• Special City Council Meeting September 26, 2025

Congratulations, Chris, or should I say, "Mr. City Manager!"

The only item on the agenda was to ratify the new, four-year contract for Wildomar's 6th City Manager, Chris Mann. 

I look forward to working with him even more now that the "interim" restraints have been removed. Let's go get 'em!

There were two votes that were part of the process.

One in closed session, which was reported out as 5-0 to select Chris Mann to be the permanent City Manager.

Joseph Morabito and Chris Mann at the 2025 Temecula State of the City event.

The second vote was regarding the contract, it went 4-1, with Councilman Joseph Morabito (the guy writing this blog) voting not to approve.

My reasoning didn't change from my no vote back in April when Chris was hired on as Interim City Manager. 

To respect the process, and the law (the ever-looming Brown Act), I can't get into the particulars of how the contract was cobbled together (closed session restrictions), but I'll sum it up this way while being as nice as I possibly can be...

Five amateurs were dealing with a professional, and in my estimation, it's evident in the final product, i.e., the contract. 

Note to self, too many chefs ruin the stew, or is it supposed to be the "pudding"?
Key to the cartoon, Joseph Morabito is the odd man out on the left side. 

To be fair, the negotiating subcommittee of the Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem, spent a lot of time during this process, and were able to change the first iterations of a contract from something that would have been rejected 5-0, to one that passed 4-1.

For many observers, when both sides of a negotiation don't get what they wanted at the outset, that signifies a good deal.

Key details of the contract:
• $281,000 with an automatic COLA based on CPI

• Four Year Deal

• 12 Month Severance, Paid Monthly (hopefully never needed)

• Automobile Allowance: Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) monthly

• Deferred Comp: The City shall annually contribute into the qualified 457 account in the City Manager’s name the maximum annual contribution, including any age-related and “catch up” provisions.

The first year is an additional $20,000 (low estimate on my end) and once he reaches age 50 (in two years) an additional $7500 per year is paid by the city.

Link to full contract if you'd like to take a look at it.

Wildomar Rap opinion time

I can almost hear it now, "Hey Joseph, why are you speaking out of both sides of your mouth here?"

"How can you congratulate the new City Manager and at the same time vote against the contract?"

Easy, two different things can exist at the same time. 

Obviously, I'm out of step with the other four-fifths of the council on this. 

In my view, the contract is too rich for Wildomar. I saw that back in April, and my opinion didn't change over the Summer.

One argument, a pretty solid one if you're of that mindset, is that a city should hire someone for City Manager who will bring many years of experience, which generally comes with a high dollar payout. 

My argument has long been that Wildomar can't compete with larger cities, and it's folly to attempt to. Wildomar can prosper while staying in our own lane. The City of Wildomar is a good place, strike that, a GREAT place to work. 

If a prospective employee's career path leans more heavily in the direction of top compensation in their field, that's perfectly fine, but they'd be walking down the wrong lane if they're expecting Wildomar's name to be at the bottom of the check.

If what they value is a slower, more personal pace —the kind our small city offers compared to the 100,000-population-club cities, then Wildomar would be the spot in SWRivCo where they should look.

A N A L O G Y    T I M E

Here's Joseph about to wade into dangerous waters. 

No, not by talking about verboten negotiation details, I already said that wasn't going to happen... but even worse... POLITICS. 

Instead of a baseball analogy, I'm going to use examples from the current crop of national political figures. 

We know that there are young up-and-comers in both major political parties, no matter how much you may hate one or both of the options, (stick with me a sec).

In this analogy, I'm going to use JD Vance, or, if you prefer, Pete Buttigieg (don't get bogged down here, lol). 

These are considered to be talented people at the younger end of their political careers. For many, the two stand out as all-stars, with many suggesting them for the highest office in the land, though others argue they’re still in the formative years of proving themselves.

I would have preferred we go in that direction, an up-and-comer, because it comes at less of a price tag and at least the same level of work and dedication, as (in my estimation) the candidate would be doubly motivated to show their selection was the right one.

