135
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, MARCH 12, 2024
COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION - 5:30 PM
CITY COUNCIL MEETING - 6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 5:32 PM
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Council Member Jamie McCorkle
Vice Mayor Kirsten Merritt
Mayor Janet Jernigan
Council Member JoAnne Pogue
Council Member Tona Belt
Council Member Henry Longbrake
Council Member Campbell arrived at 5:34 pm via Teams from the Ramada Inn, 1511 E. Main, Barsow Also present City Manager Patrick Martinez, City Attorney John Pinkney via Teams and City Clerk Dale Jones.
RECESS THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND CONVENE A JOINT COUNCIL / NPUA MEETING at 5:30 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS Barbara Beard spoke in opposition to the proposed lease regarding Executive Session Item b, asking staff and council to reconsider and expressed concern over taking part of the beach property away from public use.
RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION at 5:38 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Conference with legal counsel regarding potential initiation of litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) (one potential case adverse to Wolfe Pak Inc.) Council Member Campbell moved, second by Council Member McCorkle, to approve a settlement agreement with Wolfe Pak. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Campbell, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Merritt, Council Members Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake
Absent: None
b. Conference with real property negotiator pursuant to Government Code §54956.8: Agency negotiator City Manager Patrick Martinez or his designee. Negotiating Parties are the City of Needles as the lessor and Needles Marina Resort Inc. as the potential lessee of the property described as an undeveloped portion of land, generally located across form the Needles Rivers Edge Golf Course Club House, APN 0660-301-06-0000. Under negotiations are the price and terms
No Reportable Action
136
EXECUTIVE SESSION REPORT - City Attorney Pinkney reported as indicated above.
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 6:22 pm
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Council Member Ellen Campbell
Council Member Jamie McCorkle
Vice Mayor Kirsten Merritt
Mayor Janet Jernigan
Council Member JoAnne Pogue
Council Member Tona Belt
Council Member Henry Longbrake
ABSENT - None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Led by Mayor Jernigan
INVOCATION - Given by Council Member Campbell
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council Member Pogue moved, second by Vice Mayor Merritt, to approve the agenda. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Campbell, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Merritt, Council Members Pogue Belt, and Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
CONFLICT OF INTEREST - None
CORRESPONDENCE - None
INTRODUCTIONS - Mayor Jernigan acknowledged former City Manager Rick Daniels in attendance CITY ATTORNEY - Parliamentary Procedures given by City Attorney John Pinkney PUBLIC APPEARANCE - None
PRESENTATION
1. Certificates of Appreciation was presented by Mayor Jernigan to the Needles Varsity Boys and Girls Basketball Teams in recognition for their outstanding performance in winning the State Championships.
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE NPUA/COUNCIL ITEMS - None
REGULAR NPUA / COUNCIL ITEMS
2. Accept the proposed Wage Range for Powerline Technician - Range 144: $39.16-$49.97 with an effective date of 01/01/24.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Member / Council Member Belt moved, second by Member / Council Member Pogue to accept the proposed Wage Range for Powerline Technician - Range 144: $39. 16-$49.97 with an effective date of 01/01/24. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Members / Council Members Campbell, McCorkle, Member / Vice Mayor Merritt, Member / Mayor Jernigan, Members / Council Members Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
137
3. Authorize Weber Water Resources to complete Well #12 repairs not to exceed $80,745 and payment of sales tax of $3,500; FY 23/24 annual budget for the golf course funded $39,240 and the remaining balance of $42,740 to be funded by general fund reserves.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Member / Council Member Longbrake moved, second by Member / Council Member Pogue to authorize Weber Water Resources to complete Well #12 repairs not to exceed $80,745 and payment of sales tax of $3,500; FY 23/24 annual budget for the golf course funded $39,240 and the remaining balance of $42,740 to be funded by general fund reserves. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Members / Council Members Campbell, McCorkle, Member / Vice Mayor Merritt, Member / Mayor Jernigan, Members / Council Members Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
4. Waive the reading and adopt Resolution 2024-18 amending Emergency Resolution No. 2021-43 Declaring a Local Emergency Threatening Water Service to the Needles Community Utility Manager Rainie Torrance gave staff report.
