Happy birthday Canyon Lake!

Canyon Lake incorporated 29 years ago this month when it became the 22nd city in Riverside County on Dec. 1, 1990. “The Canyon Lake Incorporation Committee set a record when it won approval from LAFCO in just three minutes and 22 seconds,” said Fred Christensen, who guided Canyon Lake through its incorporation process and served as interim city manager.

Gathered around the flagpole at the golf clubhouse, residents watched as Congressman Al McCandless sworn in their  charter City Council – Alfred “Bill” Trembly, Annabelle Bates, Gene Bourbonnais, John Giardinelli and Jack Wamsley.

Christensen read a resolution from the Council acknowledging Jack Wamsley and the Incorporation Committee and Vick Knight and the Home Owners Club for their efforts.

“He went on to praise the Home Owners Club, which through its registration drive added 460 voters to Canyon Lake’s rolls, thus increasing the city’s annual tax base by more than $74,520 for the next eight years.

Supervisor Norton Younglove presented the new city with a plaque commemorating the day, as well as with a POW/MIA flag and a small piece of the Berlin Wall, which he picked up on his recent visit to Germany.

The new councilmembers were given the opportunity to thank those gathered and to comment on the year ahead. “Challenge us,” John Giardinelli urged the crowd. “We think we’re going to do the best job we can, but we need your input. We work for you. Tell us if and when we go astray.”

Jack Wamsley, who also served on the POA Board of Directors, told those gathered how proud he was of the support Canyon Lake’s incorporation drive had received.

“It’s a great day for me,” he said. “There are few times in life when we’re able to develop something we know will last for hundreds of years. I’m proud that I’ve had the opportunity to do that.”

At the first City Council meeting, Alfred “Bill” Trembly was elected mayor and Annabelle Bates mayor pro-tem. Fred Christensen was formally appointed interim city manager and Pat Wallace interim city clerk.

The Council authorized county ordinances to remain in effect as city ordinances, that a bank account be established for the new city and that the Highway Patrol provide the traffic enforcement. In addition, members unanimously agreed to apply for the city’s share of public funds from the state. The group also banned smoking during its meetings.

Council meetings were scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month in the Golf Card Room, the downstairs meeting room at the clubhouse. Today, City Council meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber in the City Hall building.

The following year, on May 1, 1991, the City Council appointed 45-year-old Jeff Butzlaff as Canyon Lake’s first permanent city manager. A reception was held on May 10 at the clubhouse. One of his first tasks was to develop the city’s first annual budget.

Also in May 1991, the new City of Canyon Lake logo was unveiled during Fiesta Day. The designer was Canyon Laker Carl Blomquist, a commercial artist whose design was chosen out of 73 entries. At the time of the contest, Carl had been a resident of Canyon Lake for two years.

In May 2016, the “City Fathers” were honored as grand marshals in the Fiesta Day Parade. With the theme, “Flashback Fiesta,” Fiesta Day celebrated the 50s, 60s and 70s and recognized the formation of the City of Canyon Lake by honoring Warren Kelsey, who served on the Incorporation Committee and the POA Board, and charter City Council members John Giardinelli and Jack Wamsley.