1 00:03:31,920 --> 00:03:35,280 Good afternoon. Good afternoon. 2 00:03:35,280 --> 00:03:37,760 There we go. Good 3 00:03:37,760 --> 00:03:39,599 afternoon, everyone. I would like to 4 00:03:39,599 --> 00:03:42,400 call the September 29, 2026 close 5 00:03:42,400 --> 00:03:44,159 session city council meeting to order. 6 00:03:44,159 --> 00:03:46,400 City clerk, may we have a roll call? 7 00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:47,840 >> Council member Howard Clark, 8 00:03:47,840 --> 00:03:49,360 >> present. Council member Lodge 9 00:03:49,360 --> 00:03:50,480 >> and accounted for. 10 00:03:50,480 --> 00:03:51,680 >> Council member Peterson 11 00:03:51,680 --> 00:03:52,159 >> here. 12 00:03:52,159 --> 00:03:53,360 >> Mayor Prom Mayos 13 00:03:53,360 --> 00:03:53,760 >> here. 14 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:54,640 >> Mayor Koopa 15 00:03:54,640 --> 00:03:56,400 >> here. 16 00:03:56,400 --> 00:03:59,519 That is everyone accounted for. So we 17 00:03:59,519 --> 00:04:02,720 will go into the public comment period. 18 00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:04,319 City clerk, are there any registered 19 00:04:04,319 --> 00:04:06,239 speakers for today's close session? 20 00:04:06,239 --> 00:04:07,680 >> No registered speakers, mayor. 21 00:04:07,680 --> 00:04:09,040 >> All right, then with that we will 22 00:04:09,040 --> 00:04:11,040 proceed to close session. Thank you for 23 00:04:11,040 --> 00:04:12,799 joining us. The report of close session 24 00:04:12,799 --> 00:04:14,959 will be will occur after the 25 00:04:14,959 --> 00:33:05,350 deliberations. 26 00:33:05,360 --> 00:33:09,840 29 2026 adjourned regular city council 27 00:33:09,840 --> 00:33:11,760 meeting to order. I would like to point 28 00:33:11,760 --> 00:33:13,360 out that this meeting is being hosted 29 00:33:13,360 --> 00:33:14,960 through the live stream on the city's 30 00:33:14,960 --> 00:33:17,519 website and by Zoom teleconference. 31 00:33:17,519 --> 00:33:19,200 Would also like to remind council to 32 00:33:19,200 --> 00:33:20,720 have their microphones turned on and 33 00:33:20,720 --> 00:33:23,360 position so the audience can hear. City 34 00:33:23,360 --> 00:33:25,360 clerk, may we have a roll call? 35 00:33:25,360 --> 00:33:27,360 >> Thank you, mayor. Council member Howard 36 00:33:27,360 --> 00:33:27,840 Clark 37 00:33:27,840 --> 00:33:28,240 >> present. 38 00:33:28,240 --> 00:33:29,120 >> Council member Lodge 39 00:33:29,120 --> 00:33:29,519 >> here. 40 00:33:29,519 --> 00:33:30,480 >> Council member Peterson 41 00:33:30,480 --> 00:33:30,799 >> here. 42 00:33:30,799 --> 00:33:32,000 >> Mayor Po Mayos 43 00:33:32,000 --> 00:33:32,399 >> here. 44 00:33:32,399 --> 00:33:33,200 >> Mayor Koopa 45 00:33:33,200 --> 00:33:34,080 >> here. 46 00:33:34,080 --> 00:33:35,840 >> The invocation this afternoon will be 47 00:33:35,840 --> 00:33:37,919 led by community solutions coordinator 48 00:33:37,919 --> 00:33:40,640 Christian Tikis after which I will lead 49 00:33:40,640 --> 00:33:42,480 us in the pledge of allegiance. Please 50 00:33:42,480 --> 00:33:46,710 stand. 51 00:33:46,720 --> 00:33:49,279 » Good afternoon. Please bow your heads. 52 00:33:49,279 --> 00:33:51,039 Heavenly Father, we come before you 53 00:33:51,039 --> 00:33:52,799 today with grateful hearts acknowledging 54 00:33:52,799 --> 00:33:54,720 that every good and perfect gift comes 55 00:33:54,720 --> 00:33:56,720 from you. Thank you for the blessings 56 00:33:56,720 --> 00:33:58,880 you have given us, for this community we 57 00:33:58,880 --> 00:34:00,559 have the privilege to serve and for the 58 00:34:00,559 --> 00:34:02,720 people you have called into positions of 59 00:34:02,720 --> 00:34:05,360 leadership and responsibility. Lord, 60 00:34:05,360 --> 00:34:07,039 today we especially give thanks for our 61 00:34:07,039 --> 00:34:08,639 interim city manager and for the 62 00:34:08,639 --> 00:34:10,480 dedication, leadership and service 63 00:34:10,480 --> 00:34:13,040 provided over these past five months. We 64 00:34:13,040 --> 00:34:14,879 are grateful for the willingness to step 65 00:34:14,879 --> 00:34:17,679 forward during a season of transition to 66 00:34:17,679 --> 00:34:19,520 carry the responsibilities of a of 67 00:34:19,520 --> 00:34:21,440 leadership and to help guide our city 68 00:34:21,440 --> 00:34:23,919 during this important time. We ask that 69 00:34:23,919 --> 00:34:26,800 you bless and honor that service. And 70 00:34:26,800 --> 00:34:28,960 now, as we welcome our new city manager, 71 00:34:28,960 --> 00:34:30,879 we recognize the beginning of a new 72 00:34:30,879 --> 00:34:33,119 season for our city. We ask that you 73 00:34:33,119 --> 00:34:35,040 grant our new city manager wisdom, 74 00:34:35,040 --> 00:34:37,280 discernment, courage, and humility. 