MINUTES
City Council
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
City Council Chamber – Norco City Hall
2820 Clark Avenue, Norco, CA 92860
CALL TO ORDER 5:30 PM
ROLL CALL Greg Newton, Mayor
Robin Grundmeyer, Mayor Pro Tem
Kevin Bash, Council Member
Gregory Bowen, Council Member
Fia Sullivan, Council Member
CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Burns read the Closed Session items into the record.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: (1 potential case) a property owner requesting a sound wall alleged via email City's actions violate federal guidelines and civil rights and also references damages.
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Agency designated representatives: Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore Unrepresented employee: City Manager
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Property: APN 131140005
Agency negotiator: City Manager, City Attorney, Community Development Director, Finance Director
Negotiating party: Wang Zhenyan
Under negotiation: Price and terms of payment
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: (1 potential case)
RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION 7:04 PM
REPORT OF ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Burns stated there were no reportable actions in Closed Session.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Sullivan
INVOCATION Pastor Michelle Ehrenberg
City Council Minutes - February 19, 2025
The Redeemer's Community Church
PRESENTATIONS Introduction of New Fire Battalion Chief - Cancelled
Black History Month Proclamation
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
Elysse Rico introduced herself as the new Field Representative and Media Coordinator for Supervisor Karen Spiegel's Office.
Geoff Kahan spoke regarding the passing of Norvah Williams and described her as a pillar of the community and that she will be severely missed.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
a) Approval of Consent Calendar as Presented.
Council Member Bash pulled item 3.D. and 3.G. for discussion.
M/S BASH/SULLIVAN Approve Consent Calendar as Presented with items 3.D. and 3.G. for discussion. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, BASH, BOWEN, AND SULLIVAN
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 - February 19, 2025
3.B. Approval of City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Action: Approved the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of February 05, 2025.
3.C. Recap of Actions Taken by the Planning Commission at its Meeting Held on February 12, 2025
Action: Received and filed the recap of actions taken by the Planning Commission at its meeting held on February 12, 2025.
3.E. Approve Traffic Signal Management & Safety Upgrade Project - Part 1 to the Measure R Budget
Action: Approved the Traffic Signal Management & Safety Upgrade Project - Part 1 related to four (4) intersections to the Measure R budget in the amount of $330,000 and authorized the City Manager to issue a purchase order to Yunix Traffic in the amount of $326,173.
3.F. Acceptance of the Moreno Arena Bleacher Support Pad Project as Complete (Project No. 5411.9)
Action: Accepted the Moreno Arena Bleacher Support Pad Project as complete and authorized the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion with the County of Riverside.
4. ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
3.D. Maintenance of Backyard Trails to the Existing Trail Maintenance Contract Currently Funded by Measure R
Public Works Director Blais answered questions and addressed concerns regarding costs and encroachments.
Public Works Director Blais clarified front yard trails from back yard trails.
Council Member Bash had concerns regarding setback requirements for ADUs along property lines with back yard trails.
City Attorney Burns stated he would research the setback restrictions allowed for ADUs and bring back to the City Council for review.
Following discussion, motion was made.
City Council Minutes - February 19, 2025
M/S BASH/GRUNDMEYER Approve additional Measure R funding for maintenance of backyard trails on an ongoing annual basis and authorize the City Manager to increase the purchase order for Nova Landscape Group. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, BASH, BOWEN, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
3.G. Housing Consultant Services for Affordable Housing Programs Community Development Director Robles answered questions and addressed concerns regarding the cost of service and process of the programs.
City Council Members had no further questions or concerns.
Motion was made.
M/S BASH/GRUNDMEYER Approve the contract with RSG, Inc. (our existing Housing Consultant) in the amount not to exceed $115,198, and appropriate $115,198 of housing funds to provide consulting services to help the City develop and administer affordable housing programs in the City of Norco.
The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, BASH, BOWEN, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
5. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEM(S)
5.A. California Rehabilitation Center Advisory Committee participation City Clerk Roa presented the report on the California Rehabilitation Center Advisory Committee.
City Council Members had no questions or concerns.
Mayor Newton opened Public Comment.
There were no public comments at this time.
City Council Minutes - February 19, 2025
Mayor Newton closed Public Comment.
