City of Corona

City Council Minutes

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Closed Session- Council Board Room
Council Present:
  • Jim Steiner, 
  • Jacque Casillas, 
  • Tony Daddario, 
  • Tom Richins, 
  • and Wes Speake 

Closed Session convened at 4:39 p.m. for the purposes listed below. Present were Mayor Steiner, Vice Mayor Casillas, Council Member Daddario, Council Member Richins, and Council Member Speake. Closed Session adjourned at 5:20 p.m.

Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: 009-620-196, Corona Municipal Airport 
Agency Negotiator: Jacob Ellis, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Federal Aviation Administration 
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment

Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: 1045 Auburndale Street
Agency Negotiator: Jacob Ellis, City Manager
Negotiating Party: Audrie Echnoz, Corona-Norco YMCA
Under Negotiation: Price & Terms of Payment

The Invocation was led by Elijah Coombes.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Elijah Coombes.

Mayor Steiner called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.

The Consent Calendar was approved with the exception of items 6.5 through 6.7 and 6.9. 

  • Moved by:Wes Speake
    Seconded by:Tom Richins
    Aye (5)Tom Richins, Jim Steiner, Jacque Casillas, Wes Speake, and Tony Daddario
    MotionAPPROVED (5 to 0)

THE MEETING MINUTES WERE APPROVED.

Approval of Minutes for the City Council, Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Corona, Corona Public Financing Authority, Corona Utility Authority, Corona Housing Authority Special Meeting of May 21, 2025

THE MEETING MINUTES WERE APPROVED.

Approval of Minutes for the City Council, Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Corona, Corona Public Financing Authority, Corona Utility Authority, Corona Housing Authority City Council Meeting of May 21, 2025

Council Member Daddario had inquiries. Tom Moody, Utilities Director, Jacob Ellis, City Manager, and Dean Derleth, City Attorney/LRM Director, provided clarification.

Joe Morgan, resident, addressed the Council to express his concerns with the proposed item.  

  • Moved by:Tony Daddario
    Seconded by:Wes Speake

    That the City Council:

    1. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Fifth Amendment to the Agreement for Removal, Transportation and Disposal of Class B Biosolids with Synagro-WWT, Inc. of Baltimore, MD, in an amount not to exceed $1,800,000 per fiscal year for Class B Biosolids End Use through June 30, 2027.

       

    2. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Fifth Amendment to the Agreement for Removal, Transportation and Disposal of Class B Biosolids with Synagro-WWT, Inc. including the ability to negotiate and execute any non-substantive changes and extensions, purchase orders and amendments up to the 10% of the original contract amount.

       

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

    Aye (5)Tom Richins, Jim Steiner, Jacque Casillas, Wes Speake, and Tony Daddario
    MotionAPPROVED (5 to 0)

The Council provided comments and had inquiries. Police Chief Newman, Jacob Ellis, City Manager, and Dean Derleth, City Attorney/LRM Director, provided clarification. 

Council Member Daddario made a motion, seconded by Council Member Speake, for a one-year term, and that motion was defeated. 

Council Member Richins made a motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Casillas, with the clarification provided by Mr. Ellis, for a 60-day term and to bring this item back to a future Council meeting, and that motion was approved. 

  • Moved by:Tom Richins
    Seconded by:Jacque Casillas
    Aye (4)Tom Richins, Jim Steiner, Jacque Casillas, and Wes Speake
    Nay (1)Tony Daddario
    MotionAPPROVED (4 to 1)

Council Member Daddario had inquiries and Dean Derleth, City Attorney/LRM Director, provided clarification.

  • Moved by:Tony Daddario
    Seconded by:Wes Speake

    That the City Council:

    a.General Liability. Authorize the renewal of the City’s excess general liability insurance policy through the Public Risk Innovation, Solutions and Management JPA for Fiscal Year 2026 with an estimated maximum premium amount of up to $2,916,000, coverage of $25M per occurrence, and a self-insured retention of $1M per occurrence.

    b. Workers’ Compensation. Authorize the renewal of the City’s excess workers’ compensation insurance policy through the Public Risk Innovation, Solutions and Management JPA for Fiscal Year 2026, with an estimated maximum premium amount of up to $700,000. Coverage is equal to the statutory requirements for workers’ compensation and $5M per occurrence for employer’s liability, and an SIR of $1M per occurrence. The premium is based on estimated payroll and is subject to adjustment based on actual payroll.

    c.Property. Authorize the renewal of the City’s property insurance with Alliant’s Property Insurance Program for Fiscal Year 2026, with an estimated maximum premium amount of up to $1,544,047, coverage for both real and personal property valued at approximately $807,192,830 (up from $760,215,998 last year), a coverage limit of $1B per occurrence (subject to policy exclusions and other sub-limits, including a $50K all-risk deductible for most buildings and facilities, a $10K deductible for vehicles off-premises and on-premises, a $500K deductible for wildfires, and a $5M deductible for the biosolids facility), continuation of coverage for vehicles at actual cash value (as opposed to replacement value), and continuation of coverage off-premises only for vehicles with a value of $100,000 or more.

    d. Crime. Authorize the renewal of the City’s Master Government Crime insurance through the Public Risk Innovation, Solutions and Management JPA with the National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA, also known as AIG (“AIG”) for Fiscal Year 2026, with an estimated maximum premium amount of up to $19,000, coverage of $10M per occurrence, and a deductible of $2,500 per occurrence.

    e.Airport. Authorize the renewal of the City’s Airport Liability insurance with the Starr Indemnity & Liability Company for Fiscal Year 2026, with an estimated maximum premium amount of up to $5,359, coverage of $25M per occurrence, and no deductible or SIR.

    f. Enhanced Pollution. Authorize the renewal of the City’s enhanced pollution liability insurance with Ironshore Specialty Insurance Company for Fiscal Year 2026, with an estimated premium of $122,491, coverage of $10M per pollution condition, and an SIR of $250,000 per pollution condition.

    g. Deadly Weapon Response Program. Authorize the renewal of Alliant’s Deadly Weapon Response Program coverage, underwritten by Lloyd’s of London, for Fiscal Year 2026, with an estimated maximum premium amount of up to $9,133 and coverage of $500,000 and sub-limit coverage of $250,000 for various incident related services and coverages.

    h.Cyber Liability. Authorize the purchase of enhanced cyber liability coverage with Public Risk Innovation, Solutions and Management JPA for Fiscal Year 2026, with an estimated maximum premium amount of up to $187,000 and coverage of $18M (policy limit/aggregate subject to the pool aggregate of $115M), including various sublimits (most notable of which are now much larger $7.75M extortion and data recovery cost sublimits). For several years, the cost of enhanced cyber liability insurance had been cost prohibitive, so we relied on the coverage provided under Alliant’s Property Insurance Program. However, last year the cost and quality of cyber liability coverage improved, and the City once again purchased a standalone cyber coverage policy.

    i.Marketing Process. Pursuant to Corona Municipal Code Section 3.08.140(E), find that it is in the best interest of the City and its administrative operations to dispense with the City’s normal formal competitive bidding process and authorize the above purchases using Alliant’s competitive process, since the City’s competitive bidding process is not amenable to the purchase of these insurance policies and Alliant’s competitive process is a thorough and competitive which is an appropriate alternative to the City’s formal public competitive bidding procedures.

    j.Earthquake & Flood. Concur with staff recommendation not to purchase earthquake and flood insurance because it is not available at a reasonable cost.

    k.Implementation Actions. Authorize staff to take all other actions and execute all documents necessary to implement these recommendations, including any minor adjustments which are consistent with these recommendations and within the finally adopted Fiscal Year 2026 budgets for the Workers Compensation Fund 683 and the General Liability Fund 687.

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

    Aye (5)Tom Richins, Jim Steiner, Jacque Casillas, Wes Speake, and Tony Daddario
    MotionAPPROVED (5 to 0)

THIS ITEM WAS APPROVED. 

  • Moved by:Wes Speake
    Seconded by:Tom Richins

    That the City Council approve the proposed Western Riverside County Regional Wastewater Authority Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

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

    Motion APPROVED

Sudesh Paul, Transit Program Manager, provided a presentation. 

  • Moved by:Jacque Casillas
    Seconded by:Tom Richins

    That the City Council:

    1. Adopt the proposed Short-Range Transit Plan for Fiscal Year 2026 through 2028.

       

    2. Direct staff to submit the Short-Range Transit Plan for Fiscal Year 2026 through 2028 to the Riverside County Transportation Commission for approval.

       

    3. Authorize revisions to the Fiscal Year 2026 Transit Service Fund revenue and expense budget following approval of the Fiscal Year 2026 through 2028 Short-Range Transit Plan by the Riverside County Transportation Commission.

       

    4. Authorize an appropriation of $100,000 from the Transit Service Fund 577 to the COA – Citywide Bus Stop Improvements, Capital Improvement Project No. FC-2022-19 for Fiscal Year 2026.
    Aye (5)Tom Richins, Jim Steiner, Jacque Casillas, Wes Speake, and Tony Daddario
    MotionAPPROVED (5 to 0)

THIS RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. 

  • That the City Council:

    1. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-040, revising the Citywide Master Fee Recovery Schedule to amend the Sports Field hourly rates and establish rental rates for the Council Chambers and Multi-Purpose Room for government agency use.

       

    2. Approve an amendment to the Parks & Recreation Master Plan to create a new service category for Everyone Plays Youth Sports Groups.

       

    3. Authorize an estimated revenue increase in the amount of $85,000 in the General Fund 110 for FY 2026.

THIS RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED.

  • That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-036, appointing the City’s representatives and alternates to the Western Riverside County Regional Wastewater Authority Board of Directors and Executive Committee and repealing Resolution No. 2022-018.

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

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

Vice Mayor Casillas provided comments. 

  • Moved by:Tony Daddario
    Seconded by:Wes Speake

    That the City Council:

    1. Conduct a public hearing and accept public testimony regarding the delinquent residential solid waste collection charges proposed for placement on the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Riverside County property tax roll.

       

    2. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-077, confirming the report of delinquent solid waste charges and authorizing their collection on the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Property Tax Roll.

       

    3. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute all necessary documents and take further actions to implement the placement of these charges.
    Aye (4)Tom Richins, Jim Steiner, Wes Speake, and Tony Daddario
    Nay (1)Jacque Casillas
    MotionAPPROVED (4 to 1)

Julie Kennicutt, Deputy Finance Director, and Kim Sitton, Finance Director, provided a report. 

The Council provided comments and had inquiries.

Ms. Kennicutt, Jacob Ellis, City Manager, and Donna Finch, Community Services Director, provided clarification. 

Council Member Daddario made a motion for recommended action "a" to pause the building of pickleball courts at El Cerrito Park until the end of the fiscal year and bring this item back to a future Council meeting. 

The Council unanimously approved recommended actions b through h. 

  • Moved by:Tony Daddario
    Seconded by:Tom Richins

    That the:

    1. City Council Adopt Resolution No. 2025-071, adopting the City’s budget for Fiscal Year 2026, Revised Budget Items, and General Fund Budget Policies.

       

    2. Corona Utility Authority adopts Resolution No. 2025-072, adopting said Authority’s budget for Fiscal Year 2026, Revised Budget Items, and Budget Policies.

       

    3. Corona Public Finance Authority adopts Resolution No. 2025-073, adopting said Authority’s budget for Fiscal Year 2026, Revised Budget Items, and Budget Policies.

       

    4. Corona Housing Authority adopts Resolution No. 2025-074, adopting said Authority’s budget for Fiscal Year 2026, Revised Budget Items, and Budget Policies.