75 00:34:37,280 --> 00:34:39,119 Provide clear direction and decisions 76 00:34:39,119 --> 00:34:40,960 ahead and surround our leadership and 77 00:34:40,960 --> 00:34:44,320 with people who will offer wise counsel 78 00:34:44,320 --> 00:34:47,520 and work together in a spirit of unity. 79 00:34:47,520 --> 00:34:48,960 May this transition be marked with 80 00:34:48,960 --> 00:34:51,280 cooperation, mutual respect, renewed 81 00:34:51,280 --> 00:34:53,599 hope and purpose, and a shared 82 00:34:53,599 --> 00:34:56,000 commitment to the people we serve. 83 00:34:56,000 --> 00:34:57,680 Remind us that leadership is not simply 84 00:34:57,680 --> 00:35:00,079 a position or title, but an opportunity 85 00:35:00,079 --> 00:35:02,640 to serve our faithful and and to leave 86 00:35:02,640 --> 00:35:05,359 things better than we found them. May 87 00:35:05,359 --> 00:35:07,440 your blessing rest upon our city and our 88 00:35:07,440 --> 00:35:09,040 leaders, our employees, our families, 89 00:35:09,040 --> 00:35:10,560 and every resident who calls this 90 00:35:10,560 --> 00:35:12,720 community home. Guide our words, our 91 00:35:12,720 --> 00:35:14,560 decisions, and our actions as we move 92 00:35:14,560 --> 00:35:16,960 forward together. grateful for those who 93 00:35:16,960 --> 00:35:18,960 have brought us to this moment and 94 00:35:18,960 --> 00:35:21,280 hopeful for what lies ahead. In Jesus 95 00:35:21,280 --> 00:35:28,870 name we pray. Amen. 96 00:35:28,880 --> 00:35:31,280 to the flag of the United States of 97 00:35:31,280 --> 00:35:48,630 America and to the republic. 98 00:35:48,640 --> 00:35:50,480 » We will move on to the city attorney's 99 00:35:50,480 --> 00:35:52,079 report from close session. 100 00:35:52,079 --> 00:35:54,720 >> Uh thank you, mayor and councel. Uh I am 101 00:35:54,720 --> 00:35:58,240 happy to report that the city council uh 102 00:35:58,240 --> 00:36:00,320 voted five to zero. The motion was made 103 00:36:00,320 --> 00:36:02,720 by mayor Koopa and the second was made 104 00:36:02,720 --> 00:36:05,119 by council member Clark to appoint uh 105 00:36:05,119 --> 00:36:07,599 Ernie Raina as the next city manager of 106 00:36:07,599 --> 00:36:12,870 the city of Hemet. 107 00:36:12,880 --> 00:36:15,280 » Okay, thank you very much. We will now 108 00:36:15,280 --> 00:36:17,440 move to public comments. We will take 109 00:36:17,440 --> 00:36:19,680 public comments on items not listed on 110 00:36:19,680 --> 00:36:21,599 the agenda. City clerk, are there any 111 00:36:21,599 --> 00:36:24,079 registered speakers? Yes, we do have uh 112 00:36:24,079 --> 00:36:26,320 two registered speakers. As a reminder, 113 00:36:26,320 --> 00:36:28,079 all public comments on non-public 114 00:36:28,079 --> 00:36:29,760 hearing items have a three minute per 115 00:36:29,760 --> 00:36:31,760 person time limit. All who wish to 116 00:36:31,760 --> 00:36:33,200 speak, including council members and 117 00:36:33,200 --> 00:36:34,960 staff, need to be recognized by the 118 00:36:34,960 --> 00:36:36,960 mayor before speaking. For those who 119 00:36:36,960 --> 00:36:38,640 wish to join via Zoom, you will be asked 120 00:36:38,640 --> 00:36:40,400 to raise your hand. If you would like to 121 00:36:40,400 --> 00:36:42,000 speak, please state your name and the 122 00:36:42,000 --> 00:36:43,680 item you are commenting on before 123 00:36:43,680 --> 00:36:46,320 speaking. Our first speaker is Judith 124 00:36:46,320 --> 00:36:53,270 McFersonson, followed by Bella. 125 00:36:53,280 --> 00:37:02,550 Please come to the microphone. 126 00:37:02,560 --> 00:37:04,480 » Yes, if it's green, it's on and you can, 127 00:37:04,480 --> 00:37:06,079 you know, you can adjust that. Thank you 128 00:37:06,079 --> 00:37:07,599 so much. 129 00:37:07,599 --> 00:37:10,880 >> Okay. Good afternoon, mayor and council 130 00:37:10,880 --> 00:37:13,359 members. My name is Judy McFersonen and 131 00:37:13,359 --> 00:37:15,119 my family has owned property in the down 132 00:37:15,119 --> 00:37:17,839 in downtown Helmet for many years. I'm 133 00:37:17,839 --> 00:37:19,920 here today because we finally need a 134 00:37:19,920 --> 00:37:21,839 clear answer about something that has 135 00:37:21,839 --> 00:37:24,960 affected our property for years. Parking 136 00:37:24,960 --> 00:37:27,599 requirements in the downtown village. 