City of Corona

City Council Minutes

Wednesday, September 03, 2025 at 6:00 P.m. - 8:00 P.m.

Closed Session- Council Board Room

Council Present:

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

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1.

CONVENE CLOSED SESSION

Closed Session Convened at 4:00 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 5:35 p.m.

1.1

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957
Title: City Manager

1.2

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957
Title: City Attorney/Legal & Risk Management Director

2.

INVOCATION

None.

3.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Steiner led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

4.

CONVENE OPEN SESSION

Mayor Steiner called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

5.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS/PRESENTATIONS

5.1

PROCLAMATION: SEPTEMBER CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Veronica Smitherman, President/CEO Victoria Sparks of Joy, Inc., accepted the proclamation. 

Maddie Paxton, resident, addressed the Council to acknowledge the passing of her great-nephew and to thank the Council for recognizing Childhood Cancer. 

5.2

RECOGNITION: ELKS'S LODGE #2045 CHECK DONATION TO VETS CONNECT

Elks Lodge members accepted the recognition for their donation to Vets Connect.

5.3

RECOGNITION: LES JONES: "SENIOR LEGACY AWARD"

Les Jones accepted the recognition. 

6.

CONSENT CALENDAR

The Consent Calendar was approved with the exception of Item 6.6, which was voted on separately.

• Moved by: Wes Speake
  Seconded by: Jacque Casillas

  That the Consent Calendar be approved.

  Aye (5)

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

  MotionAPPROVED (5 to 0)

6.1

MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 20, 2025

THE MEETING MINUTES WERE APPROVED.

6.2

CITY COUNCIL ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 3419, SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CORONA, CALIFORNIA TO UPDATE THE CITY’S PURCHASING REGULATIONS

THIS ORDINANCE WAS ADOPTED.

• That the City Council adopt Ordinance No. 3419, second reading of an Ordinance, amending Chapter 3.08 of the Corona Municipal Code to update the City’s purchasing regulations.

6.3

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. 44)

THIS RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. 

• That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-093, 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. 44).

6.4

CHANGE ORDER WITH WORKDAY AND REQUEST FOR CHANGE ORDER AUTHORIZATION

THIS ITEM WAS APPROVED. 

• That the City Council:

  1. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to issue a Change Order to increase Purchase Order P23756 with Workday Inc. by $4,620, from $608,473 to $613,093 for additional integration training hours for in-house staff for the Enterprise Resource Planning system.

      

  2. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to negotiate and execute non-substantive extensions, change orders, and amendments up to 10% per year of the multi-year contract as authorized in the Corona Municipal Codes Section 3.08.070(I).

6.5

HAZMAT RESPONSE AGREEMENT-CORONA FIRE AND MURRIETA FIRE

THIS ITEM WAS APPROVED. 

• That the City Council:

  1. Approve the Hazardous Materials Response Cooperative Agreement with the City of Murrieta.

  2. Authorize the City Manager, or their designee, to execute the Hazardous Materials Response Cooperative Agreement with the City of Murrieta.

6.6

CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER WITH RESOURCE ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. FOR THE REMOVAL OF NEWLY DISCOVERED HAZARDOUS MATERIAL FROM THE OLD PD BUILDING DEMOLITION, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. FC-2023-09

Rory Connell, resident, addressed the Council to express his concerns with the hazardous materials and Skyline Trail budget. 

Mayor Steiner provided clarification. 

• Moved by: Wes Speake
  Seconded by: Jacque Casillas

  That the City Council:

  1. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to issue a Contract Change Order in the amount of $199,649 to Resource Environmental, Inc. for the removal of newly discovered hazardous materials during demolition activities.

  2. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute a Contract Change Order with Resource Environmental, Inc. to increase the contract amount by $199,649, amending the total contract amount to $1,813,081.84, including any non-substantive extensions, change orders, purchase orders, and amendments up to $181,301, which is equivalent to 10% of the revised contract amount.

  3. Authorize a budgetary transfer in the amount of $200,000 from the Skyline Trail Access Bridge, Capital Improvement Project No. FC-2022-21 to the Old PD Building Demolition, Capital Improvement Project No. FC-2023-09 within the General Fund 110.

  Aye (5)

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

  MotionAPPROVED (5 to 0)

6.7

WAIVER FROM CORONA MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 15.60.080 ON THE UNDERGROUNDING OF EXISTING OVERHEAD UTILITY WIRES LOCATED ALONG 519 E TENTH STREET (APPLICANT: CESAR MONDRAGON)

THIS ITEM WAS APPROVED. 

• That the City Council grant a waiver from Section 15.60.080 of the Corona Municipal Code for the undergrounding of poles and overhead utility wires located at 519 E Tenth Street.

7.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC

Yousuf Bhaghani, resident, addressed the Council to thank staff and the Council for all their help with the Pakistan Day Festival. 

Maddie Paxton, resident, addressed the Council to encourage residents to participate during public comment. She also acknowledge the Chamber of Commerce's 9/11 Commemoration ceremony. 

Bobby Spiegel, Chamber of Commerce, addressed the Council regarding Patriot Day 9/11.

Rory Connell, resident, addressed the Council to acknowledged the passing of Forrest Lucas. 

8.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

8.1

ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT 2025-0001 AMENDING TITLE 17, ZONING CODE, OF THE CORONA MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH REGULATIONS FOR FEATHER FLAGS AND AMEND THE REVIEW PROCESS FOR PROJECTS THAT REQUIRE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPROVAL

Mayor Steiner opened the Public Hearing.

Joe Morgan, resident, addressed the Council to thank Council Member Speake for this proposed item. 

Mayor Steiner closed the Public Hearing.

• Moved by: Wes Speake
  Seconded by: Jim Steiner

  That the City Council:

  1. Approve Zone Text Amendment 2025-0001, as recommended by the Planning and Housing Commission.

  2. Introduce, by title only, and waive full reading of consideration of Ordinance No. 3420, first reading of an ordinance amending Sections 17.74.030, 17.74.080 and 17.100.020 of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Corona Municipal Code to establish regulations for feather flags and to amend the review process for projects requiring a Conditional Use Permit and Architectural Review Board approval (ZTA2025-0001).

  3. Adopt Resolution 2025-092, establishing a permit application fee for feather flags, and update the Citywide Master Fee Recovery Schedule to include the new application fee.

  Aye (4)	Tom Richins, Jim Steiner, Wes Speake, and Tony Daddario
  Nay (1)	Jacque Casillas

  MotionAPPROVED (4 to 1)

8.2

HEARING TO CONSIDER RESO 2025-094 TO AMEND RESO 2020-043 DECLARING NECESSITY TO ACQUIRE BY EMINENT DOMAIN EXTENDED AND MODIFIED PROPERTY INTERESTS IN 151-195 N. MCKINLEY AND 2275 SAMPSON (APNS 172-420-002, 003, 004 & 005) FOR MCKINLEY GS PROJECT

Mayor Steiner opened the Public Hearing. David Skinner, Eminent Domain Council, and Joshua Cosper, Mark Thomas, provided a report on
the proposed item. Sylvia Edwards, City Clerk, confirmed that the notice of this hearing was mailed to the affected property owners. She stated she received one written objection letter, a request to be heard, and emails regarding the Public Hearing that will be maintained with the minutes.

Attorney Michael Kehoe, CPI Properties, addressed the Council to provide comments on the proposed item.

Joe Morgan, resident, addressed the Council and expressed his concerns with the proposed item.

Mayor Steiner closed the Public Hearing.

• Moved by: Jim Steiner
  Seconded by: Tony Daddario

  That the City Council:

  1. Conduct a public hearing to consider the adoption of the amended Resolution of Necessity (Reso 2025-094), including providing all parties interested in the affected property and their attorneys, or their representatives, an opportunity to be heard on the issues relevant to the Resolution of Necessity.
  2. Make the following findings as hereinafter described in this report: 

     1.The public interest and necessity require the proposed project;

     2.The project is planned or located in a manner that will be most compatible with the greatest public good and the least private injury;

     3.The real property to be acquired is necessary for the project, and;

     4.The offer of just compensation has been made to the property owner.

