City Council appoints public servant Zimmerman as mayor

Bill Zimmerman is sworn in as mayor by city clerk Sarah Manwaring Wednesday night. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon

The Menifee City Council both selected a mayor and restored the council to five members Wednesday night by appointing longtime resident Bill Zimmerman as mayor.

Zimmerman, 55, has been a Menifee resident since 1989 and has been one of the most active public servants since the city's incorporation 10 years ago. He had been serving on the city's Parks, Recreation and Trails Commission and previously served on the Planning Commission, including as its chair. He currently had four months remaining on his term on the board of trustees for Mt. San Jacinto College -- a position from which he will resign.

After hearing public testimony from residents regarding the two options for replacing the late Neil Winter, the council ended a difficult 60-day period by choosing to appoint a new mayor. Having delayed a decision during two previous council meetings since Winter's death on May 19, the only other option -- to have a publicly elected mayor -- would've been to hold a special election in March 2019.

As the comments from residents before Wednesday's decision indicated, public sentiment regarding the options was split. Many residents commenting on social media in recent weeks favored an election, but when a diminishing window to do so meant a potential special election would cost nearly $250,000, the choice to appoint an individual gained momentum.

In addition, appointing someone from outside the current city council avoided the necessity of replacing a council member moving up to the mayor's position. Zimmerman, who was in attendance and was sworn in at the end of Wednesday's meeting, will take office immediately.

"I'm looking at the city council as being a group of team players," Zimmerman said. "Our goal will be to focus on key issues including traffic, creating jobs, reducing crime and increasing programs for youth and seniors. It's an honor to be considered for the honor of walking in Neil Winter's footsteps."

Winter had earned a reputation as the People's Mayor for his accessibility and willingness to be out in the public and interact with residents. As a retiree, Winter seemed to appear at every public event, responded to residents in person and interacted with them extensively on social media.

Zimmerman, who retired in the last year from his career in civil engineering, said he is in a position to play a similar role.

"I have no agenda or desire to upset anything that is being done," Zimmerman said. "I know what your hear sometimes from politicians who say, 'I'm going to turn City Hall upside down.' No. I want to keep us moving in a positive direction. I think the council showed great wisdom tonight in saving the city a quarter of a million dollars on an election."

The vote to appoint Zimmerman came on the first motion and was approved 3-1. Council member John Denver, who is termed out from his council seat in November but could've been appointed mayor, nominated Zimmerman and Greg August seconded the motion. Sobek also voted yes. The only opposing vote came from Matt Liesemeyer, who said he did so only in principle to stand behind his feeling that such vacancies should be filled by public election.

"I will continue to vote no, but let me be very clear," Liesemeyer said. "It pains me to do so because Bill is a great friend. If I had to count on one hand the residents who have done the most for Menifee, Bill would be in the top five. I vote this way only because of my belief on the issue."

Zimmerman closed the meeting after being sworn in. His first full meeting will take place Aug. 1.