137 00:37:27,599 --> 00:37:30,160 For years, we have watched businesses 138 00:37:30,160 --> 00:37:31,839 open around our property while being 139 00:37:31,839 --> 00:37:34,320 told in one form or another that parking 140 00:37:34,320 --> 00:37:37,040 was not required per downtown village. 141 00:37:37,040 --> 00:37:38,640 But after reviewing the city's own 142 00:37:38,640 --> 00:37:41,359 downtown Hammet specific plan, that does 143 00:37:41,359 --> 00:37:43,359 not appear to be what the adopted plan 144 00:37:43,359 --> 00:37:45,440 actually says. 145 00:37:45,440 --> 00:37:48,000 Downtown Village is a real zoning des 146 00:37:48,000 --> 00:37:49,520 designation, 147 00:37:49,520 --> 00:37:51,440 but being located in the downtown 148 00:37:51,440 --> 00:37:53,119 village is not the same thing as being 149 00:37:53,119 --> 00:37:55,599 exempt from parking requirements. The 150 00:37:55,599 --> 00:37:57,599 specific plan establishes parking 151 00:37:57,599 --> 00:38:00,400 standards. It allows qualifying adjacent 152 00:38:00,400 --> 00:38:02,320 street parking and multiple parking 153 00:38:02,320 --> 00:38:05,760 within 300 ft to count toward those 154 00:38:05,760 --> 00:38:08,640 requirements. It also provides a process 155 00:38:08,640 --> 00:38:11,440 through which additional reductions may 156 00:38:11,440 --> 00:38:13,599 potentially be approved as part of a 157 00:38:13,599 --> 00:38:16,400 parking management plan, including 158 00:38:16,400 --> 00:38:19,599 shared parking, valet parking, on street 159 00:38:19,599 --> 00:38:22,880 parking, and proximity to transit. 160 00:38:22,880 --> 00:38:24,960 Those are parking standards, credits, 161 00:38:24,960 --> 00:38:27,920 and possible reductions. They are not a 162 00:38:27,920 --> 00:38:30,320 blanket parking exemption. That 163 00:38:30,320 --> 00:38:32,240 distinction is extremely important to 164 00:38:32,240 --> 00:38:34,000 our family because we own a private 165 00:38:34,000 --> 00:38:37,040 parking lot at 135 East Florida Avenue. 166 00:38:37,040 --> 00:38:38,800 And for years, businesses have been 167 00:38:38,800 --> 00:38:41,040 allowed to open around us and their 168 00:38:41,040 --> 00:38:42,640 customers use our privately owned 169 00:38:42,640 --> 00:38:45,040 property for parking. We have repeatedly 170 00:38:45,040 --> 00:38:46,560 questioned how those businesses 171 00:38:46,560 --> 00:38:49,040 satisfied their parking requirements. If 172 00:38:49,040 --> 00:38:51,599 the answer written on an application or 173 00:38:51,599 --> 00:38:53,920 given by city staff was simply downtown 174 00:38:53,920 --> 00:38:55,680 village, then we want to know the legal 175 00:38:55,680 --> 00:38:58,480 basis for that determination. We are not 176 00:38:58,480 --> 00:39:00,079 asking the city to treat anyone 177 00:39:00,079 --> 00:39:02,480 unfairly. We are asking for the 178 00:39:02,480 --> 00:39:04,400 opposite. We want the rules applied 179 00:39:04,400 --> 00:39:06,720 consistently, transparently, and 180 00:39:06,720 --> 00:39:09,280 according to the adopted specific plan 181 00:39:09,280 --> 00:39:10,960 for each property that received this 182 00:39:10,960 --> 00:39:12,480 treatment. The city should be able to 183 00:39:12,480 --> 00:39:14,880 show the calculation. How many parking 184 00:39:14,880 --> 00:39:16,960 spaces were required? How many 185 00:39:16,960 --> 00:39:19,520 qualifying street or municipal spaces 186 00:39:19,520 --> 00:39:21,839 were credited? Was a reduction granted? 187 00:39:21,839 --> 00:39:23,440 Who approved it? And under what 188 00:39:23,440 --> 00:39:25,839 provision of the specific plan? Our 189 00:39:25,839 --> 00:39:27,680 family's private property cannot simply 190 00:39:27,680 --> 00:39:29,680 become the solution to everybody else's 191 00:39:29,680 --> 00:39:31,839 parking requirements without our 192 00:39:31,839 --> 00:39:34,160 permission. So today, I am asking the 193 00:39:34,160 --> 00:39:35,760 council and community development 194 00:39:35,760 --> 00:39:37,599 department for a complete accounting of 195 00:39:37,599 --> 00:39:40,000 how these parking determinations have 196 00:39:40,000 --> 00:39:42,880 been made and for confirmation that our 197 00:39:42,880 --> 00:39:44,640 privately owned parking lot has never 198 00:39:44,640 --> 00:39:47,040 been counted formally or informally 199 00:39:47,040 --> 00:39:48,720 toward another property's parking 200 00:39:48,720 --> 00:39:51,359 requirement without our consent. This 201 00:39:51,359 --> 00:39:53,200 has gone on far too long. We aren't 202 00:39:53,200 --> 00:39:55,040 asking for special treatment. We're 203 00:39:55,040 --> 00:39:56,720 asking the city to follow its own 204 00:39:56,720 --> 00:39:58,720 adopted rules and respect our property 205 00:39:58,720 --> 00:40:01,839 rights. Thank you. 206 00:40:01,839 --> 00:40:04,400 >> Thank you very much, Judy. Next speaker, 207 00:40:04,400 --> 00:40:07,430 >> Bella. 208 00:40:07,440 --> 00:40:10,880 » Afternoon, everybody, and welcome to the 209 00:40:10,880 --> 00:40:13,680 city to the new city manager. Um what I 210 00:40:13,680 --> 00:40:15,359 would like to say is I attended the 211 00:40:15,359 --> 00:40:18,400 measure Q open house on Saturday and 212 00:40:18,400 --> 00:40:20,400 based on the discussion that was 213 00:40:20,400 --> 00:40:22,240 observed with city staff and questions 214 00:40:22,240 --> 00:40:24,480 that were asked by um some of the 215 00:40:24,480 --> 00:40:26,720 residents um there's an observed 216 00:40:26,720 --> 00:40:29,119 misalignment on how Measure Q funds 217 00:40:29,119 --> 00:40:31,200 would be distributed. There's clear 218 00:40:31,200 --> 00:40:35,040 confusion on if 72% of measure Q will go 219 00:40:35,040 --> 00:40:38,000 to public safety or is it that council 220 00:40:38,000 --> 00:40:39,920 will have discretion on how the 221 00:40:39,920 --> 00:40:42,640 estimated 16 million will be allocated. 222 00:40:42,640 --> 00:40:44,880 If doing the back of the envelope math, 223 00:40:44,880 --> 00:40:47,280 public safety will get 72% of the 224 00:40:47,280 --> 00:40:48,960 general fund, which apparently that's 225 00:40:48,960 --> 00:40:51,680 what it is, 100% of measure U and now 226 00:40:51,680 --> 00:40:54,880 72% of measure Q, leaving peanuts for 227 00:40:54,880 --> 00:40:57,200 the rest of the city, which based off 228 00:40:57,200 --> 00:40:58,640 the city council meetings that I've 229 00:40:58,640 --> 00:41:01,359 observed, that was not what was the 230 00:41:01,359 --> 00:41:03,760 understanding. Um, people will soon be 231 00:41:03,760 --> 00:41:06,400 voting on this measure that not even the 232 00:41:06,400 --> 00:41:09,040 council or city staff have clarity on. 233 00:41:09,040 --> 00:41:10,960 And that was clearly observed during the 234 00:41:10,960 --> 00:41:13,839 measure Q meeting that I attended on 235 00:41:13,839 --> 00:41:16,640 Saturday and how the funds will be um 236 00:41:16,640 --> 00:41:20,079 dispersed. But we were told council 237 00:41:20,079 --> 00:41:22,319 decides and I don't know who is getting 238 00:41:22,319 --> 00:41:24,560 manipulated here. If it's the residents, 239 00:41:24,560 --> 00:41:28,000 if it's council, I'm not sure who, but 240 00:41:28,000 --> 00:41:30,160 residents are made to believe that 241 00:41:30,160 --> 00:41:32,640 without measure Q, they're going to be 242 00:41:32,640 --> 00:41:34,960 losing the boots on the ground and fire 243 00:41:34,960 --> 00:41:37,440 services. and council has been made to 244 00:41:37,440 --> 00:41:40,079 believe that they have an opportunity to 245 00:41:40,079 --> 00:41:43,280 decide on how the estimated 16 million 246 00:41:43,280 --> 00:41:45,920 of measure Q will be allocated when in 247 00:41:45,920 --> 00:41:52,640 reality if it's based off of one of the um the the sides it will only 248 00:41:52,640 --> 00:41:55,440 be around 4.5 million on which will be 249 00:41:55,440 --> 00:41:58,400 used for city other city needs. Um the 250 00:41:58,400 --> 00:42:00,720 residents deserve better. I'm asking 251 00:42:00,720 --> 00:42:03,680 that the council ask questions. I sat 252 00:42:03,680 --> 00:42:05,760 here I still have a minute. I sat here 253 00:42:05,760 --> 00:42:07,839 or watched it online, not sure, a few 254 00:42:07,839 --> 00:42:10,000 sessions ago and there was a city reper, 255 00:42:10,000 --> 00:42:12,319 city staff that talked about with the 256 00:42:12,319 --> 00:42:15,920 dispensaries that on their new software 257 00:42:15,920 --> 00:42:19,040 that it's not set up to collect 12,000 258 00:42:19,040 --> 00:42:22,000 25 Yeah. 12,500 of fees from the 259 00:42:22,000 --> 00:42:24,880 dispensaries, but not anybody on the 260 00:42:24,880 --> 00:42:28,000 council asked them, "What are you doing 261 00:42:28,000 --> 00:42:30,880 to rectify that? What are you doing to 262 00:42:30,880 --> 00:42:33,359 set it up to collect those fees?" yet 263 00:42:33,359 --> 00:42:36,960 you all want us to pay more taxes, but 264 00:42:36,960 --> 00:42:39,440 there's not even any clarity on if it's 265 00:42:39,440 --> 00:42:41,520 really going to be used the way that you 266 00:42:41,520 --> 00:42:44,079 all have been, I guess, presented it 267 00:42:44,079 --> 00:42:47,760 with. So, I'm asking for clarity. I'm 268 00:42:47,760 --> 00:42:49,200 asking people are going to be voting on 269 00:42:49,200 --> 00:42:51,599 this very soon. And this a complete 270 00:42:51,599 --> 00:42:53,200 misrepresentation 271 00:42:53,200 --> 00:42:56,000 if it is not clearly understood amongst 272 00:42:56,000 --> 00:42:59,359 city staff. So, I'm asking that council 273 00:42:59,359 --> 00:43:02,800 ask questions to the city attorney and 274 00:43:02,800 --> 00:43:05,760 city manager and that it is very clear 275 00:43:05,760 --> 00:43:08,240 on what the expectations are here. 276 00:43:08,240 --> 00:43:10,640 Please ask questions. We need this from 277 00:43:10,640 --> 00:43:12,560 you. 278 00:43:12,560 --> 00:43:14,640 >> Thank you very much. And just a comment 279 00:43:14,640 --> 00:43:18,640 on that. Uh the measure Q allocation 280 00:43:18,640 --> 00:43:20,480 distribution will be on the next city 281 00:43:20,480 --> 00:43:23,119 council uh agenda and we will be 282 00:43:23,119 --> 00:43:25,040 discussing it at a public meeting. So, 283 00:43:25,040 --> 00:43:28,870 thank you very much. 284 00:43:28,880 --> 00:43:33,680 Moving on to discuss discussion item 285 00:43:33,680 --> 00:43:35,920 number 14. 286 00:43:35,920 --> 00:43:38,560 A did you want to say anything before I 287 00:43:38,560 --> 00:43:39,920 do? 288 00:43:39,920 --> 00:43:42,319 >> Um, mayor, I I can certainly give uh my 289 00:43:42,319 --> 00:43:44,640 required report under uh the Brown Act 290 00:43:44,640 --> 00:43:46,319 if you'd like or if you wanted to have 291 00:43:46,319 --> 00:43:48,240 staff or sorry, council and staff give 292 00:43:48,240 --> 00:43:50,079 comments. What would your preference be? 293 00:43:50,079 --> 00:43:52,640 >> Uh preference would be that we go first. 294 00:43:52,640 --> 00:43:56,160 >> Okay. So, with that, um, I'd just like 295 00:43:56,160 --> 00:43:59,040 to give a a short background on our 296 00:43:59,040 --> 00:44:01,520 search for city permanent city manager 297 00:44:01,520 --> 00:44:03,040 that has been going on for several 298 00:44:03,040 --> 00:44:06,960 months now. And, uh, we did receive over 299 00:44:06,960 --> 00:44:10,800 30 applications for city manager. The 300 00:44:10,800 --> 00:44:13,280 full council interviewed eight 301 00:44:13,280 --> 00:44:14,960 candidates, 302 00:44:14,960 --> 00:44:16,960 called back two of them for further 303 00:44:16,960 --> 00:44:18,640 interview, 304 00:44:18,640 --> 00:44:23,920 and had a unanimous vote on appointment 305 00:44:23,920 --> 00:44:26,319 of 306 00:44:26,319 --> 00:44:30,560 Ernest Raina. I got it right that time 307 00:44:30,560 --> 00:44:32,240 because I just pronounced his name wrong 308 00:44:32,240 --> 00:44:39,920 a little bit ago. Um, and u, it's been a process. It has been uh 309 00:44:39,920 --> 00:44:43,520 challenging. We had of the 30 candidates 310 00:44:43,520 --> 00:44:46,960 we had the the eight were outstanding 311 00:44:46,960 --> 00:44:50,240 and I had made the comment uh that if we 312 00:44:50,240 --> 00:44:52,560 could roll them all into one, what would 313 00:44:52,560 --> 00:44:54,880 we have? And council member Lodge said 314 00:44:54,880 --> 00:44:58,720 we'd have a very big fat city manager. 315 00:44:58,720 --> 00:45:01,599 So, thank you for that. Uh, any other 316 00:45:01,599 --> 00:45:03,359 council members want to make a comment 317 00:45:03,359 --> 00:45:06,720 before we go through the legal mumbo 318 00:45:06,720 --> 00:45:09,599 jumbo from city attorney? 319 00:45:09,599 --> 00:45:11,680 Go ahead, Connie. Make it short. 320 00:45:11,680 --> 00:45:15,200 >> Very short. One of our uh consultants I 321 00:45:15,200 --> 00:45:16,720 told 322 00:45:16,720 --> 00:45:20,640 I want this certain type of city manager 323 00:45:20,640 --> 00:45:22,800 and he knew exactly who I was talking 324 00:45:22,800 --> 00:45:24,640 about because it was someone I had met 325 00:45:24,640 --> 00:45:27,920 at Cal Cities. and I just saw him at the 326 00:45:27,920 --> 00:45:30,880 Cal Cities and I told him, "Bingo, you 327 00:45:30,880 --> 00:45:35,200 got it. Right on." So, I'm very pleased. 328 00:45:35,200 --> 00:45:37,839 And that's all I'm going to say. Very 329 00:45:37,839 --> 00:45:40,640 good. Anyone else? 330 00:45:40,640 --> 00:45:43,359 >> Nope. 331 00:45:43,359 --> 00:45:44,560 >> Go ahead. 