REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
To:Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From:Jason Simpson, City Manager
Prepared by:Jason Simpson, City Manager
Date:August 12, 2025
Subject:Appointment of City Council Subcommittees for the Development of Cultural Resources Management and Resource Agency Management Plans
Recommendation
Appoint Mayor Brian Tisdale and Mayor Pro Tem Robert E. Magee to a Subcommittee focused on developing a Cultural Resources Management Plan, and appoint Council Members Steve Manos and Timothy J. Sheridan to a Subcommittee tasked with developing a Resource Agency Management Plan.
Background
To address the complex development, environmental, and cultural considerations unique to the City of Lake Elsinore, the Mayor has proposed forming two City Council subcommittees. These subcommittees will lead efforts to proactively address issues critical to responsible growth, environmental stewardship, and tribal relations.
Cultural Resources and Resource Agency Plans Subcommittees
Discussion
Cultural Resources Management Plan Subcommittee
Mayor Tisdale has proposed that both he and Mayor Pro Tem Magee be appointed to a subcommittee dedicated to the development of a Cultural Resources Management Plan. The primary objective of this effort is to strengthen relations between the City and the Pechanga and Soboba tribal governments. By identifying shared priorities and working collaboratively, the City and tribal partners can ensure that land development plans are respectful of cultural heritage while supporting economic and community goals. This subcommittee will explore pathways to formalize agreements or frameworks that facilitate mutual understanding and long-term collaboration.
Resource Agency Management Plan Subcommittee
To address the City’s unique environmental constraints and regulatory challenges, the Mayor has also proposed appointing Council Members Steve Manos and Timothy J. Sheridan to a separate subcommittee. This group will focus on developing a Resource Agency Management Plan aimed at balancing economic development and environmental conservation. This work aligns with the goals of the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP), the largest such plan in the nation.
Given the City's environmental complexity—proximity to the lake, surrounding hills, protected species habitats, and three major fault lines—development in Lake Elsinore requires a more nuanced and coordinated approach than other communities in the MSHCP Plan Area. This subcommittee will be tasked with initiating and strengthening partnerships with state and federal agencies to explore the possibility of a pre-approved conservation and development strategy that expedites projects while maintaining compliance with environmental standards.
The work of both subcommittees is intended to proactively address regulatory and cultural challenges that affect development, foster meaningful partnerships, and ensure a sustainable future for Lake Elsinore.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with the formation of these subcommittees at this time.
Attachments
Attachment 1 – Mayor’s List of Council Appointments to Subcommittees City Manager's Office