       

    5. City Council adopts Resolution No. 2025-075, adopting the annual appropriations limit for Fiscal Year 2026 and selecting the population and inflation factors accordingly.

       

    6. City Council and Corona Utility Authority approve the following additional budget items to be included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Adopted Budget:

       

      1. Authorize an appropriation in the amount of $175,000 from the General Fund 110 Designated Revenue Reserve (Public, Educational and Government (PEG)) to the City Broadcast System Overhaul, Capital Improvement Project No. TC-2022-02.

         

      2. Authorize an appropriation in the total amount of $1,733,984 across multiple funds (see Analysis section) for Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) erroneously omitted from the proposed budget.

         

      3. Authorize an appropriation reduction in the amount of $41,409 from the Residential Refuse/Recycling Fund 260 and a corresponding appropriation by the same amount in the Water Utility Fund 570 for the Utility Billing and Administration Manager Reallocation.

         

      4. Authorize an appropriation in the amount of $40,000 from the Airport Fund 275 to conduct a flight check for various equipment.

         

      5. Authorize an appropriation reduction in the amount of $500,000 from the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Act (RMRA) Fund 221 and a corresponding appropriation in the same amount from the Measure A Fund 227 for the Pavement Maintenance and Resurfacing, Operations and Maintenance Project No. 69220.

         

      6. Authorize an appropriation reduction in the amount of $300,000 from the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Act (RMRA) Fund 221 and a corresponding appropriation in the same amount from the Measure A Fund 227 for the Miscellaneous Repair and Replacements of Traffic Signals, Operations and Maintenance Project No. 70940.

         

      7. Authorize an estimated revenue increase in the amount of $200,000 in the General Fund 110 to account for Waste Management’s annual contribution towards the City beautification program. The estimate was erroneously omitted from the proposed budget.

         

      8. Authorize one (1) full-time Facilities Supervisor in the Community Services Department, and an appropriation in the amount of $33,988 in the General Fund 110. Recurring costs will be funded 20% in the salary/benefits budget and 80% through Capital Improvement Projects. The total recurring budget impact for the position is approximately $169,938.

         

    7. City Council and Corona Utility Authority approve the following contract amendments, change orders, and purchase orders for Fiscal Year 2026:

       

      1. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to issue purchase orders for the attached list (Exhibit 8) of Information Technology software renewals for Fiscal Year 2026 including any non-substantive extensions, change orders, purchase orders, and amendments up to the lesser of either $100,000 or 10% of the original contract amount as authorized by Corona Municipal Code Section 3.08.070(I).

         

        1. Authorize the Second Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with South Coast Automation, Inc., for SCADA Integration Services to extend the term for an additional one-year period at the rates set forth therein and with a total compensation amount of $700,000 annually.
            • Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to negotiate and execute non-substantive extensions, change orders, and amendments up to the amount authorized by Corona Municipal Code Section 3.08.070(I).  
            • Make a determination under Corona Municipal Code Section 3.08.140(E) that competitive bidding is not required for this purchase based upon the reasons provided in this agenda report.
          • Authorize the issuance of a purchase order in the amount of $175,000, annually, through June 30, 2028 to Ewing Irrigation Products, Inc. for the purchase of irrigation-related materials for parks and special districts.
            • Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to negotiate and execute non-substantive extensions, change orders, amendments, and additional purchase orders up to the amount permitted under Corona Municipal Code Section 3.08.080(I), which is equivalent to 10% of the contract value or $17,500
          • Authorize an extension of the Maintenance/General Services Agreement with National Construction Rentals, Inc. for as needed temporary fencing and portable restroom rental services.
            • Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Second Amendment to the Maintenance/General Service Agreement to extend the term through June 30, 2027, at the rates set forth therein and with a total compensation of $175,000 annually, including any non-substantive extensions, change orders, purchase orders, and amendments up to the amount authorized by Corona Municipal Code Section 3.08.060 (I), which is equivalent to 10% or $17,500.
            • Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to issue a Purchase Order to National Construction Rentals, Inc., in the amount of $175,000. 

