• Application For Remainder of District 5 City Council Term

As you know, City Councilwoman Marsha Swanson has submitted her letter of resignation effective April 1, 2022 or when a replacement is sworn in. 

Below is the text from a recent email from the city clerk that shows how to apply to have her seat for the remainder of her term, which typically would go until the first meeting in December.

Link to application page

Direct from the city email:

CITY OF WILDOMAR - CITY COUNCIL NOTICE OF VACANCY IN DISTRICT 5 & APPLICATION PERIOD TO BE CONSIDERED FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE CITY COUNCIL

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Wildomar is seeking applications for appointment to the City Council to fill a vacancy created when Councilmember Swanson resigned on February 10, 2022. 

The term of this seat is from the date of appointment to December 2022. 

Eligibility requirements to apply: 

1. Must be at least 18 years old. 

2. Must reside in District 5 of the City of Wildomar. 

3. Must be registered to vote at current address at the time the application is submitted. 

The application can be found on the City Clerk’s Department page at www.cityofwildomar.org by downloading the application; OR by emailing/calling the City Clerk at jmorales@cityofwildomar.org or 951-677-7751 x210 to request a copy.

Applications will be reviewed by the ad-hoc subcommittee. 

The top qualified candidates will be selected and invited to interview with the City Council at a Special Council Meeting tentatively scheduled for March 16, 2022 at 6PM. 

The appointment will be made at-large and will be voted upon by the entire City Council in open session. Directly following the vote by the Council, the appointed individual will be sworn in and begin the remainder of the term. 

To Apply: 

1. Complete the City Council Vacancy Application. 

2. Email the Application to jmorales@cityofwildomar.org OR Mail to: City of Wildomar, 23873 Clinton Keith Road Ste. 201, Wildomar, CA 92595 Attn: City Clerk Janet Morales or drop off at City of Wildomar 23873 Clinton Keith Road Ste. 110 Wildomar, CA 92595. 

All applications are due no later than Thursday March 10, 2022 at 5PM. 

Date: February 25, 2022 Janet Morales, City Clerk

Link to city clerk page

Link to application page

This is the original, but it's probably difficult to read, and that's why I included the text version above. 

Wildomar Rap opinion time

I can imagine that some residents may take issue with this part: The top qualified candidates will be selected and invited to interview with the City Council at a Special Council Meeting tentatively scheduled for March 16, 2022 at 6PM. 

There are a few things to keep in mind. 

The subcommittee is looking for someone to fill the seat for the remainder of the term and be willing to put in all the work that comes with the position. 

This is filling a vacancy so that District 5 doesn't go 10 months without representation, and to avoid any potential 2-2 votes on items that may come before the city council between now and then. 

I see no reason to make this a search that lasts any longer than is necessary. 

The type of person that gets this seat, in my estimation, needs to already be plugged into the basics of city matters. 

That would negate the need for holding applications open for 60 or 90 days because they'll already be aware of this opening.

This is not a beauty pageant. Not a popularity contest. Not a permanent situation.

It's not preventing people from putting their names on the ballot for the coming election where the voters will make the choice.

My hope is that we receive several applications from highly motivated residents, that have a history in our city, and also a history of working in the community.

Only one person can be appointed, and they need three votes. 

Whoever it ends up being, if they have thoughts of being there longer than the remainder of the term, they'll need to submit paperwork with their intentions to run as early as July, along with any other candidates.

I have more opinions, but I'm really not at liberty to share them in a blog. I'll be saving them for the night of the special meeting on March 16th.

• City Council Meeting: Special Meeting; Resignation of Marsha Swanson

Long-Time City Council Member Marsha Swanson to Retire From Wildomar City Council

From the press release

WILDOMAR, CA – Marsha Swanson, who has been on Wildomar City Council since incorporation in 2008, submitted a letter of resignation on Thursday, February 10, 2022. 

The City held a Special Council Meeting on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 where it decided to appoint a new Council Member in Swanson’s place. 

The Council formed an ad hoc committee, consisting of Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Morabito and Council Member Dustin Nigg, which intends to hold interviews and provide a recommendation for the appointment. 

“Councilmember Swanson has been a tireless leader for our community since incorporation,” said Mayor Ben J. Benoit. “We will genuinely miss her calming influence on our Council and wish her the best with the upcoming free time she’ll have with her husband John Swanson, the kids, grandkids, and seven great-grandkids.”

Link to online version of the press release

Recap of meeting

The meeting had only one topic; how to deal with the empty seat created by Councilwoman Marsha Swanson's resignation.

There isn't time for a special election. 

In 2022, the only months available by law are April, June or November.

You may be thinking that June isn't too soon, but you'd be wrong. The election date can't be sooner than 114 days. If that sounds odd, take it up with the rule makers in Sacramento.

Initially, I was against filling the seat with either a special election or an appointment.

My reasoning was that the general election wasn't too far away, and that the voters of District 5 should be making the choice.

Outgoing Councilwoman Marsha Swanson made a point that I hadn't yet thought about. That District 5 would be without representation for the rest of the year. 

That is a good point, and even though we would make due, that doesn't make sense since there's a provision where a replacement can be appointed.

Whoever gets the nod will still have to run for election in November. The candidates that do not get selected will also be able to ask the voters of District 5 to choose them on election day.

That's really all to report now, but the idea is to get the word out to interested persons right away so that they can apply. 

Wildomar Rap opinion time

Here's something that I'll say, that I basically already said at the special meeting. I will not vote to approve a candidate that is an unknown. The voters can do that, but I won't.

If you are interested in applying, but have to be told to sign up for city emails so that you're up on things, that's a little too disengaged for me. 

I encourage newcomers to apply for a position on the Measure Z or Measure AA committees as an introduction to working within the Wildomar city government apparatus. LINK TO APPLICATIONS

If you want my vote, you need to be involved in the community on some level. I think that's a fair baseline to begin from. 

Here is my "list of things" that I expect all candidates to address in their applications... this can be seen in the video below. 

1. Why do they believe they are the best candidate for the position?

2. What is their motivation for seeking the position?

3. Do they have an agenda, and what is it?

4. What do they believe will be their roll once appointed?

5. Are they a team player?

6. What is their history in Wildomar?

7. What is their history with community involvement?

8. Do they understand that this position is far more than the monthly city council meetings (which includes a lot of homework to prepare for)?

9. Are they aware that this position is about being an ambassador for the city in many regional events, and as many city events as is feasibly possible? That they will be one of the key faces representing the city, even on their off time and on social media?

10. Is the new appointee willing to put in the time on various county boards and commissions where needed, not representing themselves, but representing the council?

I don't want District 5 to be without representation for the rest of the year, but I won't vote for someone just because they have a pulse.

• Look For Higher Trash Rates

Before you say that you didn't see this coming...

I recognize that many people have more pressing things to do than keep up with the issues regarding what happens with their trash after it's been picked up, I was the same way until about 10 years ago.

Then something would hit me in the wallet (a rate hike due to an unfunded mandate) and I'd perk up.

Our garbage has to go somewhere.

Playing the blame game doesn't help anyone, but if you're looking for the root cause of the increases please direct your gaze northward to Sacramento. 

For a VERY long time Sacramento has been putting the squeeze on how we can throw out our trash, whether you care about it or not. After years of revving up for this, the start date finally came.

I'm not here to argue the merits of the intentions (which we all know that the road to hell is paved with good ones), I'm just letting you know that your trash rates will be going up at some point in the not too distant future.

Trash Getting Expensive –

 The State (via Senate Bill 1383, passed in 2016) is mandating that cities and counties implement new trash collection standards specifically for food/organic waste. Once fully implemented, many of us could have yet another trash bin at the curb for discarded food and other non-recyclable organic waste. 

The local trash haulers are under the gun to put together their food pick up plan and to tell the cities and counties exactly how much more they want (or need) to increase our monthly rates in order to accomplish this statewide mandate. 

Any city or county that fails to implement the new plan will receive substantial fines from the State. Details are all pending but stayed tuned!

Link to Supervisor Kevin Jeffries Newsletter.

This was discussed at the December city council meeting, and I was a little taken aback when CR&R's Alex Braicovich said that there would be no rate increases since several years ago, to accommodate SB 1383, there was said to be a minimum $2 increase if the city had signed a deal several years ago.

It was asked, "With this adjustment in service is there a price increase to cover it? For commercial or residential?" 

"In this particular instance we're proposing no increase on the residential rate payer. There will be a rate adjustment later on in the year to address the 1383 requirements, as mentioned by Mr. Riley (Wildomar's City Treasurer). There are a number of requirements that 1383 is bringing on board. Those will be addressed at that time. There will be no increase to the residential customers."

I followed up with, "No increase as of the first of the year, but probably at the fiscal year."

Mr. Braicovich responded, "At the fiscal year what we're contemplating is the regular CPI adjustment." 

The exchange can be found at the 2:03:00 mark in this video link.

My goal is to get accurate information to the public, not play gotcha. So, before publishing this blog I reached out to CR&R's Alex Braicovich again. 

Below is the email exchange.

 WR  Before publishing the blog, I just want to run it by you first to confirm that there will be no residential rate increases beyond the normal CPI adjustment. or if the above needs a clarification.

 AB  Our plan is to only pass through our regular annual CPI for residential effective July 1, 2022. 

CPI will be higher this year due to higher inflation which is reflected in our increase costs. 

Our goal has always been to minimize residential cost increase even with all these new requirements brought on by SB 1383. 

We will be asking for CPI plus an additional amount on commercial and industrial. We communicated this plan to staff months ago and we plan to honor that commitment.

Wildomar Rap opinion time

I was happy to hear that the plan is to not ask for more than the CPI (Consumer Price Index) adjustment for residential customers even with the added burden of SB 1383. 

We'll have to see how significant that ends up being considering how steep inflation has been over the last year.

Also, this is where it's time to take a page from President Reagan's playbook, "Trust, but verify". 

I had an email into Waste Management's counterpart, but I didn't get a response before publishing this blog.

Link to 2016 blog where this first surfaced.

• Bundy Canyon Construction Update

Here is the most recent official update from the city regarding construction on Bundy Canyon. 

Construction Updates

Updated: 2/3/2022

• General Notices:
• Sellers Road at Bundy Canyon Road is still currently closed due to pending construction activities. Work in this area is currently scheduled from 2/14/22-3/4/22. The intersection is expected to be reopened to traffic once completed. Detour signs have been placed to direct drivers around the closure.
• Please use caution when driving through the construction area, and please follow all traffic control signs and direction from project traffic control personnel.
• Please expect delays when driving through the construction area. Construction Zone speed limits are strictly enforced.
• Monthly project updates are also being provided via the City's Newsletter and presentations provided at regularly scheduled City Council Meetings.

 



February '22 field activity
Continuing installation of soundwall throughout eastern project limits



• Current Project Activities:
• Construction of the project's perimeter soundwalls on south side of Bundy Canyon Rd., from Oak Canyon Drive to Autumn Sage Court. Soundwall installation on the north side of Bundy Canyon Rd., from Canyon Ranch Road to Elbow Creek Trail, will follow after south side completion.
• Finishing the installation of all storm drain facilities throughout the project limits.

 



February '22 field activity
Continuing installation of soundwall throughout eastern project limits



• February 2022 Look Ahead:
• Construction is expected to continue on the perimeter walls and storm drain facilities, which must be completed before road work  and other project improvements can begin.
• Suspended activities at Sellers Road for the LINE F storm drain improvements are to resume within this month and be completed by the end of month/early March, which will reopen the intersection to traffic.

Questions or Concerns

Please contact Cameron Luna, Project Manager, regarding any questions or concerns related to this project.

• Email: cluna@cityofwildomar.org
• Phone: 951-677-7751 x245

 

Project Summary

The Bundy Canyon Rd. Improvement Project, Segment 1, includes the widening of Bundy Canyon Rd. from Cherry St. to approximately 1600' east of Oak Canyon Dr. The existing road will be widened from two lanes to four lanes, with turn lanes. Bike lanes will be included from the I-15 freeway northbound ramps to Monte Vista Dr., where the bike lanes will connect to a future Class 1 pedestrian and bicycle trail, planned for construction in the next few years. Improvements will also include new sidewalks, new storm drains, and other related roadway improvements. Two new traffic signals will also be installed at the intersections of Sellers Rd. and at Monte Vista Dr.

 

Project Schedule & Contractor Info

• Construction originally began in April 2021 and is expected to be complete in the second half of 2022.
• Contractor for Phase I of the Bundy Canyon project is James Mcminn Inc. (JMI)

Project Funding

The total estimated construction cost is approximately $7,774,445.00.

Project Funding Sources include:

• Measure AA
• RCTC (Riverside County Transportation Commission)
• TUMF (Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee)
• Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (RCFC&WCD)
• Local Grants (RCTC SB 821 funds)
• EVMWD Cooperative Agreement (Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District)
• Development Impact Fees
• Developer Cash-in-Lieu Contributions

Link to official city webpage regarding Bundy Canyon