CITY OF CORNING
CITY COUNCIL
CLOSED SESSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2026
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
794 THIRD STREET
A. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Snow at 5:00pm.
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: Public Safety, Dispatcher, and Miscellaneous
2. Conference with Real Property Negotiations (54956.8) Property: APN 067-260-082-000
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 was adjourned at 5:20pm. Mayor Snow reported there were no reportable action and gave directions to staff.
Item: G-2
CITY OF CORNING
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 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 called for a moment of silence for Jerry Lequia, a community member that was a regular attendee to the City Council meetings and has recently passed away.
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: February 2026 – Teen Dating Awareness and Prevention 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 teen dating violence awareness and prevention.
F. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR:
Opened public comment: 5:39pm
Barbara Boot-She would like to revisit the insurance requirement for the Flying Eagles event.
She was instructed to speak to staff at City Hall to see if it can be agendized for a future meeting.
Mayra Monarch- She would like for City Council to pass a Caste Equity Resolution.
Closed public comment: 5:44pm
Item: G-2
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 27, 2026, Closed Session and Regular City Council Meeting with any necessary corrections.
3. January 22 to February 4, 2026, Claim Warrant in the amount of $ 1,282,769.46.
4. February 4, 2026, Business License Report
5. January 2026 Treasurer’s Report
6. January 2026 Wages & Salaries: $ 482,819.08
7. January 2026 Building Permit Valuation Report in the amount of $ 554,010.
8. January 2026 City of Corning Wastewater Operations Summary Report.
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:
I. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MEETINGS: None
J. REGULAR AGENDA:
1. Request for Council ‘s reconsideration of the temporary closure of West Street and approval of MOU with CUESD.
Presented by City Manager, Brant. The Corning Union Elementary School District (CUESD) is requesting City Council approval for a temporary daytime closure of West Street (between Marin Street and South Street) from June 5 to August 14, 2026, to support phase III construction at West Street Elementary School. The closure would run from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the street reopening nightly. This revised request responds to Council’s earlier concerns about a year-long closure and significantly reduces impacts by limiting disruptions to the summer construction period while maintaining overnight access.
Councilor Hargens moved to approve the temporary daytime closure of west street to support construction activities associated with the West Street Elementary School phase III improvements and approve the attached Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and the Corning Union Elementary School District outlining the scope of improvements, associated goals, cost responsibilities, and the city’s support; 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
2. Approve the three-year Grazing Lease Agreement with Norman Oilar for the Corning Airport Properties.
Presented by Public Works Director, Eli. The City of Corning is proposing a three-year renewal of the grazing lease for approximately 152 acres at the Corning Airport with current lessee Item: G-2
Norman Oilar. The lease increases annual rent from $1,338 to $2,500, with revenue returned to airport operations per FAA requirements. The agreement maintains livestock grazing use, supports fire risk reduction and property upkeep, and includes standard maintenance, insurance, and termination provisions.
Councilor Demo moved to authorize the City Manager to execute a three-year renewal Grazing Lease Agreement with Norman Oilar for the Corning Airport properties listed above, at the annual rent of $2,500; 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. Approve agreement for AMG & Associates, Salado Orchards Phase II request to defer impact fees.
Councilor Hargens recused herself from participating in discussion and action on this item due to the proximity of her residence to the proposed project.
Presented by Planner Coordinator, Christina. AMG & Associates LLC is requesting deferral of impact fees for the Salado Orchards Apartment II project, a 24-unit development (three 8-plex buildings) on Toomes Avenue in Corning. The project has received $4.6 million in HOME Grant funding. Under state law, impact fees would be deferred until issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy, with the amount due based on the rates at permit issuance. Staff recommends approving the agreement as it benefits the City and supports the project’s completion.
Councilor Demo moved to approve and allow the City Manager to sign and enter into the Impact Fee Deferral Agreement with AMG & Associates; Councilor Valerio seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Valerio, Demo, Lomeli
Absent: None
Abstain/Opposed: Hargens
Result: Motion was approved by a 4-0 vote with Hargens abstaining.
4. Public workshop on proposed amendment to the Corning Municipal Code.
Presented by Building Official Benajmin Mierzwak. Ben and City Council held a public workshop to review proposed amendments to the Corning Municipal Code on nuisance abatement, property maintenance standards, and enforcement procedures. The changes aim to clarify nuisance definitions, address gaps such as yard parking and rodent issues, and create a consistent, transparent enforcement process with due process protections.
Council agreed that there weren’t any changes they should make at this time and did not consider any changes on yard parking, but they did agree with the enforcement procedure timeline Benjamin suggestion on any current cases.
No formal action is requested at this time.
5. Ratify Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the City of Corning Miscellaneous Bargaining Unit.
Presented by City Manager, Brant. The City of Corning has reached a one-year Memorandum of Understanding (February 1, 2026–January 31, 2027) with the Miscellaneous Bargaining Unit.
Key terms include a 2.5% salary increase, expanded uniform and boot reimbursements, addition of Juneteenth as a paid holiday, increased City health insurance contributions (up to $2,090 per month with annual $65 increases), and expanded bereavement leave to five days. The agreement also includes standard language updates for clarity and legal compliance.
Item: G-2
Councilor Demo moved to ratify the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Corning and the City of Corning Miscellaneous Bargaining Unit for the period of February 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027; Valerio seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Valerio, Demo, Hargens, Lomeli
Absent: None
Abstain/Opposed: None
Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote
6. Ratify Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the City of Corning Dispatcher’s Bargaining Unit.
Presented by City Manager, Brant. The City of Corning has reached a one-year MOU (February 1, 2026–January 31, 2027) with the Dispatcher Bargaining Unit. Key terms include a 2.5% salary increase, longevity pay of 4% after 10 years and 7% after 15 years, a 2.5% EMT certification premium for Fire Dispatchers, annual uniform allowances ($750 for Police Dispatchers and $650 for Fire Dispatchers), 142 hours of holiday-in-lieu pay, increased City health insurance contributions (up to $2,090 per month with annual $65 increases), and expanded bereavement leave to five days. The agreement also includes standard language updates for clarity and legal compliance.
Councilor Demo moved to ratify the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Corning and the City of Corning Dispatcher’s Bargaining Unit for the period of February 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027; 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
7. Ratify Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the City of Corning Public Safety Bargaining Unit.
Presented by City Manager, Brant. The City of Corning has reached a one-year MOU (February 1, 2026–January 31, 2027) with the Public Safety Bargaining Unit. Key terms include a 2.5% salary increase, longevity pay of 4% after 10 years and 7% after 15 years, 124 hours of holidayin-lieu pay annually, increased City health insurance contributions (up to $2,090 per month with annual $65 increases), and expanded bereavement leave to five days. The agreement also includes standard language updates for clarity and legal compliance.
Councilor Snow moved to ratify the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Corning and the City of Corning Public Safety Bargaining Unit for the period of February 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027; Councilor Demo 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:
L. COMMUNICATIONS, CORRESPONDENCE, AND INFORMATION:
Item: G-2
M. REPORTS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Demo: Attended a Senior Center meeting. They will be having a soup event soon.
Lomeli: She will be hosting the annual Easter Egg Hunt right after the TCDE Fair on March 28.
Valerio: Attended the ribbon cutting for the Corning Veteran’s Resource Center. He congratulated the Corning High School Wrestling team for winning the West Side League Championship.
Hargens: Attended a Tehama County Landfill meeting.
Snow: No meetings.
N. ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 6:28pm by Mayor Snow.
Attest:
______________
Rubi Ordaz, City Clerk
Item: G-2