332 00:45:44,560 --> 00:45:47,599 >> I just want to welcome Ernie. Um, I 333 00:45:47,599 --> 00:45:48,880 think you're going to do a great job 334 00:45:48,880 --> 00:45:51,760 after interviewing you. You gave a great 335 00:45:51,760 --> 00:45:53,920 interview. Uh, you were ready, you were 336 00:45:53,920 --> 00:45:55,839 prepared, and that was good. 337 00:45:55,839 --> 00:45:58,160 um with Noah, you know, I want to thank 338 00:45:58,160 --> 00:46:01,599 you, Noah, for all you did and coming in 339 00:46:01,599 --> 00:46:03,680 at a time where you were needed and you 340 00:46:03,680 --> 00:46:05,920 did a great job. I was pleased with you. 341 00:46:05,920 --> 00:46:09,280 So, um I was ready to have you on 342 00:46:09,280 --> 00:46:11,280 full-time and hopefully you would have 343 00:46:11,280 --> 00:46:13,760 continued, but things don't always work 344 00:46:13,760 --> 00:46:16,160 the way you think they're going to work, 345 00:46:16,160 --> 00:46:18,240 but I'm I'm thankful for what you did 346 00:46:18,240 --> 00:46:21,200 and uh I thank you for giving your time 347 00:46:21,200 --> 00:46:24,800 as city manager, Ernie. you you'll be 348 00:46:24,800 --> 00:46:25,839 welcome. 349 00:46:25,839 --> 00:46:30,560 >> So, okay. If there's no other, then Mr. 350 00:46:30,560 --> 00:46:32,640 City Attorney, would you please give us 351 00:46:32,640 --> 00:46:34,720 the the legalies that we need to have? 352 00:46:34,720 --> 00:46:36,720 >> Sure. I I will happily engage in the 353 00:46:36,720 --> 00:46:40,400 mumbo jumbo. Mayor say 354 00:46:40,400 --> 00:46:43,280 >> um so I I did just uh want to give a 355 00:46:43,280 --> 00:46:45,520 little bit of public information on Mr. 356 00:46:45,520 --> 00:46:47,839 Rea. He has more than 25 years of 357 00:46:47,839 --> 00:46:49,680 progressively responsible leadership in 358 00:46:49,680 --> 00:46:51,680 city management, municipal finance, and 359 00:46:51,680 --> 00:46:53,599 regional government. uh all of it in 360 00:46:53,599 --> 00:46:56,160 service to Riverside County communities. 361 00:46:56,160 --> 00:46:58,400 Uh he joined the city of Paris in 2019 362 00:46:58,400 --> 00:47:00,079 as the director of finance and city 363 00:47:00,079 --> 00:47:02,800 treasurer and was promoted in 2021 to 364 00:47:02,800 --> 00:47:05,280 deputy city manager and later to his 365 00:47:05,280 --> 00:47:07,359 current role of assistant city manager. 366 00:47:07,359 --> 00:47:09,440 Uh in that role, he serves as the 367 00:47:09,440 --> 00:47:11,520 principal operational assistant to the 368 00:47:11,520 --> 00:47:14,400 city manager with executive oversight of 369 00:47:14,400 --> 00:47:16,640 finance, public works, information 370 00:47:16,640 --> 00:47:19,119 technology, emergency management, 371 00:47:19,119 --> 00:47:21,280 municipal enforcement services, and the 372 00:47:21,280 --> 00:47:23,599 public safety contract administration. 373 00:47:23,599 --> 00:47:25,359 Uh he's been directly involved in budget 374 00:47:25,359 --> 00:47:27,520 development, labor negotiations, 375 00:47:27,520 --> 00:47:29,839 long-term financial planning. And in 376 00:47:29,839 --> 00:47:32,640 2026, he was primarily assigned to the 377 00:47:32,640 --> 00:47:34,800 executive effort regarding measure B, 378 00:47:34,800 --> 00:47:37,280 which is a voter-approved local sales 379 00:47:37,280 --> 00:47:38,960 tax measure that will strengthen the 380 00:47:38,960 --> 00:47:40,800 city of Paris's long-term fiscal 381 00:47:40,800 --> 00:47:43,839 position. Before joining Paris, uh, Mr. 382 00:47:43,839 --> 00:47:45,440 Rea served as the finance director and 383 00:47:45,440 --> 00:47:47,280 city treasurer for the city of Eastale. 384 00:47:47,280 --> 00:47:48,800 And before that, for more than seven 385 00:47:48,800 --> 00:47:51,119 years as the chief financial officer of 386 00:47:51,119 --> 00:47:52,720 the Western Riverside Council of 387 00:47:52,720 --> 00:47:55,119 Governments, WRCOG, a regional agency 388 00:47:55,119 --> 00:47:58,240 that serves over 17 cities in our area. 389 00:47:58,240 --> 00:48:00,480 Um, additionally, he began his career 390 00:48:00,480 --> 00:48:02,319 with the Morongo Band of Mission Indians 391 00:48:02,319 --> 00:48:03,680 where he spent 13 years in their 392 00:48:03,680 --> 00:48:05,200 accounting, audit, and financial 393 00:48:05,200 --> 00:48:07,440 administration roles. So, if you're 394 00:48:07,440 --> 00:48:10,079 wondering what kind of city manager uh 395 00:48:10,079 --> 00:48:12,400 the council member was looking for, I 396 00:48:12,400 --> 00:48:15,680 think that answers it. Um, on to the 397 00:48:15,680 --> 00:48:17,359 requirements uh that I have to provide 398 00:48:17,359 --> 00:48:19,680 under the Brown Act. Uh, the proposed 399 00:48:19,680 --> 00:48:22,400 agreement uh with Mr. arena. Uh copies 400 00:48:22,400 --> 00:48:24,480 of which are outside on the table next 401 00:48:24,480 --> 00:48:27,280 to the public um request to speak and 402 00:48:27,280 --> 00:48:29,520 the agendas. So anyone feel free to take 403 00:48:29,520 --> 00:48:32,319 a copy. They will be posted online uh 404 00:48:32,319 --> 00:48:34,800 very shortly. Um the proposed agreement 405 00:48:34,800 --> 00:48:38,319 has an initial annual salary of $330,000 406 00:48:38,319 --> 00:48:40,960 per year. Um annual creases annual 407 00:48:40,960 --> 00:48:43,920 increases of 2% subject to salary 408 00:48:43,920 --> 00:48:45,839 compaction and fiscal emergency 409 00:48:45,839 --> 00:48:48,640 provisions. uh very similar to our other 410 00:48:48,640 --> 00:48:50,400 agreements. It has salary adjustments 411 00:48:50,400 --> 00:48:52,800 tied to the next highest paid city 412 00:48:52,800 --> 00:48:55,680 classification and that's where the um 413 00:48:55,680 --> 00:48:57,839 annual salary was set at because of that 414 00:48:57,839 --> 00:49:00,240 benefits include uh city deferred 415 00:49:00,240 --> 00:49:02,800 compensation contributions. uh Kalpers's 416 00:49:02,800 --> 00:49:04,240 retirement health, dental, vision 417 00:49:04,240 --> 00:49:06,400 benefits and applicable management 418 00:49:06,400 --> 00:49:08,480 employee terms, including city paid life 419 00:49:08,480 --> 00:49:11,440 insurance and a $500 automobile 420 00:49:11,440 --> 00:49:13,359 allowance or a city provided vehicle, 421 00:49:13,359 --> 00:49:14,720 which is the same benefit that other 422 00:49:14,720 --> 00:49:16,720 management level employees at the city 423 00:49:16,720 --> 00:49:19,920 are provided. Um, he'll also be uh 424 00:49:19,920 --> 00:49:23,520 provided with uh vacation time, credit 425 00:49:23,520 --> 00:49:26,319 for his CalPOR's agency service, uh 60 426 00:49:26,319 --> 00:49:28,400 hours of administrative leave uh that is 427 00:49:28,400 --> 00:49:30,480 prrated initially, and he will be 428 00:49:30,480 --> 00:49:31,920 allowed to participate in the city's 429 00:49:31,920 --> 00:49:34,400 gym, employee assistance, and group 430 00:49:34,400 --> 00:49:36,960 health insurance programs. Uh that 431 00:49:36,960 --> 00:49:39,040 concludes the required disclosures there 432 00:49:39,040 --> 00:49:39,520 may be. 433 00:49:39,520 --> 00:49:42,079 >> All right. Thank you very much. And with 434 00:49:42,079 --> 00:49:44,640 that, um, 435 00:49:44,640 --> 00:49:48,319 would like to entertain a motion. What 436 00:49:48,319 --> 00:49:54,790 is your pleasure, council? 437 00:49:54,800 --> 00:49:59,520 » I would do a motion to accept approve. 438 00:49:59,520 --> 00:50:01,119 >> Approve. 439 00:50:01,119 --> 00:50:06,079 I use the wrong word. Approve. And it's 440 00:50:06,079 --> 00:50:07,599 someone help me with the last name 441 00:50:07,599 --> 00:50:10,160 because you've already I messed it up 442 00:50:10,160 --> 00:50:13,359 for you. already considered me. 443 00:50:13,359 --> 00:50:15,359 You'll you'll never be the same. 444 00:50:15,359 --> 00:50:17,760 >> Yes. Ernie Raina. 445 00:50:17,760 --> 00:50:19,680 >> Rea. 446 00:50:19,680 --> 00:50:21,200 >> Okay, we have a motion. Do we have a 447 00:50:21,200 --> 00:50:21,680 second? 448 00:50:21,680 --> 00:50:22,480 >> I second that. 449 00:50:22,480 --> 00:50:24,559 >> Okay, it has been moved and seconded. 450 00:50:24,559 --> 00:50:26,160 Uh, 451 00:50:26,160 --> 00:50:30,079 can we have a roll call, please? We I 452 00:50:30,079 --> 00:50:31,040 want both. 453 00:50:31,040 --> 00:50:32,079 >> Or do you want to go on board? 454 00:50:32,079 --> 00:50:34,240 >> I want vote voice and then we hit the 455 00:50:34,240 --> 00:50:34,640 button. 456 00:50:34,640 --> 00:50:37,119 >> Okay. Council member Howard Clark. 457 00:50:37,119 --> 00:50:38,000 >> Yes. 458 00:50:38,000 --> 00:50:39,119 >> Council member Lodge. 459 00:50:39,119 --> 00:50:40,559 >> Most definitely. Council member 460 00:50:40,559 --> 00:50:41,119 Peterson. 461 00:50:41,119 --> 00:50:41,760 >> Yes. 462 00:50:41,760 --> 00:50:42,960 >> Mayor Poten Males, 463 00:50:42,960 --> 00:50:44,800 >> just one question. Are you okay with a 464 00:50:44,800 --> 00:50:48,960 1967 uh Volkswagen for your vehicle 465 00:50:48,960 --> 00:50:51,440 then? Yes. 466 00:50:51,440 --> 00:50:53,440 >> And Mayor Koopa. 