City Council Meeting
Regular MeetingCorona, CA · October 2, 2024
Minutes
FINAL
City of Corona
City Council Minutes
Wednesday, October 2, 2024, 6:30 p.m.
Closed Session- Council Board Room
Council Present: Tom Richins, Jim Steiner, Jacque Casillas, Tony Daddario, Wes
Speake
_____________________________________________________________________
1. CONVENE CLOSED SESSION
Closed Session Convened at 5:10 p.m. for the purposes listed below. Present were
Mayor Richins, Vice Mayor Steiner, Council Member Casillas, Council Member
Daddario, and Council Member Speake. Closed Session adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
1.1 CONFERENCE WITH LABORNEGOTIATORS
1.2 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
2. INVOCATION - Pastor Rodney, The Assembly Church/RKM
The Invocation was led by Pastor Rodney, The Assembly Church/RKM.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Wesley Arce.
4. CONVENE OPEN SESSION
Mayor Richins called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
5. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS/PRESENTATIONS
5.1 PROCLAMATION: CORONA NORCO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT – RED
RIBBON WEEK
Robin Jones and students from the Corona Norco Unified School District
accepted the Proclamation.
5.2 PROCLAMATION: FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
Cindi Schmitz, Fire Marshal, accepted the Proclamation.
5.3 PROCLAMATION: WATER PROFESSIONAL’S WEEK
Utilities Department staff accepted the Proclamation.
5.4 RECOGNITION: SUPPORT SISTERZ
Adrian Showalter, President of Support Sisterz, accepted the Recognition.
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5.5 RECOGNITION: AIDAN HERNANDEZ - EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT
Aidan Hernandez accepted the Recognition.
5.6 RECOGNITION: EAGLE GLEN FIRE WISE COMMUNITY
Dan Heredia and Shirley Towler-Hayes, Eagle Glen Fire Wise Community
members, accepted the Recognition.
6. MEETING MINUTES
Moved by: Wes Speake
Seconded by: Jacque Casillas
Aye (5): Tom Richins, Jim Steiner, Jacque Casillas, Tony Daddario, and Wes Speake
MotionAPPROVED (5 to 0)
6.1 MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 18, 2024
These Minutes were approved.
6.2 MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 18, 2024
These Minutes were approved.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Moved by: Wes Speake
Seconded by: Tom Richins
Aye (5): Tom Richins, Jim Steiner, Jacque Casillas, Tony Daddario, and Wes Speake
MotionAPPROVED (5 to 0)
7.1 APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE 2017 FREEWAY MAINTENANCE
AGREEMENT BETWEEN CALTRANS AND THE CITY OF CORONA FOR THE
PROPOSED STORM DRAIN BOX EXTENSION UNDERNEATH CORONA
AVENUE AND INTERSTATE 15
This Agreement was approved.
That the City Council:
a. Approve the amendment to the Corona Avenue Undercrossing Exhibit
shown in Exhibit A of the Freeway Maintenance Agreement executed on
January 18, 2017, between the City of Corona and Caltrans.
b. Authorize the Public Work Director to approve the amended Corona
Avenue Undercrossing Exhibit shown in Exhibit A of the Freeway
Maintenance Agreement.
7.2 PURCHASE OF FIRE STATION ALERTING SYSTEM EQUIPMENT FROM US
DIGITAL DESIGNS BY HONEYWELL IN THE AMOUNT OF $160,314.38 FOR
THE FIRE STATION NO. 2 REBUILD CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
NO. FC-2022-20
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This Bid and Purchase was approved.
That the City Council:
a. Approve the purchase of US Digital Designs by Honeywell fire station
alerting system equipment in the amount of $160,314.38 as an exception
to bid pursuant to Corona Municipal Code 3.08.140(C) – competitive
bidding already completed.
b. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to issue a purchase order
to US Digital Designs by Honeywell in the amount of $160,314.38.
7.3 CREATION OF A NEW CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FOR THE
REPLACEMENT OF HACH INSTRUMENTATION AND ANALYZERS
This Appropriation was approved.
That the City Council:
a. Authorize the creation of a new capital improvement project titled
Obsolete Hach Instrumentation Replacement.
b. Authorize an appropriation of $575,000 from the Water Utility Fund 570
and $255,000 from the Sewer Utility Fund 572 to the newly created
project titled Obsolete Hach Instrumentation Replacement.
That the Corona Utility Authority review, ratify, and to the extent necessary,
direct that the City Council take the above actions.
7.4 ACCEPTANCE AND APPROPRIATION OF THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION SENATE BILL 125 TRANSIT AND
INTERCITY RAIL CAPITAL PROGRAM FUNDING FOR THE MCKINLEY
STREET GRADE SEPARATION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. ST-
2012-01
This Appropriation was approved.
