• City Council Meeting July 2017

Super short meeting tonight. This one was about 45 minutes total, which included a couple of presentations. 

However, before the meeting was called to order, there was about 15 minutes set aside for Wildomar's 9th birthday. Donuts from Go-Nuts for all.

From left to right,  City Manager Gary Nordquist, Councilmembers Dustin Nigg, Ben Benoit, Bridgette Moore, Planning Commissioner Stan Smith, Marsha Swanson, Mayor Tim Walker and City Clerk Debbie Lee.

Deputy Robert Ochoa was recognized for his quick actions while off duty. He spotted a stolen vehicle that had been reported on social media earlier in the day.

Mayor Tim Walker and Deputy Robert Ochoa.

There is a short video of incoming EHS freshman Iliana Herrera who has already earned some scholarship money.

PUBLIC COMMENTS non agenda items
It was a short meeting, so it's going to be a short recap.
• Murrieta resident Pete Kee spoke about his continued opposition to the Camelia Townhouse Project. Suggesting they bring in more chairs when the item hits the council's agenda and even consider a PA system for an expected overflow crowd.
• Murrieta resident Tim Huizenga also spoke about his opposition to Camelia. 
• Glenn Miller, Senator Jeff Stone representative, congratulated the city on it's 9th year. Said that he and the Senator will attend the birthday celebration at Marna O'Brien park on Saturday.
• Ken Mayes mumbled something about being incompetent and damaged credibility.
• Trudy Curry discussed her continued opposition to the Camelia Townhouse project.
• Kathleen Hamblin added her opposition to high density, "I feel like a lot of the stuff isn't very transparent, as far as the planning goes" and also coined the phrase "suburban crawl".
• Ann Kiggins wanted some action on her neighbor's illegal growing habits.

That was really all to the meeting. There was one more item on the agenda that had to do with Waste Management. 

There was one public speaker and it was shown to her that the issue was between her, the property owner, and Waste Management. Though the council made sure that she left her contact info so that they could follow up later.

Happily one of Waste Management's reps was on hand and the start of a resolution had begun. She had inherited a piece of property that's been vacant. She didn't understand why she was being billed for trash service even if no one was there.

There are a lot of details like that in our lives, that many of us may not be up on... like that there is a General Plan Map and a Zoning Map in every California town. A person's ignorance to such things has no bearing on it being reality or not.

Same here with trash service. Until I started attending city meetings, I'd have also thought like the woman in question, never knowing that trash service is mandated to protect public health.

When you learn new things about what makes your local government tick, which 11 times out 10 such things are mandated by either the state or the county, it's best to say something like, "Ah shucks, I had no idea that the General Plan outranks the Zoning Map," instead of suggesting that the planning commission isn't "transparent".

If it doesn't seem transparent perhaps you're just being a tad opaque at the moment. 

Last on the list was a reminder that there is going to be a big birthday celebration at Marna O'Brien park this Saturday. Stop on by and listen to some great live music. 

•          •          •

Things are seldom what they seem, Skim milk masquerades as cream.

– W. S. Gilbert, H.M.S. Pinafore

Wildomar Rap wears no mask. This blog has always been about my own entertainment. If anyone has ever expected more from it, I have to blame my good character for their mistake.

• 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.

• Little League Challenger Division

Play Ball!

I've been around Little League since I was nine years old back in the 1970s. Played Little League until the age of 12, then Pony League, and some high school ball. I coached my kids' teams from 1993 through 2003 and never heard of the Challenger Division until this year, when Wildomar Little League was chosen as the host league for this year's Division 28 all-star games.

The players were introduced before the game, and gave high fives to VIPS at the center of the field before the game started. From left to right, WLL President Chad Hilzer, VFW Post 1508 Mike Sheehan, Wildomar City Councilmember Bridgette Moore and umpire Kenny Ballard.

Apologies upfront. I don't have the names of any of the players, and though about half the players were girls, I didn't get many photos of them. I wish I could have gotten good pictures of all the players, maybe next year. ☺

Taking the pitch for ball one... even though balls and strikes weren't counted.☺

The games are not like typical Little League games in that they are only two innings, where everyone bats and runs (even if they get out), and end up scoring too. 

Getting a few reminders before batting.

The local Challenger Division was started in Menefee six years ago. Two years ago it was decided to make the division district wide. 

A little assistance from player buddies on the way to first base.

Originally they had twelve players in the first season. It's grown to the point that this season there were 62 players. 

Some of the players needed more assistance than others.

Players are from all seven of the local Little Leagues in the area: Lake Elsinore, Temescal Canyon, Wildomar, Canyon Lake, Menifee, Murrieta and Temecula. 

Putting the ball in play with a runner on third.

There are some players that come from as far away as Moreno Valley, Hemet and from other areas too. The division is starting to grow with each successive season. 

Coming home to score.

They play an average of about twelve games a season. The games are two innings long and last about an hour. The foul lines aren't strictly enforced. A lot depends on the batter's ability. If they have a more difficult time hitting the ball, a lot more leeway is granted to them. Others, that are more confident with the bat, have more traditional foul lines.

Keeping his eye on the ball as he's about to take a swing.

They didn't keep track of balls and strikes, and the pitcher (one of the coaches) would adjust his style and distance depending on the batter. Sometimes he'd be just a few feet away while tossing the ball underhand. Other times he'd be back about twenty-five or thirty feet tossing the ball overhand.

Tossing the ball back in to the pitcher.

Some of the players hit the ball harder than others. For those that hit it back to the pitcher, he'd shovel it with his glove to get it to the fielders. 

The ball gets sent down the third base line.

There were "player buddies" on the field to help the kids keep focused, and to protect them from the occasional well struck ball.

This Angel hitter gets ready to swat this pitch.

