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Murrieta Council Adopts 2026 Meeting Schedule; Members Ask Staff to Return With Earlier Start Options
Summary
The council voted unanimously to adopt the proposed 2026 meeting calendar and discussed moving meeting start times earlier (options ranged from 3–5 p.m.) to improve public and staff accessibility; staff will return with time-change proposals.
Murrieta — The Murrieta City Council on Sept. 16 voted 5‑0 to adopt the proposed 2026 meeting schedule and asked city clerk staff to return with options for moving meeting start times earlier to accommodate staff and working residents.
Deputy city clerks Hector Gomez and Kimberly Ramirez presented the proposed calendar, recommending cancellations of several dates (Jan. 6, May 19, July 21 and Aug. 4) because of limited staffing, a conflicting conference and routine legislative recess and nomination periods. Ramirez noted that current meetings start at 6 p.m. and that staff is not seeking an immediate time change but rather council direction on whether to return with options.
Council members debated several alternatives. Council Member Stone proposed starting council meetings at 5 p.m. with ceremonial items before 6 p.m. and holding workshops at 6 p.m. on off weeks; Council Member DeForest and Mayor Pro Tem Lavelle raised 3–4 p.m. as possible options to balance staff and public access. Mayor Warren suggested a compromise that regular meetings start no later than 4 p.m., workshops be scheduled on alternate weeks and closed session be moved to the end of the meeting when practicable.
Council moved and approved the proposed 2026 schedule (motion by Council Member Holiday, second by Council Member DeForest). The council reached consensus that staff should return with specific proposals for meeting times and workshop scheduling so the council can ratify any final changes.
