The Dec. 9 Hemet City Council meeting included a group of administrative actions and staff directions aimed at addressing blight, business vitality and utility system finances.

Litter and illegal dumping: The council introduced amendments to Chapter 53 of the Hemet Municipal Code to expand enforcement authority, clarify maintenance requirements, add cost recovery for abatement and explicitly include electronic waste as prohibited material; the first reading and introduction by title passed unanimously. The changes aim to give code enforcement clearer tools to address recurring dumping and litter problems.

Sign‑permit fee waiver and fines: To encourage replacement of temporary signage and improve downtown appearance, the council adopted a resolution waiving planning and building permit fees for permanent sign applications that are complete on or before April 30, 2026. Council added language that any fines associated with a sign violation will be forgiven upon submittal of a complete application that corrects the violation; the motion passed unanimously.

Commercial trash enclosures: An urgency ordinance was adopted to extend the compliance deadline for commercial trash enclosures from Jan. 1, 2026 to Jan. 1, 2028, giving businesses and the city more time to implement required enclosure upgrades without triggering immediate enforcement.

Downtown kitchen grant: Economic development staff reported on the downtown kitchen grant program (first round awards earlier in 2025). After hearing additional documentation requests from applicants and a request from Kimball’s Bistro for limited retroactive reimbursement for eligible equipment purchases, the council continued the item to the first January 2026 meeting to allow staff to collect and review further evidence.

Water and sewer rates — Prop 218 process set: City consultants presented a 2025 water and sewer rate study showing roughly $12M (water) and $10M (sewer) in projected capital needs over five years and recommended phased rate adjustments over a five‑year plan to preserve reserves and fund capital rehabilitation. The council accepted the study, approved proposed 5‑year rate schedules for publication and set a Prop 218 public hearing for Feb. 10, 2026; staff will mail notices to property owners and utility customers as required. Staff noted the typical residential combined water/sewer bill (about $121 today) would rise by a small amount in year one under the proposal and increase further in later years — a detailed bill impact table is in the study.

Other business: Consent calendar items, routine budget calendar and warrant reports were received and filed; several consent items were pulled for separate consideration and acted upon as recorded.

Provenance: Topicintro SEG 5917; Topfinish SEG 6934.