City Council March 17, 2026
CITY OF MURRIETA Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Council Chambers 4:00 PM REGULAR MEETING
1 Town Square CLOSED SESSION FOLLOWING
Murrieta, CA 92562 REGULAR MEETING
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
4:00 PM REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER 4:03 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
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Stone
INVOCATION Pastor Doug Cole, Murrieta Church of Christ
PRESENTATIONS
Proclamation: Government Finance Professionals Week
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Action: It was moved by Council Member Warren, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Holliday, to approve the Agenda for March 17, 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:
• Town Square Park Amphitheater Subcommittee
• Riverside County Transportation Commission
(RCTC)
• City Selection Committtee
Provided Announcements to be made part of the City’s
record.
Council Member DeForest: Provided Announcements to be made part of the City’s record.
Council Member Stone: Provided Announcements to be made part of the City’s record.
Mayor Pro Tem Holliday: Provided attendance/reported the following:
• Town Square Park Amphitheater Subcommittee
Provided Announcements to be made part of the City’s
record.
Mayor Levell: Provided Announcements to be made part of the City’s record.
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PUBLIC COMMENTS (NON-AGENDA)
Philip O’Reilly: Spoke on City branding and proposed widening Jefferson Avenue.
Andy Morris: Representing the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, spoke on project updates, resources, and
upcoming events.
CONSENT CALENDAR - APPROVAL OF ITEMS 1 – 17
Action: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Holliday, seconded by Council Member Warren, to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1-17.
*** Council Member DeForest recused herself from Item No. 12 due to owning property within 1,000 feet of the project.***
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Warren, DeForest, Stone, Holliday, Levell
Noes: None
Absent: None
Recusal: DeForest (Item No. 12 only)
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 of the March 3, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting.
3. Monthly Investment Transaction Report for January 2026 Recommended Action:
Receive and file the Monthly Investment Transaction Report for January 2026.
4. Check Register January 2026
Recommended Action:
Adopt a Resolution 26-4913 entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California, Ratifying the Consolidated Check Register for the month of January 2026.
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5. Information Technology Network Infrastructure Upgrades and Backup Refresh Project Recommended Action:
Amend the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Operating Budget as referenced in the Fiscal Impact statement;
Approve the purchase of new Cisco firewalls and switches, Veeam backup software solution, and Object First backup storage device from CDW-G;
Approve the combined contract amount not-to-exceed $702,977.66 and authorize the City Manager to approve up to 10% in change orders for contingencies; and
Authorize the City Manager to execute all related documents and request orders.
6. Microsoft Software Licensing Agreement
Recommended Action:
Authorize the City Manager to enter into a five (5) year Microsoft Enterprise Volume Licensing Agreement through the Statewide Enterprise Licensing Agreement administered by the California Department of Technology (CDT) and authorize SHI, LLC to administer the agreement, including the CDT service fee;
Approve a separate three-year Microsoft Select Plus Agreement with the County of Riverside, also administered by SHI, LLC;
Approve both agreements for a combined not-to-exceed amount of $1,501,495.41, which includes the five (5) year CDT service fee of $88,247.78;
Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary and related documents for the term of the agreements; and
Amend the FY 2025/26 Operating budget to establish an additional appropriation of $17,622.09 in the Information Technology Operating Fund.
7. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 629-26 Prohibiting the Sale and Distribution of Kratom
Recommended Action:
Conduct the second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 629-26 entitled: An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California, Amending the Murrieta Municipal Code by Adding New Chapter 9.40, Regulating the Sale and Distribution of Kratom.
8. Donation Acceptance for Murrieta Children’s Library Expansion Project Recommended Action:
Approve acceptance of a donation from the Temecula Valley Woman’s Club in the amount of $500, for the Murrieta Children’s Library Expansion Project; and
Authorize amendment of the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Operating Budget as referenced in the Fiscal Impact statement.
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9. Lunch at the Library Summer 2026 Grant
Recommended Action:
Approve acceptance of the California State Library’s Lunch at the Library Summer 2026 grant, in the amount of $12,362, for the Murrieta Public Library;
Ratify the signed Certification of Compliance form and the Financial Claim form;
Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to accept the grant funds; and
Amend the Fiscal Year 2026/27 Operating Budget as described in the fiscal impact statement.
10. Approval to Participate in the Vehicle Miles Traveled Mitigation Exchange Program and Authorization to Enter into a Credit Generator Participation Agreement with the Western Riverside Council of Governments
Recommended Action:
Approve the City’s participation in the voluntary Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Mitigation Exchange Program;
Authorize the City Manager or designee to enter into a Credit Generator Participation Agreement with the WRCOG; and
Direct staff to coordinate with WRCOG to add VMT-reducing improvement projects at the City’s discretion into the voluntary program to address development projects with transportation related VMT impacts.
