Meeting Minutes
City Council August 18, 2026
CITY OF MURRIETA Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Council Chambers 4:00 PM REGULAR MEETING
1 Town Square CLOSED SESSION
Murrieta, CA 92562 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.
Under the Levine Act, Section 84308 of the Government Code, a party to a proceeding before the City involving a contract (other than competitively bid, labor, or personal employment contracts), franchise, license, permit, or other entitlement for use, is required to disclose on the record of the proceeding any contribution in an amount of more than five hundred dollars ($500) made within the preceding 12 months by the party or the party’s agent to any elected or appointed officer of the City. If you have made a qualifying contribution, please ensure to make this disclosure on the record.
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)
Members of the public who wish to provide written comments on matters before the City Council may submit written comments to [email protected]. Written comments received by 4:00 p.m. on the Monday preceding the meeting will be provided to the City Council as part of the meeting record and posted on the City's website. Written comments will not be read into the record; distribution only.
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.
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4:00 PM REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER 4:01 p.m.
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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
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Warren
INVOCATION Reverend Dr. Fred Schaeffer, United Church of the Valley
PRESENTATIONS
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Action: It was moved by Council Member Warren, seconded by Council Member DeForest, to approve the Agenda for August 18, 2026, with the following request:
Removal of Item No. 10 from consideration indefinitely.
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 County Transportation Commission
(RCTC)
Provided Announcements to be made part of the City’s record.
Council Member DeForest: Provided attendance/reported the following:
Riverside County Higher Education Coalition
Equestrian Park Ad Hoc Subcommittee
Provided Announcements to be made part of the City’s record.
Council Member Stone: Provided attendance/reported the following:
Southwest Riverside County Elected Leaders
Collaborative
Ballot Measure Ad Hoc Subcommittee
Tour de Murrieta Ad Hoc 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:
Ballot Measure Ad Hoc Subcommittee
Regional Conservation Authority (RCA)
League of California Cities
Equestrian Park Ad Hoc Subcommittee
Provided Announcements to be made part of the City’s record.
Mayor Levell: Provided verbal Announcements to be made part of the City’s record.
PUBLIC COMMENTS (NON-AGENDA)
Kham Thai (Murrieta): Spoke on a proposed Jefferson Avenue road widening project.
Aaron Harvey
(Murrieta):
Spoke on parking signage and traffic congestion concerns in the Murrieta Valley High School neighborhood.
Renee Moheit
(Murrieta):
Spoke on parking signage in the Murrieta Valley High School neighborhood.
Marie Ronnow
(Murrieta):
Spoke on parking signage in the Murrieta Valley High School neighborhood.
Philip O'Reilly
(Murrieta):
Spoke on a proposed Jefferson Avenue road widening project.
Robert Fallon
(Murrieta):
Spoke on Flock camera usage in the City.
Ann Mahreyholz
(Murrieta):
Spoke on parking signage in the Murrieta Valley High School neighborhood.
Ashley Porter
(Murrieta):
Spoke on parking signage in the Murrieta Valley High School neighborhood.
Denise Smith
(Murrieta):
Spoke on the donated Vintage Reserve Park communication board and displayed photos.
Cheryl Stark
(Murrieta):
Spoke on the donated Vintage Reserve Park communication.
Kelley (Murrieta):
Spoke on parking signage in the Murrieta Valley High School neighborhood.
Yama Nawabi
(Remote
Participation):
Spoke on funding allocations towards public facility projects.
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CONSENT CALENDAR - APPROVAL OF ITEMS 1 – 16
Action: It was moved by Council Member DeForest, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Holliday, to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1-16, with the exception of Item No. 10 which was removed from consideration indefinitely.
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 June 23, 2026 Special Workshop Meeting and the July 7, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting minutes.
3. Check Register May 2026
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 26-4963 entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California, Ratifying the Consolidated Check Register for the Month of May 2026.
4. Monthly Investment Transaction Report for June 2026
Recommended Action:
Receive and file the Monthly Investment Transaction Report for June 2026.
5. Treasurer’s Report - Quarter 4 of Fiscal Year 2025/26 Recommended Action:
Receive the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Treasurer’s Reports for Quarter 4 (April - June 2026).
6. Renewal of the SpamTitan Plus Cloud Email Protection Solution Recommended Action:
Approve a three (3) year subscription with Titan HQ in the amount not-to-exceed $35,380.80 for the SpamTitan Plus Cloud product and accept the Terms and Conditions;
Authorize exemption from current bidding requirements in accordance with Municipal Code Section 3.08.280.I; and
Authorize the City Manager to execute related orders, renewals, amendments, and administrative changes necessary to maintain service, provided the total cost does not exceed the approved budget authority.
