• City Council Meeting June 2025

   TOP NEWS FROM THE MEETING

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• Wildomar City Hall Goes Back to Five Days a Week
• Water Rates to Go Up By an Average of $15 Per Family of Four in July
• 20 Acre Park Update
• 2nd Motor Officer Added ($456K First Year Costs)

It was a great meeting. I encourage you to cue up the video (link will be at the bottom of the blog) and listen to it as it happened, but I'll give you a brief overview of the most noteworthy items in the half hour I have to put this blog together.

The biggest news of the night was delivered at the end, and was a surprise to at least two of the council members: City Hall will go back to five days a week from 7:30am to 6pm. 

That was something the council has been working towards since I got onto council in 2018. There were several things that kept it from happening over the years, but the final impediment was removed in April, and in less than two months, the will of the people was finally heeded. 

Thank you to Mayor Ashlee DePhillippo for being the final push getting this nailed down... kudos to you!

Water Rates Going Up

We knew this was coming. The State has a pie-in-the-sky approach to governing as they're trying to legislate perfection. 

tHaNk yOu, sAcRamENto, yoU'rE alWaYs lOokINg oUt foR Us. 

They are trying to regulate something known as PFAS in drinking water, which, if we're honest about it, is a veritable impossibility to illiminate no matter how desperately would like to. 

But what isn't impossible is to create regulations that make the precious resource more difficult for average people to afford. 

link to EVMWD's explanations for the rate hike

New Park Update

For those who don't know, the city bought about twenty acres of land from the lovely ladies who run Anne Sullivan Preschool about two years ago. It's directly to the east of the school, and continues southward down Palomar a bit.

They've been using it as a natural park to walk through, and they wanted the city to take it over and continue the "natural park" feel, instead of the other option: selling to a developer and building more houses.

There will be parking off Palomar, and the projected opening is less than a year away. There are no specifics this far out, but the city is contractually obligated to have it opened to the public by June of 2026. 

It'll look mostly like it does today. If there are ever further upgrades, that's years into the future, and many millions of dollars away.

Before it opens, we'll be giving it a proper name... be part of the process. 

2nd Motor Officer Approved

I was on record saying that I'd rather have more patrol time, or even more code enforcement, than a second motor officer at the cost of half a million dollars per year. We can't have everything.

Contrary to the well-meaning but misguided views of my learned council colleague Carlos Marquez, we will always be a small market team. 

I never said we were a minor league [team], but a small market [team]. 

Let's jump headlong into the baseball analogy... in this case, we're the Kansas City Royals. 

Kansas City isn't a minor league team like Lake Elsinore Storm, it simply doesn't have the capacity to compete with New York or Los Angeles, just as Wildomar doesn't have the capacity to compete with Temecula or Riverside. 

Their budgets dwarf ours, just as the Dodgers' ability to endlessly shell out greenbacks reminds the Royals who they are.

Sure, some people love sloganeering; it feels good, but I've never been much of a rah-rah guy boosting unrealistic things.

Let's not lose sight of who we are.

Plenty of small-market teams have won the World Series, and Wildomar can achieve excellence while not forgetting who we are. 

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Last, but not least, (actually, this happened at the beginning of the meeting), Wildomar honored its first Employee of the Year, Dustin Wyatt.

Homegrown Dustin Wyatt of the public works team gets Wildomar's first employee of the year award. Back row is Councilmembers Dustin Nigg, Carlos Marquez, Bridgette Moore and Joseph Morabito. Mayor Ashlee is standing to Dustin Wyatt's right in the front of the dais.

 

link to the video

• Planning Commission Meeting Preview June 2025

It's been a while since I've seen a sizeable Planning Commission agenda, and the June meeting is set to have at least three major items.

Right out of the gate is Cherry Outpost (Retail Center).

2.1 Cherry Outpost Retail Center Project

Since this is an active development that may come before the city council someday, I have to be doubly cognizant to remain unbiased. I'm just here to share information I got from the agenda.

1) a 4-story, 72-room hotel (45,571 square feet)

2) a gas station complex, including a 4,176-square-foot convenience store with an attached 3,200-square-foot drive-through restaurant, and a 2-position RV fueling area 

3) a stand-alone 4,425-square-foot fast food/drive-through restaurant

4) a 5,724-square-foot express car wash with related accessories.

From the agenda

"The Applicant (Jack Kofdarali) has secured one (1) lease for Tommy’s Car Wash. The other uses are unidentified at this time."

Psst... FYI, last I heard,Tommy's brand is owned by the applicant.

Project Location/Vicinity: The project site encompasses approximately 6.65+ acres and is located at the NWC of Cherry St. & Bundy Canyon Road. 

The project site is comprised of two (2) legal parcels zoned C-H (Commercial Highway) and is currently vacant. There are single family uses both north and east of the site. 

Cherry Outpost Sign Program Analysis: The applicant has submitted a master sign program for the proposed retail center for Planning Commission Consideration. 

The sign program meets all code requirements in Chapter 17.180 (Signs) of the WMC. The sign program is provided for Commission consideration in Attachment F. 

