• 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

• Planning Commission Meeting March 2025

Did someone say carwash? lol
  

TOP NEWS FROM THE MEETING

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• Stiiizy Cannabis Proposal (5-0)
• Wildomar Crossings Retail Project - EOT #3 (5-0)
• Clinton Keith Marketplace Retail Center - EOT #1 (5-0)

Meeting Recap

Item 2.1 will allow Stiiizy to open a second location. They are going into the storefront formerly operated by Culture Cannabis at the corner of Bundy Canyon and Mission Trail.

The location is within the yellow square.

Here is a link to the 11 slide PowerPoint presentation.

Item 3.1 

Wildomar Crossings Retail Project first came onto the radar in very early 2018. Originally it was going to bring in three large national chains: Wendy's, Autozone, and Dollar Tree.

This project saw large attendance at planning and city council meetings back in 2018.

Since that time I've heard that Dollar Tree and Autozone have pulled out, with Autozone now looking to go across Clinton Keith to the development occurring there anchored by a carwash. 

Link to 2018 blog regarding this development

If by May of next year, the applicant doesn't begin construction, all the work leading to this point becomes null and void.

Item 3.2 Clinton Keith Marketplace Retail Center - EOT #1 

I'm less familiar with this development as it didn't need to come before the city council. I am going to ask that this come before the city council after watching the video of the meeting.

Here's a mashup of the site map and Google maps.

If you're wondering, YES! there is a proposed car wash. 

One of the commissioners did question the need for another carwash when we're already awash in carwashes, but at the time of the original approval it was an approved usage. 

This item was just an EOT (Extension of Time).

The video of the meeting was interesting. It's less than 30 minutes. I suggest watching it to get all the info. Link at bottom of the blog.

Without the overlay.

Link to video of the meeting

Wildomar Rap opinion time

These types of retail establishments bring in much needed tax monies that are used to fund the things we need in Wildomar. Improved streets, parks, first responders, code enforcement, and much more. 

Those are actually the second set of reasons for supporting commercial/retail development. The first is that it provides local places for the residents of Wildomar to shop, eat, and get services without having to travel to other cities. 

To me, this is obvious, but I do read comments from people who seem to want all development halted. That's unrealistic and counterproductive for the health of a small city.

• City Council Meeting March 2025

The meeting started off with a goodbye to retiring Community Development Director (formerly: Planning Director) Matt Bassi. He's been with Wildomar for 14 years and has done a great job for our young city.

The city council bid farewell to Community Development Director Matt Bassi. Joseph Morabito is pointing to the spot he used to report from when he was the resident blogger. (Sorry for speaking in the third person) lol

TOP NEWS FROM THE MEETING

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• Bundy Canyon (westside of freeway) rehab
• Kids' Ride Into Nature Antique and Classic Car Show May 31, 2025
• Facebook livestreaming for city council meetings coming
• Letter of opposition for AQMD's rule 1111, and 1121 approved
• Graveside services gets one step closer to happening

Meeting Recap

Not a lot of sexy headlines from this meeting, but let me share a few nuggets just the same. 

It was good to hear from our code enforcement team. They've been on the job about five years now and for those of us keeping an eye on such things... it's a night and day difference. 

There are several different ways to contact code enforcement. The easiest is through email: codenf@wildomar.gov

Use this link to access the entire 19 slide presentation

If you see something, say something. Don't wait for others to let the city know of an issue, you do it. Remember, it's better to have multiple reports than no reports. 

From the consent calendar

Item 1.4 Bundy Canyon Road Widening Project (West of I-15) 

The City is prepared to move forward with the design of the Project, which will include widening Bundy Canyon Road from two lanes to four lanes and constructing bike lanes, sidewalks, and traffic signals. Staff is currently preparing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the design of the Project.

It's very early in the process, but the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. 

1.7 The Nature Education Foundation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for The Kid's Ride into Nature Car Show May (10am to 3pm)

(From the agenda) This initiative seamlessly aligns with the City’s ongoing commitment to fostering community engagement, promoting cultural enrichment, and providing unique experiences for residents. 

As a free public event, it invites attendees to immerse themselves in history by dressing in their favorite time period, creating a dynamic and interactive atmosphere. 

With an anticipated attendance of over 1,500 guests during the five-hour event, this gathering presents a valuable opportunity for community engagement. 

Attendees will enjoy diverse activities, including a curated car show, live music, a vibrant selection of food and specialty vendors, and a dedicated children’s play zone.

Save the date, and be on the lookout for more information as we get closer to May.

Item 2.1 Proposed Revised Fee Schedule for the Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee Program  

TUMF is collected and administered by WRCOG (Western Riverside Council of Governments) and in short, TUMF ensures that new development pays its fair share for the increased traffic that it creates.

The rates needed to be adjusted up and from a flat rate to a sliding scale due to recent legislation out of Sacramento. 

I'm curious if this will be enough to encourage building smaller homes or not. We shall see.

Item 3.2 Resolution Authorizing Issuance of Special Tax Bonds, Series 2025 for Community Facilities District No. 2022-2 (Horizon Place) 

Anytime bonds are listed on the agenda I want to get information to the taxpayers what that entails. Short answer, these are not paid by Wildomar. 

From the agenda packet:
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact to the City of Wildomar. 

The cost of financing, staff administration, and the debt service on the bonds will be paid through Special Taxes levied within CFD 20222 (Horizon Place.) The bonds are not obligations of the City, but are rather secured by the Special Taxes of CFD 2022-2. 

The owners of Horizon Place will be paying these bonds, not the average Wildomar Taxpayer. 

The other items of note came in the city manager's report

1. Planning Commission Alternate

The first was regarding the consideration of adding an alternate planning commissioner. Without getting too deep into storytime here, I'd heard about the concept through my dad who recently was appointed as an alternate on the planning commission in his Arizona city.

If you're interested in the details of the city manager's comments, cue up the video and listen. I'm sure that it's under three minutes. 

The bottom line is that I believe having an alternate planning commissioner could be a valuable tool if there was a ton of work on the horizon (Imagine the Southwest region in the late 1980s early 1990s). 

We're past the boom times of the past, and we've never had to cancel a planning commission meeting due to a lack of a quorum. It would take a lot of legal work (money) to research and craft an ordinance so I withdrew my future agenda item. 

As in the words of Councilman Dustin Nigg, the juice wouldn't be worth the squeeze. 

2. Facebook Streaming

I noticed that many other local cities have their meetings available on Facebook live stream. I asked for the city manager to research how they pull it off. I'm happy to report that in the next few months (perhaps July) Wildomar city council meetings should be available for viewing on Facebook.

The current method is very good, but it's not as easy to maneuver as facebook, especially on a phone.

3. SCAQMD Rules 1111 and 1121

These rules, if adopted, would essentially outlaw gas appliances in most circumstances. I don't just mean in new construction, but also if your stove, water heater or HVAC needed replacing.

I asked that we add this item to the agenda so that the council have time to send a letter of opposition to the AQMD. I'm not so starry-eyed as to think our letter will be what breaks through the cloudy thinking of the unelected body of the AQMD, but I didn't want us sitting this out... plus Lake Elsinore had already sent a letter of opposition.

Wildomar is akin to the little boy in Horton Hears a Who.

The Mayor will be sending a letter of opposition on the city's behalf.

UPDATE/CORRECTION

It was brought to my attention that these two rules do NOT mention stoves and ovens. However, the general consensus is that once the rules regarding water heaters and HVAC units are approved, they will open the path to banning other gas appliances.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Threat of Gas Appliance Ban

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) is taking steps to ban gas appliances - starting with furnaces and water heaters in 2026! As a result, gas furnaces, stoves and water heaters are in the regulatory “crosshairs” at SCAQMD, and regulators want to force property owners to start replacing gas models with all electric heaters and water heaters starting in 2026, and later eventually ovens and other appliances.

  —Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles, Feb 13, 2025

The following link will take you to the full opinion.

https://members.aagla.org/news/important-notice-threat-of-gas-appliance-ban

Rare news out of the Cemetery District meeting

The topic of graveside services (something currently forbidden) was discussed and the five trustees (the city council moonlights as cemetery trustees for about three minutes each month) directed staff to get this option moving forward. 

It may be at an additional cost, and that's ok, we just want the option available.