AIN*
OUNTY
MINUTES
City Council Meeting
City of Hemet
Hemet Public Library, Second Floor
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
1. CLOSED SESSION - 5:00 P.M.
2. CALL TO ORDER
The City Council of the City of Hemet met on this date in a Closed Session at 5:02 P.M. in the City Council Chamber, 300 E. Latham Avenue, Hemet, California, with Mayor Peterson presiding.
ROLL CALL
City Clerk Maier provided the Roll Call as follows:
Present: Mayor Jackie Peterson
Mayor Pro Tem Linda Krupa
Council Members Connie Howard-Clark, Tom Lodge, and Joe Males
Absent:
Staff Present:
City Manager: Mark Prestwich
Assistant City Attorney: Layla Sarwari
City Clerk: John Paul Maier
4. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD - RULES OF DECORUM, RESOLUTION NO. 4545 Mayor Peterson asked for Public Comments; no one spoke.
Council recessed into Closed Session at 5:03 P.M.
5. DISCUSSION ITEMS
5.A. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property Description: Downtown Property, APN 443-234-029 Agency Negotiator: Mark Prestwich, City Manager
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
5.B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant Exposure Pursuant to Paragraph (2) of Subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9
Number of Cases (1)
6. ADJOURNMENT OF CLOSED SESSION
Closed Session was adjourned at 5:57 P.M.
7. REGULAR MEETING - 6:00 P.M.
8. CALL TO ORDER
The City Council of the City of Hemet met this date in a Regular Meeting at 6:02 P.M. in the Hemet Public Library, 300 E. Latham Avenue, Hemet, California, with Mayor Peterson presiding.
ROLL CALL
City Clerk Maier provided the Roll Call as follows:
Present: Mayor Jackie Peterson
Mayor Pro Tem Linda Krupa
Council Members Connie Howard-Clark, Tom Lodge, and Joe Males
Absent:
Staff Present:
City Manager: Mark Prestwich
Assistant City Attorney: Layla Sarwari
City Clerk: John Paul Maier
10. INVOCATION
Invocation was given by Pastor Dale Garland.
11. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Males.
12. CITY ATTORNEY CLOSED SESSION REPORT
12.A. City Attorney's Report regarding Closed Session
Action:
Assistant City Attorney Sarwari reported from September 9, 2025, Closed Session that by consensus, litigation direction was given. From September 23, 2025, the Closed Session stated that there were no reportable actions for Item 5.A and by consensus, settlement direction was provided for Item 5.B from the Closed Session at 5:00 P.M.
City Council Meeting
September 23, 2025
13. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
Mayor Peterson asked for Public Comments; the following residents spoke Randy Butler, John Vance, Julie Parker (with donated time from Mark Baskett, Debbie Willis, Karla Foster, George Evans Jr.), Connie Coronado, Sonia Lamas, and Jenny Hess.
13.A. Public Comment for Items Listed on the Agenda: Consent and Discussion Items
13.B. Public Comment for Items Not Listed on the Agenda, but within Jurisdictional Matter
14. PRESENTATIONS
14.A. Proclamation for Hispanic Heritage Month
Council Member Males presented the proclamation for Hispanic Heritage Month to Felipe Ruvalcaba of Felipe's Classic Auto Glass.
14.B. Proclamation for Suicide Prevention Month
Council Member Howard-Clark presented the Proclamation for Suicide Prevention Month to Michael Bailey of Riverside County Veterans Services.
14.C. Proclamation for Eastern Municipal Water District's (EMWD) 75th Anniversary Council Member Lodge presented the Proclamation for Eastern Municipal Water District to Erin Guerrero from Eastern Municipal Water District.
14.D. Chief of Police Citation Certificate Presentation to Officer Marco Valencia Police Chief Arrellano presented the Police Citation Certificate to Officer Marco Valencia.
15. PUBLIC HEARINGS
15.A. An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Amending Chapter 70 (Subdivisions), Article XVI (Merger of Contiguous Parcels of Land) of the Hemet Municipal Code.
