• Planning Commission Meeting March 2018

Only one newsworthy item on the agenda. A GPIP (General Plan Initiation Proposal) that was seeking to change a 3.82 plot of Commercial Retail (CR) land into Highest Density Residential (HHDR). 

As with other GPIPs, this was just a chance for the developer to get a sense of what the Planning Commissioners thought. There were no votes cast in regards this project. Just as there won't be any when this comes before the city council in April.

With that established, what is this proposal?

In short, 94 units of apartments, in four story buildings on 3.82 acres of land behind the shopping center called The Shops at Clinton Keith. The ingress/egress would be from Hidden Springs Road.

Area map of proposed apartment project.

There was a presentation by the planning department, and another by the developer, David Horenstein, followed by public comments, then final comments from the commissioners.

Planning Director Matt Bassi listed several things to consider regarding this proposed project.

► Loss of potential land use opportunities and sales tax revenues.
► Loss of potential jobs for Wildomar residents.
► Land use compatibility with high density apartments adjacent single family residential zoned properties and residences.
► Development of 94 more apartment units that would be added to the 1,245 apartment/condo units approved but not yet constructed.
► Potential traffic impacts.

There were three public comments.

•  Ken Mayes hated it. 
•  Kathleen Hamblin was nearly coming apart at the seams as she hammered home her points, at times approaching Miss Miller level of outrage... sans the singing of course.

"This is clearly another horrible, scaled down Camelia Townhouse Project. We are a small, semi-rural city and it needs to be preserved, and to stay that way." 
Points to her for adjusting the description of Wildomar to "semi-rural"
This is where she goes off the rails.

"Why do you people insist on proposing highest and high density residential developments here? The residents have expressed their views time and time again about the negative effects of apartments, condos, and townhouses in Wildomar. These kinds of development proposals are outrageously out of proportion and do not belong in Wildomar. I am opposed to any zone changes, or amendments to the general plan that will destroy our rural community and lifestyle."

I'm guessing that you have Ken proofread your comments before heading to the podium, and unless he's trying to have fun at your expense, wouldn't it be considered a kindness to help you edit out the false, or misleading, portions?

Who the hell is "you people"?

If you don't understand the basics of the process, why bother commenting on it? 

Let's go over it again.

It's the landowner or developer that comes to the city, telling them what they'd like to build on their land. Not the other way around. The city didn't solicit an untenable project like these apartments. 

I actually agree with many of your contentions above, but you've obviously been taught well by Professor Mayes on how to weave a couple of good points into a morass of oddball points, losing any chance at convincing the very people you're talking to.  

Then the kicker, "I am opposed to any zone changes, or amendments to the general plan that will destroy our rural community and lifestyle."

It's a lead pipe cinch that 100% of the people on the city staff, the electeds (council members) and the appointeds (commissioners) agree completely with that statement. 

I can only think of a handful of people that would like to "destroy our rural community and lifestyle" and they usually sit in the same part of the audience that you do. Jus' sayin'.

The triumphant return of Cantankerotti Corner. Starring Wildomar's favorite cranks.

•  Joseph Morabito suggested that this project is most likely a real life example of The Art of the Deal. Where you come in with something that will trigger people into panicking, like the person mentioned above, and then come back with a pared down version of the project. Making it seem like they're very willing to negotiate as they appear to take the concerns of everyone to heart.

▲         ▼         ▲

The developer, David Horenstein, the man behind many commercial developments in town, including the new Wildomar Square, and The Shops at Clinton Keith, gave a brief presentation.

He seemed to speak more about other properties, than the one on the agenda. He talked about a how retail isn't what it once was with Amazon taking a big bite out of traditional brick and mortar stores.

He also talked about a future Civic Center, but since that's not part of this, I didn't understand how it helped this item.

With nearly a quarter of the land designated as "wetland", units would be mashed into 3 acres, including 139 parking spaces. Of which more than a third of that was suggested to be for a Park & Ride area. The parking is woefully under provided for. 

The name that he gave to the apartment complex is Solar Village, and touted it being "green"... though the rough drawings had no real recreation amenities, not even a pool or other things that I've seen in all the other apartment projects.

Horenstein brought in an odd term: Wilshire corridor. Commissioner Langworthy interrupted and asked to have it defined.

He basically threw the City Manager under the bus by saying, "I got that from Gary [Nordquist]." As he further said it refers to a district in Los Angeles. 

Trying to salvage the moment, Director Bassi jumped in saying that "we refer to Clinton Keith, that stretch, as our "Miracle Mile", how we treat it, and the quality we want to see."

Commissioner Comments

► Chair John Lloyd
"I've seen Mr. Horenstein's projects before, he does very good work. I'm not concerned about that at all. I believe he has a good vision for our community as far as retail locations and layouts and such. For this specific one, I have more concerns, because I don't see a need for additional apartments at this point."

► Commissioner Mason Ballard
"At this time I don't feel I know enough about it to stand one way or the other on it. I know that high density property always strikes a chord, and you're either on one side or the other with it. I've personally lived in the apartments right behind this building, when I first moved to Wildomar, and that was a very plesant place for me and my family. They're not all bad (apartments), but we want to make sure it's done right."

I always enjoy Commissioner Veronica Langworthy's take when it comes to apartments in town. This is at least the third time I've heard her invoke "Little House on the Prairie" and how the Olsen family had a store on the ground floor, and lived above it. 

Based on the orientation of that property, and it being well off the beaten path, I don't really envision too many successful mom and pop shops in that area.

► Commissioner Veronica Langworthy
"I would say that if you considered something like, first floor commercial, and second and maybe third floor, like townhouses above commercial. That might be a possibility. Something like Little House on the Prairie."

► Commissioner Kim Strong
(Addressing Chair Lloyd) "John, I agree with you 100%. I don't think the city needs more apartments [...] I'm also concerned about the financial impacts and the impacts that Mr. Bassi brought up [...] and I don't think we have enough commercial and tax dollars coming into the city."

► Commissioner Michele Thomas
"It's hard to run a city as a bedroom city unfortunately. I always hesitate when we look at these [proposed] changes [away from] commercial use. I think we have enough apartment projects on the books already... it's a hard sell."

Complete 26 minute video below.

•                •                •

"For centuries, theologians have been explaining the unknowable in terms of the-not-worth-knowing."

– H.L. Mencken (1880-1956)



Sounds like ol' Mencky could have been referring to Wildomar Rap.

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. Link to proper format.

• Another loss for Martha Bridges et al

On August 8th it was made known that the 'Martha Bridges et al' lawsuit, against the proposed MSJC Wildomar Campus, lost in the court of appeal when they affirmed the lower court ruling.

Meaning: add another tally to their vast loss column.

For those that aren't sure what this is about, here is a link to a Press Enterprise editorial about it from December of 2015.

Here's a link to a blog I wrote about the editorial the same day.

I started to pull highlights from the document but then realized that was an impossibility. It's 28 pages long, and has over 7,000 words in it, estimated to take more than 35 minutes to read. No thanks, we all have real lives.

For those that would like a taste of the actual findings in the PDF, here are the opening couple of paragraphs before they delved into the "Factual Background" of the case.

This California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)1 case arises from a community college’s decision to buy a plot of vacant land from a regional park district for potential future use as the site of a new campus. Plaintiffs and appellants Martha Bridges and John Burkett (appellants) are residents of Wildomar, the city where the land is located. 

They sued respondent Mt. San Jacinto Community College District (the community college, or the college) alleging it violated CEQA by failing to prepare an environmental impact report (EIR) before executing a purchase agreement for the property. Appellants also allege the community college violated CEQA by failing to adopt local CEQA implementing guidelines.

The trial court dismissed the action in its entirety, and we affirm. As we explain, appellants did not exhaust their administrative remedies before filing this suit and have not demonstrated they were excused from doing so. And, even if the exhaustion doctrine did not bar appellants’ suit, we would affirm the court’s ruling because both of their CEQA claims lack merit. 


As to their first cause of action, CEQA does not require the college to complete an EIR before signing a purchase agreement, especially under these circumstances, where the agreement itself requires the college to complete an EIR before the sale can be finalized. As to their second cause of action, the college is exempt from formally adopting local implementing guidelines because it uses the guidelines of another California agency.

Sorry, but I don't have a link to the PDF. If you'd like the complete 28 page report, ask the city to send you a copy.

