STRATEGIC PLAN
2023-2028
Mission
Statement
The City
of Menifee
provides
essential
services through
teamwork,
leadership, and
transparency to
improve the quality
of life of our
community.
Vision Statement
Menifee is a premier, safe, thriving, and inclusive city that offers vibrant neighborhoods and panoramic scenic vistas with a rich history, flourishing arts, cultural amenities, and diverse recreation opportunities that make Menifee a desired place to live, work, play, and stay.
Guiding Principles
People-Focused and Connected –
We create a sense of community by serving residents,
businesses, employees, and visitors with compassion,
kindness, and respect.
Accountable and Fiscally Responsible –
We use City resources responsibly and take actions
to retain the trust of our community.
Responsive and Transparent –
We are honest, reliable, responsive, and open in
our decision-making; creating environments for
people to engage where all voices are heard.
Solution-Oriented and Proactive –
We look to strengthen and enhance our community
by anticipating needs, being innovative, and
making decisions that are forward-thinking.
Who we are
Results for the Community
We know our community has big dreams for Menifee and we want to see them come true. Menifee’s citywide Strategic Plan lays a foundation for this progress, defines our shared vision for the future and focuses City resources on five key strategic priorities: Unique Identity, Community Engagement and Social Infrastructure, Thriving Economy, Safe and Vibrant Community, and Connectivity and Mobility. These priorities, and their supporting goals and objectives, came from considerable community input and feedback. These priorities drive us toward meaningful outcomes and big steps forward on the road to reaching our collective long-term vision.
What does a strategic plan do?
Charts the Course
The Strategic Plan’s five-year timeline allows for thoughtful sequencing of initiatives. The alignment with the City’s annual budget process creates a stronger connection
between finances and operations. With the Strategic Plan as a guide, other City plans and initiatives will be built to align. In addition to priorities, goals and objectives, this plan includes performance measures for
government transparency, accountability, and
ongoing improvement.
STRATEGIC PLAN 2023–2028Why a Strategic Plan?
The City of Menifee is pleased to present the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, setting the City’s vision for the future and providing a roadmap for meeting current and future needs. Incorporated in 2008, Menifee is a rapidly growing community spanning roughly 50 square miles and home to over 116,000 residents. The Plan enables the City to balance and prioritize the needs of our community; guiding how the City’s resources are allocated following the strategic priorities and objectives established for the coming five-year period. Performance measures are also incorporated into the Plan to monitor progress towards the established goals and objectives.
Residents and other City stakeholders played an important role in the Plan development by participating in interviews, focus group meetings, in-person and virtual community forums, online surveys, and council workshops. Through the collective efforts of the City Council, City staff, residents, and stakeholders, the City’s vision of being a “premier, safe, thriving, and inclusive city that offers vibrant neighborhoods and panoramic scenic vistas with a rich history, flourishing arts, cultural amenities, and diverse recreation opportunities that make Menifee a desired place to live, work, play, and stay” will be realized.
Mayor
Bill Zimmerman
Mayor Pro Tem
Bob Karwin – District 1
Councilmember
Ricky Estrada
District 2
Councilmember
Lesa Sobek
District 3
Councilmember
Dean Deines
District 4
Introduction
Executive Team
Armando G. Villa
City Manager
Rochelle Clayton
Assistant City Manager
Jonathan Nicks
Deputy City Manager
Jeff Melching
City Attorney
Gina Gonzalez
Economic Development
Director
Lonny Olson
Fire Division Chief
Chris Karrer
Interim Chief of Police
Nick Fidler
Public Works Director
Regina Funderburk
Chief Financial Officer
Ron Puccinelli
Chief Information
Officer
Sarah Manwaring
City Clerk
Cheryl Kitzerow
Community Development
Director
STRATEGIC PLAN 2023–2028
2011
Direct Email Participants
1240
Online Interactions
20 Stakeholder Interviews
5 Community
Forums 7
Focus
Groups
2 Council
Workshops
364
Survey
Responses
38,877
Menifee Matters magazine
distributed to homes and
businesses
Social Media Campaign
27 Posts
68,688
Engagement
Information
Provided at
Community
Events
How did we build this plan? Together
Plan Development Timeline
STRATEGIC PLAN 2023–2028
Strategic Priorities
August 2022-March 2023
August-October 2022 – Research & Planning
November-December 2022 – Community Engagement
January 2023 – Council Visioning
February 2023 – Draft Plan Review
March 2023 – Plan Adoption
Enhance
accessibility
and link the
community
with sustainable
infrastructure
to meet the
City’s needs.
Objectives
A. Create a traffic mitigation plan to reduce congestion on Menifee’s streets and roadways.
B. Develop a transit mobility plan, identifying transportation options within the City.
C. Install fiber optic cabling and interconnect signals along major corridors to improve traffic flow.
D. Adopt the Complete Streets Plan to improve multi-modal infrastructure for thoroughfares throughout the City.
E. Begin to implement the Smart City and Broadband Master Plan to expand interconnectivity throughout Menifee.
F. Work in collaboration with the County of Riverside, surrounding communities, and regional partners to assess and mitigate the impacts of growth and development
outside City limits, providing for regional infrastructure development and essential services.