Council Member Bash stated his interest in being a part of the committee.
Council Member Bowen stated his interest in being a part of the committee.
Motion was made.
M/S NEWTON/GRUNDMEYER Discuss participation in the California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) Advisory Committee and assign Council Member Bash and Council Member Bowen to the Committee as appropriate. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, BASH, BOWEN, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
6. PUBLIC HEARING(S)
6.A. Introduction and First Read of Ordinance No. 1130 Adding Section 15.01.185 to the Norco Municipal Code to Establish the City Planning Commission as the City's Local Appeals Board
City Attorney Burns presented the report on Ordinance No. 1130.
City Attorney Burns answered questions and addressed concerns.
Mayor Newton opened Public Hearing.
There were no public comments at this time.
Mayor Newton closed Public Hearing.
City Attorney Burns answered questions and addressed concerns regarding the process of the Appeals Board and the involvement of the City Council.
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S BASH/GRUNDMEYER Approve Alternative No. 1: Introduce and approve a first read of Ordinance No. 1130 adding Section 15.01.185 to the Norco Municipal
City Council Minutes - February 19, 2025
Code to create a Local Appeals Board to hear appeals of building and building code related decisions, citations, and other matters. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, BASH, BOWEN, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
6.B. Ordinance 1129-1: Consideration of an extension of Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 1129, establishing a temporary moratorium on new development hotels and amending Norco Municipal Code section 18.02.04 definition of hotel to prohibit kitchens in guestrooms
Community Development Director Robles presented the report on the extension of Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 1129.
City Council Members had no questions or concerns.
Mayor Newton opened Public Hearing.
There were no public comments at this time.
Mayor Newton closed Public Hearing.
Motion was made.
M/S BASH/NEWTON Adopt the extension of Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 1129 establishing a temporary moratorium on new hotels with kitchens in the guestroom and amending Norco Municipal Code section 18.02.04 definition of hotel to prohibit kitchens in guestrooms. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, BASH, BOWEN, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
6.C. Appeal Hearing: An appeal of the Planning Commission’s denial of Accessory Building Use Permit 2024-06 (Yu), which is a request to allow a 557 squarefoot detached garage at 3332 Vandermolen Drive, within the Norco Ridge Ranch Specific Plan. APN: 123-661-009
City Council Minutes - February 19, 2025
Community Development Director Robles presented report on the Appeal Hearing for Accessory Building Use Permit 2024-06.
Community Development Director Robles and City Attorney Burns answered questions and addressed concerns.
Council Member Sullivan stated she will abstain from this item as she was on the Planning Commission at the time of the denial.
Mayor Newton opened Public Hearing.
Applicant Yu spoke regarding the proposed project and clarified the changes to the plans.
Mayor Newton closed Public Hearing.
City Council Members discussed the proposed plans and their concerns for the slope of the driveway and the requirement that the driveway should be flat.
They agreed the item should be brought back to the Planning Commission.
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S GRUNDMEYER/BASH Revert the applicant's revised proposal back to the Planning Commission for review and reconsideration with the requirement that the driveway be flat. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, BASH, AND BOWEN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: SULLIVAN
7. CITY COUNCIL / STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Public Works Director Blais thanked the City Council for the approval of backyard trail maintenance and thanked the Streets, Trails and Utilities Commission for their hard work on the item. He also thanked the residents for their support of Measure R. He apologized for the issues on Hamner Avenue.
Mayor Newton provided feedback regarding Hamner Avenue and Public Works Director Blais clarified the project.
Lieutenant Hall stated she will be speaking at the Norco Horsemen's Association on Thursday, February 20, 2025.
City Council Minutes - February 19, 2025
Council Member Bash provided information for submissions for person of the year for WRCOG and commented on the tour with the State Fire Marshall and So Cal Edison.
Chief Otterman stated he is in the process of contacting the State Fire Marshall to schedule a tour.
Mayor Newton spoke of losing a dear friend, Norvah Williams, and provided information for a celebration of Norvah on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 2pm.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Newton closed the meeting in honor of Norvah Williams and Ted and Jean Hoffman with a moment of silence.
Mayor Newton adjourned the meeting at 8:24 PM.
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Dana Roa, CMC
City Clerk