[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6362077,"mediaKeyId","2168846-ea2d6cdbcee31dc9f07654d12382fb61","parentId",2168846,"title","Residents raise housing, development, immigration and homelessness concerns at Temecula council meeting","audioSeconds",243,"startMs",2535000,"endMs",2778000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2168846-ea2d6cdbcee31dc9f07654d12382fb61&start=2535&end=2778","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2168846-ea2d6cdbcee31dc9f07654d12382fb61/thumbnail_2535000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6362077/Temecula/Riverside-County/California/Residents-raise-housing-development-immigration-and-homelessness-concerns-at-Temecula-council-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362077-5465aa52ac35a01a75aed2ff0a86146c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145232&Signature=chlYH8ywhz9mcbtrkmJfGbNKWtzbf~iwvcjtqd8~PnRMQ-ooZMZ2dGbcLzaRt3nGNw0jTiS3P3~i1~cVeD85u~vIg35DOIG9GZC3R0AAUFtAVno4pQU7Jgy3Dqndv1-JwPv9yg1EnCHAldDjCvBAmb33D-TwVpY8bxYJLFBuL1cHS2srIjo-e-gJ-Ghy3oT9ez58yBvyTaF4AibiMFtjfmfpXGFv6sLkF5WBKczQffkGRO61YfA~Vz5WieVXNnXrHw-ISjC9x-mPq~6VKwTPHq8jevOK6c2HCrb64d8n32J6F6yw17FyTbowVgfyAshpG6oKMJefzSHfKf2MiDBYng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Temecula CA","date","2025-01-29T18:53:55Z","article","Several members of the public used the non‑agenda public comment period to press the City Council on housing, development, immigration enforcement, native plants and homelessness services.

Workforce housing and local development: Laurel Lamont, representing an organization that advocates for workforce housing, argued Temecula should make workforce employees a protected class to prioritize housing for local service workers. She called on the council to redevelop and design housing for local workers and criticized past planning that she said accommodated commuters rather than local affordability.

Riverside County planning application: James Phillips urged the council to investigate and publicly take a position on a Riverside County General Plan application to change roughly 410 acres in the unincorporated Sage/Wine Country area from rural residential to medium and high density residential and mixed use; he asked the city to send a representative to the county hearing scheduled April 14 to represent wine country and Sage residents.

Immigration enforcement: Samantha McGraw asked the council to direct the Temecula Police Department to continue following state law and avoid expanded local collaboration with federal immigration enforcement that could increase anxiety in a diverse community. She said she has observed no local safety issues tied to immigrants and urged the city to maintain local control consistent with state law.

Environmental/native plants: Margaret Meineke introduced the Temecula Valley Native Plant Network and described its work growing community awareness of native plants and monarch butterfly habitat; she invited residents to join the group’s Facebook page and upcoming events.

Homelessness services and shelter access: Gabriela Pleasant said she has worked graveyard shifts and sees people seeking shelter during cold or rainy nights. She expressed concern that the primary emergency shelter is located elsewhere in Riverside County and that Project Touch — a local provider — is often closed or underfunded; she urged the city to review how homelessness outreach and shelter options are coordinated so businesses and first‑responders are not relied on to provide shelter.

Council and staff acknowledged the comments and indicated staff will follow up where appropriate; several councilmembers and staff later discussed homelessness during their reports and noted recent point‑in‑time counts and outreach efforts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Temecula City Council Meeting - January 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public commenters urged council action on workforce housing, asked the city to monitor a county planning application affecting wine country, urged resistance to expanded federal immigration enforcement locally, highlighted native plant conservation and said the city needs more consistent shelter options for people experiencing homelessness.","taxTitle","Temecula, Riverside County, California","taxId",4198,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6362082,"Council amends legislative platform language on insurance and housing; adopts nuisance abatement assessments for Old Town properties",523,3951000,4474000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2168846-ea2d6cdbcee31dc9f07654d12382fb61&start=3951&end=4474","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2168846-ea2d6cdbcee31dc9f07654d12382fb61/thumbnail_3951000.jpg","/articles/6362082/Temecula/Riverside-County/California/Council-amends-legislative-platform-language-on-insurance-and-housing-adopts-nuisance-abatement-assessments-for-Old-Town-properties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362082-fc7463db3254e0acf3b03ad06f6db91e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145232&Signature=A6MoUf3iFTtUAsbyqkxsqVbM4IqVvSVKVvuZaidj2lJl10z5ZqLnRRiIWHMCRRvSTzhsaLJ1yJhqDNU5qP8ShY6Xnt8ljk2e7cDWBKYN1zxipr9qACcpB9vD7KD3yJCnzB-hmptnyUPO6tlsg4uYuL2eBl-CsS9gaDIcZsswA~BbKtvjVxgrOeTsZolBNDlUrfFIzwZNpIJUw-aguei9uiPHfWeZsAbwtauw0J2bUGRrhsoF3yQsa5PkEtz-LvdGRRp0ubtrjn52n8i66dRysVnzE7Bv502lsBg99i7iMQX743oFKzjE~xf6BguOSA1lOC8h7ErU~EsHnXEoVyGB3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Jan. 28 meeting the Temecula City Council unanimously approved two separate formal actions: a change to the city’s 2025 legislative platform adding a city‑specific insurance provision and a proposed housing statement, and a resolution confirming special assessments for emergency nuisance abatement of certain Old Town parcels.

Votes at a glance

1) Legislative platform amendments — approved 5‑0
Staff introduced a city‑specific insurance provision requested by Councilmember Schwenk and a proposed city‑specific housing statement that would broaden the platform’s advocacy tools in Sacramento. After brief discussion Councilmember Schwenk moved the city‑specific housing language and the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. The new insurance language supports legislation, funding and policies to expand homeowner and commercial insurance options and maintain solvency of mechanisms that protect consumers in high‑risk areas; the housing language supports initiatives to promote homeownership, strengthen housing resiliency after natural disasters, preserve aging housing stock and leverage state/federal resources.

2) Public‑nuisance abatement special assessment — adopted 5‑0
Staff presented a resolution to confirm special assessments to recoup costs for emergency abatement work performed on parcels west of Mercedes Street and south of Third Street in Old Town after the property owner refused to maintain a protective fence and hazardous conditions were identified. The owner had signed a voluntary right‑of‑entry; staff documented multiple notices and sought council confirmation to place a special assessment on the property tax roll to recover city costs for abatement covering the period June 16, 2024 through Dec. 13, 2024. With no public comment, the council closed the hearing and voted 5‑0 to adopt the resolution.

Both items passed by unanimous voice/roll call. No amendments or abstentions were recorded at the time of each vote. Staff will add the insurance and housing language to the legislative platform and will record the adopted assessment on the parcels’ property tax records; staff noted future resolutions may be needed if the nuisance is ongoing.","Council unanimously approved additional insurance and a city‑specific housing statement to its 2025 legislative platform and later adopted a special assessment to recover emergency abatement costs for hazardous Old Town parcels (June–Dec 2024). Both motions passed 5‑0.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6362088,"Council backs phased restart of Temecula “Youth in Government” program, to co‑create curriculum with schools",412,4973000,5385000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2168846-ea2d6cdbcee31dc9f07654d12382fb61&start=4973&end=5385","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2168846-ea2d6cdbcee31dc9f07654d12382fb61/thumbnail_4973000.jpg","/articles/6362088/Temecula/Riverside-County/California/Council-backs-phased-restart-of-Temecula-Youth-in-Government-program-to-cocreate-curriculum-with-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362088-a0abc98286c8837e34efe141965024f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145232&Signature=DSxbc9KmU2lobKjEODRagCOl~QtwpGmSkQtmBaYdzQf1LJqq9J9UD3qS~U1bQSoUfEoRYsT58c9zwTr6wZqKGYIyhOqzFQV0pWLJQv5KGo315vSygWihydvzKju9AHETvKLeofUA-tnB7AxQWTekMI54JGQpNVj4TYBAx~SFHmZuxDuJ87gkgup3exuvCHL-vPcGSRc3dzoyvLEwvHIIEZnMUrXyonEpjZDR2HfM1S7cNGjFOBbDNOUSBaDlcErZmEFJvpzWjzJCkYkZ3Chbfy6XmPHxBsahdoNORhIGeRGAOTcZSzmtNtNEWObHvQ7od1Bo2EV9GcYw33AqX6LPlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council on Tuesday directed staff to restart the Youth in Government program, with a phased rollout that emphasizes co‑creation with Temecula Valley Unified School District (TVUSD), inclusive participation across high schools and classroom‑based delivery tied to school curriculum.

Staff explained the pre‑pandemic program brought 21 AP government seniors (seven from each comprehensive high school) to two half‑day sessions: role selection and shadowing on day one and a mock council meeting on day two. Feedback from students and staff said the old format was too short, limited in inclusion and difficult for staff to support because it removed many mid‑level staff from daily duties for two full days.

Council directed staff to design a new program that meets three stated purposes: build familiarity with local government, promote civil discourse, and expose students to public‑sector career paths. The council agreed the program should prioritize high school students in TVUSD but also follow a phased plan to ultimately engage private schools and homeschool groups. Staff said the program should include the three comprehensive high schools plus continuation, independent and charter/virtual high schools as a near‑term objective.

