CITY OF CORNING
CITY COUNCIL
CLOSED SESSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2026
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
794 THIRD STREET
A. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Snow at 4:30 pm.
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
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. 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
3. Conference with Real Property Negotiators – AT&T Wireless Services Tower Rent Government Code Section 54956.8
Property APN: 071-115-007
Agency Negotiator: City Manager Brant Mesker
Under Negotiation: Terms of agreement
E. ADJOURN TO REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION:
The closed session was adjourned at 5:22pm. Mayor Snow reported there were no reportable action and gave directions to staff.
CITY OF CORNING
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2026
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
794 THIRD STREET
A. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Snow at 5:30pm.
Mayor Snow asked for a moment of silence for Congressman Doug La Malfa.
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
Planner/Rec. CoordinatorChristina Meeds
Building OfficialBenjamin Mierzwak
Fire Chief Tom Tomlinson
Police Chief Craig Bassett
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by the City Manager.
D. INVOCATION: Led by Councilor Hargens.
E. PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, APPOINTMENTS, PRESENTATIONS:
1. Proclamation: January 2026 - National Stalking Awareness Month. Present to accept the Proclamation will be Empower Tehama’s Bilingual Legal Advocate, Susana Reyes.
2. Proclamation: January 2026 - Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Present to accept the Proclamation will be Empower Tehama’s Bilingual Legal Advocate, Susana Reyes.
Susana Reyes, Empower Tehama’s Bilingual Legal Advocate, presented information regarding stalking awareness and Human Trafficking.
F. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR:
Opened Public Comment at 5:41 pm.
Fire Chief Tom announced they had their annual Corning Volunteer Firefighters Election and they elected Captain Parker Johnson, Captain Billy Wooten, 2nd Assistant Fire Chief Jared Smith, Captain Robert Snow and 1st Assistant Fire Chief Daymon Schlereth.
Closed Public Comment at 5:42pm
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 December 9, 2025, Closed Session and Regular City Council Meeting with any necessary corrections.
3. December 4 to January 9, 2026, Claim Warrant in the amount of $ 674,759.52.
4. January 9, 2026, Business License Report
5. December 2025 Treasurer’s Report
6. December 2025 Wages & Salaries: $ 460,803.54
7. December 2025 Building Permit Valuation Report in the amount of $ 139,155.
8. December 2025 City of Corning Wastewater Operations Summary Report.
9. Consider waiver of special event permit fee for the Community Children’s Fair.
Councilor Valerio moved to approve consent items 1-8; 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:
Presented by City Manager, Brant Mesker. City staff is coordinating with the Tehama County Department of Education to host a free Community Children’s Fair in Corning on March 28, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Solano Street. The event will feature children’s activities and vendors, and staff are requesting Council approve a waiver of the special event permit fee.
The event, previously held in Red Bluff for 39 years, will require temporary street closure and support from three Public Works staff members.
Councilor Hargens requested consent agenda item number 9 be pulled for further discussion.
She is seeking information on the cost of shutting down Solano since this would require a few Public Works employees to come in and work on the weekend. She suggested perhaps holding it at a park would be a better idea since the city was already considering waving the event permit fee and holding it at a park would not cost the city additional funds.
City Manager, Brant stated the City parks are limited on parking space and since this event attracts a big crowd it would be best to hold it on Solano similar to the Tuesday Night Market.
Council members agreed that holding this event in Corning is significant since they have witnessed how many people attend, and with it being held on Solano it would give some businesses the opportunity to be seen.
Councilor Demo moved to approve waiver of Special Event Permit fee for the Community Children’s Fair; Mayor Snow seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Valerio, Demo, Hargens, Lomeli
Absent: None
Abstain/Opposed: None
Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote
I. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MEETINGS: None
J. REGULAR AGENDA:
1. Review Mayor’s recommendations and appoint Vice Mayor and City Representatives to various commissions/committees.
Presented by City Manager, Brant Mesker, each year the appointed representatives by the Council to the committees, commissions and boards are reviewed. The Mayor makes the recommendations, and Council can approve or make changes as needed.