Environmental: The City has analyzed this proposed project and has determined that it is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, which provides that CEQA only applies to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.
Deputy Public Works Director/Assistant Engineer Ferris presented an overview of the Ordinance, amending the Hemet Municipal Code.
Mayor Peterson opened the Public Hearing at 6:50 p.m.
Mayor Peterson asked for Public Comments; no one spoke.
Mayor Peterson closed the Public Hearing at 6:50 p.m.
City Council Meeting
September 23, 2025
Action:
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER LODGE, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER HOWARD- CLARK, CARRIED 5-0, to:
1. Open a public hearing and take testimony, if any; and
2. Waive full reading, read by title only, and introduce An Ordinance 2063 of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Making Revisions to Chapter 70 (Subdivisions) Article XVI (Merger of Contiguous Parcels of Land) to the Hemet Municipal Code.
3. Direct Staff to File a Notice of Determination with the County Clerk and State Clearinghouse.
15.B. An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Making Minor Revisions to Chapter 66 (Streets and Sidewalks) Article I (In General) Section 2 (Dedication and Improvement of Public Right-of-Way on Application for Building Permit to the Hemet Municipal Code.
Environmental: The City has analyzed this proposed project and has determined that it is exempt trom the Calitornia Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, which provides that CEQA only applies to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment
Deputy Public Works Director/Assistant Engineer Ferris presented an overview of the Ordinance, revising the Hemet Municipal Code.
Mayor Peterson opened the Public Hearing at 6:55 p.m.
Mayor Peterson asked for Public Comments; no one spoke.
Mayor Peterson closed the Public Hearing at 6:55 p.m.
Action:
MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM KRUPA, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER LODGE, CARRIED 5-0, to:
1. Open a public hearing and take testimony, if any; and
2. Waive full reading, read by title only, and introduce An Ordinance 2064 of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Making Minor Revisions to Chapter 66 (Streets and Sidewalks) Article I (In General) Section 2 (Dedication and Improvement of Public Right- of-Way on Application for Building Permit to the Hemet Municipal Code.
3. Direct Staff to File a Notice of Determination with the County Clerk and the State Clearinghouse.
15.C. Appeal (APL) 25-003: Appeal of the decision of the Hemet Planning Commission to approve Tentative Parcel Map. No 38430 (MAP 23-002) - to subdivide three (3) Parcels into ten (10) parcels on approximately 7.25 acres within the Ramona Plaza Shopping Center.
City Council Meeting
September 23, 2025
Environment Action: The project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301, Class 1 (k), which consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. This includes subdivision of existing commercial or industrial buildings, where no physical changes occur.
Community Development Director Monique Alaniz-Flejter presented a PowerPoint Presentation regarding the Tentative Parcel Map No. 38430 for the Ramona Plaza Shopping Center.
Community Development Director Monique Alaniz-Flejter noted that the Appellant was present to speak on behalf of the project.
Mayor Peterson opened the Public Hearing at 7:02 p.m.
Mayor Peterson asked for Public Comments.
City Clerk Maier stated that two letters were received from Alan Hillwig and Gregory Weiler, opposing Condition 22, highlighted in the staff report. individual shop owners.
Mayor Peterson closed the Public Hearing at 7:09 p.m.
Action:
MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM KRUPA, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER LODGE, to direct staff to work with the appellant, revising language in the conditions, open the Public Hearing, and continue the hearing to the October 14, 2025, City Council Regular Meeting.
16. RECEIVE AND FILE
16.A. Investment Reports for July 2024 to June 2025
Action:
By consensus, the City Council received and filed the Investment Reports for July 2024 to June 2025.
16.B. Receive and File the City of Hemet Warrant Registers for August 21, August 28, and September 4, 2025 and Periodic Payroll Payments
Action:
By consensus, the City Council received and filed the City of Hemet Warrant Registers and Periodic Payroll Payments.
City Council Meeting
September 23, 2025
[17. CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER LODGE, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER MALES, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the Consent Calendar, removing Item 17.F for separate consideration.
