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1 City of Corona
City Council Minutes
Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 6:00 p.m.
Closed Session- Council Board Room
Council Present: Jacque Casillas, Wes Speake, Tony Daddario, Tom Richins Council Absent: Jim Steiner
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1. CONVENE CLOSED SESSION
Closed Session convened at time 5:00 p.m. for the purposes listed below. Present were Mayor Casillas, Vice Mayor Speake, Council Member Daddario, and Council Member Richins. Council Member Steiner was absent. Closed Session adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
1.1 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.8
AGENCY NEGOTIATOR: JACOB ELLIS, CITY MANAGER
PROPERTY: 118-270-049 APN , 815 W SIXTH STREET
NEGOTIATING PARTIES: VICTORIA STEPHAN, THE STEPHAN CENTER UNDER NEGOTIATION: PRICE & TERMS OF PAYMENT
1.2 CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6
AGENCY DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE: JACOB ELLIS, CITY MANAGER EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION: CORONA UTILITIES EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION
1.3 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(D)(1)
NAME OF CASE: CITY OF CORONA V. ROYAL RIDGE INVESTMENT INC., ET AL.
CASE NUMBER: RIVERSIDE SUPERIOR COURT CASE NO. RIC 2003117
2. INVOCATION - Pastor Shannon Scott, Grace Baptist Church The Invocation was led by Pastor Shannon Scott.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Casillas.
4. CONVENE OPEN SESSION
Mayor Casillas called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m.
5. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS/PRESENTATIONS
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2 5.1 PROCLAMATION: DONATE LIFE MONTH
Rita Jackson, OneLegacy Ambassador, accepted the proclamation.
5.2 RECOGNITION: CTE STUDENT
This recognition will be presented at the next City Council meeting.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
The Consent Calendar was approved with the exception of Item 6.3, which was voted on separately.
Moved by: Wes Speake
Seconded by: Tom Richins
That the City Council approve the Consent Calendar.
Aye (4): Jacque Casillas, Wes Speake, Tony Daddario, and Tom Richins Absent (1): Jim Steiner
MotionAPPROVED (4 to 0)
6.1 MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 18, 2026
THE MEETING MINUTES WERE APPROVED.
6.2 CITY COUNCIL ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 3427, SECOND READING
OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CORONA, CALIFORNIA
THIS ORDINANCE WAS ADOPTED.
6.3 CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT WITH DIAMOND CONSTRUCTION FOR THE
TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION AT BEDFORD CANYON ROAD AND
GEORGETOWN DRIVE
Vice Mayor Speake had inquiries and Savat Khamphou, Public Works Director, provided clarification.
Moved by: Wes Speake
Seconded by: Tony Daddario
That the City Council:
a. Adopt Plans and Specifications for the Traffic Signal Installation at Bedford Canyon Road and Georgetown Drive, Capital Improvement Project No. ST-2019-02, Notice Inviting Bids 26-020CA
b. Award Notice Inviting Bids 26-020CA to Diamond Construction, the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, for the total amount of $1,028,269 and waive any and all minor irregularities in the bidding document as submitted by said bidder.
c. Approve the construction contract with Diamond Construction, for the Traffic Signal Installation at Bedford Canyon Road and Georgetown DRAFT
3 Drive, Capital Improvement Project No. ST-2019-02, in the amount of $1,028,269.
d. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the construction contract with Diamond Construction, in the amount of $1,028,269, including any non-substantive exceptions, change orders, purchase orders, and amendments up to 10%, which is equivalent to $102,826, as authorized by Corona Municipal Code 3.08.050(H).
e. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to issue a purchase order to Diamond Construction, in the amount of $1,028,269.
f. Authorize a budgetary transfer in the amount of $640,000 from the Magnolia Avenue Bridge and Roadway Widening Project Capital Improvement Project No. ST-2015-01 to the Traffic Signal Installation at Bedford Canyon / Georgetown, Capital Improvement Project No. ST2019-02 within the Street and Traffic Signals Fund 211.
Aye (4): Jacque Casillas, Wes Speake, Tony Daddario, and Tom Richins Absent (1): Jim Steiner
MotionAPPROVED (4 to 0)
6.4 SECOND UPDATE ON EMERGENCY SEWER MAIN LINE AND PARKING LOT REPAIRS AT 3915 GREEN RIVER ROAD
THIS ITEM WAS APPROVED.
That the City Council receive and file the second update to contracted emergency sewer main line and parking lot repairs at 3915 Green River Road.
That the Corona Utility Authority review, ratify, and to the extent necessary, direct the City Council to take the above actions.
6.5 RESOLUTION DESIGNATING EXCLUSIVE HVAC CONTROL SYSTEM AND
PRODUCTS FOR THE CORONA PUBLIC LIBRARY
THIS RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED.
That the City Council:
a. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-012 designating the specific HVAC control system and products listed in Exhibit “A” of the resolution as exclusive standard HVAC control system and products to be used at City of Corona Public Library facility, in accordance with the authority provided under Public Contract Code Section 3400(c).
b. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to review, edit, and amend the exclusive standard specifications list in Resolution No. 2016-012 Exhibit A from time to time, as it pertains to the equipment, component, and products used only in the library, provided that any amendments are made in accordance with applicable law and in a form approved by the City Attorney under Public Contract Code 3400. The resolution shall take DRAFT
4 effect immediately upon adoption and remain in force until revoked by further action of the City Council.
7. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
The following residents addressed the Council: Brett Borschel, Fred Parr, Tami Friedrich, Mary Limon, Victoria Hibbard, Don Fuller, Karen Alexander, Don Kindred, Maddy Paxton, Wyatt Richins, Zoe, Rory Connell, and Joe Morgan.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
9. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
9.1 COUNCILMEMBER RICHINS’S REQUEST TO EXPAND THE 2026 SUMMER
LUNCH AT THE LIBRARY PROGRAM TO FIVE DAYS A WEEK
Daniell Whittington, Library Manager, provided a report.
Maddy Paxton, resident, addressed the Council in support of the proposed item.
The Council had inquiries and Ms. Wittington provided clarification.
The consensus of the Council was Option B.
That the City Council provide direction on:
a. Council Member Richin’s request to expand the Summer 2026 Lunch at the Library Program to five days per week.
i. If recommended, authorize a total appropriation in the amount of $15,140 from the General Fund to the Community Services Department’s operating budget ($7,570 for the remainder of FY 2026 and the remaining $7,570 to be included in the FY 2027 Proposed Budget).
b. That the City Council maintain the Lunch at the Library Program at two days per week for Summer 2026. Also, direct whether to explore expanding the program in subsequent years, contingent on additional funding and staffing capacity.
9.2 CONSIDERATION OF AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT FOR CITY MANAGER
Lori Sassoon, Chief Talent Officer, provided a report.
Rory Connell and Joe Morgan addressed the Council in opposition of the proposed item.
Moved by: Jacque Casillas
Seconded by: Tom Richins
That the City Council approve an amended and restated employment agreement for the City Manager.
Aye (3): Jacque Casillas, Tony Daddario, and Tom Richins DRAFT
5 Nay (1): Wes Speake
Absent (1): Jim Steiner
MotionAPPROVED (3 to 1)
10. LEGISLATIVE MATTERS
None.
11. REPORTS FROM BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
11.1 Library Board of Trustees
None.
11.2 Planning & Housing Commission
None.
11.3 Parks & Recreation Commission
None.
11.4 Regional Meetings
11.4.a UPDATE FROM MAYOR JACQUE CASILLAS ON THE WESTERN
RIVERSIDE COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (WRCOG) MEETING OF
MARCH 27, 2026
Mayor Casillas provided an update.
12. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORTS AND COMMENTS
None.
13. CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS AND COMMENTS
None.
14. CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
The Council provided comments.
14.1 REAPPOINTMENT TO THE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Mayor Casillas reappointed Shirley Towler-Hayes to the Library Board of Trustees.
Moved by: Jacque Casillas
Seconded by: Tony Daddario
That the City Council approve the appointment of Shirley Towler-Hayes to the Library Board of Trustees.
Aye (4): Jacque Casillas, Wes Speake, Tony Daddario, and Tom Richins Absent (1): Jim Steiner
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6 MotionAPPROVED (4 to 0)
15. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
15.1 E-BIKE MUNICIPAL CODE UPDATE (STAFF) APRIL 15, 2026
15.2 THIRD PARTY SPECIAL EVENTS POLICY (STAFF) APRIL 15, 2026
15.3 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE (STAFF) APRIL 15, 2026
15.4 SPRING FINANCIAL WORKSHOP (STAFF) APRIL 23, 2026
15.5 PROVIDE THE NUMBER OF HOUSING UNITS APPROVED BY THE CITY OF CORONA SINCE 2019 (W. SPEAKE) APRIL/MAY 2026
15.6 UPDATE OF CHAPTER 5.34 PEDDLERS AND SOLICITORS (W. SPEAKE) APRIL/MAY 2026
15.7 EXPLORE THE LEGALITIES OF REQUIRING CUP’S FOR OUTPATIENT DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CLINICS (W. SPEAKE) APRIL/MAY 2026
16. ADJOURNMENT
The next scheduled meeting of the Council is on April 15, 2026. Mayor Casillas adjourned the meeting at 7:24 p.m.