MINUTES
City Council
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
City Council Chamber – Norco City Hall
2820 Clark Avenue, Norco, CA 92860
CALL TO ORDER 5:32 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 LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Agency designated representatives: Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore Unrepresented employee: Interim City Manager
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
Agency designated representative: Interim City Manager Lisette Free Employee organization: Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO Local 606
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 LEGAL COUNSEL--EXISTING LITIGATION
(Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9)
Name of case: People v. JOHN OPITZ, RIC1905434
RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION 7:00 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 four. Item three, Conference with Legal Councel - Anticipated Litigation, one potential case received contingent approval to initiate litigation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Pro Tem Newton
INVOCATION Pastor Rene Parish
City Council Minutes - September 4, 2024
Beacon Hill Assembly of God
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
Lamondo Greer provided an update on the Corona Norco YMCA swim programs and announced they partnered with Corona High School to expand their swim and water safety programs.
Geoff Kahan spoke regarding complaints he has received regarding music that was played during the Labor Day Parade and takes sole responsibility for the music selection. He announced his resignation from his position as the announcer for the parade and apologized to the Norco Fair Committee.
Greg Bowen thanked everyone for coming to the Norco Fair and thanked City Staff for their hard work and dedication.
Bonnie Slager thanked City Staff for all the hard work and support for the Norco Fair. She reminded everyone of the Candidate Night on September 19, 2024 at Nellie Weaver Hall at 6:30 PM.
Carol Hubl spoke regarding her concern for the safety of pedestrians and equestrians traveling the new Hamner Bridge as the space provided is not adequate.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
a) Approval of Consent Calendar as Presented.
M/S ALEMAN/GRUNDMEYER Approve of 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 - September 4, 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 and Special Meeting Minutes
Action: Approved the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of August 21, 2024 and Special Meeting Minutes of August 14, 2024.
3.C. Amendment to Increase Contract amount for NCS Engineers for Additional Environmental Work Related to Design Services for Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Treatment System for Groundwater Wells Action: Approved an amendment to the contract for NCS Engineers for additional NEPA environmental work related to design services for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Treatment System for groundwater wells for an additional $57,578.
3.D. Acceptance of Storm Drain Easement Dedication for the Norco MDP Line S-5E Storm Drain Project (APN 123-130-009)
Action: Accepted the offer of dedication of the public storm drain easement on 2520 Hillside Avenue (APN 123-130-009), authorized the Mayor to sign the Certificate of Acceptance and directed the City Clerk to file the Certificate of Acceptance with the County of Riverside Recorder’s Office.
3.E. Acceptance of Proposals and Award of Contract for the Professional Architectural/Engineering Design Services for The Hall Roof Replacement Project; and Approve Appropriation of Funds
Action: Accepted the proposals and awarded the contract to Beam Professionals for the Professional Architectural and Engineering Design Services for The Hall Roof Replacement Project, with a not-to-exceed contract amount of $36,817. Additionally, allocated a budget appropriation of $36,817 from the General Fund to cover the cost of the professional services contract.
3.F. Approval of New Joint Use Agreement and Joint Occupancy Agreement between Corona-Norco Unified School District and the City of Norco
City Council Minutes - September 4, 2024
Action: Approved the new Joint Use Agreement and Joint Occupancy Agreement between the Corona-Norco Unified School District (CNUSD) and the City of Norco for the shared use and management of the City Council/School Board Chambers and associated facilities.
4. ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
There were no items pulled from the Consent Calendar.
5. LEGISLATIVE MATTERS
5.A. Second 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 introduced the second reading of Ordinance No. 1124.
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 NEWTON/HANNA Ordinance No. 1124: Second 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. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEM(S)
City Council Minutes - September 4, 2024
6.A. Approval of a 3-year contract for professional public works inspection services Public Works Director Blais presented the report.
Council Members had no questions or concerns.
Mayor Bash opened Public Comment.
Lacey Matson spoke regarding her concern for the Union rules when an employer hires a contracted worker. She spoke in favor of opening the position up for internal hire and stated the Local Union would like to meet with Council Members to discuss the item further if needed.
Greg Bowen thanked the City Staff for their hard work and spoke in favor of opening the position up for internal hire rather than continuing with a contracted position.
Mayor Bash closed Public Comment.
Council Members discussed the position and the option to move forward with the contract but to open a recruitment to hire a full time City Employee for the inspector position and adjust the contract if the position is filled.
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S ALEMAN/GRUNDMEYER Approve and award a 3-year contract to Z&K Consultants, Inc. to provide professional inspection services for the Public Works Department for fiscal year 2024-25 through 2026-27 in an amount not to exceed $550,000 annually; and to open a position for a full-time internal employee and adjust the contract as needed if the position is filled. 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 Norco Municipal Code Chapter 18.37 "Signs" Section 18.37.08 regarding Political Signs
City Clerk Roa presented the report.
City Council Minutes - September 4, 2024
Council Member Hanna clarified his reasoning for asking this item to be agendized.
Mayor Pro Tem Newton and Council Member Hanna spoke regarding best practice to have signs put up after September First.
Council Member Aleman spoke regarding the First Amendment and that all signs must be enforced equally.
Council Member Grundmeyer spoke regarding neighboring Cities enforcement of signs and is not opposed to no signs in public spaces.
Mayor Bash opened Public Comment.
Bonnie Slager spoke regarding her experience with owners of commercial businesses who are unhappy with signs that were put up on their properties without permission.
Mayor Bash closed Public Comment.
City Attorney Burns addressed concerns and Council Members discussed the Ordinance.
Council Member Aleman recommended that the Ordinance be reviewed and clarified if needed.
Council Member Hanna made a motion to have a good neighbor policy that requires signature when candidates pull papers to not put signs up until after September First.
City Attorney Burns addressed questions regarding the enforcement of election signs.
No Second was made.
Council Members did not have a consensus and there was no further discussion, no formal motion was made to make any changes.
7. CITY COUNCIL / STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Council Member Aleman thanked Volunteers and Staff for their hard work at the Norco Fair and rodeo and enjoyed participating in the parade.
City Council Minutes - September 4, 2024
Council Member Grundmeyer thanked Volunteers and Staff for their hard work at the Norco Fair and thanked the community for their support of agriculture and livestock.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Bash adjourned the meeting at 8:04 PM with a moment of silence for fallen Dallas Police Officer, Daron Burks, and the teachers and students who lost their lives at the Apalachee High School Shooting in Georgia. _________________________________
Dana Roa, CMC
City Clerk