MINUTES
City Council
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
City Council Chamber – Norco City Hall
2820 Clark Avenue, Norco, CA 92860
CALL TO ORDER 6:00 PM
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 at 6:01 p.m.
City Attorney Burns read Closed Sessions into the record.
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
Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9:
(2 potential cases)
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9:
(1 potential case)
RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION Mayor Newton reconvened the Public Session at 7:08 p.m.
REPORT OF ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Burns reported that there were no reportable actions on the first two items on the Closed Session Calendar. He announced that the City Council will adjourn to Closed Session at the end of the meeting to hear last item.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Greg Newton
City Council Minutes - October 1, 2025
INVOCATION Pastor Daniel Kitheka
Beacon Hill Assembly of God
INTRODUCTION
CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department Chief William Otterman introduced Norco Fire Station 47 new Battalion Chief Tim Anderson
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 was no public comment at this time.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
a) Approval of Consent Calendar as presented.
Council Member Bowen pulled Item 3.E. for discussion.
M/S BASH/GRUNDMEYER 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
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 and Special Meeting Minutes
City Council Minutes - October 1, 2025
Action: Approved the City Council Regular Meeting and Special Meeting Minutes of September 11, and 17, 2025.
3.C. Acceptance of the Citywide FY 2024-25 Slurry Seal and Veterans Way Improvement Project as Complete
Action: Accepted the Citywide FY 2024-25 Slurry Seal and Veterans Way Improvement Project as complete and authorized the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion with the County of Riverside.
3.D. A request for approval of an amended three-year Professional Services Agreement with Willdan for the Community Development Division for contractual services.
Action: Approved an amendment to the Professional Service Agreement with Willdan to provide contractual services for Community Development Division for the City of Norco.
3.F. Adoption of Resolution 2025-62 to Authorize Participation in the National Opioid Settlements
Action: Adopted Resolution 2025-62 to Authorize Participation in the National Opioid Secondary Manufacturers Settlements.
3.G. Adopt Resolution 2025-63, Establishing Update to the Annual Salary Ranges and Benefits for Classification in the Middle Management, Professional and Confidential Services of the City of Norco for Fiscal Year 2025-26 Action: Adopted Resolution 2025-63, Establishing Update to the Annual Salary Ranges and Benefits for Classification in the Middle Management, Professional and Confidential Services of the City of Norco for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
3.H. Approval of Amendment No.1 to Extend the Professional Services Agreement with Civic Solutions, Inc. to Provide Professional Planning Services.
Action: Approved Civic Solutions, Inc. Contract Amendment No.1, in an amount not to exceed $300,000, authorizing continued professional planning support services.
4. ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
3.E. Adopt of Resolution No. 2025-61 Amending the City of Norco's Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual
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Council Member Bowen had questions and concerns with Personnel Policies regarding employee hair color and code of conduct for staff treating volunteers with respect.
Council Member Bowen made a motion to relook at the Code of Conduct and make changes as appropriate.
There was no second to motion, motion died.
Mayor Pro Tem Grundmeyer asked for clarification about if changes are made would the Personnel Manual need to go back to Unions for approval. She stated the last revision was done in 1990 and would not want to see delays due to employee hair color issue.
City Attorney Burns discussed that section 18.4 regarding employee attire would address this issue.
Council Member Bowen again discussed the poor treatment of volunteers and should be addressed in the Code of Ethics.
Following further discussion, motion was made to approve the City's Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual and directed staff to review Admin Policies to address Council Member Bowen's concerns.
M/S NEWTON/GRUNDMEYER Adopt Resolution No. 2025-61 Amending the City's Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual and direct staff to review Administration Policies to address employee attire and code of conduct. 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. Discussion and Provide Direction on City's Weed Abatement Program City Manager Free presented report.
Facilities and Maintenance Director Hamilton gave an update on the California Rehabilitation Center.
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Mayor Newton opened public comment.
There was no public comment at this time.
Mayor Newton closed public comment.
Council Member Bash discussed that Code Enforcement is reactive, not proactive, which causes problems with neighbors.
Mayor Pro Tem Grundmeyer clarified that the home had a slope with natural vegetation that has to be cleared. She stated she has concerns with wind, rain and erosion. She stated that the Municipal Code is not clear and review is needed. She stated that if vegetation is a fire hazard it should be cut down and controlled but should not be completely removed.
Council Member Bash asked if certain plants can be approved that are not fire hazards and drought tolerant.
Mayor Pro Tem Grundmeyer discussed that native vegetation is approved.
Council Member Bash asked which department would review for revisions.
Mayor Newton asked about the cost impacts to the LMD Areas to irrigate slopes.
Facilities Director Hamilton answered questions and addressed concerns.
Mayor Newton discussed that staff could look into this with Code Enforcement and make modifications as appropriate.
Mayor Pro Tem Grundmeyer asked clarifying questions regarding public nuisance.
Code Enforcement Supervisor Holtzen discussed the spirit or letter of the law, complaints are fire fear driven, and Code will address other nuisances they see while responding to a code complaint when applicable.
Mayor Newton asked for clarification from Code Enforcement.
Code Enforcement Supervisor Holtzen clarified duties and response from Code to being proactive and reactive.
Mayor Pro Tem Grundmeyer asked if every complaint is valid or can some be
City Council Minutes - October 1, 2025
unfounded.
Mayor Newton asked about areas with fuel modifications, do we set standards, Facilities Director Hamilton stated that dead material is removed but the vegetation is left to stabilize the slopes.
Code Enforcement Supervisor Holtzen agreed that fuel modification could be the standard.
Mayor Newton asked that staff look at the fuel modification in the Municipal Code.
Following discussion, motion was made to receive and file.
M/S BASH/NEWTON Receive and File 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 the Concerns of the Lack of a Minimum Setback Requirements for Uncovered Horse Corrals/Corral Fencing from Side and Rear Property Lines in Zones that Allow for the Keeping of Large Animals City Manager Free presented report on 5-foot setbacks on uncovered corrals.
Mayor Newton opened public comment.
Bonnie Slager spoke regarding stallions that were hurt without 5-foot setbacks from property lines, animals are spreading diseases nose to nose, and horses to close to the neighbors fencing are getting hurt. She asked Council to please consider the Planning commission recommendations.
Bill Naylor spoke regarding non-conforming properties, that the setbacks will cut down on areas for our animal keeping and horse owners do their own setbacks to protect their own animals. He stated that if we do this restriction for horses, what about dogs or other animals.
Mayor Newton closed public comment.
City Council Minutes - October 1, 2025
Mayor Newton discussed setbacks for uncovered corrals and asked about covered corrals.
Council Member Bash discussed the covered corrals set backs were to prevent water running off roof to next house, property common fences used as fourth walls, and keeping stallions. He stated he was unsure how this could be enforced if implemented.
Council Member Sullivan stated she understands the intent and feels it will be hard to enforce. She stated utilizing the public nuisance code if the situation calls for it. She stated that the 5 foot setbacks are not reasonable and could be a hardship.
Council Member Bowen stated that putting 5-foot setbacks will take away to much property on the smaller lots. He stated that this would run horse people out of Norco and that it is not Norco's Mission to be so restrictive.
Mayor Pro Tem Grundmeyer stated she is not in favor of 5-foot setbacks and that property owners are responsible for their animals.
Mayor Newton stated it would be best to enforce neighborliness and being good neighbors/property owners. He stated that there will be specific cases where there is discretion allowed, and those conditions will be added to the CUP.
Council Member Bowen discussed the larger commercial lots could be more enforceable.
Mayor Newton stated that should we consider this on CUP approvals along with arena covers.
Council Member Bash stated it goes back to the neighbors working with each other. He stated it is their responsibility to protect their animals and property and work with their neighbors. He also discussed that equine special insurance which will not cover certain issues like this.
Mayor Pro Tem Grundmeyer reiterated that Conditional Use Permits are discretionary.
Following discussion, City Council took no action.
M/S NEWTON/BASH Take no action on minimum setback requirements for uncovered horse corrals/corral fencing. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
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AYES: NEWTON, GRUNDMEYER, BASH, BOWEN, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
6. PUBLIC HEARING(S)
6.A. First Reading, Ordinance No.1135 (City of Norco): An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Norco, California, amending Norco Municipal Code Title 15 “Buildings and Construction”, Chapter 15.09 “Fire Code”, to adopt the California Fire Code and California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (WUI).
Code Amendment 2025-06
Deputy Fire Marshall Michelle Starkey presented report regarding the update to the Fire Code.
Mayor Pro Tem Grundmeyer asked questions regarding resale fireworks in Riverside County, what the rollout period will be, the urban interface, and enforcement.
Deputy Fire Marshall Starkey answered questions and addressed concerns.
Council Member Bowen discussed the plant and tree growth around the powerlines on Edison property.
Deputy Fire Marshall Michelle Starkey stated that the County cannot enforce Edison property.
Council Member Bash had questions about mulch.
Mayor Newton asked for protected habitat clarification.
Deputy Fire Marshall Michelle Starkey answered questions and discussed concerns.
Mayor Newton opened the public hearing.
There were no public comments at this time.
Mayor Newton closed the public hearing.
Council Member Sullivan stated that the words "mentally retarded" be removed
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from the language to be appropriate with the 2023 Dignity for All Act.
Following discussion, motion was made.
M/S NEWTON/BASH Approve the introduction and first read of Ordinance 1135, adoption the 2025 California Fire Code and Wildland-Urban Interface Code (WUI) to amend Norco Municipal Code Title 15 "Buildings and Construction", Chapter
15.09 "Fire Code". with recommended language change to be compliant with 2023 Dignity for All Act. Code Amendment 2025-06. 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
Public Works Director Nelson reminded the community of the Community Clean Up Event Saturday October 4, 2025 at 8 a.m.
Council Member Bash thanked Facilities and Maintenance Director Hamilton for the excellent Gold Star Blue Star Event.
Mayor Newton adjourned to Closed Session at 8:46 p.m.
Mayor Newton reminded the community to attend the State of the City scheduled for Thursday October 9, 2025 at 6 p.m.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Newton reconvened the Public Session at 9:32 p.m.
City Attorney Burns reported that there were no reportable actions taken in Closed Session.
Mayor Newton adjourned the meeting at 9:32 p.m.
City Council Minutes - October 1, 2025
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Dana Roa, CMC
City Clerk