TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Justin Clifton, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Cristal McDonald, City Clerk
SUBJECT:
title
Legislative Workgroup Subcommittee Appointments for 2026
end
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Appoint members to the Legislative Workgroup Subcommittee based on interest and a nomination process for federal and state representatives to be effective upon installation of the Mayor on December 16, 2025.
body
PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
On August 15, 2023, the City Council amended the Legislative Workgroup Subcommittee's membership to change the non-Mayor member's membership from a quarterly rotating to a standing basis (Vote: 5-0).
On January 16, 2024, the City Council appointed City Council representatives to various agencies and committees. Additionally, the City Council amended the composition of the Legislative Workgroup Subcommittee to include representatives for both the federal and state levels (Vote: 5-0).
On January 21, 2025, the City Council appointed City Council representatives to various agencies and committees including the Legislative Workgroup Subcommittee (Vote: 5-0).
CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Maintain a high performing organization that values fiscal sustainability, transparency, accountability and organizational efficiency.
DISCUSSION
The City of Murrieta (City) currently has five (5) active subcommittees to address various topics and issues relevant to the City. Subcommittees are either ad-hoc or standing. Both ad-hoc and standing committees are subsidiary bodies of the legislative body.
The Legislative Workgroup is a standing subcommittee dedicated to working with the City Manager's Office to review and revise the Legislative Platform before Council adoption, meet with area legislators, review and evaluate lobbyists, and, in the future (if funds are available), travel to Sacramento and Washington D.C. annually.
Key Considerations
The City typically selects delegates for the Legislative Workgroup Subcommittees (Legislative Workgroup) at the first regular City Council meeting of the calendar year as part of the annual City Council Subcommittee and City-affiliated Boards and Commissions appointments. However, due to the recent federal government shutdown and the possibility of another shutdown after January 30, 2026, staff is requesting that the City Council designate members sooner than usual. Early designation will help ensure continuity in our federal advocacy efforts and prevent delays should federal operations be interrupted. Additionally, January is a strategic time to conduct federal outreach, as appropriations are typically finalized during that month. Having delegates identified in advance positions the City to engage proactively with congressional offices and federal agencies during a critical window for funding and policy discussions.
The Legislative Workgroup includes representatives for both federal and state levels. Membership for both levels shall consist of the Mayor, alongside another Council Member, which ensures consistent representation and communication if City interests overlap between federal and state matters.
If the City Council decides to appoint someone to the Legislative Workgroup, the appointment will take effect upon the Mayor's installation on December 16, 2025. By discussing interest and nominating, the newly elected Mayor will be removed from the nomination list and appointed as the Federal and State representative. The remaining top City Council Members for the federal and state levels will be appointed as the remaining respective representatives.
History
Since 2021, the composition of the Legislative Workgroup has evolved, including the most recent differentiation of state and federal representation. Past and current membership are as follows:
|
|
Federal Representatives |
State Representatives |
|
2025 |
Mayor Warren Council Member Stone |
Mayor Warren Council Member DeForest |
|
2024 |
Council Member DeForest Council Member Levell |
Mayor Stone Mayor Pro Tem Warren |
|
2023 |
Mayor DeForest Mayor Pro Tem Stone |
|
2022 * Previously on a quarterly rotation |
Mayor Ingram Council Member DeForest* Council Member Warren* Council Member White* Council Member Stone* |
|
2021 |
Mayor Pro Tem DeForest Council Member Stone |
Alternatives
If the City Council decides to wait until the annual appointments in January 2026, the current membership of the Legislative Workgroup will remain as-is.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with a Subcommittee appointment.
ATTACHMENTS
None.