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MINUTES
City Council
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
City Council Chamber – Norco City Hall
2820 Clark Avenue, Norco, CA 92860
CALLED TO ORDER
5:00 PM
ROLL CALL
Robin Grundmeyer, Mayor
Kevin Bash, Mayor Pro Tem
Katherine Aleman, Council Member
Berwin Hanna, Council Member
Greg Newton, Council Member
A.
WORKSHOP
Strategic Plan Update
Communication Manager Newton presented the 2023 update of the 2022-2026 Strategic Plan.
Following discussion and without formal motion the Mayor and City Council received and ordered filed the Strategic Plan Update.
CLOSED SESSIONS
Mayor Grundmeyer adjourned to Closed Sessions at 5:36 p.m.
Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation
Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9
Name of case: In re City of Norco FPPC 18/789
Conference With Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: 1 potential case Conference with Labor Negotiator
Agency designated representatives: City Manager Sassoon Employee organization: Utility Workers Union of America Conference with Real Property Negotiation
Pursuant to Government Code 54956.8
Property: 130-240-008
City Negotiator: City Manager Lori Sassoon
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
Conference with Real Property Negotiation
Pursuant to Government Code 54956.8
Property:192-180-005
City Negotiator: City Manager Lori Sassoon
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
RECONVENED PUBLIC SESSION - 6:05 PM
REPORT OF ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Burns stated there were no reportable actions taken on item related to Labor Negotiations and stated the remainder of Closed Sessions will be heard at the end of the meeting.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Greg Newton
INVOCATION
Mayor Robin Grundmeyer led the invocation.
PRESENTATIONS
Proclamation - Parks Make Life Better Month
Mayor Grundmeyer presented a Proclamation recognizing the month of July as Parks Make Life Better Month to Community Service Director Anglin and Staff on behalf of the community.
Community Service Director Anglin spoke regarding her appreciation for the City Council, Staff and the Community for supporting the parks and services.
Norco Horseweek Presenting Donations
Representatives from Norco Horseweek Committee presented monetary donations to Norco Animal Shelter in the amount of $9,000, Norco High School FFA in the amount of $8,000, Norco Senior Center in the amount of $10,000, Norco Senior and Pet Relief $10,000 and NART in the amount of $2,500.
INTRODUCTION - ITEM WAS CONTINUED.
Bryson Keener
CAL FIRE Battalion Chief
B.
2023 COMMITTEE/COMMISSION ANNUAL RECRUITMENT
2023 Annual Committee/Commission Appointments
City Clerk Roa presented the report on the Annual Recruitment of Commissions and Committees. She outlined the vacancies, reviewed the requirements to apply for a City Commission or Committee and reviewed the process taken for the recruitment.
Mayor Grundmeyer opened public comments.
The following applicants spoke on their behalf: Carolyn Morse, Linda Chavez - Gaffney, Aaron Williams, Mike Thompson, Sam Tavallodi, Kevin Emenaker, Mark Long, Audrey Pavia, Sean Gill, Sherry Walker, Mike Williams, Victor Sandoval, Omar Sanchez, Michelle Heasley, Sandra Hernandez, Rich Beesmer, Connor Knox, Matthew Knox, Vicki Leonard, Danny Azevedo, and Skylar Kasey provided a video.
Mayor Grundmeyer closed Public Comments.
City Clerk Roa processed the Measure R Citizen's Oversight Committee vacancy via Randomdraw.org.
The five applicants that were chosen to fill the vacancies were Susan Olmstead-Bowen, Richard Beesmer, Jerry Burke, Sean Gill and Victoria Leonard who will fill the unscheduled vacancy term ending June 2025.
City Clerk Roa opened discussion with Mayor and City Council to either appoint an applicant for the Planning Commission at the current City Council meeting or opt to interview applicants at a later date.
Following discussion, the Mayor and City Council made a motion to appoint an applicant to fill the Planning Commission vacancy at the current City Council Meeting.
City Clerk Roa provided Planning Commission Ballots to each Council Member and the vote was unanimous for incumbent Danny Azevedo.
City Clerk Roa began appointment process for the Historic Preservation and Agriculture Heritage Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Street, Trails and Utilities Commission by providing an individual ballot to the Mayor and each Council Member for each Committee and Commission.
City Clerk Roa and Public Works Director Blais, as observer, tallied ballots for each Committee/Commission and provided the appointed names to the City Council.
The Council appointed the following applicants to the Historic Preservation and Agricultural Heritage Commission:
Carolyn Morse
- Unanimous 5-0
James Yellis
- Unanimous 5-0
Sam Tavallodi
- 4 -1 Votes, Mayor Grundmeyer, Mayor Pro Tem Bash, Council Members Aleman and Hanna.
Council Member Newton voting Dan Letbetter.
Michelle Heasley
- 4-1 Votes, Mayor Grundmeyer, Mayor Pro Tem Bash, Council Members Aleman and Newton.
Council Member Hanna voting Sherry Walker.
David Meadows
- 3-2 Votes, Mayor Grundmeyer, Mayor Pro Tem Bash and Council Member Newton.
Council Members Hanna and Aleman voting Dan Letbetter.
The Council appointed the following applicant to the Parks and Recreation Commission:
Kathryn Grossman
- 3-2 Votes, Mayor Pro Tem Bash and Council Members Aleman and Newton. Mayor Grundmeyer voted Victor Sandoval and Council Member Hanna voted Aaron Williams.
The Council appointed the following applicants to Streets, Trails and Utilities Commission:
Audrey Pavia
- Unanimous
Michael Williams
- Unanimous
Sherry Walker
- 4-1 Votes, Mayor Grundmeyer, Mayor Pro Tem Bash, Council Members Newton and Hanna. Council Member Aleman voting Aaron Williams Michael Thompson
- 4-1 Votes, Mayor Grundmeyer, Mayor Pro Tem Bash, Council Members Newton and Hanna. Council Member Aleman voting Linda Chavez-Gaffney.
City Clerk Roa opened discussion with Mayor and City Council for a motion to approve list of George Ingalls Veteran Committee members to be appointed to the newly established Veterans Commission.
Following discussion, motion was made to appoint Veteran Committee members as outlined int he staff report to the newly established Veterans Commission.
City Clerk Roa provided Youth Commissioner Ballots to each Council Member to choose 1 Youth Applicant to each Committee and Commission.
City Clerk Roa and Public Works Director Blais, as observer, tallied ballots for each Committee/Commission and provided the appointed names to the City Council.
The City Council appointed the following youth to the following committees/commissions:
Sandra Hernandez
to Historic Preservation and Agriculture Heritage Commission Omar Sanchez
to the Measure R Citizens' Oversight Commission
Matthew Knox
to the Parks and Recreation Commission
Henry Langlois
to the Planning Commission.
Conner Knox
to the Streets, Trails and Utilities Commission.
All voting ballots will be uploaded for public view on the City website.
M/S BASH/NEWTON Approve applicants selected by random draw for Measure R Citizens Oversight Committee. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
GRUNDMEYER, BASH, ALEMAN, HANNA, AND NEWTON
NOES:
NONE
ABSENT:
NONE
ABSTAIN:
NONE
M/S HANNA/GRUNDMEYER To appoint applicant to Planning Commission with no interviews. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
GRUNDMEYER, BASH, ALEMAN, HANNA, AND NEWTON
NOES:
NONE
ABSENT:
NONE
ABSTAIN:
NONE
M/S ALEMAN/HANNA To appoint Veteran Committee members as outlined in the staff report to the newly established Veterans Commission. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
GRUNDMEYER, BASH, ALEMAN, HANNA, AND NEWTON
NOES:
NONE
ABSENT:
NONE
ABSTAIN:
NONE
1. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS ON REGIONAL BOARDS
Mayor Grundmeyer, 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 as Presented
M/S BASH/GRUNDMEYER Approve Consent Calendar as Presented. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
GRUNDMEYER, BASH, ALEMAN, HANNA, AND NEWTON
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 Regular Meeting Minutes.
Waived: Approved the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of June 21, 2023.
2.C.
Acceptance of the Norco MDP Lateral N-1C Extension Storm Drain Project as Complete Action: Accepted the Norco MDP Lateral N-1C Extension Storm Drain Project as complete and authorized the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the County of Riverside.
2.D.
Approval of Memorandum of Understanding for Norco General Employees Association (NGEA) and Salary Schedules for FY 2023-24 and 2024-25.
Action: Adopted
Resolution No. 2023-43
to approve Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Norco and Norco General Employees Association for July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, and Adopted Resolution No. 2023-44
to approve the salary schedules for FY 2023-24 and 2024-25.
2.E.
Approval and Adoption of Salary and Benefits Related to Management and MidManagement/ Confidential Personnel for Fiscal Year 2023-24 and 2024-25 and add City Manager classification to the Salary Schedule Action: Adopted
Resolution No. 2023-45
, to approve and update the Salary and Benefits for Management Personnel for Fiscal Years 2023-24 and 2024-25; and Resolution No.
Resolution No. 2023-46
, to approve and update the Salary and Benefits for Mid-Management/Confidential Personnel for Fiscal Years 2023-24 and 2024-25 and add City Manager classification to the Salary Schedule.
2.F.
Quarterly Investment Report for Quarter Ended June 30, 2023 Action: Received and filed the Quarterly Investment Report for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2023.
2.G.
Participation in the County of Riverside's Urban County Program for Fiscal Years 2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27 Action: Adopted
Resolution No. 2023-47
, authorizing participation in the County of Riverside's Urban County Program for Fiscal Years 2024-25, 2025-26 and 2026-27; and approved the Cooperation Agreement for the Community Development Block Grant, Home Investment Partnerships Program and Emergency Solutions Grant.
2.H.
Cooperative Funding Agreement between the City of Norco and the Riverside County Flood Control & Water Conservation District for the Norco Elementary School Storm Drain Project Action: Approved the Cooperative Funding Agreement between the City of Norco and Riverside County Flood Control & Water Conservation District (RCFC&WCD) to design and construct the Norco Elementary School Storm Drain Project, subject to non-substantive changes and approval by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors; and authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement.
2.I.
Acceptance of Bids and Award of Contract for the Reservoir Drive and 1525 Hamner Avenue Improvements Action: Accepted bids and awarded a contract to Wright Construction Engineering Corp, Inc. for the Reservoir Drive and 1525 Hamner Avenue Improvements in the amount of $269,162.50 and authorized the City Manager to approve contract change orders up to 10 percent of the total bid amount.
2.J.
Consideration of an update to the City's resolution establishing restricted parking areas, adding time limited parking for "Bus Parking Only" at Riverview Elementary School Action: Adopted
Resolution 2023-49
to add time-limited parking for School Buses in front of Riverview Elementary School.
2.K.
Authorize Appropriation of Funds for Emergency Repairs to Shadow Canyon Action: Approved appropriation of funds in the amount $76,986 and authorized the City Manager to approve contract change orders up to 10% of the original contract amount.
2.L.
Disposition of City Council Regular Meeting of September 20, 2023.
Action: Canceled September 20, 2023, Meeting and scheduled a Special Meeting for Monday, September 18, 2023.
2.M.
Acceptance of Bids and Award of Contract for the Temescal Avenue Improvements (Sixth St to Seventh St) Action: Accepted bids and awarded a contract to Onyx Paving Company, Inc. for the Temescal Avenue Improvements - Sixth St. to Seventh St. in the amount of $1,727,000 and authorized the City Manager to approve contract change orders up to 10 percent of the total bid amount.
2.N.
Proposition 218 Process and Procedures for Landscape Maintenance Districts 2 & 3 Action: Authorized staff to initiate the Proposition 218 process to seek property owner approval for Landscape Maintenance District 2 with a proposed increase of 16%, and Landscape Maintenance District 3 with a proposed increase of 19%.
2.O.
Norco Fair Lease and Event Agreement
Action: Approved 5-Year Lease and Event Agreement with the Norco Fair Committee for the annual event held at the George Ingalls Equestrian Event Center.
2.P.
Norco Mounted Posse PRCA Rodeo Lease and Event Agreement Action: Approved 5-Year Lease and Event Agreement with the Norco Mounted Posse Committee for the annual PRCA Rodeo held at the Ingalls Equestrian Event Center.
3. ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
There were no items pulled from the Consent Calendar.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Aaron Williams spoke in support of recommendation from STUC Committee to maintain backyard trails.
Bonnie Slager reminded community that it is Norco Fair button time at a cost of $15. She also spoke of her concerns about back yard trails and E Bikes on the Trails.
5. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEM(S)
5.A.
Approve Professional Services Contract with RHA Landscape Architects-Planners, Inc. for the Parks and Public Facilities Master Plan Needs Assessment and Amend the FY 23-24 Measure R Budget.
Community Services Director Anglin presented staff report and introduced Doug Groves from RHA Landscape Architects Planners to present.
Mr. Groves presented Parks and Public Facilities Master Plan Needs Assessment presentation an answered questions from the Mayor and City Council.
Mayor Grundmeyer opened Public Comments.
There were no Public Comments at this time.
Mayor Grundmeyer closed Public Comments.
The Mayor and City Councill discussed concerns and asked questions of Staff and the Consultant which were addressed.
Following discussion motion was made.
M/S BASH/HANNA Approve Professional Services Contract with RHA Landscape Architects-Planners, Inc. for the Parks and Public Facilities Master Plan Needs Assessment in an amount not-to-exceed $225,355; and appropriate additional funds in the amount of $175,355 from Measure R to the is project. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
GRUNDMEYER, BASH, ALEMAN, AND HANNA
NOES:
NEWTON
ABSENT:
NONE
ABSTAIN:
NONE
5.B.
Consideration of next steps regarding retention of State Legislative Advocacy services City Manager Sassoon presented the report on the disposition of the contracted State Legislative Advocacy Services we currently have.
Mayor Grundmeyer opened Public Comment.
There was no Public Comment at this time.
Mayor Grundmeyer closed Public Comment.
The Mayor and City Council discussed concerns and asked questions of staff which were addressed.
Following discussion motion was made.
M/S BASH/ALEMAN To terminate contract with State Legislative Advocacy Services at this time. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
GRUNDMEYER, BASH, ALEMAN, HANNA, AND NEWTON
NOES:
NONE
ABSENT:
NONE
ABSTAIN:
NONE
5.C.
Adopt a First Amended and Restated City Manager Employment Agreement and Adopt a Resolution Establishing the Salary Step Assignment for the City Manager.
City Manager Sassoon left the Chamber at this time.
City Attorney Burns presented the report regarding the City Managers Employment Agreement and establishing the Salary Step Assignment for the City Manager.
Mayor Grundmeyer opened Public Comments.
There were no Public Comments at this time.
Mayor Grundmeyer closed Public Comments.
The Mayor and City Council commented on item and asked questions which were addressed by staff.
Following discussion motion was made.
M/S BASH/HANNA Adopt a First Amended and Restated City Manager Employment Agreement and Adopt Resolution: 2023-48 Establishing the Salary Step Assignment for the City Manager. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
GRUNDMEYER, BASH, ALEMAN, HANNA, AND NEWTON
NOES:
NONE
ABSENT:
NONE
ABSTAIN:
NONE
6. CITY COUNCIL / STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
City Manager Sassoon reminded Community and Staff of the excessive heat warnings for the next few weeks and asked that the Community check on their neighbors. She reminded the Leadership Team to manage staff to keep them safe in this heat.
Council Member Newton discussed the overgrowth on Norco Hills Road and asked staff to look into it.
Council Member Aleman thanked staff for a great July Fourth event and asked Community Services Director Anglin to review the cooling center locations.
Community Services Director Anglin reminded the community of the cooling center locations and hours.
Mayor Pro Tem Bash asked staff to connect with Monica Green at Norco College regarding the construction project on Third Street and Hamner Avenue and to remind community that E Bikes are not allowed on trails. He also discussed trees on Corona Avenue at the new project.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Grundmeyer adjourned to Closed Sessions in Memory of Jean Hoffman at 9:48 pm Mayor Grundmeyer reconvened regular public session at 10:21 p.m.
City Attorney Burns stated that there were no reportable actions held in Closed Sessions.
Mayor Grundmeyer adjourned the meeting at 10:22 p.m.
_________________________________
Dana Roa, CMC
City Clerk