MINUTES
City Council
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
City Council Chamber – Norco City Hall
2820 Clark Avenue, Norco, CA 92860
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Newton opened the Special Meeting to run concurrently with the Regular Meeting.
ROLL CALL Greg Newton, Mayor
Robin Grundmeyer, Mayor Pro Tem
Kevin Bash, Council Member
Gregory Bowen, Council Member
Fia Sullivan, Council Member
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Newton adjourned to the Regular and Special Meeting Closed Session at 6:03 PM.
City Attorney Burns read the Closed Session items into the record.
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE/DISMISSAL/RELEASE
RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION 7:00 PM
REPORT OF ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Burns stated there were no reportable actions for the Regular and Special Meeting Closed Session items.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Pro Tem Grundmeyer
INVOCATION Pastor Daniel Kitheka
Beacon Hill Assembly of God
PRESENTATIONS Women's History Month Proclamation
Waste Management:
Chicken Program Update
Student Scholarships
1. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS ON REGIONAL BOARDS
City Council Minutes - March 19, 2025
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
Rocky Lowstetter stated he provided a handout of the erosion in front of his house and spoke regarding his home and the pavers he has installed. He asked that City Council consider allowing the pavers to remain at the front of his property.
Matt Jefferson spoke regarding item 3.H. and his concerns with Webb Municipal Finance, LLC, and the cost burden the LMD district residents have.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
a) Approval of Consent Calendar as Presented.
Council Member Bash requested that item 3.C. be pulled for discussion.
Mayor Newton requested that item 3.H. be pulled for discussion.
M/S BASH/BOWEN Approve of Consent Calendar as Presented with items 3.C. and 3.H. 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 March 05, 2025.
City Council Minutes - March 19, 2025
3.D. Amendment to Increase the Contract Amount for NCS Engineers for the Perand Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Fluoride Treatment Design Project Action: Approved an amendment to the contract for NCS Engineers (NCS) in the amount of $107,131 for additional design services related to the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Fluoride treatment system at the existing Bluff Groundwater Treatment Plant.
3.E. Acceptance of Bids and Award of Contract for the Woodward Ave Street Improvements
Action: Accepted bids and awarded a contract to Mendoza Engineering Company, Inc. for Woodward Avenue Street Improvements Project, in the amount of $255,330 and authorized the City Manager to approve contract change orders up to 10 percent of the total bid amount.
3.F. Agreement with the National Parks and Recreation Association for funds program for Fiscal Year 2024-25.
Action: Approved the contract for a $2,500 micro-grant awarded to the Community Services Department for the "How to Coach Kids" training program. This program is designed to equip staff and volunteer coaches in the Sports Division with the necessary skills and knowledge to support positive youth development.
3.G. Streets, Trails, and Utilities Commission Review of Possible Exceptions for the Use of Pavers In the Trails
Action: Received and filed Streets, Trails, and Utilities Commission recommendation to the City Council to not amend Trail Standard 700 or allow any exceptions and/or waivers related to the installation of pavers in the trail system.
4. ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
3.C. Recap of Actions Taken by the Planning Commission at its Meeting Held on March 12, 2025
Council Member Bash had questions and concerns regarding item 5.C. of the Planning Commission March 12, 2025, minutes in regard to the liquor license.
Community Development Director Robles answered questions and addressed concerns.
City Council Minutes - March 19, 2025
Council Member Sullivan had questions and concerns with item 5.A. of the Planning Commission March 12, 2025, minutes regarding the location of the horse corrals, the number of horse corrals provided and the material of the structures. She recommended the project be brought back for review.
Mayor Newton stated he would also like to see the project brought back to the City Council for review.
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S SULLIVAN/NEWTON Appeal item 5.A., Site Plan 2022-01 and Conditional Use Permit 2022-02, and bring back to City Council for review. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: NEWTON, BASH, BOWEN, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: GRUNDMEYER
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
M/S BASH/NEWTON Receive and file the recap of actions taken by the Planning Commission at its meeting held on March 12, 2025. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, BASH, BOWEN, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
3.H. Consideration of Resolutions for Authorizing the Preparation of the Engineer's Report for Landscape Maintenance Districts 1-5
Mayor Newton asked Facilities and Maintenance Director Hamilton to address residence concerns and clarify the reasoning for choosing Webb Municipal Finance, LLC, to assist with the Annual Levy process for the LMD districts.
Facilities and Maintenance Director Hamilton answered the question and addressed concerns.
Council Members had no further questions, motion was made.
M/S NEWTON/BASH Adopt Resolution No. 2025-07 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Norco, California, Ordering the Preparation of the
City Council Minutes - March 19, 2025
Engineer’s Report for Landscape Maintenance District No. 1 (Beazer, Tract 28765) to Establish Annual Assessments for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
Adopt Resolution No. 2025-08 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Norco, California, Ordering the Preparation of the Engineer’s Report for Landscape Maintenance District No. 2 (Western Pacific, Tract 25779) to Establish Annual Assessments for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
Adopt Resolution No. 2025-09 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Norco, California, Ordering the Preparation of the Engineer’s Report for Landscape Maintenance District No. 3 (Centex, Tract 28626) to Establish Annual Assessments for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
Adopt Resolution No. 2025-10 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Norco, California, Ordering the Preparation of the Engineer’s Report for Landscape Maintenance District No. 4 (Norco Ridge Ranch, Tracts 29588 and 29589) to Establish Annual Assessments for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
Adopt Resolution No. 2025-11 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Norco, California, Ordering the Preparation of the Engineer’s Report for Landscape Maintenance District No. 5 (Hawks Crest – Tract 30230) to Establish Annual Assessments for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, BASH, BOWEN, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
5. CITY COUNCIL / STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
City Clerk Roa discussed the Community Clean Up event happening on Saturday, March 22, 2025.
Mayor Newton had questions regarding the Streets, Trails and Utilities Commissions decision regarding the pavers in the horse trail.
Public Works Director Blais answered questions and addressed concerns.
Public Works Director Blais discussed the Community Clean Up event and future projects within the City.
Facilities and Maintenance Director Hamilton, Chief Otterman, Lieutenant Hall, City Attorney Burns, and Community Development Director Robles congratulated
City Council Minutes - March 19, 2025
Public Works Director Chad on his new position with the City of Colton.
City Manager Free provided information regarding the City Hall Closure on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, from 8am to 12pm.
Mayor Newton, Mayor Pro Tem Grundmeyer and all Council Members thanked Public Works Director Blais for all of his work with the City of Norco and wished him well on his next endeavor.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Council Member Bowen asked for a moment of silence for San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy, Hector Cuevas Jr., who was killed in the line of duty on March 17, 2025.
Mayor Newton adjourned the meeting at 8:05 PM.
_________________________________
Dana Roa, CMC
City Clerk