maier
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD - RULES OF DECORUM, RESOLUTION NO. 4545 Mayor Peterson asked for Public Comments; no one spoke. 5 DISCUSSION ITEMS (CITY COUNCIL ACTION)
5.A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to Paragraph (1) of Subdivision (2) of Section 54956.9 David Baxter v. City of Hemet; et al.; USDC Case No. 5:21-cv-01331
5.B. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8
Property: Vacant Land Approximately 400 acres West of Simpson Park (APNs on File w/ City Clerk)
Agency Negotiator: Mark Prestwich, City Manager or Designee 12 CITY ATTORNEY CLOSED SESSION REPORT
12.A. City Attorney's Report regarding Closed Session
Action:
City Attorney Graham stated that by consensus, settlement direction was provided for Item 5.A and 5.C of the Closed Session Agenda.
13 COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
Mayor Peterson asked for Public Comments, and the following citizens spoke: Grant Brubaker and Morgan McComas spoke
13.A. Public Comment for Items Listed on the Agenda
14 PRESENTATION
14.A. Presentation of Hemet Historic Theatre Expansion Project Concepts; Appointment of City Council Downtown Theatre Ad Hoc Committee City Manager Prestwich provided an overview of the Downtown Theatre Expansion Project and the focus of a meaningful discussion by both the Planning Commission and City Council for an essential central downtown block.
City Manager Prestwich stated that various Hemet Theatre Board Members and the project affiliates would share insights into the project, including Chairman Andrew Kotyuk.
Chairman Kotyuk shared elements of the projects, delivering an overview of the history of the Hemet Theatre and highlighting early concepts that will evolve before a formal submittal of the project is considered.
Jerry Peebles, Board Member, discussed the history of the Hemet Theatre, providing that the Hemet Theatre was the first theatre in the City and how the building transformed, including the structural elements of dual cement walls.
John Loomis, 30t Street Architects, provided design elements of the project, explaining that the renovations should include increasing the size of the theatre, mechanisms for behind the scenes of the stage, seating for the show, and potential economic drivers in the area for entertainment.
Mr. Loomis explained that the desired size of the theatre is to include seating for 1000 people and provided various schemes to include the retention of the front of the theatre façade.
The City Council and Planning Commission received, discussed, and filed a presentation of the Hemet Historic Theatre Expansion Project Concepts.
City Council Meeting
August 28, 2025