1 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
January 6, 2026
6:00 pm
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MORENO VALLEY
MORENO VALLEY COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS*
CITY AS SUCCESSOR AGENCY FOR THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY OF THE CITY OF MORENO VALLEY
MORENO VALLEY HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MORENO VALLEY PUBLIC FINANCING CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MORENO VALLEY PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY
BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
MORENO VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS (5:30pm)
1. RECOGNITION: CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE OF THE 4TH QUARTER
Mayor Cabrera presented the Recognition recognizing Community Service Officer Nicole Diaz-Melgoza as Classified Employee of the 4th Quarter.
2. PROCLAMATION: SAFELY SURRENDER AWARENESS MONTH
Councilmember Delgado presented the Proclamation to Fire Chief Jesse Park recognizing January as Safely Surrender Awareness Month.
3. RECOGNITION: DEPUTY OF THE 4TH QUARTER
Mayor Pro Tem Gonzalez presented the Recognition recognizing Deputy Bryce Poppe as Deputy of the 4th quarter.
2 A. CALL TO ORDER
The Joint Meeting of the City Council, Community Services District, City as Successor Agency for the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley Housing Authority, Moreno Valley Public Financing Corporation, Moreno Valley Public Financing Authority, the Board of Library Trustees, and the Moreno Valley Community Foundation Board of Directors was called to order at 6:01 pm by Mayor Cabrera in the Council Chamber located at 14177 Frederick Street.
Mayor Cabrera announced that the City Council receives a separate stipend for CSD meetings.
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Pro Tem Gonzalez.
C. INVOCATION
The invocation was provided by Evangelist Elizabeth Akintimoye.
D. ROLL CALL
Present:
Cheylynda Barnard - Councilmember
Ed Delgado - Councilmember
Elena Baca-Santa Cruz - Councilmember
Erlan Gonzalez - Mayor Pro Tem
Ulises Cabrera - Mayor
E. MOTIONS TO EXCUSE ABSENCES
None.
F. STAFF INTRODUCTIONS
Patty Rodriguez – Manager of the Office of the Mayor and City Council/City Clerk Sonia Gomez – Senior Deputy City Clerk
Steven Quintanilla- City Attorney
Brian Mohan - City Manager
Launa Jimenez – Assistant City Manager/Administration
3 Felicia London – Deputy Finance Director
Sean Kelleher – Assistant City Manager/Development Services Angelica Frausto-Lupo – Community Development Director
Kyle Warsinski – Economic Development Director
Harold Zamora - Assistant City Engineer
Jeremy Bubnick - Parks and Community Services Director
Robert Cardenas - Human Resources Director
Jesse Park - Fire Chief
Sarah Mack - Chief of Police
G. APPROVAL OF ORDER OF AGENDA
Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Gonzalez District 3
Seconded by: Councilmember Delgado District 2
Approve Agenda Order
Ayes (5): Mayor Cabrera, Councilmember Barnard District 4, Councilmember Baca-Santa Cruz District 1, Councilmember Delgado District 2, and Mayor Pro Tem Gonzalez District 3
RESULT: Approved (5 to 0)
H. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA
I.E. Informer
1. Praised City staff.
2. Corruption.
3. Highland Fairview.
Ruth Self-Williams
1. Truck route issues.
George Hague
1. General Plan Update issues.
2. Planning Commission.
4 Seth Cox
1. City goals.
Fred Banuelos
1. Bike lanes.
2. Parking Control Officer.
Christopher Baca
1. Highland Fairview.
Lindsay Robinson
1. General Plan Update issues.
Louise Palomarez
1. City issues.
2. Critical of Mayor Cabrera.
Bob Palomarez
1. Construction.
April Rankin
1. Northeast Moreno Valley zoning.
Roy Bleckert
1. MVUSD.
I. JOINT CONSENT CALENDARS
With the conclusion of public comments, Mayor Cabrera asked the City Council if there were any items they would like removed for separate action or discussion.
With no desire from Council to pull any items off the consent calendar, Mayor Cabrera called for public comments to be heard.
