• Special City Council Meeting April 28, 2025

Being that I'm on the city council, and that 99% of the meeting was in closed session where we are not allowed to go over the items discussed or risk be charged with breaking the Brown Act, I'm just going to give you the barest bones bits of news that came from the meeting. 

Below is a minute long video after we came out of closed session.

Below is the transcription from the video of the meeting. Speaking is City Attorney, Tom Jex. 

"The city council met in closed session with respect to the one item on the closed session agenda. The city council took several actions. 

The city council voted for one with Councilmember Morabito voting no to select Chris Mann as the interim City Manager, subject to the preparation and approval of an interim city manager employment and pending successful completion of reference and background checks.

City Council also directed the City Attorney to prepare an interim City Manager Employment Agreement for the May 14th, 2025 City Council meeting. 

Until such time as the Interim City Manager Employment Agreement is approved by the City Council, Janet Morales will remain the acting City Manager. That concludes the report."

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Mayor Pro Tem Carlos Marquez and Councilman Joseph Morabito (publisher of Wildomar Rap) were appointed to the subcommittee to meet with prospective Interim City Manager Chris Mann. 

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Just in as I was putting this blog together, a press release from the City of Wildomar:

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PRESS RELEASE:

Retirement Separation Agreement Reached with Wildomar’s Former City Manager

 

WILDOMAR, CA – The Wildomar City Council and former City Manager Dan York have agreed to

York’s retirement commencing on May 9, 2025. York will receive a severance payment in the

amount of $44,026.66, which is equivalent to 2 months’ of his pay.

 

York has served as City Manager since 2/1/2022. The City Council appreciates York’s service

to the Wildomar community and wishes him a happy retirement.

Wildomar Rap opinion time

Here's all that I'll say about both items in this blog. 

I'm happy with the progress we're making with selecting an interim city manager.

I'm happy with the separation agreement with our former city manager. 

• Special City Council Meeting April 11, 2025

Well, this wasn't on anyone's BINGO card in January. Yet, here we are.

The city manager opted not to attend the meeting.

After a two-hour closed session meeting, the Wildomar City Council voted 5-0 to place the City Manager on paid administration leave.

City Attorney Report of the Closed Session.

The city council met in closed session with respect to the items on the closed session agenda. The city council took several actions. 

First, the City Council voted 5-0 to place the city manager on paid administrative leave effective immediately. 

[The] City Council also voted 5-0 to authorize the city attorney to negotiate a mutual separation agreement with the city manager that can include early retirement. 

And finally, the City Council voted 5-0 to appoint Janet Morales as the acting City Manager, and that concludes the report. 

Below is a short video of the opening of the meeting to the reporting out of the closed session by the city attorney, though you just read it in the orange box above.

 Direct from the press release issued by the City of Wildomar:

WILDOMAR, CA – On April 11, 2025, during a Special Meeting, the Wildomar City Council voted to place City Manager Dan York on paid administrative leave and authorized the City Attorney to negotiate a mutual separation agreement, which can include early retirement.

To ensure a smooth transition, Janet Morales, Wildomar’s City Clerk, has been appointed Acting City Manager. The Council will move quickly to identify an Interim City Manager and begin the search for a permanent City Manager.

The City Council thanks Dan York for his service to the City Wildomar and wishes him well in his future endeavors.

Wildomar Rap opinion time

Anyone who knows me knows that I don't shy away from speaking about most items, even when other people would simply ignore the issues and wait for them to naturally die down. 

The issue here is that I'm contractually obligated to keep my mouth shut, with legal consequences looming if I were to dare to go rogue here. 

I've read some comments on social media, though I've intentionally stayed away from the Facebook Groups that live by the power of the rumor mill. 

You have a right to believe any bit of nonsense you want to, and I have the right to not look at it. 

However, it's long been my practice to respond to as many comments/questions as I can when I make a post on social media, which I did regarding this matter on Friday (4-11-2025). 

Here are a few questions/comments I got on the Wildomar Rap Facebook page.

How is a clerk a city manager?

The way the rules are written, there are timelines that must be followed. 

Since there was never an assistant City Manager, someone had to be chosen as an "acting" City Manager until an interim can be chosen. 

She's a placeholder for a couple of weeks. Everything has to be done by the books.

She's worked closely with the past two City Managers, has helped set the agendas, and is the obvious choice for this temporary task.

She's loyal to Wildomar, and though she was taken aback at the suggestion/request, she's a gamer and is willing to give her best in our time of need. The city council has complete confidence in her.

Do tell let's be transparent. We the voters and taxpayers have the right to know why and where our money is going.

There are no settlements at this point. Once there is a settlement, it will all be reported by the city attorney at the beginning of the following city council meeting.

The "why" will never be gotten into detail; legally, it can't be. I hate how these things work, but I don't write the rules, and the rules most certainly apply to me and my big mouth as much as anyone else. 

As is my usual practice, I'm happy to meet with residents and discuss your concerns regarding our city. Let's set something up and chat. 

jmorabito@wildomar.gov

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I can say that many strides were taken under the leadership of Dan York and that he and I had a good working relationship. 

I'd peg the purchase of City Hall —without using any money in the general fund (it was purchased with ARPA dollars)— as the crowning achievement, a savings to the taxpayers of nearly a half million dollars per year. With a serious code enforcement team in place as a close second.

I wrangled with whether to post the following email or not... and knowing that all such emails are subject to disclosure under the California Public Records Act, I've decided to release the email the City Council received the morning of the closed session meeting. 

Council, I understand the decision you are about to take this evening.  I am very appreciative and honored to have served the city faithfully the last dozen years.  I recall 4 years ago talking to many that there is a season for everything, including the City Manager assignment.  Thank you for allowing me to exercise my strengths of fiscal and operational management during my term as your City Manager.  Today I feel accomplished.  We achieved financial health and have built a cohesive city team.  I feel you and the community are well poised to define and execute the next season.  I truly wish full success.  Some day in the future, I look forward to reminiscing our past victories and celebrating the completion of your goals.

I am confident that Tom and I will easily navigate the completion of the Separation Agreement next week.

In sincere gratitude, Dan

• City Council Meeting April 2025

Between public comments, Councilman Morabito's comments (that's me), and a Code Enforcement update, the Black Series Trailer issue gets full coverage 

Link to the video

TOP NEWS FROM THE MEETING

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• Code Enforcement Update Regarding Black Series Trailers
• Restriping of Wildomar Trail Heading East to the Freeway
• Stiiizy 2 Approved
• First Song Since Miss Miller's Passing.

Meeting Recap

Please watch the 8 minute video of Wildomar Code Enforcement giving the details surrounding the case of the dozens upon dozens of trailers on Palomar. 

In short, they're going after them at full bore.

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The next video is about 15 minutes, and it details the various Public Works projects that are happening now. 

We haven't heard back from Caltrans yet regarding approval for lane restriping on Wildomar Trail as the traffic heads to the freeway, but the signs look good. 

However, if they aren't approved, there is a backup plan to address the constant illegal turns out of Kaiser. Stay tuned.

Link to Public Works video

Another item to share is that Stiiizy was approved to open a second location. In the years that they've been opened in Wildomar Square there have been no safety issues, and if they hear about one of their customers partaking in the parking lot, they're in line for a lifetime ban from the store. 

Over 20 years, it's estimated to be over $8M. 

Watch the video to get more information and see how the item went. The amount of money coming to the Wildomar coffers from their first store is rather hefty. 

(Link to entire video is here. Scroll down to item 2.1 Stiiizy Canabis Proposal)

Now Time For Something fun

For many years, the city council and planning commission were treated to the dulcet tones of the late Albia (Miss) Miller. She sang countless times, and I probably captured her on video nearly two dozen times.

Here's a link to a facebook post from June 2024 remembering Miss Miller

Margaret Meyncke of Temecula Valley Native Plant Network sang her rendition of "Home On The Range".

Of course, there was a lot more valuable information at the meeting, including Sergio Rodriguez and Agustin Alvarado to the Measure Z Oversight Advisory Committee, FY2024-25 3rd Quarter Budget Report, FY2025-26 & FY2026-27 Biennial Budget Workshop - for Community Development & Public Works, and the proclamation of April being DMV Donate Life Month.

Erika Heranic received a heart transplant back in 2017 from donor Dylan Stump.

Back row, Carlos Marquez, Dustin Nigg, Bridgette Moore, Joseph Morabito.

Mayor Ashlee DeFillippo, photo of Dylan Stump, and Erika Heranic. Photo taken by Kimberly Davidson.