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Hemet approves community garden license at 143 S. Juanita using $99,781 in CDBG funds
Summary
Council approved a license agreement with the Green Coalition of the San Jacinto Valley to develop a community garden at 143 South Juanita Street and authorized use of $99,781 in unspent CDBG funds for site improvements; the agreement term is Jan. 27, 2026 through Jan. 27, 2036 and the city retains termination and oversight authority.
The Hemet City Council voted 5–0 on Jan. 27 to authorize a community garden license agreement with the Green Coalition of the San Jacinto Valley for city‑owned property at 143 South Juanita Street and to allocate $99,781 in unspent Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for the build‑out.
Public Works staff described the project as activating an underutilized city parcel consistent with the downtown specific plan. The proposed build‑out includes 26 garden boxes (two tabletop accessible boxes), perimeter wrought‑iron fencing and gated access, a storage unit with an art feature, ADA walkways, shaded learning space, composting stations, lighting, parking‑edge improvements and a water connection with irrigation. Staff said donated labor and materials would be leveraged through gift‑in‑kind programs and that the license is structured as a revocable license (not a lease); staff emphasized the city retains oversight, full access and the right to terminate the license with seven days’ notice.
During the public hearing Shaw Rosen Reiger and other community speakers supported the project as improving local food access and providing environmental education. Council questions focused on insurance and liability; staff and the city attorney said the licensee (Green Coalition) must carry insurance in favor of the city equal to or greater than the city’s self‑insured retention (stated in discussion as $2,000,000) and that invitees would be covered under the licensee’s policy.
Mayor Pro Tem Veil moved to adopt the resolution approving the license agreement and authorizing the city manager to execute it as approved by the city attorney; Council Member Clark seconded. The clerk recorded five yes votes and the motion passed 5–0.
The council also approved the related appropriation of $99,781 in unspent CDBG funding to support site improvements. Staff will work with the Green Coalition on licensing details, site preparation and the scheduled build‑out.
