CITY OF PERRIS
MINUTES:
Date of Meeting:
February 24, 2026
06:30 PM
Place of Meeting:
City Council Chambers
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Vargas called the Closed Session to order at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Vallejo, Nava, Corona, Rabb, Vargas
Staff Member's present: City Manager Miramontes, Assistant City Manager Bugtai, Assistant City Manager Reyna, City Attorney Sunny Soltani, Director of Development Services Phung, City Engineer Pourkazemi.
A.
Conference with Legal Counsel - Potential Litigation - Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(4) – 3 cases
B.
Conference with Legal Counsel - Potential Litigation - Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(2) – 1 case
City Attorney Soltani noted that the City Council would meet in Closed Session to discuss the items listed on the agenda.
There was no public comment.
The City Council adjourned to Closed Session at 5:30 p.m.
1. CALL TO ORDER: 6:31 P.M.
Mayor Vargas called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL:
Present: Corona, Rabb, Vallejo, Nava, Vargas
Staff Members Present: City Manager Miramontes, Assistant City Manager Bugtai, Assistant City Manager Reyna, City Attorney Soltani, City Engineer Pourkazemi, Police Captain Lamb, Fire Chief Scoville, Director of Finance Schenk, Director of Parks and Community Services Ramirez, Director of Public Services Chavez, Director of Economic Development and Workforce Ogawa, Director of Development Services Phung, Director of Administrative Services Amozgar, Director of Public Works Hill, Assistant City Clerk Haughney and City Clerk Salazar
3. INVOCATION:
Pastor Dr. Tarray Deaver
The Carpenter’s Church
300 E. 5th Street, Perris, CA
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Pro Tem Corona led the Pledge of Allegiance.
5. REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS:
City Attorney Sunny Soltani reported that the City Council met in Closed Session to discuss the items listed on the agenda. She noted the following:
Item A. No reportable action was taken.
Item B. The council authorized initiation for one litigation.
6. PRESENTATIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS:
A.
Annual public safety update provided by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
B.
Annual Fire Department update provided by the Riverside County Fire Department.
7. YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS:
The report was given by Youth Advisory Committee Vice President Shaeyna de Las Alas
8. PUBLIC COMMENT/CITIZEN PARTICIPATION:
The Mayor called for Public Comment. The following person spoke at Public Comment:
JC Franco
9. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A.
Approved the minutes of the Regular Joint Meeting held on February 10, 2026 of the City Council, Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency, Public Finance Authority, Public Utility Authority, Housing Authority, Perris Community Economic Development Corporation and the Perris Joint Powers Authority.
The Mayor called for a motion.
M/S/C: Moved by
Malcolm Corona, seconded by
Marisela Nava to Approve the minutes of the Regular Joint Meeting held on February 10, 2026 of the City Council, Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency, Public Finance Authority, Public Utility Authority, Housing Authority, Perris Community Economic Development Corporation and the Perris Joint Powers Authority, as presented.
AYES:
Malcolm Corona, David Starr Rabb, Elizabeth Vallejo, Marisela Nava, Michael Vargas NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
10. CONSENT CALENDAR:
The Mayor called for Public Comment. There was no Public Comment.
A.
Approved the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, Public Utility Authority, Public Financing Authority, Joint Powers Authority, Community Economic Development Corporation (CEDC), and Housing Authority Financial Statements for 2024-25.
B.
Approved Amendment No. 2 to Construction and Maintenance Agreement between the City of Perris and the Southern California Regional Railroad Authority associated with the railroad work for E. Ellis Avenue and Mapes Road.
C.
Approved the First Restated and Amended Sublease Agreement between Perris Community Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) and La Gare Café, LLC, for the property located at 24 South D Street, Suites 108 and 110, APN 313-081-020.
D.
Approved the purchase of one (1) Chevrolet 2500 truck with a utility bed from Bob Stall Chevrolet in the amount of $70,383.79, which includes a 10% contingency, and one (1) pneumatic asphalt roller from Volvo Equipment in the amount of $51,556.61.
The Mayor called for a motion.
M/S/C: Moved by
David Starr Rabb, seconded by
Marisela Nava to Approve the Consent Calendar, as presented.
AYES:
Malcolm Corona, David Starr Rabb, Elizabeth Vallejo, Marisela Nava, Michael Vargas NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A.
Denied Proposed Resolution Numbers (next in order) Specific Plan Amendment (SPA) 22-05280, Financing Tentative Parcel Maps: 22-05279 (TPM 38576) and 24-05150 (TPM 38985), Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) 22-05295, 24-05141, and 24-05142, and Development Plan Reviews (DPRs) 22-00028 and 23-00021 – A proposal to consider the construction of Perris Gateway Commercial Center in two phases on 20.28 acres, located on the north side of Ramona Expressway between the I-215 freeway and Webster Avenue within the Commercial Zone of the Perris Valley Commerce Center Specific Plan. (Applicant: Mike Naggar and Associates on behalf of Optimus Building Corp and the Pope Family Estate) The Proposed Resolution Numbers (next in order) are entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PERRIS, COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, CERTIFYING AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (STATE CLEARING HOUSE NO. 2024080050) PREPARED FOR THE PERRIS GATEWAY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT CONSISTING OF SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT (SPA) 22-05280, FINANCING TENTATIVE PARCEL MAPS 22-05279 (TPM 38576) AND 24-05150 (TPM 38985), CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS (CUP) 22-05295, 24-05141 (IN PART), AND 24-05142, AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEWS (DPR) 22-00028 AND 23-00021 (IN PART), AND ADOPTING THE INCLUDED MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM, AND ADOPTING THE FINDINGS OF FACT AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS, RECOMMENDED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PERRIS Councilmember Rabb left the City Council Chambers at 7:01 p.m. and returned at 7:05 p.m.
Director of Development Services, Kenneth Phung introduced this item and turned it over to Contract Planner Mathew Evans to present on this item.
Applicant, Mike Naggar presented on this item and called up Jim Zimmerman, with the Zimmerman Group, to speak on the financial aspect of this project.
Applicant, called up Chris Fredericks, to speak.
Applicant, called up Gary Hamro, to speak.
The Mayor opened the Public Hearing at 7:42 p.m.
The following people spoke at Public Comment:
Brett Del Valle
Jerry Sepulveda
Kevin Deis
Marwan Alabbasi
Rumzi Alabbasi
Tim Moore
Kevin Pope
Evelyn Montes
Michael Rowe
The Mayor closed the Public Hearing at 7:59 p.m.
Councilmember Nava left the City Council Chambers at 7:59 p.m. and returned at 8:01 p.m.
City Engineer John Pourkazemi provided clarification that the developer could be responsible for covering any additional costs, if necessary, should the funding for the street widening project prove to be inadequate, if conditioned.
The following Councilmember Spoke:
Corona
Mayor Vargas reopened the Public Hearing at 8:13 p.m.
The following people spoke at Public Comment:
Mike Naggar
Chris Fredrick
Gary Hamro
The following Councilmember's Spoke:
Nava
Vallejo
Rabb
Councilmember Rabb left the City Council Chambers at 8:32 p.m. and returned at 8:35 p.m.
The following people spoke at Public Comment:
Rumzi Alabbasi
Marwan Alabbasi
The Mayor closed the Public Hearing at 9:25p.m.
The following Councilmember's Spoke:
Vargas
Corona
City Engineer, John Pourkazemi, provided clarification on Caltrans involvement on this project.
Councilmember Rabb
offered a motion that the item be continued to the May or June City Council meeting, including the formation of an ad hoc Committee to work with the developer, to include Mayor Pro Tem Corona and Councilmember Nava.
City Attorney,
Sunny Soltani
, provided clarification, stating that the options are either approve the project as presented, modify the project, if the developer agrees, approve a project with conditions or establish an ad hoc committee to continue working with the developer on this project.
Councilwoman Nava offered a substitute motion to deny the project, as stands. Seconded, by Councilwoman Vallejo.
The Mayor called for a motion.
M/S/C: Moved by
Marisela Nava, seconded by
Elizabeth Vallejo to Deny the project.
AYES:
Malcolm Corona, Elizabeth Vallejo, Marisela Nava
NOES:
David Starr Rabb, Michael Vargas
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
B.
This item was continued to the April 14, 2026 City Council Meeting- Consideration to adopt Proposed Resolution Number (next in order) and Introduce the First Reading of Proposed Ordinance Number (next in order) adopting General Plan Amendment 23-05247, Zone Change 23-05245, Planned Development Overlay Zone 23-05246, Tentative Tract Map 23-05244 (TTM 38775), and Development Plan Review 23-00019 (Continued Off Calendar from the September 30, 2025 meeting) – A proposal to facilitate the development of the Acacia Pointe, a 141-unit townhome-style condominium project on 11.6 acres, located south of Nuevo Road and east of Wilson Avenue. (Applicant: Ryan Woosley, D.R. Horton) The Proposed Resolution Number (next in order) is entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PERRIS, COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION NO. 2403 AND MITIGATED MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM FOR GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT (GPA) 23-05247, TENTATIVE TRACT MAP (TTM) 23-05244 (TTM 38775) AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW (DPR) 23-00019, AND APPROVING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT (GPA) 23-05247, TENTATIVE TRACT MAP (TTM) 23-05244 (TTM 38775) AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW (DPR) 23-00019 FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF 141 TOWNHOME-STYLE CONDOMINIUMS AND ASSOCIATED AMENITIES ON 11.6 ACRES, GENERALLY LOCATED SOUTH OF NUEVO ROAD AND EAST OF WILSON AVENUE, BASED UPON THE FINDINGS PRESENTED HEREIN AND SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL.
Director of Development Services Kenneth Phung reported that staff received a request from the developer to continue the item to the April 14, 2026 City Council meeting, in order for them to work with the neighboring property owners.
The following Councilmember's spoke:
Corona
Councilman Rabb offered the motion to continue the item to the April 14, 2026 City Council Meeting.
The Mayor called for a motion.
M/S/C: Moved by
David Starr Rabb, seconded by
Malcolm Corona to Continue the item to the April 14, 2026, City Council Meeting.
AYES:
Malcolm Corona, David Starr Rabb, Elizabeth Vallejo, Marisela Nava, Michael Vargas NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
The Mayor opened the Public Hearing at 9:41 p.m.
The following people spoke at Public Comment:
Luz Gomez
Angela Martinez
Mayor Vargas, requested that staff bring back a resolution of denial, for Item 11. A.
City Attorney
Sunny Soltani
clarified that the Council’s vote stands as taken, and that staff will prepare and bring back a Resolution of Denial consistent with the Council’s discussion, for ratification and formal adoption at the next City Council meeting.
C.
This item was continued off calendar
-Consideration to adopt Proposed Resolution Number (next in order) approving Specific Plan Amendment 25-00006-A proposal to amend the Perris Valley Commerce Center Specific Plan (PVCCSP), requiring a Conditional Use Permit and City Council approval for warehouses and distribution centers larger than 50,000 square feet in the Light Industrial and General Industrial Zones. (Applicant: City of Perris) The Proposed Resolution Number (next in order) is entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PERRIS, COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, FINDING AN EXEMPTION FROM CEQA AND ADOPTING, BASED UPON THE FINDINGS NOTED HEREIN, SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 25-00006 TO AMEND CHAPTER 2.0 (LAND USE PLAN) AND 13.0 (IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS) OF THE PERRIS VALLEY COMMERCE CENTER SPECIFIC PLAN TO REQUIRE A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR WAREHOUSE AND DISTRIBUTION CENTER USES OVER 50,000 SQUARE FEET OF TOTAL BUILDING FLOOR AREA AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY COUNCIL TO DECIDE SUCH USE PERMITS, AND MAKING FINDINGS RELATED THERETO D.
Considered an Ordinance proposing a One Percent General Transactions and Use Tax and adopted Resolution Numbers 6772, 6773 and 6774 calling and consolidating a Special Municipal Election on June 2, 2026.
Resolution Number 6772 is entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PERRIS, CALIFORNIA, CALLING AND GIVING NOTICE OF A SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON JUNE 2, 2026, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE VOTERS A TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX MEASURE FOR GENERAL GOVERNMENTAL PURPOSES; AND, REQUESTING THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE TO CONSOLIDATE A SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON JUNE 2, 2026, WITH THE STATEWIDE DIRECT PRIMARY ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE SAME DATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 10403 OF THE ELECTIONS CODE Resolution Number 6773 is entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PERRIS, CALIFORNIA, SETTING PRIORITIES FOR FILING WRITTEN ARGUMENT(S) AND DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS REGARDING THE PERRIS TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX MEASURE Resolution Number 6774 is entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PERRIS, CALIFORNIA, PROVIDING FOR THE FILING OF REBUTTAL ARGUMENTS REGARDING THE TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX MEASURE, TO BE SUBMITTED AT THE SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION ON JUNE 2, 2026 Assistant City Manager, Ernie Reyna introduced and presented on this item.
Mayor Vargas opened the Public Hearing at 9:55 p.m.
There was no public comment.
The Mayor closed the Public Hearing at 9:55 p.m.
The following Councilmembers Spoke:
Rabb
Vargas
Corona
Vallejo
Nava
Rabb
Vargas
The Mayor called for a motion.
M/S/C: Moved by
Marisela Nava, seconded by
Malcolm Corona to Adopt Resolution Numbers 6772, 6773, 6774 calling and consolidating a Special Municipal Election on June 2, 2026, as presented.
AYES:
Malcolm Corona, Elizabeth Vallejo, Marisela Nava, Michael Vargas NOES:
David Starr Rabb
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
12. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A.
Approved the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Mid-Year Budget Amendments.
Director of Finance Matthew Schenk gave the presentation on this item.
There was no Public Comment.
The Mayor called for a motion.
M/S/C: Moved by
David Starr Rabb, seconded by
Malcolm Corona to Approve the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Mid-Year Budget Amendments, as presented.
AYES:
Malcolm Corona, David Starr Rabb, Elizabeth Vallejo, Marisela Nava, Michael Vargas NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
13. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS:
The following Councilmember's spoke:
Rabb
Vallejo
Nava
Corona
Vargas
14. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT:
15. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business Mayor Vargas adjourned the Regular City Council meeting at 10:09 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
___________________________________
Nancy Salazar, City Clerk