Split-screen / Notes
Video
MINUTES
City Council
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
City Council Chamber – Norco City Hall
2820 Clark Avenue, Norco, CA 92860
CALL TO ORDER
4:34 PM
ROLL CALL
Kevin Bash, Council Member
Greg Newton, Council Member
Robin Grundmeyer, Mayor
Katherine Aleman, Council Member
Ted Hoffman, Mayor Pro Tem
STUDY SESSION
Recycled Water System Condition and Future Use - Oral report Director Blais provided background history pertaining to the City's recycled water system between 2005 to 2008. Due to State permit delays, WRCRWA was unable to discharge recycled water to Norco until the permit was obtained in 2019. As a result, the existing booster station pumps/valves are inoperable due to lack of activity, which now requires replacement.
City Manager Sassoon provided direction to the City Council noting this is just starting a dialogue, no decision needs to be made tonight; staff is looking for direction.
The desired goal of developing a reclaimed water system is to reduce the City’s demand on potable water by offering reclaimed water initially to the Navy and to City parks.
Additional customers might be possible but would require additional mainline infrastructure at a significant cost.
Director Blais reviewed the required minimum improvements needed and potential costs to develop a fully functioning reclaimed water system in Norco.
The customer rate for reclaimed water cannot be determined until a rate study is done which staff plans to bring on a consultant to assist in preparing the rate study.
Director Blais and City Manager Sassoon answered the Council's questions and staff will bring back additional information about potential options of how the reclaimed water system might be implemented and the construction cost scenarios.
CLOSED SESSIONS
City Attorney announced that City Council will now adjourn to the Closed Session portion of the meeting. 54956.9 (d)(1) - Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation Public Employee Relations Board v. City of Norco, et al.
Case Number: LA-CE-1575-M
§54957.6 – Conference with Labor Negotiator
Negotiating Party: City Manager Sassoon
Norco General Employees Association, Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO Local 606, Unrepresented Employees: Mid-Management, Confidential, and Management Employees §54956.9 (d)(4) – Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation Initiation of Litigation - Potential One Case
RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION
Mayor Newton reconvened to the Public Session at 7:12 p.m.
REPORT OF ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Burns stated that there were no reportable actions on the closed session items discussed.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Pro Tem Robin Grundmeyer
INVOCATION
Pastor Rolando Rosales
Beacon Hill Assembly of God
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 member of the public pulled Agenda Item 2.H.
a)
Approval of Consent Calendar as presented.
M/S ALEMAN/BASH Approved remaining Consent Calendar items as presented. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
BASH, NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, ALEMAN, AND HOFFMAN
NOES:
NONE
ABSENT:
NONE
ABSTAIN:
NONE
2.A.
Waive Reading of all Ordinance Adoptions on this Agenda and Read by Title Only 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. carried
2.B.
Approval of City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Approved the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of November 16, 2022. carried
2.C.
Approval of Two Companies to Provide Emergency On-Call Homeless Encampment Cleanup Services Approve contracts for two companies to provide emergency on-call homeless encampment cleanup services for Fiscal Years 2022-2023 to 2027-2028. carried
2.D.
Acceptance of Bids and Award of Contract for the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Residential Street Overlay Project Accepted bids and awarded a contract to Eagle Paving Company, Inc. for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2023 Residential Street Overlay Project in the amount of $1,263,000 and authorized the City Manager to approve contract change orders up to 10 percent of the total bid amount. carried
2.E.
Execution of a Cooperative Funding Agreement between the City of Norco and the Riverside County Flood Control & Water Conservation District for the Catch Basin Retrofit Project (Trash Screens) Approved the Cooperative Funding Agreement between the City of Norco and Riverside County Flood Control & Water Conservation District to design and construct the Catch Basin Retrofit Project (Trash Screens), and authorized the Mayor to execute the agreement. carried
2.F.
City Council Holiday Meeting Schedule
Cancelled the City Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday January 4, 2022. carried
2.G.
Consideration of a Side Letter Agreement and Policy for Employer-Paid Training California Commercial Driver’s License for the Utility Workers Union of America, Local 606 Approved a Side Letter Agreement and Policy for Employer-Paid Training California Commercial Driver’s License for the Utility Workers Union of America, Local 606 with an effective date of July 1, 2022. carried
2.I.
Acceptance of the Center Avenue Street Improvements Project as Complete Accepted the Center Avenue Street Improvements Project as complete and authorized the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the County of Riverside. carried
3. ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
2.H.
Additional Appropriation of Funds for the Fire Station 47 Ingress/Egress Driveway Approach Improvement Project, Project No. 4505.4 Mike Williams noted his concern that this item was not presented to the Streets, Trails and Utilities Commission (STUC) prior to being presented to Council.
On behalf of Facilities and Maintenance Director Hamilton, City Manager Sassoon stated that although she is unsure the reason, she can only offer that this was a small repair needed of the driveway for Fire Station 47. Adding that typically, this type of project would have gone before the Commission for review.
Mayor Newton had a few questions based on the scope of work needed, but agreed that due to modification on items used, it should have been reviewed by STUC; adding that Commission input is valuable. Going forward communication with all Commissions is important.
Council Member Hoffman noted that this was a carry-over project from 2021-2022, could be the reason it didn't go before the Commission.
Council Member Bash agreed with the comments made, adding that this item was in dire need and needs to be done sooner than later.
M/S NEWTON/HOFFMAN Adopted Resolution No. 2022-81 to approve appropriation of funds from Fund 142, Fire Improvement Fund in the amount $25,700 that includes a 10% contingency.
The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
BASH, NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, ALEMAN, AND HOFFMAN
NOES:
NONE
ABSENT:
NONE
ABSTAIN:
NONE
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mike Williams spoke on the cancellation of STUC meetings of late, asked that staff considers they are working for us, the residents; asked that the Commission Members, appointed by City Council be heard on any and all subjects in purview of each Commission.
Geoff Kahan thanked staff and volunteers for a wonderful Pearl Harbor Event earlier in the day. He noted that on December 5, 2012, approx. 10 years ago, Council voted to approve George A. Ingalls Veterans Memorial Project, his son had donated funds for the project; to commemorate this, Mr. Kahan donated $1000 to the Memorial. Council Member Bash gladly accepted it on behalf of the City.
Bonnie Slager thanked City Council on their efforts against the Riverside Transmission Reliability Project; giving up their time to attend the many meetings on behalf of the City of Norco.
5. LEGISLATIVE MATTERS
5.A.
Second Reading, Ordinance 1090 (City of Norco): An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Norco, California, to amend Norco Municipal Code Title 8 “Animals”, to add Chapter 8.09 “Working Animal Protection Act”. Code Amendment 2022-04 M/S NEWTON/GRUNDMEYER Adopted Ordinance No. 1090, Second Reading, amending Norco Municipal Code Title 8 "Animals" to add Chapter 8.09 "Working Animal Protection Act". Code Amendment 2022-04. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
BASH, NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, ALEMAN, AND HOFFMAN
NOES:
NONE
ABSENT:
NONE
ABSTAIN:
NONE
6. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEM(S)
6.A.
Comprehensive update to the City of Norco General Plan
Planning Director Robles presented an overview of what a General Plan is, its purpose, and what the State's requirements are. There are seven (7) Elements, each have to be updated every few years. Many of the City's Elements are outdated, needing to be updated to address new State regulations and laws.
In response to Council, City Manager Sassoon stated that to avoid possible overreach by the State, it is best for Norco to be pro-active; and noting this will be a 2-2.5-year project.
City Council all agreed that community input/involvement is important.
There were no public speaker cards for this item.
Following further discussion motion was made.
M/S BASH/NEWTON Directed staff to proceed with a comprehensive update to the City of Norco General Plan.
The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
BASH, NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, ALEMAN, AND HOFFMAN
NOES:
NONE
ABSENT:
NONE
ABSTAIN:
NONE
7. PUBLIC HEARING(S)
7.A.
Urgency Ordinance to regulate Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) of Norco Municipal Code Chapter 18.30, Section 18.30.46 "Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units", in accordance with new State law standards.
Planning Director Robles explained the need for this urgency ordinance, due to new State regulations if not done the current Norco Municipal Code would become null and void. This ordinance will address changes to be in of Norco's lifestyle.
Director Robles answered questions from the City Council; noting that animal keeping areas may be affected if there is no other location on the property to place an ADU, including in the front yard providing set backs are met.
Mayor Newton opened the public hearing for comments:
Mike Thompson questioned if PAKA shapes would change because if this change. in response staff indicated that it would not be affected.
Mayor Newton closed the public hearing.
Council Member Hoffman noted that parking in residential areas needs to be reviewed.
Council Member Bash asked if legalizing ADUs will give the City housing credit by State requirements.
After additional discussion, motion was made.
M/S ALEMAN/GRUNDMEYER Adopt Urgency Ordinance No. 1091, approving the revision of the Norco Municipal Code Section 18.30.46 "Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units".
The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
BASH, GRUNDMEYER, ALEMAN, AND HOFFMAN
NOES:
NEWTON
ABSENT:
NONE
ABSTAIN:
NONE
8. CITY COUNCIL / STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Public Works Director Blais shared that the bridge is coming along great, a portion of the bridge will open soon.
At this time, construction is one year behind.
Community Services Director Anglin invited everyone to the Breakfast with Santa and Parade of Lights and Christmas Festival on Saturday, December 10, 2022.
Council Member Hoffman noted that the CERT trailers need a little care to be road ready; currently stored at Fire Station 57.
Council Member Aleman attended a Conference earlier this year, one topic of discussion was on getting the youth of our community involved. She asked to agendize a discussion to have a Youth Commission Member sit on the Advisory Commissions.
M/S ALEMAN/BASH to add on a future agenda the discussion of having a community youth serve on any of the advisory commissions. Motion was passed by the following unanimous vote.
AYES:
NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, ALEMAN, BASH, HOFFMAN
NOES:
NONE
ABSTAIN:
NONE
ABSENT:
NONE
Council Member Bash remarked that he appreciates that the City Council and staff work well together, even if we don't always agree, everyone is civil. Staff works hard to bring forth the City Council's visions.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Newton adjourned the meeting at 8:49 p.m.
_________________________________
Dana Roa, CMC
City Clerk