City Council

CITY OF CORNING CLOSED SESSION MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2025 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 794 THIRD STREET www.corning.org A. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 5:00 pm by Mayor Snow. B. ROLL CALL: Councilmembers present: Lisa Lomeli Shelly Hargens Dave Demo Mayor- Robert Snow Absent: Chuy Valerio Staff present: City Manager Brant Mesker City Attorney Collin Bogener The Brown Act requires that the Council provide the opportunity for people in the audience to briefly address the Council on the subject(s) scheduled for tonight’s closed session. Is there anyone wanting to comment on the subject(s) the Council will be discussing in closed session? If so, please come to the podium, identify yourself and give us your comments. C. PUBLIC COMMENTS: D. REGULAR AGENDA: 1. Conference with Real Property Negotiations (54956.8) Property: APN 073-120-082 Agency Negotiator: City Manager Brant Mesker Under Negotiation: Lease 2. Conference with Real Property Negotiations (54956.8) Property: APN 075-020-023 Agency Negotiator: City Manager Brant Mesker Under Negotiation: Lease E. ADJOURN TO REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION: : The closed session ended at 5:20pm. Mayor Snow stated there were no reportable actions. THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER  CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2025 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 794 THIRD STREET A. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm by Mayor Snow B. ROLL CALL: Councilmembers present: Jose “Chuy” Valerio Shelly Hargens Lisa Lomeli Dave Demo Mayor- Robert Snow Staff present: City Manager Brant Mesker City Attorney Collin Bogener City Clerk Rubi Ordaz Public Works Director Eli Stanley Fire Chief Tom Tomlinson Police Chief Craig Bassett Building Official Kale Graham Assistant Finance Director- Khrystie Shoemaker C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by the City Manager. D. INVOCATION: Led by Councilor Hargens. E. PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, APPOINTMENTS, PRESENTATIONS: F. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR: Corning Resident asked if there were any updates on the Marin St. home. She was told they are waiting on the home to be tested for asbestos. G. CONSENT AGENDA: It is recommended that items listed on the Consent Agenda be acted on simultaneously unless a Councilmember or members of the audience request separate discussion and/or action. 1. Waive reading, except by title, of any Ordinance under consideration at this meeting for either introduction or passage, per Government Code Section 36934. 2. Waive the reading and approve the Minutes of March 11, 2025, regular and closed session City Council meeting with any necessary corrections. 3. March 19, 2025, Claim Warrant in the amount of $ 159,795.09 4. March 19, 2025, Business License Report Councilor Demo moved to approve consent items 1-4; Councilor Hargens seconded the motion. THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, Valerio, and Hargens Absent: None Abstain/Opposed: None Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote H. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: I. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MEETINGS: 1. Public Hearing: Approve the proposed Disposal Service CPI rate increase of 2.06% to become effective April 1, 2025. Presented by City Manager, Brant Mesker. Waste Management is proposing a 2.06% increase to their city garbage service. This rate included a decrease of 0.38% for fuel. If approved, the new rates will become effective April 1, 2025. The annual CPI increase, and Fuel Cost adjustments are specifically addressed within the Agreement. Staff scheduled the matter for Council consideration and sent out notices of the hearing to all utility customers. Mayor Snow opened the public hearing at 5:35pm Sheri Holm submitted a letter opposing the rate increase. She also spoke during the public hearing. She stated her concerns and why she is not in favor of increasing the rate. She also mentioned she is not in favor of how the street sweeper operates and that they need to look into improving the service. Mayor Snow closed the public hearing at 5:41pm Councilor Demo moved to approve the proposed disposal service rate increase of 2.06%, as shown on the rate schedule attached as Exhibit “C” to become effective April 1, 2025; Councilor Hargens seconded the motion. Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, Valerio, and Hargens Absent: None Abstain/Opposed: None Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote J. REGULAR AGENDA: 1. Presentation and acceptance of annual city audit for the fiscal year 2023/2024 Presented by Joseph Arc, City Auditor and President of JJACPA, Inc. Joseph reported his audit was completed without any concerns for the city moving forward. Councilor Hargens moved to receive and accept the annual audit for fiscal year ending June 30, 2024; Councilor Valerio seconded the motion. Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, Valerio, and Hargens Absent: None Abstain/Opposed: None Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote 2. Approve waiver of special event permit fee for the annual Corning Community Egg Hunt and approve a $500 donation request to support the event. Councilwoman Lomeli recused herself from the meeting due to a conflict of interest, for this event will be ran by her. Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. Staff received a request from Lisa Lomeli asking for City Council to approve a waiver of the Special Event Permit fee for the use of Clark Park for the annual Corning Community Egg Hunt. The event is scheduled to take place April 19, 2025. This is an event that is community based that benefits the local children by providing a safe family THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER friendly and inclusive event to hunt for Easter Eggs at no cost. Additionally, the City of Corning has received a donation request in the amount of $500 to support the Easter Egg Hunt. To be able to support such an event, City Council must declare a community benefit, otherwise, the donation would be considered a gift of public funds. Event organizers anticipate more than 1,500 youth in the community to attend. If City Council approves the donation, the organizers will be required to provide receipts of up to $500 for reimbursement for the plastic easter eggs and candy. Councilor Demo moved to: 1. Approve waiver of special event permit fee for the annual Corning Community Egg Hunt event to be held on April 19, 2025; and 2. Declare the Corning Community Easter Egg Hunt a community event; and a. Request the City to be recognized as a donor to the event; and b. Authorize the donation with the requirement that purchase receipts showing the use of the donated funds be presented to the City. Councilor Valerio seconded the motion. Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, Valerio, and Hargens Absent: None Abstain/Opposed: None Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote 3. Approve municipal airport ground lease transfer to Rachelle Lima for Hangars #3 and #10 Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. Staff received a request to be able to transfer the lease of Airport Hangers #3 and #10 to Rachelle Lima. Rueben Lima, who is the current leaseholder, passed away and this transfer is necessary for the maintenance of insurance and to potentially facilitate the sale of the hangers. Councilor Hargens moved to approve the Corning Municipal Airport Ground lease to transfer to Rachelle Lima for hangers #3 and #10; Councilor Valerio seconded the motion. 4. Approve the agreement with Telstar Instruments for the Wastewater Treatment Plant chlorine analyzer project. Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is required to monitor and report effluent chlorine levels as stipulated by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board and under national Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit). The updated chlorine analyzers will enhance monitoring capabilities. The installation of two new chlorine analyzers will provide accurate, real-time data essential for plant operation and compliance. Councilor Demo moved to approve ➢ Approve the Agreement with TELSTAR instruments for the WWTP Chlorine Analyzer Project in the amount of $107,594.00; and ➢ Waive the bidding requirement per Corning Municipal Code Section 3.12.082.A.2 and public contract code section 3400(C); and ➢ Authorize the City Manager to execute the contract Councilor Valerio seconded the motion. 5. Approve the easement agreement with the Health Care District for parcel 3 of parcel map number 07-20 Presented by City Manager, Brant Mesker. On January 19, 2024, Staff entered into an agreement with the State of California Department of Water Resources (DWR) to fund the Well and System Expansion Project. This project is part of the Small Community Drought Relief Program (SCDRP). THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER The new well project is essential to enhance water reliability and ensure long-term sustainability for the community. The easement is necessary to access and construct the new well. Councilor Hargens moved to approve the easement agreement with the Corning Healthcare District for Parcel 4 of Parcel Map No. 07-20; and authorize the City Manager to execute the easement agreement and any related documents; Councilor Valerio seconded the motion. Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, Valerio, and Hargens Absent: None Abstain/Opposed: None Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote K. ITEMS PLACED ON THE AGENDA FROM THE FLOOR: None L. COMMUNICATIONS, CORRESPONDENCE, AND INFORMATION: None M. REPORTS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS: Snow: He did not attend any meetings, but did attend the opening ceremony for Little League. He gave recognition to the volunteers, coaches, and city staff that helped prepare the fields and programs to run this event. Demo: He attended a TCTC/ TCTAB meeting. The TCTC meeting discussed tentatively approving a green initiative for a $7million project for an electric car charging station in Corning. Valerio: The Chamber of Commerce April Corning in Morning will be held at Banner Bank. They are teaming up with Empower Tehama. This will be on Wednesday April 9th at 7:30 am. Hargens: She did not have any meetings, but she did attend the Bunko Night at the Senior Center. She added as well that the city is in need of Library Commissioners if any one may be interested. Lomeli: She had no meetings. Chief Tomlinson: He reminded everyone that the Tuesday Night Market is coming up on April 1st . City Manager Mesker: He mentioned that the soccer league as well had their opening weekend. He is thankful for the Public Works staff in working diligently to have both the soccer field and little league fields cleaned up and ready for games. N. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Snow adjourned the meeting at 6:13pm. Attest: ______________________________ Rubi Ordaz, City Clerk THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER