MINUTES
City Council
Wednesday, April 16, 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 closed the Special Meeting Closed Session at 5:59 PM.
Mayor Newton adjourned to the Regular Meeting Closed Session at 6:00 PM.
City Attorney Burns read the Regular Meeting Closed Session items into the record.
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Property: (APN 153121010; APN 153121008; APN 153121012; APN 153121004; APN 153121003; APN 153121002; APN 153121001)
Agency negotiator: City Manager, City Attorney, Director of Public Works, Community Development Director and Finance Director
Negotiating parties: City of Norco and Property Owners: (Samuel Davis and Carly Davis; Denee Simeone and Joseph Simeone; Robert Barth; Kent Crowson and Wanda Crowson; Rafael Ramirez; Juan Ramirez and Beatriz Ramirez; Jeffery Nelson and Otila Nelson)
Under negotiation: Price and terms of payment
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Property: (APN 131140005)
Agency negotiator: City Manager, City Attorney, Director of Public Works, Community Development Director, Finance Director and Jewels Farmer Negotiating parties: City of Norco and Zhenyan Wang
Under negotiation: Price and terms of payment
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Property: Silverlakes Sports Park
Agency negotiator: Interim City Manager
City Council Minutes - April 16, 2025
Negotiating parties: City of Norco and Balboa Management Group LLC.
Under negotiation: Price and Terms
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—EXISTING LITIGATION
(Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9)
Name of case: In re Ciesla
RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION 7:10 PM
REPORT OF ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Burns stated there were no reportable actions taken for the Regular Meeting Closed Session items.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Bowen
INVOCATION Pastor Robert Vega
Beacon Hill Assembly of God
PRESENTATIONS National Volunteer Month Proclamation
DMV/Donate Life Month Proclamation -
Katryn Mantz and Rita Jackson
Riverside County Sheriff's Contract Rate -
Emily Long
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
Sarah Stark spoke regarding the cancellation of the Animal Services auction that was scheduled to take place for the confiscated animals and her concerns for the placement of the animals.
Justin White spoke regarding the confiscated animals and his concerns for the animal service fees charged for the care of the animals.
Bonnie Slager spoke regarding Norco Horsweek and reminded the community to
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attend the different events throughout April 25 - May 4, 2025, and that the Horseweek book should be delivered in mailboxes soon and are also available in the stores on Sixth Street.
Geoff Kahan thanked the City Council for recognizing Donate Life Month and spoke regarding his life saving experience with his Donate Life doner. He reminded the community of April 16, 2025 being Rose M. Eldridge's birthday and the anniversary of George A. Ingalls' death.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
a) Approval of Consent Calendar as Presented.
Council Member Bash pulled item 3.K. for discussion.
M/S GRUNDMEYER/BOWEN Approve of Consent Calendar as presented with item
3.K. 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 April 02, 2025.
3.C. Recap of Actions Taken by the Planning Commission at its Meeting Held on April 09, 2025
Action: Received and filed the recap of actions taken by the Planning Commission at its meeting held on April 09, 2025.
3.D. Annual Adoption of the City Investment Policy
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Action: Approved and Adopted Resolution 2025-13, City of Norco Investment Policy.
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 March 31, 2025.
3.F. Quarterly Investment Report for Quarter Ended March 31, 2025 Action: Received and filed the Quarterly Investment Report for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2025.
3.G. Acceptance of the Norco Animal Shelter NPDES Improvement Project as Complete (Project No. 4414.3)
Action: Accepted the Norco Animal Shelter National Pollutant Discharge Elimination (NPDES) Improvement Project as complete and authorized the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion with the County of Riverside.
3.H. Acceptance of the Senior Center Emergency Generator Project as Complete (Project No. 54303.17)
Action: Accepted the Senior Center Emergency Generator Project as complete and authorized the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion with the County of Riverside.
3.I. 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
Action: Received and filed for submittal to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR).
3.J. Approve Licensing Agreement with the Norco Rotary Club Action: Approved the Licensing Agreement with the Norco Rotary Club for the use of designated facilities at the Ingalls Event Center to host three Rotary events, in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the agreement.
4. ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
3.K. Pre-approved Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Plans.
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Senior Permit Technician, Lacey David, presented the report on the preapproved Accessory Dwelling Unit Plans.
Senior Permit Technician David answered questions and addressed concerns from Council Member Bash regarding exterior requirements and Council Member Bowen regarding site plan information.
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S BASH/BOWEN Receive and file to be in compliance with Assembly Bill (AB) 1332. 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. Summary of Street, Trails & Utilities Commission (STUC) Recommendation to not allow exceptions for the installation of pavers in the trail system.
Interim Public Works Director Nelson presented the report for the summary of the Streets, Trails & Utilities Commission recommendation.
Council Members discussed their concerns with the homeowner's current driveway situation and possible solutions to assist with the slope and drainage that is causing damage.
Mayor Newton opened Public Comment.
There were no public comments at this time.
Mayor Newton closed Public Comment.
Council Members discussed trail standards and current Norco Municipal Code requirements and possible exceptions.
City Attorney Burns provided information regarding amendments that can be made as exceptions to the current requirements.
Council Members discussed the existing condition of the trail and agreed
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corrective action is needed to alleviate the drainage damage but the current requirements of the Norco Municipal Code still stand.
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S BASH/SULLIVAN Discuss and provide feedback to the Streets, Trails & Utilities Commission (STUC) recommendation to not revise Trail Standard 700, provide education and options to the homeowner and continue with the active Code Enforcement case to remove the pavers.
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. Appeal Hearing: An appeal of the Planning Commission approval of Site Plan 2022-01 and Conditional Use Permit 2022-02 (Dorbayan) - A request to approve an 11,780 square foot shopping center and a 1,384 square-foot drivethru food service facility, located at 1461 Sixth Street within the C-4 (Commercial) Zone. APNs: 131-140-026, -033, -036, and -037.
Community Development Director Robles presented the report on the Appeal Hearing of Site Plan 2022-01 and Conditional Use Permit 2022-02.
Community Development Director Robles answered questions and addressed concerns regarding the retail space, western elements, the material of the corrals, and the overall site plan.
Mayor Newton opened the Public Hearing.
Applicant, Stephen Weaver, spoke regarding the project.
Bonnie Slager spoke regarding the corner of valley view and sixth street on Sunday was backed up, where this is located should be right turn only, also getting into the center looks hard. Traffic concerns, if hard to get into or bad for horse, community will no attend. Horse by play area is not a good idea. the 10 feet in is a concerns.
Mayor Newton closed the Public Hearing.
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Council Members discussed their concerns for the corrals and horse tie up location and size, set back concerns, parking concerns, the surrounding wall and future development in the open area.
Community Development Director Robles answered questions and addressed concerns.
Project Architect, Cyrus Dorbayan, and Applicant, Stephen Weaver, spoke regarding the Council Members concerns and provided additional information regarding the project and their willingness to work with the City on any Conditions of Approval needed for the project.
City Attorney Burns answered questions regarding the Architectual Review Committee.
Council Members discussed the elements of concern and having them added as Conditions of Approval.
Community Development Director Robles answered questions regarding the process of enforcement of the Conditions of Approval.
Council Members continued the discussion on the overall architect and the horse corrals.
City Attorney Burns provided information for Council Members on adding Conditions of Approval and provided a recommendation to have staff bring back those conditions for approval to the next regular scheduled City Council meeting.
Following discussion, motion was made.
City Attorney Burns clarified the language of the motion.
M/S BASH/NEWTON Continue the Appeal Hearing of Site Plan 2022-01 and Conditional Use Permit 2022-02, subject to the Conditions of Approval in Planning Commission Resolutions 2025-03 and 2025-04 respectively, to the Regular City Council Meeting of May 07, 2025, to have the City Attorney and Staff bring back Resolutions of approval with added Conditions of Approval including to have the applicant work with the Planning Director on additional exterior design elements to incorporate western elements and receive final approval from the Planning Director. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, BASH, BOWEN, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
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ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
7. CITY COUNCIL / STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Facilities and Maintenance Director Hamilton reminded the City Council and community of the Grand Opening of Pikes Peak Park Playground on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 10am. She provided an update on the bleachers that would be ready for use for the Sunrise Service to kick off Norco Horseweek.
Council Member Bash provided closing remarks in honor of the anniversary of the death of George A. Ingalls and gave a brief history of his life.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Newton closed the meeting in honor of George A. Ingalls and Rose M.
Eldridge.
Mayor Newton adjourned the meeting at 9:56 PM.
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Dana Roa, CMC
City Clerk