Item: G-2
CITY OF CORNING
CITY COUNCIL
CLOSED SESSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2026
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
794 THIRD STREET
A. CALL TO ORDER: 5:15 p.m.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Snow at 5:15pm.
B. ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers present:
Dave Demo
Shelly Hargens
Jose “Chuy” Valerio
Lisa Lomeli
Mayor- Robert Snow
Absent: None
C. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
D. REGULAR AGENDA:
1. Public Employment (§ 54957)
Title: Police Chief
E. ADJOURN TO REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION:
The closed session was adjourned at 5:33pm. Mayor Snow reported that there were no reportable actions.
Item: G-2
CITY OF CORNING
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2026
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
794 THIRD STREET
A. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Snow at 5:33pm.
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:
1. Proclamation: May 6, 2026 Tehama County Peace Officers’ Memorial Day.
Present to accept the Proclamation will be Pat Hurton, retired CHP Sergeant.
Pat Hurton invited the community to the 32nd Annual Tehama County Peace Officer’s Memorial Ceremony held at High Point Assembly in Red Bluff.
2. Proclamation: May 2026 as Older American’s Month. Present to accept the Proclamation will be Elaine Benwell, Corning Healthcare Districts Elder Services Program Manager.
Elaine presented information on how to help the elder community and how the Healthcare District assists with services for the elder community.
F. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR: No comments from the audience.
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 April 14, 2026, Closed and Regular City Council Meeting with any necessary corrections.
3. April 9 to April 22, 2026, Claim Warrant in the amount of $ 231,150.14.
4. April 23, 2026, Business License Report
Councilor Valerio moved to approve consent items 1-4; Councilor Demo seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Valerio, Demo, Hargens, Lomeli
Absent: None
Abstain/Opposed: None
Item: G-2
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 for Council input and consideration on the proposed water and sewer rate study.
Presented by City Manager, Brant Mesker and Alison Lechowicz from LT Municipal Consultant.
The City Council is reviewing draft recommendations for updated water and sewer rates. The rate study evaluates 5-year financial plans to cover operating costs, debt obligations, and needed infrastructure improvements. The City may currently be out of compliance with bondrelated debt coverage requirements, so all options include initial increases to address this.
Alison provided a fourth option that would fall between option 1 and 2 cost-wise and it would cut some projects to push off for a later date to bring down the increase rate.
Councilmembers Hargens, Lomeli, Demo, and Mayor Snow mutually agreed that the fourth alternative option was the best. Councilmember Valerio opted for Option 2. The rate consultant will draft a rate study report describing the rates as proposed and begin the Proposition 218 public notification process.
2. Authorize a contract with Bureau Veritas North America for on-call building related services through November 30, 2027
Presented by Building Official, Benjamin Mierzwak. The City plans to formalize its use of on-call consultants for building services by creating separate contracts with multiple qualified firms, including Bureau Veritas North America. This approach builds a flexible pool of experts to handle plan reviews and related services as demand changes, helping maintain timely and consistent service without relying solely on in-house staff.
Councilor Hargens moved to authorize the City Manager to sign a contract with Bureau Veritas North America for on-call building related services through November 30, 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
3. Accept Notice of Completion for the City of Corning Blackburn Well Repair Project with J&J Pumps.
Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. The Blackburn Well Repair project has been completed, inspected, and approved. Staff is requesting City Council to accept the project and authorize filing the Notice of Completion with the Tehama County Clerk and Recorder.
Councilor Demo moved to accept and direct the Public Works Director to sign the Notice of Completion and authorize the City Clerk to file notice with 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. Accept Notice of Completion for the Sewer Lift Station Generator Project with Benchmark Electric Inc.
Item: G-2
Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. The Sewer Lift Station Generator Project has been completed, inspected, and approved. Staff is requesting City Council to accept the project and authorize filing the Notice of Completion with the Tehama County Clerk and Recorder.
Councilor Hargens moved to accept and direct the Public Works Director to sign the Notice of Completion and authorize the City Clerk to file notice with 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
5. Approve agreement with Ben’s Trucking & Equipment, Inc. for the emergency response services for the City Plaza and Recreation Center Project.
Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. During demolition at the City Plaza site, unknown tanks were discovered. The City coordinated with the Tehama County Environmental Health Department, which requires testing to determine proper removal, disposal, and any needed soil cleanup. To avoid project delays and meet regulatory requirements, the City has hired an environmental contractor on a time-and-materials basis to test, remove, and dispose of the tanks, and perform remediation if necessary. Approval will allow work to proceed quickly and prevent construction delays and added costs. Eli also provided a project update.
Councilor Demo moved to approve the project update and authorize the City Manager to negotiate & execute a time and materials contract and any necessary documents with Ben’s Trucking & Equipment, Inc. for the emergency response services, tank testing, removal, & associated soil remediation at the City Plaza and Recreation Center project site; 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
6. Approve agreement with Mid Pacific Engineering, Inc. for the special inspection services for the City Plaza and Recreation Center Project.
Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. The City requested quotes for special inspection services for the City Plaza Project and received three proposals. Mid Pacific Engineering, Inc. submitted the lowest responsive bid at $50,708.38 and is recommended for contract approval. Special inspections are required during construction to ensure structural and safety components meet building code standards. The overall project, previously awarded to Ginno Construction, is funded through grants and City funds, and the inspection contract will be covered within those project funding sources.
Councilor Hargens moved to approve the agreement and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement with Mid Pacific Engineering, Inc. for special inspection services for the City Plaza and Recreation Center project in the amount of $50,708.38; 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
Item: G-2
7. Authorization of repairs for Fire Engine 3 and budget adjustment.
Presented by Fire Chief, Tom Tomlinson. Fire Engine 3 (ladder truck) experienced a mechanical failure requiring urgent repairs to maintain emergency response capability. Repairs included fixing the waterway system, replacing the braking system, and rebuilding a cylinder. Due to the specialized nature and urgency, staff is requesting to bypass formal bidding and use a qualified vendor for timely and reliable service. The repairs were not budgeted, so staff recommends transferring $31,780 from the Fire Department Painting/Repair budget to the Vehicle Maintenance budget to cover the costs.
Councilor Demo 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 budget transfer in the amount of $31,780 from fire department painting/repair budget (174-2300-6353) to fire department vehicle maintenance budget (001-2300-6350) and approve the purchase order and payment in the amount of $31,779.87 to Hi-Tech EVS, Inc for necessary repairs; 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:
Snow: No meetings.
Valerio: No meetings but will be attending a meeting where they will be discussing funds for PAL.
Hargens: No meetings.
Demo: Attended a TCTC meeting. They discussed upcoming projects.
Lomeli: Attended a Chamber of Commerce meeting. They will be hosting a free snow cones and books day in honor of National Children’s Memorial Day. The upcoming Tuesday Night Market is going to be a 5 De Mayo theme. The Chamber has Olive Festival T-shirts for sale. They are also collaborating with the city on a 4th of July event at the City Pool. The Chamber is looking for a graphic designer.
N. ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Snow at 6:48pm.
Attest:
___________________
Rubi Ordaz, City Clerk