MINUTES
City Council
Wednesday, April 1, 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
Mayor Grundmeyer attended remotely
from 139 McCaskill Place, Fayetteville, NC
28307.
CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Burns read the closed session items into the record.
Mayor Pro Tem Bowen recessed the meeting at 6:01 p.m.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9:
(3 potential cases)
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Property: 4428 Woodward Avenue (APN 152-080-004)
Agency Negotiator: City Manager, Deputy City Manager
Negotiating parties: City of Norco, Joy Dunlap, Sandy Dunlap, Sandra L. Farrell 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, Deputy City Manager, Finance Director Negotiating parties: City of Norco and Balboa Management Group Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION 7:00 PM
REPORT OF ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Pro Tem Bowen reconvened the Public Session at 7 p.m.
City Council Minutes - April 1, 2026
City Attorney Burns reported the actions taken during closed session, noting that two items received unanimous votes. The remaining matters discussed did not result in any reportable action.
INVOCATION Chaplain Vincent Ball
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Newton
PRESENTATIONS The CPRS Awards Presentation was
postponed to a future meeting.
DMV/Donate Life Month Proclamation
1. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS ON REGIONAL BOARDS
The City Council provided reports on their recent individual participation in committees, commissions, regional boards, and community organizations.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Bill Naylor expressed concerns regarding item 3.D., noting that it had not been reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Commission. He suggested that the item should have received additional discussion or been brought before the Commission for input, particularly given recent staff turnover and questions about timelines for filling vacant positions. He also followed up on a previous request to staff to install “No Parking” signs along Corona Avenue between Sixth and Seventh Streets near St. Mel’s Church, citing ongoing parking issues affecting the horse trails during busy events such as Ash Wednesday. He noted that no signage has been installed to date and emphasized the urgency with the increased activity expected during the upcoming Easter weekend.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Bash requested for item 5.D. to be pulled for discussion.
M/S BASH/NEWTON to approve the Consent Calendar with item 5.D. pulled for discussion. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: GRUNDMEYER, BOWEN, BASH, NEWTON, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
City Council Minutes - April 1, 2026
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 18, 2026.
3.C. Annual Adoption of the City Investment Policy
Action: Approved and adopted Resolution 2026-19, City of Norco Investment Policy.
4. ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
3.D. A request for approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Willdan Engineering for On-Call Animal Services Support services.
Council Member Bash inquired about the purpose of the contract. Deputy City Manager Hamilton explained that it is needed for animal control services, backup support for managing short staffing, and coverage during large events.
M/S BASH/NEWTON to approve a three-year Professional Services Agreement with Willdan Engineering to provide on-call Animal Services Support for the Community Operations Department, as needed. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: GRUNDMEYER, BOWEN, BASH, NEWTON, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
5. PUBLIC HEARING(S)
5.A. Appeal 2026-01: An appeal by the applicant CJC Design. Inc. of the Planning Commission’s denial of Site Plan 2025-02 (Opitz): A request to allow the construction of a 1,250 square foot office shell building on 3881 Center Avenue
City Council Minutes - April 1, 2026
within the C-4 (Commercial) Zone (APN: 133-182-005).
Council Member Sullivan recused herself.
Associate Planner Woods-Diaz presented the staff report on file.
Council Member Newton asked staff about the landscape percentage, and staff confirmed the proposed project shows more landscape than required. Council Member Newton inquired about the certifications of Interim Building Official Chiose, who explained their purpose and use of certifications.
Council Member Bash asked how residents south of the site will be protected from the proposed project. Associate Woods-Diaz noted that a six foot wall will be installed.
Mayor Pro Tem Bowen inquired about the plan check process and whether there are any code cases. Associate Planner Woods-Diaz explained that there are no code cases. He also asked about the 36-inch turnaround, and Interim Building Official Chiose confirmed compliance with code.
Mayor Pro Tem Bowen opened the public hearing.
Jerry Lunde mentioned he might be an investor in the project. Most of his questions had been answered. He stated that the applicant has consistently done good work and expressed confusion over why the project was denied.
Todd Mansur echoed concerns similar to previous public comments, questioning the denial and noting that the site is a beneficial addition to the city.
Ms. Drake emphasized the importance of building the structure, stating it would be a benefit.
Samantha Salinas expressed her support for the project, stating it would benefit the site.
The applicant explained that previous staff comments indicated no path of travel is needed and assured that the building will comply with all code requirements.
Mayor Pro Tem Bowen closed the public hearing.
Council Member Newton appreciated that the Planning Commission and staff could discuss the item but emphasized that the process aims to help projects move forward. He asked staff to collaborate on reducing the landscape area
City Council Minutes - April 1, 2026
south of the building and near the rear parking lot. Council Member Newton inquired about condition 29 and the new paving, with Building Official Chiose explaining the issues related to site travel and compliance. He also noted Condition No. 25, including vehicles, equipment, and materials.
Council Member Bash asked about the windows and whether they could be segmented. The applicant and staff agreed to include this as a condition.
Mayor Grundmeyer concurred with Council Members Newton and Bash.
Mayor Pro Tem Bowen asked staff to confirm that the wall’s height should be eight feet and proposed refunding the appeal fee.
Council Member Bash inquired if the eight-foot wall would require a larger footing. Building Official Chiose responded that it would not. Council Members Newton and Bash discussed the appeal fee refund and agreed not to pursue it.
M/S BASH/NEWTON to approve Site Plan 2025-02 to adopt Resolution 2026-19 with the following added conditions: 1) the site will have an eight foot wall on the south elevation, 2) windows must be segmented, as well as the following modified conditions: 1) Condition 29 to add pavers across the entire entrance, 2) Condition 25 to add the words "vehicles, equipment, materials, etc." The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: GRUNDMEYER, BOWEN, BASH, AND NEWTON
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: SULLIVAN
6. CITY COUNCIL / STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Deputy City Manager Hamilton announced the Egg Hunt event scheduled for Saturday, April 4, at Wayne Makin at 9 a.m.
City Manager Free shared details about the Senior Center Volunteer event social happening on Thursday, April 2, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Council Member Newton expressed gratitude to Director Nelson and Julie Castellanos for their efforts at the Residential Clean-Up and Paper Shredding event the previous weekend.
Council Member Bash commented on the little league fields and how great they look.
City Council Minutes - April 1, 2026
Mayor Grundmeyer thanked IT staff for their help in accommodating her while working remotely.
Mayor Pro Tem Bowen inquired about the St. Mel's parking issues and the installation of "No Parking" signs. Director Nelson stated that it would be addressed.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pro Tem Bowen adjourned the meeting at 8:18 p.m.
_________________________________
Meeting Clerk