City Council

CITY OF CORNING CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2025 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 794 THIRD STREET A. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Snow at 5:30pm. B. ROLL CALL: Councilmembers present: Shelly Hargens Lisa Lomeli Dave Demo Mayor- Robert Snow Absent: Jose “Chuy” Valerio 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. D. INVOCATION: Led by Councilor Hargens. E. PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, APPOINTMENTS, PRESENTATIONS: 1. Proclamation: August 21, 2025, World Senior Citizen Day. Present to accept are members of the Senior Center Board and members of the Corning Senior Center. The Proclamation was read by City Clerk, Rubi Ordaz. Mayor Snow presented the Proclamation to the members of the Senior Center Board and thanked them for what they do for our Senior Citizens. Members of the board mentioned they have a new activity director, and thanked the city for supporting them. F. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR: Opened Public Comment: 5:37pm City Manager, Brant, mentioned the Tuesday Night Market was coming up and expected to be the largest one of the season with many specialized vehicles. September 10 th there is a suicide awareness walk. September 8th the Corning Library will have its Grand Reopening. October 8th there will be a domestic violence awareness candlelight walk. The City Pool will close on Thursday. Congratulated Building Official, Benjamin Mierzwak, on completing his testing and is now a Certified Building Official. THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER Chief Tomlinson mentioned the blood drive from the battle of the badges had a good turn out. They collected 23 pints of blood. Closed Public Comment: 5:40pm 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 for the August 12, 2025, Regular City Council meeting. 3. August 21, 2025, Claim Warrant in the amount of $ 111,590.22. 4. August 21, 2025, Business License Report Councilor Hargens moved to approve consent items 1-4; Councilor Demo seconded the motion. Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, and Hargens Absent: Valerio Abstain/Opposed: None Result: Motion was approved by a 4-0 vote with Valerio absent. H. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: None I. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MEETINGS: None J. REGULAR AGENDA: 1. Approve the letter of support for the Tehama County Transportation Commission’s application to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Innovative Finance and Asset Concession Presented by City Manager, Brant Mesker. The Tehama County Transportation Commission is seeking Technical Assistance funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s IFAC Program to support planning and feasibility studies for the Tehama County Eco-Tourism & Mobility Corridor. The project will assess regional assets, identify key transportation and tourism investments, evaluate public-private partnership opportunities, and develop an integration plan promoting sustainable mobility and environmental stewardship. Supporting this effort aligns with the City of Corning’s goals of enhancing rural tourism, expanding transportation access, attracting private investment, and fostering responsible development. Councilor Demo moved to approve the attached letter of support for the Tehama County Transportation Commission’s application to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Innovative Finance and Asset Concession (IFAC) program for technical assistance funding to plan and evaluate the Tehama County eco-tourism & mobility corridor; Councilor Hargens seconded the motion. Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, and Hargens Absent: Valerio Abstain/Opposed: None Result: Motion was approved by a 4-0 vote with Valerio absent. 2. Authorization to expend $34,776.35 from Fire Capital Replacement fund and waive bid process to replace water pump and motor on Fire Engine 9 THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER Presented by Fire Chief, Tom Tomlinson. Engine 9, a key brush and grass fire engine, requires replacement of its diesel water pump and motor. While a gasoline alternative was considered, it would require extensive modifications and is not practical. Approval will keep Engine 9 fully operational and ready for fire response. Staff requests waiving the bid process to expedite procurement under the Municipal Code. The total cost is $34,776.35, with $35,000 proposed to be transferred from the Fire Capital Replacement Fund to cover the unbudgeted expense. Councilor Demo moved that the 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 make the required budget appropriations for the purchase of the diesel water pump and motor; and authorize the purchase and installation of the diesel water pump and motor from M&M Truck Repair in the amount of $34,776.35; Councilor Snow seconded the motion. Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, and Hargens Absent: Valerio Abstain/Opposed: None Result: Motion was approved by a 4-0 vote with Valerio absent. 3. Award bid for the Toomes Avenue Waterline Infill Project to Lamb Unlimited in the amount of $434,094.00 and authorize staff to execute contract. Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. The City received 12 bids for the Toomes Avenue Waterline Infill Project on August 19, 2025, with Lamb Unlimited submitting the lowest responsible bid of $434,094. The project will install about one mile of new waterline, service connections, and meter boxes along Toomes Avenue from Loleta Avenue to Fig Lane, closing an existing service gap. Staff recommends awarding the project to Lamb Unlimited. Funding will come from the $2,000,000 Small Community Drought Relief Program grant, with $434,094 allocated to this project. Councilor Hargens moved to authorize the City Manager to sign the contract for the Toomes Ave. waterline infill project to Lamb Unlimited in the amount of $434,094.00; and authorize the City Manager to execute change orders not to exceed 10% of the overall contract price; Councilor Demo seconded the motion. Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, and Hargens Absent: Valerio Abstain/Opposed: None Result: Motion was approved by a 4-0 vote with Valerio absent. 4. Award bid for the City of Corning Well Project to Well Industries in the amount of $995,190.00 and authorize staff to execute the contract. Presented by Public Works Director, Eli Stanley. The City received three bids for the Well Project, with Well Industries Inc. as the lowest responsible bidder at $1,217,940. Since this exceeded the budget, staff worked with the consultant and bidder to revise the scope by reducing drilling depth from 1,000 LF to 800 LF. Using unit prices, the adjusted contract amount is $995,190, keeping the project within budget while meeting requirements. Funding is provided through the $2,000,000 Small Community Drought Relief Program grant, with $995,190 allocated to this project. THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER Councilor Demo moved to award the bid for the City of Corning well project to Well Industries in the amount of $995,190.00 and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract; and authorize the City Manager to execute change orders not to exceed 10% of the overall contract price; and request staff to process and record the easement agreement with the Corning Healthcare District; Councilor Hargens seconded the motion. Ayes: Snow, Demo, Lomeli, and Hargens Absent: Valerio Abstain/Opposed: None Result: Motion was approved by a 4-0 vote with Valerio absent. 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 TCTC Meeting. Cal Trans Representative addressed the roundabout on Hwy99 W. TCTC is trying to go independent as their own entity to be able to prioritize projects and funding. Lomeli: No meetings. Valerio: Absent Hargens: No meetings, but she received good feedback from community members for extending the pool season. Snow: No meetings. City Manager, Brant Mesker, mentioned there will be a public meeting on September 4that 5:00pm. N. ADJOURNMENT: 6:03pm Attest: ______________________________ City Clerk, Rubi Ordaz THE CITY OF CORNING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER