Item No. G-2
THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER
CITY OF CORNING
CITY COUNCIL
CLOSED SESSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2025
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
794 THIRD STREET
A. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 5:00pm by Mayor Snow.
B. ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers present:
Mayor Snow
Shelly Hargens
Lisa Lomeli
Dave Demo
Absent: Jose “Chuy” Valerio
Staff present: City Manager Brant Mesker
City Attorney Collin Bogener
C. PUBLIC COMMENTS: No audience. No comments.
D. REGULAR AGENDA:
1. Conference with Real Property Negotiations (54956.8) Property: APN 067-260-077-000
Agency Negotiator: City Manager Brant Mesker
Under Negotiation: Lease
E. ADJOURN TO REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION:
The closed session ended at 5:12pm. Mayor Snow stated there were no reportable actions.
Item No. G-2
THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER
CITY OF CORNING
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2025
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
794 THIRD STREET
A. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 5:30pm by Mayor Snow.
B. ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers present:
Shelly Hargens
Lisa Lomeli
Dave Demo
Jose “Chuy” Valerio
Mayor- Robert Snow
Absent:
Staff present: City Manager-Brant Mesker
City Attorney- Collin Bogener
City Clerk Rubi Ordaz
Public Works Director Eli Stanley
Fire Chief Tom Tomlinson
Police Chief Craig Bassett
Building Official
Benjamin Mierzwak
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by the City Manager.
D. INVOCATION: Led by Councilor Hargens.
E. PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, APPOINTMENTS, PRESENTATIONS:
1. Proclamation: National Volunteer Firefighters Recognition Day-August 18th. Present to accept is the Fire Chief and members of the Corning Volunteer Fire Department.
Proclamation was read by City Clerk, Rubi Ordaz. Mayor Snow thanked the volunteers for their commitment to the community.
F. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR:
Opened public comment at 5:36pm
Mayra Monarch, a Shasta County resident, spoke to Council requesting them to consider a Caste Equity Resolution. She feels discrimination is a growing civil rights issue, and this Resolution would condemn Caste based discrimination. She is working with Doctor Promila Dhanuka on this matter.
Item No. G-2
THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER City Manager, Brant Mesker announced staff did the pre bid walk for the Recreation Center Plaza and Recreation Center.
Closed public comments at 5:38pm
Re opened public comments at 5:39pm
Fire Chief, Tom Tomlinson reminded everyone of the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive being held at the Corning Volunteer Fire Department on August 16th from 9am to 2pm.
Councilwoman Lomeli thanked the Corning Volunteer Firefighters for preparing the food at the Senior Sunrise Breakfast event for the Corning High School seniors.
Closed public comments at 5:40pm
Mayor Snow re opened public comment at 5:57pm.
Christina Meeds announced that the next Tuesday Night Market’s theme is Hometown Heroes. There will be local agencies attending. Corning PD will have a K9 demo and the CVFD will do water polo.
Closed public comments at 6:01pm
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 for the following:
a) July 22, 2025 Closed City Council Session meeting
b) July 22, 2025 Special City Council meeting
c) July 22, 2025 Regular City Council meeting
d) July 30, 2025 Special City Council meeting
3. August 7, 2025, Claim Warrant in the amount of $ 398,842.49
4. August 7, 2025, Business License Report
5. July 2025 Treasurer’s Report
6. July 2025 Wages & Salaries: $496,089.84
7. July 2025 Building Permit Valuation Report in the amount of $302,724
8. July 2025 City of Corning Wastewater Operations Summary Report.
9. Consider waiver of Special Event Permit fee for the Corning Candlelight Walk to be held on October 8,2025.
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. Consider adoption of resolution of necessity to authorize acquisition of easement over private property through eminent domain for the purpose of connecting utilities (Requires 4/5th vote).
Presented by City Attorney, Collin Bogener. The City of Corning is holding a public hearing to consider adopting a Resolution of Necessity to acquire an underground utility easement across property at the north west corner of 3524 South Highway 99W, owned by TravelCenters of America, through eminent domain. The easement is essential for extending public utilities to the west side of Interstate 5, a step deemed critical for future development. The City has made a formal purchase offer based on an appraisal, but the property owner has not responded. The proposed easement location minimizes private Item No. G-2
THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER impact by allowing continued surface use, and environmental review has found no significant impacts. Approval requires a four-fifths vote of the City Council. The property owner was not present at the meeting.
Opened the public hearing at 5:43pm and closed it at 5:43pm with no comments from the audience.
Councilor Demo moved to adopt the Resolution of Necessity to authorize acquisition of an easement over private property identified as APN 087-090-042 through eminent domain for the purposes of extending utilities to the west side of Interstate 5; 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
J. REGULAR AGENDA:
1. Approval of grant funds to be used to repaint utility boxes on Solano Street.
Presented by Recreation Coordinator, Chrissy Meeds. The City of Corning has received a $500 grant from the Tehama County Arts Council to fund the painting of utility boxes along Solano Street. Local artists will be invited to submit proposals, continuing the City’s Public Art Program and refreshing faded artwork on the boxes.
Councilor Hargens moved to accept the $500 art grant and approval of the painting of utility boxes to be paid for with the grant funds received from the Tehama County Arts Council 2025 Community Grant; 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 execute the renewal lease with State Lands Commission for the outfall and bank protection at the Sacramento River.
Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. The City of Corning seeks approval to enter a 20-year renewal lease with the California State Lands Commission for continued use of State-owned land along the Sacramento River, supporting the wastewater treatment plant’s outfall pipeline and bank protection. The agreement consolidates two existing leases into one, with no changes to current facilities or operations.
Councilor Demo moved to authorize the City Manager to execute the renewal lease with the State Land Commission for the outfall and bank protection at the Sacramento River; 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
Item No. G-2
THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER
3. Authorize the purchase of a backhoe for the Public Works Department in the amount of $174,624.89
Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. The City allocated $175,000 in the FY 2025/26 budget to replace an aging Public Works backhoe. Staff recommends purchasing the new backhoe from N&S Tractor through sole-source procurement due to affordability and service quality, waiving the bid process per City policy. The $174,624.89 cost will be funded from the Public Works Capital Replacement Fund, with proceeds from selling the old equipment returned to the same fund.
Councilor Demo moved that City Council determines that this purchase is exempt from the city’s purchasing policy per section 3.12.082 a-6 of the Corning Municipal Code; and authorize the purchase of a new backhoe from N&S tractor in the amount of $174,624.89; 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
K. ITEMS PLACED ON THE AGENDA FROM THE FLOOR: None
L. COMMUNICATIONS, CORRESPONDENCE, AND INFORMATION: None M. REPORTS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Demo: Attended a TCTC Meeting. Attended the Senior Center Meeting. They will be hosting the Corning in the Morning networking event. The Senior Center also hired an activities director.
Lomeli: No meetings.
Valerio: The Chamber of Commerce meeting was rescheduled. Also mentioned the Corning in the Morning event to bring your business card and talk to other business owners.
Hargens: The Tehama County Landfill meeting was cancelled Snow: No meetings but did attend town hall meeting.
N. ADJOURNMENT: 6:04pm
Attest:
______________________________
City Clerk, Rubi Ordaz