MINUTES
City Council
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
City Council Chamber– Norco City Hall
2820 Clark Avenue, Norco, CA 92860
CALL TO ORDER 4:45 PM
ROLL CALL Kevin Bash, Mayor
Greg Newton, Mayor Pro Tem
Katherine Aleman, Council Member
Robin Grundmeyer, Council Member
Berwin Hanna, Council Member
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Bash
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments at this time.
2. WORKSHOP - 4:45 PM
Bleachers
2.A. Consider Options and Recommendation for the Replacement of the Moreno Arena Bleacher System.
Facilities and Maintenance Director Hamilton presented the report on the Moreno Arena Bleacher System.
City Council Members had questions and concerns.
Facilities and Maintenance Director Hamilton, Supervisor Ireland, Finance Director Free and City Attorney Burns answered questions and addressed concerns.
Mayor Bash opened Public Comment.
Bonnie Slager spoke regarding the expansion of parking and supports the options that add additional bleachers to the arena. She addressed the concern regarding bleacher noise and the horses.
Mayor Bash closed Public Comment.
City Council Minutes - March 13, 2024
City Council Members thanked staff for their hard work and commented on their support for staff's recommendation but would like to see more options for cost sharing and not using Measure R funds for cost sharing.
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S HANNA/GRUNDMEYER Accept Option 2 for the replacement of the Moreno Bleacher system, and consider Cost Share options for funding without using Measure R funds. 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 break at 5:22 PM.
Mayor Bash reconvened the workshop at 5:59 PM.
3. WORKSHOP - APPROX. 6:00 PM
Retiree Health Care Benefits
3.A. Workshop to Discuss Changes to Administration of Retiree Health Care benefits, and consider rescinding Resolution 2024-03, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Norco, California, Fixing the Employer Contribution Under the Public Employees' Medical Hospital Act at an Equal Amount for Employees and Annuitants
City Manager Sassoon presented the report on the Changes to Administration of Retiree Health Care Benefits.
Human Resources Manager Balderas gave an update on who has received checks.
City Council Members had questions and concerns.
City Manager Sassoon, Human Resources Manager Balderas and Consultants Drew Ballard and Michael Youril answered questions and addressed concerns.
Mayor Bash opened Public Comment.
City Council Minutes - March 13, 2024
Andy Okoro spoke regarding the history of past retiree medical benefits, vesting schedules, the OPEB trust and commented on the overall process the City has taken and his opposition for Resolution 2024-03. He had questions and concerns regarding the report.
City Manager Sassoon and Consultants Ballard and Youril answered questions and addressed concerns.
Brian Petree spoke regarding the retiree health care benefits and stated his concerns for the changes that are being made. He stated his support to have Resolution 2024-03 rescinded and encouraged City Council to take the time needed to make the right decision.
Steve Laponis spoke regarding the letter and his check that he still has not received.
City Manager Sassoon addressed concerns.
Lacey David, President of the General Employees Association and Permit Technician for the City of Norco, stated her concerns for the changes that have been made and the consequences that they have caused to the retirees. She stated that the current discussion and information would have been beneficial to make a better decision.
Kathy Pope had a question regarding her timeline in which her benefits will be affected and how the payment process will happen.
City Manager Sassoon answered the question and addressed concerns.
Bill Thompson spoke regarding fees and the consequences that have now followed the changes made to the retiree health care benefits. He advised City Council to correct the matter at hand before moving forward as it is impacting the retiree's lives.
Joe Schenk had questions regarding Resolution 2024-03 and specific wording within the resolution and spoke regarding his concerns for the changes that could be made.
City Manager Sassoon and City Attorney Burns answered questions and addressed concerns.
Joann Dickson spoke regarding not receiving the original letter or the emails.
She stated the lack of documentation and information on the original resolution and staff report is concerning. She stated the process in which the change has
City Council Minutes - March 13, 2024
occurred was done wrong and was incomplete. She hopes City Council decides to rescind the resolution and study the issue. She thanked Council Member Grundmeyer for her communication during this process.
Debra Mcnay spoke regarding the number of discrepancies that have been stated and how important it is to rescind the resolution.
Susan Dvorak thanked the retirees for all of their comments and spoke regarding retiree health benefits and encouraged City Council to look at the resolution again.
Kathy Zink had a question regarding the vesting schedule and benefit insurance.
City Manager Sassoon answered the question.
Mayor Bash closed Public Comments and called for a break at 8:32 PM.
Mayor Bash reconvened the workshop at 8:41 PM.
Council Member Hanna thanked the retirees for their comments.
Mayor Pro Tem Newton thanked everyone for calling in and appreciates everyone for coming in and taking the time to attend. He apologized for the lack of communication and the lack of information when the item was first provided.
Council Member Aleman thanked everyone for coming in and calling in. She thanked former City Manager Andy Okoro for all of his work to get the City's finances where they were when he retired. She apologized for the lack of communication when the resolution was initially rolled out. She commented on the medical benefits in regards to retirees and current employees. She commented on her concerns with the resolution and on the next steps to take.
Council Member Grundmeyer apologized as well for not doing her due diligence with the report. She commented on the financial consequences this has caused for the retirees and apologized. She commented on the process of the report and the documents that have been presented.
Mayor Bash apologized for this situation and stated his respect for the retirees and his vote to rescind the resolution. He commented on the history of Norco employees and the challenge current staff and City Council face to protect retiree benefits.
City Council Minutes - March 13, 2024
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S NEWTON/BASH To reconsider Resolution 2024-03. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, NEWTON, ALEMAN, GRUNDMEYER, AND HANNA
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
M/S GRUNDMEYER/NEWTON To rescind Resolution 2024-03. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, NEWTON, ALEMAN, GRUNDMEYER, AND HANNA
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
M/S ALEMAN/BASH To adopt CalPERS Resolution to reinstate city-contributions for retiree health for all retirees prior to the adoption of Resolution No. 2024-03 The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, NEWTON, ALEMAN, GRUNDMEYER, AND HANNA
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
4. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Bash adjourned the workshop at 9:02PM.
_________________________________
Dana Roa, CMC
City Clerk