Strategic Priorities and Goals
Connectivity and Mobility
Performance Measures
1. Maintain an average roadway Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of 70 year-over-year through June 2028.
2. Increase satisfaction with alternative modes of transportation (trails, biking, etc.) biennially through June 2028.
3. Increase fiber optic connectivity to traffic signals and city facilities by 5% per year through June 2028.
4. Increase grant funding for capital projects year-over-year through June 2028.
STRATEGIC PLAN 2023–2028Connectivity and Mobility
Engage in
thoughtful and
collaborative
planning with
stakeholders to
develop a distinct
sense of place
that leverages
the community’s
historic and scenic
assets and makes
the City a highly
attractive and desired
destination for residents,
businesses, and visitors.
Objectives
A. Conduct a place-making and tourism feasibility study as part of developing Menifee as a destination city.
B. Conduct a regional events assessment to identify a signature event that will help make Menifee a destination city.
C. Implement findings of the events assessment to develop a signature event that will help make Menifee a destination city.
Strategic Priorities and Goals
Unique Identity
Performance Measures
1. Complete regional events assessment by March 2024.
2. Complete the place-making and tourism feasibility study by December 2024.
3. Hold the first annual signature event by December 2025.
STRATEGIC PLAN 2023–2028Unique Identity
Create
opportunities
to bring people
together and
enhance
communication
to amplify
accessibility,
increase awareness,
and proactively
deliver information
to maintain quality
of life and build a
strong community.
Objectives
A. Amplify and diversify communication to enhance community awareness and understanding using print publications, electronic communications, , and town hall meetings.
B. Increase opportunities for the community to gather to support belonging and connectedness.
C. Create engagement opportunities to enhance understanding and participation in City planning, community events, and activities.
D. Develop unique park amenities, green spaces, trails, cultural and recreational facilities and programming that serves the diverse needs and desires of the community in alignment with the Parks Master Plan.
Strategic Priorities and Goals
Community Engagement and Social Infrastructure
g
,
Community Engagement
and Social Infrastructure
Performance Measures
1. Create a facility development plan by December 2023.
2. Initiate a comprehensive biennial residential satisfaction survey by December 2023.
3. Complete an assessment of the City controlled websites to evaluate usability and compliance with regulatory
standards by June 2024.
4. Produce and broadcast two original content videos
per month by December 2024.
5. Increase the number of residents registered to
receive city alerts (e-mails and texts) by 10% by
June 2028.
6. Increase social media followers by 50%
by June 2028.
7. Work in collaboration with Valley-Wide
Recreation and Park District (Valley-Wide)
to unify the parks in Menifee to better
serve the needs of residents by
June 2028.
STRATEGIC PLAN 2023–2028
Encourage
intentional
smart growth
and support
the City’s
business
community so
that residents
have access to
businesses, housing,
employment, and
well-paying jobs.
Objectives
A. Create a business incubator program/facility to support startups.
B. Streamline the development processes to support a
business-friendly environment.
C. Partner with higher education institutions and other stakeholders to create workforce development programming that supports the training and education of workers and business development.
D. Create business incentive programs to attract and retain businesses in Menifee.
E. Develop a Specific Plan for the Economic Development Corridor Southern Gateway (EDC-SG) Innovation District
to support the diversification of Menifee’s economy.
F. Provide enhanced entertainment amenities to increase Menifee’s commercial tax base and create an attractive
environment for businesses and workers.
G. Create and maintain a financial sustainability plan
to support city government for the long term.
H. Increase reserve fund balances to support the financial sustainability of city government for the long term.
I. Diversify revenue streams to support the financial
sustainability of city government for the long term.
J. Implement an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
system to modernize and streamline City operations.
K. Create reports for monitoring the performance
of the development departments to streamline
City operations.
Strategic Priorities and Goals
Thriving Economy
Performance Measures
1. Create an Incubator Feasibility Plan by December 2023.
2. Establish a Financial and Economic Sustainability Plan by December 2024.
3. Increase the number of new jobs added year-over-year.
4. Acquire facility for Business Incubator Program by December 2024.
5. Establish metrics for monitoring the performance of the development departments to streamline operations by July 2024.
6. Create an Office and Lifestyle/Retail Development Incentive Program by June 2024.
7. Create an incentive program to fast-track the development process for targeted industries by December 2024.
8. Execute Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with higher education institutions for strategic partnerships by December 2025.
9. Adopt the EDC-SG Innovation District Specific Plan by June 2026.
10. Complete ERP system implementation by June 2026.
STRATEGIC PLAN 2023–2028Thriving Economy
Provide
exceptional
public safety
and maintain
the City’s
attractive look
and feel so that
Menifee is one of
the safest cities
where residents
and visitors are
secure in their
neighborhoods and
surrounding spaces.
Objectives
A. Enhance public safety response times to increase safety in the community.
B. Develop and implement a citywide safety plan to enhance security and a sense of well-being in the community.
C. Improve safety infrastructure and technology (e.g., street lighting, speed radar feedback signs, rapid rectangular flashing beacons at crosswalks, and surveillance systems) to enhance the sense of security and well-being in Menifee.