467 00:50:53,440 --> 00:50:54,240 >> Yes. 468 00:50:54,240 --> 00:50:55,839 >> But it has no brakes. 469 00:50:55,839 --> 00:50:58,079 >> You push 470 00:50:58,079 --> 00:50:59,680 >> push our Okay, everybody push your 471 00:50:59,680 --> 00:51:03,680 buttons. This is going to be recorded. 472 00:51:03,680 --> 00:51:06,480 And confirm. 473 00:51:06,480 --> 00:51:09,119 There it is. It is official. Welcome, 474 00:51:09,119 --> 00:51:11,680 Mr. Raina. And with that, would you 475 00:51:11,680 --> 00:51:16,710 please 476 00:51:16,720 --> 00:51:18,480 go to the microphone and tell us a 477 00:51:18,480 --> 00:51:20,000 little bit about yourself and introduce 478 00:51:20,000 --> 00:51:26,470 your lovely wife? 479 00:51:26,480 --> 00:51:28,640 » Well, thank you, uh, Mayor Krupa and 480 00:51:28,640 --> 00:51:30,079 members of the city council. Is your 481 00:51:30,079 --> 00:51:30,800 line green? 482 00:51:30,800 --> 00:51:32,240 >> It's green. Yes. I just got to stand a 483 00:51:32,240 --> 00:51:34,000 little closer because I'm taller. So, 484 00:51:34,000 --> 00:51:35,760 the whole thing on the left side over 485 00:51:35,760 --> 00:51:36,640 there, 486 00:51:36,640 --> 00:51:39,119 >> this is the 487 00:51:39,119 --> 00:51:41,280 Wow, look at that. That's fancy. I like 488 00:51:41,280 --> 00:51:42,400 that. 489 00:51:42,400 --> 00:51:44,000 >> How's that? Is that better? Getting 490 00:51:44,000 --> 00:51:44,720 closer. 491 00:51:44,720 --> 00:51:45,839 >> Did it. 492 00:51:45,839 --> 00:51:47,440 >> Well, just a quick introduction and 493 00:51:47,440 --> 00:51:49,200 thank you for the kind words. Um, I 494 00:51:49,200 --> 00:51:51,040 think city attorney Pacificico said a 495 00:51:51,040 --> 00:51:52,960 lot of that. Uh, my name is Ernest 496 00:51:52,960 --> 00:51:55,760 Raina. I go by Ernie. Um, and so Raina 497 00:51:55,760 --> 00:51:57,440 is the last name. I'm here with my 498 00:51:57,440 --> 00:51:59,200 beautiful wife Dolores Rea as well. 499 00:51:59,200 --> 00:52:01,359 We've been married 25 years. Um, and so 500 00:52:01,359 --> 00:52:03,040 I'm looking forward to this next chapter 501 00:52:03,040 --> 00:52:05,440 of my life. but also in reviewing and 502 00:52:05,440 --> 00:52:07,440 reading the description for the job, I I 503 00:52:07,440 --> 00:52:09,680 thought it fit pretty well. Um, and so 504 00:52:09,680 --> 00:52:11,760 the skills that were once described here 505 00:52:11,760 --> 00:52:13,680 at the DEIS um are the skills and the 506 00:52:13,680 --> 00:52:15,359 traits that I bring to the city. Um, I'm 507 00:52:15,359 --> 00:52:17,280 really eager, excited to get started. 508 00:52:17,280 --> 00:52:19,599 Um, and working with the city council, 509 00:52:19,599 --> 00:52:21,200 uh, the residents of the of the city as 510 00:52:21,200 --> 00:52:23,440 well, city staff um, and I have a plan 511 00:52:23,440 --> 00:52:27,359 of what to do going forward. So, like uh, city attorney Pacificico said, 512 00:52:27,359 --> 00:52:28,960 um, I just had a voter approved measure 513 00:52:28,960 --> 00:52:30,800 passed in Paris. So, we're under the 514 00:52:30,800 --> 00:52:32,960 same type of operation that that he is. 515 00:52:32,960 --> 00:52:34,720 So, it's very familiar to me. So, I'm 516 00:52:34,720 --> 00:52:36,880 super excited to get eager and get 517 00:52:36,880 --> 00:52:38,160 started with everything and go from 518 00:52:38,160 --> 00:52:40,720 there. But, uh I will uh given my 30-day 519 00:52:40,720 --> 00:52:42,319 notice at my previous employer and I'll 520 00:52:42,319 --> 00:52:43,359 be starting here soon. So, I'm looking 521 00:52:43,359 --> 00:52:44,480 forward to all that. But I just want to 522 00:52:44,480 --> 00:52:45,520 say thank you for giving me the 523 00:52:45,520 --> 00:52:47,200 opportunity and uh we'll we'll go from 524 00:52:47,200 --> 00:52:48,640 there. But thank you. 525 00:52:48,640 --> 00:53:00,549 >> Thank you very much and welcome. 526 00:53:00,559 --> 00:53:03,520 » We'll do that after. Okay. Yes, stick 527 00:53:03,520 --> 00:53:04,960 around. We're going to take a formal 528 00:53:04,960 --> 00:53:08,319 picture afterwards. So, um, with that, 529 00:53:08,319 --> 00:53:10,400 there being no further business, there's 530 00:53:10,400 --> 00:53:12,720 a bug in here, this meeting is adjourned 531 00:53:12,720 --> 00:53:15,040 to the next city council meeting on 532 00:53:15,040 --> 00:53:18,319 October 13, 2026. Thank you so much 533 00:53:18,319 --> 00:53:19,760 everyone for joining us. We are 534 00:53:19,760 --> 00:53:22,760 adjourned.