MINUTES
City Council
Wednesday, November 6, 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 LABOR NEGOTIATOR
Agency designated representative: Interim City Manager Lisette Free Employee organization: Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO Local 606 RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION 7:00 PM
REPORT OF ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Burns stated there were no reportable actions taken in Closed Session.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Bash
INVOCATION Council Member Grundmeyer
PRESENTATIONS Veterans and Military Families Month
Proclamation - Blue Star Mothers - Moira
Fisher
Supervisor Karen Spiegel District Update -
Video
1. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS ON REGIONAL BOARDS
The Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem and Council Members provided reports on their City Council Minutes - November 6, 2024
recent individual participation in committees, commissions, regional boards, and community organizations.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jerry Wombacher spoke regarding being denied homeowners fire insurance in Norco due to wildland interface. Mr. Wombacher asked the City Council for assistance in holding underwriters and insurance companies accountable when marking areas as high risk for fires.
Curt Knox spoke regarding the City's parks and activities for little kids and adults but the lack of parks and activities for teenagers. Mr. Knox discussed the loss of the community pool and referred to the minutes of May 11, 2014, and asked that the City Council consider parks geared towards teenagers.
Geoff Kahan spoke regarding the Veterans Day Ceremony and extended the invitation for the 10th Anniversary of the Veterans Memorial.
Lola Hernandez spoke regarding having a public pool and the benefits it would have for everyone within the community.
Communications Manager Anderson provided information for the community to provide feedback on what types of parks they wish to see in the City.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
a) Approval of Consent Calendar as Presented.
M/S NEWTON/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
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.
City Council Minutes - November 6, 2024
3.B. Approval of City Council Regular Meeting Minutes and Special Meeting Minutes
Action: Approved the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of October 02, 2024 and Special Meeting Minutes of October 09, 2024 and October 10, 2024.
3.C. Amendment of FY 24-25 Contractual Services budget for Community Development
Action: Appropriated additional funding in the amount of $60,000 for FY 2024-25 for contractual services in Community Development.
3.D. Quarterly Investment Report for Quarter Ended September 30, 2024 Action: Received and filed the Quarterly Investment Report for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2024.
3.E. Quarterly Purchase Orders Listing Between $25,000 to $49,999 Action: Received and filed the Quarterly Purchase Orders Listing for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2024.
3.F. Supplemental Agreement with the County of Riverside for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for Fiscal Year 2024-25.
Action: Approved the Supplemental Agreement with the County of Riverside for the use of Fiscal Year 2024-25 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds in the amount of $13,050 and authorized the Interim City Manager to sign and execute the supplemental agreement to support Senior Recreation and Community Services.
3.G. Amendment of the Compensation and Terms of the City Attorney’s Agreement Action: Approved the City Attorney Agreement and additional appropriation in the amount of $25,000.
3.H. Fiscal Year 2023-24 Year-End Budget to Actual Report Action: Received and filed Fiscal Year 2023-24 Year-End Budget to Actual Report
City Council Minutes - November 6, 2024
3.I. Amendment of FY 2024-25 Capital Improvement Program to include additional funding for the Grulla Lift Station Replacement Project, Acceptance of Bids, Award of Contract, and Approval of Project Plans for the Grulla Lift Station Replacement Project
Action: Appropriated additional funding for Fiscal Year 2024-25 CIP sewer budget in the amount of $220,500 for the Grulla Lift Station Replacement Project; accepted bids and awarded a contract to Big Ben Inc. for the Grulla Lift Station Replacement Project in the amount of $2,378,635; authorized the City Manager to approve contract change orders up to 10 percent of the total bid amount, and approved the proposal from Krieger and Stewart to provide engineering construction support in the amount of $97,455.
3.J. Acceptance of the Citywide SMART Irrigation Controller Upgrade as Complete (Project No. 54111.3)
Action: Accepted the Citywide SMART Irrigation Controller Upgrade Project as complete and authorized the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion with the County of Riverside.
3.K. Approval of Change Orders for Herk Edwards Inc. Contract Action: Authorized the City Manager to approve change orders for the contract with Herk Edwards Inc. up to 10% of the original contract amount.
3.L. Approve Three-Year Licensing Agreement with Saddle Sore Saloon for the use of the Parking Lot at California Avenue and Sixth Street Action: Approved three-year Licensing Agreement with Saddle Sore Saloon for the use of the parking lot at California Avenue and Sixth Street.
3.M. Recap of Actions Taken by the Planning Commission at its Meeting Held on October 09, 2024
Action: Received and filed the recap of actions taken by the Planning Commission at its meeting held on October 09, 2024.
3.N. Fiscal Year 2023-24 California State Fire Marshal Annual Inspection Compliance Report
Action: Received and Filed the Fiscal Year 2023-24 California State Fire Marshal Annual Inspection Compliance Report
City Council Minutes - November 6, 2024
3.O. Acceptance of the Citywide FY 2023-24 Slurry Seal Project as Complete Action: Accepted the Citywide FY 2023-24 Slurry Seal Project as complete and authorized the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the County of Riverside.
3.P. New Observance Request: Retired Teachers Week
Action: Approved the subcommittee's recommendation to recognize Retired Teachers Week.
4. ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
No items were pulled from the Consent Calendar.
5. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEM(S)
5.A. Approve of an Exclusive Authorization to Sell Agreement with Kosmont Realty to facilitate the listing, marketing and sale of four Surplus Land properties City Attorney Burns introduced Kosmont Realty Senior Vice President, Brian Moncrief, to present the report.
Senior Vice President Moncrief presented the report and explained the process of selling the Surplus Land in the City of Norco.
Senior Vice President Moncrief answered questions and addressed concerns from Mayor Pro Tem Newton and Council Member Hanna.
Mayor Bash opened Public Comment.
Jerry Wombacher spoke regarding the property located at Corona Avenue and Second Street and past discussions with the previous City Manager on the process to purchase the property. Mr. Wombacher expressed his continued interest in the property.
Curt Knox spoke regarding his concern that the property at Corona Avenue and Second Street has a discrepancy on the property size that needs to be clarified. Mr. Knox asked that the City use local realtors for local properties and sell to local citizens.
City Attorney Burns clarified that the flyers used in the staff reports were all drafts.
City Council Minutes - November 6, 2024
Matt Blackburn spoke regarding his concern for the process in which Kosmont was chosen to sell the properties and the commission amount being requested by Kosmont.
Craig Bennett spoke regarding his concern for the commission cost requested by Kosmont and asked that residents receive the opportunity to purchase the properties first.
Mayor Bash closed Public Comment.
Mayor Bash and Council Members discussed their concern for the cost of Kosmont's commission and the process in which the properties listed will be sold.
City Attorney Burns provided additional information regarding the process to sell the properties.
Senior Vice President Moncrief answered questions and addressed concerns regarding the agreement and stated the agreement is negotiable.
Public Works Director Blais answered questions and addressed concerns regarding lot sizes, easements and public rights-of-way on the properties that must be determined before selling.
Mayor Bash and Council Members requested an amendment that the commission cost be lowered to 3% and the required $25,000 be removed.
Senior Vice President Moncrief stated those terms were agreeable.
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S ALEMAN/GRUNDMEYER Approve the Exclusive Authorization to sell Agreement with Kosmont Realty to facilitate the listing, marketing and sale of four Surplus Land properties (“Properties”) located at:
Location APN Number
Corona Ave & Second Street 125-160-006
Sierra Ave & Smokewood Drive 127-220-041
Parkridge Ave & Second Street 129-180-005
Acacia Ave 130-162-039
City Council Minutes - November 6, 2024
Kosmont Realty will sell the Surplus Land in compliance with the Surplus Land Act (“SLA”), AB 1486, at an amended 3% commission, which will cover both the seller’s and buyer’s agents’ and brokers’ fees, and the $25,000 commission cost be removed from the agreement.
The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, ALEMAN, GRUNDMEYER, AND HANNA
NOES: NEWTON
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
5.B. Discussion regarding increasing City of Norco’s public noticing radius requirements for entitlement applications
Senior Planner Acuna presented the report.
Senior Planner Acuna answered questions and addressed concerns from Council Member Aleman.
Community Development Director Robles answered questions and addressed 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 made a motion to approve staff's recommendation of option D.
Council Member Aleman seconded.
Mayor Pro Tem Newton had concerns regarding option D not having a minimum property amount.
Following discussion, Mayor Bash amended the original motion to include a 40 property minimum in addition to the 600 feet.
M/S BASH/ALEMAN Approve Option D to increase the public noticing radius to 600 Feet with the addition of having a minimum 40 properties requirement. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, NEWTON, ALEMAN, GRUNDMEYER, AND HANNA
City Council Minutes - November 6, 2024
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
6. PUBLIC HEARING(S)
6.A. Public Hearing: First Read of Ordinance No. 1126: Zone Code Amendment 2024-05 (City of Norco): A City initiated amendment to Title 18, Chapter 18.13 – A-1 (Agricultural Low-Density) Zone and Chapter 18.68 - Accessory Building Use Permits, to update the requirements for open animal-keeping areas with the approval of an accessory building.
Community Development Director Robles presented the report.
Community Development Director Robles answered questions and addressed concerns from Council Members.
Mayor Bash opened the Public Hearing.
Bonnie Slager spoke regarding her concern for the AKA and PAKA requirements and provided information regarding the ideal space needed to properly and safely house a horse and the ideal space needed to exercise a horse.
Mayor Bash closed the Public Hearing.
Community Development Director Robles answered questions and clarified what the Ordinance was changing and provided information regarding Planning Commission's continued efforts in discussing additional requirements.
Community Development Director Robles answered questions and addressed concerns regarding agricultural use in the AKA or PAKA.
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S ALEMAN/GRUNDMEYER Adopt the first reading of Ordinance No. 1126, approving Zone Code Amendment 2024-05. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BASH, NEWTON, ALEMAN, AND GRUNDMEYER
NOES: HANNA
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
City Council Minutes - November 6, 2024
7. CITY COUNCIL / STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
City Clerk Roa provided information regarding the local 2024 Elections, and that the results of the candidates elected and statement of acceptance will be done at the December 18, 2024, City Council meeting. She also provided information regarding the recruitment for vacancies on Committees and Commissions including the Youth Commissioners.
Facilities and Maintenance Director Hamilton provided an update on the K9 Trials event happening at the Ingalls Event Center on Saturday November 9, 2024, and the Veterans Day Ceremony happening at the Veterans Memorial on Monday, November 11, 2024.
Interim City Manager Free spoke on behalf of Community Services Director Anglin to extend the invitation to the Harvest Social happening at the Senior Center on Wednesday November 13 at 11am.
Council Member Aleman requested staff look into a tree on Cedar Avenue that is blocking lights and needs to be trimmed and that she would forward information regarding traffic issues on Chestnut Drive.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Bash adjourned the meeting at 9:15 PM.
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Dana Roa, CMC
City Clerk