MINUTES
City Council
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
City Council Chamber – Norco City Hall
2820 Clark Avenue, Norco, CA 92860
CALL TO ORDER Dana Roa
Mayor Newton Called the meeting to order
at 6:02 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 Closed Sessions 6:02 P.M.
City Attorney Burns read Closed Sessions into the record.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL--ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2)of Section 54956.9: (1 potential cases)
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
Anticipation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: (1 potential case)
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Facilities and Maintenance Director
RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION Dana Roa
Mayor Newton reconvened the public
session at 7:06 p.m.
REPORT OF ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
City Council Minutes - September 17, 2025
City Attorney Burns stated there were no reportable actions taken in Closed Sessions.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Sullivan
INVOCATION Pastor Lazaro Santiago
Beacon Hill Assembly of God
PRESENTATIONS
Hispanic Heritage Month
National Preparedness Month
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
Geoff Kahan spoke about his time in Norco, thanked City Council for all they have done for him and the community. He stated he was proud to have served the City of Norco and sorry to leave but greener pastures are ahead.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
a) Approval of Consent Calendar as presented.
Item 3.C. pulled for discussion by Council Member Bash.
M/S GRUNDMEYER/BOWEN Approve remainder of 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
City Council Minutes - September 17, 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 and Special Meeting Minutes of September 3, 2025.
3.D. Approval of Resolution Nos. 2025-57 and 2025-58 Approving the Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Norco and Utility Workers Union of America, Local 606 and the Classification Title, Salary Range for Events Maintenance Worker Classification Series and Adopting Salary Schedule FY 2025-26 and 2026-27.
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2025-57 to approve Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Norco and Utility Workers Union of America, Local 606 and the classification title and salary range for Events Maintenance Worker classification series; and adopted Resolution No. 2025-58 to approve the salary schedule for FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27.
3.E. Approve Resolution No. 2025-59 Fixing the Employer Contribution Under the Public Employee's Medical and Hospital Care Act at an Equal Amount For Employees and Annuitants
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2025-59 Fixing the Employer Contribution Under the Public Employee's Medical and Hospital Care Act at an Equal Amount For Employees and Annuitants. This will implement changes in the amount of health insurance contribution to be paid by the City for members of the Utility Workers Union of America, Local 606 effective November 1, 2025.
3.F. Acceptance of the Third Street Improvements Project (Hamner Avenue to Valley View Avenue) as Complete
Action: Accepted the Third Street Improvements Project (Hamner Avenue to Valley View Avenue) as complete and authorize the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the County of Riverside.
3.G. Acceptance of the Woodward Avenue Street Improvements Project as
City Council Minutes - September 17, 2025
Complete
Action: Accepted the Woodward Avenue Street Improvements Project as complete and authorized the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the County of Riverside.
3.H. Approval of Professional Services Agreement with Tripepi Smith & Associates for Communications Support Services, and Adopt Resolution No. 2025-60 Authorizing an Appropriation of $75,000 to Advance the City's Legislative Platform
Action: Approved Professional Services Agreement with Tripepi Smith & Associates for Communications Support Services, and Adopted Resolution No. 2025-60 authorizing an appropriation of $75,000 to advance the City's Legislative Platform carried
3.I. Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Award Action: Received and Filed.
4. ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
3.C. Recap of Actions Taken by the Planning Commission at its Meeting Held on September 10, 2025
Council Member Bash had questions and concerns on Item 4.B. on the Planning Commission Agenda from September 10, 2025.
Community Development Director Robles answered questions and clarified concerns.
M/S BASH/NEWTON Receive and file the recap of actions taken by the Planning Commission at its meeting held on September 10, 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. LEGISLATIVE MATTERS
City Council Minutes - September 17, 2025
5.A. Second Reading: Ordinance No. 1133, approving Code Amendment 2025-04 to amend Title 9, “Fireworks,” Section 9.20.020, “Fireworks Prohibited,” of the Norco Municipal Code to prohibit aerial fireworks and authorize only proximate fireworks for permitted displays, subject to approval by the Riverside County Fire Marshal’s Office
M/S GRUNDMEYER/BASH Adopt Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1133, approving Code Amendment 2025-04 to amend Title 9, “Fireworks,” Section
9.20.020, “Fireworks Prohibited,” of the Norco Municipal Code to prohibit aerial fireworks and authorize only proximate fireworks for permitted displays, subject to approval by the Riverside County Fire Marshal’s Office. 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 Denial of Conditional Use Permit 2025-04 (Sun) - A Request to allow an additional 18 Animal Units for a total of 35 horses at 3745 Sierra Avenue within the A-1-20 (Agricultural, Low Density) Zone (APN: 131-240-002).
Planning Associate Woods-Diaz presented staff report regarding appeal of the Planning Commission Denial of Conditional Use Permit 2025-04 (Sun).
Council Member Bash asked if any past code violations were on the property, any buildings not permitted and if property fencing was part of the back of the corral.
Council Member Sullivan had questions on the 107-foot measurement noted on the parcel map.
Council Member Bowen discussed unpermitted buildings on the map and questioned how long have they been on the property.
Mayor Newton questioned staff as to why they want City Council to uphold the Planning Denial.
Mayor Pro Tem Grundmeyer had questions to the split vote from the Planning Commission, as a denial or no vote.
City Council Minutes - September 17, 2025
Planning Associate Woods-Diaz, Community Development Director Robles and City Attorney Burns answered questions and addressed concerns.
Mayor Newton Opened the Public Hearing
Bill Naylor discussed that the owner does not live on site, the 5 foot setbacks, the evacuation of horses and his concerns about the Planning Commission making decisions on what someone can and can't do on their property.
Bonnie Slager discussed the areas set for horses, how many horses you can have on property, concerns about 12 foot x 12 foot stables and goal is always that the horses are well taken care of.
Mayor Newton closed the Public Hearing.
Applicant Anthony Sun spoke regarding denial of his project, clarified his project, and asked that the City Council please reconsider his request.
Council Member Bash asked the City Attorney about recusing himself from this item as he has conflict with being a business owner also.
City Attorney Burns after for a 5 minute break at 8:05 p.m.
Mayor reconvened the item at 8:09 p.m.
Council Member Bash recused himself from the item due to conflict at this time.
City Attorney Burns clarified "Granfather Laws".
Council Member Sullivan asked that the applicant clarify site plan as to how many stalls that will be on the property.
Applicant SUn answered question.
Council Member Bowen asked for clarification on who lives in front house on site, the fire exit plan, and asked that the block wall be continued if possible.
Mayor Newton asked for clarification on the business that will be on the property, what type of horses on property, straight boarding, sublet stalls, manure management, someone on the property all the time, and bin on the right of way. He discussed self haul and a structure for manure.
City Council Minutes - September 17, 2025
Applicant SUn answered questions of Mayor Newton.
Mayor Pro Tem Grundmeyer discussed the lot size, corral size, storage of hay, and the findings on this project. She stated that the City has not supported Horsetown USA Core Values on this project and she stated it should be approved.
Mayor Newton asked that the ADU update be added to the conditions of approval.
Mayor Pro Tem Grundmeyer Read the Conditions into the record.
Council Member Sullivan asked for clarification on what is permitted and non permitted on the site.
Following further discussion, motion was made.
M/S GRUNDMEYER/BOWEN Approve Conditional Use Permit 2025-04 with added Condition 16 as discussed by Council. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, AND BOWEN
NOES: SULLIVAN
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: BASH
6.B. First Reading, Ordinance 1134 (City of Norco): An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Norco, California, adopting the 2025 California Building Standard Codes, to amend Norco Municipal Code Title 15 “Buildings and Construction”: Code Amendment 2025-05
Building Official Stefan Chiose presented the report regarding Ordinance 1134.
Council Member Bowen asked to review standards with staff at a later date one on one.
Mayor Newton had questions on page 2 Item E, structure built of wood with wood shake roof, strike statement of the "wood shake roof" Mayor Newton opened the Public Hearing.
There was not Public Comment at this time.
City Council Minutes - September 17, 2025
Mayor Newton closed the Public Hearing.
COuncil Member Bowen discussed SCE electric panels.
Building Official Stefan Chiose answered the questions and addressed the concerns.
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S NEWTON/GRUNDMEYER Approve the introduction and first read of Ordinance 1134, adopting the 2025 California Building Standard Codes, to amend Norco Municipal Code Title 15 “Buildings and Construction”: Code Amendment 2025-05. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, BASH, BOWEN, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
7. CITY COUNCIL / STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Newton questioned Public Works Director Nelson as to the timelines of the Valley View to Sierra relocation of poles.
Public Works Director Nelson stated he has no update and will follow up with SCE.
Facilities and Maintenance Director Hamilton reminded the community of the Blue Star Gold Star Family Day event.
Council Member Bash asked for an update on our ADU's and Housing Numbers.
Mayor Newton addressed Geoff Kahan, thanked for him for his volunteerism and dedication to the City of Norco and wished him best on his new chapter.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Newton adjourned the meeting at 9:11 p.m.
City Council Minutes - September 17, 2025
_________________________________
Dana Roa, CMC
City Clerk