17.A. Approval of the Joint Special City Council Meeting Minutes of August 28, 2025, and the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of September 9, 2025 -
Action:
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER LODGE, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER MALES, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the Joint Special City Council Meeting Minutes of August 28, 2025, and the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of September 9, 2025.
17.B. 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 4Leaf, Increasing the Not-To-Exceed Amount for FY25/26 from $50,000 to $100,000, and Authorizing the Administrative Services Director to Record a Supplemental Appropriation of $70,000 in the General Fund Action:
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER LODGE, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER MALES, CARRIED 5-0, to adopt a Resolution 2025-138 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 4Leaf, increasing the not-to-exceed amount for FY25/26 from $50,000 to $100,000 and authorizing the Administrative Services Director to record a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $70,000 in the General Fund.
17.C. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Lease Agreement No. 2025-063 on City-Owned Property located at 1871 Warren Road, Hemet, California, and having Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) 432-170-019, between the City of Hemet and Boone Recycled Materials, Inc., a California Corporation Action:
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER LODGE, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER MALES, CARRIED 5-0, to adopt a Resolution 2025-139 of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Lease Agreement No. 2025-063 on City- Owned Property located at 1871 Warren Road, Hemet, California, and having Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) 432-170-019, between the City of Hemet and Boone Recycled Materials, Inc., a California Corporation.
17.D. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Approving an Amendment to the Agreement for Professional Services to Prepare Improvement Plans and Studies for CIP 5706 - Esplanade Avenue Improvements by and Between the City of Hemet and Albert A. Webb Associates, Direct the Administrative Services Director to Appropriate an Additional $44,466 of Unencumbered Streets DIF Funds (Fund 329), and City Council Meeting
September 23, 2025
Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Amendment Documents in the Final Form and Format as Approved by the City Attorney
Action:
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER LODGE, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER MALES, CARRIED 5-0, to adopt a Resolution 2025-140 of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Approving an Amendment to the Agreement for Professional Services to Prepare Improvement Plans and Studies for CIP 5706 - Esplanade Avenue Improvements by and Between the City of Hemet and Albert A. Webb Associates, Direct the Administrative Services Director to Appropriate an Additional $44,466 of Unencumbered Streets DIF Funds (Fund 329), and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Amendment Documents in the Final Form and Format as Approved by the City Attorney.
17.E. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with Bio-Tox Laboratories, Inc. for Forensic Toxicology Services as a Sole Source Provider, in Accordance with the City of Hemet Procurement Policy, in an Amount Not to Exceed $60,000 per Fiscal Year through June 30, 2028 and Authorization to Increase the Fiscal Year 2024-25 to $51,000 to Cover Additional Costs Incurred During the Prior Fiscal Year
Action:
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER LODGE, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER MALES, CARRIED 5-0, to adopt a Resolution 2025-141 of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, authorizing the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with Bio- Tox Laboratories, Inc. for forensic toxicology services as a sole source provider, in accordance with the City of Hemet Procurement Policy, in an amount not to exceed $60,000 per fiscal year through June 30, 2028 and authorization to increase the fiscal year 2024-25 to $51,000 to cover additional costs incurred during the prior fiscal year.
17.F. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Establishing the Fire Management Unit and Certifying the Hemet Fire Fighters Association as the Exclusively Recognized Employee Organization to Represent the Fire Management Unit
Action:
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER LODGE, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER MALES, CARRIED 5-0, to adopt a Resolution 2025-142 of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Establishing the Fire Management Unit and certifying the Hemet Fire Fighters Association as the exclusively recognized employee organization to represent the Fire Management Unit.
17.G. An Amendment to Resolution 2025-100 of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Accepting the FY2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) From the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) for the Purchase of Portable Radios for the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Including the Language "Designate the Individual Whose Position Title is City Manager as the Authorized Agent"
City Council Meeting
September 23, 2025
Action:
MOTION BY MAYOR PETERSON, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM KRUPA, CARRIED 5-0, to adopt a Resolution 2025-143 of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Amending Resolution 2025-100 Accepting the FY2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) From the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) for the Purchase of Portable Radios for the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and adding the Language "Designate the Individual Whose Position Title is City Manager as the Authorized Agent.
