MINUTES
City Council
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
City Council Chamber – Norco City Hall
2820 Clark Avenue, Norco, CA 92860
CALL TO ORDER 4:00 PM
ROLL CALL Greg Newton, Council Member
Robin Grundmeyer, Mayor
Kevin Bash, Council Member
Gregory Bowen, Mayor Pro Tem
Fia Sullivan, Council Member
WORKSHOP
A. Discussion of Proposed Fee Study and Cost Allocation Plan The council held a workshop discussing the Proposed Fee Study and Cost Allocation Plan, introduced by Finance Director Calhoun along with consultant Tony Thrasher from Willdan. The discussion included development impact fees, which will be considered later, and past fee increases. Concerns were raised by Council Member Bash regarding credit card and business license fees, prompting discussions on how to inform new businesses about these fees upfront. Mayor Newton and other Council Members expressed their views on the necessity of fee increases to catch up on the past several years without adjustments.
Main topics of discussion were, Business License Fees related to clarification on contractors obtaining licenses, Planning Fees related to increases and specific fees, and Facility Rental Rates related to potential revenue losses.
Finance Director Calhoun discussed next steps.
The workshop concluded without formal action, and there were no public comments made on this matter.
INTRODUCTION
A. Introduce Beacon Hill property and determine if Council desires to discuss price and terms in Closed Session - Oral Report
City Attorney Burns introduced the topic of the Beacon Hill property, seeking the council’s approval to discuss its price and terms in a closed session.
City Council Minutes - August 6, 2025
Following some inquiries regarding local control of the property, a motion was made.
M/S BASH/NEWTON Approve discussion in Closed Session the price and terms of Beacon Hill property
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Newton adjourned to closed sessions at 5:00 PM to discuss labor negotiations and anticipated litigation, including potential cases involving real property negotiations.
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
Pursuant to Government Code §54954.5
Agency designated representatives: Acting City Manager and City Attorney Employee organization: Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO Local 606
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Anticipation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: (2 potential cases)
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Property APN No. 130-240-022 - 25.36 acres development site - CG Zone Agency negotiator: Acting City Manager
Negotiating parties: Pensco Trust Co Luce David B
Under negotiation: Price and Terms
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: 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
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
City Council Minutes - August 6, 2025
Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: (1 potential case) - Consider preparation and filing of Amicus brief in support of City of Huntington Beach – City of Huntington Beach v. Newsom, et al. (9th Cir. Case No.: 23-3694) RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION 7:00 PM
REPORT OF ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Burns reported that on Item 1 Council gave staff authority to negotiate, Item 2 there was nothing to report, Item 3 real authority, Item 4 was not discussed, Item 5 Council was updated, and Item 6 Council authorized staff to seek out support.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Pro Tem Robin Grundmeyer
INVOCATION Pastor Michelle Ehrenberg
The Redeemer's Community Church
PRESENTATIONS
WRCOG Inland Regional Energy Network - City of Norco Final Energy Resilience Roadmap
Casey Dailey and Anthony Segura presented the Final Energy Resilience Roadmap for the City of Norco, highlighting initiatives from the WRCOG Inland Regional Energy Network
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
Chris Gray from WRCOG updated the Community and City Council about funding for sound walls, $4 million dollars has been secured for the City of Norco for the project.
City Council Minutes - August 6, 2025
Bonnie Slager thanked Council for the nomination for the Senior Legacy Award and reminded the community that the fair is coming in September and to purchase your Fair Button.
Lucas Negroni, owner of a small independent movie company, asked that fees be waived to film in the City of Norco for small marketing filming.
Tara Young asked that the Municipal Code regulation regarding filming in the City be reviewed and updated to today's technology.
Ohan Chitgian spoke regarding filming fees expense, and he would appreciate a reduction in permit fees.
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, 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
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
Approved the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of July 16, 2025.
3.C. Quarterly Investment Report for Quarter Ended June 30, 2025 Received and filed the Quarterly Investment Report for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2025.
City Council Minutes - August 6, 2025
3.D. Amendment of Fiscal Year 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to include additional funding for the On-Call Street Maintenance Services; and accept the proposal and Award of Performance Services Contract for On-Call Street Maintenance Services
Adopted Resolution No. 2025-55 to increase Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-30 CIP street funding in the amount of $100,000 for the On-Call Street Maintenance Service contract; accept the proposals submitted for performance services to provide Annual On-Call Street Maintenance Services, award a three-year contract to Hardy & Harper, Inc., and authorized the Mayor to execute the contract in the amount not-to-exceed $300,000 annually.
3.E. Designation of Voting Delegate and Alternate for the 2025 League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo and Adopt Resolution No. 2025-53 Adopted Resolution No. 2025-53, designating Council Member Kevin Bash as the voting delegate to represent the City of Norco at the 2025 League of California Cities Annual Conference and Council Member Greg Bowen as alternate.
3.F. Acceptance of Proposal and Award of Contract for On-Call Street Striping and Pavement Marking Services
Accepted the proposals and awarded a three-year contract to Superior Pavement Markings for Annual On-Call Street Striping and Pavement Marking Services, with an annual expenditure not to exceed $70,000.
3.G. Acceptance of Proposal and Award of Multi-year Contract for Water System Valve and Hydrant Assessment Services
Accepted the proposals submitted for professional services to provide Water System Valve and Hydrant Assessment Services, awarded a three-year contract to Xylem Dewatering Solutions Inc., dba Wachs Water Services and authorized the Mayor to execute the contract in the amount not-to-exceed $180,000 annually.
3.H. Acceptance of the 2024-25 Equestrian Trail Fencing Replacement Project as Complete
Accepted the 2024-25 Equestrian Trail Fencing Replacement Project as complete and authorized the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the County of Riverside.
3.I. Adoption of Resolution 2025-54 to Authorize Participation in the National Opioid Settlements
City Council Minutes - August 6, 2025
Adopted Resolution 2025-54 to Authorized Participation in the National Opioid Settlements.
4. ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
There were no items pulled from the Consent Calendar.
5. LEGISLATIVE MATTERS
5.A. Second Reading: Ordinance No. 1132 Approving Zone Change (pre-zone) 2023-01, to Pre-zone Approximately 56.82 Acres of Territory North of Bluff Street and West of River Road in the County of Riverside to be annexed to the City of Norco as Part of Annexation 27
City Attorney Burns presented report.
There was no Public Comment at this time.
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S BASH/GRUNDMEYER Second Reading: Ordinance No. 1132 approving Zone Change (pre-zone) 2023-01. The Motion was carried by 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. Discussion of Fireworks Prohibition per Municipal Code 9.20.020 Acting City Manager Hamilton presented a report on the fireworks prohibition, leading to discussions on various types of fireworks and community concerns.
Mayor Newton opened public comments.
Bonnie Slager stated opposition to all fireworks in the City of Norco.
City Council Minutes - August 6, 2025
Mayor Newton closed public comment.
Following discussion, the City Council decided to revise the prohibition to eliminate aerial fireworks while allowing proximate fireworks.
Motion was made.
M/S NEWTON/SULLIVAN Revise Municipal Code 9.20.020, Fireworks Prohibition, to eliminate ariel fireworks and only allow proximate firework. 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. Discussion and Consideration of a Horse Trail Dedication Program Acting City Manager Hamilton presented report regarding a proposal for a Horse Trail Dedication Program.
Discussion was had with Council Members expressing various opinions.
Mayor Newton opened public comment.
Bonnie Slager spoke regarding the reason why she brought this item to City Councils attention.
Mayor Newton closed public comment.
Following further discussion, the City Council put recommendation on hold and decided to forward to Community Groups as this would fall better under their purview.
M/S NEWTON/GRUNDMEYER Place Horse Trail Dedication Program on hold and Council Members will work with Community Groups for their feedback. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, BASH, BOWEN, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
City Council Minutes - August 6, 2025
7. CITY COUNCIL / STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
City Clerk Roa discussed upcoming Special Election.
Interim Community Services Director thanked City Council for all their support and supporting the new Wee People Programing.
Mayor Pro Tem Grundmeyer reminded the Community and Staff that the first day of school was coming and to prepare their schedules accordingly.
Council Member Bash discussed film permit fees and asked for a future discussion on filming in the City with a more clear and modern policy.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Newton adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m.
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Dana Roa, CMC
City Clerk