Member / Council Member Campbell moved, second by Member / Council Member Longbrake to waive the reading and adopt Resolution 2024-18 amending Emergency Resolution No. 2021- 43 Declaring a Local Emergency Threatening Water Service to the Needles Community. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Members / Council Members Campbell, McCorkle, Member / Vice Mayor Merritt, Member / Mayor Jernigan, Members / Council Members Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
5. Update on the Treatment Plant Construction at Well #11 - A PowerPoint was presented by Interim Development Director Kathy Raasch
ADJOURN THE JOINT NPUA/COUNCIL MEETING AND RECONVENE THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING (Roll Call previously taken) at 6:56 pm
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE COUNCIL ITEMS
Item 10 - Barbara Beard voiced her opinion that the lot size is a lot more land than Lamar needs for a sign and requested council reconsider the lease term or set it up for review every three to five years.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report. Minimal discussion ensued
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Vice Mayor Merritt moved, second by Council Member Campbell to approve consent calendar items 6 through 12. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Campbell, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Merritt, Council Members Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
6. Approved the Warrants Register through March 12, 2024
7. Approved the Minutes of February 27, 2024
8. Waived the reading and adopted Resolution No. 2024-14 authorizing destruction of certain city records pursuant to Government Code Section 34090
9. Waived the reading and adopted Resolution 2024-15 amending Resolution 2024-7 continuing the local emergency due to the closure of the only California pharmacy within Needles 138
10. Waived the reading and adopted Resolution 2024-16 approving a Sign Location Lease and Memorandum between the City of Needles and The Lamar Companies (APN 0186-201-03- 0000) for an amount not to exceed $7,500 for a Term of Thirty (30) Years and authorize the City Manager to execute agreements and take other actions consistent with recording documents).
11. Authorized the purchase of a John Deere Z994R zero-turn mower for the Needles Riverview Cemetery at a cost not to exceed $20,000 to come from cemetery budgeted funds
12. Awarded bid to Superb Engineering Inc. for the Golf Course Irrigation Efficiency Project, Phase 1 in the amount of $711,434.95 plus 5% contingency for a total project cost of $747,061.82; $690,000 to be funded by a grant through the Urban and Multibenefit Drought Relief Program with the remaining balance of $57,061.82 to be funded by the golf surcharge account. Interim funding for the project to be from General Fund Reserves; and authorized staff to execute a Public Works Agreement with Superb Engineering, Inc. and move forward with the Notice of Award and Notice to Proceed.
END OF COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
REGULAR COUNCIL ITEMS
13. Needles Aquatic Center Update given by City Manager Martinez
14. Select no more than three council members to serve on an Off-Highway Motor Vehicle (OHMV) Ad-Hoc Committee to research implementation of a pilot project to designate combined-use highways on roads in the city to link existing off-highway vehicle trails and to link off-highway vehicle recreational use areas with necessary service and lodging facilities. (ACT) City Manager Martinez gave staff report.
Vice Mayor Merritt moved, second by Council Member Campbell to appoint Council Members Longbrake, Campbell, and McCorkle to serve on an Off-Highway Motor Vehicle (OHMV) Ad-Hoc Committee to research implementation of a pilot project to designate combined-use highways on roads in the city to link existing off-highway vehicle trails and to link off-highway vehicle recreational use areas with necessary service and lodging facilities. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Campbell, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Merritt, Council Members Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
15. Waive the reading and adopt Resolution 2024-17 Authorizing Application for, and Receipt of, Prohousing Incentive Pilot Program Funds
City Manager Martinez gave staff report.
Council Member Pogue moved, second by Council Member Longbrake to waive the reading and adopt Resolution 2024-17 Authorizing Application for, and Receipt of, Prohousing Incentive Pilot Program Funds Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Campbell, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Merritt, Council Members Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT - Given by City Attorney Pinkney
CITY MANAGER REPORT - Given by City Manager Martinez
COUNCIL REQUESTS
Councilmember Campbell thanked the Sheriffs' Department for their successful 20 person arrest; announced that the Alano Club will be moving to the Lutheran Church across from Needles High School; 139
thanked parents who support the basketball players; reported positive public comments regarding the dog park and other park improvements; asked for an update on the homeless grant.
Councilmember McCorkle asked about progress on Riverlux; requested staff remove dead trees from the golf course; thanked Sheriffs' Department for their recent 20 person arrest.
Vice Mayor Merritt - no requests
Council Member Pogue - Thanked Sheriffs' Department for their recent 20 person arrest.
Councilmember Belt - requested staff remove the weeds at the pool and reported on the meeting regarding the California Welcome Center.
Councilmember Longbrake - Thanked Sheriffs' Department for their recent 20 person arrest; reported that much of the street signage in Needles is in bad shape and unreadable and is in need of repair or replacement; informed Council and staff that Daniel Alexander, Bridge Inspector for the new bridge being built by Anderson Field House, is going to offer tours to Council Members.
Mayor Jernigan - offered condolences to the family of Marsha Albertson, who passed; reported on First Institute and the services they offer to Needles Residents; thanked City Manager Martinez and Interim Development Director Kathy Raasch for providing a report on River Road that she presented to the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SCTA) and reported that they are now looking for funding help; invited public to attend and provided flyers for the upcoming resource fair and there is a community cleanup on April 20.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Jernigan adjourned the meeting at 7:33 pm Anto Jand Armigan Dale Juns
City Clerk Dale Jones, CMC
140