Christopher Baca (I.7)
1. Concerns.
Roy Bleckert (I.2)
1. Concerns.
Louise Palomarez (I.3)
5 1. Concerns.
Bob Palomarez (I.2)
1. Concerns.
With the conclusion of public comments, Councilmember Barnard asked if City staff could provide clarification on the resident's comments/questions on item I.7.
City Manager Brian Mohan responded to the resident's comments/questions o n item I.7.
City Manager Brian Mohan responded to Councilmember Baca -Santa Cruz’s and Councilmember Delgado’s questions on item I.4.
With no further Council questions or deliberation, Mayor Cabrera entertained a motion.
Moved by: Councilmember Delgado District 2
Seconded by: Councilmember Barnard District 4
Approve the Joint Consent Calendars
Ayes (5): Mayor Cabrera, Councilmember Barnard District 4, Councilmember Baca-Santa Cruz District 1, Councilmember Delgado District 2, and Mayor Pro Tem Gonzalez District 3
RESULT: Approved (5 to 0)
I.1 ORDINANCES – SECOND READING/ADOPTION - NONE
I.2 MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL- CLOSED SESSION - DECEMBER 16, 2025 - 4:00 PM
Moved by: Councilmember Delgado District 2
Seconded by: Councilmember Barnard District 4
Approval of City Council and Affiliated Boards’ Regular Meeting Minutes for December 16, 2025 Closed Session and December 16, 2025 Regular Meeting.
RESULT: Approved
I.3 MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL- REGULAR MEETING - DECEMBER 16, 2025 - 6:00 PM
Moved by: Councilmember Delgado District 2
Seconded by: Councilmember Barnard District 4
6 Approval of City Council and Affiliated Boards’ Regular Meeting Minutes for December 16, 2025 Closed Session and December 16, 2025 Regular Meeting.
RESULT: Approved
I.4 CITY COUNCIL LIAISON ATTENDANCE REPORT NOVEMBER 2025 (REPORT OF: CITY CLERK) (DISTRICT: ALL DISTRICTS)
Moved by: Councilmember Delgado District 2
Seconded by: Councilmember Barnard District 4
That the City Council:
1. Receive and File.
RESULT: Approved
I.5 MASTER ATTENDANCE LOG FOR CITY COUNCIL ADVISORY
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS – NOVEMBER 2025 (REPORT OF: CITY CLERK) (DISTRICT: ALL DISTRICTS)
Moved by: Councilmember Delgado District 2
Seconded by: Councilmember Barnard District 4
That the City Council:
1. Receive and File.
RESULT: Approved
I.6 PAYMENT REGISTER – NOVEMBER 2025 (REPORT OF: FINANCIAL AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES) (DISTRICTS: ALL DISTRICTS)
Moved by: Councilmember Delgado District 2
Seconded by: Councilmember Barnard District 4
That the City Council:
1. Receive and file Payment Register
RESULT: Approved
I.7 AUTHORIZATION TO AWARD PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANT
SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR ADMINISTRATING THE COMMUNITY
WORKFORCE AGREEMENT (REPORT OF: PUBLIC WORKS)
(DISTRICT: ALL DISTRICTS)
7 Moved by: Councilmember Delgado District 2
Seconded by: Councilmember Barnard District 4
That the City Council:
1. Award a five -year term agreement for professional consulting services to TSG Enterprise, Inc. (d.b.a. The Solis Group) to administer the Community Workforce Agreement a ssociated with Public Works construction projects; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute an Agreement with The Solis Group in the amount of $150,000 per year for the total aggregate not -to- exceed amount of $750,000 over the entire five -year term of the agreement; and
3. Authorize the issuance of a purchase order to The Solis Group up to said limit amount once the agreement has been fully executed by all parties; and
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute any subsequent amendments to the agreement w ith The Solis Group up to the City Council approved annual budgeted amounts for Public Works construction projects, including the authority to authorize the associated purchase orders in accordance with the terms of the agreement, subject to the approval of the City Attorney.