11. Murrieta Housing Authority Revolving Loan Fund
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 26-4914 entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta Authorizing the City’s Housing Authority to Establish a Revolving Loan Fund;
Approve the establishment of the RLF Program for the Authority to be managed by Authority staff and the Executive Director;
Authorize staff and the Executive Director to approve loans consistent with program requirements and execute all necessary documents for the RLF program; and
Direct staff to report annually to the City Council on the Revolving Loan Fund Program as part of the City’s annual housing reporting to the State.
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12. Declaring Intention to Form Community Facilities District No. 2026-1 (Gierson Ranch) of the City of Murrieta and to Annex into Community Facilities District No. 2025-2 (Maintenance Services) and Community Facilities District No. 2025-S (Safety Services)
*** Council Member DeForest recused herself from Item No. 12 due to owning property within 1,000 feet of the project. ***
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 26-4915 entitled: Resolution of Intention of the City Council of the City of Murrieta to Establish Community Facilities District No. 2026-1 (Gierson Ranch) of the City of Murrieta, to Authorize the Levy of a Special Tax to Pay the Costs of Acquiring or Constructing Certain Facilities and to Pay Debt Service on Bonded Indebtedness;
Adopt Resolution No. 26-4916 entitled: Resolution of Intention of the City Council of the City of Murrieta to Incur Bonded Indebtedness in an Amount Not To Exceed $8 Million Within Proposed Community Facilities District No. 2026-1 (Gierson Ranch) of the City of Murrieta;
Adopt Resolution No. 26-4917 entitled: Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta Acting as the Legislative Body of Community Facilities District No. 2025-2 (Maintenance Services) of the City of Murrieta, Declaring Its Intention to Consider Annexing Territory to Community Facilities District No. 2025-2 (Maintenance Services) of the City of Murrieta (Annexation No. 3-Gierson Ranch);
Adopt Resolution No. 26-4918 entitled: Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta Acting as the Legislative Body of Community Facilities District No. 2025-S (Safety Services) of the City of Murrieta, Declaring Its Intention to Consider Annexing Territory to Community Facilities District No. 2025-S (Safety Services) of the City of Murrieta (Annexation No. 1-Gierson Ranch); and
Approve a Reimbursement Agreement regarding the Community Facilities District No 2026-1 (Gierson Ranch) and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
13. Fire Station 3 Emergency Generator Replacement Construction Contract Amendment Recommended Action:
Authorize the City Manager, or their designee, to execute a First Amendment to the construction contract with Capital Construction, Inc., increasing the contract amount by $11,058.73;
Authorize an additional fifteen percent (15%) construction contingency of $18,476.06 for a total contract sum of $141,649.79;
Authorize the City Manager, or their designee, to approve Contract Change Orders not to exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the contract amount; and
Extend the contract term for eight (8) months.
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14. Purchase of Temporary Modular Living Quarters for Fire Station 1 Living Quarters Improvement Project
Recommended Action:
Award the construction contract for the Temporary Modular Living Quarters Fire Station 1 in association with CIP No. 21037, to CSLM Construction Inc. in the amount of $217,822.74;
Authorize a fifteen percent (15%) construction contingency of $32,673.41;
Authorize the Director of Municipal Services and/or designee to approve contract change orders not to exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the contract amount; and
Authorize the City Manager to execute the construction contract and other documents necessary to facilitate the purchase of the Temporary Modular Living Quarters for Fire Station
1. 15. Acceptance of Public Improvements in Parcel Map 5730 Recommended Action:
Accept the Public Improvements in Parcel Map 5730, located at the northeast corner of Washington Avenue and Nutmeg Street;
Authorize City Engineer to release ninety percent (90%) of the related security bonds in place; and
Direct the Municipal Services Department to perform continued maintenance of the aforementioned public improvements in conformance with the City of Murrieta’s maintenance standard.
16. Approval of a Caltrans Program Supplement Agreement for In-Pavement LED Lighted Crosswalk Project, CIP No. 13034
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution 26-4919, entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California, Approving Program Supplement Agreement No. F025 to Administering Agency-State Agreement No. 08-5464F15 with Approved Finance Letter for the In-Pavement LED Lighted Crosswalk Project, CIP No. 13034.