               

    8. City Council and Corona Utility Authority approve the following budget amendments for Fiscal Year 2025:

       

      1. Authorize a continuing appropriation in the amount not to exceed $2,586,405 in the Measure X Fund 120 from Fiscal Year 2025 to Fiscal Year 2026 for Homeless program activities. The final amount will be determined based on the fiscal year-end balance.

         

      2. Authorize a continuing appropriation in the amount not to exceed $304,576 in the Measure X Fund 120 from Fiscal Year 2025 to Fiscal Year 2026 for program expenditures related to the City Brand Implementation in the Communications Division. The final amount will be determined based on the fiscal year-end balance.

         

      3. Authorize a continuing appropriation in the amount not to exceed $172,950 in the Measure X Fund 120 from Fiscal Year 2025 to Fiscal Year 2026 for Professional and Contractual Services in Economic Development. The final amount will be determined based on the fiscal year-end balance.

         

      4. Authorize a continuing appropriation in the amount not to exceed $1,376,862 ($509,241 in the General Fund 110 and $867,621 in the Measure X Fund 120) from Fiscal Year 2025 to Fiscal Year 2026 for multiple items in the Fire Department and Information Technology Department. The final amount will be determined based on the fiscal year-end balance.

         

      5. Authorize a continuing appropriation in the amount not to exceed $16,335 in the Measure X Fund 120 from Fiscal Year 2025 to Fiscal Year 2026 for the Lobby Refresh project in the Planning and Development Department. The final amount will be determined based on the fiscal year-end balance.

         

      6. Authorize a budgetary transfer in the amount of $30,000 from the Animal Control Fire Alarm System Capital Improvement Project No. FC-2025-02 to the Police Department Locker Room/Facility Expansion Capital Improvement Project No. FC-2024-03 within the Measure X Fund 120.

         

      7. Authorize an appropriation in the amount of $300,000 from the Water Utility Fund 570 to the Waterline Infrastructure Operating and Maintenance Project No. 71930.

         

    9. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-076, approving the City of Corona Position Library and Compensation Plan and repealing all prior Plans, including Resolution No. 2025-038, effective June 14, 2025.

       

    Aye (3)Tom Richins, Jacque Casillas, and Tony Daddario
    Nay (2)Jim Steiner, and Wes Speake
    MotionAPPROVED (3 to 2)

Kim Sitton, Finance Director, provided a report. 

The Council provided comments and had inquiries. Ms. Sitton, Jacob Ellis, City Manager, and Dean Derleth, City Attorney/LRM Director, provided clarification. 

Joe Morgan, resident, addressed the Council and provided comments on the proposed item. 

Vice Mayor Casillas made a motion for Option 2 with a quarterly report and 30-day limit on delegation of authorization. 

  • Moved by:Jacque Casillas
    Seconded by:Wes Speake

    That the City Council introduce, by title only, and waive full reading of consideration of Ordinance No. 3419, first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 3.08 of the Corona Municipal Code to update the City’s purchasing regulations.

    Aye (5)Tom Richins, Jim Steiner, Jacque Casillas, Wes Speake, and Tony Daddario
    MotionAPPROVED (5 to 0)

Vice Mayor Casillas provided an update on the pre-demolition ceremony for the extension of the Norco College STEM facility.  

Council Member Daddario provided a brief overview on the historical clock located at SGC, the crosswalk signals being installed on Sixth Street, and the opening of Claro's Italian Market. 

Council Member Speake provided a brief overview of the pre-demolition ceremony for the extension of the Norco College STEM facility, and the opening of Claro's Italian Market.

Council Member Richins provided a brief overview of the library tribute to Jerry Soifer. 

The next scheduled meeting of the Council is on June 18, 2025. Mayor Steiner adjourned the meeting at 8:01 p.m.

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