  3. Adopt Resolution 2025-094, amending Resolution 2020-043, to declare the necessity to acquire by eminent domain the modified and extended temporary construction easement interests and the new intermittent parking area and impaired irrigation area interests in in certain property located at 151-195 N. McKinley Street and 2275 Sampson Avenue, identified as Assessor Parcel Nos. 172-420-002, 172-420-003, 172-420-004, and 172-420-005 for the construction and maintenance of the McKinley Street Grade Separation Project.
  4. Adopt Resolution 2025-094 to authorize the filing of a motion with the court where the eminent domain proceeding for the acquisition of the property interests identified in Resolution 2020-043 is pending for leave to amend the complaint to include the modified or added interests as provided by Code of Civil Procedure section 1250.340, subdivision (b), which states:

  “A public entity may add to the property sought to be taken only if it has adopted a resolution of necessity that satisfies the requirements of Article 2 (commencing with Section 1245.210) of Chapter 4 for the property to be added.” (Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 1250.340, subd. (b).)

  Aye (5)

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

  MotionAPPROVED (5 to 0)

9.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

9.1

COUNCIL REQUESTED UPDATE TO FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER AGREEMENT WITH CORONA NORCO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Police Chief Newman provided a report. 

The Council provided comments.

Council Member Daddario made a motion to renegotiate the agreement with the Corona-Norco Unified School District, requesting that the District pay full compensation for the services of Corona Police Officers. There was no second his motion died. 

The majority of the Council agreed to continue the contract with the Corona-Norco Unified School District. 

• ​​​That the City Council discuss the explanations provided by the school district and determine if the contract should continue. 

  ​

10.

LEGISLATIVE MATTERS

None.

11.

REPORTS FROM BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS 

11.1

Library Board of Trustees

None.

11.2

Planning & Housing Commission

None. 

11.3

Parks & Recreation Commission

None.

11.4

Regional Meetings

None.

12.

CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORTS AND COMMENTS

None.

13.

CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS AND COMMENTS

Jacob Ellis, City Manager, announced the Household Hazardous Waste collection event on September 13 and 14, 2025. 

14.

CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS

Council Member Speake thanked Jacob Ellis, City Manager, for answering his emails. He also provided a brief overview of solicitor permits. 

Council Member Richins announced the Household Hazardous Waste collection event on September 13 and 14, 2025.

Mayor Steiner acknowledged the passing of Forrest Lucas. 

14.1

UPDATE FROM MAYOR JIM STEINER ON THE RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AGENCY (RTA) BOARD MEETING OF AUGUST 28, 2025

Mayor Steiner provided an update. 

THIS ITEM WAS TAKEN OUT OF ORDER.

15.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

15.1

HISTORIC CIVIC CENTER OPERATIONS PLAN UPDATE (STAFF) SEPTEMBER 17, 2025

15.2

SAVE THE CORONA CLOCK (T. RICHINS & W. SPEAKE) SEPTEMBER 17, 2025

15.3

CNUSD SPECIAL EVENT (STAFF) SEPTEMBER 17, 2025

15.4

CIRCLE 5K RUN (STAFF) SEPTEMBER 17, 2025

15.5

EXPLORE CORDON PRICING OF THE FOOTHILL CORRIDOR TO DETER CUTTHROUGH TRAFFIC (W. SPEAKE) SEPTEMBER 17, 2025

15.6

EXPLORE CMC ORDINANCE CHANGES TO SET TIME LIMITS FOR SPECIFIC TEMPORARY FENCING AND BOARDED UP WINDOWS (W. SPEAKE) OCTOBER 2025

15.7

CITY PARK FINAL DESIGN UPDATE (STAFF) TBD

15.8

UPDATEOF CHAPTER 5.34 PEDDLERS AND SOLICITORS (W. SPEAKE)TBD

 

 

 

16.

ADJOURNMENT

The next scheduled meeting of the Council is on September 17, 2025. Mayor Steiner adjourned the meeting at 7:09 p.m. in honor of Forrest Lucas.