Try this on for size

Imagine if we had snagged Chris Mann for his first City Manager job back in 2019, instead of Canyon Lake, we'd have been getting the up-and-comer, which I believe such commodities still exist, and with the lower price tag I've been pointing to.

He's living proof of such... right?

► If AI can be trusted as a source

Chris Mann's first annual salary as Canyon Lake city manager, starting March 1, 2019, was $165,000. 

This was confirmed by the Canyon Lake City Council's approval of his first raise on April 1, 2020, which brought his salary to $165,000

Salary: In May 2022, following a performance evaluation, his annual salary was increased to $200,000. At the time, he was noted as the lowest-paid city manager in Riverside County.

But we're here now, and I'm confident that Wildomar will do well under his tutelage. My lingering reservations were never about his abilities, just the weight of the contract.

Joseph Morabito, the lone ‘no’ vote on the contract, volunteered to swap the nameplate from ‘Interim City Manager’ to ‘City Manager’ and was the first to offer a handshake, symbolizing unity despite his earlier dissent.

Yes, speaking in the third person is lame, but sometimes it just seems to fit better. 

Final note:

I caution you to NOT miscontrue the basic points above. 

I do not think Wildomar should seek to underpay city employees, just for us to recognize our limitations and work within that rubric. If, by chance, you missed that point, I apologize for any ambiguity. 

• Special City Council Meeting September 24, 2025

"City Council provided direction and reached an agreement with the interim city manager for a permanent employment agreement"

After a four hour closed session meeting, the Wildomar City Council came to an agreement to sign Chris Mann to a four year contract. 

It will be finalized at a special meeting at 4pm, Friday the 26th.

Look for the contract in the agenda packet, which should be released before the end of the day of September 25th. 

The bullet points include a salary of $281,000 for four years with 12 months of severance. 

City Attorney Thomas Jex reads the report from the closed session.

Below is the report from the meeting. No votes were taken just an agreement was reached by the council as a body.

"The City Council met in closed session with respect to the items on the closed session agenda, and the City Council Provided direction and reached an agreement with the interim city manager for a permanent employment agreement. 

Which will be on a regular meeting City Council agenda on September 26th at 4 p.m. So this meeting will adjourn to a regular adjourned meeting of September 26th 2025 at 4 p.m That concludes the report."

If the video isn't showing above, use this link.

• 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.

• Special City Council Meeting: August 2020

Very quick city council meeting, just over 10 minutes with one item on the agenda. Whether or not to have an election in District 2, which would only have one name on the ballot: Incumbent Dustin Nigg.

Come on, let's have a vote anyway... who cares if it costs $15,000 or not?😵

Since the item involved the Mayor, he recused himself and handed the reins of the meeting over to Mayor Pro-Tem Bridgette Moore.

There was one public comment, Kenny Mayes, who happens to be on the ballot in the District 4 contest. He mentioned it on Facebook earlier and I suggested he could bring it up as a public comment.

I'm not really sure of any controversies, but he sort of addressed it in his comment.

Programming note: his comment came before the staff report. Would he have changed his comment had it been delivered after instead of before? I doubt it, but we'll never know.

Below is a transcript of his comment.

"Okay, I think that Dustin should have to run for election because of all the controversy with the cannabis decision and then some of the decisions that he made during the covid situation with marchers downtown and 'wear a mask, don't wear a mask' and I think that he needs to run for that seat to show [...] how many citizens still support him and if he gets less than 50% then I think he should have to make a choice is to whether to stay or leave, but I think the citizens in that district should [...] be able to make that decision.”

—Kenny Mayes

The original estimate of how much the Registrar of Voters would charge Wildomar to conduct that election was between $8,000 and $10,000. That's what was in the agenda packet.

As it turns out, after more digging, the price tag to hold a worthless election was estimated to be $15,000.

After learning the cost of the election, Councilman Ben Benoit basically replied, "To not have the election will save us $15,000? Okay, that makes it an easy choice for me."

