MINUTES
City Council
Wednesday, June 3, 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
Mayor Grundmeyer recessed to closed session at 6:00 pm.
City Attorney Burns read the closed session items into the record.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Initiation of litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(4): 3 Cases
RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION
Mayor Grundmeyer reconvened the public
meeting at 7:00 pm.
REPORT OF ACTION(S) TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Burns stated there was no reportable action on one item and reportable actions on two code enforcement items. Council voted 5-0 to authorize the City Attorney to begin litigation on two code enforcement cases at 5142 Viceroy Avenue and 3552 Morning Star Lane.
INVOCATION Pastor Spencer Parish led the invocation
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Pro Tem Bowen led the pledge of allegiance
PRESENTATIONS
Waste Management Student Scholarships
City Council Minutes - June 3, 2026
Four students were honored and awarded
$2,500 for their college expenses.
1 CITY COUNCIL REPORTS ON REGIONAL BOARDS
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
Bonnie Slager says the Fourth of July ride is looking to have 250 horses this year and discussed the preparation involved with the event.
3 CONSENT CALENDAR
a) Approval of the Consent Calendar as presented.
M/S GRUNDMEYER/NEWTON To Approve the 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 appeared 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 May 20, 2026.
3.C. Approval of City Council Special Meeting Minutes
City Council Minutes - June 3, 2026
Action: Approved the City Council Special Meeting Minutes of May 26, 2026.
3.D. Resolutions Calling the 2026 General Municipal Election Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2026-40, requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Riverside consent to conducting the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election in the City of Norco by the County of Riverside Registrar of Voters; Resolution No. 2026-41, adopting regulations for the candidates for elective office; and Resolution No. 2026-42, calling and giving notice of the General Municipal Election to be held on November 3, 2026.
3.E. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 1142, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Norco Adding Chapter 2.30 to the Norco Municipal Code, Entitled "Background Checks"
Action: Adopted Ordinance 1142, adding Chapter 2.30 to the Norco Municipal Code, Entitled "Background Checks".
3.F. Rate Adjustments Proposed by Waste Management for Fiscal Year 2026-27 Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2026-43, approving Waste Management Annual Rate Adjustment for FY 2026-27
3.G. Adoption of Resolution 2026-51 Granting the City Manager Authority to Authorize Discounted Fees When the Norco Animal Shelter Reaches Capacity During FY 2026–27
Action: Adopted Resolution 2026-51 granting the City Manager authority to authorize discounted fees when the Norco Animal Shelter reaches capacity during FY 2026–27.
3.H. Approve the Agreement with the Corona-Norco Unified School District for Crossing Guard Services
Action: Approved the three-year agreement with the Corona-Norco Unified School District for Crossing Guard Services with the option for automatic renewal for two (2) additional consecutive one-year terms.
City Council Minutes - June 3, 2026
4 ITEM(S) PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
There were no items pulled from the Consent Calendar.
5 DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEM(S)
5.A. Discussion of the Title VI Implementation Plan and Adoption of Resolution 2026- 50 for the City of Norco’s Seniors on the Move Program.
Deputy City Manager Hamilton introduced Dennis Brooks, with AMMA, to discuss Title VI Implementation.
Mayor Grundmeyer opened and closed public comments. There were no public comments.
M/S BASH/BOWEN To Adopt Resolution 2026-50 approving the City of Norco’s Title VI Plan and authorizing the Title VI Coordinator to implement the plan and submit it to CalTrans as required. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: GRUNDMEYER, BOWEN, BASH, NEWTON, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
5.B. Discussion on the proposed Demolition of Building 509 on the Naval Weapons Station, Norco Campus.
Bill Wilkman delivered a presentation reporting on the proposed structures.
Mayor Grundmeyer opened public comments. Three speakers addressed the Council.
Sue Bacon stated that the new Building 509 proposal is inconsistent, lacks architectural compatibility, and shows no respect for surrounding historic structures. She emphasized disappointment that Navy representatives did not attend consultation meetings. She supported staff’s recommendation, calling for a redraw/revision and preservation of the property’s historic character.
City Council Minutes - June 3, 2026
Diane Markham stated that she found the proposed design for Building 509 to be unacceptable, describing it as cold and disconnected from its surroundings.
She voiced her concerns that the project could result in a loss of historic integrity, emphasizing the importance of preserving the character and heritage of the property. She requested that the exterior remain unchanged, with modifications confined to the interior, supporting continued respect for the property’s architectural identity.
Michelle Heasley stated that the proposed Building 509 design contains significant flaws and is not compatible with the campus. She characterized the project not as adaptive reuse but as a full demolition without justification. She noted that seismic retrofits are feasible, citing the Navy’s own current retrofit work on other structures. She offered to collaborate directly with Navy design teams despite them being based in Huntsville, Alabama to produce a design that better fits the campus or to identify a more appropriate location for a new building.
Mayor Grundmeyer closed public comments.
Council Member Bash expressed strong frustration with the Navy’s handling of historic buildings on the Norco site, especially Building 509. He said the Navy has repeatedly misrepresented the site’s historic significance, ignored key architectural details, and provided inaccurate information in official documents.
He emphasized that the site is uniquely historic—originally a Navy-built tuberculosis sanitarium designed by a renowned architect—and that the Navy has allowed important structures to deteriorate. Bash called for future Section 106 consultations to include a qualified historian and supported the Commission’s recommendation, thanking Michelle, Bill, and the Commission for their work.
Council Member Sullivan expressed opposition to the proposed building, stating it does not belong at the site. They support keeping the existing building and either restoring it or allowing a different structure elsewhere on the property that would be more appropriate.
Council Member Newton acknowledged and appreciated prior comments, including those on historical concerns. They expanded on issues raised in Commissioner Heasley's letter and expressed strong concern about the Navy’s description of the project. Council Member Newton described the Navy’s justification claiming the existing building cannot meet seismic code and would require major demolition, as misleading and a “smokescreen” to justify demolition. They argued that reusing the foundation does not meaningfully differentiate renovation from new construction in seismic terms. Newton recommended giving full weight to the Historic Commission’s comments and pursuing the matter from that perspective.
City Council Minutes - June 3, 2026
Mayor Pro Tem Bowen agreed with Council Member Newton, especially regarding the Navy’s claim that the building footprint would be reused. Bowen argued that this is unrealistic because modern seismic requirements will require tearing out and replacing the foundation and footings. They stated that retrofitting the existing structure is feasible as they have done similar work, and that the Navy’s statements are not credible.
Bill Wilkman requested that the letter to the Navy include:
1. A statement that the City of Norco believes the Navy did not act in good faith as required under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
2. A requirement that future Section 106 consultations include a qualified historian who can address the historic record, respond to technical questions, and ensure accurate representation of the site’s historic significance.
M/S GRUNDMEYER/BASH To Approve the letter and the parameters which includes a statement that the Navy did not act in good faith and a new requirement that a qualified historian oversee the project to ensure accurate representation. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: GRUNDMEYER, BOWEN, BASH, NEWTON, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
6 PUBLIC HEARING(S)
6.A. Discussion on City Vacancies and Recruitment/Retention Efforts Finance Director Calhoun presented the report.
Council Member Greg Newton clarified that the presentation functioned as a factual update rather than a policy discussion, noting that substantive staffing decisions would occur during upcoming budget workshops. He also wanted confirmation that the “Public Works Manager” vacancy title aligned with a recent reclassification. Additionally, asked how staff responds when a bargaining group approaches the twenty-percent vacancy threshold.
Mayor Grundmeyer asked staff to elaborate on what constitutes a “robust onboarding process,” and whether management coordinates with bargaining groups proactively when vacancy levels begin to rise.
Finance Director Calhoun answered questions and addressed concerns.
City Council Minutes - June 3, 2026
Mayor Grundmeyer opened public comments. There were no public comments.
Mayor Grundmeyer closed public comments.
M/S GRUNDMEYER/NEWTON To Open the Public Hearing, hear public testimony, and receive and file presentation on City vacancies and recruitment/retention efforts. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: GRUNDMEYER, BOWEN, BASH, NEWTON, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
6.B. Public Hearing on the City of Norco 2025 Water Shortage Contingency Plan and Urban Water Management Plan
The Public Works Director, Sam Nelson, presented the report. The City of Norco’s 2025 Urban Water Management Plan shows the city has stable long-term water supplies, even in drought, with projected use rising only slightly by 2050. Most water is purchased, as groundwater use has declined due to new regulations, but overall supply still exceeds demand. Recycled water could help reduce potable use, though infrastructure is limited.
Mayor Grundmeyer opened public comments. There were no public comments.
Mayor Grundmeyer closed public comments.
M/S BASH/NEWTON To Adopt Resolution 2026-52, approving the City of Norco 2025 Water Shortage Contingency Plan. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: GRUNDMEYER, BOWEN, BASH, NEWTON, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
M/S BASH/NEWTON To Adopt Resolution 2026-44, approving the City of Norco 2025 Urban Water Management Plan. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: GRUNDMEYER, BOWEN, BASH, NEWTON, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
City Council Minutes - June 3, 2026
6.C. Public Hearing on the Continuation of Landscape Maintenance Districts, Confirming a Diagram, Assessment, and Annual Assessment Levy for Districts No. 1 – Beazer, Tract 28765; No. 2 – Western Pacific, Tract 25779; No. 3 – Centex, Tract 28626; No. 4 – Norco Ridge Ranch, Tracts 29588 and 29589; and No. 5 – Hawk’s Crest, Tract 30230
Deputy City Manager Hamilton presented the annual updates for Norco’s five Landscape Maintenance Districts, explaining assessment levels, budget conditions, and how general fund contributions are helping stabilize districts with limited reserves. She noted that LMDs 2 and 3 are rebuilding reserves and planning for future improvements like white vinyl fencing, while LMD 4 faces a significant cost increase to begin a multi-year, roughly $1 million slope restoration project along Crestview. LMD 5 continues fencing replacement and irrigation repairs.
Mayor Grundmeyer opened public comments. There were no public comments.
Mayor Grundmeyer closed public comments
Council Member Newton inquired about LMDs and the possible burden on the general fund. He also asked whether the city's share will decrease as districts become financially healthier.
Council Member Bash confirmed with Deputy City Manager that our payments are annual and are broken into 12 payments. Asked if we were getting close to the end of the infrastructure bond.
Deputy City Manager Hamilton answered questions and concerns.
M/S BASH/NEWTON To Open the Public Hearing, hear public testimony, and adopt Resolution No. 2026-45, LMD No.1 (Beazer); Resolution No. 2026-46, LMD No. 2 (Western Pacific); Resolution No. 2026-47, LMD No. 3 (Centex); Resolution 2026-48, LMD No. 4 (Norco Ridge Ranch); Resolution No. 2026-49, LMD No. 5 (Hawks Crest), providing for an Annual Assessment Levy necessary to maintain the Landscape Maintenance Districts. The Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: GRUNDMEYER, BOWEN, BASH, NEWTON, AND SULLIVAN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
7 CITY COUNCIL / STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
City Council Minutes - June 3, 2026
Council Member Sullivan praised Deputy City Manager Hamilton for her work with the Memorial Day event.
8 ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Grundmeyer adjourned the meeting at 8:49 pm.
_________________________________
Dayna Williams-Hunter, CMC
City Clerk