Menifee Mayor and City Council March 18, 2026
City Council Chambers
29844 Haun Road
Menifee, CA 92586
Ricky Estrada, Mayor
Bob Karwin, District 1
Ben Diederich, District 2
Dan Temple, District 3
Dean Deines, District 4
MINUTES
Menifee City Council
Regular Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
5:00 PM Closed Session
6:00 PM Regular Meeting
Armando G. Villa, City Manager
Jeffrey T. Melching, City Attorney
Stephanie Roseen, City Clerk
CLOSED SESSION (5:00 PM)
Acting Mayor Karwin called closed session to order at 5:00 PM. Present were Councilmembers Deines, Diederich, Temple, and Acting Mayor Karwin. Mayor Estrada was absent. The City Council recessed to closed session at 5:00 PM for the purposes listed below.
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION, Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) – In Re: National Prescription Opiate Litigation,
MDL No. 2804, Case No. 1:17-md-2804 (Multi-District Litigation)
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9 City of Menifee v. City of Perris, Riverside County Superior Court Case No.
CVRI2203040
3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL ANTICIPATED LITIGATION,
SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) or (3): Three cases
4. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION,
INITIATION OF LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4): Two cases
REGULAR MEETING (6:00 PM)
1. CALL TO ORDER
Acting Mayor Karwin called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. City Attorney Jeffrey Melching stated there was no reportable action from closed session.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Bob Karwin, Ben Diederich, Dan Temple, Dean Deines
Absent: Ricky Estrada
3. WORDS OF INSPIRATION
Dallin Larsen – First Counselor in the Paloma Valley Ward for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Menifee Mayor and City Council March 18, 2026
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mary Carnes led the flag salute.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 DMV Donate Life Month Proclamation
The City Council presented Erika Heranic with OneLegacy, with a proclamation.
5.2 Citizen of the Month – Rose Rhodes
The City Council recognized Rose Rhodes as the March Citizen of the Month.
5.3 Community Services Monthly Update
Community Services Manager Gabbi Cao provided a presentation.
6. AGENDA APPROVAL OR MODIFICATIONS
The agenda was approved unanimously (4-0-1, Estrada absent) with no modifications.
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS (NON-AGENDA ITEMS)
The following speakers address the City Council on non-agenda items. • Lori Cluff
• Lupe Jenkins
• Bridgette Johansen
8. COUNCILMEMBER UPDATES AND COMMENTS
Councilmember Diederich reported on the meetings and events he attended. • Lions Club Student Speaker Contest
• Menifee Chamber of Commerce Mixer
• Student of the Month Event
• Senior Summit Event
Councilmember Temple reported on the meetings and events he attended. • Community Meeting Hosted Assembly Member Johnson
• Menifee Finance Committee Meeting
Councilmember Deines reported on the meetings and events he attended. • Menifee Finance Committee Meeting
Acting Mayor Karwin reported on the meetings and events he attended. • Menifee Chamber of Commerce Mixer
• Riverside County Transportation Commission Executive Committee Meeting • City Selection Committee Meeting
• Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) Administration and Finance Committee Meeting
• WRCOG Employee Policy Ad Hoc Committee Meeting
Menifee Mayor and City Council March 18, 2026
• Menifee Cops and Cows Event
• Rotary Club Meeting, Menifee Wildlife Appreciation Day Event • Kids Business Fair
• Studio 215 Interview
• Ambient Communities Community Meeting
• Ribbon Cutting Childress Financial
9. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The following set of minutes were approved unanimously (4-0-1, Estrada absent) with no modifications.
9.1 March 4, 2026 Minutes
.
10. CONSENT CALENDAR
The consent calendar was approved by the following vote.
MOVER: Dean Deines
SECONDER: Ben Diederich
10.1 Waiver of Reading
ACTION
1. Waived the reading in full of any and all Ordinances listed on this agenda and provided that they be read by title only.
10.2 Warrant Register
ACTION
1. Ratified and approved the Voucher Lists dated 2/13/2026, and 2/20/2026, the Payroll Register/Other EFTs dated 2/13/2026, and 2/18/2026, the City Credit Card payment summary for the period 1/1/2026 to 1/31/2026, which have a total budgetary impact of $4,697,239.07.
