MINUTES
City Council
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
City Council Chamber – Norco City Hall
2820 Clark Avenue, Norco, CA 92860
CALL TO ORDER 5:00 PM
ROLL CALL Kevin Bash, Mayor
Greg Newton, Mayor Pro Tem
Katherine Aleman, Council Member
Robin Grundmeyer, Council Member
Berwin Hanna, Council Member
BUDGET WORKSHOP
Presentation of Preliminary Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating Budget.
City Manager Sassoon presented the Preliminary Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating Budget.
City Manager Sassoon and Finance Director Free answered questions and addressed concerns from the Council Members.
Mayor Bash and Council Members agreed to continue the discussion at the May 15, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting.
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Bash adjourned to Closed Session at 6:30PM and City Attorney Burns read the Closed Session Items into the record.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9:
(2 Potential Cases)
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATION
Property: APN:131-130-026 (4081 Sierra)
City Negotiator: City Manager
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION 7:15 PM
REPORT OF ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Burns stated that there were no reportable actions taken in Closed City Council Minutes - May 1, 2024
Session.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Robin Grundmeyer
INVOCATION Pastor Robert Vega
Beacon Hill Assembly of God
PRESENTATIONS
Building and Safety Month Proclamation
Mayor Bash presented the Building and Safety Month Proclamation and Community Development Director Robles and Building Official Raney thanked City Council and spoke about the importance of Building Safety.
55th Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week
Mayor Bash presented the 55th Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week Proclamation and City Clerk Roa, Deputy City Clerk Thompson and Heritage Room Administrative Aide Wheeler thanked City Council and spoke on the importance of the City Clerk's Office.
Street Paving Update - Public Works
Engineer So presented the Street Paving Update.
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
Mike Williams spoke regarding his concern for City speed limits and truck routes and their relation to Assembly Bill 43 and Assembly Bill 1669. He requested that this topic be brought to the Streets, Trails and Utilities Commission for discussion.
Chris Shoults spoke regarding his campaign as a Democratic Candidate for District 63 and gave a brief history of his background.
Dillon Wemple spoke regarding his concern for droughts and the importance of investing in natural water conservation and spoke in favor of implementing the Street Tree Program.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
City Council Minutes - May 1, 2024
a) Approval of Consent Calendar as Presented.
M/S NEWTON/ALEMAN 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.
Action: Approved the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of April 17, 2024.
3.C. Approval of Individual Agreements for Multi-Carrier Cell Tower at SilverLakes Action: Approved the individual Cell Tower Agreements between the City of Norco and Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC and Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless be located at SilverLakes.
3.D. Approve Resolution Fixing the Employee's Contribution Under the Public Employee's Medical and Hospital Act, and Updating Council Health and Welfare Benefits
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2024-19 to implement changes in the amount of health insurance contribution to be paid by the City for members of the Norco General Employee Association (NGEA), Non-Represented Mid-Management/Confidential, Management Employees, and City Council effective July 1, 2024; and approved the update to health and welfare benefits for City Council members.
3.E. Approval of the Kathy Azevedo Spirit of Norco Monument Inaugural Class Recipient List
City Council Minutes - May 1, 2024
Action: Approved the Kathy Azevedo Spirit of Norco Monument Inaugural Class Recipient List.
3.F. Approval of Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Senate Bill 1 Project List Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2024-21, approving FY 2024-25 Project List to be funded by Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account revenues created by Senate Bill 1.
3.G. Additional Construction Funding for Second Street Pavement Project - Mountain Ave to Pacific Ave
Action: Approved the addition of the $27,000 to the previously approved budget of $200,000 related to construction for the Second Street Pavement Project - Mountain Ave to Pacific Ave.
3.H. Accept bids and award contract for the 2023-24 Slurry Seal Project.
Action: Accepted the bids and awarded a contract for the 2023-24 Slurry Seal Project to All American Asphalt in the amount of $219,999; and authorized the City Manager to approve contract change orders up to 10 percent of the total bid amount.
3.I. Fiscal Year 2023-24 Third Quarter Budget-to-Actual Report Action: Received and Filed Fiscal Year 2023-24 Third Quarter Budget-to-Actual Report.
3.J. Approval of the City of Norco's Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Action: Adopted the City of Norco Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan.
4. ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
There were no items pulled from the Consent Calendar.
5. LEGISLATIVE MATTERS
5.A. Second Reading: Zone Code Amendment 2024-02 (City of Norco): A City initiated amendment to Title 18, Chapter 18.13 (A-1 Zone Agricultural Low Density), and Title 18, Chapter 18.30 (General Provisions – Miscellaneous) adding Farmworker Housing as a permitted use and establishing Farmworker Housing development standards as required in the City’s certified Housing
City Council Minutes - May 1, 2024
Element.
