Mayor Frank J. Navarro
City of Colton
David J. Toro - District 1
City Hall, Council Chambers
Kelly J. Chastain - District 2
650 N. La Cadena Drive Dr. Luis S. González - District 3 Colton, CA 92324 John R. Echevarria - District 4
COLTON City of Colton Website City Clerk Isaac T. Suchil City Treasurer Henry M. Razo
INCORPORATED
City Manager William R. Smith
City Attorney Carlos Campos
Minutes
City Council
Colton Utility Authority, Colton Public Financing Authority Colton Housing Authority
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 - 5:00 PM
City Hall, Council Chambers
Closed Session
5:00 p.m.
Closed Session Called to Order
Closed Session meeting was called to order at 5:00 P.M. in the Council Chamber of City Hall, with Mayor Frank J. Navarro presiding.
Roll Call
Council members present were David J. Toro, Kelly J. Chastain, Luis S. Gonzalez, John J.
Echevarria, and Mayor Frank J. Navarro; also present was City Clerk, Isaac T. Suchil.
Staff present was City Manager William R. Smith, and City Attorney Carlos Campos.
Public Comment - Closed Session
There were no Public Comments.
Closed Session
City Attorney Carlos Campos announced the City Council would meet in Closed Session to discuss Items 1 and 2.
1) Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1)
Ecology Recycling Services, LLC. v. Southern California Edison, City of Colton, et al.
San Bernardino County Superior Court, Case No. CIVSB2304149 Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1)
Colton Housing Group LLC v. City of Colton
San Bernardino County Superior Court, Case No. CIVSB2521712 City Attorney Oral Report on Closed Session Actions
City Attorney Campos announced that the City Council met in Closed Session and discussed Closed Session items 1 and 2; directions were given, but there was no reportable action.
Open Session
6:00 P.M.
Open Session Called to Order
Mayor Frank J. Navarro called Open Session to order at 6:00 P.M.
Invocation
Pastor Conrad Valdez - Echoes of Love
Flag Salute
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) - Bernie Moyeda
Roll Call
Council members present were David J. Toro, Kelly J. Chastain, Luis S. Gonzalez, John J.
Echevarria, and Mayor Frank J. Navarro.
Also present was City Clerk Isaac T. Suchil; City Treasurer Henry M. Razo was absent.
Staff present were City Manager William R. Smith, and City Attorney Carlos Campos.
Ceremonial Matters
Presentations, Awards, Proclamations
• Proclamation - ECE Week of the Young Child
MPT Emeritus Toro presented a Proclamation declaring "Week of the Young Child", April 12, 2026, through April 18, 2025; accepted by Christopher Rymer, Early Child Education Program Director.
• Proclamations - Earth Day & Arbor Day
CM Gonzalez presented a Proclamation recognizing Earth Day and Arbor Day; certificates were accepted by Jessica Sutorus, Environmental Conservation Specialist, and Cecilia Girego, Sr.
Water Conservation Specialist.
• Proclamation - Colton Fire Department Chief Ray Bruno To mark his retirement, Mayor Frank J. Navarro issued a proclamation recognizing Fire Chief Raymond Bruno for 30 years of dedicated service to Colton. The Mayor shared highlights from the Chief's career, followed by acceptance from Chief Bruno, who expressed his deep gratitude.
Mayor and Council Items
Gift Disclosures - None
AB 1234 Oral Reports - None
Council Member Gonzalez attended the League of California Cities Inland Empire Division Meeting; which was held March 19, 2026, in Yucaipa, CA.
Appointments
• Appointment of Councilmember Alternate Representative to the Colton Parks & Recreation Foundation
CM Echevarria submitted his name for appointment to the Parks and Recreation Foundation as the alternate Council Member position.
Consensus was reached by the Council members present and there were no objections.
Mayor and Council Discussion Items
1) Discussion and Possible Direction to Staff Regarding the Naming of Cesar Chavez Park City Council discussed the prospect of renaming Cesar Chavez Park and directed staff to explore restoring the park's original name, "Colton Municipal Park." Public Hearings
To speak on public hearing items, it is requested that you Submit your filled out public comment card into the public comment card box before the meeting begins. Once your name is called you may approach the podium. Please begin your public comment by stating your name and your city of residence; then proceed to share your public comment. The applicant will be allowed 5 minutes to address the Council, and all other people will be allowed 3 minutes. The presiding officer shall have certain discretion to extend or limit time as provided for in the City Council Manual of Procedure.
