MINUTES
City Council
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
City Council Chamber – Norco City Hall
2820 Clark Avenue, Norco, CA 92860
CALL TO ORDER 4:00 PM
ROLL CALL Greg Newton, Mayor
Robin Grundmeyer, Mayor Pro Tem
Kevin Bash, Council Member
Gregory Bowen, Council Member
Fia Sullivan, Council Member
BUDGET WORKSHOP
A. Discussion of Preliminary Fiscal Year 2025-26 Operating and Capital Improvement Program Budgets
Mayor Newton opened Public Comment for the Workshop.
Bonnie Slager spoke regarding the top ten streets and horse trails needing to be repaired.
Mayor Newton closed Public Comment for the Workshop.
City Manager Free thanked Finance Manager Liu for her assistance as Interim Finance Director.
Finance Director Calhoun introduced himself.
City Manager Free provided a recap from the last workshop and provided information for the Capital Improvement Program Budget. She presented the funding for review and further direction.
City Manager Free answered questions and addressed concerns.
Interim Community Services Director Gonzalez-Marshall answered questions and addressed concerns regarding the Homeless Program Services and City events.
City Manager Free answered questions and clarified funding for the Homeless Program Services.
City Council Minutes - June 4, 2025
City Manager Free and Finance Director Calhoun answered questions and addressed concerns regarding Animal Control and IT services.
Council Members discussed City offered programs and events.
Chief Otterman answered questions and addressed concerns regarding CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department services and positions and the Wildland Protection Agreement.
City Manager Free answered questions and addressed concerns regarding fee schedules.
Interim Public Works Director Nelson answered questions and addressed concerns regarding Utility Compliance Coordinator positions.
Interim Community Services Director Gonzalez-Marshall answered questions and addressed concerns regarding City events.
Council Members provided a consensus on contracts, positions, services and City programs and events they wished to keep, reduce or remove from the budget.
Mayor Newton requested a special meeting be scheduled to further discuss the budget.
Mayor Newton adjourned the Workshop and called for a break at 6:08 PM.
Mayor Pro Tem Grundmeyer excused herself at this time and was absent from the remainder of the meeting.
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Newton adjourned to Closed Session at 6:13 PM.
City Attorney Burns read the Closed Session items into the record.
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
Pursuant to Government Code §54954.5
Agency designated representatives: City Manager and City Attorney Employee organization: Norco General Employees Association, Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO Local 606, Unrepresented Employees: Mid-Management, Confidential, and Management Employees
City Council Minutes - June 4, 2025
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Property: Silverlakes Sports Park - APNs 152060004; 152060011; 152070001; 152070002; and 152070011
Agency negotiator: City Manager
Negotiating parties: City of Norco and Balboa Management Group LLC.
Under negotiation: Price and Terms
RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION 7:12 PM
REPORT OF ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Burns stated there were no reportable actions taken during Closed Session.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Bash
INVOCATION Pastor Fred Griffin
Corona Church of the Open Door
PRESENTATIONS LGBTQ+ Pride 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
There were no public comments at this time.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
a) Approval of Consent Calendar as Presented
M/S BASH/SULLIVAN Approve Consent Calendar as Presented. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: NEWTON, BASH, BOWEN, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: GRUNDMEYER
ABSTAIN: NONE
City Council Minutes - June 4, 2025
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 May 21, 2025.
3.C. Subordination Agreement between Five Star Bank and City of Norco Related to Loan Agreement with Five Keys Schools and Programs for 4208 California Avenue
Action: Approved subordination agreement between Five Star Bank, a California banking corporation, and the City of Norco.
3.D. Increasing Revenue, Appropriation and Expenditure from the FY 2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) Program in the Amount of $11,322 for Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Upgrades And Establishing the Fire Chief as the Authorized Agent in Any Actions Necessary for the Purpose of Obtaining Federal Financial Assistance Provided by the Federal Department of Homeland Security through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Sub-Granted through the State of California Office of Emergency Services
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2025-28, accepting EMPG funds in amount of $5,661 and agreeing to match with a contribution of $5,661 for upgrades and enhancements to the EOC, and identifying the Fire Chief as the Authorized Agent to act on behalf of the City of Norco in any actions necessary for the purpose of obtaining Federal financial assistance provided by the Federal Department of Homeland Security through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and sub-granted through the California Office of Emergency Services.
4. ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
There were no items pulled from the Consent Calendar.
5. PUBLIC HEARING(S)
City Council Minutes - June 4, 2025
5.A. Presentation on City Vacancies and Recruitment/Retention Efforts HR Manager Balderas presented the report on City Vacancies and Recruitment/Retention Efforts.
HR Manager Balderas answered questions and addressed concerns.
Mayor Newton opened the Public Hearing.
There were no public comments at this time.
Mayor Newton closed the Public Hearing.
HR Manager Balderas answered additional questions.
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S BASH/NEWTON Receive and file. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: NEWTON, BASH, BOWEN, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: GRUNDMEYER
ABSTAIN: NONE
5.B. Proposition 218 Public Protest Hearing - Approval of 5-Year Potable Water, Recycled Water and Sewer Rate Increases
Interim Public Works Director Nelson presented the report on Proposition 218 Public Protest Hearing for approval of 5-year potable water, recycled water and sewer rate increases.
City Attorney Burns clarified information regarding the procedure of the Public Protest Hearing.
Interim Public Works Director Nelson answered questions and addressed concerns.
Mayor Newton opened the Public Hearing.
There were no public comments at this time.
City Clerk Roa provided information on the one protest received.
City Council Minutes - June 4, 2025
Mayor Newton closed the Public Hearing.
Motion was made.
M/S BASH/BOWEN Conduct a Public Protest Hearing. If the majority protest fails, adopt Resolution 2025-34 approving 5-year rate adjustment to Potable Water, Recycled Water and Sewer rates. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: NEWTON, BASH, BOWEN, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: GRUNDMEYER
ABSTAIN: NONE
5.C. Ordering the Continuation of Landscape Maintenance Districts, Confirming a Diagram, Assessment, and Annual Assessment Levy for Districts No. 1 – Beazer, Tract 28765; No. 2 – Western Pacific, Tract 25779; No. 3 – Centex, Tract 28626; No. 4 – Norco Ridge Ranch, Tracts 29588 and 29589; and No. 5 – Hawk’s Crest, Tract 30230
Facilities and Maintenance Director Hamilton presented the report on the continuation of the Landscape Maintenance Districts.
Facilities and Maintenance Director Hamilton answered questions and addressed concerns.
Mayor Newton opened the Public Hearing.
Bill Naylor spoke regarding his concerns for the funds being collected for each of the Landscape Maintenance Districts and the ending fund balances.
Mayor Newton closed the Public Hearing.
Facilities and Maintenance Director Hamilton answered questions regarding the funds.
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S BASH/SULLIVAN Open the Public Hearing, hear public testimony, and adopt Resolution No. 2025-29, LMD No.1 (Beazer); Resolution No. 2025-30, LMD No. 2 (Western Pacific); Resolution No. 2025-31, LMD No. 3 (Centex); Resolution 2025- 32, LMD No. 4 (Norco Ridge Ranch); Resolution No. 2025-33, LMD No. 5 (Hawks
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Crest), providing for an Annual Assessment Levy necessary to maintain the Landscape Maintenance Districts. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: NEWTON, BASH, BOWEN, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: GRUNDMEYER
ABSTAIN: NONE
5.D. Public Hearing: Ordinance No. 1131, Code Amendment 2025-02: An Ordinance of the City of Norco amending Norco Municipal Code Title 15 (Building and Construction), Chapter 15.09 (Fire Code) Section 15.09.280 and Title 9 (Peace, Safety and Morals) Chapter 9.65 (Fire and Life Safety) Section
9.65.11 to designate and reflect the Fire Hazard Severity Zones map dated March 24, 2025, by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection City Manager Free presented the request to continue the Public Hearing for Ordinance No. 1131 to the Regular City Council Meeting of June 18, 2025.
City Council had no questions or concerns.
Motion was made.
M/S NEWTON/BASH Continue the Public Hearing to the Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting on June 18, 2025. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: NEWTON, BASH, BOWEN, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: GRUNDMEYER
ABSTAIN: NONE
6. CITY COUNCIL / STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Community Development Director Robles spoke regarding the public hearing item for the General Plan Amendment that was scheduled for the June 11, 2025, Planning Commission meeting but will be continued and heard at a later date.
Council Member Bowen thanked the CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department.
Mayor Newton thanked the CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department.
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Mayor Newton spoke regarding the Concerts in the Park.
Interim Community Services Director Alejandra Gonzalez-Marshall and City Clerk Roa provided information regarding Council Members being an MC for the concerts.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Newton adjourned the meeting at 8:10 PM.
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Dana Roa, CMC
City Clerk