10.3 Treasurer's Report - January 2026
ACTION
1. Received and filed the Treasurer’s Report as of January 31, 2026.
10.4 Monthly Public Safety Reports
ACTION
1. Received and filed the Public Safety Reports for January 2026.
AYES: Karwin, Diederich, Temple, Deines
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Estrada
Menifee Mayor and City Council March 18, 2026
10.5 Proclamation
ACTION
1. Proclaimed the last week of March as Government Finance Professionals Week.
10.6 2026 Legislative Platform Update
ACTION
1. Reviewed and approved the 2026 Legislative Platform.
10.7 2025 Education Summit Review
ACTION
1. Received and filed a review of the 6th Annual Menifee Education Summit held October 23, 2025.
10.8 Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program Grant
ACTION
1. Accepted Year five of the Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program Grant from the California Department of Housing and Community Development in the amount of $165,325 for Menifee’s First Time Homebuyers Down Payment Assistance Program; and
2. Adopted Resolution No. 26 -1687, amending the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 budget, appropriating $165,325 of grant funds in revenue and expenditures; and
3. Authorized the City Manager to execute all other necessary grant -related documents thereof to receive the Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program Grant.
10.9 Million Coaches Challenge Grant
ACTION
1. Accepted the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Million Coaches Challenge Grant in the amount of $2,500 and in -kind training through Positive Coaching Alliance; and
2. Approved and authorized the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with NRPA for the acceptance of terms and use for the grant and all other necessary grant-related documents thereof to receive the Million Coaches Challenge Grant; and
3. Adopted Resolution No. 26 -1688, amending the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 budget, appropriating $2,500 of grant funds in revenue and expenditures.
10.10 Memorandum of Understanding with Made Local, LLC for Event Programming at Central Park
ACTION
1. Approved and authorized the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Made Local, LLC to host community events and activities through June 30, 2029.
Menifee Mayor and City Council March 18, 2026
10.11 Bid Award and Agreement with Rogers, Anderson, Malody & Scott, LLP for Annual Financial Audit Services
ACTION
1. Awarded bid and authorized the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with Rogers, Anderson, Malody & Scott, LLP (RAMS) for annual financial audit services for an initial three-year term in a total amount not-to-exceed $200,882 through March 31, 2029; and
2. Authorized the City Manager to execute up to two additional one-year extensions in the aggregate amount not-to-exceed $145,906.
10.12 Agreement with SHI International Corp. for Microsoft 365 Software Licenses
ACTION
1. Authorized the Finance Department to issue individual purchase orders to SHI International Corp. on an as -needed basis, in a total aggregate amount not-to-exceed $1,347,984.96, for the purchase of Microsoft 365 software licenses pursuant to the California Department of Technology Cooperative Agreement, through March 31, 2031; and
2. Approved and authorized this purchase utilizing California Department of Technology Contract No. SC 25- 0198737 pursuant to Menifee Municipal Code Section 3.12.210; and
3. Authorized the City Manager to execute all documents required for this purchase.
10.13 Purchase Order with Musco Sports Lighting, LLC for the Purchase of Sports Field Lighting for Hidden Hills Park and E.L. Pete Petersen Park
ACTION
1. Approved and authorized the Finance Department to issue a purchase order for the purchase of sports field lighting for the Hidden Hills Park, from Musco Sports Lighting, LLC pursuant to Cooperative Agreement No. 041123- MSL in the amount of $148,118 and any applicable sales or use tax; and
2. Approved and authorized the Finance Department to issue a purchase order for the purchase of sports field lighting for the E.L. Pete Petersen Park, from Musco Sports Lighting, LLC pursuant to Cooperative Agreement No. 041123- MSL in the amount of $165,953 and any applicable sales or use tax; and
3. Approved and authorized these purchases be made utilizing Sourcewell Contract No. 041123-MSL pursuant to Menifee Municipal Code Section
3.12.210; and
4. Authorized the City Manager to execute all documents required for these purchases.
10.14 Agreement Amendment with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for Police Department Fleet In-Car Dash Cameras
ACTION
1. Approved and authorize d the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 2 increasing the Master Services and Purchasing Agreement with Axon Enterprises, Inc. for Menifee Police Department fleet in-car dash cameras by $170,968.41 for a total not-to-exceed contract amount of $7,167,972.40 through June 30, 2035.
