MINUTES
City Council
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
City Council Chamber – Norco City Hall
2820 Clark Avenue, Norco, CA 92860
CALL TO ORDER 6:00 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 item into the record.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—EXISTING LITIGATION
(Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9)
Name of case: FPPC v. City of Norco 18-789
RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION 7:03 PM
REPORT OF ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Burns stated there was no reportable actions taken on the Closed Session item.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Newton
INVOCATION Pastor Rene Parish
Beacon Hill Assembly of God
PRESENTATIONS Red Cross Month Proclamation - Lois
Beckman
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 - March 5, 2025
There were no public comments at this time.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
Approval of Consent Calendar as Presented
City Attorney Burns requested item 3.C. be pulled for discussion.
M/S NEWTON/GRUNDMEYER Approve Consent Calendar as Presented with item
3.C. pulled 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.
3.B. Approval of City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Action: Approved the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of February 19, 2025.
4. ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
3.C. Approve a City Manager Employment Agreement and Adopt a Resolution Establishing the Salary Step Assignment for the City Manager City Manager Free dismissed herself from the room for the duration of the discussion.
City Attorney Burns presented the report on the City Manager Agreement and Resolution.
Council Members had no questions or concerns.
City Council Minutes - March 5, 2025
Mayor Newton opened Public Comment.
There were no public comments at this time.
Mayor Newton closed Public Comment.
Motion was made.
M/S BASH/GRUNDMEYER Approve a City Manager Employment Agreement and Adopt Resolution 2025-05 Establishing the Salary Step Assignment for the City Manager. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, BASH, BOWEN, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
5. LEGISLATIVE MATTERS
5.A. Second Reading and Adoption 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
Mayor Newton introduced the second reading of Ordinance No. 1130.
City Attorney Burns reviewed information from the first reading of Ordinance No. 1130.
Council Members had no questions or concerns.
Mayor Newton opened Public Comment.
There were no public comments at this time.
Mayor Newton closed Public Comment.
Motion was made.
M/S BASH/SULLIVAN Approve Alternative No. 1: Approve a second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 1130 adding Section 15.01.185 to the Norco Municipal 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
City Council Minutes - March 5, 2025
the following roll call vote:
AYES: NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, BASH, BOWEN, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
6. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEM(S)
6.A. Fiscal Year 2024-25 Second Quarter Budget Performance Report with Proposed Mid-Year Amendments to the Annual Operating Budget City Manager Free presented the report on the FY 2024-25 Second Quarter Budget Performance with Proposed Mid-Year Amendments to the Annual Operating Budget along with essential funds and the requested personnel adjustments.
City Manager Free and Public Works Director Blais answered questions and addressed concerns.
Mayor Newton opened Public Comment.
Bill Naylor spoke regarding his concern for the departmental summaries.
Mayor Newton closed Public Comment.
Council Members discussed their concerns regarding line items within the budget report and had questions regarding the personnel adjustments and discussed their support for staff.
Council Member Sullivan spoke regarding her concerns for the personnel adjustments and requested more discussion at the future City Council Priorities meeting.
City Manager Free, Facilities and Maintenance Director Hamilton and Human Resources Manager Balderas answered questions and addressed concerns.
Mayor Newton thanked staff for all the hard work on the budget report.
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S BASH/GRUNDMEYER Receive and file the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 Second Quarter Budget Performance Report; Adopt Resolution No. 2025-04, approving
City Council Minutes - March 5, 2025
various mid-year amendments to the FY 2024-25 Annual Operating Budget and authorizing changes in appropriations and revenues thereto; and Adopt Resolution No. 2025-06, approving the classification for Human Resources Analyst. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, BASH, AND BOWEN
NOES: SULLIVAN
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
7. CITY COUNCIL / STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Public Works Director Blais provided information regarding the Boots in the Park event happening on March 8, 2025.
Council Member Sullivan had concerns regarding E-Bikes and trails.
Public Works Director Blais recommended a discussion regarding the E-Bikes at the City Council Priorities special meeting set to be scheduled later this month.
Council Member Bash had concerns regarding a trailer on Dapplegray Lane and City Manager Free confirmed the issue is an active Code Enforcement case.
Council Member Bash asked to agendize a future discussion regarding rooster requirements.
M/S BASH/NEWTON Agendize a discussion regarding rooster requirements and clarify the municipal code. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: NEWTON, BASH, BOWEN, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: GRUNDMEYER
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
Council Member Bash thanked Facilities and Maintenance Director Hamilton for the Quilts of Valor Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial on March 5, 2025.
Mayor Newton thanked staff for the Little League Event and thanked Facilities and Maintenance Director Hamilton and Parks Superintendent Shank for their work on the field.
8. ADJOURNMENT
City Council Minutes - March 5, 2025
Mayor Newton asked that everyone keep Community Development Director Robles in their thoughts and prayers for the loss of her father.
Mayor Newton adjourned the meeting at 8:37PM with a moment of silence in honor of the passing of Army Veteran, Al Figley.
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Dana Roa, CMC
City Clerk