17.H. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Awarding a Professional Services Agreement to Herron & Rumansoff Architects, Inc. for the Professional Architectural Engineering Design Services for the Building Rehabilitation of the City Facility Located at 555 Saint John Place (CIP 2523) in an Amount Not to Exceed $21, 150 and to Waive Procurement Procedures Action:
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER LODGE, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER MALES, CARRIED 5-0, to adopt a Resolution 2025-144 of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Awarding a Professional Services Agreement to Herron & Rumansoff Architects, Inc. for the Professional Architectural Engineering Design Services for the Building Rehabilitation of the City Facility Located at 555 Saint John Place (CIP 2523) in an Amount Not to Exceed $21,150 and to Waive Procurement Procedures.
17.l. Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance 2058 of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Amending Portions of the Hemet Municipal Code, Chapter 90 Article XXXVI "Signs," to Permit Reduction and Relocation of Existing Static Outdoor Advertising Displays Under Limited Circumstances, and to Further Amend Sections of the Hemet Municipal Code to Harmonize Current Sections with such Reduction and Relocation Language
Action:
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER LODGE, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER MALES, CARRIED 5-0, to waive further reading adopt Ordinance No. 2058 of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, adopting Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 25-001 to amend Chapter 90 Article XXXVI "Signs" , to Permit Reduction and Relocation of Existing Static Outdoor Advertising Displays Under Limited Circumstances, and to Further Amend Sections of Hemet Municipal Code to Harmonize Current Sections with such Reduction and Relocation Language.
18. DISCUSSION - ACTION ITEMS
18.A. Establishment of a Two (2) Member Ad-Hoc Committee to Participate in Negotiations of a Hemet Stock Farm Development Agreement Action:
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER MALES, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM KRUPA, CARRIED 5-0, to appoint Council Member Lodge and Mayor Peterson as a two (2) member Ad-Hoc Committee to participate in negotiations for a Hemet Stock Farm Development Agreement.
City Council Meeting
September 23, 2025
18.B. Dissolution of the Hemet Fire and Life Safety Agency and Department of Life Safety; Organizational Realignment of Fire Prevention, Building & Safety, Code Enforcement, and Economic Development
Action:
MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER LODGE, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER MALES, CARRIED 5-0, to a Resolution 2025-145 of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Rescinding the Prior Action Establishing the Hemet Fire & Life Safety Agency and the Department of Life Safety; Reassigning Fire Prevention, Building & Safety, Code Enforcement, And Economic Development Functions; Authorizing the City Manager to Implement Budget Neutral Transfers and Related Administrative Actions; and Establishing an Effective Date of December 1, 2025.
19. CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF REPORTS
Mayor Peterson asked for Council Comments. Council Member Howard-Clark, Council Member Lodge, Council Member Males, Mayor Pro Tem Krupa, and Mayor Peterson gave reports.
CITY MANAGER MARK PRESTWICH
City Manager Prestwich announced the Hemet Concert Series continues at Mary Henley Park at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 25, 2025, mentioned that the preparations for the 2025 Christmas Parade is underway and will be held on December 6, 2025, announced the Annual Fire Department Open House will be at Fire Station #1 from 10:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. on Saturday, October 11, 2025, announced the Chalktober Art Festival from 12:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M. at the Hemet Public Library, and announced the State of the City set to take place on at 4:00 p.m. on November 6, 2025 at the Hemet Public Library.
20. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None.
21. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Peterson adjourned the meeting at 8:07 P.M. The Next Regular City Council Meeting will be at 6:00 P.M. on October 14, 2025.
APPROVAL: ATTEST:
Jackie Peterson HIDE
Jackie Peterson John P. Maier, MBA, MMC
Mayor City Clerk
City Council Meeting
September 23, 2025