Meeting Minutes
City Council September 15, 2026
CITY OF MURRIETA Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Council Chambers 4:00 PM REGULAR MEETING
1 Town Square CLOSED SESSION FOLLOWING
Murrieta, CA 92562 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.
Docusign Envelope ID: B651B3EE-0E1B-80CF-81BB-FD8CC84768D2 Meeting Minutes
City Council September 15, 2026
Viewing the City Council Meeting
The City of Murrieta provides opportunities for the public to view City Council meetings without attending in person.
You may view the meeting streamed via the City's website at https://murrieta.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.
Meetings are broadcast live on Frontier Communications Channel 33 as well as Spectrum Channel 29 or Channel 3.
As a courtesy, the City also provides a livestream of the meeting on the City of Murrieta’s social media pages:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityofMurrieta
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CityofMurrietaYouTube Microsoft Teams Two Way Audio For Online Meeting Participation In addition to viewing City Council meetings through the City's live and on demand streaming service, members of the public may provide live public comments during City Council meetings via Microsoft Teams. A telephone dial in option will also be available.
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You will be required to register and verify with your email address. Upon registration, please enter your name so that the City Clerk may identify you when it is your turn to speak. If you wish to provide public comment, please use the "Raise Hand" feature during the applicable public comment period.
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4:00 PM REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER 4:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Council Member Cindy Warren
Council Member Lori Stone
Mayor Pro Tem Ron Holliday
Mayor Jon Levell
Absent: Council Member Lisa DeForest
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Pro Tem Holliday
INVOCATION Pastor Jim Jackson, Orchard Church
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Action: It was moved by Council Member Warren, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Holliday, to approve the Agenda for September 15, 2026.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Warren, Stone, Holliday, Levell
Noes: None
Absent: DeForest
CITY MANAGER - ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATE
Police Department: Kratom Ordinance Update
GOVERNING BODY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE/BOARD (CCB)
REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
Council Member Warren: Provided attendance/reported the following:
• Riverside County Transportation Commission
(RCTC)
• Riverside Transit Agency (RTA)
Provided Announcements to be made part of the City’s record.
Council Member Stone: Provided attendance/reported the following:
• Western Riverside Council of Governments
(WRCOG)
• Ballot Measure Ad Hoc Subcommittee
Provided Announcements to be made part of the City’s record.
Mayor Pro Tem Holliday: Provided attendance/reported the following:
• Ballot Measure 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.
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PUBLIC COMMENTS (NON-AGENDA)
Michael Baur
(Murrieta):
Spoke on Flock cameras in the City.
Paul Rycus
(Wildomar):
Spoke and shared an invitation to the City Council for a Holocaust remembrance event.
Syd Takeshta
(Murrieta):
Spoke on concerns of pesticide usage on City properties.
CONSENT CALENDAR - APPROVAL OF ITEMS 1 – 8
Action: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Holliday, seconded by Council Member Warren, to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1-8.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Warren, Stone, Holliday, Levell
Noes: None
Absent: DeForest
Recusal: 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 September 1, 2026 Regular City Council meeting minutes.
3. Check Register June 2026
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 26-4969 entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California, Ratifying the Consolidated Check Register for the month of June 2026.
4. Monthly Investment Transaction Report for July 2026
Recommended Action:
Receive and file the Monthly Investment Transaction Report for July 2026.
5. Amended & Restated Murrieta Management, Professional, and Confidential Employees’ Compensation & Benefits Plan
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 26-4970 entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California, Approving an Amended & Restated Murrieta Management, Professional, and Confidential Employees’ Compensation & Benefits Plan.
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6. First Amendment to Murrieta Supervisors’ Association Memorandum of Understanding 2024-27, Increasing the Monthly Health Contribution Amount and Updating the List of MSA-Represented Classifications
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 26-4971 entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California, Accepting, Approving, and Adopting the First Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Murrieta and the Murrieta Supervisors’ Association for the period July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027.
7. Engineering Design Services for the Murrieta Police Department Parking Lot Expansion Project, CIP No. 21042, MSD Project No. 26-005
Recommended Action:
Approve a Purchase Order for engineering design services for the Murrieta Police Department Parking Lot Expansion Project, CIP No. 21042, MSD Project No. 26-005, to Michael Baker International in the amount of $364,310;
Authorize a 10% engineering design services contingency of $36,431; and Authorize the Director of Municipal Services, or his designee, to approve change orders for engineering design services not to exceed 10% of the original Purchase Order amount.
8. Adoption of Ordinance No. 637-26 Amending Chapter 10.55 (Bicycles, E-Bikes, and E-Scooters) of the Murrieta Municipal Code
Recommended Action:
Conduct the second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 637-26 entitled: An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California, Amending Murrieta Municipal Code Chapter
10.55, “Bicycles, E-Bikes, and E-Scooters” to Update Regulations Governing The Operation, Speed, and Use of Bicycles, Electric Bicycles, and E-Conveyances.