RESULT: Approved
J. PUBLIC HEARINGS
J.1 PUBLIC HEARING, SECOND READING, AND ADOPTION OF COUNTY ORDINANCE NUMBER 1004 REGARDING REGULATING THE SALE
AND DISTRIBUTION OF KRATOM PRODUCTS (ORD. NO. 1036)
(REPORT OF: CITY MANAGER) (DISTRICT: ALL DISTRICTS)
City Manager Brian Mohan provided the staff report.
With the conclusion of the staff report, Mayor Cabrera called for Council questions of staff.
Councilmember Barnard asked staff questions.
City Manager Brian Mohan responded to Council's inquiry.
Councilmember Delgado provided comments on the item.
8 With the conclusion of Council questions, Mayor Cabrera called for public comments to be heard.
I.E. Informer
1. Concerns.
Louise Palomarez
1. Concerns.
With the conclusion of public comments, Mayor Cabrera called for Council deliberation.
Councilmember Barnard asked staff questions.
City Manager Brian Mohan responded to Council's inquiry.
Councilmember Delgado provided additional comments on the item.
With no further Council deliberation or comments, Mayor Cabrera entertained a motion.
Moved by: Councilmember Delgado District 2
Seconded by: Councilmember Baca-Santa Cruz District 1
That the City Council:
1. CONDUCT a Public Hearing to receive public in put on the proposed Ordinance adopting Riverside County Ordinance No. 1004 regarding regulating the sale and distribution of Kratom products: and
2. CONDUCT a second reading by title only and adopt Ordinance No. 1036 amending Title 11 of the City of Moreno Valley Municipal Code, adding Chapter 11.98, adopting by reference Riverside County Ordinance No. 1004.
Ayes (5): Mayor Cabrera, Councilmember Barnard District 4, Councilmember Baca-Santa Cruz District 1, Councilmember Delgado District 2, and Mayor Pro Tem Gonzalez District 3
RESULT: Approved (5 to 0)
K. GENERAL BUSINESS
K.1 ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS TO COUNCIL ADVISORY
COMMISSIONS/BOARDS, SUBCOMMITTEES AND REGIONAL INTER-
9 AGENCY BODIES (REPORT OF: CITY CLERK) (DISTRICT: ALL
DISTRICTS)
City Clerk Patty Rodriguez provided the staff report.
With the conclusion of the staff report, Mayor Cabrera called for Council questions of staff.
Councilmember Baca-Santa Cruz provided comments on the
appointments.
With no further Council questions or comments, Mayor Cabrera called for public comments to be heard.
I.E. Informer
1. Veteran's Committee.
Roy Bleckert
1. Concerns.
Louise Palomarez
1. Concerns.
With the conclusion of public comments, Mayor Cabrera called for Council deliberation.
Mayor Cabrera, Councilmember Delgado, Councilmember Barnard, Councilmember Baca -Santa Cruz, and Mayor Pro Tem Gonzalez deliberated on the item.
With the conclusion of Council deliberation, Mayor Cabrera entertained a motion.
Motion to approve the Mayor's nominations to the various Council Advisory Commissions/Boards, Subcommittees, and Regional Inter - Agency bodies, with two changes; Councilmember Baca -Santa Cruz will replace Councilmember Barnard as the alternate for the Public Arts Commission and Councilmember Baca -Santa Cruz will continue to serve as primary and Mayor Cabrera as alternate for WRCOG.
Moved by: Councilmember Delgado District 2
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Gonzalez District 3
That the City Council:
10 1. Approve Mayor's nominations to the Various Council Advisory Commissions/Boards, Subcommittees, and Regional Inter -Agency Bodies as noted on the 2026 Council Committee Participation List – Terms end December 31, 2026 (Attachment 1).
2. Adopt a Resolution 2026 -01 a ppointing Council Representatives and Alternates to the March Joint Powers Commissions (Attachment 2).
Ayes (5): Mayor Cabrera, Councilmember Barnard District 4, Councilmember Baca-Santa Cruz District 1, Councilmember Delgado District 2, and Mayor Pro Tem Gonzalez District 3
RESULT: Approved (5 to 0)
K.2 MORENO VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT PRESENTATION TO
THE CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTING ONGOING EDUCATIONAL
INITIATIVES IN MORENO VALLEY (REPORT OF: CITY MANAGER)
(DISTRICT: NOT APPLICABLE)
City Manager Brian Mohan introduced Dr. Alejandro Ruvalcaba, Superintendent of Moreno Valley Unified School District.