Menifee Mayor and City Council March 18, 2026
10.15 Contract Change Order with Ames Construction for the Bradley Road Bridge over Salt Creek Project
ACTION
1. Approved and authorized the City Manager to execute Contract Change Order No. 3 with Ames Construction, Inc., to increase the compensation by $107,237.38, for a total contract amount not-to-exceed $16,511,932.50, for the Bradley Road Bridge over Salt Creek Project, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project No. 13-04, located on Bradley Road just south of Rio Vista Drive.
10.16 Declaration of Exempt Surplus Land and Agreement with Eastern Municipal Water District for the Exchange of Real Property and Joint Escrow Instructions to support the Ethanac Road/Highway 74 Realignment Project
ACTION
1. Adopted Resolution No. 26- 1689, declaring a City -owned parcel located at 27930 Watson Road (Assessor Parcel No. 329- 050-049) as “exempt surplus land” pursuant to the Surplus Land Act (Gov. Code, §§ 54220 et seq.); and
2. Approved and authorized the City Manager to execute an Agreement for Exchange of Real Property and Joint Escrow Instructions (Agreement) with Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) for the transfer of one City -owned parcel located at 27930 Watson Road (Assessor Parcel No. 329-050- 049) and $197,500 for redesign costs to EMWD in exchange for one EMWD- owned parcel located at 27995 Ethanac Road (Assessor Parcel No. 331-150- 027) to be transferred to the City to support the City’s Ethanac Road/Highway 74 Realignment, Capital Improvement Program Project No. 25- 13, subject to completion of the Surplus Land Act process described in R esolution No. 26- 1689 declaring the City-owned parcel as “exempt surplus land”; and
3. Authorized the City Manager to execute any additional documents required for the exchange of real properties contemplated in the Agreement, subject to completion of the Surplus Land Act process described in the resolution declaring the City-owned parcel as “exempt surplus land”; and
4. Adopted Resolution Nos. 26 -1690 and 26- 1691, appropriating $100,000 in corresponding revenue within the Trust Fund 8350 and expenditures within the Capital Improvement Program Projects Fund 4320 to the Project account.
10.17 Agreement and Bonds for Parcel Map 38886 and Tract Map 31229-1 for Nautical Cove, by KB Home Cal Management Services, LLC.
ACTION
1. Approved and authorized the filing of Parcel Map 38886 for financing purposes for Nautical Cove, by KB Home Cal Management Services, LLC, located west of Briggs Road, north of Holland Road, south of Tres Lagos Drive, and east of Southshore Drive; and
2. Approved and authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement to guarantee completion of the survey monuments associated with Parcel Map 38886; and
Menifee Mayor and City Council March 18, 2026
AYES: Karwin, Diederich, Temple, Deines
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Estrada
3. Authorized the City Clerk to record the Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions with Parcel Map 38886 with the Riverside County Clerk Recorder’s Office; and
4. Approved and authorized the filing of Tract Map 31229-1 for Nautical Cove, by KB Home Cal Management Services, LLC; and
5. Approved and authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement to guarantee completion of the survey monuments associated with Tract Map 31229-1.
10.18 Public Improvement Acceptance and 90% Release of Security for Tract Map 37178, Menifee Town Center, by Lennar Homes of California, Inc.