My three favorite parts of the findings were as follows:

• From page 2

The trial court dismissed the action in its entirety, and we affirm. As we explain, appellants did not exhaust their administrative remedies before filing this suit and have not demonstrated they were excused from doing so. And, even if the exhaustion doctrine did not bar appellants’ suit, we would affirm the court’s ruling because both of their CEQA claims lack merit. 

• From page 28

We conclude the second cause of action lacks merit and affirm the trial court’s dismissal.

• From page 28 (last thing before the three judges' names)

DISPOSITION
We affirm the judgment and award costs to respondents.
 

Does that mean what I hope it means? 

Could it be that they'll actually have to pay something out of their own pockets? 

Heck, they've only delayed the start of the project by many, many years... what's it to them if it's not opened in time for your kids to attend that campus?

No biggie. Just the actions of a community activist, looking out for what's best for the rest of us... just "following her heart." LOL

Yep, pretty much like Ken Mayes declared back in June in the comment section of a Wildomar Rap blog...  

"I for one thank Ms. Martha Bridges for her diligence in ensuring wildomar stays on the right course. I consider her a friends[sic] an[sic] confidant, even a comrade if you wish. Just like a local suffragette of old, the one and only Margaret Collier (the MAR in wildomar), Ms. Bridges follows her heart." 

The unmitigated gall to make such a comparison. But, that's what makes Kenneth, Kenneth.

If it's not too much to ask, I'd like to request that Wildomar's most infamous litigant stay out of the news for a few months... my keyboard needs a rest.

•          •          •

In the world’s broad field of battle, 
   In the bivouac of Life, 
Be not like dumb, driven cattle! 
   Be a hero in the strife! 
– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 
excerpt from A Psalm of Life

Wildomar Rap is the antidote if you've been caught up with the dumb, driven cattle. Be it in the broad field of battle, the bivouac of life or the pages of Nextdoor.

• Special City Council Meeting June 2017

The special city council meeting had one basic theme on the agenda, the two year budget for Fiscal Years 2017-18/19. 

It did start with a brief proclamation: Parks Make Life Better Month — July 2017.

Councilmember Bridgette Moore read the proclamation and posed with Daniel Torres and Janet Morales afterward.

 
Public Comments (on non agenda items)
• Kenny Mayes discussed the posted room occupancy (193) and asked if it was accurate in light of the recent planning commission meeting when there was only room for 140 seats, and it was stated that the meeting couldn't go forward until everyone found a seat.
• Joseph Morabito: I spoke about the coming city council meeting that will be dealing with the Camelia Townhouse Project. I suggested a special meeting, since it's sure to be more than two hours long. I also went on record saying I thought the libelous chatter on social media about the three commissioners that voted in favor of the project, and Stan Smith in particular, was as odious as it was destructive. Let's see if any of those brave keyboard commandos will turn their libel into slander during their public comment allotment at the impending Camelia Townhouse Project city council meeting.


Consent Calendar
Several items were pulled and discussed. In my estimation, the only one worth the council's time was 1.3. 

Three of the others had our resident oracle of misinformation, Kenny Mayes, toss in his 200 cents, just to have them tossed right back at him.

My favorite example of such was item 1.4. 

It was in reference to the city seeking to purchase a .46 acre lot on Lemon St. near the freeway, for $35,000. 

He went over a litany of reasons why he thought this was a bad idea, and then recommended that the city not purchase the property.

Among his concerns were the following: No environmental conditions mentioned in the agenda packet, and that "growing up near freeways stunts children's breathing capability for a lifetime —significant increases of risk of serious lung and heart diseases later in life according to researchers who've monitored thousands of Southern California children for up to 8 years." 

Let me just stop you right there Kenny. Great speech, but what are you going on about? Did you actually think that such a parcel was going to be for a city run orphanage or something? Why would you think ANY child would ever even step foot on that property, much less spend any real amount of time where they'd end up developing such medical conditions?

He went on to lament "this is a horrible purchase," as he bemoaned that there wasn't a title report or soils report and the potential for elevated concentrations of lead in the shallow soil due to vehicle emissions, as it's near the freeway.

.43 acre Parcel in question.

Once he finished his spiel, Councilmember Moore took him to task, and for good measure Councilmember Swanson helped in the process too. (video link is below)

To clarify, this is what the staff report says. 

Staff has identified parcels of interest throughout the city that would benefit the public's direct use, enhance public services in the area, areas of street and storm drainage, maintenance, recreation, parks, trails, and civic administration. As these properties become available for acquisition, staff requests authorization to acquire the property.

This [acquisition of this] parcel isn't saying this is for all that. It's just saying that these properties that become available COULD BE for [any of those reasons].

Bridgette Moore

Moore then asked City Manager Gary Nordquist to speak about the title report. In short he explained that item 1.4 was a request for the authority to sign the preliminary documents (in other words, to get the ball rolling for the acquisition of this property). 

Once the process starts in earnest, that's when the various reports get delivered. Depending on what the reports say, that will determine whether the city will go forward or not with the purchase. 

The staff has done their due diligence. We don't own a lot of land. We don't even own this building (city hall), we own three parks. Having the availability to purchase a little piece of land for public works, for $35,000, is a good deal.

Bridgette Moore

 

It is [a good deal]. When I saw the price I thought, "if the city doesn't buy it, that's not a bad piece [to buy]." It isn't a good piece to live on, or for a house, but there are neighbors that live right there. The next parcel over has got a manufactured home on it, and they live there. They're happy there. 

The contract, when you buy a piece of property, indicates it's contingent on the preliminary title report. It is contingent on an NHD report, which is a Natural Hazard Disclosure that the seller has to pay for. There are lots of things that are in that contract that are contingent on, but we can't move forward until we take the first step and say "let's open escrow" then we'll do our due diligence and check all of these items. 

Council Member, and real estate professional, Marsha Swanson

Why am I getting a bee in my bonnet over a throw away public comment on a pulled item from the consent calendar?

It's because many people out there only are aware of one facet of Kenny Mayes, Kenneth to those over at Nextdoor.com, where he is the maven of all facets of life in Wildomar. Posting information about parks events, library programs, articles from the various news sources in the area, and city agenda items too. 

Not to mention digging into people's personal lives looking for things buried in their past, or current things that are immaterial to the facts at hand. I'm not even going to dignify his bizarre ramblings during the meeting, by mentioning the details, that bordered on slander... I guess he was too clever (cough) to use actual names in his diatribe, but others could rightly read it as cowardly. 

Imagine their consternation when they realize who they've been using as a trusted source.

I have to acknowledge that he puts an inordinate amount of time into researching things, but more times than not he reaches erroneous interpretations. 

Is it just bad luck that he craps out so often, or does he know that his conclusions will be shown to be fallacious once the experts weigh in, but enjoys the reactions he gets just the same? 

Or, is it that he actually thinks he's the only guy that understands the complexities at hand, and everyone else (especially the paid professionals) just don't get it? Either which-way, ouch!

This one's for you Ken...
I upgraded the Cantankerotti Corner cartoon, and included your hat this time.

Don't get me wrong here. On whole, I think Ken is an asset to the process. 

Yes, seriously!

We need more people that are interested in the things that are happening in our city. It just would be nice if accuracy was as important to him as posting his half baked opinions (or spouting them from the lectern). If Trump were to weigh in here, he'd be labeling Ken Mayes as Fake News. 

The other items weren't of much consequence. I did have my eye on Item 1.3 about adopting Rosenberg's Rules of Order where it wanted to remove the ability for one public speaker to donate time to another. 

The only city meetings I've been to in the last 40 years are the ones in Wildomar, so I have no other points of reference. In other areas of this valley, according to mayor Tim Walker, there are NOT such donations of minutes at all.

Still, since some of us made a fuss about not changing that provision, a compromise was reached where a public speaker can get a ONE time donation of 3 minutes for a total of 6 minutes. 

The way I see it is that we spoke, they listened, and chose a reasonable compromise. A veritable Win-Win. The video below is of the short discussion the council had on the matter.

The rest of the meeting was dedicated to the details of the two year budget. Interesting, but not compelling for people that don't consider doing their taxes as the highlight of their year. 

The agenda package is just one column & row of numbers after another, if you'd like to peruse it yourself, follow this link and jump down to page 594. Link to Report

It was full of awesome things like, projected sales and property tax revs. Detailed reports from each part of the city government. 

The budget outlook did NOT include the SB 130 funds (the returned VLF money that Governor Brown took from us five years ago). When that money gets here, that will be an added bonus, but most of it will get gobbled up by the public safety sector.

The current contract with the RSO covers 40 man hours a day. There is a proposal to increase that to 87 hours a day. They're also looking to get a dedicated traffic cop to patrol city hot spots. 

Just remember, the people that usually get nabbed in such traffic stops are the very people that live in the neighborhoods being patrolled. 

This isn't including any projected revenues from retail establishments that haven't broken ground yet. It also isn't including the VLF funds that are supposed to be coming back to Wildomar.

The new city website, which was first mentioned in this blog a year ago, is due to come online before the end of July. Something that is also on the list of things to do is set up a way to live stream city meetings. 

I've been wanting that for a long time, and even if they just start off simply, with one fixed camera that delivers clear sound, that will be satisfactory.

From the planning department.

Approved projects that haven't broken ground yet. Nearly a half million square feet of retail, and 1000 residential units are in the works. 

There were tons of other notes, but enough is enough. 

Well, one more... we do own the fire station and there are several things that the fire chief would like to upgrade there. I nearly choked when they wanted $40K to remodel their kitchen. That just seems steep to me. I'm glad that there wasn't enough money in the budget to green-light any of the wish list stuff.

•          •          •

A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on. 
– Winston Churchill

Wildomar Rap loves tall tales, just not during city meetings or when discussing another person's personal business.

• Bridges Sent Packing... Again!

The Court of Appeal ruled in favor of the city of Wildomar on Case number E063986 Martha Bridges et al. v City of Wildomar.

Over the years (self stylized community activist) Martha Bridges has sued this city repeatedly. She usually loses, and loses, but like the hack duffer that gets one birdie per round, she's been bolstered by the occasional win... but not this time.

Last month I traveled to Riverside to watch her attorney basically make a fool of himself in front of a three judge panel at the court of appeal, as he tried to argue that Wildomar doesn't have a general plan. Even though adoption of the plan that the county had in place for this area was done on day one of the city.

Today I got word that the lower court's ruling was upheld, which was in favor of the City of Wildomar. Which translates into a win for the tax payers of Wildomar too. 

To read my recap of what I heard in court, follow this link, and go to the midpoint of the blog.

Now that this question has been answered... for the umpteenth time, it makes a person wonder what propels this wretched Wildomar woman's endless onslaught against the city? 

No one knows for sure, but it's a pretty safe bet that at least part of it stems from her losses when she ran for city council in 2008 and again in 2010. 

Yes, it's hard to fathom that someone would be that obstinate for so long, but since when does reason or logic enter the picture when payback is on someone's mind?

Link to a March 2017 Press Enterprise article on this topic.

If I were a betting man, I wouldn't wager that we've heard the last lame lawsuit from "Martha Bridges et al". Stay buckled up, the year isn't even half over yet. 

====================================

Now, time for some Fun With Specious Logic

====================================

It's been pondered before, about destructive historical figures, and what would happen differently if you could change something in their past. 

Would they still have been in the position to cause such damage to others?

It's been argued that two of the 20th century's greatest tyrants could have gone another way, had circumstances been different. 

First is Mr. Nazi himself, Adolf Hitler. He was an artist at one point. Imagine if he had been able to sell his art instead of having it rejected as "grim."

A sample of the mad man from Munich's water color style.

The next infamous person in my example is Fidel Castro. He was reported to have been a baseball player; a pitcher I believe. Imagine if he'd actually signed the contract he was rumored to have been offered. 

And now we have a twice rejected city council wannabe. I wonder how many fewer lawsuits the city would have had to deal with had we just elected her instead of rejecting her? 

The world will never know

Oh, and for those of you with your mouth agape after that last bit of offhanded musing, asking, "Did he actually just compare some sue-happy old bitty to two of history's worst dictators?" 

Looks like I did. 

Fine, I win the Godwin Award for needlessly bringing in Hitler to make a weak point. But the point stands. 

•          •          •

It has been said that we are prisoners in a dark closet, with small openings, that, on occasion, admit some light. Small wonder that the demons who lurk in the deepest corners, are more real to us than the sweet light of reason outside.

– E.G. Marshall CBSRMT 1974

Wildomar Rap reminds you that the sweet light of reason is also sugar and gluten free.

• City Council Meeting April 2017

At the top of the meeting was a report from city attorney Thomas Jex. That, "the city council unanimously voted to defend the litigation," discussed in the closed session.

Direct from the agenda.

If you had thought that Wildomar's favorite member of the Cantakerotti had withered away, you'd have been wrong. 

She's busy as ever suing you and me, costing every one of us money. 

Lawyers aren't free, and every time Thomas Jex is on the case, defending the litigation, even just reading one of her long winded complaint letters, it costs the city many hundreds of dollars... on the low end.

Just wanted you to be apprised.

Presentations 

• Changing of the guard for the Wildomar Queens.

Outgoing Miss City of Wildomar, Jessie Taylor, tells of her experience
in the program as the younger "Queens" look on. 

• Former Wildomar chief of police, Dave Fontneau spoke about Cops For Kids and that they will be having a golfing fundraiser. If you'd like to participate in it, visit their webpage or facebook page.

• Local bus drivers Kat Garrett and Angie Couch were recognized for being chosen Bus Drivers of the Year by the CHP.

 L-R: Mayor Tim Walker, Councilmember Bridgette Moore, Angie Couch and Kat Garrett.

PUBLIC COMMENTS (non agenda items)

• Kenny Mayes announced that he'll be leading a Fit After Fifty class at the library. If you're interested in joining the class, either call the library to get more info or visit the Friends of the Library facebook page.

• Joseph Morabito congratulated the council on getting the VLF funds back (though it's not a done deal). Then opined that the city meetings need to be live streamed, that the city needs to get an official social media presence and would like to see a Sheriff's Report included as part of every city council meeting.

• Miss Miller sang for us. She mentioned RTA buses, sustainable revolution, and so many other things I couldn't keep up... though my favorite line from here was, "I have to admit my car has a large engine, however I'm not driving it this month to make up for driving it at all. I'm selling it when it starts to run again."

Hey Miss Miller, which is it... you're not driving this month because you're showing your solidarity with the environment, or that your jalopy is on the fritz? 

Also, how does a car "start to run again"? 

One time my 1970 VW Bug wasn't running, and I gave it two years to "start to run again" but it only cooperated with me after having it towed to a mechanic and giving them more than $200.

• Tim Huizenga of Murrieta spoke about the proposed Camelia Townhouse Project and the irreversible impact it would have on the existing neighborhood. He made a strong case for not allowing the zoning change.

blog about the Camelia project 

• Pete Kee, also of Murrieta and speaking on the Camelia Townhouse Project, invited the council to visit the site before voting on it, even though that would be months away.

Council Communications
This is where the council relates back things they've learned during the past month, or things they've done. I don't usually report on this part of the meeting because it's just a long list of where the council members have appeared in their official capacity. 

However, I did think that the comments from Mayor Pro-Tem Ben Benoit, regarding the recent state tax increases and how it touches on Wildomar's long lost VLF funds, were worth covering (watch the video clip for the details). 

Had to love how Miss Miller shouted from the audience "Democrats got the money for you!" 

Yes Miss Miller, the Democrats in Sacramento have taxed the poor once again. Of course you think that is awesome possum... you're a progressive's progressive and love high taxes.

One thing I'd like to bicker with Ben about is where he said:

"It included a future vote for all citizens on the 2017 ballot. It will lock those funds into just being transportation dollars so they can't do that (steal the earmarked money for other uses) again. I fully realize that a lot of the transportation money has been taken out and has gone other ways it shouldn't have. This money, at least, once that goes to the public for a vote, will be locked in."

Mayor Pro-Tem Ben Benoit

The voters have already passed TWO such constitutional amendments forbidding Sacramento from taking the transportation funds, and both times they've found ways around it. 

Link to UT Story about it.

So, just like you're not going to count the VLF funds until you see them, I won't believe the state won't play the old shell game with this money either. 
2.1 Bundy Canyon Resort Apartment Project

This is a gated apartment complex that will be tucked away out of sight, but the impacts of 140 families needing access from one ingress/egress point, at a perilous curve on Bundy Canyon, will be felt even if the units are out of view.

It started with Ben Benoit recusing himself from the item since his day job is as a spokesman for a regional apartments association.

City Planner Matt Bassi shared a powerpoint presentation with the council, one I already blogged about when it was in front of the planning commission. 

Link to blog in question

Public speakers on this item included Miss Miller, Joseph Morabito and George Taylor.

