City Council - Regular Meeting

Hey, hey, hey.

[music]

out.

[snorts] [snorts]

[music]

Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat. Good evening, Meny. I'm going to call the meeting to order at 6:00. Uh, Mr. City Attorney, anything to report out of close session tonight?

All right, madam clerk, have you received any correspondence on tonight's agenda? Yes, the council did receive correspondence. It's in your red folders for 11.1. In case anybody wants to know what that looks like. People don't write letters anymore. All right, madam clerk, would you please call role? Council member Dinus here. Council member Dedric here. Council member Temple here. Acting Mayor Carwin here. And Mayor Estrada is absent.

Thank you very much. Now we turn to our words of inspiration with Eric Russell, Menipe public communications director for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Please come to the podium to inspire us. Um, good evening council members and neighbors. As we approach the Christmas season, I'm reminded that hope often shines brightness in challenging times. Christmas, whether celebrated spiritually, culturally, or simply as a time of togetherness, carries a timeless message. Light enters the world when we need it the most. This season invites us to pause and to recognize the quiet acts of goodness happening all around us. Our teachers, our business owners, volunteers, public servants, and families all help to carry that light in their own ways. They remind us that hope isn't something we wait for. It's something that we create when we choose kindness, generosity, and grace. As the lights go up across our city, may they remind us that light grows stronger when shared. A community grounded in compassion can weather any season, and this time of year calls us to lean into that truth. Thank you for your service and for what you give to this city and for the work that you do to make this place a a place of care and connection. Merry Christmas and I hope that uh that we all follow what we need to do to guide us to a better a better togetherness. I think we used to do that metaphy togetherness. Uh in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

There we go. Now it's time for our flag salute. I think I'll I'll keep with the theme. I see uh Naomi Temple. Uh Council Member Temple's wife in the front row. Would you please lead us in the flag salute? To the flag of the United States of America and to the stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you very much, Mrs. Temple. Um, all right. Now, it's time for our presentations. City council, please join me at the uh the d the front of the dis for our first presentation. Michael Reinhardt coming to the podium.

Yes. Good evening, uh, city council and, uh, members of the audience here. Um, I am Michael Reinhardt. I'm the community services supervisor for the, uh, community services department here for the city of Meny. Um, and I get the honor of announcing our winners of our teen awards this evening. Um, so the Meditine Awards was created in 2021 to highlight all the amazing things that our high school students are doing here in our community and at their schools. Um, since starting the program, we've received many um, amazing nominations and our judges have had a very difficult time in selecting our winners. Um, but today we are here to honor our fall 2025 winners. Um, this program is sponsored by the Lake Meny Women's Club who present each of our winners with a $100 gift card and they will also have the chance to win teen of the year at the end of the school year for a $500 prize. Um, so I'd like to welcome up members of our Lake Medy Women's Club to help present the um, awards this evening. We have Shelley Hobbs and Gloria Sanchez here um, for Lake Medif Women's Club. All right. So, we're going to start our um we have three different categories and we're going to start with our all-star athlete and the winner for this season is Miley Lundstrom, a 12th grade student at Paloma Valley High School. [applause]

All right. Miley was nominated by uh two different people actually. um two teachers and one of her coach coaches um and this is what they had to say about her. Miley is an exceptional student athlete who balances one of the most rigorous academic schedules on campus while serving as a key starter on the varsity volleyball team. Her dedication to the sport has led to significant growth and she played a crucial role defensive role as uh the team went into the playoffs. Despite the demands of varsity athletics, she continues to excel academically, maintaining a GPA of over 4.5 and earning top marks on nearly all of her AP exams. Miley also contributes as a campus leader through numerous clubs and service organizations, bringing the same work ethic and positivity she shows on the court. Her commitment, resilience, and athletic impact make her an outstanding representative of Paloma Valley High School. So, congratulations to Miley. We're going to take a picture for us.

Great job, Miley. Go Wildcats. All right, our next category is inspiring academic. And the winner for this award is an 11th grade student, although also at Paloma Valley High School. It's a Malaya Hermosio. [applause]

Malaya was nominated by Evelyn Lee. And here's what um she had to say regarding her nomination. Malayaia is an outstanding student leader known for her academic excellence, kindness, and dedication to helping others. As a straight A student and an active member of Link Crew, she works daily to create a welcoming and supportive environment for students on campus. Outside of school, she volunteers with a local daycare as a student teacher and frequently tutors classmates, demonstrating her commitment to service and community involvement. Her compassion, work ethic, and willingness to uplift others makes makes her a powerful role model for both peers and younger students. With strong determination and a clear passion for making a difference, Malaya is truly a student who impact whose impact reaches far beyond the classroom. So, congratulations again to Malaya.

[applause] [applause]

All right, our final category is outstanding citizen. And this is another Paloma Valley High School student, a 12th grader, and it is Tori Winchester. [applause] Tori was nominated by her teacher and coach uh Hannah Bowen. And here's what she had to say in her nomination. Tori is an outstanding student leader whose character and dedication make a meaningful impact on both Paloma Valley High School and the community of Meny. Through her leadership and youth leaders of Meny and her positive influence on the Paloma Valley High School soccer team, she consistently leads by example with kindness, respect, and integrity. Despite balancing AP classes, club soccer, and many leadership roles, she continues to excel through perseverance and a strong work ethic. Tori serves as a mentor and role model for younger students, inspiring them to get involved, work hard, and believe they can make a difference. Her commitment to service, teamwork, and community improvement truly sets her apart. Congratulations again to Tori. [applause] a picture with all three winners.

