CITY OF CORNING
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MARCH 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
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:
Member of the community wanted council to know that he thinks there is an issue with the way parking is set up at the corner of Sixth St. and Solano St. mainly due to customers parking at an angle at Gym 23.
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 March 10, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting and the March 4, 2026 Special meeting with any necessary corrections.
3. Claim Warrant from 3/05 to 03/18/2026 in the amount of $ 155,132.31.
4. March 18, 2026, Business License Report
5. Approve waiver of special event permit for the Healthy Families Tehama Parent Group event.
Councilor Valerio moved to approve consent items 1-5; 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
H. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: None.
I. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MEETINGS:
1. Proposed disposal services rate increase.
Presented by City Manager, Brant. The proposed refuse rate increase is 12.89%, raising the standard 96-gallon residential service from $29.90 to $33.74 per month. Customers can reduce costs by downsizing to a 64-gallon cart at $31.08. The senior 32-gallon rate will increase from $14.94 to $18.28, with adjusted percentages below the standard rate over the next two years.
Commercial rates will increase by 8.58% and vary based on service level.
The increase follows the methodology outlined in the Refuse Collection Agreement, which also includes annual CPI adjustments. If approved, the new rates will take effect April 1, 2026.
Notices were sent to all utility customers on February 6, 2026, in compliance with Proposition 218, and any protests received have been documented. There was a total of 8 protests of which 5 were complete, two had missing information, and one was rejected due to not being an address within the city limits. With the new rate a new service provider for street sweeping is included.
Opened the public hearing at 5:36pm.
A community member voiced his concern of this rate increase due to many people he knows that are on fixed income. He stated it’s already hard to make ends meet and with this increase many people will be affected.
Another member of the community mentioned that the Waste Management pick up calendar’s are wrong and that they should send out a corrected one since it is causing confusion.
Closed Public Hearing at 5:38pm
Councilor Demo moved to approve the proposed disposal service rate increase of 12.89%, as shown on the rate schedule attached as exhibit “C” to become effective April 1, 2026; 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
J. REGULAR AGENDA:
1. Approve agreement with J&J Pumps for the City of Corning Blackburn Well Repair Project.
Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. The Blackburn Well, a key high-producing groundwater source, is currently out of service due to pump failure. After diagnostic work by J&J Pump, the issue was identified as a failed 11CLC bowl requiring replacement, along with new bearings and pump reinstallation. Because the well is critical for meeting peak summer demand, timely repairs are essential to avoid added strain on other wells. J&J Pump, already familiar with the site, is ready to proceed upon approval, helping minimize delays and costs. The repair will be funded through the Water – Well Repair budget.
Councilor Hargens moved to approve agreement and authorize the City Manager to sign the contract with J&J Pump for the Blackburn well repair project at a cost not to exceed $34,257.96; 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: None.
M. REPORTS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Demo: He attended a TCTC/TRAX meeting. They discussed upcoming projects. He also reminded the community of the services they offer including rides to medical appointments. These public services are underutilized, and he encourages the community to take advantage of the services offered.
Lomeli: Attended a Chamber of Commerce meeting. They discussed the upcoming Tuesday Night Market, and the Fly-in event. The Chamber is looking for vendors for this event. She reminded the community of the upcoming Children’s Fair that is being held in Corning for the first time, followed by the free Easter Egg Hunt at Clark Park she has put on for the community.
Valerio: No meetings.
Hargens: No meetings.
Snow: No meetings.
N. ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Snow at 5:51pm.
Attest:
___________________
Rubi Ordaz, City Clerk
Posted: March 20, 2026