Community Services Department Fees & Rental Policy - Time and Place Fixed to Consider a Public Hearing to Approve and Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Colton Approving the Update to the Community Services Department Fees & Rental Policy, Resolution No. R-21-26.
Staff Person: Heidi Strutz
Public Hearing Opened
The Mayor announced the Public Hearing Open.
The City Clerk submitted the notice of Public Hearing (on file in the City Clerk's Office) and there were no letters of opposition received for this item.
Staff Presentation
Heidi Strutz, Recreation Services Manager, presented to Council an overview of the agenda item and requested approval of staff's recommendation.
Public Comment
There were no Public Comments.
Public Hearing Closed
A motion was made to Close the Public Hearing by CM Gonzalez, with a second by MPT Chastain.
Vote: Unanimous, Motion Passes
Council Discussion
Discernment and discussion between the Mayor and Council members present, with clarification provided by staff: Deb Farrar, Director of Community Services, Heidi Strutz, Recreation Services Manager.
Motion/Vote
A motion was made to approve the Item by CM Gonzalez, with a second by MPT Emeritus Toro.
Vote: Unanimous, Motion passes
Business Items
To speak on business items, it is requested that you Submit your filled out public comment card into the public comment card box before the meeting begins. Once your name is called you may approach the podium. Please begin your public comment by stating your name and your city of residence; then proceed to share your public comment. The applicant will be allowed 5 minutes to address the Council, and all other people will be allowed 3 minutes. The presiding officer shall have certain discretion to extend or limit time as provided for in the City Council Manual of Procedure.
1) Ordinance - Appointment to City Boards, Commissions, and Committees - Waive Full Reading, Read by Title Only and Pass First Reading of an Ordinance to Amend Section
2.30.060 of Chapter 2.30 of Title 2 (Administration and Personnel) to Revise Qualifications and Eligibility for Appointment to City Boards, Commissions or Committees, Ordinance No. 0-08-26.
Staff Person: Carlos Campos
Staff Presentation
Carlos Campos presented to Council an overview of the agenda item.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
Council Discussion
Discernment and discussion between the Mayor and Council members present.
Motion/Vote
A motion was made to approve the item by MPT Chastain, with a second by CM Echevarria.
Vote: Motion Passed with Mayor Navarro and CM Gonzalez voting no.
Public Comment - Limit 3 Minutes
The following community members addressed the Council:
• Pete Tasaka
• Leah Ornales
• Ava Diaz
• Samantha Sandoval
• Jasmin Lopez
• Kaitlyn Torres
• Wade Abbas
• David Trujillo
• Caren Contreras
• Nick Zupkofska
• Anthony Cabrera
• Scott Mckhana
• Gene Valdez
• Jasmin Lopez
Consent Calendar
Mayor Navarro presented the Consent Calendar Items 1 through 17.
Motion/Vote
A motion was made to Approve the Consent Calendar by CM Echevarria, with a second by CM Gonzalez.
Vote: Unanimous, Motion Passed
1) Minutes - Approval of Minutes for the City Council Regular Meeting Held on March 17, 2026, on File in the Office of the City Clerk.
Staff Person: Isaac T. Suchil
2) Warrants - Approve US Bank voucher dated 02/20/2026 and totaling $51,257.22; voucher numbers 224729 to 224804 dated 02/25/2026 and totaling $102,681.54; voucher numbers 224805 to 224921 dated 02/26/2026 and totaling $2,698,369.93; voucher numbers 224922 to 225059 dated 03/09/2026 and totaling $1,464,376.35; replacement checks 225060 & 225061 dated 03/11/2026 and totaling $1,448.64; wires dated 03/12/2026 totaling $4,054,909.52; voucher numbers 225062 to 225152 dated 03/12/2026 and totaling $951,650.87; a payroll disbursement listing dated 01/31/2026 to 02/13/2026 and totaling $1,281,804.19 and payroli disbursement listing dated 02/14/2026 to 02/27/2026 and totaling $1,262,832.33.
Staff Person: Stacey Dabbs
3) Bonds/Deposit Release - DAP-001-778 - Approve Release of Bonds and Cash Monument Security Deposit for DAP-001-778 (Four Business Park Buildings) at 2245 W. Valley Blvd.
