City of Corona

City Council Minutes

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 6:00 P.m. - 8:00 P.m.

Closed Session- Council Board Room

Council Present:

• Jacque Casillas, 
• Wes Speake, 
• Tony Daddario, 
• Tom Richins, 
• and Jim Steiner 

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1.

CONVENE CLOSED SESSION

Closed Session convened at 4:10 p.m. for the purposes listed below. Present were Mayor Casillas, Vice Mayor Speake, Council Member Daddario, Council Member Richins, and Council Member Steiner. Closed Session adjourned at 5:45 p.m.

1.1

CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS

PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6
AGENCY DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE: JACOB ELLIS, CITY MANAGER
EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION: CORONA UTILITIES EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION

1.2

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957
TITLE: CITY MANAGER

1.3

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957
TITLE: CITY ATTORNEY/LEGAL & RISK MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR

1.4

CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION

PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(D)(1)
NAME OF CASE: CITY OF CORONA V. ROYAL RIDGE INVESTMENT INC., ET AL.
CASE NUMBER: RIVERSIDE SUPERIOR COURT CASE NO. RIC 2003117

2.

INVOCATION

None. 

3.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Casillas.

4.

CONVENE OPEN SESSION

Mayor Casillas called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.

5.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS/PRESENTATIONS

5.1

RECOGNITION: K9 BRUCE

K9 Bruce and Corporal Joe Kelly accepted the recognition.

5.2

PRESENTATION: CORONA BLOOD ON BOARD PROGRAM

Fire Chief Brian Young provided a presentation. 

5.3

PRESENTATION: FINAL DESIGN FOR THE CITY PARK PROJECT

Donna Finch, Community Service Director, and RIOS Architecture, Inc. provided a presentation. The Council had inquiries and RIOS Architecture, Inc. provided clarification.

The following residents addressed the Council to provide comments on the presentation: Joe Morgan, Adrian Aros and Don Fuller.

6.

CONSENT CALENDAR

The Consent Calendar was approved with the exception of Item 6.5, which was voted on separately. 

• Moved by: Tom Richins
  Seconded by: Jim Steiner

  That the City Council approve the Consent Calendar.

  Aye (5)

  Tom Richins, Jim Steiner, Jacque Casillas, Wes Speake, and Tony Daddario

  MotionAPPROVED (5 to 0)

6.1

MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 7, 2026

THE MEETING MINUTES WERE APPROVED. 

6.2

CITY COUNCIL, SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF CORONA, CORONA PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY, CORONA UTILITY AUTHORITY, AND CORONA HOUSING AUTHORITY TO RECEIVE AND FILE THE MONTHLY INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2025

THIS FINANCIAL REPORT WAS RECEIVED AND FILED.

• That the City Council receive and file the monthly investment portfolio report for November 2025

6.3

CITY COUNCIL, SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF CORONA, CORONA PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY, CORONA UTILITY AUTHORITY, AND CORONA HOUSING AUTHORITY TO RECEIVE AND FILE THE MONTHLY FISCAL REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2025

THIS FINANCIAL REPORT WAS RECEIVED AND FILED.

• That the City Council receive and file the monthly fiscal report for November 2025. 

6.4

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH MICHAEL BAKER INTERNATIONAL FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE CORONA MASTER DRAINAGE PLAN (MDP) LINE 5, ALONG RAILROAD STREET BETWEEN SHERMAN AVENUE AND JENKS DRIVE, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

THIS ITEM WAS APPROVED.

• That the City Council:

  1. Award Request for Proposal No. 25-075AT to Michael Baker International, for design and construction support services for the Corona MDP Line 5, Capital Improvement Project No. ST-2025-03.

      

  2. Approve the Professional Services Agreement with Michael Baker International, for design and construction support services for the Corona MDP Line 5, Capital Improvement Project No. ST-2025-03 in the amount of $389,929, and waive any minor irregularities in the proposal.

      

  3. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Michael Baker International in the amount of $389,929, including any non-substantive extensions, change orders, purchase orders, and amendments up to 10% or $38,993.

6.5

AUTHORIZE THE REFURBISHMENT OF AN EXISTING KME FIRE ENGINE (PUMPER) FROM FIRETRUCKS UNLIMITED VIA SOURCEWELL CO-OP

Fire Chief Young provided a report. 

• Moved by: Tony Daddario
  Seconded by: Jim Steiner

  That the City Council: 

  1. Authorize the one-time refurbishment of one (1) existing relief KME fire engine (pumper) from Firetrucks Unlimited in an amount not to exceed $703,453.

