Greetings –

On January 1st of each year, leadership changes become effective via appointments made by the Temecula City Council starting with a newly appointed Mayor.

As published in a related press release, the Temecula City Council unanimously appointed James "Stew" Stewart to serve as Temecula’s 2024 Mayor beginning January 1, 2024. As a businessman and resident since 1991, incoming Mayor Stewart has served on the Council since 2016 and is a well-known advocate for public safety within the City, reducing traffic congestion, and prioritizing prudent fiscal decisions. He is supportive of career and technical education (CTE) workforce programs that can equip youth with skills to successfully enter the job market, as well as preserving Temecula's historical past, and creating new traditions through events and activities that bring the community together.  

In the absence of the Mayor, the Mayor Pro Tem assumes the Mayor’s duties and responsibilities as presiding officer of the City Council. Council Member Brenden Kalfus who was elected in 2022, and grew up in Temecula, was also unanimously appointed to become Temecula’s 2024 Mayor Pro Tem.

In other changes, and as recently published, we regretfully announce the resignation of Temecula Council Member Curtis Brown who has made the difficult decision to step down from the City Council effective January 1, 2024 due to work that takes him away from the City. Council Member Curtis Brown was elected to the Temecula City Council in 2022 and is a 26-year retired veteran of the fire service including service as a former Fire Chief for the City of Temecula. Brown retired as a Deputy Director at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) in 2023 and is now a Federal Coordinating Officer for FEMA. He is currently deployed in Maui for the Lahaina disaster recovery. I echo the sentiment that Mayor Schwank has expressed and is quoted here, "Council Member Curtis Brown has worked diligently, and has represented Temecula residents and businesses with experienced leadership decisions that support the City's excellent quality of life. His commitment to a lifetime of public service and public safety is highly respected, and he has served our City very well. Curtis will be sincerely missed in his role as a Council Member, but we are fortunate he is rooted in our community and will remain engaged." The process for filling Council Member Brown's vacancy is described in the last paragraph of the press release (here).

Finally, as we approach the new year, we invite you to experience New Year's Eve with family, friends and neighbors at City Hall enjoying the annual Grape Drop and outdoor ice-skating rink (open through January 7th), along with other activities. Temecula's Grape Drop was recently named among the TOP 10 Best New Year's Eve Drops in the United States by USA today. You can find more details about the New Year's Eve Grape Drop and Temecula on Ice here.

Happy New Year!

-Aaron Adams, City Manager

Just the Facts with Zak



'Just the Facts with Zak' has been a series where Mayor Zak Schwank discusses all things Temecula in relation to its Quality of Life Master Plan (QLMP).

In the final two episodes of 2023, Mayor Schwank discusses supporting Economic Prosperity within our community and being an Accountable and Responsive Local Government.

Council Spotlight



Tune in to watch the final Council Spotlight of 2023.

As New Year's Eve approaches, there is nothing better than enjoying the holiday season right here in Old Town.

In this episode, Council Member Brenden Kalfus demonstrates how important it is to celebrate responsibly. 

Budget Talk

Tune in to watch Budget Talk, a series that shares City fiscal facts.

In this episode, learn how your tax dollars are allocated to fund City of Temecula services.

Mary Phillips Senior Center

Open Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm

41845 6th Street

The Mary Phillips Senior Center renovation project is complete!

In addition to all of the improvements inside (upgraded lighting fixtures, new bookcases, flooring, and improvements to help with noise/acoustics), the MPSC also received exterior improvements (all new siding, soffits, fascia, trim, a new roof, windows, doors) and brand-new Shuffleboard Courts.

I-15 Construction Update

Progress continues on the I-15/French Valley Parkway Improvements Project (Phase 2) including bridge widening, retaining wall construction, and more is underway. Watch the progress here.

More info at TemeculaCA.gov/FVP2.

Old Town Street Lights Added on Moreno Road & Mercedes Street

Now through Early 2024

Monday-Friday, 7am- 4:30pm

Eight Old Town style streetlights will be installed around the Old Town Plaza along Moreno Road and Mercedes Street. Work will result in intermittent shoulder and sidewalk closure and is anticipated to be complete early 2024.

Concrete Repairs

Now through Early 2024

Monday-Friday, 7am - 4:30pm

Temecula is performing concrete repairs on City sidewalks, access ramps, drive approaches, cross gutters, and curbs throughout the City. Lane and shoulder closures are expected during working hours through project completion, anticipated to be in early 2024.

Slurry Seal/Paving Projects

Now through Early 2024

Monday-Friday, 7am - 4:30pm

As part of the City’s Pavement Management Program, Temecula is performing slurry sealing on the following residential tracts:

Los Ranchitos/Santiago Ranchos/Santiago Estates

Vail Ranch/Redhawk

Veranda at Bridlevale

Lake Village/Country Estate/Windsor Crest

Alta Vista/Starlight Ridge

Vintage Hills/Homecoming/Costain Collection

Read more about the City's Pavement Management Program here, and check out the City's T.R.I.P. Report for Traffic Restrictions In Progress.

Community Meeting

February 7, 2024, 5-6pm

Conference Center

The City of Temecula is planning a capital improvement project that will develop natural trails for public use at the Ronald Reagan Sports Park, 30875 Rancho Vista Road. If you are interested in hiking or biking on natural trails, please join us at this community meeting.

Temecula Business and Property Owner Assistance Available

One of the most effective things the business community can do to help mitigate the impacts of transient activity is to have a Trespass Letter of Authority (602 PC Letter) issued by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

The 602 PC Letter allows deputies to enforce no trespassing limits on a private property on behalf of the property owner. Once a business files a 602, they will receive automatic notifications from the Riverside County Sheriff's Office to keep it up to date. 

Visit the 602 Trespass Form webpage to learn more. This information is also linked on the City's webpage highlighting Temecula's Homeless Outreach program.

RCWD's Newly Designed Demonstration Garden

Rancho California Water District

42135 Winchester Rd, Temecula

The public is invited to visit any time to enjoy the plants, shady trees, and birds and butterflies that inhabit the garden.

The garden showcases all climate-appropriate, drought-tolerant plants with themes that include: Coastal, Cottage, Desert, Mediterranean, Mediterranean Cottage, Modern Farmhouse, Moon Garden, Ojai Valley, Southwest, Wine Country, and Woodland. 

The demonstration garden begins at the Rancho Water parking lot and continues towards the front entrance, along the sidewalk on Winchester Rd, and into the back courtyard behind the Board room, as depicted on the colorful map.

Visit RCWD's Self-Guided Tour of Demonstration Garden here.