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MINUTES
City Council
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
City Council Chamber – Norco City Hall
2820 Clark Avenue, Norco, CA 92860
CALL TO ORDER
3:30 PM
ROLL CALL
Greg Newton, Mayor
Robin Grundmeyer, Mayor Pro Tem
Katherine Aleman, Council Member
Kevin Bash, Council Member
Ted Hoffman, Council Member
BUDGET WORKSHOP
3:30 PM
Presentation of Preliminary Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Operating Budget.
City Manager Okoro and Finance Director Free presented the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Operating Budget, including the status of Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Operating Budget.
They reviewed the key factors affecting Fiscal Year 2022-2023, the General Fund, the Water Fund, the Sewer Fund, the Gas Tax Fund, the NPDES Fund, and Miscellaneous Grants. City Manager Okoro and City Staff answered questions from the Mayor and City Council related to the presentation.
Mayor Newton called for public comments.
There were no public comments at this time.
Mayor Newton adjourned the Workshop at 4:51 p.m.
CLOSED SESSIONS
Mayor Newton adjourned to Closed Sessions at 5:00 p.m.
§54957(b) – Public Employee Recruitment
Title: City Manager
§54956.9 (d)(2) and 54956.9 (e)(4)(5) – Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation Relating to Frontier Homes, LLC
§54956.8 - Conference with Legal Counsel -
Real Property Negotiation
Property: APN's 131-130-025 and 131-040-006
City Negotiator: City Manager Andy Okoro
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
BUDGET WORKSHOP CONTINUED
6:00 PM
Continuance of Presentation of Preliminary Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Operating Budget.
Mayor Newton called the continued Budget Workshop back to order at 6:21 p.m.
City Manager Okoro and Finance Director Free answered questions from the Mayor and City Council related to the first session of the Workshop.
City Manager Okoro continued with Preliminary Fiscal Year 2022-2022 Operating Budget presentation by starting the Department Overviews.
City Manager Okoro presented the Sheriffs Department Overview and answered Council Member Hoffman'squestions.
He then introduced Chief Veik to present the Fire Department Overview.
Fire Chief Veik presented the Fire Department Overview and answered questions from the Mayor and City Council.
City Manager Okoro presented the City Manager Department Overview and there were no questions.
City Clerk Roa presented the City Clerk Department Overview and there were no questions.
Communications Manager Newton presented the new Communications Department Overview and there were no questions.
City Manager Okoro presented the Economic Development and Human Resources Department Overview and also the Non-Departmental Budget.
He answered questions from City Council.
Finance Director Free presented Fiscal and Support Services Department overview and there were no questions.
Planning Director Robles presented the Community Development Department Overview and there were no questions.
Mayor Newton closed the Budget Workshop at this time and continued it to Tuesday May 31, 2022.
PUBLIC SESSION
Mayor Newton called the Public Session to order at 7:08 p.m.
REPORT OF ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Harper announced that Council Member Aleman recused herself as she had a conflict with one item. He also stated there were no reportable actions taken in Closed Sessions.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Kevin Bash
INVOCATION
Pastor Samuela Tuihalamaka
Beacon Hill Assembly of God
PRESENTATIONS
Community Spirit Award:
The Community Spirit Award was postponed to a future date.
Proclamations:
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Council Member Aleman and the City Council presented the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Proclamation to Jeff Shyu, BavornnanPortio and Cerin Takeuchi, community members who have contributed to the economic, cultural, spiritual, and/or political development of our City.
National Preservation Month
Mayor Newton presented the National Preservation Month Proclamation to Gary Evans, Carolyn Morse, and the Lake Narconian Club Members for their contributions to the preservation of Norco History.
Donation Presentation by Horseweek Committee
Tony Barreto from the Norco Horseweek Committee presented checks in the amounts of $8050 to City of Norco Animal Control , $2000 to the Norco Senior Center and $2000 for the Non-Profit Seniors and Pets.
1. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS ON REGIONAL BOARDS
The Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem and Council Members provided reports on their recent individual participation in committees, commissions, regional boards and community organizations.
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
a)
Approval of Consent Calendar.
Council Member Hoffman pulled Item H for Discussion.
M/S BASH/ALEMAN Approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar as presented. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, ALEMAN, BASH, AND HOFFMAN
NOES:
NONE
ABSENT:
NONE
ABSTAIN:
NONE
2.A.
Waive Reading of all Ordinance Adoptions on this Agenda and Read by Title Only.
Action: Waived reading, by title only, of all Ordinances and Resolutions. Said Ordinances and Resolutions which appear on the agenda shall be determined to have been read by title and further reading waived.
2.B.
Approval of City Council Special and Regular Meeting Minutes Action: Approved the City Council Special Meeting Minutes of April 28, 2022 and Regular Meeting Minutes of May 4, 2022.
2.C.
Approval and Adoption of the Annual Appropriations Limit for the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Action: Adopted
Resolution No. 2022-26
, approving the annual appropriations limit for Fiscal Year 2022-2023.
2.D.
Recap of Actions Taken by the Planning Commission at its Meeting Held on May 11, 2022 Action: Received and filed the recap of actions taken by the Planning Commission at its meeting held on May 18, 2022.
2.E.
Approval of Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Senate Bill 1 Project List Action: Adopted
Resolution No. 2022-27
, approving the FY 2022-2023 list of potential projects to be funded by Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account revenues created by Senate Bill 1.
2.F.
Cancel City Council Regular Meeting of June 1, 2022 and schedule City Council Special Meeting on May 31, 2022.
Action: Canceled City Council Regular Meeting of June 1, 2022 and schedule City Council Special Meeting on May 31, 2022.
2.G.
Declaration of Assorted Obsolete City Assets as Surplus Property; and Approval to Dispose through Auction, Donation and Scrap Action: Approved
Resolution No. 2022-28
, declaring assorted obsolete City assets as surplus property and authorized the City Manager to dispose them through auction, donation and scrap.
2.I.
Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Third Quarter Budget-to-Actual Report Action: Received and Filed Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Third Quarter Budget-to-Actual Report.
3. ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
2.H.
Facility Use Policy
Mayor Newton continued this item per staff request.
M/S HOFFMAN/BASH continue item to future City Council Agenda. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, ALEMAN, BASH, AND HOFFMAN
NOES:
NONE
ABSENT:
NONE
ABSTAIN:
NONE
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jim Pollard spoke regarding trails.
Robert Roth Pastor from
Norco Seventh Day Adventist Church spoke regarding a water bill issue at the church.
5. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEM(S)
5.A.
Purchase of Real Property Located at 4095 and 4061 Sierra Avenue, Assessors Parcel Numbers (APNs) 131-130-025 and 131-040-006 and Appropriating $2.5 Million from the City's Affordable Housing Fund City Manager Okoro presented report on the purchase of Real Property located at 4095 and 4061 Sierra Avenue.
He also discussed legislation, housing options,
6 cycle housing element, and the conditions in the staff report.
Mayor Newton and Council Members Aleman and Bash had questions for staff.
City Manager Okoro and staff answered questions and discussed concerns.
Mayor Newton opened public comments.
Geoff Kahan spoke in support of this item and discussed that it was a great project to support Veterans.
Bonnie Slager asked questions regarding the number of homes, how they will be purchased or rented and discussed concerns with high density and maintaining animal keeping.
City Manager Okoro answered questions.
Carmen Acosta asked for Council to consider this property for more senior housing.
Mayor Newton closed public comments.
Council Member Hoffman discussed Homes For Families and recommended the community review their website for details.
Council Member Bash discussed the project, stated this will be a good project for the community and recommended to the community look at this developers previous projects.
Council Member Aleman discussed that the money used on this project cannot be spent any other way and this is a good first step to a great partnership.
Following discussion Mayor Newton made a motion.
M/S NEWTON/BASH to authorize the purchase of approximately five (5) acres of real property located at 4095 and 4061 Sierra Avenue in the City of Norco - APNs 131-130-025 and 131-140-006 for Veterans Affordable Housing Project.
Adopt Successor Agency Resolution No. 2022-02, to appropriate $2.5 million from the Successor Housing Entity's Affordable Housing Asset Fund to pay for the $2.45 million purchase price and other incidental expenses related to the transaction. Any monies not needed will remain in the Affordable Housing Asset Fund.
The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, ALEMAN, BASH, AND HOFFMAN
NOES:
NONE
ABSENT:
NONE
ABSTAIN:
NONE
5.B.
Amendments to City’s General Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Finance Director Free presented the General Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year 2022-2023.
Council Member Bash was concerned with fees for George Ingalls Satellite Parking for Silver Lakes.
Council Member Aleman discussed the use and fees for rental of park shelters and open space reservations at Pikes Peak and Neal Snipes.
Council Member Hoffman discussed his concerns of the 10 percent CPI increase on fees to the Community and its impact. He discussed that this item should have went to the Parks and Rec Commission and EDAC. He asked as to what the current fees are at surrounding cities and how Norco compares. He asked if we had reached out to the users of the facilities.
Mayor Newton discussed development fees and planning fees and how we compare historically to other cities. He asked what has changed to justify the 10 percent increase.
City Manager Okoro and Facilities Manager Hamilton answered questions and discussed concerns.
Mayor Newton opened public comment.
Bonnie Slager discussed the fees at Corydon staging going up to 89$ but only get to use half due to construction, feels the fees are not fair for what they are getting to use.
Mayor Newton closed public comment.
Council Member Hoffman discussed that this is not the right time for these increases and possibly using the American Rescue Plan to offset these fees.
Council Member Aleman discussed not increasing the fees on open spaces, park fees, and youth sports at this time.
Council Member Bash discussed that these fees should be discussed by the Park and Rec commission and EDAC.
He discussed he is not in favor of the fees for Satellite Parking for Silverlakes and Gym cost increases.
Mayor Newton discussed he is not in support of the 10 percent increase in fees across the board.
City Manager Okoro addressed concerns and clarified the fees and impacts.
Council Member Hoffman made a motion to make no increases or nor more than 3 percent across the board.
Following discussion Council Member Hoffman rescinded his motion.
Following further discussion motion was made.
M/S HOFFMAN/NEWTON to make no increases at this time and return to Council at mid-year for further discussion. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NEWTON, BASH, AND HOFFMAN
NOES:
GRUNDMEYER AND ALEMAN
ABSENT:
NONE
ABSTAIN:
NONE
5.C.
Proclamation Presentations for National Holidays, Observances and Commemorative Days Communications Manager Newton presented the report on the National Holidays, Observances and Commemorative Days for feedback from the City Council.
Mayor Newton stated that he has reviewed the process previously approved by Council and feels this should be left as is.
Motion was made.
M/S NEWTON/BASH to leave the process for presentations for National Holidays, Observances and Commemorative Days as is, no changes. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, ALEMAN, BASH, AND HOFFMAN
NOES:
NONE
ABSENT:
NONE
ABSTAIN:
NONE
6. CITY COUNCIL / STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
City Clerk Roa reminded staff and the community of the Committee/Commission/Advisory Council annual recruitment.
Council Member Hoffman discussed the Fire in Laguna, the close proximity of the homes, and high fire danger and asked staff to look at zoning and approval of housing in the future.
Council Member Bash discussed the End of Watch Memorial and asked the Mayor how the City should approach the next steps in oppositions to High Power Transmission Lines.
Mayor Newton thanked the Sherriff Sargent and
Set Deputy for their work on the burglary issues on Norco Businesses.
He asked Public Works Director Blais where are we at the north signalization.
Public Works Director Blais stated there has been no discussion since last meeting.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Newton adjourned the meeting at 9:08 p.m.
_________________________________
Dana Roa, CMC
City Clerk