Link to 32 page Attachment F

You guessed it, the carwash is the only future business that is signed to go in, and the same owner already has one approved and underway on Clinton Keith/Stable Lanes (west side of freeway, between the Starbucks and Stadium Pizza). Not to mention one across from the new Kaiser on Wildomar Trail.

Staff’s recommendation for approval of the sign program is included in PC Resolution No. 2025-10 (Attachment C).

Something to keep in mind

The Planning Commission decision is final, so the CUP would not go to Council if approved by the Planning Commission, unless the decision is appealed.

 

Without the CUP, the car wash cannot go there.

This is a very weighty agenda item with over 20 attachments. Use the following link to access the agenda item.

LINK

Each of these is several pages, if not dozens of pages.

2.2 Development Code Amendment No. 2025-01 (Cannabis Code Amendment)

The city council made a few minor modifications to the existing code earlier in the year. The above graphic gives a summary.

3.3 Request for Direction on the Placement of Metal Shipping Containers as Accessory Structures on Lots or Parcels Not Less Than 1/2 Acre in Size Within the Agricultural and Rural Residential Zones

PROJECT ANALYSIS: 

Existing Standards: Metal shipping containers are only permitted on properties of at least 5 acres in certain zones. Containers must comply with setback, height, and aesthetic standards. Conditional use permits (CUPs) may be required in some cases to ensure compatibility with surrounding uses. 

Public Comments and Potential Changes: 

• Allowing metal shipping containers on smaller parcels within agricultural and rural residential zones, subject to development standards. 
• Implementing conditional use permit (CUP) requirements for containers exceeding a specified size or number. 
• Requiring aesthetic enhancements (e.g., painting, screening) to minimize visual impacts. 

Pros: 

• Provides property owners with additional storage options. 
• Supports agricultural uses with secure, weather-resistant storage. 
• May reduce unauthorized placement of containers. 

Cons: 

• Potential for negative visual impact on residential areas. 
• Risk of noncompliance or unauthorized container use. 
• Possible conflict with residential neighborhood character in rural zones.

Wildomar Rap opinion time

I live in Windsong Valley, and containers wouldn't go here since our lots are very small in the first place. However, I'm a big proponent of property rights, and if a container was going to be coming into a smaller lot size (half acre minimum), and done in a way that respects the neighbors (interpreting that is where the wheels are most likely to go off the rails), it would be fine by me.

What say you when it comes to shipping containers being used in residential areas? Should the existing codes be changed or remain the same?

• City Council Meeting May 2025

 It was a very long meeting with some very interesting items. 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Troop 332.

The first order of business after the Pledge of Allegiance was to adopt a resolution appointing Chris Mann as the interim city manager for six months with a yearly compensation of $250,000 plus the standard benefits any city employee would get. It passed 5-0. 

Interim Wildomar City Manager Chris Mann

Wildomar Rap opinion time

One of the two big news stories coming out of Wildomar this year was the Black Series Trailers debacle, which had a great ending from our perspective; the other was the separation with the previous city manager.

I wrote as much as I could regarding the city manager matter in earlier blogs. A lot had to go unsaid due to the rules around closed session meetings.

In an action at the April 29th special city council meeting, I was a no vote for Chris Mann as reported by the City Attorney. On May 14th, I was part of the unanimous decision to bring him aboard.

Why the change?

It was never about Chris's abilities or his integrity. He's well-respected in the region. I have high confidence that he's capable of doing a great job. 

Yes, I read the blogs from Yucaipa. 

(this is where it gets dicey)

My reading of the matter is that Yucaipa's city council has been contentious for a while (how long? I don't know), and when the voting majority changed in the 2022 election, they made a change in their city manager: Hello Chris.

When the majority changed again in 2024, they made another knee-jerk reaction: Goodbye, Chris. 

If you want to read about it, do a quick internet search.

For a long time, I’ve likened Wildomar to a small-market team in the world of sports.

The way I see it, we can't reasonably compete with the likes of Temecula, Murrieta, Corona, Riverside, etc. We can't pursue the big-time free agents. Our budget simply isn't like the others.

My assessment was that 'Chris is out of our league'. I'm happy to have him here, like who wouldn't want Shohei Ohtani... ok, that might be too much... let's use Bobby Witt Jr. as an example instead (an all-star level player that would be highly sought by big market teams). 

I'm satisfied with the interim contract, even at $250K per. 

Assuming all the dominoes fall in the right order, when it comes time for a permanent city manager contract, that may put me back to my original vote, irrespective of how well he's hitting in the cleanup spot. 

That's a long way off, but I needed to weigh in now.

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A word about how much a city manager in 2025 makes

I've read countless comments of disbelief regarding how much a city manager makes. I agree that they often make an unbelievable amount of money. 

Research what some of the local salaries are reported to be. 

Most are over $300K, and that's before an embarrassment of additional perks. Things like deferred comp, car allowance, tech allowance, the best insurance conceivable, a ton of days off, and more.

I don't know how things were allowed to get so far out of hand, but that can be said of countless other things in California, too. Go ask ChatGPT and you'll be stunned to see what they make all over the country. 

Last on this topic

In a City of Wildomar Press Release from April 29th, it was reported that a separation agreement with the former city manager had been reached, which included a severance of $44,000. 

That's two months, folks.

Is that a lot? 

Two months is not a lot when the rest of the contract has about nine months on it. 

1.18 Marna O'Brien Park Rubberized Play Surface

This has been a long time coming. The nonprofit Wildomar Parks & Community, headed by Bridgette Moore, secured a sizable grant from the county to pay for this upgrade. 

It's anticipated to be installed before the end of the fiscal year, before July  1st.

3.1 Biennial Budget Workshop - Public Safety Budgets 

These three items, not currently in the budget, were discussed.

There was a lot of information, and I'll leave a link here so that you can access the slide presentation to get a better sense of it. 

link to 39 slide presentation

With #1, I didn't get enough information to be swayed. Also, I'm not a fan of increasing regulations on business. Is there an issue with businesses catching fire in Wildomar, or do we have a solution that's looking for a problem? 

Item #2, the cost of the proposed second motor officer is nearly half a million dollars. That would have to come from somewhere. It was said that it would likely come out of the fund we use for road improvements. 

#3, I'm all in favor of a stronger code enforcement team. I just don't know that this is the best path to achieving it. I'm looking forward to round two when this comes back in June.

Though our city has more revenue now than before I was elected to the city council in 2018, we are still a small budget city, and we can't have everything. We have to make tough decisions.

In the end, we opted to wait until the next meeting to allow ICM Chris Mann the chance to go over the item thoroughly and participate more fully in the process. 

3.2 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation

As it happened, the very next item on the agenda was regarding our roads. 

"Roads" came back as a number one concern from residents in a recent survey (which is the usual top concern). 

I suggested getting Monte Vista south of the construction area, the areas near Tres Lagos (Catt and Arnett), and Hidden Springs onto the list, too.

Again, keeping in mind how tiny our budgets are for all matters, including roads, we have to take a frugal approach to where the road dollars go. 

If an area with poor streets is currently in the planning department pipeline (albeit slower than molasses in winter), the city will spend its road dollars in other areas. 

3.3 Ordinance to Designate the City of Wildomar Fire Hazard Severity Zones and Adopt the Map of These Areas

Red is very high, Orange is High, and Yellow is moderate.

This map is a joke. My house is in the yellow, one neighbor's is in the orange, and still others are in the gray. 

From the agenda

DISCUSSION: The law does not allow for a local jurisdiction to request changes or provide comments to the State Fire Marshal on the FHSZ designations.

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Knowing the above, I wasn't interested in discussing another bit of nonsense pushed out by the state that MUST be adopted.  

Once the presenter was finished, I verified that we had no choices, then moved for approval, saying, "Thank you, Sacramento."

SOAP BOX MINUTE

Please give me an example of life in California getting better when Sacramento passes laws in the last couple of generations.

The more they help, the more difficult life seems to get for the working families.

That's really all I have time to go over for this meeting, but I do suggest that you use this link and check out the video of the meeting. The new format is great. You can click an item, and you'll be brought to that portion of the video. If you've never tried it out before, give it a whirl. 

https://cityofwildomar.granicus.com/player/clip/1215?view_id=1&redirect=true

• 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. 

•    •    •

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.

• Sacramento Looking To Curb Local Control, Again

I'll keep this blog short and to the point (beware, it's all opinion). 

First, take a gander at only a smattering of what is being floated up in Sacramento aimed at removing local control. 

Think of Tres Lagos and The Cottages (recently rebranded) in Sedco the city had no say in. 

Cal Cities is opposing this bill.

Scott Weiner is truly one of the worst people to ever serve in the California Senate.

Imagine 7 stories of high density being shoved into our city.

Wildomar Rap opinion time

Part of being on city council is keeping an eye on legislation that is percolating up in the state's capital.

 

Wildomar is a member of the League of California Cities (Cal Cities) which came into existence more than 100 years ago to represent local control up in Sacramento.

The position of city council is nonpartisan. 

We certainly are allowed to share our political party membership, but it's not part of the job description in California and doesn't appear on the ballot. 

I've been registered as NPP (No Party Preference) since I moved to Wildomar back in 2001. I share views with both parties and at the same time dislike a lot of what both parties do. 

That said, on a state level, I seriously cannot understand how anyone would continue to vote for the Democrats. 

They are no longer the party of JFK or even of 1990's Bill Clinton. They are completely off the rails. They have a long track record in California of passing bills that go contrary to the best interests of working families in our state. 

Is that ok with you?

Speaking to the tried and true Democrats out there, are you pleased with the direction the State of California has gone in over the past 25 to 30 years? 

I'm always up for a meeting to hear why I should see things from your perspective, let's set something up.

It's a common phenomenon that once someone aligns with a political party, they remain loyal, even as the party's platform shifts. I encourage you to look dispassionately at what hangs in the balance before pulling that lever in 2026. 

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Full disclosure, if you're unsure, my name is Joseph Morabito, District 3 City Council, and I'll be on the ballot in 2026. Even if you disagree with my assessment of the situation, please engage with me personally before sending me out to pasture. 🙂

jmorabito@wildomar.gov