A couple of balls got all the way to the outfield, and still the play was to first base. There were a few times that a solid fielding play was made on both ends of a grounder, but the runner remained on the base even if they would have been out in a game played by traditional rules. 

Bridgette Moore was one of the "player buddies" and was stationed out in right field.

During the season there were four teams, but for today's All-Star Game, they combined them into two teams so that the could play one game instead of two. It was the Angels vs. the Dodgers, perfect for SoCal teams.

Just before the moment of contact.

There is an older division and a younger division. 

The players are not separated by age only, but also by ability. Sometimes a younger player will be placed with the older kids if their skill level makes them a mismatch with the other players their age. It's as much about enjoying the experience as it is keeping the kids safe.

These two players were enjoying their time in the field. Their playful interaction reminded my of my son's little dances that he'd do during games when he was their age. ☺

While talking to Amy Frahn about the Challenger Division (she's Vice President of District 28 Challenger Division, and attached to Menifee Valley Little League) I asked her about the fees to play.

Gotta love wearing baseball pants old school. Reminds me of the time I'd forgotten my baseball pants at home, for a beer league game in 1999, and had to wear my 12 year old son's pants one game. 

She told me that there are no fees charged to play, and that they rely on their sponsors and donations to fund the division. All seven of the leagues in District 28 donate a portion of their registration fees to the Challenger Division.

The anticipation.

If you are so inspired as to want to sponsor the Challenger Division, or just donate some funds to it, be sure to contact them by email, or visit their FaceBook page LINK. Such donations are tax deductible. They are a non profit and have all the proper forms that you'll need.

BTW, you don't have to be a donor to visit their FaceBook page and give them a like. LINK ☺

I nominate this player for "best form". What pitcher wouldn't be intimidated by that serious look on his face? Watch out Corey Seager, this guy's gunning for your spot in the line up.

What an enjoyable game to be at. Sometimes baseball is just about fun, where pressure doesn't enter the picture. A misplayed grounder isn't a big deal, and the kids are all smiles after the game no matter how many runs actually were scored.

A group shot after the game.

CR&R, DeJongs Dairy and Caring Hearts helped sponsor today's game. 

•          •          •

The smile on my face doesn't mean my life is perfect. It means I appreciate what I have and what I've been blessed with. I choose to be happy.
– Unknown

Wildomar Rap has long understood that happiness is a choice. Circumstances can be dire or unpleasant at times, but they don't control a person's basic nature.

• Wildomar Rap Tip of the Day

Fellow Rotary member Allen Montemagno (the "G" is silent) tipped me off to a great bargain in town regarding a midday special at Yellow Basket. 

He was telling me that you could get fries and a shake for a dollar apiece, after lunch and before dinner. I was a bit skeptical, so I nodded with a glassy eyed look and thought nothing more of it.

I'm not usually the type to go to restaurants midweek at that time of day, but today my lovely wife Grace had the day off, and it just so happened to be about 2:00pm, and we were due for a snack.

I'm known for NOT being spontaneous, so imagine the shocked look on her face when I asked if she'd like to see if that special really existed. 
(Score one for Joseph!) ☺

This combo was $2.00, before Jerry Brown added another 16¢, which is still a bargain.

Lo and behold they did have a happy hour special. Fries, sodas and shakes all costing a dollar. We decided to go the cheap route and just get one order of fries and one chocolate shake to share.

Just the right amount to hit the spot when one is feeling a bit peckish.

For us, that was more than enough, though I could see the advantage of getting an order of fries per person if you wanted more than a midday snack. 

As usual, the counter help, and the person that brought the food to our table were very courteous and accommodating. If you've never been inside Yellow Basket, when you go, you have to check out the decor they have. You can tell that the owners have pride in their business.

When I was a kid I could easily have downed that shake myself in under 10 minutes, but now that I'm an old man, we couldn't even get through half of it as a team. 
(We took the rest home and put it in the freezer for a treat later in the evening).

Next time I bet she'll be bringing her Boba straw.

It was good tasting and very thick. We ended up using a spoon. Either bring your own larger capacity straw or be ready to take your sweet time with it... which is really the way a milkshake should be consumed anyway. 

They have chocolate, strawberry, vanilla and cinnamon flavors to choose from.

When we were about done I gave the waitress a Wildomar Rap card and told her that I was going to spread the word about their Happy Hour Special. A few moments later the owner, Tom Boussiacos, came out to say "Hi".

He remembered me from last year when Councilmember Bridgette Moore hosted Ashley Fox as Mayor for a Day, and I tagged along so that I could report on it.

Link to Mayor for a Day blog

Funny thing is, I'd just had two big spoonfuls of chocolate shake, and as we chatted —for a moment— my eyes started to water as I was fighting off a brain-freeze. 

Thankfully I managed to stave it off with dignity. ☺

Not saluting, just checking to see if my brain was still on board on the way out.

I'm not sure how long this special is going to last, but seems like a terrific Summer treat that you might want to give a try.

Hey, if you have bored kids in the middle of the afternoon and want to get them out of the house for a bit, seems like a no-brainer (if there was a pun in there, it was intended). ☺

If you don't know where Yellow Basket is, it's near Barons Market and Stadium Pizza on Clinton Keith. (32250 Clinton Keith Rd, Wildomar, CA 92595)

Just an FYI, this was just a fun blog, about a good deal, from a local business with a community minded owner. I wasn't compensated for this... but I'm thinking I could have made a pretty cool promotional video for YB if they wanted one.

•          •          •

They say some of my stars drink whiskey, but I have found that ones who drink milkshakes don't win many ball games.

– Casey Stengel


Wildomar Rap see's nothing wrong with compromising here by combining the two... but instead of whiskey, opt for vodka.