Staff Person: Chad Blais
4) City Treasurer's Report - Receive and file the City Treasurer's Report for November 2024 Staff Person: Henry M. Razo
5) Contract Amendment - Elite Maintenance and Tree Service - Approve an Amendment to the Maintenance Service Agreement with Elite Maintenance and Tree Service (EMTS) to Include Landscape Maintenance Services for City-Owned Property Located at 1461 E.
Cooley Drive.
Staff Person: Chad Blais
6) Contract Award - ARMC Law Enforcement - Adopt a Resolution Approving a Contract with the County of San Bernardino for Law Enforcement Services at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) for a 5-Year Period, April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2031, Resolution No. R-29-26.
Staff Person: Anthony Vega
7) Contract Award - Calpromax Engineering, Inc. - Adopt Resolution Approving Award of Construction Contract to Calpromax Engineering, Inc. for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Project - HSIPSL-5065(033) in the Amount of $182,500, Resolution No. R-30-26.
Staff Person: Chad Blais
8) Contract Award - CASC Engineering & Consulting - Approve First Contract Amendment with CASC Engineering & Consulting for an additional $74,400 and extend six months to September 30, 2026 to continue Planning and Analytics Support in accordance with Municipal Code Section 3.08.140(E).
Staff Person: Heidi Duron
9) Contract Awards - Auriga Corporation & Asplundh Engineering Services - Approve Contract Awards to Auriga Corporation and Asplundh Engineering Services, LLC for Electric Utility Engineering Consulting Services.
Staff Person: Charles Berry
10) Funding - Early Childhood Education Program - Approve and Adopt Resolution Accepting Additional Funding through Cost of Care Plus, for the Early Childhood Education Program in the Community Services Department, Resolution No. R-23-26.
Staff Person: Deb Farrar
11) Manual of Procedure Update - Approve a Resolution Adopting Updates to the City Council Manual of Procedure, Resolution No. R-28-26.
Staff Person: Dawn Miller
12) Notice of Completion - San Bernardino Avenue Street Improvement Project - Approve the Execution and Recordation of the Notice of Completion for the San Bernardino Avenue Street Improvement Project.
Staff Person: Chad Blais
13) Notice of Completion - South La Cadena Bike Lane - Approve the Execution and Recordation of the Notice of Completion for the South La Cadena Bike Lane Project.
Staff Person: Chad Blais
14) Purchase - Cummins Inc. - Approve the Purchase of One (1) Portable Generator from Cummins Inc. for the Wastewater Utilities Division of the Public Works & Utilities Department in the Amount of $87,600.
Staff Person: Chad Blais
15) Purchase - National Auto Fleet Group - Approve the Purchase of a New 2027 Ford F-750 Dump Truck through National Auto Fleet Group for the Wastewater Utilities Division of the Public Works & Utilities Department, in the Amount of $147,749.93.
Staff Person: Chad Blais
16) Electric Department Administration - Approve and Adopt a Resolution and Employment Contract Appointing Thomas Miller as Interim Electric Utility Director, and Approve a Contract with J. Powers Recruiting Inc. for Recruitment of a Permanent Electric Utility Director, Resolution No. R-31-26.
Staff Person: Thomas Cody
17) Second Reading of Ordinance No. O-07-26 - Approve the Second Reading of an Ordinance Amending Title 18, Section 18.48.150 of the City of Colton Municipal Code Relating to Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units and Determining the Ordinance to be Statutorily Exempt from CEQA Under Public Resources Code § 21080.17 (FILE INDEX NO. DAP25-0047), Ordinance No. 0-07-26.
Staff Person: Heidi Duron
Mayor and Council Oral Reports and Comments
Comments from Mayor and Council on various issues and activities throughout the community can be viewed on our City of Colton Website (www.coltonca.gov).
City Manager's Reports
The City Manager, Bill Smith, responded to comments made during public comment, and assured the City Council that city staff programs are conducted in an all-inclusive manner.
Adjournment
Mayor Navarro adjourned the Regular Council Meeting at 07:56 PM in honor and memory of Martha Olvera, Evelyn Ornales, Yolanda Ortiz, Ronnie Betancourt, Bernabe Delgado, and Deputy Sheriff Levi Vargas. (L.A.S.D); a moment of silence was observed.