CITY OF CORNING
CITY COUNCIL
CLOSED SESSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2025
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
794 THIRD STREET
A. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Snow at 4:45 pm.
B. ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers present:
Dave Demo
Shelly Hargens
Jose “Chuy” Valerio
Mayor- Robert Snow
Absent: Lisa Lomeli
Staff present: City Manager-Brant Mesker
City Attorney- Collin Bogener
C. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
D. REGULAR AGENDA:
1. Public Employment (§ 54957)
-Title: City Manager
2. Liability Claims (worker's compensation) (Section 54956.95) -Claimant: Dan Redding
E. ADJOURN TO REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION:
The closed session was adjourned at 5:21pm. Mayor Snow reported there were no reportable action and gave directions to staff.
CITY OF CORNING
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2025
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
794 THIRD STREET
A. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Snow at 5:30pm.
B. ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers present:
Dave Demo
Shelly Hargens
Jose “Chuy” Valerio
Mayor- Robert Snow
Absent: Lisa Lomeli
Staff present: City Manager-Brant Mesker
City Attorney- Collin Bogener
City Clerk Rubi Ordaz
Fire Chief Tom Tomlinson
Police Chief Craig Bassett
City Engineer-Robin Kampmann
Public Works Director Eli Stanley
Building OfficialBenjamin Mierzwak
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by the City Manager.
D. INVOCATION: Led by Councilor Hargens.
E. PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, APPOINTMENTS, PRESENTATIONS:
1. Proclamation: Honoring the 2025 Corning Lions Football Program & the 8U team as the 2025 SYF Super Bowl Champions. Present to accept are Coach Rogers and members of the 8U team.
Mayor Snow presented the Proclamation to the 8U Corning Lions Football team and congratulated them on their well-deserved win.
F. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR:
City Engineer, Robin, gave an update on the well drilling project.
Fire Chief, Tom, mentioned the CVFD Spaghetti Feed Fundraiser set for December 6th at the Fire Hall before and after the Christmas parade.
Closed Public Comment: 5:39 pm
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 November 11, 2025, Closed Session and Regular City Council Meeting with any necessary corrections.
3. November 20, 2025, Claim Warrant in the amount of $ 141,226.85
4. November 20, 2025, Business License Report
5. Adoption of Ordinance No. 716, an Ordinance updating building codes for the City of Corning (2nd reading)
Councilor Valerio moved to approve consent items 1-5; Councilor Hargens seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Valerio, Demo, Hargens
Absent: Lomeli
Abstain/Opposed: None
Result: Motion was approved by a 4-0 vote with Lomeli absent H. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: None
I. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MEETINGS: None
J. REGULAR AGENDA:
1. Request for Council direction on temporary closure of West Street for construction laydown area (January – December 2026).
Presented by City Manager, Brant Mesker. City staff is requesting Councils direction on a proposal from CUESD to fully close West Street (Marin to South) from January to December 2026 for use as a construction staging area during the West Street Elementary office project.
The closure would include repairs and ADA upgrades within the City’s right-of-way. Staff recommends processing the request through the encroachment permit process to ensure safety requirements are met, including pedestrian access, traffic control, secured fencing, utility access, plan review, and maintained emergency access.
Snow, Demo, and Hargens were not in favor of closing the street for the school’s project. They indicated that alternative options are available, such as offering the vacant lot near Houghton Avenue for the school’s use. They expressed concern that a road closure would inconvenience residents who rely on access to West Street and that a one-year duration would be excessively long. Valerio, however, stated that he would support the street closure, noting that the project is necessary and that the lack of a nearby laydown area could prolong its completion.
No motion was required; staff was given direction to not close West Street for construction laydown for CUESD’s project.
2. Authorize the Public Works Department to declare equipment surplus and dispose of the items in the best interest of the city.
Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. Public Works is requesting authorization to surplus and dispose of a 2006 CASE 580SM Series II Backhoe, which has reached the end of its service life. A replacement backhoe was approved by Council on August 12, 2025. Staff recommends selling the old unit and returning the proceeds to the Public Works Capital Replacement Fund.