Moved by: Wes Speake
Seconded by: Jim Steiner
That the City Council:
a. Accept Senate Bill 125 Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program funding
from the Riverside County Transportation Commission in the amount of
$10,000,000 for the McKinley Street Grade Separation Capital
Improvement Project No. ST-2012-01.
b. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute a funding
agreement between the City of Corona and the Riverside County
Transportation Commission that allocates $10,000,000 from the Senate
Bill 125 Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program to the McKinley Street
Grade Separation Capital Improvement Project No. ST-2012-01.
c. Authorize an estimated revenue increase in the amount of $10,000,000 in
the Public Works Grants/Agreement Fund 243 and appropriate the same
amount to the McKinley Street Grade Separation Capital Improvement
Project No. ST-2012-01.
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Aye (5): Tom Richins, Jim Steiner, Jacque Casillas, Tony Daddario, and Wes
Speake
MotionAPPROVED (5 to 0)
7.5 APPROVE THE FUNDING/COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE
RIVERSIDE COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL AND WATER CONSERVATION
DISTRICT TO FUND THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE CORONA
MASTER DRAINAGE PLAN (MDP) LINE 5, STAGE 1 CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. ST-2025-03
This Agreement was approved.
That the City Council:
a. Approve the Funding/Cooperative Agreement with the Riverside County
Flood Control and Water Conservation District for the design and
construction of the Corona MDP Line 5, Stage 1 Capital Improvement
Project No. ST-2025-03.
b. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the
Funding/Cooperative Agreement with the Riverside County Flood Control
and Water Conservation District to memorialize the mutual
understandings by and between the District and City of Corona with
respect to funding, design, construction, inspection, ownership, operation,
and maintenance of the Corona MDP Line 5, Stage 1 Capital
Improvement Project No. ST-2025-03.
c. Authorize an appropriation and an offsetting revenue increase in the
amount of $3,510,000 from the Public Works Grants/Agreement Fund
243 for the Corona MDP Line 5, Stage 1 Capital Improvement Project No.
ST-2025-03.
7.6 FISCAL YEAR 2025 COMMUNITY EVENTS CO-SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM
REQUESTS
This Co-Sponsorship Program was approved.
That the City Council approve Phase II of the Co-Sponsorship Program for
events occurring January through June 2025.
8. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
Becky Floyd, Corona Art Association, addressed the Council and thanked them for their
support and announced the Beaux Arts Ball on October 26, 2024.
Joe Morgan, resident, addressed the Council and commended the Council for
transparent meetings.
Chris Bainum, resident, addressed the Council on various items.
David Hernandez, resident, addressed the Council to express his concerns regarding
the homeless in Corona.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
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9.1 PUBLIC HEARING AND ELECTION FOR ANNEXATION NO. 39 INTO
COMMUNITYFACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 2016-3 (MAINTENANCE SERVICES)
Mayor Richins opened the Public Hearing. Sylvia Edwards, City Clerk, confirmed
she had proof of publication and mailing of the notice of the Public Hearing. She
confirmed that she had not received any written protests. Ms. Edwards stated
there are no registered voters within the area to be annexed to the CFD, and the
owners of all property proposed to be annexed to the CFD agreed to hold a
special election on October 2, 2024. Ms. Edwards also agreed to hold a special
election on October 2, 2024. Mayor Richins closed the Public Hearing. Ms.
Edwards confirmed she received one ballot and all votes cast are in favor of
levying the special taxes.
Moved by: Jacque Casillas
Seconded by: Jim Steiner
That the City Council:
a. Adopt Resolution No. 2024-097, calling a special election and submitting
to the qualified electors of the territory proposed to be annexed to
Community Facility District No. 2016-3 (Maintenance Services) of the City
of Corona the question of levying special taxes within the territory
proposed to be annexed (Annexation No. 39).
b. Adopt Resolution No. 2024-098, declaring the results of the special
election for Community Facilities District No. 2016-3 (Maintenance
Services) of the City of Corona on the proposition of the annual levy of
special taxes within the territory proposed to be annexed to said
Community Facilities District to pay the costs of certain services to be
provided by the Community Facilities District, determining that the
territory proposed to be annexed is added to and part of said Community
Facilities District with full legal effect (Annexation No. 39).
Aye (5): Tom Richins, Jim Steiner, Jacque Casillas, Tony Daddario, and Wes
Speake
MotionAPPROVED (5 to 0)
Moved by: Tom Richins
Seconded by: Jim Steiner
Aye (5): Tom Richins, Jim Steiner, Jacque Casillas, Tony Daddario, and Wes
Speake
MotionAPPROVED (5 to 0)
9.2 ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT 2024-0003 OF THE CORONA MUNICIPAL CODE
ADDING CHAPTER 2.38 (HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD) TO TITLE 2
(ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL) AND AMENDING CHAPTER 17.63
(HISTORICAL RESOURCES) OF TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE CORONA
MUNICIPAL CODE
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Council Member Casillas had an inquiry and Joanne Coletta, Planning and
Development Director, provided clarification.
