MINUTES
City Council
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
City Council Chamber – Norco City Hall
2820 Clark Avenue, Norco, CA 92860
CALL TO ORDER 6:00 PM
Mayor Newton called to order Regular and
Special Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL Greg Newton, Council Member
Robin Grundmeyer, Mayor
Kevin Bash, Council Member
Gregory Bowen, Mayor Pro Tem
Fia Sullivan, Council Member
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Newton adjourned to Regular and Special Meeting Closed Session at 6:01 p.m.
City Attorney Burns read Regular and Special Meeting Closed Session Items into the record.
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Property APN No. 152-430-036
Agency negotiator: City Attorney Office
Negotiating parties: City of Norco and Adrian and Lili Adnani 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
City Council Minutes - August 20, 2025
Negotiating parties: City of Norco and Balboa Management Group LLC.
Under negotiation: Price and Terms
SPECIAL MEETING ITEM:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: (1 potential case - facts and circumstances unknown) RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION Mayor Newton reconvened the public session at 7:18 p.m.
REPORT OF ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Burns stated there were no reportable actions taken in closed sessions.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Kevin Bash
INVOCATION Pastor Lazaro Santiago
Beacon Hill Assembly of God
PRESENTATIONS Norco Fair Committee Member Izabelle
Henrickson presented the Read to Ride
Program
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
Tara Young spoke regarding the Community Development scoping meeting on the Wylie Labs property and asked that it be streamed online for the public.
Bonnie Slager reminded the community to purchase fair button with only one more week to go.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
a) Approval of Consent Calendar as Presented
City Council Minutes - August 20, 2025
Council Member Kevin Bash pulled Item 3C for discussion.
Motion was made to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar.
M/S NEWTON/BASH Approve Consent Calendar as Presented with Item 3C 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 August 6, 2025.
3.D. Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-56 Amending the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget to Include Additional Street Maintenance Funds for the Five-Year Tree Trimming, Removal and Planting Contract
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2025-56 Amending the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget to Include Additional Street Maintenance Funds for the Five-Year Tree Trimming, Removal and Planting Contract.
4. ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
3.C. Recap of Actions Taken by the Planning Commission at its Meeting Held on August 13, 2025
Council Member Bash had a question on 5 A, as to if the applicant appealed.
Community Development Director Robles answered the question.
City Council Minutes - August 20, 2025
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S BASH/NEWTON Receive and file the recap of actions taken by the Planning Commission at its meeting held on August 13, 2025 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. Planning Commission Recruitment - Appointment of One New Commission Member or Schedule Interviews of Applicants at a Later Date City Clerk Roa introduced the item, reviewed the recruitment process and called for comments from the applicants.
The following applicants spoke on their behalf, introducing themselves and why they would like to be considered for this vacancy:
Tara Young
Dan Chamberlain
Denny Hutnik
Robin Van Geest
Dillon Wemple
Kenny Munic provided email that was read into the record.
Following discussion, motion was made to schedule interviews with those that attended and spoke at the City Council meeting.
M/S BASH/GRUNDMEYER to schedule interviews to include those applicants that attended the meeting. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, BASH, BOWEN, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
5.B. Discussion on Establishing Appropriate Development Standards to address the Building Size and/or Lot Coverage for Non-residential/agricultural, Conditionally
City Council Minutes - August 20, 2025
Permitted Uses/Buildings in the A-1 Agricultural Low-Density Zone Community Development Director Robles presented report regarding establishing Development Standards.
Council Member Bash inquired about the character of the neighborhood and how proposed changes would match existing buildings.
Community Development Director Robles addressed various questions, explaining the need for a zoning code amendment to match the other buildings in the neighborhood.
Mayor Newton asked whether non-residential uses in the A-1 zone could be added or reduced. They also questioned the graduated setback and the height of the building to the ridge or eave.
Mayor Newton opened Public Comments
Tara Young suggested removing all items from the list of amendments and keeping agricultural zoning strictly for agriculture.
Mayor Newton closed Public Comments.
Council Member Bash reviewed the list of amendments and questioned some items, noting that he did not see anything that could be removed from the list.
Mayor Newton reiterated the need to decide on adding or deleting items.
Council Member Bash emphasized the importance of spelling out the architectural requirements to match the neighborhood.
Council Member Bash what does the character of the neighborhood mean.
Community Development Director Robles answered questions and addressed that matching the other buildings in the neighborhood is important.
Mayor Newton discussed nonresidential uses in A-1, asked if they can be added or reduced, question graduated setbacks and height of building to ridge or eve.
Council Member Sullivan discussed that it is hard in Norco to have a one size fits all, height restrictions with more setbacks is good. and limiting the size of the buildings.
City Council Minutes - August 20, 2025
Council Member Bowen discussed about having more details about building barns on Norco properties.
Mayor Pro Tem Grundmeyer discussed the process and asked the City Attorney if the process being discussed is already in place.
Community Development Director Robles and City Attorney Burns answered questions and discussed concerns.
Following discussion and without formal motion, Council provided direction to staff.
5.C. Discussion on Establishing a Task Force to Seek Affordable Senior Housing Developers for the Property Located Near the Northwest Corner of Hamner Avenue and Fourth Street (APNs 129-230-033,-034, -036, and 037) and with a Housing Development Overlay (HDO)
Community Development Director Robles presented report.
Council Member Bash discussed the item and why he felt it needed to be discussed. He stated that previously a developer came in with a development that was not cohesive to the City of Norco. He stated he would like to work with a developer that could provide senior housing. He stated he would like to see a task force or sub-committee to take on this project.
Mayor Pro Tem Grundmeyer asked for clarification on the make-up of the task force.
Council Member Bash discussed having 2 Council Members, Staff and ag members from the high school and community.
Mayor Newton discussed possible Council Members on the task force and asked if staff would have time for this with their workload.
Mayor Pro Tem Grundmeyer asked if our paid consultants could take this on.
Community Services Director Robles answered questions and addressed concerns.
Council Member Bowen stated he would be happy to assist with this project.
Council Member Sullivan stated she would love to be on the task force, stating that she works with developers that would be helpful in her current business.
City Council Minutes - August 20, 2025
Acting City Manager Hamilton stated that she will work with staff and return to council with more information on a task force.
Mayor Newton opened public comment.
Tara Young spoke in support on this item.
Mayor Newton closed Public Comment
Following discussion and without formal motion, staff will review a process for the task force and return to City Council for final approval.
6. CITY COUNCIL / STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Interim Community Services Director Gonzalez-Marshall reminded the City Council and the Community of National Senior Center Day at the Center with entertainment on Thursday August 21, 12-3 p.m.
Community Service Director Robles reminded the City COuncil and the Community about the EIR Scoping meeting on August 21 at 6 p.m.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Newton adjourned the meeting at 8:44 p.m.
_________________________________
Dana Roa, CMC
City Clerk