City Council Regular Meeting Action Minutes February 4, 2025
VALERIE VANDEVER, MAYOR
ALONSO LEDEZMA, MAYOR PRO TEM
CLARISA SANCHEZ, COUNCILMEMBER
PHIL AYALA, COUNCILMEMBER
CRYSTAL RUIZ, COUNCILMEMBER
ACTION MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL – REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2025
6:30 PM OPEN SESSION
LIVE STREAM LINK: https://vimeo.com/user115670369
COMMUNITY CENTER
625 S. PICO AVENUE
SAN JACINTO, CA 92583
951-487-7330
1. ORGANIZATION
Mayor Valerie Vandever called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
1.1. Roll Call
City Clerk Julia Espinoza conducted the roll call:
Present: Mayor Valerie Vandever, Mayor Pro Tem Alonso Ledezma, Councilmember Crystal Ruiz, Councilmember Phil Ayala, and Councilmember Clarisa Sanchez
1.2. Invocation
Councilmember Ruiz gave the invocation.
1.3. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Pro Tem Ledezma led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1.4. Special Presentation
1.4.1. National Holocaust Remembrance Day
1.5. Mayor/Council Member Reports
Councilmembers provided their reports.
1.6. Late Items
There were no late items.
City Council Regular Meeting Action Minutes February 4, 2025
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were ten (10) public comments:
• Daniel David
• Caitlin Maguire
• James Wykoff
• Rafael Ayala
• Rosely Shenouda
• Terry Larned
• Adam Tostado
• Veronica Hawkes
• Micheal J. Sordia
• Brian Hawkins
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
3.A. Consent Calendar - City Council
3.A.1. Waiver of Full Reading of Ordinance(s), and Reading by Title Only
3.A.2. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of January 21, 2025/City Clerk/Approved
3.A.3. San Jacinto Leadership Academy/City Council/Approved
3.A.4. Resolution No. 4056 - Resolution of Intention to Annex Territory into Community Facilities District No. 2003-1 and to Authorize the Levy of Special Taxes Therein/Finance/ Approved
3.A.5. Resolution No. 4057 - Resolution of Intention to Annex Territory into Community Facilities District No. 2020-1 and to Authorize the Levy of Special Taxes Therein/Finance/Approved
3.A.6. Resolution of Intention to Detach Territory from Landscape, Lighting, and Park/Finance/Approved
3.A.7. Report – Use of ARPA Funds/Finance/Approved
3.A.8. 7 – Day Closure on Appaloosa Drive/Engineering/Approved M/S/C (Ayala/Ledezma) moved to approve the consent calendar. Motion carried 5/0.
Ayes: Ledezma, Ayala, Ruiz, Sanchez, Vandever
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
City Council Regular Meeting Action Minutes February 4, 2025
4. DISCUSSION ITEM
4.1. Discussion and Direction on Cannabis Tax Rates
Finance Director Erika Gomez presented the staff report.
There were fourteen (14) public comments:
• Alaa Rahman (written)
• Karen Oquita (written)
• Ofelia Martinez (written)
• Nicole Martinez (written)
• Shadee Rahman (written)
• Traci Pospisil (written)
• Anonymous (written)
• Denise Vieyra (written)
• Carrol Givens (written)
• Savannah Jacot (written)
• Isaac Nagy (written)
• Fatima Rahman
• Anai
• Willy
Councilmember Ruiz made a motion to reinstate the 15% tax rate, have a 6-month study on financial impact, and bring back the item after the 6-month study. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Sanchez.
Councilmember Ayala made a motion to keep the current 10% tax rate, have a 6-month impact study, and explore the option on placing a cap on the number of dispensaries allowed within the city. Motion did not receive a second.
M/S/C (Ruiz/Sanchez) moved to reinstate the 15% tax rate, approving Resolution No. 4059, have a 6-month study on financial impact, and bring back the item after the 6-month study. Motion carried 4/1.
Ayes: Sanchez, Ruiz, Ledezma, Vandever
Nays: Ayala
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Councilmember Ruiz left the meeting at 8:27 pm.
City Council Regular Meeting Action Minutes February 4, 2025
5. PUBLIC HEARING
5.1. A proposal by Jab Mill Creek for a Planned Development Permit and Tentative Tract Map 38203 to subdivide three parcels totaling 96 acres into 424 singlefamily lots and nine lettered lots for the construction of single-family detached residences. (P22-022)
Planning Manager Kevin White presented the staff report.
Mayor Vandever opened the Public Hearing at 8:36 pm. There were no public speakers.
Mayor Vandever closed the Public Hearing at 8:37 pm.
M/S/C (Ayala/Ledezma) moved to a p p r o v e t o d etermine that this proposed Project is Exempt from environmental review in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to CEQA Guidelines 15183 - Projects Consistent with a General Plan, Community Plan or Zoning and adopt a Notice of Exemption (NOE); Approve a Planned Development Permit to modify the Residential Low Density (RL) Development Standards subject to the Recommended Conditions of Approval; and approve Tentative Tract Map (TTM) 38203 to subdivide three parcels totaling 96 gross acres into 424 singlefamily residential lots and nine lettered lots for a future detention basin, a sports park, linear park, landscaping, and open space, subject to the recommended Conditions of Approval. Motion carried 4/0.
Ayes: Ayala, Ledezma, Sanchez, Vandever
Nays: None
Absent: Ruiz
Abstain: None
5.2. Proposed Ordinance to Update Participation in the TUMF Program; Resolution Adopting a TUMF Schedule
Deputy City Manager Travis Randel and Cameron Brown from Western Riverside County of Governance (WRCOG) presented the staff report.
Mayor Vandever opened the Public Hearing at 8:55 pm. There were no public speakers.
Mayor Vandever closed the Public Hearing at 8:56 pm.
M/S/C (Ledezma/Sanchez) moved to approve the introduction of Ordinance No. 24- 14, amending and updating the City’s TUMF Ordinance, for a first reading; and adopts Resolution No. 4048, adopting a TUMF schedule. l. Motion carried 4/0.
Ayes: Ledezma, Sanchez, Ayala, Vandever
Nays: None
Absent: Ruiz
Abstain: None
City Council Regular Meeting Action Minutes February 4, 2025
6. FUTURE REQUESTS FROM CITY COUNCIL TO STAFF
7. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business before the City Council, Mayor Vandever adjourned the meeting at 8:58 p.m.
CITY OF SAN JACINTO:
____________________________
Valerie Vandever, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Julia Espinoza, City Clerk
Approved as read:
Approved as amended: