CITY OF MENIFEE
SUBJECT: Memorialization of Governance Planning During the Mayor’s Deployment and Appointments to City Council Committees
and Regional Boards and Commissions
MEETING DATE: September 3, 2025
TO: Mayor and City Council
PREPARED BY: Edna Aguilar, Assistant City Clerk
REVIEWED BY: Stephanie Roseen, City Clerk
APPROVED BY: Armando G. Villa, City Manager
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Adopt a resolution memorializing the City Council’s direction provided during the August 20, 2025, City Council meeting regarding governance planning during the Mayor’s deployment; and
2. Designate a member of the City Council to serve as the presiding officer in the absence of the Mayor Pro Tem during the Mayor’s military deployment; and
3. Discuss and ratify appointments of City Council representatives to City Council subcommittees, ad hoc committees and regional boards and commissions, effective upon the Mayor’s deployment.
DISCUSSION
Background
Mayor Ricky Estrada, a member of the United States Air Force Reserve, will be deployed with his unit for a period of six months, beginning in October 2025 and concluding in spring of 2026. During the August 20, 2025, City Council meeting, the Council discussed and provided feedback on governance planning during the Mayor’s upcoming deployment. The discussion focused on ensuring continuity of leadership, representation, and City operations during the Mayor’s absence.
Alternate Presiding Officer
As discussed at the August 20, 2025, City Council meeting, staff recommend that the City Council designate an alternate presiding officer to serve should the Mayor Pro Tem be unavailable during
City of Menifee Staff Report
Governance Planning and Appointments
September 3, 2025
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the Mayor’s upcoming deployment. Once the Mayor returns from his leave, the Mayor Pro Tem would assume the role and the alternate presiding officer’s role would no longer be necessary.
Mayor Pro Tem Appointment Timeline
With regard to the appointment timeline for Mayor Pro Tem, the City Council reached consensus to ensure consistency throughout the deployment period. As part of the proposed resolution, the current Mayor Pro Tem, Bob Karwin, will continue to serve in this role for the remainder of the 2025 calendar year as well as the entire 2026 calendar year. As part of these duties, the Mayor Pro Tem will select the City’s annual theme for 2026, with planning scheduled to begin in January 2026. In December 2026, the City Council will return to its regular rotation and appointment schedule for the Mayor Pro Tem for the 2027 calendar year.
City Council Committee and Regional Boards, and Commission Appointment Timeline Additionally, as part of the proposed resolution and following the direction provided by the City Council on August 20th, upon the Mayor’s anticipated return in the spring of 2026, staff will bring back the full City Council Standing, Ad Hoc Committees, Regional Boards and Commissions Appointment Roster for Council discussion and reappointments. Those appointments would become effective through the remainder of the 2026 calendar year. Lastly, following the certification of the 2026 election in December, staff would return to the regular appointment cycle, with appointments effective for the 2027 calendar year.
The proposed resolution memorializes the City Council’s consensus and direction from August 20, 2025, meeting and recognizes the temporary pause or adjustment of existing Council policies that specify timelines for such appointments, ensuring continuity and stability during this unique period. Additionally, it confirms the extended term of the current Mayor Pro Tem through 2026, outlines the process for selecting the 2026 annual theme, and establishes the appointment schedule for City committees and regional boards and commissions during the Mayor’s absence and upon his return.
City Council Standing, Ad Hoc Committees, and Regional Boards and Commissions Assignments
Following the Council’s discussion at the August 20, 2025, City Council meeting, staff is requesting the City Council review and appoint Councilmembers to the City’s standing committees, ad hoc committees, and regional boards and commissions effective as of the Mayor’s deployment and through the Mayor’s anticipated return in spring of 2026. Upon the Mayor’s return,
City of Menifee Staff Report
Governance Planning and Appointments
September 3, 2025
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staff would bring back the full City Council Standing Committees, Ad Hoc Committees, Regional Boards & Regional Commissions Roster (Roster) for Council’s review.
Mayor Estrada is currently serving on the following committees:
Finance Committee
oMeetings are currently set for every other month (Tuesdays at 4:00 PM) City & School Districts Committee
oMeetings are held annually (Next meeting is scheduled for 10/23/25) Parks Ad Hoc Committee
oAs needed (No current meetings scheduled at this time) Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) Executive Committee (Alternate) o1 st Monday of the month
The attached Roster reflects the current appointments of Councilmembers to established subcommittees, ad hoc committees, and regional boards and commissions.
Following the review and appointment of representatives for the established Council subcommittees and regional boards and commissions, the City Clerk will notify the various agencies of any changes made. Any changes to Council representation on regional boards or commissions may also require the filing of additional Form 700 Statements of Economic Interests to reflect leaving and/or assuming offices.
STRATEGIC PLAN OBJECTIVE
Regular City Business
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
2. 2025 Regional Committee and Commissions