CITY OF CORNING
CITY COUNCIL
CLOSED SESSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2026
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
794 THIRD STREET
1. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Snow at 5:00 pm.
2. ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers present:
Dave Demo
Shelly Hargens
Lisa Lomeli
Jose “Chuy” Valerio
Mayor- Robert Snow
Absent: None
Staff present: City Manager-Brant Mesker
City Attorney- Collin Bogener
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
4. REGULAR AGENDA:
1. Public Employment (§ 54957)
Title: Police Chief
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 5:14pm. Mayor Snow reported there were no reportable actions.
CITY OF CORNING
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2026
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 DirectorEli Stanley
City Engineer- Robin Kampmann
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: None F. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR:
Opened and closed at 5:31pm with no comments.
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 February 10, 2026, Closed Session and Regular City Council Meeting with any necessary corrections.
3. Claim Warrant from 2/05 to 02/18/2026 in the amount of $ 297,043.
4. February 18, 2026, Business License Report
Councilor Valerio moved to approve consent items 1-4; 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:
1. Ordinance 717, an Ordinance to create standards for detached structures.
Presented by Building Official, Benjamin Mierzwak. Staff is proposing amendments to Chapter
17.50.040 of the Zoning Code to clarify regulations for detached structures on residential properties and add Section 17.50.045 regarding cargo containers. The updates establish standards for detached structures, including setbacks, height limits, size limitations, spacing from the main residence, and privacy considerations. The new section would prohibit cargo containers and similar transport containers in all zoning districts, except for temporary use during moving or construction. Ordinance 717 was reviewed by the Planning Commission on January 20, 2026, and was unanimously recommended for approval by the City Council.
Mayor Snow opened and closed the public hearing at 5:36pm with no comments.
Councilor Hargens moved to adopt the proposed zoning code update and directed the City Clerk to read the Ordinance by title only; 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
J. REGULAR AGENDA:
1. Approve Resolution No. 02-24-2026-01 affirming the city’s commitment to fair treatment and condemning caste-based discrimination.
Presented by City Manager, Brant. Councilmember Valerio requested this item be placed in the agenda. The proposed resolution reaffirms the City of Corning’s commitment to justice, equality, and nondiscrimination by formally denouncing caste-based discrimination. The resolution expresses the City’s support for state and national efforts to address caste-based discrimination through legislation, education, and awareness. It does not create new regulations but serves as a policy statement reinforcing the City’s commitment to fair and equitable treatment in all municipal policies, programs, and services.
Mayra Monarch, who previously requested that this Resolution be placed on the agenda, presented information on caste-based discrimination and shared personal experiences she has faced related to this type of discrimination, explaining why she is seeking the adoption of this Resolution.
Councilor Valerio moved to adopt Resolution No. 02-24-2026-01 affirming the city’s commitment to fair treatment and condemning caste-cased discrimination; Councilor Lomeli 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 staff to solicit bids for the 2026 Fourth Street Rehabilitation Project.
Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. Staff is seeking approval of plans and specifications and authorize staff to advertise and solicit bids for the 2026 Fourth Street Rehabilitation Project, which includes pavement maintenance, rehabilitation, and striping from South Street to Fig Lane. Bids are scheduled to open on April 8, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., after which staff will review submissions and return to Council with a recommendation to award the contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The project is funded through $685,000 allocated for street projects in the FY 2025–2026 budget.
Councilor Demo moved to approve plans and specifications and authorize staff to solicit bids for the 2026 Fourth Street Rehabilitation Project; 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
K. ITEMS PLACED ON THE AGENDA FROM THE FLOOR: None
L. COMMUNICATIONS, CORRESPONDENCE, AND INFORMATION:
Fire Chief Tom- The fire hall hosted the Corning Exchange Club’s event honoring real-life heroes. He congratulated Captain Billy Wooten for CVFD Firefighter of the year for 2025.
M. REPORTS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Demo: Attended a TCTC meeting. Congratulated Tom on his 35 year pin for the Corning Volunteer Fire Department.
Lomeli: Attended a Chamber of Commerce meeting. Discussed the airport event, Children’s Fair, and Egg Hunt coming up.
Valerio: No meetings.
Hargens: No meetings.
Snow: Attended the awards dinner at the Fire Hall and discussed the bid opening for the Recreation Center going well. Contract award will be coming soon.
N. ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 6:02pm by Mayor Snow.
Attest:
______________
Rubi Ordaz, City Clerk