Councilor Demo moved to authorize the Public Works department to declare equipment surplus and dispose of the items in the best interest of the city; Councilor Valerio seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Valerio, Demo, Hargens
Absent: Lomeli
Abstain/Opposed: None
Result: Motion was approved by a 4-0 vote with Lomeli absent
3. Adopt Resolution No. 11-25-205-01, accepting the 2025/26 California Citizen’s Options for Public Safety (COPS) grant.
Presented by Police Chief, Craig Bassett. The City of Corning will receive $100,000 in COPS grant funds, which must be used solely for front-line law enforcement and cannot replace existing budgeted services. Before funds are released, the City Council must approve an expenditure plan by resolution. The funds, which must be spent by June 30, 2026, are proposed to be used in FY 2025–26 to help fund a police officer position, with remaining costs covered by the General Fund.
Councilor Hargens moved to adopt Resolution 11-25-2025-01 thereby accepting the funds offered through the Citizens’ Option for Public Safety (COPS) front-line law enforcement allocation grant and approve the use of these monies to fund a police officer position; Councilor Valerio seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Valerio, Demo, Hargens
Absent: Lomeli
Abstain/Opposed: None
Result: Motion was approved by a 4-0 vote with Lomeli absent
4. Adopt Resolution No. 11-25-2025-02 accepting a portion of the California Citizen’s Options for Public Safety (COPS) grant overage.
Presented by Police Chief, Craig Bassett. The Corning Police Department has been informed of an unencumbered COPS fund balance of $48,952.99, restricted to front-line law enforcement.
After a $215 administrative fee, $47,737.99 is available. State law requires the City Council to adopt an expenditure plan by resolution before the funds can be released. County officials have approved the Police Department’s proposed use of the funds for several community-focused law enforcement projects.
Councilor Demo moved to adopt Resolution 11-25-2025-02, thereby accepting the funds offered through the Citizens’ Option for Public Safety (COPS) front-line law enforcement allocation grant overage; and authorize staff to recognize the COPS overage funds revenue in the amount of $47,737.99 and make the required budget allocations; Councilor Valerio seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Valerio, Demo, Hargens
Absent: Lomeli
Abstain/Opposed: None
Result: Motion was approved by a 4-0 vote with Lomeli absent
5. Approve the award of the contract for Asbestos Abatement, demolition, and site clean up at 1518 Marin Street to Walberg Inc. in the amount of $23, 334.
Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. Staff is requesting Council approval to award a $23,334 contract to Walberg Inc. for asbestos abatement, demolition, and site cleanup at 1518 Marin Street. The property was declared unsafe and uninhabitable after a fire, and the City obtained a default judgment allowing it to proceed with demolition and cleanup. A lien will be placed on the property to recover all related costs. The unbudgeted expense will be covered with existing General Fund dollars, with adjustments to be reviewed at mid-year if needed.
Councilor Hargens moved to approve the award of the contract for asbestos abatement, demolition, and site cleanup at 1518 Marin Street to Walberg Inc. in the amount of $23,334; Councilor Valerio seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Valerio, Demo, Hargens
Absent: Lomeli
Abstain/Opposed: None
Result: Motion was approved by a 4-0 vote with Lomeli absent K. ITEMS PLACED ON THE AGENDA FROM THE FLOOR: None
L. COMMUNICATIONS, CORRESPONDENCE, AND INFORMATION:
City Manager Brant noted that, based on Council’s discussion, there appears to be a desire to cancel the December 23rd meeting. He stated that this would be acceptable; however, there may be a Recreation City Plaza agenda item and potential employee contracts that require approval before the end of the year. Mayor Snow agreed to hold a special meeting if those items are ready for Council consideration.
M. REPORTS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Demo: No meetings, but he did wish Building Official Ben a Happy Birthday.
Lomeli: Absent
Valerio: He mentioned all the upcoming events: Christmas lighted parade, Hot Chocolate and Christmas Trolly, Corning in the evening, CVFD Spaghetti Feed.
Hargens: No meetings but did mention the Around the Block event had a good turnout for local businesses.
Snow: No meetings but was glad to hear that someone from out of town mentioned the City of Corning is looking good.
N. ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 6:11pm by Mayor Snow.
Attest:
______________________________
Rubi Ordaz, City Clerk