City Council to address mayoral vacancy, other key issues

Wednesday night's Menifee City Council meeting comes at the end of the fiscal year, with a mayoral vacancy requiring immediate action, and no council meeting for the next month because of the July 4 holiday.

The result of all that? A mammoth agenda that is more than 2,500 pages long, 31 consent agenda items, two public hearings and four important discussion items. Depending on the number of consent items pulled for discussion and the discussion regarding a new mayor as well and the proposed 2018-19 city budget, this meeting could last well into the late hours of the evening.

The key issue to be decided will be the process by which a new mayor will be chosen to replace Neil Winter, who died May 19. The four remaining council members have the right to appoint a new mayor, including one of their own. Depending on how many of them are nominated by a colleague and because there is no tiebreaker vote, that could be a difficult process. They could also choose to appoint another Menifee resident to that position.

The council members could also call for a mayoral election on the November ballot, but only if they adopt an ordinance declaring that all council vacancies must be filled by election. If such an ordinance isn't adopted Wednesday night and an appointment isn't made, an election would be automatic but would not be held until March.

Other key items on Wednesday's agenda:

-- A request by staff to adopt the proposed 2018-19 city budget. The $43.5 million budget includes $24 million for public safety (police and fire), $6.4 million for administration and $4.6 million for public works and engineering. The budget presentation also will include an updated accounting on Measure DD tax funds allocated for police and fire services and road improvements.

-- A proposal to give city manager Armando Villa a 10 percent raise, bringing his annual salary to $225,500 following a positive six-month evaluation. According to the agenda item, this would "bring Mr. Villa’s salary to a level that is consistent with other city managers at nearby cities."

-- A request by staff to approve a five-year Capital Improvement Plan, which includes projected revenue, expenditures and priority on large road improvements including the Scott Road Interchange, Holland Road Overpass, McCall Boulevard Interchange and Bradley Road bridge at Salt Creek.

-- A public hearing as the next step in the approval process for McLaughlin Village, a 14-acre subdivision for a condominium project to be built south of McLaughlin Road and between Barnett/Sun City Boulevard and the 215 Freeway.

-- A proposal to dedicate and name the amphitheater at the Central Park under construction in Menifee Town Center in memory of the late Mayor Neil Winter.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 29714 Haun Road. Menifee 24/7 will broadcast the meeting live on Facebook and will have a complete wrapup story on Thursday.