Councilor Lomeli requested to switch her appointment to the Tehama County Community Action Agency with Valerio’s Corning Chamber of Commerce Non-Voting Representative appointment.
All councilmembers did not have an issue with them switching.
Councilor Demo moved to approve the mayor’s recommended appointment of representatives to the below listed committees, commissions, and boards:
Vice Mayor: Dave Demo.
Tehama County Transportation Commission: Dave Demo
Wayfinding Signs Adhoc Committee: Jose “Chuy” Valerio & Shelly Hargens LAFCO (Tehama County Local Agency Formation Commission): Dave Demo Tehama County Community Action Agency: Jose “Chuy” Valerio Tehama County Solid Waste Management Agency (JPA): Shelly Hargens, Alternate: Dave Demo
3CORE: Brant Mesker & Robert Snow
Corning Chamber of Commerce Non-Voting Representative: Lisa Lomeli Corning Community Foundation: Lisa Lomeli
Senior Center Representative: Dave Demo
Tehama Vehicle Abatement Authority: Craig Bassett
NCCSIF: Brant Mesker & Khrysite Shoemaker
Airport Land Use Commission: Dave Demo
Mosquito Abatement Authority: Ross Turner
Tehama County Flood Control & Water Conservation District Groundwater Commission: Eli Stanley
AB3030 TAC: Brett White
Tehama County Integrated Waste Management Task Force (AB939): Brett White 2x2x2 School/City Committee: Robert Snow, Lisa Lomeli, and Brant Mesker Recreation Adhoc Committee: Dave Demo & Shelly Hargens (City Council); Blaine Smith & Meredith Allen (Recreation Commission).
; 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. Authorize the purchase order with E.V.O.C. for the upfitting of one police vehicle.
Presented by Police Chief, Craig Bassett. In FY 2025/26, the Police Department budgeted $95,000 for the purchase and upfitting of a 2025 Ford Explorer Interceptor, which was received in July 2025. Staff is requesting to proceed without a formal bid under Section 3.1.082(A)(6) of the City’s Purchasing Policy, allowing negotiation with a single vendor to expedite the purchase at a reasonable price.
Councilor Hargens moved to approve 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 City Manager to sign the purchase order with E.V.O.C. for the upfitting of one police vehicle; 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. Accept the Notice of Completion for the small pool resurfacing project.
Presented by Public Works Director, Elijah Stanley. The Small Pool Resurfacing Project has been completed, inspected, and approved by City staff. Staff is requesting Council acceptance of the Notice of Completion and authorization to file and record it with the Tehama County Clerk and Recorder.
The project was awarded to Adams Pool Specialties on October 28, 2025, for a base bid of $71,299.00. A $768.00 staff-approved change order was added to install required waterline depth markers, bringing the final contract amount to $72,067.00. The project was completed within budget and is covered by the $150,000 allocated in the FY 2025/26 budget.
Councilor Demo moved to accept and direct the Public Works Director to sign the Notice of Completion, and authorize the City Clerk to file the notice with the Tehama County for recording; 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. Informational presentation-2025 review achievements and accomplishments and vision for 2026.
City Manager Brant Mesker presented highlights of all department accomplishments and project completions for the year 2025.
No motion was required. Informational presentation only.
K. ITEMS PLACED ON THE AGENDA FROM THE FLOOR:
L. COMMUNICATIONS, CORRESPONDENCE, AND INFORMATION:
M. REPORTS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Demo: Attended a Senior Center meeting where they highlighted the achievements for 2025. He will be attending a LAFCO meeting soon.
Lomeli: No meetings.
Valerio: Invited everyone to attend the annual Awards Night for the Chamber of Commerce.
Hargens: Attended a Tehama County Landfill meeting and was notified they will no longer be doing the hazardous waste drop off in Corning due to low attendance and high cost to run the program. Hazardous waste will need to be taken to the Tehama County Landfill.
Snow: No meetings.
N. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:28pm by Mayor Snow.
Attest:
______________
Rubi Ordaz, City Clerk