CITY OF CORNING
CITY COUNCIL
CLOSED SESSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 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
Lisa Lomeli
Mayor- Robert Snow
Absent: Jose “Chuy” Valerio
Staff present: City Manager-Brant Mesker
City Attorney- Collin Bogener
Assistant Finance DirectorKhrysite Shoemaker
C. PUBLIC COMMENTS: No comments.
D. REGULAR AGENDA:
1. Conference with labor negotiator pursuant to section 54957.6:
Agency Negotiator: Sophia R. Meyer, Labor Relations Consultant Bargaining Units: Management, Public Safety, Dispatcher, and Miscellaneous
2. Public Employment (§ 54957)
-Title: Consultant Waste Management
3. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation Initiation of litigation pursuant to § 54956.9(c): (one case)
4. Conference with Real Property Negotiators – Grazing Lease Review Government Code Section 54956.8
Property APN: 075-020-023, 075-020-004, 067-260-080, 067-260-079, 067-260-019, 067-260-077
Agency Negotiator: City Manager Brant Mesker
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of lease
ADJOURN TO REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION:
The closed session was adjourned at 5:15pm. Mayor Snow reported there were no reportable actions.
CITY OF CORNING
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 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
Lisa Lomeli
Mayor- Robert Snow
Absent: None
Staff present: City Manager-Brant Mesker
City Attorney- Collin Bogener
City Clerk Rubi Ordaz
Public Works Director Eli Stanley
Police Chief Craig Bassett
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by the City Manager.
D. INVOCATION: Led by Councilor Hargens.
E. PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, APPOINTMENTS, PRESENTATIONS: None F. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR:
Opened: 5:32pm
Ashley, a Waste Management representative, shared that the final bulky item drop-off event of the year is scheduled for this Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Additionally, the Christmas tree disposal bin will be placed in its usual location behind Corning Lumber, across the street from the Corporation Yard.
Closed: 5:34pm
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 25, 2025, Closed Session and Regular City Council Meeting with any necessary corrections.
3. December 3, 2025, Claim Warrant in the amount of $ 179,627.98.
4. December 3, 2025, Business License Report
5. November 2025 Treasurer’s Report
6. November 2025 Wages & Salaries: $ 599,841.83
7. November 2025 Building Permit Valuation Report in the amount of $ 354,855.
8. November 2025 City of Corning Wastewater Operations Summary Report.
9. Approve cancellation of the December 23, 2025, City Council meeting due to the Christmas Holiday.
Councilor Valerio moved to approve consent items 1-9; Councilor Hargens seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Valerio, Demo, Hargens, Lomeli
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: None
J. REGULAR AGENDA:
1. Request Approval of Amendment No. 1 to the Chief Employment Agreement between the City of Corning and Craig Bassett.
Presented by City Manager, Brant Mesker. The City’s employment agreement with Police Chief Craig Bassett automatically renews each year and is set to renew again on January 1, 2026.
The City Manager is requesting an amendment requiring Chief Bassett to provide 90 days’ written notice before resigning or retiring to allow time to recruit a replacement. All other terms remain unchanged. The original agreement and amendment are attached.
Councilor Demo moved to approve amendment no.1 to the Chief Employment Agreement between the City of Corning and Craig Bassett; Councilor Valerio seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Valerio, Demo, Hargens, Lomeli
Absent: None
Abstain/Opposed: None
Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote
2. Request to increase the City Council conference and meetings budget to allow for Council to attend the California League of Cities Mayors and Council Members Academy.
Presented by City Manager, Brant Mesker. Staff received a request from Councilmember Hargens to request a $1,500 increase to the City Council Conference and Meetings budget to allow her to attend the California League of Cities Mayors and Council Members Academy in January 2026. The current budget is $1,000, but the estimated conference cost is $2,100. The increase, a General Fund expense, would cover this request and allow for additional training opportunities for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Councilor Demo moved to authorize the increase of the City Council (1100) conference and meetings (7200) budget utilizing general fund in the amount of $1,500; Councilor Valerio seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Valerio, Demo, Hargens, Lomeli
Absent: None
Abstain/Opposed: None
Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote
3. Request approval of a 60-day extension to the USA Waste of California, Inc.
DBA Corning Disposal Agreement.
Presented by City Manager, Brant Mesker. Staff is requesting approval of a 60-day extension to the City’s Refuse Collection Agreement with Waste Management, which expires December 31, 2025. Negotiations for a new contract are still in progress and will not be completed before the expiration date. The extension, through February 28, 2026, will ensure uninterrupted solid waste, recycling, and organics collection services while negotiations continue.
Councilor Hargens moved to approve the First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Refuse Collection Agreement with USA Waste of California, Inc. dba Corning Disposal, extending the contract term through February 28, 2026; and authorize the City Manager to execute the Amendment on behalf of the City; Councilor Valerio seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Valerio, Demo, Hargens, Lomeli
Absent: None
Abstain/Opposed: None
Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote
4. Request approval of the updated plans and specifications and authorize staff to solicit bids for the City of Corning City Plaza Project.
Presented by Staff requests City Council approval of the revised City Plaza Project plans and specifications and authorization to re-solicit bids. The initial bids were rejected because the original documents did not fully meet Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements tied to the City’s CDBG funding. The plans have since been updated for full compliance.
The bid package is available at City Hall and online, with a 70-day solicitation period. Bids will open on February 19, 2026, for potential award on February 24, 2026. The project is funded through Proposition 68, CDBG, and Park Land Development Funds.
Councilor Demo moved to approve the updated plans and specifications for the City of Corning City Plaza Project; and authorize staff to advertise and solicit bids for construction; Councilor Snow seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Valerio, Demo, Hargens, Lomeli
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 Senior Center Meeting. They have many activities going on for Christmas. Also mentioned that the proceeds from the CVFD spaghetti feed were donated to the Battiato family.
Lomeli: Did not have any meetings but did participate in the Hometown Christmas Parade.
Valerio: He also participated in the parade. He mentioned that the chamber did a good job with the parade, and that it had a good turnout. The chamber is having an old-fashioned hoedown for their annual awards and recognition dinner. Save the date for January 17th.
Hargens: Attended a Tehama County Landfill meeting.
Snow: He did not attend any meetings but did attend and helped cook at the CVFD spaghetti fundraiser.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:11pm by Mayor Snow.
Attest:
______________________________
Rubi Ordaz, City Clerk