51 MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NEEDLES PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY
HOUSING AUTHORITY CITY OF NEEDLES
CITY OF NEEDLES, CALIFORNIA
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1111 BAILEY AVENUE, NEEDLES
TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2023
COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION - 5:00 PM
CITY COUNCIL MEETING - 6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Jernigan Called the meeting to order at 5:03 pm
ROLL CALL - Mayor Jernigan excused the absence of Vice Mayor Kirsten Merritt
PRESENT
Mayor Janet Jernigan
Council Member Ellen Campbell
Council Member Jamie McCorkle
Council Member JoAnne Pogue
Council Member Tona Belt (arrived at 5:04 pm)
Council Member Henry Longbrake
Also present were City Manager Rick Daniels, Assistant City Manager Patrick Martinez, City Attorney John Pinkney, City Clerk Dale Jones, and Assistant City Clerk Candace Clark PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS - None
RECESSED THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND CONVENED A JOINT COUNCIL / NPUA /
HOUSING AUTHORITY (HACN) MEETING
RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION at 5:05 pm
Council Member Pogue recused herself from Executive Session Item a due to a conflict - her son, who lives with her, works for the Cannabis facility in question. b. COUNCIL: Public Employee Performance Evaluation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957. Title: City Manager
No Reportable Action
c. COUNCIL: Conference with real property negotiator pursuant to Government Code §54956.8: Agency negotiator City Manager Rick Daniels or his designee. Negotiating Parties are the City of Needles as the potential seller and Armen Matevosian as the potential buyer of a portion of the property described as approximately 4-acres vacant parcel, located on the north side of San Clemente and west of East Broadway, APN 0185-234-26. Under negotiations are the price and terms
No Reportable Action
d. COUNCIL: Best Motel settlement with code enforcement fines with Fort Mojave Indian Tribe No Reportable Action
Pogue left Executive Session at 5:47 pm
a. NPUA / COUNCIL: Conference with Legal Counsel Regarding Potential Initiation of Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) One Potential Case No Reportable Action
52 Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 6:07 pm EXECUTIVE SESSION - Report by City Attorney Pinkney as noted above ROLL CALL (Previously Taken)
INVOCATION given by Council Member Campbell
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Mayor Jernigan
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Agenda amended to move Item 3 to 1. Council Member Campbell moved, second by Council Member McCorkle, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Campbell, McCorkle, Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: Vice Mayor Merritt
CONFLICT OF INTEREST - None
CORRESPONDENCE - None
INTRODUCTIONS - Mayor Jernigan recognized Former Council Members Tim Terral, Shawn Gudmundson, Zach Longacre, and City Treasurer Virginia Tasker CITY ATTORNEY - Parliamentary Procedures given by City Attorney Pinkney
PUBLIC APPEARANCE
Former Council Member Zachery Longacre spoke about the work on the underpass (K Street Bridge) and asked for staff to trim and clean brush from the Mesquite trees on Front Street and informed staff that the cactus are all dead; requested reflectors at the end of Front Street in anticipation of increased traffic when the bridge opens.
Wayne Colburn from the Chamber of Commerce gave an update on their efforts with tourism and local businesses, and stated the website is being worked on and there will be an event calendar on it for all local businesses and organizations to share events.
Former Council Member Tim Terral spoke about the K Street Bridge and reported that it was flooded with the rain we had a few days ago; requested the drains be cleaned.
Misty Harrington expressed disappointment at the water fountains being removed from Jack Smith P ark and requested they be put back and public restrooms should be open to the public.
PRESENTATION
3. Mayor Jernigan Presented Certificates to the NHS Girls' Softball Team in recognition for their outstanding performance winning the 2023 State Championship in Reno, Nevada against Battle Mountain High School
INTERVIEWS
1. Interviews were conducted and appointments made to the Needles Housing Commission. There were 3 applicants for 3 vacant seats; two applicants were present and introduced themselves:
Chris Mauer is a local resident who works at Hardware Express and stated that he is excited to be a part of new projects in the City of Needles.
Deana Tucker is a local resident who has worked in property management.
Robert Smith, was out of town and unable to attend.