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7. Amendment No. 3 to Agreement with Care Solace, Inc. for Mental Health and Social Service Coordination Services
Recommended Action:
Amend the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026/27 Operating Budget as detailed in the fiscal impact statement;
Approve Amendment No. 3 to the Agreement between the City of Murrieta and Care Solace, Inc. for mental health and social service coordination services, extending the agreement through August 14, 2027; and
Authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 3 on behalf of the City.
8. Approval of Comment Letter Opposing San Diego Gas & Electric’s Golden Powerlink Project Segment 4 Configuration
Recommended Action:
Approve the draft comment letter opposing the preliminary routing of Segment 4 of the Golden Pacific Powerlink project; and
Direct staff to submit the letter to San Diego Gas & Electric.
9. Approval of Joint Recipient Cooperation Agreement with the County of Riverside for Community Development Block Grant Funding for Fiscal Years 2027/28, 2028/29, and 2029/30
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 26-4964, entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California Authorizing Participation in the County of Riverside’s Urban County Community Development Block Grant Program for Fiscal Years 2027/28, 2028/29, and 2029/30 Approving the Joint Cooperating Agreement with the County of Riverside for Participation in the Community Development Block Grant Urban County Program; and
Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney.
10. Authorization of Funding for Higher Education Legislative Advocacy Trip to Washington, DC
Recommended Action:
Authorize use of City Council Education & Training funds to cover the cost of a higher education legislative advocacy trip to Washington, DC.
*** Item was removed from consideration indefinitely. ***
11. Receive and File Status Update on Implementation of City Council Priorities Since February 26, 2026
Recommended Action:
Receive and file this report memorializing the prioritization established at the City Council Workshop held on February 26, 2026, and highlighting projects that have been completed since that date.
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12. Agreement between Murrieta Housing Authority and RSG, Inc. for Assistance with Various Housing Programs
Recommended Action:
Amend the Fiscal Year 2026/27 Operating Budget to establish an additional appropriation of $87,580 as detailed in the fiscal impact statement;
Approve the Agreement between Murrieta Housing Authority and RSG for affordable compliance monitoring, annual reporting, housing program administration, and on-call housing consulting services in an amount not-to-exceed $182,580 annually;
Find that the proposed action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 for the reasons specified in this report; and
Authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement.
13. Acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant Program Award
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 26-4965, entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California, Accepting the FY25 Emergency Management Performance Grant Program Award;
Amend the FY 2026/27 Operating Budget to allocate and appropriate the grant funds for $11,137 and carry over any unused grant budget to FY 2027/28; and
Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to sign and submit all necessary grant-related documents and take any actions required to accept and implement the grant.
14. Vegetation Management and CEQA Compliance Agreement with DUDEK Recommended Action:
Award the Vegetation Management and CEQA Compliance contract to DUDEK in the amount of $125,895, with an additional contingency not to exceed $14,105, bringing the total authorized contract amount to $140,000; and
Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
15. Acceptance of a Grant Funded by the California Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund and Administered by the California Highway Patrol Impaired Driving Section Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 26-4966 entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California, Authorizing Acceptance of Grant Funds in the Amount of $173,541.28 from the State of California Department of Highway Patrol and Authorizing the Chief of Police to Execute the Agreement on Behalf of the City; and
Amend the Fiscal Year 2026/27 Operating Budget to allocate and appropriate the grant funding.
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16. Authority to Negotiate Right-of-Way for Keller Road at I-215 Interchange Project for the City of Murrieta
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 26-4967 entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California, Delegating Authority to the Director of Public Works to Negotiate and Purchase All Right-Of-Way Real Property Interests, Including Fee Title, and Easements, Necessary for the City of Murrieta’s Interstate 215 Keller Road Interchange Project as Authorized Herein.
PULLED CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS None
DISCUSSION
17. Approve a Professional Services Agreement with RSG, Inc. for an Annexation Feasibility Study
Assistant City Manager Kristen Crane and Management Analyst Isaac Bravo provided the staff report and PowerPoint presentation.
Fire Chief Molloy was available to answer questions from the City Council.
Public Comments:
Kassen Klein
(Murrieta):
Spoke on the annexation feasibility of the proposed area.
Jonathan Ingram
(Murrieta):
Spoke on the annexation feasibility of the proposed area.