PULLED CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. Introduction of an Ordinance Concerning the Hillside Development Standards (DCA-2021-2396) to Amend the Murrieta Municipal Code (Titles 8 and 15), Chapters
8.20, 15.52, and to Amend Murrieta Development Code (Title 16) for the Purpose of Revising and Updating Chapters 16.08, 16.14, 16.18, 16.22, 16.24, 16.28, and Adding New Sections 16.24.080, Entitled “Exceptions,” 16.24.090, Entitled “Reserved,” and
16.24.100, Entitled “Hillside Overlay Map”
City Manager Justin Clifton introduced the item. Development Services Director David Chantarangsu and Senior Planner Chris Tracy provided the staff report and PowerPoint presentation.
Deputy Development Director Jarrett Ramaiya was available to answer questions from the City Council.
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City Council September 15, 2026
Topics Discussed:
• Grading techniques
• Grading permits
• Appeals process
• General Plan conservation language
• Fencing
• Elevation
• Objective Design standards
• Exemptions for parcels under 5 acres
• Development Code update
The Public hearing was opened at 5:12 p.m.
Public Testimony:
Alan Long (Murrieta): Spoke on the outreach done by staff and requested the City provide leeway on 5 acres or less.
The Public hearing was closed at 5:16 p.m.
Action: After discussion, it was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Holliday to introduce Ordinance No. 638-26 as presented and add the drop-dead date to exempt parcels under 5 acres if a better solution is not found by December 31, 2028.
The motion failed due to lack of a second.
Action: After discussion, it was moved by Council Member Stone, seconded by Mayor Levell to introduce Ordinance No. 638-26 as presented and exempt any parcel 3.5 acres or smaller.
The motion failed by the following vote:
Ayes: Stone, Levell
Noes: Warren, Holliday
Absent: DeForest
Action: After discussion, it was moved by Council Member Warren, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Holliday, to open the Public Hearing;
Receive public testimony;
Find that the proposed ordinance is consistent with standards originally evaluated and implemented pursuant to the Negative Declaration adopted for implementation of the Comprehensive Development Code on October 28, 1997, and that the proposed updates are consistent with the Murrieta General Plan Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) and Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) certified by the City of Murrieta in 2021 (SCH No. 2010111084) in accordance with Public Resources Code Section 21166 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15162; and Conduct the first reading and introduce Ordinance No. 638 26 entitled: An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California, to Amend the Murrieta Municipal Docusign Envelope ID: B651B3EE-0E1B-80CF-81BB-FD8CC84768D2 Meeting Minutes
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Code (Titles 8 and 15), Chapters 8.20, 15.52, and to Amend Murrieta Development Code (Title 16) for the Purpose of Revising and Updating Chapters 16.08, 16.14, 16.18,
16.22, 16.24, 16.28, and to Add New Sections 16.24.080, Entitled “Exceptions,”
16.24.090, Entitled “Reserved,” and 16.24.100, Entitled “Hillside Overlay Map with the following amendment:
• Add the drop-dead date of the Ordinance if a better solution is not found by December 31, 2028
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Warren, Holliday, Levell
Noes: Stone
Absent: DeForest
DISCUSSION
10. Fiscal Year 2026/27 Capital Improvement Budget Proposed Budget Adjustments Finance Director Javier Carcamo, Finance Manager Tiffany Verduzco, and Financial Analyst R.N. Mendoza provided the staff report and PowerPoint presentation.
Action: After discussion, it was moved by Mayor Levell, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Holliday, to approve the amendments to the Fiscal Year 2026/27 Capital Improvement Budget as referenced in the Fiscal Impact section of this report.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Warren, Stone, Holliday, Levell
Noes: None
Absent: DeForest
RECONSIDERATION None
COUNCIL MEMBER REQUESTS TO ADD ITEMS TO FUTURE AGENDAS
Council Member Warren: None.
Council Member Stone: Requested a discussion on a policy for residency verification for City Council candidates as part of the election process.
Consensus was received.
Mayor Pro Tem Holliday: None.
Mayor Levell: None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS (NON-AGENDA, AGENDIZED, CLOSED SESSION) None Docusign Envelope ID: B651B3EE-0E1B-80CF-81BB-FD8CC84768D2 Meeting Minutes
City Council September 15, 2026
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 closed session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2), because there is significant exposure to litigation in three (3) cases.
CS2. 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 Supervisors’ Association.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION 6:15 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER 7:18 p.m.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTION
City Attorney Israel confirmed the City Council’s attendance during Closed Session as follows:
Present: Council Member Cindy Warren
Council Member Lori Stone
Mayor Pro Tem Ron Holliday
Mayor Jon Levell
Absent: Council Member Lisa DeForest
City Attorney Tiffany Israel reported the following:
Closed Session Action:
CS1 – Case 1: No reportable action.
CS1 – Case 2: No reportable action.
CS1 – Case 3: No reportable action.
CS2: No reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT 7:19 p.m.
______________________________
Cristal McDonald, City Clerk
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