Council Member Belt moved, second by Council Member Campbell to appoint all three applicants to the Needles Housing Commission, Motion carried as follows::
Ayes: Council Members Campbell, McCorkle, Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: Vice Mayor Merritt
53 PRESENTATIONS
2. NPUA: Presentation given by David Burger to accept and file the NPUA audit report for fiscal year ending June 30, 2022 completed by Burger & Comer, P.C.
Member/Council Member Pogue moved, second by Member/Council Member Campbell.to accept and file the NUA audit report for fiscal year ending June 30, 2022 completed by Burger & Comer, P.C. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Campbell, McCorkle, Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: Vice Mayor Merritt
4. Presentation made to the council for the City of Needles by Assistant City Manager Patrick Martinez, receiving the 2023 Comprehensive Plan Award of Excellence, from the American Planning Association, California Chapter, Inland Empire Section for our General Plan and Transportation Update
PUBLIC HEARINGS
5. NPUA / COUNCIL / HACN: Public hearing held - noticed to consider all evidence and testimony for or against approval of the City of Needles, NPUA and HACN budgets for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2024
Staff Report given by City Manager Rick Daniels
Council asked questions of staff regarding expanding the marketing budget and sheriff increases - discussion ensued
Mayor Jernigan opened the public hearing at 7:20 am
Public Comment
Former Council Member Zachery Longacre spoke in favor of marketing increases and a focus on the river; and increasing the budget for the sheriffs department.
Wayne Colburn spoke in favor of increased marketing and expressed a desire for the Chamber of Commerce to work closely with the City to market and promote Needles to help the city grow.
Mayor Jernigan closed the public hearing at 7:24 pm
Further Council Discussion / Deliberation ensued
Council Member Belt moved, second by Council Member McCorkle to waive the reading and adopt Resolution No. 2023-38 adopting the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2023- 2024. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Campbell, McCorkle, Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: Vice Mayor Merritt
Member/Council Member Belt moved, second by Member/Council Member McCorkle to waive the reading and adopt NUA Resolution No. 06-13-2023-NPUA adopting the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Campbell, McCorkle, Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: Vice Mayor Merritt
Member/Council Member Belt moved, second by Member/Council Member Campbell to waive the reading and adopt HACN Resolution No. 2023-4-HACN adopting the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Campbell, McCorkle, Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: Vice Mayor Merritt
54 6. Approve the Twenty Seventh Amendment to Contract No. 99-376 with the County of San Bernardino in the total amount of $3,619,032 providing for law enforcement services by amending Schedule A for the 2023-2024 fiscal year and authorize the Mayor to sign same Council Member Belt moved, second by Council Member Campbell, to approve the Twenty Seventh Amendment to Contract No. 99-376 with the County of San Bernardino in the total amount of $3,619,032 providing for law enforcement services by amending Schedule A for the 2023-2024 fiscal year and authorized the Mayor to sign same. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Campbell, McCorkle, Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: Vice Mayor Merritt
Provide direction regarding the sheriff's department request for an additional deputy: plus an increase in the positions of lieutenant, sergeant, dispatch services, HT and taser replacement at an additional cost of $353,731
No action taken on the sheriff's request.