17. Parcel Charge for National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Program Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 26-4920, entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of Murrieta, California, Requesting that the County of Riverside Levy the Fiscal Year 2026/27 Community Service Area 152 Parcel Charge and Requesting Continued Participation in Community Service Area 152;
Direct the City Clerk to certify approval of the resolution and submit a certified copy to the County of Riverside; and
Amend the Fiscal Year 2026/27 Operating Budget to match the estimated levy amount.
PULLED CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS None
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DISCUSSION
18. Approve the Purchase of a Type III Brush Truck for Murrieta Fire & Rescue
Staff report and PowerPoint provided by Division Chief Dave Perez.
Fire Chief Bernard Molloy was available to answer questions from the City Council.
Public Comments: None
Action: After discussion, it was moved by Council Member DeForest, seconded by Council Member Stone to approve the purchase of a Type III Brush Truck through a cooperative purchasing program in accordance with Municipal Code Section 3.08.295;
Establish an appropriation in the fiscal year of delivery in the Fleet Replacement Program Fund to fund costs associated with the purchase and upfitting of the Type III Brush Truck; and
Authorize the City Manager to approve the South Coast Fire Equipment proposal, zero dollar purchase order, and any other necessary documents to initiate the construction and procurement of the Type III Brush Truck.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Warren, DeForest, Stone, Holliday, Levell
Noes: None
Absent: None
19. Consideration of Request for City Financial Contribution to Mt. San Jacinto College Foundation in Honor of Retirement of Superintendent/President Dr. Roger Schultz
*** Council Member DeForest disclosed her employment with Mt. San Jacinto College and membership on the foundation board. ***
Staff report introduced by Assistant City Manager Kristen Crane. Council Member DeForest provided background and information on the request.
Public Comments:
Patrick Ellis: As a Mt. San Jacinto foundation board member spoke in support of a donation.
Action: After discussion, Council Member Stone made the motion to not donate a dollar to the foundation until the needs of the City are met.
Motion died due to lack of a second.
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It was moved by Council Member DeForest, seconded by Council Member Warren to make a $5,000 contribution.
Mayor Levell made a substitute motion seconded by Council Member Stone to support the endeavor via recognition with no monetary contribution.
The substitute motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Stone, Holliday, Levell
Noes: Warren, DeForest
Absent: None
20. Approval of a Billboard Reconstruction Agreement with Domenigoni Barton Properties
Staff report and PowerPoint provided by Deputy City Manager Scott Agajanian and Development Services Director David Chantarangsu.
Property Owner Andy Domengoni was available to answer questions from the City Council.
Public Comments:
Patrick Ellis: Representing the Murrieta Wildomar Chamber of commerce, spoke in support of the agreement.
Action: After discussion, it was moved by Council Member DeForest, seconded by Council Member Warren to approve the Billboard Reconstruction Agreement between the City of Murrieta and Domenigoni Barton Properties, LLC, authorizing the removal of two existing, legal, non conforming billboards and the reconstruction of two new billboards on the Developer’s property;
Authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement; and
Authorize the City Manager to execute a license agreement for the billboards to be located on City right of way on The Triangle site. • City Attorney Israel clarified the license agreement included authorizing future license agreements.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Warren, DeForest, Stone, Holliday, Levell
Noes: None
Absent: None
RECONSIDERATION None
COUNCIL MEMBER REQUESTS TO ADD OR WITHDRAW ITEMS TO FUTURE AGENDAS None
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PUBLIC COMMENTS (NON-AGENDA, AGENDIZED, CLOSED SESSION) None
CLOSED SESSION
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
City Clerk Cristal McDonald announced the following Closed Session Items:
CS1. Conference with Labor Negotiators
The City Council will conduct a closed session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6, with the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Deputy City Manager, City Attorney, and the City’s Negotiators, regarding labor negotiations with the Murrieta Police Officers Association, Murrieta Police Management Association, Murrieta Firefighters Association, and Murrieta Fire Management Association.
CS2. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation The City Council will conduct a closed session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2), because there is significant exposure to litigation for five (5) cases.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION 6:13 p.m
CALL TO ORDER 7:37 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.: No reportable action.
CS2.Cases 1-2, 5: No reportable action.
***Council Member Stone recused herself from Case No. 5 due to owning property within 1,000 feet of the site.***
CS2.Case 3: The City Council unanimously approved to initiate litigation on the property located at 29814 Via Princesa.
CS2.Case 4: The City Council unanimously approved to initiate litigation on the property located at 39651 Corte Gata.
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ADJOURNMENT 7:39 p.m.
__________________________
Cristal McDonald, City Clerk
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