Mayor Richins opened the Public Hearing. Sylvia Edwards, City Clerk, stated
there was no correspondence received from the public. Mayor Richins closed the
Public Hearing.
Moved by: Wes Speake
Seconded by: Tom Richins
That the City Council:
a. Approve Zone Text Amendment 2024-0003, as recommended by the
Planning and Housing Commission.
b. Introduce, by title only, and waive full reading of consideration of
Ordinance No. 3403, first reading of an ordinance adding Chapter 2.38
(Historic Preservation Board) to Title 2 (Administration and Personnel)
and amending Chapter 17.63 (Historic Resources) of Title 17 (Zoning) of
the Corona Municipal Code (ZTA2024-0003).
Aye (3): Tom Richins, Jim Steiner, and Wes Speake
Nay (2): Jacque Casillas, and Tony Daddario
MotionAPPROVED (3 to 2)
10. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
10.1 RECEIVE AND FILE THE UTILITIES RATE STUDY ADMINISTRATIVE
REPORT AS PREPARED BY ROBERT D. NIEHAUS, INC.
Katie Hockett, Assistant Director of Utilities, provided a report.
That the City Council receive and file the Utilities Rate Study administrative
report.
That the Corona Utility Authority review, ratify, and to the extent necessary,
direct that the City Council take the above actions.
10.2 RESOLUTION ADOPTING AN UPDATED URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT
PLAN AND ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 12.22
Moses Cortez, Facilities, Parks & Trails Manager, and Sarah Arce, Management
Analyst, provided a report. The Council had inquiries, Mr. Cortez provided
clarification.
David Hernandez, resident, addressed the Council to express his inquiries with
City trees.
Moved by: Wes Speake
Seconded by: Jim Steiner
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Aye (5): Tom Richins, Jim Steiner, Jacque Casillas, Tony Daddario, and Wes
Speake
MotionAPPROVED (5 to 0)
10.3 INNOVATION CENTER AT THE CORONA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Nicole McDonald, Assistant to the City Manager, and Daniell Whittington, Library
Manager provided a report. The Council had inquiries, Ms. Whittington, Donna
Finch, Community Services Director, and Jacob Ellis, City Manager, provided
clarification.
Justin Tucker, Assistant City Manager, provided comments.
The following residents addressed the Council regarding the proposed item: Jami
Merchant and Joe Morgan
The Council provided comments.
That the City Council provide feedback on the construction of an Innovation
Center at the Corona Public Library.
11. LEGISLATIVE MATTERS
11.1 ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTERS 2.35 AND 2.37 AND REPEALING
CHAPTER 2.58
Moved by: Tom Richins
Seconded by: Wes Speake
That the City Council introduce, by title only, and waive a full reading of
consideration of Ordinance No. 3404, first reading of an ordinance amending
Chapters 2.35 and 2.37 and repealing Chapter 2.58 of the Corona Municipal
Code to merge the Planning Commission and Housing Commission into one
Commission and to establish term limits for Housing Authority tenants if they are
ever required by law to be appointed as additional commissioners and repealing
resolution No. 12-024.
Aye (5): Tom Richins, Jim Steiner, Jacque Casillas, Tony Daddario, and Wes
Speake
MotionAPPROVED (5 to 0)
12. REPORTS FROM BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
12.1 Library Board of Trustees
None.
12.2 Planning & Housing Commission
None.
12.3 Parks & Recreation Commission
None.
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12.4 Regional Meetings
12.4.a UPDATE FROM COUNCIL MEMBER WES SPEAKE ON THERIVERSIDE
COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION(RCTC) WESTERN
PROGRAMS MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 23, 2024
This item was pulled from the agenda.
12.4.b UPDATE FROM COUNCIL MEMBER WES SPEAKE ON THE SANTA
ANAWATERSHED PROJECT AUTHORITY (SAWPA) ONE WATER/ONE
WATERSHED STEERING COMMITTEEMEETING OF SEPTEMBER 26,
2024
This item was pulled from the agenda.
12.4.c UPDATE FROM COUNCIL MEMBER WES SPEAKE ON THE BOARD
OFDIRECTORS OF THE WESTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY REGIONAL
WASTEWATER AUTHORITY(WRCRWA) MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 26,
2024
This item was pulled from the agenda.
12.4.d UPDATE FROM VICE MAYOR JIM STEINER ON THE RIVERSIDE
TRANSITAGENCY (RTA) BOARD MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 26, 2024
Vice Mayor Steiner provided an update.
13. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORTS AND COMMENTS
None.
14. CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Jacob Ellis, City Manager, apologized to Council Member Speake.
15. CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Council Member Daddario provided an overview of the Internation Firefighter Memorial.
Mayor Richins announced his online Town Hall meeting on October 9, 2024 and Norco
College City Politics Conversation on October 10, 2024.
16. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
17. ADJOURNMENT
The next scheduled meeting of the Council is on October 16, 2024. Mayor Richins
adjourned the meeting at 8:41 p.m.
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