City Council Meeting - October 6, 2026

The City of Murrieta regular City Council meeting was held October 6, 2026. The main spending-related public item was a first reading of an ordinance updating development impact fees for the Stephens’ kangaroo rat habitat conservation plan. The standard development fee would rise from $500 to $900 per gross acre; agricultural fees would be simplified to $500 per gross acre, while the single-family residential fee would remain $250 per parcel. The fees support habitat management, monitoring, and administration, and are paid by developers. The council approved the item 4–1, with Councilmember Stone dissenting; the proposed effective date is January 1, 2027, subject to a second reading. In closed-session disclosures, the council reported an agreement involving Windham Resort Development Corporation for $750,000, in a form approved by the city manager and city attorney; the transcript does not specify the agreement’s purpose. No competitive procurement, vendor selection, or contract award was identified.

The council continued an appeal of a denied second-driveway encroachment permit to November 17 for further review of safety and liability questions. Members also received an update that Eastern Municipal Water District plans to upgrade 16 fire hydrants in the Nollies community for wildfire preparedness; no city funding or award was presented. The council approved changing its meeting schedule so closed session will begin no earlier than 4:00 p.m. and the open meeting at 5:00 p.m., beginning in January 2027.