MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL,
NEEDLES PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY
CITY OF NEEDLES, CALIFORNIA - TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2023 COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION - 5:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL MEETING - 6:00 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS - 1111 BAILEY AVENUE, NEEDLES
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Vice Mayor Merritt at 5:05 PM
ROLL CALL
Present: Vice Mayor Kirsten Merritt; Council Members Ellen Campbell, Jamie Mccorkle, JoAnne Pogue (arrived at 5:22 PM), Tona Belt, and Henry Longbrake. Also present; Assistant City Manager Patrick Martinez, City Attorney John Pinkney and City Clerk Dale Jones.
RECESSED THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND CONVENED A JOINT COUNCIL/ NPUA MEETING at 5:05 PM
Council Member Campbell moved, second by Councilmember Belt to grant an excused absence for Mayor Jernigan. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Campbell, Mccorkle, Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION - None RECESSED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION at 5:06 PM
Councilmember Jamie Mccorkle recused herself from Executive Session Item (a) due to a potential conflict.
a) NPUA / COUNCIL: Conference with Legal Counsel regarding existing litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) (one case: Rio Buena Vista Assoc. Et. Al. v. City of Needles: Case Number CIVSB 2028439)
b) COUNCIL: Conference with legal counsel regarding potential initiation of litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(4). (one potential matter) EXECUTIVE SESSION - City Attorney Pinkney announced there was no reportable action taken.
ADJOURNED THE JOINT MEETING AND RECONVENED THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING at 6:18 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Vice Mayor Merritt at 6: 18 PM
ROLL CALL
Present: Vice Mayor Kirsten Merritt; Council Members Ellen Campbell, Jamie Mccorkle, JoAnne Pogue, Tona Belt, and Henry Longbrake. Also present, Assistant City Manager Patrick Martinez, City Attorney John Pinkney and City Clerk Dale Jones.
INVOCATION - Given by Vice Mayor Merritt
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Led by Councilmember McCorkle
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APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion was made by Councilmember Pogue, seconded by Councilmember Campbell to approve the agenda. Motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Campbell, Mccorkle, Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Council Member Campbell declared a conflict of interest on Agenda Item #5 because she lives on Desnok.
CORRESPONDENCE-None
INTRODUCTIONS
Vice Mayor Merritt acknowledged former Vice Mayor Edward Paget, and former Council Members Tim Terral and Shawn Gudmundson who were in attendance.
CITY ATTORNEY Pinkney reviewed Parliamentary procedures.
PUBLIC APPEARANCE
Pastor James Jones expressed condolences for Mayor Jernigan's loss of her husband. He also informed council there is a street light out on Bush Street and the intersection at Vine and R Streets are not being controlled.
PUBLIC HEARING
1) Public hearing held - noticed to consider a request by Michael West for approval of Tentative Tract Map #20478 located in the CRR (Commercial, Residential, Resort) zone located at 429 N.
K Street, APNs 0185-058-15-0000,0185-067-15-0000,0660-307-13-0000,0185-067-20- 0000,0185-109-48-0000 and 0186-021-01-0000
Staff Report and PowerPoint presentation was given by Assistant City Manager Patrick Martinez.
Applicant Jeff West reviewed the project and discussion ensued.
Vice Mayor Merritt opened the public hearing at 6:46 PM Applicant Jeff West responded to Councils inquiries.
Barbara Beard and Tim Terral commented in favor of the project stating it will be a boost for the city and bring needed housing.
Pastor James Jones commented in favor, with one concern about possible increased OHV traffic.
Teresa Bernard stated she lives on K street and is concerned about rear access to her property being blocked by this project and possible property tax increase.
Vice Mayor Merritt closed the public hearing at 6:57 PM Council Member Belt moved, second by Councilmember Campbell to waive the reading and adopt Resolution No. 2023-10 approving a 60 lot Tentative Tract Map No. 20478 for 58 singlefamily townhomes/recreational vehicle pads located at 429 N. K Street, APNs 0185-058-15- 0000, 0185-067-15-0000, 0660-301-13-0000, 0185-067-20-0000, 0185-109-48-0000, and 0186- 021-01-0000 and adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Campbell, Mccorkle, Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
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PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE COUNCIL ITEMS - None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilmember Pogue moved, seconded by Councilmember Campbell to approve the consent calendar items as recommended. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Campbell, Mccorkle, Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstained Councilmember Campbell abstained from voting on #5 due to a potential conflict. 2) Approved the warrants registers of January 24, 2023
3) Approved Amendment to Contract Number 21-390 A1 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Agreement between San Bernardino County Fire Protection District and the City of Needles through June 30, 2027 and authorized the city manager to execute amendment 4) Approved exclusive three (3) year purchase of Douglas Fir Power Poles through Stella-Jones for FY 23, FY 24 and FY 25 not to exceed $100,000 annually using funds from the Electric Operation and Maintenance budget
5) Extended the existing Electrical General Services Contract working under the Electric Circuit Reliability Program with Petrelli Electric for an additional three (3) years to expire March 2026 to complete the electric system improvements and approve Tasks No. 4 and No. 5 relating to the power pole replacement program, at a total cost not to exceed $670,000 to be funded with electric system asset replacement funds
6) Waived the reading and adopted Resolution No. 2023-07 prioritizing and approving the dollar amount of Needles eligible projects for Community Development Block Grant funding for Fiscal Year 2023-2024
7) Waived the reading and adopted Resolution No. 2023-09 authorizing application and receipt of Prohousing Incentive Pilot Program Funds relating to housing and community development 8) Awarded bid from Final Touch Construction & Design, Inc. for Bid Alternate No. 1 for a total amount of $70,688, total project cost $77,756 including the 10% contingency, and authorize staff to issue a Notice of Award and Notice to Proceed using funds from the Admin Facility Property Capital Buildings Fund
End of Consent
9) Resolution No. 2023-08 amending Resolution No. 2021-68 approving an updated Economic Development Program funded by 10% of the tax revenues received from cannabis businesses Assistant City Manager Patrick Martinez gave the staff report and considerable discussion ensued. Public comments made by Tim Terral, Barbara Beard and Shawn Gudmundson voicing opinions on what should be reviewed and/or changed.
Councilmember Longbrake moved to table the item, seconded by Councilmember Campbell.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Campbell, Mccorkle, Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
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CITY ATTORNEYS REPORT
City Attorney John Pinkney had nothing to report.
CITY MANAGERS REPORT
Assistant City Manager Patrick Martinez gave a report.
COUNCIL REQUESTS
Councilmember Campbell offered condolences to Mayor Jernigan for the loss of her husband and reported on the success of the courthouse grand opening.
Councilmember Mccorkle reported that she has received many complaints about the traffic backing up and blocking the intersection at the bridge crossing.
Councilmember Merritt requested palm trees and weeds be cleaned by Center for Change; commented on the courthouse grand opening, the Lillly Hill booster station groundbreaking, and requested an update from the Chamber of Commerce at the next meeting.
Councilmember Pogue had no requests.
Councilmember Belt inquired about what options the homeless have and asked about organizing a city-wide cleanup for the upcoming Earth Day.
Councilmember Longbrake requested the graffiti around town be cleaned up/covered up, reiterated the issue at the bridge crossing intersection and suggested tickets be issued to those blocking the intersection.
ADJOURNMENT - Vice Mayor Merritt adjourned the meeting at 7:40 PM ATTEST: ~
\lice Mayor Kirsten Merritt
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City Clerk Dale J ~
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