Meeting Minutes
City Council February 3, 2026
CITY OF MURRIETA Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Council Chambers 4:00 PM REGULAR MEETING
1 Town Square (CONSENT, DISCUSSION,
Murrieta, CA 92562 WORKSHOP)
CLOSED SESSION
FOLLOWING REGULAR
MEETING
The City of Murrieta intends to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Persons with special needs should call the City Clerk Department at (951) 461-6031 or email at [email protected] at least 72 hours in advance. Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the City Council regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for public inspection at the public counter at City Hall located at 1 Town Square, Murrieta, CA during normal business hours.
Any presentation requiring the use of the City of Murrieta’s equipment must be submitted to the City Clerk’s department 72 hours prior to the scheduled City Council meeting at City Hall located at 1 Town Square, Murrieta, CA; via email at [email protected] or call (951) 461-6031. Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the City Council regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for public inspection at the public counter at City Hall located at 1 Town Square, Murrieta, CA during normal business hours.
Jon Levell
Mayor
Ron Holliday Lisa DeForest Mayor Pro Tem Council Member
Lori Stone Cindy Warren Council Member Council Member
Justin Clifton, City Manager
Tiffany Israel, City Attorney
Cristal McDonald, City Clerk
MURRIETA CITY COUNCIL (CC)
MURRIETA COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT (CSD)
MURRIETA FIRE DISTRICT (FD)
MURRIETA LIBRARY BOARD (LB)
MURRIETA REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY (RSA)
MURRIETA HOUSING AUTHORITY (HA)
MURRIETA FINANCING AUTHORITY (FA)
YOU MAY VIEW THE MEETING LIVESTREAMED VIA THE CITY’S WEBSITE AT https://murrieta.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
4:00 PM REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER 4:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Council Member Cindy Warren
Council Member Lori Stone
Council Member Lisa DeForest
Mayor Pro Tem Ron Holliday
Mayor Jon Levell
Absent: None
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City Council February 3, 2026
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Warren
INVOCATION Melissa Rusler, Murrieta United Methodist Church PRESENTATIONS None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Action: It was moved by Council Member DeForest, seconded by Council Member Warren, to approve the Agenda for February 3, 2026.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Warren, DeForest, Stone, Holliday, Levell
Noes: None
Absent: None
CITY MANAGER - ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATE
GOVERNING BODY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE/BOARD (CCB)
REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
Council Member Warren: Provided attendance/reported the following:
Riverside Transit Agency (RTA)
Southwest Elected Leaders Collaborative
Riverside County Transportation Commission
(RCTC)
Provided Announcements to be made part of the City’s
record.
Council Member DeForest: Deferred Governing Body Reports to the next meeting and provided verbal announcements.
Council Member Stone: Provided attendance/reported the following:
Southwest Elected Leaders Collaborative
Western Riverside Council of Governments
(WRCOG)
Code Enforcement Subcommittee
Provided Announcements to be made part of the City’s
record.
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Mayor Pro Tem Holliday: Provided attendance/reported the following:
Regional Conservation Authority (RCA)
Code Enforcement Subcommittee
Provided Announcements to be made part of the City’s
record.
Mayor Levell: Provided verbal Announcements.
PUBLIC COMMENTS (NON-AGENDA)
Kham Thai: Spoke on concerns regarding a nearby project affecting their property.
Kim Gerrish: Presented a certificate of appreciation from Michelle’s Place.
John Leonard: Spoke on the citizens’ Riverside election integrity commission’s findings.
Greg Langworthy: Provided a PowerPoint presentation and spoke on the citizens’ Riverside election integrity commission’s findings.
Carol Hanes with
donated time from
Barbara Tilton:
Requested the XYZ lunches held at the Murrieta Senior Center be included as part of the City’s liability umbrella coverage or have the insurance cost be subsidized.
CONSENT CALENDAR - APPROVAL OF ITEMS 1 - 8
Action: It was moved by Council Member DeForest, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Holliday to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1-8.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Warren, DeForest, Stone, Holliday, Levell
Noes: None
Absent: None
1. Waive Reading of All Ordinance Adoptions on the Agenda and Read by Title Only Recommended Action:
Waive reading, by title only, of all Ordinances and Resolutions. Said Ordinances and Resolutions which appear on the public agenda shall be determined to have been read by title and further reading waived.
2. Minutes
Recommended Action:
Approve the minutes from the December 16, 2025 and January 20, 2026 Regular meeting.
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3. Check Register November 2025
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 26-4907 entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California, Ratifying the Consolidated Check Register for the month of November 2025.
4. Agreement Renewal with Nearmap for Aerial Imagery Services Recommended Action:
Approve the use of the current Products Agreement with Nearmap for a four-year renewal of aerial imagery services and associated products;
Approve the contract amount not-to-exceed $114,450; and
Authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement with Nearmap.
5. Adoption of the 2026 Legislative Platform
Recommended Action:
Approve the 2026 Legislative Platform, as presented.
6. Authorization of Auto-Extrication Equipment Purchase Recommended Action:
Authorize the purchase of auto-extrication equipment from L.N. Curtis, in the amount of $119,088.25, using State of California Office of Traffic Safety grant funds through a cooperative purchasing agreement in accordance with Municipal Code Section 3.08.295; and
Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to complete the equipment purchase.
7. Project Management Services for the Keller Road at I-215 Interchange Project, CIP No. 8449
Recommended Action:
Approve the Agreement for Project Management Services for the Keller Road at I-215 Interchange project, CIP No. 8449, with PrimeLine Civil Engineering, Inc., in the amount of $425,984.00;
Authorize a ten percent (10%) engineering design contingency of $42,598.40; and
Authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement with PrimeLine Civil Engineering, Inc. and amendments to the Agreement not to exceed ten percent .
8. Approval of the Successor Memorandum of Understanding with the Murrieta Police Management Association
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 26-4908, entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California, Approving, Adopting and Implementing a Successor Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Murrieta and the Murrieta Police Management Association for the Period July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026.
PULLED CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS None
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DISCUSSION
9. Presentation and Review of the City of Murrieta’s Fiscal Year 2024/25 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and Single Audit Report
Staff report and PowerPoint provided by Accounting Manager Ashley Lopez and City Consultant Jeffrey McKennan with RAMS.
Public Comments: None
Action: After discussion, it was moved by Council Member DeForest, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Holliday to receive and file the Fiscal Year 2024/25 Annual Comprehensive Financial and Single Audit Reports.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Warren, DeForest, Stone, Holliday, Levell
Noes: None
Absent: None
WORKSHOP
10. Hillside Updates (DCA-2021-2396) - Workshop 6
Staff report and PowerPoint presentation provided by Senior Planner Chris Tracy.
Development Services Director David Chantarangsu, Deputy Director of Development Services Jarrett Ramaiya, GIS Analyst Cameron Butt, Fire Marshal Doug Strosnider, and a Landscaping City Consultant were available to answer questions from the City Council.
The following topics were discussed:
Retaining walls;
Landscaping standards;
Fire severity zones;
Developed and undeveloped properties; and
Citywide standards.
Kassen Klein: Spoke on retaining wall issues, support in separating hillside and Citywide focus; tree removal credits, and definitions of undisturbed.
Alan Long: Spoke on the visual concerns of retaining walls, support in separating hillside and Citywide focus, Senate Bill 9, and insurance companies.
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Sherrie Munroe: Spoke on conditions of approval, requirements by non-city agencies, and residential homes.
Dennis Hollingsworth: Spoke on retaining walls.
Action: Via consensus the City Council provided the following direction:
Approved retaining wall types (Geogrid, Concrete Masonry Units (CMU) walls; Keystone Walls);
Landscaping for retaining walls to include larger plant sizes earlier in the process;
Review process for retaining walls that includes Director's decision and appeals to the Planning Commission;
Hillside Ordinance will be separate from Citywide standards; o Retaining walls will be a part of the Hillside Ordinance and will be brought back for further discussion at a future meeting; and Clarification on the definition of undeveloped and developed land.
RECONSIDERATION None
COUNCIL MEMBER REQUESTS TO ADD OR WITHDRAW ITEMS TO FUTURE AGENDAS
11. Chronic Nuisance Abatement Ordinance
Report provided by City Manager Justin Clifton.
Action: Based on the update provided, Council Member DeForest withdrew her request from December 2, 2025, to consider a chronic nuisance abatement ordinance.
12. Prohibiting the Sale, Distribution and Possession of Kratom
Report provided by City Manager Justin Clifton.
City Attorney Tiffany Israel and Police Chief Matt Henry were available to answer questions from the City Council.
Public Comment:
Dennis Vrooman: Spoke in support of banning Kratom and noted support of Riverside County officials.
Action: Based on the update provided, received consensus to bring back a further discussion on Kratom.
PUBLIC COMMENTS (AGENDIZED, NON-AGENDA, AND CLOSED SESSION) None Docusign Envelope ID: 34165145-D8F1-407A-B0F1-FE557BB6AF6D Meeting Minutes
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ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
City Clerk Cristal McDonald announced the following Closed Session Items:
CLOSED SESSION
CS1. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation The City Council will conduct a close session, pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d) (2), because there is a significant exposure to litigation in two (2) cases.
CS2. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation The City Council will conduct a closed session, pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9 (d)(4), because the City is considering whether to initiate litigation in one (1) case.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION 7:10 p.m.
RECONVENE FROM CLOSED SESSION
CALL TO ORDER 8:27 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Council Member Cindy Warren
Council Member Lisa DeForest
Council Member Lori Stone
Mayor Pro Tem Ron Holliday
Mayor Jon Levell
Absent: None
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTION
City Attorney Tiffany Israel reported the following Closed Session Action:
CS1. (two cases): Case 1 – Did not hear this case
Case 2 – No reportable action
CS2.: No reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT 8:29 p.m.
__________________________
Cristal McDonald, City Clerk
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