ACTION
1. Accepted the public improvements for landscape for Tract Map 37178, Menifee Town Center, located at the northwest corner of La Piedra Road and Town Center Drive; and
2. Authorized the City Engineer to release 90% of the posted securities per the City’s standard policies.
11. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
11.1 First Reading and Introduction of an Ordinance for Annexation No. 39, Haven, into Community Facility District 2017-1, Maintenance Services
Acting Mayor Karwin opened the public hearing at 6:50 PM. City Clerk Stephanie Roseen stated the public hearing was legally noticed and here were no public comments, correspondence, or protests received. Ms. Roseen also stated there were no persons registered to vote in the territory of the district, per the Riverside Registrar of Voters. Ms. Roseen confirmed the owners of the taxable property had consented to hold the special election and concurred the special meeting my be held. Acting Mayor Karwin closed the public hearing at 6:51 PM.
Ms. Roseen stated the ballot was received, and it was a yes vote. Ms. Roseen introduced the ordinance by title.
ACTION
1. Adopted Resolution No. 26 -1692, calling an election to annex territory, including Tentative Tract Map (TTM) 38766, Haven, located on the northwest corner of Garbani Road and Evans Road, into Community Facilities District (CFD) No. 2017 -1 Maintenance Services and to levy a special tax on that land; and
MOVER: Dean Deines
SECONDER: Dan Temple
Ms. Roseen stated the ballot was received, and it was a yes vote.
Menifee Mayor and City Council March 18, 2026
AYES: Karwin, Diederich, Temple, Deines
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Estrada
AYES: Karwin, Diederich, Temple, Deines
2. Adopted Resolution No. 26 -1693, declaring the results of the special landowner election; and
MOVER: Dean Deines
SECONDER: Bob Karwin
Ms. Roseen introduced the ordinance by title.
3. Introduced an ordinance, amending Ordinance No. 2017-231 and levying and apportioning the special tax in CFD 2017-1.
MOVER: Dean Deines
SECONDER: Bob Karwin
11.2 Confirmation of the Statement of Abatement Costs for the Krikorian Entertainment Complex
Building Official Craig Carlson provided a presentation.
The City Council asked staff questions.
Acting Mayor Karwin opened the public hearing at 7:00 PM. City Clerk Stephanie Roseen stated the public hearing was legally noticed.
Correspondence was received by the following.
• Andrea Contreras
Representative for the property, Andrea Contreras, addressed the City Council and stated their opposition.
The City Council asked Ms. Contreras questions.
Acting Mayor Karwin closed the public hearing at 7:11 PM.
The City Council asked the City Attorney questions.
Acting Mayor Karwin reopened the public hearing at 7:20 PM.
Ms. Contreras addressed the City Council.
Acting Mayor Karwin closed the public hearing at 7:21 PM.
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Estrada
Menifee Mayor and City Council March 18, 2026
AYES: Karwin, Diederich, Temple, Deines
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Estrada
ACTION
1. Adopted Resolution No. 26-1694, repealing and replacing Resolution No. 26- 1671, confirming the final statement of costs in the amount of $420,527.25 to abate the public nuisance for the Krikorian Entertainment Complex located at 27387, 27459, and 27483 Newport Road; and
2. Authorized the placement of a special assessment or lien on the real property in case of delinquency.
MOVER: Bob Karwin
SECONDER: Dan Temple
12. DISCUSSION ITEMS
12.1 Santa's Workshop Facility Use Request
Assistant City Manager, Rebekah Kramer provided a presentation.
The City Council asked staff questions.
Correspondence was received by the following.
• Dave Foust
• Ieesha Sharp
• Menifee Union School District
The following speakers addressed the City Council.
• Bob O'Donnell
• Leonard Grill
• John Tribelhorn
• Linda Denver
• Debbi Manion
• Alyssa Turner
• Carly Burns
• Marc Donnhauser
• Jackie Johansen
• Gloria Sanchez
• Mike Knighten
• Lily Pena
• Mireya Rosenfeld
The City Council spoke in favor of an agreement and allowed use for Santa’s Workshop.
13. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS
None.
Menifee Mayor and City Council March 18, 2026
14. CITY MANAGER REPORTS
None.
15. FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS
None.
16. ADJOURN
The City Council asked for a moment of silence for families and community members in conflict overseas.
Acting Mayor Karwin adjourned the meeting at 8:03 PM.
Stephanie Roseen, CMC
City Clerk