Under the approved direction staff will: meet with TVUSD leadership and designated liaisons from each high school, co‑design age‑appropriate curriculum and timing, consider classroom visits and rotating on‑campus sessions rather than relying solely on a City Hall visit, and prepare a launch plan for the fall 2025 school year. Councilmembers suggested including commissioners and volunteer leaders in classroom sessions when appropriate, and keeping the option for small groups to tour City Hall with a short, structured curriculum.

Councilmembers supported a phased approach to ensure the program is feasible with existing staff resources and can expand later to additional schools and homeschool networks. Staff will return with a detailed proposal, cost and staffing needs and a recommended implementation schedule.","Council instructed staff to revive and modernize the Youth in Government program by co‑creating curriculum with Temecula Valley Unified School District, expanding participation across high schools in phases and combining school‑site visits with an option for city hall tours.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6362092,"Temecula council directs staff to redesign commission recruitment, consider council appointments and consolidate roles",441,4539000,4980000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2168846-ea2d6cdbcee31dc9f07654d12382fb61&start=4539&end=4980","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2168846-ea2d6cdbcee31dc9f07654d12382fb61/thumbnail_4539000.jpg","/articles/6362092/Temecula/Riverside-County/California/Temecula-council-directs-staff-to-redesign-commission-recruitment-consider-council-appointments-and-consolidate-roles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362092-bbcc843331f73ae5dbfd12d2922080ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145232&Signature=U3LpAh57tBekVbqqWZFSIL0RaABaMxPV~xiYryTbgEMX43Atd8AEaeNgl0b8p3ywNbkG7YUnyETWZWFhbJkxUM5UgMWF5PctOLqQBZsQJJptbDP0uPXijfCrpkcN-u~P--4tP7krn3mHsaTKj1vRhx-YQytQbQx0g4OjwV4WGZD65b1KQAje6uW8vNoiSFq34gRnITecNtM0W2brXZ~3pJFa-z~vLHBKcUBZ9V4WmZBgfhnamq~xp-jr9GzQhlvVV~MFPUobDYv-1YQpgKDzn5vjw3k50gjjZhok~Otd~xajuMplF7~YPFJwY~s~Q3eBg62AYVFl5hweLEjh-8OQMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council on Tuesday gave broad direction to staff to reexamine how Temecula recruits, appoints and organizes its boards, committees and commissions.

Staff presented background showing the city moved in 2019 from twice‑annual recruitments and subcommittee recommendations to a single annual public appointment process. Councilmembers raised concerns that applicant pools have declined, that some commissions may have overlapping responsibilities and that the city should both preserve transparency and improve efficiency.

Councilmembers generally endorsed exploring a model in which each councilmember holds one direct appointment to commissions, with term limits aligned to council terms, and fewer, more task‑focused commissions. Several members said they value both the transparency of the current public appointment process and the advantages of direct appointments that would allow a councilmember to recruit candidates with specific expertise. The council asked staff to research models used by comparable cities, identify which commissions could be consolidated without losing subject matter expertise, and propose language for appointment and removal processes that preserves public notice and council oversight.

Mayor Brendan Kalfas and several councilmembers also favored conducting joint commission workshops in a more interactive “workshop” format rather than the formal dais presentations currently used. Staff said it will treat the workshop format as the council’s preferred annual joint meeting model and will include a standing agenda slot that allows any councilmember to propose specific workshop topics or directives for commissions.

Councilmembers asked that staff return with one consolidated report that includes: best practices for appointment and removal; options for term lengths tied to council election cycles; a proposal for direct council appointments that preserves public notice and a public vote on confirmations; recommendations on consolidation or reassignment of commission duties; and an implementation schedule. The council also directed staff to consider a public‑facing candidate summary (resume or short video) to increase visibility of applicants.

By unanimous voice, the council agreed the item should return as a single staff report with research and proposed ordinance or policy changes for further council action.","Council asked staff to study direct council member appointments, term limits tied to council terms, consolidation and role clarification for boards and commissions, and to return with a single research report and recommended changes.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6362096,"Temecula officials warn of rising e‑bike and e‑motorcycle dangers, push education and enforcement",466,974000,1440000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2168846-ea2d6cdbcee31dc9f07654d12382fb61&start=974&end=1440","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2168846-ea2d6cdbcee31dc9f07654d12382fb61/thumbnail_974000.jpg","/articles/6362096/Temecula/Riverside-County/California/Temecula-officials-warn-of-rising-ebike-and-emotorcycle-dangers-push-education-and-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362096-b5e2e67357110b76b3bbe9775f0f33e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145232&Signature=anJpiS8UyWo1geQnssDC4UBIgoMC46YjHJlU~trgxhqQEddNWn0k3br~tEk-ZN0adnj7TkplZIAzg9ur1~VNwtIZAiZoz0el9-hNf09h6BSKyXIOvJMRba5-PgKB4hf9BumDtgEy2gGHJX0a52lq~UoxZSZi5K6OXxQE3rbol1F2UA4YxxN8aXVi8n7LttJG4F1hCc2s2F3h8Lbe6wgHHO~fl5RApHHY~5syUe9LEbfj0BZhGNp4dR86s9k9T0oQquOans7nMM~81eOXS9iydzPMZPvNjeFa~kUJ6yTZ1Vx9vqCx~~bCKoYoh3DtW0pi9t~Fe-3QywkoOj5qqyonPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Temecula city police on Tuesday told the City Council they are seeing a growing wave of powerful e‑bikes and electric motorcycles operated by juveniles in ways that endanger riders and the public, and asked for more parental involvement, education and stronger local enforcement.

Chief Kevin Regali told the council that recorded video from the city’s camera system and recent collision reports show a rapid uptick in dangerous riding by youths using both electric motorcycles and modified e‑bikes. Lieutenant Vic Pearson showed multiple short surveillance clips in Old Town Temecula and elsewhere, and explained that some group rides — described by officers as “brainless meetups” or “bridal outs” in social posts — draw 30 to 50 riders who split lanes, run stop signs and sometimes flee from deputies.

The police presentation stressed three tracks the city and sheriff’s office are pursuing: public education and outreach, municipal code and enforcement work, and infrastructure improvements aimed at safer riding. Regali and Pearson said education so far has included press releases, an e‑blast from the city manager, social posts, a public class attended by about 50 parents and children earlier this month, and coordination with the Temecula Valley Unified School District for targeted student safety training.

“First, we want voluntary compliance,” Pearson said. “We’re teaching, we’re partnering with schools and bike shops. When that fails, enforcement has to occur. Ignorance or blatant disregard of the laws cannot be tolerated.”

The presentation identified types of machines involved — including electric motorcycles, higher‑power models with top speeds the officers said can exceed 40–60 mph, and some gas dirt bikes — and noted that many machines are modified to run faster. Pearson and Regali pointed to state vehicle classifications that can impose helmet, licensing, and age rules depending on whether the device is a class 1–3 e‑bike, a moped/motorized bicycle, or an electric motorcycle.

Officers described recent local collisions involving juveniles, including one the chief said occurred the previous night that required hospital transport, and referenced at least one fatality in a neighboring city. Regali noted potential legal exposure for parents in extreme cases, citing Penal Code section 273a (child endangerment) as a statute investigators may consider depending on circumstances such as rider age, supervision and machine modifications.

Council members thanked police for the videos and urged swift action. Councilmember Schwenk, who described personally witnessing the December 28 Old Town group, said the problem may require legislative action to give cities more tools. Councilmember Stewart said many machines are easy to modify and called them “lethal” when put in the hands of minors. Several council members asked whether the city can work with local vendors and bike shops to ensure customers are informed about legality and safety.

City staff said they are evaluating amendments to local ordinances where feasible and will review model ordinances from other Southern California beach cities. The city and Riverside County sheriff’s deputies have authority to cite or tow noncompliant machines when the machine’s classification or the rider’s lack of license justifies enforcement, staff said.

Police reiterated that enforcement will follow education efforts. Pearson asked parents to know what model they buy for their children, to check whether it is street legal, and to monitor social media for invitations to large informal rides.

Next steps discussed: continue and expand in‑person training (city/sheriff/TVUSD joint classes), add targeted outreach to bike retailers and rental businesses, evaluate municipal code updates to improve enforceability, use city cameras and patrols to identify repeat offenders and tow unsafe vehicles when allowed, and identify infrastructure improvements such as protected bike lanes and trails that channel safe riding away from congested pedestrian areas.

City and sheriff staff said they would remain available for follow‑up questions and to present specific ordinance language and outreach plans at a future council meeting.","City police presented video showing juvenile riders performing stunts, running signals and riding in oncoming lanes. Council asked staff to expand education, evaluate municipal code changes, and partner with schools and local businesses to reduce crashes and reckless group rides.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents raise housing, development, immigration and homelessness concerns at Temecula council meeting

Council amends legislative platform language on insurance and housing; adopts nuisance abatement assessments for Old Town properties

Council backs phased restart of Temecula “Youth in Government” program, to co‑create curriculum with schools

Temecula council directs staff to redesign commission recruitment, consider council appointments and consolidate roles

Temecula officials warn of rising e‑bike and e‑motorcycle dangers, push education and enforcement