My comment was that maybe big cities can afford to spend $15,000 on a symbolic vote, but I don't see the point in wasting money in what's a foregone conclusion. 

I then said how I thought it was odd that in his public comment Kenny thought we should spend the money for it. At the same time he's made a public records request to find out the cost difference on trash bags with and without a city logo... because that's a "want" in his book. 

As seen on facebook.

Sorry Kenny, though I agree with you that sun shades at the park are more of a want than a need, $15,000 on a glorified straw poll that has no meaning is a bad option to make, and is a want.

In addition to the poll not having meaning, based on his comment it seems that he didn't understand how such a poll would work.

The only option was to have ONE name on the ballot, and that means if only five people out of 2000 vote, it's still considered 100% of the vote. There is no "none of the above" option on the ballot.

But, out of a sense of fairness, I've constructed a poll that pits incumbent Dustin Nigg against SMOD (Sweet Meteor of Death). 

Technically you should be in District 2 to participate, but I'm not requiring ID, so have at it even if you're in one of the other four districts. 

Choose wisely.

Yes, I know you already saw this graphic, but it's cool and I wanted it to show up as the graphic when the blog is shared... so here we are. 

Wildomar City Council Dist 2

Incumbent: Dustin Nigg

Challenger: Sweet Meteor of Death

Create a Poll with PollMaker

While we're at it, let's do a poll for District 4 too... 

What say you?

Wildomar City Council Dist 4

Incumbent: Bridgette Moore

Challenger: Kenneth Mayes

Created with PollMaker

...and out of fairness, I'll make an option with SMOD too.

The match of the century.

Wildomar City Council Dist. 4

Incumbent: Bridgette Moore

Challenger: Kenneth Mayes

Challenger: Sweet Meteor of Death

Created with PollMaker

Below is the short video of the short meeting.

This blog was produced for viewing on a desktop or a laptop. Though it's been optimized for smartphones, the formatting can look odd on a smartphone or if you get this delivered through email (such as missing video links). Link to proper format.

• Special City Council Meeting: Covid-19

Very brief meeting with only one agenda item. Mayor Dustin Nigg attended by way of phone, and also with his photo propped up in a chair (I loved that touch), which was made permissible when Governor Newsom relaxed certain parts of the Brown Act. 

Councilmember Ben Benoit gives the thumbs up when he hears Mayor Dusting Nigg compliment our "social distancing". At the far right you'll see the masked council member, Joseph Morabito (me) who had just learned from his (my) wife's doctor that I must wear a mask in public so as to protect her. 

3.1 Resolution Proclaiming the Existence of An Emergency Situation and Local Emergency Due to The Worldwide Spread Of COVID-19 
In brief, the emergency resolution is to allow the city to continue conducting business in these extraordinary times. Please watch the very short video at the bottom of this blog.

There was a proposal made by the Mayor that local grocery stores establish priority hours for the elderly and "other high risk groups of people". 

"The city council strongly encourages grocery stores to establish certain priority shopping hours each day for the elderly and other high risk groups of people. The council requests that the public respect this time period to allow elderly and other high risk customers to pick up the food and supplies they need."

— Mayor Dustin Nigg

I asked for a little clarification on that, if possible. 

My thinking was that the same type of people that disregard community needs when they use their wood burning fireplaces on "non burn days" (I'll burn my wood anytime I feel like it, why would I care if people with respiratory problems will be negatively affected) or that purchase cute little red vests for their dogs and then lie to people that their pet is a "service animal" would have no qualms about showing up and claiming to be in the "other high risk groups of people." (though I wasn't nearly that pointed during the meeting)

Ben Benoit got a good wide angle shot of the dais and the room... which had no members of the public present.

The city can't direct, but we are "highly recommending"... that means it's on the honor system... that applies to YOU too.

I wanted the Pikachu mask, but my wife had already called dibs on that one. 

link to original version of this blog

Later in the evening a press release was sent out: