MINUTES
City Council
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
City Council Chamber – Norco City Hall
2820 Clark Avenue, Norco, CA 92860
CALL TO ORDER 6:00 PM
ROLL CALL Robin Grundmeyer, Mayor
Gregory Bowen, Mayor Pro Tem
Kevin Bash, Council Member
Greg Newton, Council Member
Fia Sullivan, Council Member
CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Burns read the closed session items in to the record.
Mayor Grundmeyer recessed the meeting at 6:01 p.m.
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Gov. Code §54956.8
Property: APNs 119-020-015 and 119-020-022, located at or near River Road and Second Street, Norco, California
Agency Negotiators: City Manager, City Attorney and Director of Community Development
Negotiating Parties: RBE Norco-JFH 1 LLC (Douglas Jacobson) Under Negotiation: Price and terms of potential disposition, development, or other use of City-owned property, including whether to enter into negotiations with the identified party and issues relating to prior purchase and sale agreements.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — EXISTING LITIGATION
(Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9)
Name of case: Bonanza Properties, LLC v. City of Norco
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — EXISTING LITIGATION
(Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9)
Name of case: People of the State of California ex rel. City Attorney v. Bonanza Properties, LLC
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9:
(1 potential case)
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
City Council Minutes - March 18, 2026
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: (1 potential case)
RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION 7:00 PM
Mayor Grundmeyer reconvened the Public
Session at 7:02 p.m.
REPORT OF ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Burns reported that there is no reportable actions on the first three 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 the last two items.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Bash led the pledge of allegiance.
INVOCATION Pastor Lazaro Santiago from Beacon Hill
led the invocation.
PRESENTATIONS
CAL FIRE/Riverside Country Fire
Department Chief William Otterman
introduced Fire Chief Fish
1. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS ON REGIONAL BOARDS
The Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem and Council Members provided report on their recent individual participation in committees, commission, reginal boards and community organizations.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Morgan Easel, with Norco Wranglers Gymkhana Club requested City Council consideration for more consistent and equitable arena scheduling, including designated event weekends. Stated that recent loss of traditional event months and condensed scheduling create hardship for participants and horses.
Celeste Tittle spoke about a recent positive and cooperative interaction with City Manager Free and Community Development Director Cataldi who came to her residence and provided solutions to on ongoing code enforcement case. She expressed appreciation for current City leadership and indicated a desire to work collaboratively moving forward.
City Council Minutes - March 18, 2026
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
Approval of Consent Calendar as presented.
Council Member Newton pulled Item 3.F. for discussion.
M/S BASH/BOWEN to approve remainder of Consent Calendar as presented. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: GRUNDMEYER, BOWEN, BASH, NEWTON, 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 March 4, 2026.
3.C. Adopt Resolution 2026-12 to amend the FY 2025-26 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget to add the Hamner Avenue Sound Wall Improvement Project and approve the proposal from RKA Consulting Group to provide Professional Engineering Services for the Hamner Avenue Sound Wall Improvement Project
Action: Adopted Resolution 2026-12 to amend the FY 2025-26 CIP Budget to add the Hamner Avenue Sound Wall Improvement Project; accept the design services proposal and award a contract to RKA Consulting Group in the amount of $194,784 and authorize the City Manager to approve contract change orders up to 10 percent of the total proposal amount.
3.D. Second Reading and Adoption of An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Norco Increasing Council Member Compensation
City Council Minutes - March 18, 2026
Action: Adopted the attached Ordinance Increasing Council Member Compensation.
3.E. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No.1139 adopting Zone Code Amendment 2026-01 (City of Norco): A City-Initiated amendment to Title 18, Chapter 18.02, "Definitions", and Chapter 18.59 "Rooming and Boarding House", to update and clarify the provisions in the Norco Municipal Code for compliance with State law and the City of Norco's 2021-2029 Housing Element Action: Adopted Ordinance No. 1139 approving Zone Code Amendment 2026-01.
3.G. Acceptance of Bids and Award of Contract for the FY 2025-26 Equestrian Trail Fencing Project (Various Locations)
Action: Accepted bids and award a contract to Valley Cities Gonzales Fence, Inc. for the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Equestrian Trail Fencing Project (Various Locations) in the amount of $214,050; and authorize the City Manager to approve contract change orders up to 10 percent of the total bid amount.
3.H. Acceptance of Bids, Approve Project Plans, and Award Contract for the Fire Station 47 HVAC Replacement (Project No. 54303.15)
Action: Accepted the bids, approved project plans, and award contract to Allison Mechanical, Inc. in the amount of $360,500 for the Fire Station 47 HVAC Replacement Project; and authorize the City Manager to approve contract change orders up to 10% of the original contract.
3.I. Consideration of Resolutions Authorizing the Preparation of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Engineer's Reports for Landscape Maintenance Districts 1-5 Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2026-13 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Norco, California, Ordering the Preparation of the Engineer’s Report for Landscape Maintenance District No. 1 (Beazer, Tract 28765) to Establish Annual Assessments for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2026-14 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Norco, California, Ordering the Preparation of the Engineer’s Report for Landscape Maintenance District No. 2 (Western Pacific, Tract 25779) to Establish Annual Assessments for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2026-15 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Norco, California, Ordering the Preparation of the Engineer’s Report for Landscape Maintenance District No. 3 (Centex, Tract 28626) to Establish Annual Assessments for
City Council Minutes - March 18, 2026
Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2026-16 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Norco, California, Ordering the Preparation of the Engineer’s Report for Landscape Maintenance District No. 4 (Norco Ridge Ranch, Tracts 29588 and 29589) to Establish Annual Assessments for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2026-17 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Norco, California, Ordering the Preparation of the Engineer’s Report for Landscape Maintenance District No. 5 (Hawks Crest – Tract 30230) to Establish Annual Assessments for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
3.J. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-18 denying Accessory Building Use Permit 2025-04 (Ursu) request to allow a 1,000 square foot Large Vehicle Parking Building with an attached 392 square foot shop area located at 4077 Temescal Avenue within the A-1-20 Zone (APN: 133-101-004).
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2026-18 denying Accessory Building Use Permit 2025- 04 (Ursu).
3.K. Recap of Actions Taken by the Planning Commission at its Meeting Held on March 11, 2026
Action: Received and filed the recap of actions taken by the Planning Commission at its meeting help on March 11, 2026.
4. ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
3.F. Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Fehr & Peers for a Supplemental Emergency Evacuation Assessment and Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-11 Appropriating $35,000
Council Member Newton asked staff if NART was involved in the process and provided input, Director Hamilton assured they are.
M/S NEWTON/BASH to approve the professional services agreement with Fehr & Peers for a Supplemental Emergency Evacuation Assessment and Adopt Resolution No. 2026-11 Appropriating $35,000. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: GRUNDMEYER, BOWEN, BASH, NEWTON, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
City Council Minutes - March 18, 2026
ABSTAIN: NONE
5. CITY COUNCIL / STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Director Nelson provided information for the residential clean up and paper shredding on March 21, 2026.
Deputy City Manager Hamilton provided information for opening day for Tee Ball on March 21, 2026.
Mayor Pro Tem Bowen prayed for Danny Azevedo.
Council Member Newton requested Deputy City Manager Hamilton look into the public comments that were made during the meeting. Council Member Newton also asked Public Works Director Nelson about volunteers for Residential Clean Up day. Director Nelson stated that the Norco High Football team would be available for that day. Council Member Newton requested Director Nelson look into the PFAS numbers.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Grundmeyer recessed the meeting at 7:34 p.m. to resume the closed session discussion.
Mayor Gundmeyer reconvened the meeting at 8:01 p.m.
City Attorney Burns announced there was no reportable action.
Mayor Grundmeyer adjourned the meeting at 8:01 p.m. in memory of Pastor Daniel Kitheka.
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Lacey David
Minutes Clerk