• 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

•

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