Dr. Ruvalcaba and members of the Moreno Valley Unified School District presented the presentation.
With the conclusion of the presentation, Mayor Cabrera called for Council questions of staff.
Councilmember Baca-Santa Cruz asked questions of MVUSD staff.
Superintendent Dr. Alejandro Ruvalcaba responded to Councilmember Baca-Santa Cruz's inquiries.
Mayor Cabrera asked questions of staff and MVUSD staff.
City Manager Brian Mohan and Superintendent Dr. Alejandro Ruvalcaba responded to Mayor Cabrera's inquiry.
With the conclusions of Council questions, Mayor Cabrera called for public comments to be heard.
Fred Banuelos
1. School safety concerns.
Rylee Peak
11 1. Concerns.
I.E. Informer
1. Concerns.
Christopher Baca
1. Concerns.
Roy Bleckert
1. Critical of MVUSD.
Louise Palomarez
1. Critical of MVUSD.
Councilmember Delgado, Councilmember Baca -Santa Cruz, Mayor Cabrera commented on the item.
With no further Council comments, the City Council received and filed the presentation.
That the City Council:
1. Receive and file the Moreno Valley Unified School District presentation.
L. REGIONAL COMMISSION/COMMITTEE/BOARD REPORTS
L.1 March Joint Powers Commission (JPC)
None.
L.2 Riverside County Habitat Conservation Agency Board of Directors (RCHCA)
None.
L.3 Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC)
None.
L.4 Riverside Transit Agency Board of Directors (RTA)
None.
L.5 Western Riverside Council of Governments Executive Committee (WRCOG)
None.
12 L.6 Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority Board of Directors (RCA)
Mayor Cabrera reported the following:
At the RCA Board of Directors meeting on January 5, 2026, reports for the following were received:
Western Riverside County MSHCP Fee Collection for October 2025;
Joint Project Review Status;
Acquisition Status;
Monthly Investment for October 2025; and
Quarterly Public Engagement Metrics Report, July - September 2025.
The Board also approved the adoption of Resolution No. 2026 -001 for approval of revised investment policy for the Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority and Adopting a Statement of Investment Policy.
Staff provided an update on State and Federal Legislation which included that Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to unveil his proposed budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 -27 prior to the January 10 deadline. In November, the state’s independent Legislative Anal yst’s Office (LAO) released its Budget Outlook, projecting a nearly $18 billion deficit in FY 2026-27. This anticipated deficit is nearly $5 billion more than projected by the Legislature and Governor’s office in June 2025. While state revenues are project ed to increase, the LAO predicts constitutional spending requirements and the costs for other programs to outpace revenue gains.
Notably, the LAO projects the structural deficit to grow to $35 billion in FY 2027-28. Staff will closely monitor the Governor’ s budget proposal and potential impacts to funding programs of interest to the Board.
Federal Update: RCA staff met with majority and minority staff from the House Appropriations Committee – Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee to affir m support for proposals included in the Subcommittee’s FY 2026 appropriations bill to enable increased funding for programs that advance the land acquisition goals of the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP). RCA continues to advocate for the se proposals to be included in a final FY 2026 appropriations
13 agreement between the House and Senate. Congress must either approve full -year FY 2026 appropriations or another Continuing Resolution to fund the government at current levels prior to January 3 1 to avert a government shutdown. Staff will continue to monitor and keep the Board apprised of the federal appropriations process.
The Board received a presentation on Stakeholders Committee Input on the Strategic Improvement Assessment and Action Plan (S IAAP): the Board directed staff to undertake the SIAAP to identify ways they could improve MSHCP implementation. RCA staff received written and verbal feedback from Stakeholder Committee members and members of the public through in-person committee meetings, direct correspondence, and individual discussions. The input reflected a broad range of views on implementation of the MSHCP and the SIAAP. Overall, the comments aligned under the following five key themes: 1. Permittee Engagement, Education, and Inter agency Collaboration; 2. Financial Sustainability, Funding Strategies, and Cost Management; 3. Appraisal and Land Valuation Practices; 4. Zoning Alignment and Legal Framework Considerations; and 5. Criteria Refinement Process.
