CITY OF MURRIETA Thursday, February 26, 2026
Council Chambers 8:30 AM SPECIAL CITY
1 Town Square COUNCIL WORKSHOP
Murrieta, CA 92562 MINUTES
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
8:30 AM SPECIAL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER 8:31 a.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
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Warren
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MAYOR'S WELCOME
Mayor Levell provided welcoming remarks.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
City Manager Justin Clifton provided opening comments on the expectations and goals of the Special Workshop and how the feedback will provide staff direction. City Manager Clifton also noted that this Workshop is intended to be a broader picture and overview rather than detailed plan with specifics intended to guide staff in the top priorities and gather more information for a future Workshop.
City Manager Clifton noted this will return in six months with an update.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - AGENDIZED ITEMS ONLY
Kassen Klein: Spoke on the City Council’s decorum at City Council meetings.
Alan Long: Spoke on the City’s branding and identity when pursuing the priority projects.
WORKSHOP
WS1. Status Update and Discussion on City Council Priorities
City Manager Clifton provided an overview of the City Council priorities Tiers 1 through 3 and introduced Assistant City Manager Kristen Crane who would provide the presentation of the City Council priorities.
Assistant City Manager Crane presented and displayed a list of completed priority projects from Tiers 1 through 3 which included the:
• Amphitheater parking lot;
• Sidewalk vendor policy;
• Town hall meeting regarding changes in California Housing Law; • City Hall roof replacement;
• Glen Arbor Dog Park;
• 6th Code Update;
• Tot lot replacement;
• Police Department building improvements;
• City HVAC replacement;
• Equestrian evacuation guidelines;
• Hawk Ranch;
• Champions for Murrieta program; and
• Recommended removal of Loan program for water/sewer connections due to lack of interest on this item.
Assistant City Manager Crane reviewed and displayed City Council priorities for the Tier 1 large-scale projects, as listed on the agenda report, highlighting milestones, status, and next steps.
The following staff members were available to answer questions from the City Council:
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• City Manager Clifton answered questions related to potential annexation for Fire Station No. 6 and the Los Alamos Soccer Complex
• Fire Chief Bernard Molloy was available to answer questions regarding Fire Station No. 6
• Finance Director Javier Carcamo was available to answer questions regarding the revenue from the public safety Community Financing District (CFD) tax; and • Deputy Development Services Director Jarrett Ramaiya was available to answer questions regarding the Los Alamos Soccer Complex’s grading permit.
The City Council recessed at 9:40 a.m.
The City Council reconvened at 9:48 a.m.
WS1. Status Update and Discussion on City Council Priorities (Continued)
Assistant City Manager Crane continued to review and display City Council priorities for the Tier 1 large-scale projects and reviewed the small-scale projects, as listed on the agenda report, highlighting milestones, status, and next steps.
Development Services Director David Chantarangsu was available to answer questions regarding the General Plan clean up, design guidelines, and process improvements, City Engineer Jeff Hitch was available to answer questions regarding the drainage improvements project and trash interceptors, and Municipal Services Director Brian Crawford was available to answer questions regarding tot stop replacements throughout the City.
Public Comment:
Kassen Klein: Provided a handout and spoke on the Los Alamos Soccer Complex, Keller Road Interchange, General Plan clean up, and the Equestrian Center.
The City Council recessed at 10:41 a.m.
The City Council reconvened at 10:48 a.m.
WS1. Status Update and Discussion on City Council Priorities (Continued)
Assistant City Manager Crane moved on to review and display City Council priorities for Tier 2 and 3 large-scale and small-scale projects, as listed on the agenda report, highlighting milestones, status, next steps, and suggestions of shifting priorities.
Public Comment:
Kassen Klein: Spoke on code enforcement revisions, the Madison Avenue corridor, and the water infrastructure.
City Manager Clifton provided an overview and introduction of the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) list, stating that this list represents staff analysis of what is important to the City Council and the community members.
Assistant City Manager Crane presented the list of CIPs.
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City Engineer Jeff Hitch was available to answer City Council questions regarding the LED lighted crosswalks funding, I-215 and Clinton Keith record of survey, and projects set to be completed by the end of June 2026.
Public Comment:
Kassen Klein: Spoke on identifying funding sources for CIP projects.
The City Council recessed at 11:45 a.m.
The City Council reconvened at 12:30 p.m.
WS1. Status Update and Discussion on City Council Priorities (Continued)
The City Council reviewed the possible next priorities they would like to bring forward or shift in Tiers.
City Manager Clifton answered questions regarding the Municipal Service building and the Public Safety training facility, Police Chief Henry was available to answer questions regarding the Police Department expansion, Municipal Services Director Crawford was available to answer questions regarding the Cal Oaks Sports Park pool, Fire Chief Molloy was available to answer questions regarding the training tower, Community Services Director Brian Ambrose was available to answer questions regarding historic buildings and the Equestrian center, and Development Services Director Chantarangsu was available to answer questions regarding design standards from the City Council.
Based on consensus the City Council provided direction on the following:
• Warm Springs Parkway CIP shifted from Tier 2 to Tier 1; • Westside Park land acquisition added as a Tier 1 project; • Fire Station No. 6 remains a high priority;
• Revitalization of the Cal Oaks Sports Park pool as a Tier 1 project; • Ad Hoc Subcommittee for a 2028 Ballot Measure;
• Public Arts Program shifted from Tier 3 to Tier 2;
• Maintenance of the Equestrian Center as a high priority; • Municipal Services building as a high priority;
• Adding Mill beautification to Tier 3; and
• Adding General housing and commercial design standards as Tier 1.
CLOSING WORKSHOP COMMENTS
The Mayor and the City Council gave closing comments.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
City Clerk Cristal McDonald announced the following Closed Session item:
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CLOSED SESSION
CS1. Public Employee Performance Evaluation
The City Council will hold a closed session, pursuant to Government Code section 54957(b), to conduct an employee evaluation concerning the City Manager.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION 2:27 p.m.
RECONVENE / CALL TO ORDER 2:54 p.m.
Present: Council Member Cindy Warren
Council Member Lori Stone
Council Member Lisa DeForest
Mayor Pro Tem Ron Holliday
Absent: Mayor Jon Levell (Not present during Closed Session)
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTION
City Attorney Tiffany Israel: No reportable action on Closed Session Item No. CS1.
ADJOURNMENT 2:55 p.m.
__________________________
Cristal McDonald, City Clerk
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