THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER
CITY OF CORNING
CLOSED SESSION MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2025
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
794 THIRD STREET
www.corning.org
A. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 5:15 pm by Mayor Snow.
B. ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers present:
Councilmembers
Jose “Chuy” Valerio
Shelly Hargens
Dave Demo
Mayor- Robert Snow
Absent: Lisa Lomeli
Staff present: City Manager Brant Mesker
City Attorney Collin Bogener
C. PUBLIC COMMENTS: No members in the audience.
D. REGULAR AGENDA:
1. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (§ 54956.9) - Name of Case: City of Corning v. Jolley, Case No. 25CI-000021, Tehama County Superior Court
E. ADJOURN TO REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION: Ended closed session at 5:23pm. Mayor Snow stated there were no reportable actions.
THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER
CITY OF CORNING
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2025
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
794 THIRD STREET
www.corning.org
A. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm by Mayor Snow B. ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers present:
Councilmembers
Jose “Chuy” Valerio
Shelly Hargens
Lisa Lomeli
Dave Demo
Mayor- Robert Snow
Staff present: City Manager Brant Mesker
City Attorney Collin Bogener
Public Works Director Eli Stanley
Fire Chief Tom Tomlinson
Police Chief Craig Bassett
Planner/Rec. Coordinator/Deputy
City Clerk Christina Meeds
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by the City Manager.
D. INVOCATION: Led by Councilor Hargens.
E. PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, APPOINTMENTS, PRESENTATIONS:
1. Proclamation: February 2025 - National teen dating violence awareness and prevention month
Present to accept the Proclamation will be Empower Tehama’s Bilingual Legal Advocate, Susana Reyes.
Susana gave a presentation on teen dating violence awareness and prevention. Empower Tehama has a location in Corning on the corner of Solano and Marguerite Monday through Friday from 9am-4pm.
Brant Mesker read the Proclamation.
F. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR:
Tom Tomlinson- Announced that Jeff Nelson received the Firefighter of the year award.
THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER G. CONSENT AGENDA: It is recommended that items listed on the Consent Agenda be acted on simultaneously unless a Councilmember or members of the audience request separate discussion and/or action.
1. Waive reading, except by title, of any Ordinance under consideration at this meeting for either introduction or passage, per Government Code Section 36934.
2. Waive the reading and approve the Minutes of the January 28, 2025, regular and closed session City Council meeting with any necessary corrections.
3. February 6, 2025, Claim Warrant in the amount of $ 336,210.48
4. February 6, 2025, Business License Report
5. January 2025 Treasurer’s Report
6. January 2025 Wages & Salaries: $457,750.71
7. January 2025 Building Permit Valuation Report in the amount of $445,689
8. January 2025 City of Corning Wastewater Operations Summary Report.
9. Approve waiver of special event permit fees for four (4) annual Chamber of Commerce community events in 2025
Councilor Valerio moved to approve consent items 1-9; Councilor Hargens seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, Valerio, and Hargens
Absent: None
Abstain/Opposed: None
Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote
H. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: None
I. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MEETINGS:
1. 2024-2029 Housing Element Update: Review and make recommendation to the Corning City Council on the draft housing element
Planner, Christina Meeds, provided an overview on the 2024-2029 Housing Element.
Councilor Demo moved to approve
➢ the Housing Element Update CEQA Exemption Technical Memorandum and Environmental Assessment "common sense" exemption under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
➢ approve the General Plan Amendment proposing to amend the City's General Plan by inclusion of the 2024-2029 City of Corning Housing Element, as required by State law.
➢ Direct City staff to submit the adopted 2024-2029 Housing Element to the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for certification. ➢ Direct City staff to make minor administrative edits to the adopted 2024-2029 Housing Element, as required for certification.; Councilor Hargens seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, Valerio, and Hargens
Absent: None
Abstain/Opposed: None
THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote
J. REGULAR AGENDA:
1. Amend the contract with Placeworks and authorize the City Manager to sign the contract,
Presented by City Manager, Brant Mesker. In 2023 staff requested approval to award PlaceWorks the contract to assist with the 7th Cycle Housing Element Update that was due on June 30, 2024. At that time the request was approved to appropriate up to $70,000.00 plus a 10% contingency from the City’s General Fund to complete the project. Staff contacted the State to request that the City’s remaining LEAP Funds be utilized to fund up to $32,000 of this cost which was approved by the state to offset the General Fund Cost. Due to the required changes within the 7th Cycle Housing Element and the state mandated requirements, PlaceWorks has amended their scope of work and contract to assist the City in coming in compliance with these regulations for an additional $7,000.00 Councilor Hargens authorized to amend the contract with PlaceWorks including the scope of work and new total contract not to exceed amount of $77,000 and authorize the City Manager to sign the contract amendment; Councilor Valerio seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, Valerio, and Hargens
Absent: None
Abstain/Opposed: None
Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote
2. Authorize staff to expend the full budgeted amount of $160,000 for the Transportation Center roof replacement project
Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. On November 14, 2024, the City of Corning entered into a contract with Four Seasons Roofing for the Transportation Center roof replacement, with an original contract amount of $140,394.62. Staff subsequently approved Change Order #1 in the amount of $6,187 to replace all deteriorated lead jacks, bringing the revised contract total to $146,581.62. While performing the roof replacement, the Four Seasons Roofing discovered significant amount of dry rot. Addressing this unforeseen issue will likely push project costs beyond the 10% change order limit that Staff is authorized to approve. To ensure timely completion and prevent additional expenses, Staff requests authorization to expend up to the full budgeted amount of $160,000, if necessary.
Councilor Demo moved to authorize staff to expend up to the full budgeted amount of $160,000, if necessary for the transportation center roof replacement project; Councilor Valerio seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, Valerio, and Hargens
Absent: None
Abstain/Opposed: None
Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote
3. Approve the support letter advocating for increased funding for the USDA Rural Development Mutual Self-Help Housing program
Presented by City Manager, Brant Mesker. Approval of this support letter will demonstrate the city’s commitment to advocating for increased funding for the USDA Rural Development mutual self-help housing program and supporting CHIP’s efforts to provide affordable housing opportunities in our community. The support letter emphasizes the importance of the mutual self-help housing program and highlights the significant contributions of Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) over the past 40 years. CHIP has played a critical role in creating
THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER and sustaining jobs, revitalizing neighborhoods, and supporting economic growth in our rural and agricultural communities. The letter urges Representative LaMalfa to advocate for increased funding, which has been reduced in recent years, limiting the number of families who can benefit from the program.
Councilor Demo moved to approve the attached support letter advocating for increased funding for the USDA Rural Development mutual self-help housing program and authorize the Mayor to sign and submit the letter to Representative Doug LaMalfa; Councilor Valerio seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, Valerio, and Hargens
Absent: None
Abstain/Opposed: None
Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote
4. Approve the agreement with Sophia R. Meyer Law, P.C. as special counsel for labor negotiations
Presented by City Manager, Brant Mesker. The current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Corning and the four employee bargaining units will expire December 31, 2025. In the interest of completing negotiations timely, the request to contact and utilize Sophia R. Meyer of Sophia R. Meyer Law, P.C. to represent the City as special counsel and perform all duties as assigned in regard to Labor Negotiations for successor MOUs for the Public Safety, Management, Miscellaneous and Dispatchers Unions on behalf of the City.
Councilor Demo moved to approve the agreement with Sophia R. Meyer, P.C. to represent the city as special counsel and perform all duties as assigned in regard to labor negotiations for successor MOUS for the public safety, management, miscellaneous and dispatchers unions on behalf of the city and authorize the City Manager to sign the contract; Councilor Hargens seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, Valerio, and Hargens
Absent: None
Abstain/Opposed: None
Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote
K. ITEMS PLACED ON THE AGENDA FROM THE FLOOR: None
L. COMMUNICATIONS, CORRESPONDENCE, AND INFORMATION: None M. REPORTS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Snow: Reported on his 2x2x2 meeting regarding land use and future projects. As well as the Tuesday Night Market Ad-hoc meeting
Demo: The Senior Center had their elections for their board. Tehama County Public Works has an Interim for their street’s contractor position.
Lomeli: Attended the 2x2x2 meeting.
Valerio: Corning in the Morning will be hosted by Adventist Health. New businesses in town: The Vault, Barbara’s Hats, Golden Crest Homes.
Hargens: Her meeting was cancelled.
Brant Mesker: Reported on the Recreation Ad-hoc Committee meeting.
N. ADJOURNMENT: 6:26 pm
______________________________
Christina Meeds, Deputy City Clerk