Council forms short‑term ad hoc committee to assess equestrian center repairs and long‑term options

Murrieta — The City Council unanimously established an ad hoc committee on April 7 to evaluate short‑term repairs and a long‑term plan for the city’s equestrian center after staff presented an initial list of deferred‑maintenance items.

Assistant City Manager Kristin Crane summarized staff’s understanding of the committee’s proposed scope: review options based on cost, current conditions and council priorities, then provide a recommendation to council. "We’ve done an evaluation internally and have a preliminary list that sits in the $500,000–$750,000 range, which includes roof work estimates," she said. (attributed to Kristin Crane)

Councilmember DeForest, who represents the district that includes the equestrian facility, asked for a short, focused committee with a rapid deliverable timeline. "I was thinking this would be a short burst of activity — three to four meetings — to identify immediate needs and a plan for the facility’s future," DeForest said. (attributed to Councilmember DeForest)

Residents and community volunteers, including student leaders from Murrieta Mesa High School, described recent volunteer repairs and fundraising (microgrant and Chick‑fil‑A fundraiser) and urged preservation or a public‑private partnership to keep the facility functional and available for emergency livestock sheltering during wildfires.

Council action: Council voted to establish the Equestrian Center ad hoc committee and directed staff to provide the internal assessment to the committee as background. Councilmembers discussed a cap of four meetings as a reasonable initial schedule.

Next steps: Staff will provide the committee with the existing assessment and a proposed meeting schedule; the committee will report recommendations to the council.