MINUTES
City Council
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
City Council Chamber – Norco City Hall
2820 Clark Avenue, Norco, CA 92860
CALL TO ORDER 6:00 PM
ROLL CALL Kevin Bash, Mayor
Greg Newton, Mayor Pro Tem
Katherine Aleman, Council Member
Robin Grundmeyer, Council Member
Berwin Hanna, Council Member
CLOSED SESSION
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: (1 potential case)
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR
Property: APN 153-240-280
Agency negotiators: Interim City Manager
Under negotiation: Price and Terms
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
Agency designated representative: Interim City Manager Lisette Free Employee organization: Norco General Employees Association, Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO Local 606, Unrepresented Employees: Mid-Management, Confidential, and Management Employees
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL--ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: (1 potential case)
RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION 7:07 PM
REPORT OF ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Burns stated that there were no reportable actions taken on items one, two and three. Item four, Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation, no decision was made to initiate litigation.
City Council Minutes - August 21, 2024
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Bash
INVOCATION Pastor Erin Diaz
New Beginnings Community Church
INTRODUCTION
Patrick Wright, Event Services Supervisor for the Ingalls Event Center Mayor Bash introduced Event Services Supervisor Wright.
Event Supervisor Wright thanked the City Council and is looking forward to working with the City.
PRESENTATIONS
Recognizing Judy Bonham for her Outstanding Achievement Mayor Bash congratulated Judy Bonham for her achievement of Professional Horsemen Lifetime Achievement Award and presented a certificate.
Recognizing Sixth Street Deli for their Continued Community Support Mayor Bash and RURAL, John Rigler, presented the certificate to Sixth Street Deli to celebrate their hard work.
Recognizing Norco Girls Softball 8U and 12U Teams for their wins Mayor Bash congratulated the Norco Girls Softball 8U and 12U teams and presented certificates.
Heritage Room Update - Amy Wheeler
Heritage Room Administrative Aide Wheeler provided information on the Heritage Room and new programs.
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
City Council Minutes - August 21, 2024
Gary Footin spoke regarding his concerns for noise from his neighbor.
Bonnie Slager spoke regarding the upcoming Norco Fair and reminded everyone to ger their Fair Buttons. She reminded everyone and extended the invite to Norco Horseman's Candidate Night on September 19, 2024, at 6:30 PM at Nellie Weaver Hall.
Holly McMillan spoke regarding the 2028 Olympics and the opportunities for Norco to be a part of the Equestrian Games and asked that an adhoc committee be created to discuss events for the 2028 Olympics.
Scott McMillan spoke on behalf of Friends of Leaps and Bounds regarding raising awareness of horse therapy, especially during the 2028 Olympics and spoke in support of creating an adhoc committee.
Greg Bowen spoke regarding the 2028 Olympics and spoke in support of creating an adhoc committee.
Don Mitchell spoke regarding his concerns for a storm drain issue on his property and asked the City Council to provide an update.
Lacey Matson spoke regarding UWA Local 606 on behalf of a Local that is willing to discuss and resolve the issues at hand. She also asked that item 3.G. be reviewed and filled by a union member as opposed to a contracted position.
Luke Matson spoke regarding item 3.G. and asked that the position be a City Employee position as opposed to a contracted inspector.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
a) Approve Consent Calendar as Presented
Mayor Pro Tem Newton pulled item 3.G. and Mayor Bash pulled item 3.I. for discussion.
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
City Council Minutes - August 21, 2024
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 August 07, 2024.
3.C. Improvement and Credit/Reimbursement Agreement Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee Program for Palomino Business Park
Action: Approved the Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee (TUMF) Reimbursement Agreement between the City of Norco, the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG), and CRP LDF Palomino, LLC (Caprock) for street widening improvements on First Street (Mountain Avenue to Parkridge Avenue) and at Second Street (Mountain Avenue and Pacific Avenue).
3.D. Approve quote from Yunix Traffic for installation of LED lights at various traffic and pedestrian signal heads in Norco
Action: Accepted the quote from Yunix Traffic for installation of LED lights on various traffic and pedestrian signal heads in Norco and authorized the City Manager to approve a purchase order in the amount of $119,624.
3.E. Amendment of FY 2025-29 Capital Improvement Program to include additional funding for the Citation Drive Storm Drain Project, Acceptance of Bids, Award of Contract, and Approval of Project Plans for the Citation Drive Storm Drain Project
Action: Appropriated additional funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-29 CIP storm drain budget in the amount of $245,000 for the Citation Drive Storm Drain Project; accepted bids and awarded a contract to Wright Construction Engineering Corp. for the Citation Drive Storm Drain Project in the amount of $365,000; and authorized the City Manager to approve contract change orders up to 10 percent of the total bid amount.
3.F. Acceptance of the First Street Storm Drain Project as Complete Action: Accepted the First Street Storm Drain Project as complete and authorized the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the County of Riverside.
City Council Minutes - August 21, 2024
3.H. Consideration of support for Proposition 36, the Homeless, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act
Action: Joined the list of Californians for Safer Communities Coalition supporters of Proposition 36.
4. ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
3.G. Approval of a 3-year contract for professional public works inspection services Public Works Director Blais answered questions and addressed concerns from Council Members.
Council Members discussed the position.
Mayor Pro Tem Newton recommended approval of the item as is, Council Member Hanna Seconded.
Council Member Aleman asked that a few questions be answered before motion was voted on.
City Attorney Burns answered questions from Council Member Aleman.
Council Member Aleman made a substitute motion to continue the item for further review at the next regular meeting on September 4, 2024 to receive additional information from staff.
M/S ALEMAN/GRUNDMEYER Substitute Motion to continue item for further review at the City Council Regular meeting on September 4, 2024. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, NEWTON, ALEMAN, GRUNDMEYER, AND HANNA
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
3.I. Recap of Actions Taken by the Planning Commission at its Meeting Held on August 14, 2024
Mayor Bash had concerns regarding item 4.C. from the Planning Commission Meeting held on August 14, 2024.
City Council Minutes - August 21, 2024
Council Member Aleman clarified the information that was given to the applicant regarding the project and the process of approving the requirements.
City Attorney Burns and Community Development Director Robles clarified and answered questions from Council Members.
Mayor Bash made a motion to have the item sent back to the Planning Commission with waived fees.
There was no second.
Community Development Director Robles clarified the process of appeal and answered questions from Council Members.
Mayor Bash opened Public Comment.
Kal Farah, project Civil Engineer, spoke regarding the property and spoke to the project and the items that abided by code and the issues they had with the landscaping requirement.
John Opitz, applicant and property owner, spoke regarding the project and the conditions that the project was denied on and asked for assistance on getting the plans back to Planning Commission for correction and review.
Mayor Bash closed Public Comment.
Community Development Director Robles answered questions and addressed concerns from Council Members.
City Attorney Burns clarified best practice for the process to appeal.
Mayor Bash rescinded his motion to send back the item to Planning Commission with waived fees and made a new motion to appeal.
There was no second.
Mayor Pro Tem Newton made a substitute motion to uphold the Planning Commissions denial and approve the minutes.
Mayor Bash asked for a motion to approve item 3.I., Mayor Pro Tem Newton made the motion.
City Council Minutes - August 21, 2024
M/S NEWTON/GRUNDMEYER Receive and file the recap of actions taken by the Planning Commission at its meeting held on August 14, 2024. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, NEWTON, ALEMAN, GRUNDMEYER, AND HANNA
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
City Attorney Burns asked that the City Council hear the discussion on item 6.B. before Legislative Matters.
Mayor Bash and Council Members agreed to discuss item 6.B. before item 5.A.
6.B. Discussion regarding City Manager contract approval threshold City Attorney burns presented the report on the City Manager contract approval threshold.
Interim City Manager Free, Facilities and Maintenance Director Hamilton and Public Works Director Blais answered questions and addressed concerns from Council Members.
Mayor Bash opened Public Comment.
There were no public comments at this time.
Mayor Bash closed Public Comment.
Council Member Aleman made a motion to have a policy brought back to get the information quarterly for approvals made that are under the current threshold.
Mayor Bash requested that approvals made in the 25k-50k range are provided to the City Council monthly.
Council Member Grundmeyer asked for clarification on Council Member Aleman's motion.
Council Member Aleman clarified the motion so that the information brought to City Council quarterly is on PO's made in the 25k-50k range as a Consent Calendar item for the City Council to review.
City Council Minutes - August 21, 2024
M/S ALEMAN/BASH To have an itemized list of PO's that fall under the approval threshold of 25k-50k brought to City Council for review quarterly. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, NEWTON, ALEMAN, GRUNDMEYER, AND HANNA
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
5. LEGISLATIVE MATTERS
5.A. Ordinance No. 1123, Second Reading: Amendment of Ordinance 1040 for Title 3 of the Norco Municipal Code (NMC), Chapter 3.24 "Purchasing System", addition of section 3.24.066 to comply with California SB 1383, and 16 CFR 260.12 recycling purchasing requirements. Code Amendment 2024-09 Council Members had no questions or concerns.
Mayor Bash opened Public Comment.
There were no public comments at this time.
Mayor Bash closed Public Comment.
Motion was made.
M/S ALEMAN/HANNA Ordinance No. 1123: Second Reading, Approval of Amendment of Ordinance 1040, for Title 3 of the Norco Municipal Code (NMC), Chapter 3.24 "Purchasing System", addition of section 3.24.066 to comply with California SB 1383, and 16 CFR 260.12 recycling purchasing requirements. Code Amendment 2024-09. 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. Discussion regarding existing requirements for Primary Animal Keeping Areas (PAKAs) and open Animal Keeping Areas (AKAs) on private properties zoned for animal-keeping, and changes/updates that may be warranted to further facilitate and protect animal-keeping
City Council Minutes - August 21, 2024
Community Development Director Robles presented the report on requirements for PAKAs and AKAs.
Community Development Director Robles answered questions and addressed concerns from Council Members.
Mayor Bash opened Public Comment.
There were no public comments at this time.
Mayor Bash closed Public Comment.
Community Development Director Robles answered additional questions from Council Members.
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S HANNA/ALEMAN Discuss existing provisions for animal-keeping areas in their respective zones and recommend changes as appropriate. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, ALEMAN, GRUNDMEYER, AND HANNA
NOES: NEWTON
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
6.C. Introduction and first reading of Ordinance No. 1124: An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Norco, California, Amending Title 9 of the Norco Municipal Code (NMC), Chapter 9.20 “Fireworks”, Section 9.20.040 “Administrative citation – Issuance” to increase the fine amounts for illegal use of fireworks. Code Amendment 2024-10
City Attorney Burns presented the report on Ordinance No. 1124.
City Attorney Burns answered questions and clarified safe and sane fireworks.
Mayor Bash opened Public Comment.
There were no public comments at this time.
Mayor Bash closed Public Comment.
City Council Minutes - August 21, 2024
City Attorney Burns answered questions from Council Members.
Council Member Grundmeyer clarified her request to have this item brought for discussion.
Lieutenant Hall provided additional information regarding the enforcement of fireworks.
Motion and Second was made.
Council Member Aleman had concerns regarding safe and sane enforcement.
Deputy Whittenberg answered questions from Council Members regarding enforcement
Following discussion, City Attorney Burns read the Ordinance Title into the record.
M/S BASH/HANNA Ordinance No. 1124: First Reading, Approval of Amendment of Title 9 of the Norco Municipal Code (NMC), Chapter 9.20 "Fireworks", Section
9.20.040 "Administrative citation - Issuance" to increase the fine amounts for illegal use of fireworks. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, NEWTON, ALEMAN, GRUNDMEYER, AND HANNA
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
6.D. First Reading Ordinance No. 1125 Amending the Norco Municipal Code Title 2, Chapter 2.06 "City Council Salaries" Increasing the Compensation of City Council Members - Code Amendment 2024-11
City Attorney Burns presented report on Ordinance No. 1125.
City Attorney Burns answered questions and addressed concerns from Council Members.
Mayor Bash clarified his reasoning for asking that this item be brought back for review.
Mayor Bash opened Public Comment.
There were no public comments at this time.
City Council Minutes - August 21, 2024
Mayor Bash closed Public Comment.
Council Members discussed Council Compensation and exclusions to the Ordinance.
Mayor Bash made a motion to increase compensation with no phones and no mileage.
No Second was made.
City Attorney Burns addressed concerns from Council Members.
Council Member Aleman made a motion to approve the adjustment of Council Compensation with the amendment to get rid of mileage reimbursement within and outside of the City and that new Council Members are tiered off in 2024 and on for CalPers.
No Second was made.
Council Member Grundmeyer and Council Member Aleman discussed the Council Compensation pay rate and inflation.
Mayor Bash made a motion that it serves as a place holder to be voted on next year and does not include phones or mileage and eliminates CalPers.
Council Member Aleman made a substitute motion to approve the compensation with no phones or mileage and eliminates CalPers.
M/S ALEMAN/BASH Adopt Ordinance No. 1125 First Reading Amending Section
2.06.030 of the Municipal Code, Salaries, adjusting Council Member Compensation to $1,182.50 per Month, or another amount as directed, to be effective January 1, 2025 with the amendment of no phones, no mileage and to eliminate CalPers for future Council Members. The Motion was DEFEATED by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH AND ALEMAN
NOES: NEWTON AND GRUNDMEYER
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: HANNA
7. CITY COUNCIL / STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
City Council Minutes - August 21, 2024
Public Works Director Blais provided an update on the opening of the Hamner Bridge.
Council Member Hanna made a motion to agendize a discussion on the timeline for campaign signs during elections.
M/S HANNA/NEWTON Discuss when campaign signs can be put up during elections. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, NEWTON, ALEMAN, GRUNDMEYER, AND HANNA
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
Mayor Pro Tem Newton thanked Interim City Manager Free for providing information before the meeting for Council Member questions.
Public Works Director Blais answered questions regarding the Hamner Bridge from Mayor Pro Tem Newton.
Council Member Aleman requested the Resolution that outlines the rules of order for meetings.
Mayor Bash requested that staff reach out to the gentleman with the storm drain issue.
Mayor Bash made a motion to agendize the discussion to create an adhoc committee for the 2028 Olympics.
M/S BASH/GRUNDMEYER Discuss the creation of an Adhoc Committee for the 2028 Olympic Games. 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 requested R1 property protection information from SB-9 and SB-10 from Community Development Director Robles. He requested that the property on Parkridge Ave and Hamner Ave be monitored for the bond passing and to have the City Council meet with Corona to discuss the property.
8. ADJOURNMENT
City Council Minutes - August 21, 2024
Mayor Bash adjourned the meeting at 9:55 PM in awareness of Veterans Suicide and in honor of Aaron Osorio. He provided information for a Veterans Suicide Awareness event at the American Legion on Sunday from 8 AM - 11 AM that will be raising funds for the family.
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Dana Roa, CMC
City Clerk