Concerns included ingress/egress from Bundy Canyon, and the amount of funds the project would contribute to the Measure Z park fund.

It was nice that even before the public speaker slot was hit, that the council was already on top of the issues involving safety on Bundy Canyon in regards to this project.

There had been a traffic study that said adding 140 additional families, all using the same single road to enter and exit the development, did NOT warrant a traffic signal. 

Can you imagine what it would be like trying to turn left, towards the I-15 in the morning, or left while heading west (from The Farm) in the afternoons, without a traffic signal at that location? 

Then add more than just your car trying to do that at peak traffic times, and you can see where that was a recipe for disaster.

Thing is, because the traffic study didn't call for a light, the council couldn't legally require one.

Thankfully, before the item came to a vote, the developer and city staff called for a five minute recess and hammered out a deal where there would be a temporary signal there instead of nothing. (It's temporary because Bundy Canyon will be getting some major work done to it at some point, and it will be affecting that very curve where the signal is needed). 

That left the Measure Z Question to be answered.

"We talked about per unit, for apartments at that time (when Measure Z was being discussed), but what was approved by the voters [was] $28 per parcel. That the apartments sit on one parcel, it's $28, that's what they contribute. Recognizing that, we do have a municipal services CFD that they are encouraged to participate in. We will use that technique to accommodate the additional costs for putting on our recreation system and our park maintenance. So we will be capturing some of those funds."

Wildomar City Manager Gary Nordquist  

Measure Z is far from perfect, but that's what it took to open our parks back up after some dimwits managed to find a judge that was willing to punish 30,000 people for a clerical error on the part of the county. 

A reasonable judge would have just ordered the wording corrected and kept the funding in place to support what every other city has, and pays for... parks.

Still, I don't think that the project's point man Larry Markham did his cause any favors when he said, "We have an extensive recreation complex. We think we have a very well amenitized project that we (the residents) won't be going offsite that much to use the parks."

Great Larry, but if personal amenities is all it takes to be exempt from paying for the local public parks, I'm thinking that many people would line up to opt out.

This passed 3-1-0 (Moore voting against it, which caused Miss Miller to shout out "Bridgette" in an approving manner as she left the building).

Don't look for this to begin anytime soon. If the "suer chick" doesn't work her magic on this, then look for other things to trip it up. I'd be shocked if grading started before 2019. 

2.2 Zoning Ordinance Amendment 
This was basically a formality at this point. It was discussed at the October 2016 city council meeting, but the council asked the staff to go back and further simplify the format.

Link to October 2016 blog about it 

This hit the planning commission at their last meeting, and the only alteration that was made to the sign that the staff had suggested, was adding the city's website to the bottom. 

This is the type of sign that would have been posted at the property where the Camelia Townhouse Project is proposed to go, had this ordinance been in effect at the time. 

This type of sign will be posted at [proposed] construction sites at least 10 days before any city hearings. Which would NOT have covered the Camelia meetings held at Sycamore.

3.1 Third Amendment to Agreement for Employment of City Manager
The long and short of this is that our city manager, Gary Nordquist, has been retained for the next 4 years. It's odd to be in a position to know what other people make, but that is the nature of the beast in public life.

He has had the same pay rate since he took the post back in December of 2012. 

He is slated for consecutive raises over the next four years. He'll go to a base salary of $191,000 as of the start of 2017. It then increases about $10K per year for the rest of the contract.

   • $201,000 effective 1-1-2018
   • $210,000 effective 1-1-2019
   • $219,000 effective 1-1-2020

The contract also calls for a 10% annual bonus to be removed from the contract and replaced with a "retirement health savings program plan" where the city will "contribute which is equal to 8% of his salary". 

Good gig if you can get it.

Each council member praised the work he has done since taking over the position. For many years he did both the job of city manager and finance director.

To hear the council member's comments, take a look at the video. They begin at the 2:30 mark.

I'm just some guy that's been going to the city meetings since 2013, but from what I've been able to ascertain, I have always been pleased with what I've seen from Gary Nordquist's leadership of the city... and he's a good guy too.

•          •          •

The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it's the illusion of knowledge.

– Daniel J. Boorstin 1914-2004

Wildomar Rap tip of the day: breathe in, then breathe out... it's always worked for me.