      

  2. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to issue a purchase order to Firetrucks Unlimited for the refurbishment of one (1) existing relief fire engine (pumper) in an amount not to exceed $703,453, including any non-substantive extensions, change orders, purchase orders, and amendments up to the amount authorized by Corona Municipal Code 3.08.080 (J), which is equivalent to 10% or $70,345.

      

  3. Authorize an appropriation in an amount not to exceed $773,798 from the Fleet Replacement Fund 684 to the Vehicle Procurement-Fire Operating and Maintenance Project No. 68342.

  Aye (5)

  Tom Richins, Jim Steiner, Jacque Casillas, Wes Speake, and Tony Daddario

  MotionAPPROVED (5 to 0)

6.6

REQUEST TO WAIVE MASTER RECOVERY FEE FOR THE COMMUNICATIONS SITE LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH WESTERN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT

THIS ITEM WAS APPROVED.

• That the City Council approve the request to waive the Master Recovery Fee for the Communications Site License Agreement with Western Municipal Water District in the amount of $2,346 for the Grapehill communication site.

  That the Corona Utility Authority review, ratify, and to the extent necessary, direct that the City Council take the above action.

6.7

RESOLUTION DECLARING THE CITY’S INTENTION TO ANNEX TERRITORY TO COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 2016-3 (MAINTENANCE SERVICES) AND ADOPTING A MAP OF THE AREA PROPOSED TO BE ANNEXED THERETO (ANNEXATION NO. 45)

THIS RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. 

• That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-004, declaring intention to annex territory to Community Facilities District No. 2016-3 (Maintenance Services) of the City of Corona, and adopting a map of the area proposed to be annexed thereto (Annexation No. 45).

7.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC

The following residents addressed the Council: Chris McCoy, Kathy Armstrong, Richard Rogers, Adrian Aros, and Hanif Carter.

8.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

8.1

GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 2024-0003 TO CHANGE THE LAND USE DESIGNATION OF PARCELS AT 323 S. BELLE AVENUE AND 322 S. WASHBURN AVENUE FROM LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL AND GENERAL COMMERCIAL TO MIXED USE DOWNTOWN, INCLUDING 0.87 ACRES OF RIGHT-OF-WAY

Mayor Casillas opened the Public Hearing. Sylvia Edwards, City Clerk, stated there was no correspondence received from the public. Mayor Casillas closed the Public Hearing.

• Moved by: Jim Steiner
  Seconded by: Wes Speake

  That the City Council:

  1. Approve General Plan Amendment 2024-0003 as recommended by the Planning and Housing Commission and adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Reporting Program.

      

  2. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-002 approving the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program and GPA2023-0003 as part of Cycle 1 of the General Plan Amendment for 2026, an amendment to the General Plan Land Use Map to change the land use of two parcels located at 323 S. Belle Avenue and 322 S. Washburn Avenue from Low Density (LDR) and General Commercial (GC), respectively, to Mixed Use Downtown (MUD) and establish the MUD land use designation on approximately 0.87 acres of public right-of-way.

  Aye (5)

  Tom Richins, Jim Steiner, Jacque Casillas, Wes Speake, and Tony Daddario

  MotionAPPROVED (5 to 0)

8.2

SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 2024-0003 TO THE DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION SPECIFIC PLAN TO CHANGE THE ZONING OF PARCELS AT 323 S. BELLE AND 322 S. WASHBURN FROM SINGLE FAMILY AND GATEWAY BUSINESS TO DOWNTOWN, INCLUDING 0.87 ACRES OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY

Mayor Casillas opened the Public Hearing. Sylvia Edwards, City Clerk, stated there was no correspondence received from the public. Mayor Casillas closed the Public Hearing.

Joe Morgan, resident, addressed the Council to provide comments in opposition of the proposed item. 

• Moved by: Wes Speake
  Seconded by: Tony Daddario

  That the City Council:

  1. Approve SPA2024-0003, as recommended by the Planning and Housing Commission.

      

  2. Introduce, by title only, and waive full reading of consideration of Ordinance No. 3425, first reading of an ordinance approving SPA2024-0003, an amendment to the Downtown Revitalization Specific Plan to change the zoning designation of two parcels located at 323 S. Belle Avenue and 322 S. Washburn Avenue from Single Family (SF) and Gateway Business (GB), respectively, to Downtown (D) and to establish the Downtown (D) zoning on approximately 0.87 acres of public right-of-way within Fourth and Fifth Streets.

  Aye (5)

  Tom Richins, Jim Steiner, Jacque Casillas, Wes Speake, and Tony Daddario

  MotionAPPROVED (5 to 0)

8.3

PARCEL MAP 38981 TO MERGE 13 LOTS WITH 0.87 ACRES OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY TO CREATE ONE LOT TOTALING 4.70 ACRES FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES, GENERALLY LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER AREA OF W. SIXTH STREET AND S. MAIN STREET

• Moved by: Tom Richins
  Seconded by: Wes Speake

  That the City Council approve Parcel Map 38981 based on the findings and conditions as approval as recommended by the Planning and Housing Commission.

  Aye (5)

  Tom Richins, Jim Steiner, Jacque Casillas, Wes Speake, and Tony Daddario

  MotionAPPROVED (5 to 0)

8.4

PRECISE PLAN 2024-0001 TO REVIEW THE SITE PLAN, ARCHITECTURE, AND OTHER FEATURES ASSOCIATED WITH A PROPOSED NORTHGATE GONZALEZ MARKET AND REMODEL OF AN EXISTING COMMERCIAL BUILDING ON 4.70 ACRES, LOCATED ON SIXTH STREET, BELLE AVENUE AND MAIN STREET

Joe Morgan, resident, addressed the Council to provide comments in opposition of the proposed item. 

Sandra Vanian, Planning Manager, provided a report. 

Michelle Gonzelez, Northgate Market, provided comments. 

The Council provided comments. 

• Moved by: Jacque Casillas
  Seconded by: Wes Speake

  That the City Council affirm the Planning and Housing Commission’s action granting PP2024-0001, based on the findings contained in the staff report and conditions of approval.

  Aye (5)

  Tom Richins, Jim Steiner, Jacque Casillas, Wes Speake, and Tony Daddario

  MotionAPPROVED (5 to 0)

9.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

9.1

REQUEST FROM VICE MAYOR SPEAKE TO EXPLORE CORDON PRICING FOR THE GREEN RIVER ROAD/FOOTHILL PARKWAY CORRIDOR

Rosalva Ureno, City Traffic Engineer, and Leah Colmard, Associate City Engineer, provided a presentation. 

The following residents addressed the Council to provide comments on the proposed item: Don Fuller, Chris McCoy, and Joe Morgan. 

The majority of the Council agreed with Option A.

• That the City Council provide feedback and direction on the procurement of a consultant to prepare a feasibility study to determine the possibility and legality of a Cordon Pricing program along the Green River Road/Foothill Parkway corridor between the State Route 91 (SR-91) to Interstate 15 (I-15). Additionally, the study would monitor how other Cordon Pricing programs are progressing, monitor vehicular volume of cut-through traffic within the city, impacts from the State Route 241 (SR-241)/State Route 91 (SR-91) and SR-91 Eastern Corridor Operations Projects (ECOP), and determine potential revenue sources and expenditures. The purpose of the program would be to deter cut-through traffic in Corona.

10.

LEGISLATIVE MATTERS

None.

11.

REPORTS FROM BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS 

11.1

Library Board of Trustees

11.1.a

Election of 2026 Chair

11.1.b

Election of 2026 Vice Chair

11.1.c

Library Board of Trustees Meeting Dates 2026

11.1.d

Library Report - November 2025

11.1.e

Friends of the Library Report

11.2

Planning & Housing Commission

None.

11.3

Parks & Recreation Commission

11.3.a

Election of 2026 Chair

11.3.b

Election of 2026 Vice Chair

11.3.c

Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Dates 2026

11.3.d

Community Services Report

11.3.e

Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Updates

11.4

Regional Meetings

None.

12.

CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORTS AND COMMENTS

None.

13.

CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS AND COMMENTS

None.

14.

CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS

None.

15.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

15.1

PROVIDING THE USE OF CITY FACILITIES TO OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES FREE OF CHARGE (W. SPEAKE) FEBRUARY 4, 2026

15.2

EXPLORE THE LEGALITIES OF REQUIRING CUP’S FOR OUTPATIENT DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CLINICS (W. SPEAKE) FEBRUARY 18, 2026

15.3

PROVIDE THE NUMBER OF HOUSING UNITS APPROVED BY THE CITY OF CORONA SINCE 2019 (W. SPEAKE) MARCH 4, 2026

15.4

UPDATE OF CHAPTER 5.34 PEDDLERS AND SOLICITORS (W. SPEAKE) MARCH 4, 2026

16.

ADJOURNMENT

The next scheduled meeting of the Council is on February 4, 2026. Mayor Casillas adjourned the meeting at 8:19 pm.