MINUTES
City Council
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
City Council Chamber – Norco City Hall
2820 Clark Avenue, Norco, CA 92860
CALL TO ORDER
CITY HALL - CONF. A AND B
4:00 PM
CITY COUNCIL - PRESENT Kevin Bash, Mayor
Greg Newton, Mayor Pro Tem
Katherine Aleman, Council Member
Robin Grundmeyer, Council Member
Berwin Hanna, Council Member
MEASURE R CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT
COMMITTEE - PRESENT
Richard Beesmer, Member
Sean Gill, Member
John Glaccum, Member
Victoria Leonard, Member
Omar Sanchez, Youth Commissioner
ABSENT Yvonne Shull, Chair
Susan Olmstead-Bowen, Vice Chair
Jerry Burke, Member
JOINT WORKSHOP
CITY HALL - CONF. A AND B
Joint Workshop with Measure R Citizens'
Oversight Committee
City Manager Sassoon made the introduction of the second out of three workshops.
Communications Manager Newton facilitated the Workshop.
City Council and Committee Members discussed the intended purpose and use of Measure R and Measure R funds.
Measure R Citizens' Oversight Committee Member, Sean Gill dismissed himself at 5:37 PM.
Public comments were opened.
City Council Minutes - January 17, 2024
Mike Thompson spoke regarding the Measure R Citizens' Oversight Committee and the use of funds. He addressed Staff on the possibility of providing a list of all project accomplishments that used Measure R funds to assist with understanding what the Measure R funds are used for.
Jim Pollard spoke about his time living here in Norco and discussed the use of Measure R funds for repairs and maintenance. He stated that backyard trails need a maintenance program.
Bill Naylor complimented the City Council and Measure R Citizens' Oversight Committee on their accomplishments to date. He asked that they be cognizant on the use of the Measure R funds and that long term maintenance costs should be included. He agreed that backyard trails need to be addressed.
Public Comments were closed.
Communications Manager Newton gave a brief overview of the third workshop and concluded the discussion.
City Manager Sassoon thanked the City Council and Committee Members for their participation and thanked Staff for their efforts.
Mayor Bash adjourned the Joint Workshop at 5:55 PM.
CLOSED SESSION
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER
Mayor Bash Adjourned to Closed Session at 6:08 p.m.
City Attorney Burns read the Closed Session Items into the record.
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Property: Silverlakes Sports Park
Agency negotiators: City Manager, Finance Director, Planning Director Negotiating parties: City of Norco and Balboa Management Group LLC.
Under negotiation: Price and Terms
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
Agency designated representative: City Manager Sassoon
Employee organization: Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO Local 606 RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION 7:06 PM
City Council Minutes - January 17, 2024
REPORT OF ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Burns stated that there were no reportable actions on the Closed Session Item discussed. Closed Session Item, Conference With Labor Negotiator, was not discussed.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Pro Tem Greg Newton
INVOCATION Mayor Kevin Bash
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. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Richard MacGregor gifted a painting by former local resident, Gloria Bilotta, to the City of Norco.
John Latta spoke in protest of the rotation decision made for Mayor Pro Tem and the bypassing of Council Member Aleman for the position.
Tami Friedrick spoke regarding her disappointment for the decision made for Mayor Pro Tem and that a fair appointment of the Mayor Pro Tem position was not done.
Trisha Autrey spoke regarding a plea for fairness for the rotation of Mayor Pro Tem and representation of Council Member Aleman. Autrey spoke on her support for a procedure to be put in place for a formal rotation system.
Bonnie Slager spoke regarding the monthly Horsemen's Association meeting for Thursday night, January 18th at 7 PM, in which one of the topics will be that Quick Crete will not be renewing their lease and the property owner will be present at the meeting to discuss possibilities. She also presented Lieutenant Hall with a halter from the Horsemen's Association.
Greg Bowen spoke regarding former Council Member, Harvy Sullivan, and his time on the City Council in regards to the Mayor Pro Tem position. He spoke in support of the City Council and their decision made for Mayor Pro Tem.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
City Council Minutes - January 17, 2024
All items listed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and may be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate action unless members of the governmental body request specific items be removed from the Consent Calendar. Items removed from the Consent Calendar will be separately considered under Item 4 of the Agenda. a) Approval of Consent Calendar as Presented.
M/S GRUNDMEYER/HANNA Approve Consent Calendar as presented. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, NEWTON, ALEMAN, GRUNDMEYER, AND HANNA
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
3.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.
3.B. Approval of City Council Regular Meeting Minutes and Special Meeting Minutes.
Action: Approved the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of December 20, 2023 and Special Meeting Minutes of January 4, 2024.
3.C. Appointments to Regional Boards, Standing Committees and Other City Council-Appointed Committees for Calendar Year 2024
Action: Approved the City Council appointments to the various standing committees and other governmental agencies for the 2024 calendar year.
3.D. Approval of an increase to the Professional Legal Services Contract with Downey Brand, regarding the Riverside Transmission Reliability Project (RTRP)
Action: Approved additional $10,000 for the Downey Brand professional legal services contract.
City Council Minutes - January 17, 2024
3.E Quarterly Investment Report for Quarter Ended December 31, 2023 Action: Received and filed the Quarterly Investment Report for the Quarter Ended December 31, 2023.
3.F. Acceptance of the Norco MDP Line S-2 Storm Drain Project as Complete Action: Accepted the Norco MDP Line S-2 Storm Drain Project as complete and authorized the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the County of Riverside.
3.G. Acceptance of the Norco Elementary Storm Drain Project as Complete Action: Accepted the Norco Elementary School Storm Drain Project as complete and authorized the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the County of Riverside.
3.H. Change Order Request for Norco MDP Line S-5E Storm Drain Project (Design) Action: Reviewed and approved Change Order Request in the amount of $18,373 for the Norco MDP Line S-5E Storm Drain Project (Design)
3.I. Resolution authorizing submittal of an application for grant funding from CalRecycle
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2024-01, authorizing staff to submit an application for payment of grant funds the City of Norco is eligible to receive under SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant Program.
3.J. Adoption of the Norco Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex from the Riverside County Operational Area Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan as Required by the Federal Disaster Mitigation and Cost Reduction Act of 2000 Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2024-02, adopting the Norco Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex.
3.K. Consideration of Approval of California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Resolution Fixing the Employer Contribution Under the Public Employees' Medical and Hospital Care Act (PEMHCA) at an Equal Amount for Employees and Annuitants
Action: Approved Resolution No. 2024-03 Fixing the Employer Contribution Under the Public Employees' Medical and Hospital Care Act (PEMHCA) at an Equal Amount for
City Council Minutes - January 17, 2024
Employees and Annuitants.
3.L. Acceptance of the Sundance Park Boundary Wall Restoration Project as Complete (Project No. 54410.6)
Action: Accepted the Sundance Park Boundary Wall Restoration Project as complete and authorized the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion with the County of Riverside.
3.M. Change Order Request for North Drive & Grulla Court Storm Drain Project (Design)
Action: Approved Change Order Request in the amount of $11,005 for the North Drive & Grulla Court Storm Drain Project (Design)
3.N. Acceptance of the Citywide FY 22-23 Slurry Seal Project as Complete Action: Accepted the Citywide FY 2022-23 Slurry Seal Project as complete and authorized the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the County of Riverside.
3.O. Report on Fiscal Year 2022-23 Audited Financial Reports Action: Received and filed the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Audited Financial Reports.
3.P. New Observance Request: National Ag Day
Action: Approved the subcommittee's recommendation to recognize National Ag Day.
4. ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
No items were pulled from the Consent Calendar.
5. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEM(S)
5.A. Grading Policy and Expanding the Definition of an Approved Development Plan Community Development Director Robles presented report on the Grading Policy and Expanding the Definition of an Approved Development Plan.
Council Member Hanna had questions regarding the permits.
City Council Minutes - January 17, 2024
Community Development Director Robles answered the questions.
Mayor Pro Tem Newton had questions and concerns.
Community Development Director Robles and Public Works Director Blais answered questions and addressed concerns.
Mayor Pro Tem Newton had concerns about the wording in the current policy in regards to the use of "hummock".
Mayor Bash had questions and concerns.
Community Development Director Robles and Public Works Director Blais answered questions and addressed concerns.
Mayor Bash opened Public Comment.
Community Member Greg Bowen spoke regarding the difficulties of getting a grading permit from the City of Norco and lack of assistance at the building counter.
No further public comments were received.
Mayor Bash closed Public Comment.
Motion was made.
M/S HANNA/NEWTON Receive and File the Grading Policy and Expanding the Definition of an Approved Development Plan with the word "hummock" to be changed to "mound" at the next scheduled Code Amendment. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, NEWTON, ALEMAN, GRUNDMEYER, AND HANNA
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
5.B. Recognizing 2024 City of Norco Anniversaries
Communications Manager Newton presented report on recognizing 2024 City of Norco Anniversaries. The current Veterans Memorial Plaza logo to be amended with the years of celebration and to have limited merchandise sold at
City Council Minutes - January 17, 2024
the Veterans Day Ceremony in November.
Council Member Aleman had questions and concerns regarding the impact on staff.
Communications Manager Newton answered questions and addressed concerns.
Mayor Bash opened Public Comment.
There were no public comments received at this time.
Mayor Bash closed Public Comment.
Mayor Bash had a follow up question regarding a subcommittee.
Communications Manager Newton answered question.
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S BASH/GRUNDMEYER Approve Staff Recommendations to recognize the 60th Anniversary of the City of Norco's Incorporation and the 10th Anniversary of the George A. Ingalls Veterans Memorial Plaza. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, NEWTON, ALEMAN, GRUNDMEYER, AND HANNA
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
6. PUBLIC HEARING(S)
6.A. Zone Code Amendment 2023-06 (City of Norco): A City initiated amendment to Title 18, Chapter 18.02 - "Definitions", to clarify the definitions of Hotels and Motels to include the maximum stay of 30 consecutive days.
Community Development Director Robles presented report on Zone Code Amendment 2023-06.
City Council had no questions or concerns.
City Council Minutes - January 17, 2024
Mayor Bash opened Public Comment.
There were no public comments at this time.
Mayor Bash closed Public Comment.
City Attorney Burns read the Title of the Zone Code Amendment into the record.
Motion was made.
M/S ALEMAN/GRUNDMEYER Adopt Ordinance No. 1108, approving Zone Code Amendment 2023-06. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, NEWTON, ALEMAN, GRUNDMEYER, AND HANNA
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
6.B. Zone Code Amendment 2023-07 (City of Norco): A City initiated amendment to Title 18, Chapter 18.13 – Agricultural Low Density (A-1 Zone) to update to the provisions for large animal-keeping and roosters, clarify the public nuisance and violations for excessive roosters and excessive animal units, and clarify general provisions/development standards.
Community Development Director Robles presented report on Zone Code Amendment 2023-07.
Council Member Aleman had concerns about the requirement for ostrich offspring.
Council Member Hanna had a question regarding roosters.
Community Development Director Robles and Animal Control Superintendent Sparks III answered questions and addressed concerns.
Mayor Bash had concerns regarding enforcement.
City Manager Sassoon addressed concerns and clarified the purpose of the Zone Code Amendment.
Mayor Bash opened Public Comment.
City Council Minutes - January 17, 2024
There were no public comments at this time.
Mayor Bash closed Public Comment.
City Attorney Burns read the Title of the Zone Code Amendment into the record.
Motion was made.
M/S ALEMAN/GRUNDMEYER Adopt Ordinance No. 1109, approving Zone Code Amendment 2023-07. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, NEWTON, ALEMAN, GRUNDMEYER, AND HANNA
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
6.C. Newcastle Skye Parkridge, LLC Industrial Project Development Agreement/Site Plan 2020-11, Modification No.1 (Newcastle Skye Parkridge, LLC): A request for approval of a development agreement for the industrial project approved under Site Plan 2020-11, consisting of six buildings that total 80,066 square feet at 1004 Parkridge Ave located within the Industrial District of the Gateway Specific Plan.
Community Development Robles presented report on Site Plan 2020-11.
Mayor Pro Tem Newton had a question regarding payment.
Community Development Director Robles answered the question.
Council Member Aleman had questions and concerns regarding public benefit fees.
Community Development Director Robles answered questions and addressed concerns.
Mayor Bash opened Public Comment.
There were no public comments at this time.
Mayor Bash closed Public Comment.
City Council Minutes - January 17, 2024
Council Member Aleman suggested to amend the agreement to include that public benefit fees be paid in full before building permits are issued.
Mayor Bash reopened Public Comment for the applicant.
Applicant Courtney Wing with Newcastle Skye Parkride, LLC stated they will agree to pay the public benefit fee in full before building permits are issued.
Mayor Bash closed Public Comment.
City Attorney Burns read the Title of the Development Agreement into the record.
Motion was made.
M/S ALEMAN/NEWTON Approve the Newcastle Skye Parkridge, LLC Industrial Project Development Agreement with the amendment to have the public benefit fees paid in full before permits are issued. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, NEWTON, ALEMAN, AND HANNA
NOES: GRUNDMEYER
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
7. CITY COUNCIL / STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Bash asked to agendize a review of the entertainment license requirements to separate karaoke from other live music. No second was received.
Mayor Bash asked to have the Sound Ordinance be reviewed as there are three locations that he is aware of that are constant nuisances.
City Manager Sassoon stated Staff is working on improving and strengthening the Sound Ordinance and to allow Staff until March to bring back to City Council for further review.
M/S BASH/GRUNDMEYER Agendize Sound Ordinance Review in March. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, NEWTON, ALEMAN, GRUNDMEYER, AND HANNA
City Council Minutes - January 17, 2024
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
8. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Bash adjourned the meeting at 8:22 PM.
_________________________________
Dana Roa, CMC
City Clerk