MINUTES
City Council
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
City Council Chamber – Norco City Hall
2820 Clark Avenue, Norco, CA 92860
CALL TO ORDER 6:30 PM
ROLL CALL Kevin Bash, Mayor
Greg Newton, Mayor Pro Tem
Katherine Aleman, Council Member
Robin Grundmeyer, Council Member
Berwin Hanna, Council Member
Council Member Aleman joined the meeting remotely.
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Bash adjourned to Closed Session at 6:30 PM.
Deputy City Attorney Halfman read the Closed Session item into the record. §54954.5 Conference with Labor Negotiator
Agency designated representatives: City Manager Sassoon Employee organization: Norco General Employees Association, Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO Local 606, Unrepresented Employees: Mid-Management, Confidential, and Management Employees
RECONVENED PUBLIC SESSION 7:07 PM
REPORT OF ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
Deputy City Attorney Halfman stated there were no reportable actions taken in Closed Session.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Grundmeyer
INVOCATION Pastor Erin Diaz
New Beginnings Community Church
PRESENTATIONS
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Black History Month Proclamation
Norco College UMOJA program Coordinator, Dr. Darnell Bing, Co-Coordinator, Dr.
Kiandra Jimenez, and President of the UMOJA, Ade Turner, presented information on the UMOJA program.
Mayor Bash presented the Black History Month Proclamation.
Horseweek Donations
Facilities & Maintenance Director Hamilton presented the Norco Horseweek donations.
Norco Horseweek member, Tony Barreto, spoke and thanked City Council and staff for their support.
Mayor Bash presented certificates of recognition to the members of Norco Horseweek.
Aaron Hake, Deputy Executive Director
Riverside County Transportation Commission
Deputy Executive Director Hake presented information on the Regional Conservation Authority (RCA).
Mayor Bash Commented on the RCA.
Deputy Executive Director Hake presented the Riverside County Transportation Commission 2024 Draft Traffic Relief Plan.
Council Member Hanna made a comment regarding the work RCTC has done on this plan.
Mayor Pro Tem Newton thanked Deputy Executive Director Hake and had a question.
Deputy Executive Director Hake answered questions.
Mayor Bash thanked Deputy Executive Director Hake.
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
City Council Minutes - February 21, 2024
community organizations.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Tammy Norman, Paige Cleveland and Mia Cannon of the Norco Mounted Posse Rodeo Queens invited the City Council to attend the Pageant Prep Clinic at The Barn on Saturday March 2nd.
Aaron Williams spoke regarding back yard trails and the need to have them maintained. He stated volunteers can help but there are more issues that need to be addressed by City Staff and he wishes to see action taken by the City.
Greg Bowen thanked the City Council, City Staff and the community for all the work they do for the City. He stated we need to do more, including the maintenance of back yard trails and the removal of the green fence located at the arenas. He thanked Facilities & Maintenance Director Hamilton for all of her support and thanked all the volunteers.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
a) Approval of Consent Calendar as presented.
Mayor Pro Tem Newton and Council Member Grundmeyer pulled Items 3.F. and 3.G.for discussion.
M/S HANNA/GRUNDMEYER 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.
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3.B. Approval of City Council Regular Meeting Minutes.
Action: Approved the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of February 7, 2024.
3.C. Acceptance of the Valley View Avenue Waterline Replacement Project as Complete
Action: Accepted the Valley View Avenue Waterline Replacement Project as complete and authorized the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the County of Riverside.
3.D. Acceptance of the Norco MDP Line NA-6 Storm Drain Project as Complete Action: Accepted the Norco MDP Line NA-6 Storm Drain Project as complete and authorized the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the County of Riverside.
3.E. Approve Gold Star Families Memorial Brick Program
Action: Approved Gold Star Families Memorial Brick Program.
3.H. Fiscal Year 2023-24 Second Quarter Budget Performance Report with proposed Mid- Year Amendments to the Annual Operating Budget Action: Received and filed the FY 2023-24 Second Quarter Budget Performance Report; and approved Resolution 2024-07 appropriating various mid-year amendments to the Fiscal Year 2023-24 annual operating budget and authorizing changes in appropriations and revenues thereto.
3.I. Consideration of Resolution 2024-05 to Accept Donation from the Norco Horseweek Committee
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2024-05 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Norco, California, accepting Norco Horseweek Committee's Donation of 3 E-Z-Go Golfcarts and 3 John Deer Gators for use at the Ingalls Event Center.
3.J. Approval to Declare Various City Assets as Surplus Property Action: Declared various City assets as surplus property and authorized the City Manager/Director of Finance to dispose of surplus assets through auction, donation to charitable organizations, or electronic recycling (e-cycle).
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3.K. Recap of Actions Taken by the Planning Commission at its Meeting Held on February 14, 2024
Action: Received and filed the recap of actions taken by the Planning Commission at its meeting held on February 14, 2024.
4. ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
3.F. Rejection of bids for 2023-2024 Trail Fencing Installation Project Mayor Pro Tem Newton had questions and concerns.
Public Works Director Blais clarified information, answered questions and addressed concerns.
Council Member Grundmeyer had a question.
Public Works Director Blais answered the question.
Council Member Grundmeyer had concerns and commented on possible next steps.
Public Works Director Blais asked Deputy City Attorney Halfman for clarification on possible next steps.
Deputy City Attorney Halfman stated different options for the bidding process and recommended City Council accept the lowest base bid bidder and complete a change order for the removal of the existing trail fence.
Mayor Pro Tem Newton and Council Member Grundmeyer had questions and concerns regarding one of the options.
Deputy City Attorney Halfman answered questions and addressed concerns.
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S NEWTON/GRUNDMEYER Accept the bidder with the lowest base bid and write a change order for the removal of the existing trail fence. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, AND HANNA
NOES: ALEMAN
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ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
3.G. Acceptance of Proposal for Water, Sewer, and Recycled Water Rate Study Professional Consulting Services
Council Member Grundmeyer stated concerns regarding the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tem Newton thanked staff for bringing the item back for discussion and stated concerns.
Council Member Hanna had questions and concerns.
Public Works Director Blais answered questions and addressed concerns.
Council Member Aleman had questions and concerns.
Public Works Director Blais answered questions and addressed concerns.
Council Member Aleman agreed with Council Member Grundmeyer and had additional concerns.
Public Works Director Blais answered questions and addressed concerns.
Council Member Grundmeyer stated additional concerns regarding the consultants.
Public Works Director Blais clarified information on the staff report.
Council Member Aleman had questions and concerns.
City Manager Sassoon answered questions and addressed concerns.
Council Member Aleman stated recommendations for the staff report.
Mayor Bash stated the history of the recycled water and commented on the importance of water. He commented on the staff report and requested that staff work on educational opportunities for the community regarding the water system and would like to see the water system incorporated in the General Plan.
Council Member Grundmeyer asked that Town Hall Meetings be brought back as they would be beneficial for discussion items such as these.
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Public Works Director Blais clarified the importance of the study.
Mayor Bash had questions.
Public Works Director Blais, Finance Director Free and City Manager Sassoon answered questions and addressed concerns.
Mayor Pro Tem Newton commented and stated concerns.
Public Works Director Blais addressed concerns.
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S GRUNDMEYER/BASH Accept the proposal submitted by Stantec Consulting Services Inc. to provide Professional Consulting Services for the preparation of a Water, Sewer, and Reclaimed Water Rate Study in the amount not to exceed $88,655. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, NEWTON, ALEMAN, GRUNDMEYER, AND HANNA
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
Mayor Bash called for a brief break at 9:20PM.
Mayor Bash called the meeting back to order at 9:28PM.
5. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEM(S)
5.A. Solid Waste and Recycling Collection Services Request for Proposal - Update Public Works Director Blais introduced R3 Consultant, Carrie Baxter.
Consultant Baxter presented report on Solid Waste and Recycling Collection Services Request for Proposal Update.
Mayor Pro Tem Newton and Council Member Aleman had questions and concerns.
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Consultant Baxter answered questions and addressed concerns.
Mayor Bash opened public comment.
Paul Ryan spoke regarding regulations on trash and diversion reporting. He asked City Council to consider haulers that meet all requirements especially in regard to agricultural and animal keeping waste.
Brent Sakamoto spoke regarding not having any public meetings to discuss the proposals. He stated his concern for the franchise fee increase when the agency will be doing the billing. He spoke in regard to the overall customer service and rates.
Matt Blackburn, from Universal Waste, spoke on his concern for not being called in for interviews. He asked that all haulers be interviewed, and their proposals be discussed. He is concerned about the number of companies that were rated D and only one that received a B rating. He asked that City Council consider all of these concerns.
Greg Bowen spoke regarding issues with Waste Management and their scout haulers not using the right equipment. He is concerned with their policies when they miss a pickup and is concerned with their overall management.
Bill Naylor spoke regarding Waste Management's customer service; trash can lids being broken and the issues it causes when it rains.
Mayor Bash closed public comments.
Mayor Pro Tem Newton had questions.
Consultant Baxter answered questions.
Public Works Director Blais commented on the negotiation process.
Mayor Pro Tem Newton and City Manager Sassoon discussed questions and concerns.
Consultant Baxter and Public Works Director Blais answered questions and addressed concerns.
Mayor Bash and Council Member Aleman had concerns.
City Manager Sassoon, Deputy City Attorney Halfman and Consultant Baxter answered questions and addressed concerns.
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Mayor Bash thanked staff for their hard work.
Mayor Pro Tem Newton thanked the subcommittee for their hard work.
Council Member Hanna thanked staff and the subcommittee for their hard work.
Following discussion and without formal motion, City Council received and filed the update regarding the current status of the request for proposals for Solid Waste and Recycling Collection Services Contract.
5.B. Riverside Transmission Reliability Project (RTRP) Next Steps - Oral Report City Manager Sassoon reported an update and the next steps regarding the Riverside Transmission Reliability Project.
Mayor Pro Tem Newton thanked all the residents that called in to the CPUC in support of the City.
Council Member Hanna thanked everyone for their hard work.
Council Member Aleman had a question.
City Manager Sassoon answered the question.
Council Member Grundmeyer commented on the next steps.
Mayor Bash opened public comment.
Art Rodriquez spoke in opposition of the above ground transmission lines as they pose a fire hazard and are a risk.
Matt Blackburn spoke regarding the impact of the size of the powerlines and getting the community to come out to the site to see it firsthand.
Mayor Bash closed public comment.
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S BASH/GRUNDMEYER Approve an additional $65,000 to the Downey Brand Contract for the RTRP Project. The Motion was carried by the following roll call
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vote:
AYES: BASH, NEWTON, ALEMAN, GRUNDMEYER, AND HANNA
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
6. CITY COUNCIL / STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Deputy City Attorney Halfman thanked City Council.
Council Member Hanna thanked Facilities & Maintenance Director Hamilton and her team for putting up the lights in the truck barn at Station 47 and congratulated staff on the new equipment donated from Norco Horseweek.
Council Member Aleman made a motion to agendize a future discussion on an update to the Code of Ethics.
M/S ALEMAN/BASH Agendize a future discussion to update the Code of Ethics.
The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, ALEMAN, GRUNDMEYER, AND HANNA
NOES: NEWTON
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
7. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Bash adjourned the meeting at 10:39PM.
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Dana Roa, CMC
City Clerk