Action: After discussion, it was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Holliday, seconded by Council Member DeForest, to authorize a transfer of $91,010 from the General Fund Reserve Balance to the City Manager’s Consultant Contracted Services Account (60320) to fund the Professional Services Agreement;
Approve a Professional Services Agreement with RSG, Inc, in the amount of $91,010 for preparation of an annexation feasibility study in a form approved by the City Attorney; and
Authorize the City Manager to execute the Professional Services Agreement.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Warren, DeForest, Stone, Holliday, Levell
Noes: None
Absent: None
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18. Fiscal Year 2026/27 Budget Update
Finance Director Javier Carcamo, Finance Manager Tiffany Verdazcu, and Financial Analyst Tanner Benson provided the staff report and PowerPoint presentation.
Public Comments: None
Action: After discussion,it was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Holliday, seconded by Council Member DeForest to approve amendments to the Fiscal Year 2026/27 Operating Budget as defined in this report; and
Approve the updated Schedule of Authorized Positions.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Warren, DeForest, Stone, Holliday, Levell
Noes: None
Absent: None
19. Discussion Regarding Traffic Congestion Requested by City Council Member Stone
Public Works Director Bob Moehling, City Engineer Jeff Hitch, and Traffic Engineer Brian Stephenson provided the staff report and PowerPoint Presentation.
Council Member Stone spoke on the request.
Public Comments:
Kassen Klein
(Murrieta):
Spoke on traffic throughout the City, car lane striping, and capacity.
Yama Nawabi
(Remote
Participation):
Spoke on e-bike traffic safety.
Action: Direction was provided to look at the signal timing on the Hancock overpass, restriping Murrieta Hot Springs, projected traffic studies for Jefferson Ave., and continue pursuing adaptive timing with CalTrans.
20. Proposed “Stuff the Bus” Program for Fall 2026 in Partnership with Murrieta Valley Unified School District and the Salvation Army
Council Member Stone spoke on the request and provided information regarding the proposed program.
Action: After disc ussion, consensus was received to move forward with the “Stuff Docusign Envelope ID: D161396F-DDA7-8944-8228-A801447BE09C Meeting Minutes
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the Bus” program.
21. November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election - District 1
City Clerk Cristal McDonald provided the staff report and PowerPoint presentation.
Action: After discussion, it was moved by Council Member DeForest, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Holliday to proceed with OPTION 1 to adopt Resolution No. 26-4968 entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California Appointing Nominees to the Office of Council Member for City of Murrieta City Council, Voting District 1, that was to be Elected at the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election and Canceling Said Election for the Office of City Council Member for Voting District 1; which is submitted after the appointment is made; and direct the City Clerk to fulfill any administrative requirements in accordance with the law.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Warren, DeForest, Stone, Holliday, Levell
Noes: None
Absent: None
NOTIFICATIONS
City Clerk McDonald announced the following notification:
Notice of Pending Approval of Final Tract Map – TR 39271 RECONSIDERATION None
COUNCIL MEMBER REQUESTS TO ADD ITEMS TO FUTURE AGENDAS
Council Member Warren: None.
Council Member DeForest: Requested a discussion on City Council meeting start times.
Consensus was received.
Council Member Stone: Requested a discussion on Item No. 10 to address prior comments made at the April 7th City Council meeting.
City Attorney Israel recommended using Governing Body
Announcements as the time to address comments and
statements. Mayor Levell will donate some of his Governing Body Announcements time if needed.
Mayor Pro Tem Holliday: Requested the Traffic Commission review the traffic sign request for the Murrieta Valley High School neighborhood and include the Murrieta Valley Unified School District in the conversation.
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Consensus was received.
Mayor Levell: Requested the City Manager provide an update on the Jefferson Avenue project, including a timeline of what has occurred and its current prioritization.
Consensus was received.
PUBLIC COMMENTS (NON-AGENDA, AGENDIZED, CLOSED SESSION)
Kassen Klein
(Murrieta):
Requested the City Council carefully consider proceeding with traffic signs near Murrieta Valley High School and look at what has historically happened in the neighborhood.
CLOSED SESSION
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
City Clerk Cristal McDonald announced the following Closed Session Items:
23. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation The City Council will conduct a closed session, pursuant to Government Code sections 54956.9(d)(2) and (d)(3), because there is a significant exposure to litigation in one (1) case.
24. 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 a significant exposure to litigation in one case.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION 7:47 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER 9:06 p.m.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTION
The City Council’s attendance during Closed Session was as follows:
Present: Council Member Cindy Warren
Council Member Lisa DeForest
Council Member Lori Stone
Mayor Pro Tem Ron Holliday
Mayor Jon Levell
Absent: None
City Attorney Tiffany Israel reported the following:
Closed Session Action:
CS1.: No reportable action.
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CS2.: No reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT 9:08 p.m.
In memoriam of Daniel Ford Hollingsworth.
______________________________
Cristal McDonald, City Clerk
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