Great idea, Gardia. Gloria. And just reminder, in addition to the $100 prize they won tonight, all three of these teens are eligible to win teina of the year at the end of the school year, which is a $500 prize from Lake Metaphy Women's Club. [applause] Thank you, Shel and Gloria. That's awesome. League Mety Women's Club. Fantastic. I think we can return to back to the uh the dis. Okay.

All right. And now, uh, Council Member Temple, would you please introduce your new appointee to the Veterans and Military Families Committee?

Thank you. So, um, if I could have Mrs. Yolanda Tanner please come up. So, I had um a vacancy on this committee and uh received many applications, but um my mind was drawn to somebody that uh I've known for quite a few years. So, Yolanda Tanner, her husband Dwayne, and their two children have been friends and uh acquaintances of ours for about 23 years. That's how long they've lived in Meny. They've been been here for quite a while. uh their their daughter and our daughter grew up together. Yolanda spent 17 years in the Marine Corps and then following that she spent um another uh 13 years or so in civil service working for DoD. Uh one of the things I found out about her, and I don't know if uh this should have affected my decision, but she was a drill instructor at Paris Island. So, I know I'm going to have to uh mind my P's and Q's with her. [laughter] I know how DI's can be. But um uh she she has uh two degrees. She has a bachelor's in computer information system and then a master's in the educational field. And the reason I chose Yolanda for this position is since I've known her in these 23 years, she has always been an example of of quiet strength, integrity, and uh and grit. And I thought she would just be perfect for this. her husband Dwayne also served uh for 22 years as an infantryman in the Marine Corps. Their son is currently uh serving in the Navy. So Yolanda has a unique perspective as both a member of the military, a spouse of a military member, and the mother of a military member. And I thought that gave her a unique perspective for this committee and

thought she was just the perfect choice. And um so with that, I I would just like to introduce my nominee for this committee and uh give her a warm welcome, please. [applause] Yes. From the drill instructor to the retired CHP. [laughter]

Yeah. I've known the Temples again for over 23 years. We moved to Mini because we wanted somewhere to raise our family, have a sense of community. Uh we moved here, there were two stop signs and we are just ecstatic about the choice that we made and I look forward to serving as my time to give back to a community that gave so much to us. Thank you. Thank you so much. [applause] Are we ready for the swearing in? Madame clerk.

Okay. Okay. I don't have to sign anything. Okay. Okay. Okay. I, Yolanda Tanner,

do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California, against all enemies, foreign and domestic. and I bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California. That I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion. And I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter. [applause] [laughter]

It's a 10-year term, so Excellent choice, Council Member Temple. Welcome aboard. And I want everyone to notice that our clerk did that oath without looking at her notes. That's how professional our clerk is. She's an award-winning clerk for things just like that. It's in the details. Are you back?

All right. So, I should ask you then, are we Do we have any modifications to tonight's agenda? No modifications to tonight's All right. Can I ask the city council for an all in favor to approve the agenda? One, two, three. I. Any opposed? Hearing none. The agenda is approved. Madame Clerk, are there any public comments on non-aggenda items? We do.

All right. I love this part. Here's where I get to read the statement. This is the time for members of the public to address the council about items which are not listed on the agenda. The Ralph M. Brown Act limits the council's ability to respond to comments on non-aggendaized matters at the time such comments are made. Each speaker will be allotted up to three minutes on any single item. Madam clerk, please call the first speaker. Gloria Sanchez, followed by Jesse Sims. Okay, that's it. Good evening, city council, Mayor Promp, staff, residents. I want to take this opportunity to give you a quick update on the annual Thanksgiving meals for Meny. We had a wonderful day. We fed over 300 residents which also included homed delivered meals. I want to thank our sponsors who gave so generously so we can give everyone who attended a full Thanksgiving meal. We had families. One was 13 family members that showed up. We had seniors. We had young people. We just had wonderful attendance. I want to thank the city staff, those at the community center. I want to thank those who supported this event. We have been doing this for 11 years. And it is a Meny Interfaith and Community Service Council that has been doing this for 11 years. We are so proud of this event. It is our flagship event and we'll be doing it again next year until we can no longer do it. But I

could see this going on for a very long time. The feeling that you get when you see people come into the senior center for the meal is just overwhelming that we're able to do this as a city cooperative event that the people who need a meal and those include some of our first responders. We've asked them to attend as well. We always open our doors to anyone who needs a meal. And that day we had a lot of people just show up. We ask them to make reservations but we do not turn anyone away. That is our motto and it is up to us to make sure that we have good sponsors, reputable sponsors who open their wallets too for this event. So I just wanted to give you that update. So, you should be very proud that this group has worked very hard and to make sure that we feed those in need and those who just want to come out from their homes and socialize. And not only that, but we also attend to those homebound individuals who can't come to the senior center due to transportation, mobility issues, but they also need a meal. So, I want to thank you so much for the support and we will be doing this next year. And to all the volunteers who gave up their time for this, thank you to them because they made this happen as well. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Sanchez. Next speaker,

Jesse Sims, followed by Moises Ku Kovar Rubius. Don't know where the button is, but uh good evening uh uh uh acting mayor Carwin, members of the city council, city staff, members of the community. My name is Jesse Sims. Ah, magic. My name is Jesse Sims and I'm the uh chair for the Meny Valley Chamber of Commerce and also I am the owner of Netvolutions Technology Group. And I want to just uh come in and and uh as the last time that I'll be able to present uh in front of the of this fine assembly as the chair for the Menipe Valley Chamber, I want to to first and foremost thank you really uh to from the bottom of my heart for all that you have done uh for the uh for the chamber. Um what you guys have have done as a city has helped us so much immensely uh with with growing uh with uh adding over 100 new businesses uh to the Meny Chamber and uh I so that is just making a a tremendous impact on our business community. And so, uh, please accept my thanks and and as you see other city staff and and those that are are are part of this fine city, please extend our sincere thanks to them as well. Um, we also want to uh extend our invitation to you. I'm sure that most of you will be there on our awards gala this Friday night um for December the 5th um illuminating the future. Uh we've put a lot of work into it. We're excited about it. We believe that it will be um a a great event to uh to highlight um a number of our businesses, large business, small businesses um and and so many others. And so uh we want to make

sure that you are invited to that. It is at 6 uh 6:30 p.m. um at the Fairfield Inn here in the city of Manavey right down the street. All right. Thank you so very much and again my sincere thanks. Thank you Mr. Sims. Next speaker Moises Kova Rubius followed by Evelyn Richard.

Uh good evening uh uh city hall officials uh Mayor Prom and uh everyone here today. Um I'm just sharing uh something that I have become an u a spokesperson about recently uh which is electronic harassment and government weaponization. Um this government weaponization and electronic harassment comes in the form of blacklists. Um the main blacklist that people have been either accidentally placed on or placed on um without due process is the terror screen database. Many Americans um have been placed on this list illegally or have been placed on this list um in error. about 278,000 uh um innocent Americans, including children, uh the elderly, handicapped people. Um and many who are um who are vulnerable, have been placed on these lists. Unfortunately, these victims suffer from microwave weapons attacks. Um and these attacks come in the form of auditory effect which is um hearing things that come straight into a person's uh inner ear or bypass the usual hearing uh processes. Um many are here excuse [clears throat] me hear um sound disturbances, sound campaigns, um things which of that nature. um they also suffer from um remote neural monitoring. And now this is um essentially brain um it's essentially mind reading through um interpreting the brain waves of a person and then translating those into images, words um and emotional data. uh victims often suffer from interrogation, harassment

um and through these uh electronic attacks. Um the other element of this harassment comes in the form of community stalking. Unfortunately, many of these victims are um surveiled against or illegally without warrant. Um victims are often stocked in their vehicles on foot in places of retail uh even uh places of worship. Um and they are um isolated from friends, family and um often suffer um job loss and interference with their uh place of employment. Um, President Trump has begun exposing and helping to bring awareness to this government weaponization through exposing things like the TSA blacklist um and other um errors within the um the system of u intelligence and etc. [snorts] Um the city here can do um do well or can help by raising awareness through our public officials, our representatives, our senators. Um, also logging on to targetedjustice.com and this is just a website and I'll wrap it up here.

Mr. Kar Rubius is your three. I hear you. Um, excuse me. All right. How How much do you have left? I I I was just going to say thank you so much for uh the time and hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving. There you go. Thank you, Mr. Cop Rubius. Good wrap-up. All right, next speaker,

Evelyn Richard. Good evening. My name is Evelyn Rashard and I am a resident of Meny. Uh my husband recently died. So I was able and the first time that I went to the Thanksgiving dinner over at K Senos, it was wonderful. For those of you who missed it, the food was great. It was so well organized and the volunteers were so happy to see us. And I want to thank the city. I want to thank the interfaith council, Gloria Sanchez and and uh Linda Blanch. I mean, they work so hard, so hard. And I want to thank the staff. Everybody was so welcoming. It was a wonderful event, and I'm looking forward to it next year. Thank you.

Thank you, Miss Rashard. Any other speakers? No other speakers. All right. And you know, we don't need the heckling. He was done. I want to commend Mr. Cover Rubious, by the way, because the first time he spoke he ran way over and we had a heart, but he's been practicing and he got it right down to three minutes. So, I I commend him for that. I appreciate the effort. Um, all right. Now is the time for the city council to provide any updates or comments on meetings and events they've attended. We'll start on the right with council member Dedricch.

Thank you, acting mayor. Since the last meeting, I attended a few events. The first one was the Chamber of Commerce board meeting with Mr. Sims final meeting as the chairman. I did have one quick question. I don't know if I can ask this or not. 5:30 or 6:30 for the gal. I have 5:30, but you've mentioned 6:30. 5:30 for the G. I just wanted to make that clear for everybody out there. Um, that same day, I think all of most of us, if not all of us, attended the homebuilders lunchon that the city put on over at the Fairfield. and then just this morning attended the Southwest Elected Leaders Coalition to discuss our planning for 2026 um in regard to Sacramento. That's all to report for me.

All right, Council Member Temple. Uh in November from the 20 20th to the 22nd, I attended National League of Cities in Salt Lake City um for some training to uh learn some of the operations of cities. So, uh, had an enjoyable and educational time there. And then on December 1st, I went up to Riverside to attend the Riverside, uh, conservation authority meeting with nothing to report. Thank you very much, Council Member Dinus.

Thank you. I also attended the home builder appreciation lunchon and then that same day on the 20th, I attended the RTA board director's meeting. At the meeting, it was uh reported that RT is going to be conducting a a a detailed analysis of their transit services to see if they can improve it. Uh they have a website. If you go to the website, the citizens can can put their two cents worth and they will also staff will also be going around each city talking with them as well. So that should be completed by the end of next calendar year. and then uh was able to uh went to the five below ribbon cutting cutting and left some of my money there because thanks to my granddaughter. And then today or yesterday, excuse me, uh acting mayor and the city manager myself went to mediation and uh with the city of Paris and uh we're making some good progress. That's all I have to report.

Thank you very much. Yeah. Um, from my report, all five of all four of us uh who are here state side went to the homebuilder lunchon. Uh, PY Homes was awarded home builder of the year for their contributions in bringing residents to the city. Couple of ribbon cutings with the Chamber of Commerce Upy years bookkeeping uh had a ribbon cutting and Five Below ribbon cutting. You were there at that. Um, that was a great one. I went out to the trot for a cause to get people started out there and I actually tried to run it and I'm still regretting it. Um, I attended the RCTC budget and implementation committee meeting and I wanted to report out on that. We, it was a legislative update and they let us know that um, Governor Nuomo has appointed um, a woman named Dr. Pette Brown Hines to the California Transportation Commission. And the reason I'm bringing that up, it's the commission that's responsible for programming and administering funds for construction of highways, rail, transit throughout California. Um this is the first Inland Empire representative who has ever served on this commission. Um she's from San Bernardino. So she's going to uh it's a four-year term and they approve highway project proposals and highway protection plans and allocate funds. So we've kind of been left out of a lot of that discussion for years. And now there's actually somebody with experience from the Inland Empire who's going to be serving on the state level on that. So that's going to be uh I think really beneficial to our unique needs for transportation in this area. Um I also attended the WRCOG executive committee meeting. Nothing Menie centric to report there. And then I was also at the mediation yesterday with council member Dinus. And then before I finish I want to make sure everybody knows this Saturday is the uh Meny treelighting ceremony. So we're going to be having a parade, a light parade at 5:00 where we're all going to be in cars and throwing out candy canes and stuff and Santa will be there. Uh, and then we're going to turn on the lights. It's over at the college, Mount Sino College. So, the the parade, I believe, starts at five o'clock. And then immediately at

the conclusion of the parade is when we go up on the stage and light the tree. So, please come on out. There's going to be vendors there, music, entertainment, us if that's not enough. So, um, please come on out and join us for that celebration. We'd love to do it every year. All right, that's all we got. Anybody else have anything else to add? Moving right along. Item number nine, approval of the minutes. There is one set of minutes for the council's consideration. Does the council have any modifications to the November 19, 2025 minutes hearing? None. Can I ask the city council for an all favor of approving the November 19th regular meeting minutes? All in favor? I.

All opposed. Hearing none. Those minutes are approved. Um, agenda item number 10 is the consent calendar. All matters on the consent calendar are to be approved in one motion unless a council member requests a separate action on a specific item on the consent calendar. If an item is removed from the consent calendar, it will be discussed individually and acted upon separately. Madam clerk, are there any requests to speak on the consent calendar? There are none. Um, are there any items that council wishes to pull from the consent calendar? Hearing none, can I get a motion and second to approve the consent calendar? second.

That passes 4 Z. Have to skip a few pages. [snorts] And now we are up to our public hearing items. Uh let's see. Uh the appeal of the Menipe 27 project. So uh oh, I was going to have uh Director Hernandez introduce the item, but it looks like we have a guest star. Russell Brown.

Yes. Um, good evening. Good evening, Mayor Prom, city council members, members of the public. Uh, Russell Brown, senior planner. Um, here to present the appeal of the Meny 27 residential project. Thank you. All right, jumping right into it. So, in November of last year, uh the applicant submitted a SB 330 application uh for a tenative residential tenative track map and plot plan. Over the course of the last year, we worked with the applicant uh and came up with a good project to present to the planning commission. A public hearing notice was sent out on October 12th for the October 22nd planning commission meeting. We received a project objection letter u the day before the hearing on October 21st. The planning commission approved the project the following night, October 22nd, and an appeal application was received on November 3rd. And that brings us here tonight. What is this project I'm referring to? So, the project site is located in the northeastern quadrant of the city, if you will, north of Highway 74, south of Watson Road, east of Analopee Road, along the west side of Palomar Road. The general plan and zoning for the site uh is the project site is located within planning area 7A and 7B of the Menfy North specific plan SP number 260. The project site is surrounded by residentially zoned sites to the north, east, and west and commercially zoned

sites to the south. The proposed project is compatible with the surrounding properties. So a highle view um of the background of the project and the surrounding area. So in 1993 the Meny North specific plan was approved by the county. The specific plan originally included the development of nearly 2400 residential units over 1,600 acres spread out over the comm uninccorporated communities of homeland Romoland and Meny. There have been five amendments to the specific plan with the most significant uh amendment to the project uh occurring in 2008. Specific plan amendment number two created planning areas 7A and 7B as well as there was a change of zone modifying the land use from business park to residential. Shortly thereafter in 2009 there was a tenative track map that was approved that consisted of 167 condo units that was more of a motor court type project. Uh however that that project has since expired. And then that brings us uh to the the project at hand. Uh we again we received that SB330 application last November and then October of this year the planning commission approved the project. Again um to go over the background of of what the project is. So, the entitlements for the project include a tenative track map for the 192 residential lot subdivision and a plot plan for the site plan and the architectural review. As mentioned, the

project includes 192 single family residential lots over 27.14 acres and that um comes out to a density of a little over seven dwelling units per acre. The project consists of two product types. A 4,000 square foot minimum lot size in the northern half of the development and a minimum 2,625 square ft lot size for the southern half of the development. Uh take note that the unusual planning area boundary line does not separate the project by lot size. There is an overlap as both planning areas uh contain both lot sizes. Each each unit has the minimum 400 square foot garage required by the development code. And in addition to that, there's 135 surface parking spaces throughout the project site for a total of 19 uh 519 parking spaces. Um in addition to that, the larger lots in the northern half of the development also have driveways that could also accommodate vehicle parking. So although this is one of the uh the city's first state density bonus projects, the state density bonus law has been around since 1979 and is constantly evolving. The density bonus law allows for developers to exceed the general plan density so long as they provide the affordable units and the number of affordable units required is dependent upon the targeted income category. So because the project is proposing 5% of the base density at the very low income level, they qualify for the 20% density bonus. And so um as previously touched on um like the prior project and as as was analyzed in the

specific plan, the base density is the 172 units multiplied by 5% comes out to 8.6 or nine units that would need to be affordable. um you multiply the base density times 20% which comes out to 206 max uh units or lots. The project includes 192 or a 12% density bonus. So because the project is providing the nine affordable units, they qualify for an unlimited number of waiverss and concessions per the density bonus law. So the table on the right identifies the development standard in which a waiver is being requested. A few of the more substantial waivers are lot size. The specific plan was approved with a minimum lot size of 4,000 square ft in planning area 7A. The project includes minimum lot size of 2,625 square feet. In addition to that, the more substantial, you know, waiverss are for setback requirements. Uh the the specific plan has a 10-ft front yard and a 5-ft sideyard. The proposed project includes a three-foot front yard, 4 foot sideyard, and then as um shown on that prior site plan. Um majority of the larger lots actually meet the minimum lot size of 4,000 square feet. It's just because of the, you know, awkward planning area boundary. Um it. There's some overlap there. And similar to planning area 7B, sorry, 7A, 7B include similar RA waiver requests for lot size going from 7200 ft² to 2,625 ft and then similar requests for the front yard setback and the sideyard setback. In additional to

those common development standards, um there's also waiver requests for landscaping that includes a waiver request for uh the front yard tree requirement as obviously with the front yard setback in planning area 7B. Can't fit a you know a tree of significant size and a three-foot front yard setback. However, there will be you know low shrubs and ground cover. And then the second waiver request is to eliminate some internal parkway landscaping. So big picture landscaping for the overall site. Uh 152,000 square feet of HOA or common area landscaping exists. 248,000 square feet of privatelyowned or property owner maintained landscaping divided that by the 192 lots comes out to approximately 1300 square foot per lot of on-site private privately maintained landscape area. So the on-site amenities that are being proposed the largest amenity in is the central amenity which consists of approximately 17,600 square foot um common area which includes the large pool and common area building. Uh the project also includes the 2700 square foot linear PO that runs in a north south direction. It connects the pool area with the homes in the northern part of the community. And then the project also includes a gated tot lot approximately 11,000 square feet near the primary entrance to the community off Kalomar Road there. So the architecture for the project planning area 7A includes Spanish prairie and farmhouse architectural styles while planning area 7B includes the ranch traditional and cottage

styles. Uh the homes include varying roof lines and building facades to break up the massing. The pool building is comprised of the Spanish elevation that complements the architecture throughout the community. The community will be enclosed by a decorative splitface block wall and the two subdivision entrances will include decorative signage and community identifiers. So, as mentioned, um we're here tonight because we received an appeal of the pro the planning commission approval. Um again, as previously noted, we originally received an objection letter from the group safer uh the night the day before the the planning commission hearing on October 21st. Again, planning commission approved the project 50 on October 22nd. The appeal application was received on November 3rd. And then again, that brings us here tonight. Um, also for the record, we yesterday we received a pretty extensive comment letter from uh, Safer. Um the first couple objection letters or comment letters we were we received did not include any analysis to their objection other than the fact that they said that the exemption that we were using um the project did not meet those exemption requirements. Um and then the letter further identified those four major points there. The project was inconsistent with the specific plan of general plan density. There were some biological concerns that were raised and then air quality and GHG items were raised. Um so over the last you know 24 hours the applicant city staff and um the SQA consultant scrambled to um put together some responses to the comments that were received from safer. Um those items uh the written responses are included in your folders there. There's also written responses in the in the back of the room here for anyone in the public that would like to see the city responses, city

staff responses to those comments. Um and then obviously most importantly the um you know our SQA consultant you know thoroughly vetted the comments that were raised. Um the our squa exemption document covers all the items that were raised as does the city's general plan and the men north specific plan e and so there were no new comments or concerns raised. Um and our position as staff hasn't changed. the project meets all the criteria um for the 15182 and 15183 SQL exemption. Um and then let's see um you know the city's general plan and the meny north specific plan analyzed and anticipated the project site to be developed as a residential project and therefore no additional environmental analysis is required. The project is consistent with what was envisioned for the area. So staff's recommendation would be to adopt the resolution denying the appeal and approving tenative track map number 39115 and the plot plan PLN24-0254 while finding the project exempt from SQA per 15182 and 15183 SQA exemptions. And that completes staff's presentation. Um the project applicant Brian Taylor is here in attendance as is our SQA consultant um Connie with EPD.

Thank you Mr. Brown. Thank you. So at this time it's uh our opportunity as city council to ask any technical questions of staff regarding this project. Do we have any questions of staff on this project? Um I' I've got a couple of small ones. Um this lot is the one right behind where Papa Smash is that that plaza there? That is correct. It's one of five lots, residential lots that are right behind that.

It's the one just to the north of that. Right. Correct. Okay. So, one of the issues we've been having in that area is a traffic circulation issue with regard to the the Museum and there's a driveway right behind the the the commercial plaza right there. It's not really it's like a dirt access road that links Palomar Road to the back to the Museum and the new development they're building over there. Is that roadway on this project? Um it it is not. It is on the M museum side. Okay. So that that access roadway is owned by the commercial properties to the south of this project. That is correct.

And is there any agreement with the developer to improve that as part of the development? Um is engineering staff here? No. If not, Brian, maybe the applicant could probably elaborate on that a little further. Um, and secondarily, is there any plan for reciprocal access between those housing units and that commercial plaza? If somebody who lives in that plaza wants to go to Papa Smash or use the gas station, is there a way to get for them to get there without having to go out on Palomar Road and come back? I mean, that would seem to be an easy back and forth.

Yeah, there there's not vehicular access. Um there there is a possibility, you know, there is a kind of a bulb out there that that would allow for pedestrian access. Um the project, the current developer kind of continued the similar design that was previously approved. Believe the similar design, you know, it allows for pedestrian access, but it's it's there's a gate there. Um, so, so yeah, I'm looking at the map that's on the landscaping page and on the southern border, is that a solid border or is there a place there where the the walkway can be continued into the commercial plaza? So, people there is pedestrian connectivity where

so in the lower right corner um on E Street. Yeah. So, it' be the terminus of E Street. it it basically deadends right at the property line, the shared property line with the Mott Center. Um, so again, the the project and the landscape plans show that being a gate, a large vehicular gate. It's not a full block wall at that location, so pedestrians could go back and forth. It is closed to vehicles. So, it's a gate large enough for vehicles, but it's not intended for use of emergency. The way the plan, the conceptual plans show, again, we can probably iron some of that. the details out in final engineering, but the conceptual plans show it being a large swinging gate.

Yeah. So, I think it'd be really I think the people who live in that community would really appreciate a way to be able to walk over and and use those commercial I mean that you got this commercial plaza right next to it with all kinds of amenities there for them to use. Be a nice way for them to be able to get there or if they wanted even to go over to the museum or something like that, a pedestrian gate at some point. Is that something that can be Good. I'd appreciate if we could look into doing that just to keep people off of Palomar Road as much as possible. Uh, no need to add to traffic to that for something like that. Um, and what is the is this? That's a question for the developer rather. Okay. So, any other questions from city council? Nope. That's all I've got for you, Mr. Brown. Thank you. All right. So, I'll open the public hearing at 6:48 p.m. Madame Clerk, can you confirm that the public hearing was legally noticed and if any correspondence has been received?

Yes, the item was legally noticed and as noted before, the correspondence was received and placed in your red folders. That's the same correspondence that was referenced earlier in the red folder. Yes, it was. Thank you. Um, if the appellant is present and would like to speak, please come to the podium and introduce yourself. Are you uh Miss Yunt? I am. Yes. Thank you. Welcome to the city of Meny. Thank you. Appreciate it. Um Oh, here we go.

Good evening, mayor and honorable uh council members. My name is Victoria Yam from the environmental law firm Lizoy. I'm speaking on behalf of Appellent Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility or SAFER. Saber submitted detailed written comments yesterday. As you mentioned, uh, Safer respectfully requests that the city council grant the appeal and require full SQA review of the Minifi 27 residential project. The city relies on SQA sections 15182 and 15183, but neither exemption applies here. First, the project is not consistent with the Mini North specific plan as required under section 15182. Planning area 7B allows 87 units at 7.3 units per acre. This project proposes 117 units nearly 2.5 units per acre above the maximum density allowed. When a project exceeds the density analyzed in a specific plan EIR, the city cannot rely on that ER to further exempt review. Second, substantial new information regarding significant unanalyzed and unmititigated biological resources, air quality, health, and greenhouse gas impacts triggers squa section 15162 requiring a subsequent EIR. These impacts are also peculiar to the project and site, meaning the city cannot use the section 15183 exemption. Turning to biological resources, our expert Dr. Sean Smallwood documented seven special status species on site that were never analyzed in the 1993 specific specific plan EIR and only two appear in the 2013 general plan EIR. He identified 148 spec special status species with potential to occur on the site. uh many of which were not listed or recognized as special status species in 1993 or even in 2013 when the um specific plan EIR and the general plan EIR were certified.

The earlier Ess did not evaluate or mitigate impacts to these species. Dr. Smallwood further predicts hundreds of wildlife fatalities annually from habitat loss, increased traffic, and bird window collisions, impacts the city uh never analyzed. Next, regarding air quality and health risk, our expert baseline baseline environmental consulting found that the project's construction diesel particulate matter emissions would expose nearby infants and children to cancer risk above the South Coast AQMD thresholds. Neither of the Ess evaluated these health risks and key mitigations such as tier 4 construction equipment did not exist in 1993 or 2013. Finally, the project will cause significant GHG impacts because it conflicts with current state climate policies, including the 2022 scoping plan and the 2021 subregional climate action plan. The 1993 specific plan EI contains no GHG analysis and the 2013 general plan ER evaluated only outdated climate policies. baseline determined that the project's emissions exceed the 2021 uh cap annual GHG emissions target and the project is not consistent with the 2022 scoping plans priorities for transportation, electrification, BMT reduction and building uh decarbonization because these significant and previously unanalyzed impacts cannot uh cannot be addressed through sequence 15182 and 15183 exemptions. a subsequent EI is required. For all these reasons, SAFER respectfully requests that the council grant the appeal and require preparation of a bullet e. Thank you so much.

Thank you. So, is this is this the point where I should ask if we have any questions of of safer of the of the appellent there? We have it in a different order here, but I was It just seems since she just spoke. Yeah. So, does council have any questions for the appellant? I do.

Answer them. Fantastic. You are with the law firm that created the comment letter. Yes, I am. All right. So um I noticed that you've uh applied the fair argument standard to the SQA guidelines. What authority do you have that the fair argument standard applies to that? So the fair argument standard applies here. Um so basically courts have ruled if uh since the density is higher than what was annualiz analyzed in the specific um EIR specific plan EI then the fair argument standard applies in that situation um to determine whether the impacts are significant.

So does the report analyze the actual impact of the increase in density that's the difference between these two reports? I well you're talking about it if the density is higher than the original report that the fair argument standard doesn't apply. Has there been an analysis done of what that actual impact was than the difference between those two density numbers?

Um so if you look at our expert comments, one of the things that they said is if you're going to have a a more a denser project, you're going to have more VMT impacts. You're going to have more traffic which you know will have more impacts on special status species that are crossing the road. So there are several impacts. So there'll be more emissions, more construction emissions, more GHG emissions. So by having denser projects, there will be our experts found that there would be more significant impacts. I I don't think you need to be an expert to know that more cars is more emissions, but I mean it fair enough. Has anybody measured how much more it would be? Does it rise to a dangerous level because of that increase or is there no knowledge of what the actual impact would be?

Um based on our experts that they I don't think they calculated specifically, but in their expert analysis, if I had missed that in there, but it looks like I did not. I want to talk to you about the bird strike stuff. Okay, I found very interesting whole section here uh titled bird window collision mortality. So safer as opposed to glass windows just as a practice. No, I wouldn't say that we're opposed to glass windows as a practice. But so what's the what's the answer here? Just bricking over all of the windows. No, there's if you look at the common letter, there is mitigation that um our uh expert has recommended.

So I I feel like I need to ask you the danger to the birds that are out there. Has there been any analysis done on the number of bird strike mortality in the surrounding neighborhoods that exist right there right now? Um I don't think there is. So what Dr. Smallwood has done, he's done many studies on this and he's read a bunch of studies, but no, he has not specifically gone out to that area and determined what's happened in that. But based on his analysis, um, as you'll read that, so we have actual homes with actual glass windows right next to this project, but there was no analysis done to see if those homes present a danger to say the yellow rumped warbler out there. No, there's not an exact analysis. So, it's a speculative criticism.

No, it's I mean I I wouldn't say it's speculative. It's based on his many years of looking into this and using case studies and being able to predict what's going to happen in similar locations. I feel like I need to ask you the average wind speed wing speed velocity of the unladen yellow rump warbler to find out if they're flying fast enough to cause a problem. I wish Dr. Smallwood was here. He would probably be able to answer that. But I I am not an expert.

I just I just don't know. Oh, I mean it just seems like windows are in existence everywhere. We're not talking about a 14story building here. We're talking about homes that have two stories and it's surrounded by existing homes, but there's no analysis done in real time of an example of the condition that exists that you're saying presents a hazard. I mean, this field when when he went out there, he didn't say that this field was littered with bashed in birds. No, but again I'm I can reiterate that you know he's been in similar circumstances and he's looked at similar homes to similar projects and based on his analysis of those projects which are similar that's where how he calculated

and has that has that changed in uh frequency since 1993 or whenever the original analysis was done? I mean there's more homes so I would think that by building more homes are birds dumber now than they used to be. Mr. Smallwood would probably know the answer to that. Okay. Thank you. I don't have any further questions for this uh for the uh appellant. Do we have any other questions? No. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Would the project applicant like to speak at all? That's you

Brian Taylor. Good evening, city council. Brian Taylor here. Um want to thank staff. Of course, they've been great as a city manip always is over the last year. Here to answer any questions. Certainly like the gate idea to provide residents access to the commercial. I know uh my son and I spent a lot of time at the M historical car museum. So, we we benefit from that area already and can't wait to share uh the uh local amenities with the new residents here. Um we really tailored that the first-time home buyers here for any questions. And of course, my biologist is here too. Um, if you guys have any questions on that side.

Good. Do I have Do we have questions for the uh applicant hearing? None. It was pretty comprehensive. I appreciate the uh the thoroughess of the report. And you've already addressed my concerns from from your seat over here with the the gate and the pedestrian access. And so, are you going to go back and just look at look at adding that is that's not something we need to put in like conditions of approval or anything, right? Uh staff should or might condition. I'm not sure exactly the legal side of that, but nonetheless, um we're working on the wall and fence plan right now, so we'll add it in. Okay. Yeah, thank you very much. Thank you, Director Hernandez. Thank you, Mayor. I think my uh our preference would be that we add a condition that requires him to have pedestrian access to the to the south.

And I'll leave that to staff as to where the best location for that would be. That there's a logical one, but I don't know if there's a better location and we'll leave it at the uh discretion of the public works director. Make sure that the grade works. Yeah. like bikes too obviously you know just pedestrians if people want to ride the bike down there. Um great madam clerk do we have any requests to speak on this item? There are none. There are none. All right. Any uh further questions from city council? Council member Dedric.

I ask a question of staff right now. There was an argument made that the increase in the density would require a new EI for this. Is that not waved by the density bonus laws? It is. Yes. Um I can have our Connie with EPD Solutions elaborate on that comment a little further.

Good evening, council. Connie Dova with EPD Solutions. Um I wanted to address something. We did do a full SQL review on this project and we did not do a comparative analysis from what was previously analyzed in the prior EIR to this project. We did a groundto plan analysis just like you would for any project. So we looked at the density, vehicle miles traveled, air quality, emissions, biology. We looked at the ground and said is there anything from existing conditions to it's being proposed? And the answer was no. And then we said, "Oh, are the findings of our SQA document consistent with the findings of the general plan EIR and the specific planning IR, which is what we're tiering off." Great. It is. And that's why it's appropriate. And by operation of law, density bonus says you're consistent with density. So you can't have it both ways to say you're consistent with density by operation of law, but then you can't use the prior environmental. But we bootstrapped it and analyzed it from the ground up.

Anything else? Any other questions? All right. Would the uh appellent like an opportunity to respond to anything that's been said?

One thing. Um so I know that here that the density bonus law does apply. Um and I'm I'm not arguing that it wouldn't apply to this project, but the thing is is under 151 um 82 is says that it has to be um it cannot conflict. It has to be consistent with the density um in the special plan EIR. Here it's not. Um and because of that you have to go back and actually analyze the denser project because it is going to have more significant impacts than what the previous EI even the addendum to you know the 2024 amendment um it's going to have more significant impacts and that was not analyzed and that's what the rule says that's what SQA says so um again I just want to say safer is not opposed to development um we just want uh adequate SQL Thank you.

Thank you. And before you I just want to link make sure you know this this is going to be the last opportunity we have to hear from you. So is there anything else you want to add before we close the public hearing? Um that's all. Thank you. Submit. Thank you. Um anything from the uh applicant before we close the public hearing? Anything you want to respond to that you've heard here or add? All right. Both sides rest. We'll go ahead and close the public hearing at 7:02. Uh this is the opportunity where city council has the opportunity to discuss and comment on the the items that we've heard. Uh does anybody have anything they want to discuss? I'll start council.

There's a lot of planning and all this kind of stuff thrown out here, you know, but that's why we have our our staff here that are experts in it as well as our consultants. And I would uh you know it went through the planning commission, it's gone through staff and so I would think that it's been thoroughly reviewed to the point where I'm comfortable with approving it. So that's where I stand. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Dennis. Oh, sorry, Council Member Temple.

Yeah, I can't grow that facial hair. Sorry. Um no, I would I would agree though. um you know as as looked at the state density bonus law um you know was was uh looked at reviewed um I am also comfortable with city staff their um their findings as well as the developers um efforts to uh comply to applicable laws. So I'm in in favor of this. Thank you very much. Council member Dietrich any comment? I think we're all on the same page here. I'll echo what's been said. I mean, staff looked at it, planning commission looked at it. Um, analysis was done from the ground up and I'm comfortable approving it.

Thank you. You know, I'll just throw in I just want to make sure that the uh the appellant knows I hope that you're satisfied that we actually got an opportunity to review the materials. This wasn't something that um was take was taken lightly. Uh you know, I had the opportunity to review the the letter, the opinion letter and the response letter, nine pages front and back. Uh so there's a lot of material here and a lot of thought went into it and I I appreciate uh the efforts of safer trying to uh improve development throughout the state. You know, we're kind of handcuffed by some of the the laws coming at us on the state level. Um your job make is much harder because of some of the the environmental laws on the state level um and density and housing emergency and those kinds of things. But um I I am persuaded by our planning commission voting 50 on that. There's no dissension there. And I'm impressed who who did this response letter. This is it's it's very it's very thoughtful and very well done. So I wanted to comment that I appreciated uh reading that was very instructive as well. So yeah. Um, city attorney Meling staff choosing where in the list of conditions that are part of the agenda packet it would be placed. This is what it would say. The applicant shall provide for pedestrian and vehicular access from the property at the point where E Street abutts with the neighboring It's commercial development, right? Um subject uh subject to um the uh with the design subject to the approval of the city engineer.

Thank you. So you scratched out an item and added that language. Yeah, I I recited that I recited that into the record so that when you make a motion, you can say and it would include that too and uh and then we'll we'll write it into the conditions after that. I think your timing is preient. All right. So, uh, any more comments? All right. So, can we get a motion and a second on this? I'll move approval with the, uh, conditions that stated by our city attorney. I'll second.

And that passes 4. So, the the uh appeal is denied. Thank you. Moving on to discussion item item number 12.1. Um, city manager via do you have any comments on this before we start the item? We'd like to continue this uh item for 60 days based on some of our efforts uh with Calire and the Riverside County uh fire as um well as um with the city of Paris.

Is that uh 60 days sufficient? 60 days would be sufficient. Would you like to identify a date certain or or would would you just like us to come back? I I would like to have a date certain just so we don't lose track of it.

Okay. 60 days from today would be pull up a count. How about February 18th? Does that work? Before we go talking about that, does anybody on the city council have an objection to the proposal to continue the item? Okay. And uh any objection to the date of February 18, 2026 as a proposed continuence date? Seeing none, I think uh that's it. So, do we need to take a vote on that? City Attorney Meling.

Uh you do not need a vote on that because it's not a public hearing item. We don't need a vote. We'll just bring it back. All right. So, we've got everything we need on that. All right. Thank you.

And for those watching at home, that's a good thing that we continue then. All right. Brings us to city attorney reports. Mr. City attorney, do you have anything to report? I do not. Thank you. All right. Mr. City Manager, anything to report? I do not.

All right. City Council, have any future agenda items to propose? None. Just one more reminder before we go. Meny tree lighting on Saturday. Come on out. 5:00 pm parade. The festivities start at 4 o'clock. Get there early to get your parking. Free to attend. Uh there's going to be a kids zone as well, I believe, where you can donate as ever. Do I have that right? You can donate canned goods or food in exchange for being able to use the kids zone. Do we're doing that this year? Yeah. All right. And come see us ride around in cars for a little bit and then come see us light a tree. So with that at 7:08 we are adjourned.