City Council

Item No.: G-c CITY OF CORNING CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JULY 22, 2025 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 794 THIRD STREET A. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 5:15pm by Mayor Snow. B. ROLL CALL: Councilmembers present: Shelly Hargens Dave Demo Jose “Chuy” Valerio Mayor- Robert Snow Absent: Lisa Lomeli Staff present: City Manager Brant Mesker City Attorney Collin Bogener C. PUBLIC COMMENTS: No audience. No comments. D. REGULAR AGENDA: 1. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation Initiation of litigation pursuant to § 54956.9(c): (one case) E. ADJOURN TO REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION: The closed session ended at 5:25pm. Mayor Snow stated there were no reportable actions. THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER  Item No.: G-c CITY OF CORNING CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JULY 22, 2025 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 794 THIRD STREET A. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting transitioned from the special meeting to the regular meeting at 5:45pm. B. ROLL CALL: Councilmembers present: Shelly Hargens Lisa Lomeli Dave Demo Jose “Chuy” Valerio Mayor- Robert Snow Absent: 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 Benjamin Mierzwak City Engineer- Robin Kampmann C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by the City Manager. -Done during the special meeting D. INVOCATION: Led by Councilor Hargens.-Done during the special meeting E. PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, APPOINTMENTS, PRESENTATIONS: Done during the special meeting. F. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR: Done during the special meeting. Transitioned to this regular meeting after public comment. 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. THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER  Item No.: G-c 2. Waive the reading and approve the Minutes of June 24, 2025, regular City Council meeting with any necessary corrections. 3. July 17, 2025, Claim Warrant in the amount of $ 1,553,956.09 4. July 17, 2025, Business License Report 5. June 2025 Treasurer’s Report 6. June 2025 Wages & Salaries: $453,668.67 7. June 2025 Building Permit Valuation Report in the amount of $778,750 8. June 2025 City of Corning Wastewater Operations Summary Report. 9. Approve Corning Municipal Airport Ground Lease Hangar #4 transfer to Johnsen Commercial Services Councilor Valerio moved to approve consent items 1-9; 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 H. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: None I. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MEETINGS: None J. REGULAR AGENDA: 1. Informational presentation regarding mobile food truck vendors and City Ordinance 708. Presented by City Manager, Brant Mesker. At the request of a council member, staff is seeking direction on whether Ordinance 708 should be revisited, specifically regarding the 300-foot distance requirement between mobile food trucks and between mobile vendors and brick-and- mortar food businesses. The ordinance may be revised depending on Council’s input, and any proposed changes would go through the Planning Commission before returning to Council for final approval. No motion was required, but 4 of the 5 City Council members agreed to leave the Ordinance as is. 2. Accept Notice of Completion and authorize release of retention funds in the amount of $23,916.98 to VSS International, Inc. for the Tehama Street Rehabilitation Project. Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. The Tehama Street Rehabilitation Project has been completed, inspected, and approved by City staff. Staff recommends that the City Council accept the Notice of Completion, authorize its filing with the Tehama County Clerk and Recorder, and approve the release of $23,916.98 in retention funds to VSS International, Inc. The project remained within budget and under the authorized change order limit, with a final cost of $478,339.55. Mayor Snow asked about a low spot that was pooling water. City engineer, Robin, clarified it was due to the city sprinklers, but that they will monitor that area. Councilor Hargens moved to approve accept and direct the Public Works Director to sign the Notice of Completion, and authorize City Clerk to file notice with the Tehama County for recording; and authorize the release of retention funds to VSS International, inc. in the amount of $23,916.98; Councilor Demo seconded the motion. THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER  Item No.: G-c Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, Valerio, and Hargens Absent: None Abstain/Opposed: None Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote 3. Accept Notice of Completion and authorize release of retention funds in the amount of $29,135.32 to VSS International, Inc. for the Almond and Fig St. Rehabilitation Project. Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. The Almond and Fig Street Rehabilitation Project has been completed, inspected, and approved by City staff. Staff recommends that the City Council accept the Notice of Completion, authorize its filing with the Tehama County Clerk and Recorder, and approve the release of $29,135.32 in retention funds to VSS International, Inc. The final project cost was $582,706.43, remaining within the approved budget and change order limits. Councilor Demo moved to approve accept and direct the Public Works Director to sign the Notice of Completion, and authorize City Clerk to file notice with the Tehama County for recording; and authorize the release of retention funds to VSS International, Inc. in the amount of $29,135.32; 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 4. Approve plans and specifications and authorize staff to solicit bids for the Toomes Avenue Waterline Infill Project. Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. Staff recommends that the City Council approve the plans and specifications and authorize the solicitation of bids for the Toomes Avenue Waterline Infill Project, which involves installing approximately one mile of new water main to close a gap in the City’s distribution system. The project is funded through a state grant under the Small Community Drought Relief Program, and staff will return to Council with a construction contract recommendation after evaluating submitted bids. Councilor Hargens moved to approve plans and specifications; and authorize staff to solicit bids for the Toomes Avenue waterline infill project; 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 5. Award and authorize the City Manager to sign a 3-year janitorial contract for janitorial services with Aguilar Cleaning Services. Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. The City’s current janitorial services contract expires on July 31, 2025. In preparation, staff issued a Request for Proposals and received seven submissions, three of which met all minimum requirements. After evaluating the proposals based on cost, experience, scope, and service approach, staff recommends awarding the new three- year janitorial services contract with two optional one-year extensions to Aguilar Cleaning Services, who provided the best overall value. Funding for janitorial services has been included in the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 budget. THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER  Item No.: G-c Councilor Demo moved to award and authorize the City Manager to sign a 3-year janitorial contract for janitorial services with Aguilar Cleaning Services at $4,966 per month; 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 6. Approve agreement with Tehama County Solid Waste Management Agency for temporary use of the city property for monthly Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events. Presented by City Manager, Brant Mesker. The Tehama County Solid Waste Management Agency plans to host monthly Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events in Corning to improve local access to proper hazardous waste disposal. The City of Corning has agreed to temporarily allow use of its Park and Ride lot for these events from July 1 through December 31, 2025. The Agency will handle all event logistics, costs, and regulatory compliance, while the City will provide notifications of any issues. Either party may end the agreement with 30 days’ notice. This temporary use will continue until a permanent HHW facility is established in the area. Councilor Demo moved to approve the Agreement between the City of Corning and the Tehama County Solid Waste Management Agency for the temporary use of City-owned property— commonly known as the “Park and Ride” lot on Third Street—for monthly Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Events; and Authorize the City Manager to sign and execute the Agreement; 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 7. Approve contract with Lechowicz & Tseng Municipal Consultants to conduct a water and sewer rate study in the amount not to exceed $50,000. Presented by City Manager, Brant Mesker. The City has faced ongoing concerns with its Water and Sewer funds, highlighted again during the 2025/2026 budget process. While past rate increases were approved, they did not fully account for future operational and infrastructure needs. To address this, the City plans to hire a professional consultant to conduct a comprehensive Water and Sewer Rate Study. The consultant will help determine appropriate rates, assist with implementation, and guide the City through the required Prop 218 public notification process. Funding for the study is included in the 2025/2026 budget. Councilor Demo moved to authorize City Manager to sign a contract with Lechowicz & Tseng municipal consultants to conduct a water and sewer rate study in the amount not to exceed $50,000; 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 THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER  Item No.: G-c 8. Approve agreement between the City of Corning and Corning Union Elementary School District for School Resource Officer services. Presented by Police Chief, Craig Bassett. The Corning Elementary School District has requested the assignment of a School Resource Officer (SRO) from the Corning Police Department to serve all district campuses. A proposed three-year agreement, starting with the 2025/2026 school year, would fund the promotion of a trained Community Service Officer to the SRO position through a Memorandum of Understanding. The SRO will support campus safety and foster a positive learning environment. The District will cover the officer’s salary and benefits, totaling $88,852.79 in Year One, $92,721.32 in Year Two, and $96,806.10 in Year Three. Snow moved to approve the School Resource Officer job description; approve the amended position allocation list by adding one new full time school resource officer allocation; approve the memorandum of understanding between the City of Corning Police Department and the Corning Elementary School District for School Resource Officer (SRO) and funding for three years, through the end of the 2027/2028 school year; and recognize the revenue and make the required budget appropriations for the addition of the School Resource Officer; Councilor Demo seconded the motion. Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, Valerio, and Hargens Absent: None Abstain/Opposed: None Result: Motion was approved by a 5-0 vote 9. Approve the purchase of one new 2025 Police Interceptor from Napa Ford. Presented by Police Chief, Craig Bassett. Due to ongoing delays in acquiring Ford Police Interceptors, the Corning Police Department identified an available vehicle at Napa Ford that meets its needs. Funding for one new patrol vehicle and upfitting was approved in the 2025/2026 budget. To expedite the purchase, staff recommends waiving the formal bid process under the City’s Purchasing Policy, as the vehicle is immediately available and reasonably priced. The total cost of the vehicle is $62,122.91, and the remaining budget will cover upfitting to integrate the vehicle into the fleet. Snow moved to approve that City Council determines that this purchase is exempt from the city’s purchasing policy per section 3.12.082 a-6 of the Corning Municipal Code; and authorize the City Manager to sign necessary purchasing documents for one new ford police interceptor without going out for formal bid, for a total cost of $62,122.91; Councilor Demo 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: Demo: Attended a Senior Center meeting, and everything is going well. The Senior Center is looking to hire a coordinator to plan events for Senior as well as fundraisers. There will be more events coming and asks the community to attend the events and support the Senior Center. THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER  Item No.: G-c Lomeli: No meetings. Valerio: The 78th Annual Corning Olive Festival & Car Show will be October 11, 2025 at Corning Community Park and Lennox Fields. The Chamber of Commerce will be holding a meeting next month. Hargens: Attended a Tehama County Landfill meeting. She also attended the ice cream social at the Senior Center. Snow: Will be attending the CVFD family picnic. Fire Chief Tomlinson announced they will be hosting a battle of the badges blood drive on August 16th from 9am to 2pm. Also, will be participating at the Independence from hunger event at Grocery Outlet. He will be in the dunk tank. N. ADJOURNMENT: 6:53pm Attest: ______________________ City Clerk, Rubi Ordaz THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER