CITY OF CORNING
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 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:
Council: Dave Demo, Chuy Valerio, Lisa Lomeli
Mayor: Robert Snow
Absent: Shelly Hargens
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:
The Public Sector Manger from Waste Management introduced Sara as the new Recycle Education Representative for our community.
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.
Councilwoman Lisa Lomeli recused herself from this item due to a potential conflict of interest.
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 August 11,2026, Closed and Regular City Council Meeting with any necessary corrections.
3. July 2026 Treasurer’s Report
4. Approve appointment of Richard Poisson to fill one of two vacancies on the City’s Airport Commission.
5. Consider waiver of special event permit fee for the annual Homecoming Parade to be held on September 25, 2026.
6. Consider waiver of special event permit fee for a Homecoming event to be held on September 25, 2026.
Councilor Valerio moved to approve consent items 1-6; Councilor Demo seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Valerio, Demo
Absent: Hargens
Abstain/Opposed: None
Recused: Lomeli
Result: Motion was approved by a 3-0 vote with Hargens absent and Lomeli recused.
H. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: None
I. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MEETINGS:
1. Conduit financing for the Salado Orchard Apartments II Project.
This item was tabled to the end of the meeting.
Presented by Planner, Christina Meeds and Jared a representative of CMFA. The City Council is holding a TEFRA public hearing regarding the proposed issuance of up to $10 million in taxexempt revenue bonds by the California Municipal Finance Authority (CMFA) to finance or refinance a multifamily housing project at 250 Toomes Avenue, Corning. The City will need to become a CMFA member but will have no financial or repayment obligation and there is no cost for membership. The City is also expected to receive a portion of the CMFA’s issuance fee as a grant to the General Fund.
Opened and closed the public hearing at 5:59pm with no comments from the audience.
Councilor Demo moved to conduct the public hearing under the requirements of TEFRA and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and adopt the resolution approving the issuance of the Bonds by the CMFA for the benefit of Corning Pacific Associates II, LP (the “Borrower”), to provide for the financing of the Project, such adoption is solely for the purposes of satisfying the requirements of TEFRA, the Code and the California Government Code Section 6500 (and following). The resolution will also authorize the Mayor or designee thereof to execute the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement with the CMFA; Councilor Valerio seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Valerio, Demo, Lomeli
Absent: Hargens
Abstain/Opposed: None
Result: Motion was approved by a 4-0 vote with Hargens absent J. REGULAR AGENDA:
1. Approve purchase of two new 2026 Police Interceptors from Corning Ford.
Presented by Police Chief, Eduardo Curiel. Staff recommends purchasing two 2026 Ford Police Interceptors for the Police Department due to the limited availability of vehicles and delays in the normal ordering process. Staff also recommends waiving the formal bid process to expedite the purchase. The total cost is $112,323.90, including taxes, fees, and delivery. The purchase and upfitting are covered by the $250,000 budgeted for police vehicles in FY 2026/2027.
Councilor Demo moved to approve that 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 necessary purchasing documents for two new ford police interceptors without going out for formal bid, for a total cost of $112,323.90; Councilor Valerio seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Valerio, Demo, Lomeli
Absent: Hargens
Abstain/Opposed: None
Result: Motion was approved by a 4-0 vote with Hargens absent.
2. Ratify the side letter to the Dispatch Bargaining Unit MOU regarding converting up to 50% of unpaid accumulated vacation to cash payment.
Presented by City Manager, Brant Mesker. The Side Letter corrects a clerical error in the Dispatcher MOU regarding vacation cash-out. It restores the option for employees to convert up to 50% of accumulated unpaid vacation to cash, rather than the incorrect 25% limit. Employees who already cashed out 25% between February 1, 2026 and the execution of the Side Letter may cash out an additional 25%.
Councilor Valerio moved to approve the City of Corning Dispatch Unit Side Letter Agreement converting up to 50% of unpaid accumulated vacation to cash payment; Councilor Snow seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Valerio, Demo, Lomeli
Absent: Hargens
Abstain/Opposed: None
Result: Motion was approved by a 4-0 vote with Hargens absent.
3. Award the Airport Engineering and Planning Consultant Services Agreement to LJA Engineering, Inc.
Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. Staff recommends contracting with LJA Engineering, Inc. for five-year Airport Engineering and Planning Consultant Services after completing the FAA-required qualifications-based selection process. The consultants will assist with airport improvements, planning, engineering, environmental review, grant administration, and FAA coordination. There is no immediate fiscal impact, as fees will be negotiated by task order and projects are largely funded through FAA AIP grants, which typically cover 90–95% of eligible project costs.
Vice President, Ken Moen, from LJA introduced himself and provide some background on his career and how he will be a good fit as our consultant.
Councilor Demo moved to award the Professional Airport Engineering and Planning Consultant Services Agreement to LJA Engineering, INC, and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement for a duration of three (3) years with a city option of up to two (2) additional one-year extensions; Councilor Valerio seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Valerio, Demo, Lomeli
Absent: Hargens
Abstain/Opposed: None
Result: Motion was approved by a 4-0 vote with Hargens absent.
4. Adopt Resolution 08-25-2026-02 authorizing the City Manager to execute the agreement with the FAA for the Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG), Grant No. 3-06- 0053-015-2026, and all other necessary documents related to this project.
Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. The FAA has approved a $156,750 grant to fund the design of Runway 17/35 Runway Safety Area improvements. Staff recommends authorizing the City Manager to execute the grant agreement by September 4, 2026 to secure the funding. The FAA will fund 95% of the project, with the City responsible for the remaining 5% local match, which will be requested when the project contract is executed.
Councilor Demo moved to adopt resolution 08-25-2026-01 authorizing the City Manager to execute the agreement with the FAA for the Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG), Grant No. 3-06- 0053-015-2026; Councilor Valerio seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Valerio, Demo, Lomeli
Absent: Hargens
Abstain/Opposed: None
Result: Motion was approved by a 4-0 vote with Hargens absent.
5. Authorize staff to solicit bids for citywide pest control services.
Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. Staff requests approval of the specifications and authorization to solicit bids for a three-year pest control services contract covering City buildings, parks, and well sites from December 1, 2026, through November 30, 2029. Services will be provided bi-weekly.
Councilor Valerio moved to approve the specifications and authorize staff to solicit bids for citywide pest control services; Councilor Demo seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Valerio, Demo, Lomeli
Absent: Hargens
Abstain/Opposed: None
Result: Motion was approved by a 4-0 vote with Hargens absent.
6. Authorize staff to solicit bids for citywide weed control services.
Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. Staff requests approval to solicit bids for a three-year weed control services contract covering City properties, parks, well sites, rights-ofway, alleys, and drainage ditches. Services will be provided bi-weekly or as needed from December 1, 2026, through November 30, 2029.
Councilor Demo moved to approve the specifications and authorize staff to solicit bids for citywide weed control services; Councilor Valerio seconded the motion.
Ayes: Snow, Valerio, Demo, Lomeli
Absent: Hargens
Abstain/Opposed: None
Result: Motion was approved by a 4-0 vote with Hargens absent.
K. ITEMS PLACED ON THE AGENDA FROM THE FLOOR: None
L. COMMUNICATIONS, CORRESPONDENCE, AND INFORMATION: None M. REPORTS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Demo: TRAX is now offering a bust route from the north state down to Sacramento Airport.
Lomeli: Missed her meeting but reminded the community of the Tuesday Night Market coming up on September 8th.
Valerio: Attended the Corning Recreation open gym volleyball class and encourages more people to attend.
Hargens: Absent
Snow: No meetings.
N. ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Snow adjourned the meeting at 6:09pm
Attest:
____________________
Rubi Ordaz, City Clerk