D. Continue to support ongoing professional training and development of the City’s personnel to deliver high-quality services.
E. Create a community preparedness plan in collaboration with community partners to ensure the safety of Menifee’s neighborhoods, businesses, and vulnerable places.
F. Make progress towards the Vision Zero goal to reduce pedestrian and bicycle fatalities.
G. Beautification of the streetscapes in the City’s
main transit corridors and gateways.
Strategic Priorities and Goals
Safe and Vibrant Community
Safe and Vibrant Community
Performance Measures
1. Implement automatic aid agreements with adjoining fire departments to reduce response times by December 2023.
2. Partner with high schools to develop and implement a student public safety training program by December 2024.
3. Adopt a comprehensive citywide safety plan by June 2026.
4. Develop citywide response map with future planned development and road infrastructure improvements that guides fire service facility and resource allocations by June 2026.
5. Develop a response time matrix for the Menifee Police Department by June 2026.
6. Develop a streetscape beautification plan to enhance the City’s main transit corridors and gateways by December 2027.
7. Decrease pedestrian and bicycle fatalities in accordance with Vision Zero by 25% by June 2028.
8. Provide community cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and automated external defibrillator (AED) training as part of the Menifee Life Saver Program to 50 people per year through June 2028.
STRATEGIC PLAN 2023–2028
Plan at a Glance
Mission Statement
The City of Menifee provides
essential services through teamwork,
leadership, and transparency to
improve the quality of life of our
community.
Vision Statement
Menifee is a premier, safe, thriving,
and inclusive city that offers vibrant
neighborhoods and panoramic
scenic vistas with a rich history,
flourishing arts, cultural amenities,
and diverse recreation opportunities
that make Menifee a desired place
to live, work, play, and stay.
Guiding Principles
People-Focused and Connected –
We create a sense of community
by serving residents, businesses,
employees, and visitors with
compassion, kindness, and respect.
Accountable and
Fiscally Responsible –
We use City resources responsibly
and take actions to retain the trust
of our community.
Responsive and Transparent –
We are honest, reliable, responsive,
and open in our decision-making;
creating environments for people to
engage where all voices are heard.
Solution-Oriented and Proactive –
We look to strengthen and enhance
our community by anticipating needs,
being innovative, and making
decisions that are forward-thinking.
Strategic Priorities and Goals
Connectivity and Mobility –
Enhance accessibility and link the community with sustainable infrastructure to meet the City’s needs.
Unique Identity –
Engage in thoughtful and collaborative planning with
stakeholders to develop a distinct sense of place that
leverages the community’s historic and scenic assets and makes the City a highly attractive and desired destination for residents, businesses, and visitors.
Community Engagement and Social Infrastructure –
Create opportunities to bring people together and enhance communication to amplify accessibility, increase awareness, and proactively deliver information to maintain quality of life and build a strong community.
Thriving Economy –
Encourage intentional smart growth and support the
City’s business community so that residents have access to businesses, housing, employment, and well-paying jobs.
Safe and Vibrant Community –
Provide exceptional public safety and maintain the City’s attractive look and feel so that Menifee is one of the safest cities where residents and visitors are secure in their neighborhoods and surrounding spaces.
City Council
• Bill Zimmerman, Mayor
• Bob Karwin, Mayor Pro Tem District 1
• Ricky Estrada, Councilmember District 2
• Lesa Sobek, Councilmember District 3
• Dean Deines, Councilmember District 4
City Executive Team
• Armando G. Villa, City Manager
• Rochelle Clayton, Assistant City Manager
• Jonathan Nicks, Deputy City Manager
• Nick Fidler, Public Works Director
• Regina Funderburk, Chief Financial Officer
• Gina Gonzalez, Economic Development Director
• Chris Karrer, Interim Chief of Police
• Cheryl Kitzerow, Community Development Director
• Sarah Manwaring, City Clerk
• Jeff Melching, City Attorney
• Lonny Olson, Fire Division Chief
• Ron Puccinelli, Chief Information Officer
City Staff
• Robert Cardenas, Deputy Human Resources Director
• Margarita Cornejo, Deputy Finance Director
• Carlos Geronimo, Principal Engineer
• Rebekah Kramer, Assistant to the City Manager
• Daniel Padilla, Deputy Public Works Director
• Philip Southard, Public Information
and Legislative Affairs Officer
• Mandy Stephens, Management Analyst
BerryDunn Consulting Team
• Seth Hedstrom, Principal
• Michelle Kennedy, Project Manager
and Lead Facilitator
• Maddison Powers Spencer, Research Analyst
• Shannon Flowers, Facilitator
Plan Development (2023)
Acknowledgements
The Strategic
Plan is the
result of the
combined efforts
of our City’s
residents, elected
officials, employees,
and stakeholders.
The City of Menifee
would like to
thank all those who
participated in the
months-long process,
providing knowledge
and insights throughout
the various stages of the
Plan’s development.
STRATEGIC PLAN 2023–2028
STRATEGIC PLAN 2023–2028
www.cityofmenifee.us