MINUTES
City Council
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
City Council Chamber – Norco City Hall
2820 Clark Avenue, Norco, CA 92860
CALLED TO ORDER 6:00 PM
ROLL CALL Robin Grundmeyer, Mayor
Kevin Bash, Mayor Pro Tem
Katherine Aleman, Council Member
Berwin Hanna, Council Member
Greg Newton, Council Member
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Grundmeyer adjourned to Closed Sessions at 6:01 p.m. City Attorney Burns read the Closed Session items.
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
Agency designated representative: City Manager Sassoon
Employee organization: Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO Local 606
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATION Property: APN: 152-060-011
City Negotiator: City Manager Lori Sassoon
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Property: Silverlakes Sports Park
Agency negotiator: City Manager; Finance Director: Planning Director Negotiating parties: City of Norco and Balboa Management Group LLC.
Under negotiation: Price and Terms
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to Government Code §54957
Title: City Manager
RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION 7:01 PM
REPORT OF ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Burns reported that there were no reportable actions on the items heard.
The item related to the City Manager Performance Evaluation was continued to the end of the meeting.
City Council Minutes - October 18, 2023
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Grundmeyer
INVOCATION Council Member Katherine Aleman
PRESENTATIONS Council Member Katherine Aleman and
the City Council recognized the Legends
FC Girls 2014 Soccer Team for their
outstanding performance this season.
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 Newton pulled Item 2.D. for discussion.
M/S BASH/ALEMAN Approve remainder of 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
Action: Approved the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of September 6 and 18, and October 4, 2023
City Council Minutes - October 18, 2023
2.C. Recap of Actions Taken by the Planning Commission at its Meeting Held on October 11, 2023
Action: Received and filed the recap of actions taken by the Planning Commission at its meeting held on October 11, 2023.
2.E. Quarterly Investment Report for Quarter Ended September 30, 2023 Action: Received and filed the Quarterly Investment Report for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2023.
2.F. Recycled Water Grant Application
Action: Approved Resolution 2023-63 authorizing the City Manager or their designee to sign and file, for and on behalf of the City, a Financial Assistance Application for a financing agreement from the State Water Resources Control Board.
3. ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
2.D. Measure R Citizens' Oversight Committee Policy and Procedures for Additional Budget Appropriation Requests
Mayor Grundmeyer stated she wanted to recognize her "No Vote" from the previous discussion on this topic.
Council Member Newton stated he wanted to reconsider the decision made on June 19, 2023, and made a motion to support Option Number 2 "this option requires additional appropriations to be reviewed and recommended by the Committee before City Council consideration", when over the 10% contingency.
Council Member Aleman had questions and concerns about the 10% contingency.
City Manager Sassoon provided clarity and a suggestion to a new option.
Following further discussion, a motion was made to support Option Number 2 "this option requires additional appropriations to be reviewed and recommended by the Committee before City Council consideration".
M/S NEWTON/GRUNDMEYER Amend and Adopt Resolution 2023-65 Measure R Citizens' Oversight Committee Policy and Procedures for Additional Budget
City Council Minutes - October 18, 2023
Appropriation Requests, removing "The City Council will approve additional Measure R appropriations with follow-up communication to the Measure R Committee" and replace with "Additional appropriations are to be reviewed and recommended by the Measure R Committee before City Council consideration of the adjustment". The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: GRUNDMEYER, BASH, ALEMAN, HANNA, AND NEWTON
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Bill Naylor provided an update on volunteer work being done on the trails. He stated there is a problem with the caps being broken and keeping up with the supply of caps.
5. LEGISLATIVE MATTERS
5.A. Ordinance No. 1105, Second Reading: Amending Norco Municipal Code Section 5.36 “Apiaries” to Modify Beekeeping Requirements on Residential Properties. Code Amendment 2023-05.
M/S BASH/ALEMAN Adopt Ordinance No. 1105, Second Reading (City of Norco):
An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Norco, California, Amending the Norco Municipal Code Section 5.36 “Apiaries” to modify beekeeping requirements on residential properties, approve Code Amendment 2023-05. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: GRUNDMEYER, BASH, ALEMAN, HANNA, AND NEWTON
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
6. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEM(S)
6.A. Adoption of a Resolution by the City Council adopting and authorizing an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Legalization Pilot Program.
Development Director Robles presented report on the Accessory Dwelling Unit Legalization Pilot Program.
Council Members Newton and Aleman had questions and concerns that were addressed by staff.
City Council Minutes - October 18, 2023
Mayor Grundmeyer opened Public Comment.
Jodie Webber spoke regarding the program and the effects it could have on current applicants and future applicants.
Mayor Grundmeyer closed Public Comment.
Council Members Hanna, Newton and Aleman stated their concerns and asked questions.
Mayor Pro Tem Bash stated his concerns with legislation and why this would benefit the city.
Mayor Grundmeyer discussed the issues and discussed that this will be a tool to protect the mission of the City to stay rural and keep large lots.
Community Development Director Robles, City Attorney Burns and City Manager Sassoon answered questions and addressed concerns.
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S ALEMAN/BASH Approve and adopt Resolution 2023-64, adopting and authorizing the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Legalization Pilot Program. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: GRUNDMEYER, BASH, ALEMAN, AND HANNA
NOES: NEWTON
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
6.B. Authorization of a letter to the Keeper of the National Register regarding Norco's nomination to expand the Lake Norconian Club Historic District City Manager Sassoon presented a report regarding authorization of a letter to the Keeper of the National Register regarding Norco's nomination to expand the Lake Norconian Club Historic District.
Mayor Pro Tem Bash gave the past history of the progress of this item.
Council Member Aleman had questions which were addressed.
Mayor Grundmeyer opened Public Comments.
City Council Minutes - October 18, 2023
Jodie Webber spoke in support of the request for a letter and thanked Council for continuing to fight.
Su Bacon stated she supported the letter going to the keeper and gave a history of her involvement with LNCF.
Mayor Grundmeyer closed Public Comments.
Following further discussion, a motion was made to support the letter to be prepared by City Manager Sassoon with review of full City Council prior to it being submitted.
M/S ALEMAN/GRUNDMEYER Authorize the City Manager to work with Mayor Pro Tem Bash to finalize a letter expressing Norco's concerns regarding the process for consideration of the Lake Norconian Club Historic District and requesting that the denial of the nomination be overturned. Final letter to be reviewed by full City Council prior to submittal. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: GRUNDMEYER, BASH, ALEMAN, HANNA, AND NEWTON
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
7. PUBLIC HEARING(S)
7.A. Ordinance No. 1106: First Reading, Zone Code Amendment 2023-03 (City of Norco): A City-Initiated proposal to amend Norco Municipal Code Title 18 – “Zoning”, amending Chapter 18.65 – “Residential Density Bonus Provisions” for compliance with State law.
Community Development Director introduced item and introduced Attorney Erika Vega to present details.
Erika Vega presented a detailed PowerPoint related to the proposed Density Bonus Ordinance.
Mayor Grundmeyer and Council Members Aleman and Hanna had questions and concerns that were addressed by Attorney Vega.
Mayor Grundmeyer opened the Public Hearing.
There were no public comments at this time.
City Council Minutes - October 18, 2023
Mayor Grundmeyer closed the Public Hearing.
Following further discussion, a motion was made.
M/S GRUNDMEYER/HANNA Adopt Ordinance No. 1106, First Reading, approving Zone Code Amendment 2023-03 The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: GRUNDMEYER, BASH, ALEMAN, HANNA, AND NEWTON
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
8. CITY COUNCIL / STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Council Member Aleman thanked CalFire for a great community event.
Mayor Grundmeyer adjourned to Closed Sessions at 9:01 p.m. in honor of Sandy Macgregor, the first woman to be appointed to the Planning Commission and a deeply valued and loved community member.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Grundmeyer reconvened the regular session at 10:27 p.m.
The City Attorney announced that there was no report action taken in Closed Session.
Mayor Grundmeyer adjourned the meeting at 10:28 p.m.
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Dana Roa, CMC
City Clerk