Regarding the Ratification of Chair’s Appointment of Executive Committee Members was approved by the Board, and Dale Welty, Crystal Ruiz, and Joseph Morabito were appointed.
Regarding the Selection of Executive Committee Members, the Board motioned to approve Chuck Washington and Juli o Martinez as Executive Committee Members.
Finally, Staff provided a presentation on the Reserve of the Month – Reynold’s Phase 1 & 2, which connects large blocks of habitat from Lake Mathews, Estelle Mountain to Gavilan Hills and Alberhill, located North of the City of Lake Elsinore.
L.7 School District/City Joint Task Force
None.
L.8 Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) None.
M. EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION REPORTS
None.
N. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
14 1. Parks and Community Services, Daddy Daughter Dance, January 30th, 2026 6:30pm-9:00pm.
2. Community Demonstration Garden Event, January 17th, 2026 at 9:00am.
3. Chipotle Grand Opening, January 7th, 2026.
O. CITY COUNCIL CLOSING COMMENTS
Councilmember Barnard
1. Federal government issues.
2. Shared quote from James Baldwin.
Councilmember Delgado
1. Happy Holidays.
2. Election season.
3. Good luck to all!
Councilmember Baca-Santa Cruz
1. Utilities Commission.
2. Flight Deck, Bike Park.
3. Thankful for wonderful 2025.
Mayor Pro Tem Gonzalez
1. Valley View High School.
2. Flight Deck, Bike Park.
3. Sister City questionnaire.
4. Grand Opening, Chipotle.
5. City events.
Mayor Cabrera
1. Happy Holidays!
2. St. Christopher holiday event.
3. Grand Opening, Chipotle.
4. Election season.
15 P. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Cabrera announced there was a request to speak on this matter.
Mayor Cabrera called for the public comment to be heard.
Roy Bleckert
1. Suggested item for a future agenda item.
With the conclusion of public comment, Mayor Cabrera asked the Council if there were any items they would like to add to a future agenda.
Moved by: Councilmember Barnard District 4
Seconded by: Mayor Cabrera
Motion to add an item to the next regularly sch eduled City Council meeting to propose a moratorium on logistic warehouses and industrial projects for an initial period of 45 days.
Ayes (5): Mayor Cabrera, Councilmember Barnard District 4, Councilmember Baca-Santa Cruz District 1, Councilmember Delgado District 2, and Mayor Pro Tem Gonzalez District 3
RESULT: Approved (5 to 0)
Moved by: Councilmember Baca-Santa Cruz District 1
Seconded by: Mayor Cabrera
Motion to add an item to a future agenda to add a land acknowledgment statement at the beginning of the agenda, similar to Moreno Valley Unified School District's agendas.
Ayes (5): Mayor Cabrera, Councilmember Barnard District 4, Councilmember Baca-Santa Cruz District 1, Councilmember Delgado District 2, and Mayor Pro Tem Gonzalez District 3
RESULT: Approved (5 to 0)
Q. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Cabrera adjourned the meeting at 9:03pm in memory of Fire Apparatus Engineer, Danny Cook.
16 Submitted by:
____________________________
M. Patricia Rodriguez
Manager of the Office of the Mayor and City Council/City Clerk Secretary, Moreno Valley Community Services District
Secretary, City as Successor Agency for the Community
Redevelopment Agency of the City of Moreno Valley
Secretary, Moreno Valley Housing Authority
Secretary, Moreno Valley Public Financing Corporation
Secretary, Board of Library Trustees
Secretary, Public Financing Authority
Secretary, Moreno Valley Community Foundation
Approved by:
_____________________________
Ulises Cabrera
Mayor, City of Moreno Valley
President, Moreno Valley Community Services District
Chairperson, City as Successor Agency for the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Moreno Valley
Chairperson, Moreno Valley Housing Authority
Chairperson, Moreno Valley Public Financing Corporation Chairperson, Board of Library Trustees
Chairperson, Public Financing Authority
Chairperson, Moreno Valley Community Foundation