Mayor Bash and Council Members had no questions or concerns for the Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1114.
Mayor Bash opened Public Comment.
There were no public comments at this time.
Mayor Bash closed Public Comment.
Motion was made.
M/S GRUNDMEYER/HANNA Adopt Second Reading: Ordinance No. 1114, approving Zone Code Amendment 2024-02. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, NEWTON, ALEMAN, GRUNDMEYER, AND HANNA
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
6. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEM(S)
6.A. Resolution Revising the Enforcement Provisions of the City’s Code of Ethics.
City Manager Sassoon introduced the item.
City Attorney Burns presented the report.
City Attorney Burns answered questions and concerns from Mayor Pro Tem Newton.
Mayor Bash opened Public Comment.
There were no Public Comments at this time.
Mayor Bash closed Public Comment.
Mayor Bash and Council Members discussed their concerns for the report.
Mayor Bash reopened Public Comment.
City Council Minutes - May 1, 2024
Courtney Eaton spoke in favor of a Code of Ethics and the importance of having enforcement provisions.
Greg Bowen spoke regarding his concern with the Code of Ethics and First Amendment rights.
Mike Thompson spoke regarding his concern with the Code of Ethics and the potential for complications if there were District based voting.
Mayor Bash closed Public Comment.
Mayor Bash and Council Members continued the discussion on the Code of Ethics.
Council Member Grundmeyer requested that a new Code of Ethics draft, based on the discussion, be brought back at a future meeting for further discussion.
City Attorney Burns clarified the request.
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S GRUNDMEYER/BASH City Attorney to bring back a Code of Ethics draft with the discussed recommendations. 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. Discuss and take possible action on a draft letter to the Corona-Norco Unified School District regarding prioritization of funding for Norco High School programs and facilities
City Manager Sassoon presented the report.
City Manager Sassoon answered questions and addressed concerns from Council Members.
Council Member Aleman requested that a formal meeting be held with the CNUSD Superintendent to discuss the matter.
City Council Minutes - May 1, 2024
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S NEWTON/HANNA Move forward with delivering the letter to the Corona-Norco Unified School District. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, NEWTON, ALEMAN, GRUNDMEYER, AND HANNA
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
7. PUBLIC HEARING(S)
7.A. Ordinance No. 1115, First Reading: Amending Norco Municipal Code Chapter
8.04 “Running at Large”. Code Amendment 2024-03
City Manager Sassoon presented the report to continue Ordinance No. 1115 to the May 15, 2024 City Council Meeting.
M/S ALEMAN/GRUNDMEYER Continue the Public Hearing to the Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting on May 15, 2024.
The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, NEWTON, ALEMAN, GRUNDMEYER, AND HANNA
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
7.B. Public Hearing to consider amendments to City’s General Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year 2024-25
Finance Director Free presented the City's General Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year 2024-25.
Finance Director Free and City Manager Sassoon answered questions and addressed concerns from Council Member Aleman.
Mayor Bash opened Public Comment.
Bonnie Slager spoke regarding her concern for having low-cost activities for small children and having the arenas available to rent at a low fee for these
City Council Minutes - May 1, 2024
events.
Mayor Bash closed Public Comments.
Council Member Aleman requested that the discounted adoption fees for Veterans be clarified in the report.
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S ALEMAN/HANNA Conduct the public hearing, and adopt Resolution No. 2024- 20 updating and adjusting the City’s General Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year 2024- 25 with the clarification of discounted adoption fees for Veterans.
The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, NEWTON, ALEMAN, GRUNDMEYER, AND HANNA
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
8. CITY COUNCIL / STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Council Member Hanna reminded everyone of the Waste Management Community Meeting on Monday, May 6, 2024, at 6:30PM at The Hall.
Mayor Pro Tem Newton asked that the City Council refer the matter regarding speed limits and truck routes to the Streets, Trails and Utilities Commission.
Council Member Aleman reminded everyone to visit the Animal Shelter and adopt a pet.
Council Member Grundmeyer thanked staff and the volunteers for all their hard work with Horseweek.
Mayor Bash reminded everyone of National Day of Prayer taking place on Thursday May 2, 2024.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Bash adjourned the meeting at 9:01PM with a moment of silence to honor the four fallen Police Officers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
City Council Minutes - May 1, 2024
_________________________________
Dana Roa, CMC
City Clerk