(ACT) ACTION NEEDED
(INF) INFORMATION ONLY
(DIS) DISCRETIONARY
AGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF NEEDLES, CALIFORNIA
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1111 BAILEY AVENUE, NEEDLES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2024 - 5:30 PM
THE PUBLIC MAY ATTEND VIA TEAMS AND MAY SUBMIT ANY COMMENTS IN WRITING PRIOR TO NOON ON THE DAY OF THE MEETING BY EMAILING [email protected] TO JOIN THE LIVE TEAMS MEETING: log into the City of Needles website at www.cityofneedles.com to access the agenda and Click here to join the meeting If asked, enter the following: Meeting ID: 996 817 259# OR listen in and participate by calling Teams: 1-323-488-2227 - Meeting ID: 996 817 259# The meetings are being recorded.
Council Member Campbell will be participating via teams from 526 Desnok, Needles, CA 92363 Council Member Longbrake will be participating via teams from Comfort Inn Irvine Spectrum, 23702 Rockfield Blvd, Lake Forest, CA 92630
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
As a courtesy to those in attendance, we would ask that cell phones be turned off or set in their silent mode. Thank you
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE COUNCIL ITEMS
A three-minute time limit per person has been established.
REGULAR COUNCIL ITEMS
1. Adopt the Emergency Declaration Resolution No. 2024-7 Declaring a Local Emergency due to the Closure of the only California Pharmacy within Needles (ACT)
ADJOURNMENT
INTERNET ACCESS TO CITY COUNCIL AGENDAS AND STAFF REPORT MATERIAL IS AVAILABLE PRIOR TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AT: http://WWW.CITYOFNEEDLES.COM Posted: January 29, 2024
SB 343-DOCUMENTS RELATED TO OPEN SESSION AGENDAS -- Any public record, relating to an open session agenda item, that is distributed within 24 hours prior to the meeting is available for public inspection at the City Clerk’s Office, 817 Third Street, Needles, CA 92363.
In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (760) 326-2113 ext 145. Notification 24 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting (28 CFR 35.102-104 ADA Title II).
I hereby certify, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing Agenda was posted at the front entrance of City Hall not less than 24 hours prior to the meeting.
Dated this 29th day of January 2024
/s/ Dale Jones, CMC, City Clerk
1 City of Needles, California
Request for City Council Action
CITY COUNCIL NPUA Regular Special
Meeting Date: January 30, 2024
Title: Declaring a Local Emergency due to the Closure of the only California Pharmacy within Needles
Background: Earlier this year, Rite Aid, grappling with financial challenges due to the oversupply of prescription opioids, declared bankruptcy and announced the closure of numerous stores, with over 157 closures slated for California. Unfortunately, the City of Needles received disheartening news this week that its sole pharmacy, Rite-Aid, will close its doors on February 5, 2024, as part of the bankruptcy and restructuring process.
Due to the imminent closure of the sole California Pharmacy in the City of Needles, a vital lifeline for the local community to acquire essential and, at times, life-sustaining medications, goods, and services, the impending shutdown raises concerns about the accessibility of crucial healthcare resources. Furthermore, the cessation of the only existing pharmacy within the city will leave residents without a nearby California pharmacy to fulfill their urgent needs for essential medications, goods, and services, potentially compromising their health and well-being.
In light of the current emergency, the City of Needles faces an imminent threat to the public health, safety, and welfare of its residents City staff is actively collaborating with various agencies and healthcare providers to identify nearby health care providers, ensuring that Needles residents can consistently access their pharmaceutical needs. Understanding the impact on the community, City Staff has diligently worked with the following entities to formulate a comprehensive solution. Rite Aid Pharmacy Staff
Colorado River Medical Center
Billet Health
Needles Unified School District
Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP)
Supervisor Dawn Rowe’s Office
SB County Dept. Public Health
SB County Dept. Behavioral Health
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
State Senator Steve Padilla’s Office
CA Dept. Health Care Services
Ca Dept. Managed Health Care
Fiscal Impact: The closure of a pharmacy can have economic repercussions for the city.
Job losses among pharmacy staff and related services may contribute to higher unemployment rates and decreased local income.
Environmental Impact: N/A
Recommended Action: Adopt the Emergency Declaration Resolution No. 2024-7 Declaring a Local Emergency due to the Closure of the only California Pharmacy within Needles
Submitted By: Patrick Martinez, City Manager
City Manager Approval: Date:
Approved: Not Approved: Tabled: Other:
Agenda Item: ____________
1/29/2024
1 2
Item 1.
EMERGENCY RESOLUTION 2024-7
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OFNEEDLES, CALIFORNIA
DECLARING A LOCAL EMERGENCY THREATENING PUBLIC HEALTH AND
WELFARE WITHIN THE NEEDLES COMMUNITY
WHEREAS, the City Manager described in great detail a local emergency that occurred due to the imminent closure of the only California pharmacy within the City of Needles, which the Needles’ community relies upon to purchase and obtain critical and sometimes life sustaining medications, goods and services. The closure of the sole existing pharmacy within the City will result in local residents lacking access to a California pharmacy within the City to provide needed and sometimes life sustaining medication, goods and services; and
WHEREAS, in light of the emergency situation, there is an immediate threat to the public health, safety and welfare of residents of the City of Needles.
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED AND DECLATED that a local emergency now exits throughout the City of Needles pursuant to the Emergency Services Act, Government Code, § 8558, et. seq.; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED AND DECLARED that the City Manager is authorized to take all actions to protect the interests of the city and protect the health, safety, and welfare of residents as a result of the closure of the sole pharmacy within the City. During the existence of said local emergency, the City Manager is directed and authorized to seek any needed goods, services and mutual aid from surrounding local agencies, as well as the County of San Bernardino and State of California to ensure that the City has access to adequate resources to address the immediate emergency and to procure aid and services to ensure that residents of Needles have access to critical medications and related goods and services.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED at a special meeting of the City Council of the City of Needles, California, held on the 30th day of January 2024, by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
___________________________
Mayor Jernigan
(Seal) Attest: ___________________________
City Clerk
3 Item 1.