7. Provide direction regarding the Marketing Strategy Proposed Budget Approved with the budget in the amount of $50,000 using general fund reserves
NPUA / COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Member/Council Member Campbell moved, second by Member/Council Member Pogue to approve Items 8 through 11 on the Consent Calendar. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Campbell, McCorkle, Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: Vice Mayor Merritt
8. Accepted the California Energy Commission Power Disclosure Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 2022
9. Authorized Laron Mechanical to complete the wastewater motive pump repair at a cost not to exceed $26,810 utilizing wastewater asset replacement funds
10. Waived the reading and adopted Resolution 2023-37 adopting the 2023 Needles Public Utility Authority Wildfire Mitigation Plan Version 4.0
11. Authorized the city manager to execute the Xio Cloud SCADA System for the Lillyhill and "L" Street Boosters dated May 16, 2023 for a monthly subscription of $430 and an annual technical support of $3,000 to be funded by the water department annual operating budget and $18,851 for hardware to be funded by grant funds from the State Water Resources Control Board and Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board's Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP)
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE HACN/COUNCIL ITEMS - None
HACN / COUNCIL
12. HACN/ COUNCIL: Waived the reading and adopted Resolution 2023-3-HACN to write off previous tenants debts
AND
Provided direction regarding preparing a Policy and Procedures for Write-Offs policy Member/Council Member Pogue moved, second by Member/Council Member Campbell to waive the reading and adopt Resolution 2023-3-HACN to write off previous tenants debts AND Provide direction regarding preparing a Policy and Procedures for Write-Offs policy. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Campbell, McCorkle, Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake Noes: None
55 Absent: Vice Mayor Merritt
ADJOURNED THE JOINT COUNCIL / NPUA / HACN MEETING AND RECONVENED THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING at 7:39 pm
CALL TO ORDER (Roll Call Previously Taken)
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE NUA/COUNCIL ITEMS - None
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Campbell moved, second by Council Member Pogue to approve Items 13 through 20 on the Consent Calendar. Motion carried by the following roll call vote::
Ayes: Council Members Campbell, McCorkle, Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: Vice Mayor Merritt
13. Approved the Warrants Register through June 13, 2023
14. Approved the Minutes of May 23, 2023
15. Waived the reading and adopted Resolution No. 2023-39 approving a lease extension with Tri- State Alano Club for the building located at 801 Third Street through July 1, 2024
16. Waived the reading and adopted Resolution No. 2023-36 adopting a list of projects for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 funded by SB1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017
17. Waived the reading and adopted Resolution No. 2023-35 adopting the Measure / Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Years 2024 through 2028
18. Waived the reading and adopted Resolution No. 2023-33 approving an Agreement between the City of Needles and the Needles Unified School District for a Sheriff's Service Specialist for the 2023-2024 school year
19. Waived the reading and adopted Resolution No. 2023-34 approving the Zero-Emission Bus Rollout Plan for the City of Needles Area Transit
20. Accepted Change Order No. 1 with Final Touch Construction & Design, Inc. for a Not To Exceed amount of $6,250.00 to install additional flooring as part of the Tenant Improvements/Office Space 2023 Project to be funded by the Electric Department operations
END OF COUNCIL CONSENT
REGULAR COUNCIL ITEMS
21. Cancelled the second regular City Council/NUA/HACN meetings on July 25, August 22 and September 26
Council Member Campbell moved, second by Council Member Longbrake to cancel the second regular City Council/NUA/HACN meetings on July 25, August 22 and September 26.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Campbell, McCorkle, Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: Vice Mayor Merritt
22. Authorized those interested to attend the League of California Cities 2023 Annual Conference and Expo scheduled for September 20 - 22, 2023 at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento and designate a voting delegate and alternate (s) 56 Council Member Campbell moved, second by Council Member Pogue to authorized Council Members Campbell, Pogue, Longbrake, and Mayor Jernigan to attend the League of California Cities 2023 Annual Conference and Expo scheduled for September 20 - 22, 2023 at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento and designated Mayor Jernigan as voting delegate and Council Member Campbell as alternate. Motion carried by following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Campbell, McCorkle, Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: Vice Mayor Merritt
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT given by John Pinkney
CITY CLERK REPORT given by Dale Jones
CITY MANAGER REPORT given by Rick Daniels
COUNCIL REQUESTS
Council Member Campbell applauded the BNSF train rides and requested clean up on Front Street.
Council Member McCorkle thanked fellow Council Members and staff for accomplishments and their efforts reaching out to promote Needles.
Council Member Pogue commented on the Pirates Cove fire and reported that she noticed the County building sprinklers were running over the weekend.
Council Member Belt - thanked staff for working to build Needles.
Council Member Longbrake reported that he has received a request to get the septic tanks on Bush street tied into the city sewer system; that the barrier on the curve on Washington street, near the high school, is missing a section and needs to be replaced; reported on the success of the CJPIA Newly Elected officials academy, and his attendance at the MDAQMD meeting this week via Zoom.
Mayor Jernigan thanked city staff for the Memorial Day ceremony at the cemetery; the ground breaking at Well 11; reported on the CJPIA Newly Elected officials academy; requested that the former River Sisters building that is boarded up needs the boards painted white to match the building, and requested adding to the next agenda changing the name of the Lilly Hill project to William Claypool in memory of his involvement and dedication to the city of Needles.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Jernigan adjourned the meeting at 8:09 pm.
ATTÉST:
Mayor Janet Jernigan City Clerk Dale Jones, CMC