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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 26, 2024
COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION - 5:00 PM
CITY COUNCIL MEETING - 6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 5:07 pm
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Council Member Ellen Campbell
Council Member Jamie McCorkle
Council Member Henry Longbrake
Mayor Janet Jernigan
Council Member JoAnne Pogue
Vice Mayor Kirsten Merritt - joined executive session via Teams at 5:14 pm Council Member Tona Belt - arrived and joined executive session at 5:16 pm Also present 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 TO EXECUTIVE SESSION at 5:08 pm
EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Public Employee Performance Evaluation pursuant to Government Code §54957 - Title of position: City Clerk
No reportable action
b. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (Gov't Code § 54956.9(d) (1)) In re: City of Needles v. Dominic Do, et al. - 641 Front Street California Superior Court-County of San Bernardino (Case No. CIVSB2316433)
Council Member Campbell moved, second by Council Member Pogue, to approve a settlement agreement. 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
C. Conference with Legal Counsel Regarding Existing Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d) (1): City of Needles v. Minasian, et. al., SB County Case Number CIVSB2328931
Council Member Campbell moved, second by Council Member Pogue, to approve reimbursement of legal fees to the City and the City purchasing the property back at the agreed upon terms. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
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Ayes: Council Members Campbell, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Merritt, Council Members Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
EXECUTIVE SESSION REPORT - City Attorney John Pinkney gave report as noted above CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 6:09 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
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - led by Mayor Jernigan
INVOCATION - Given by Council Member Campbell
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council Member McCorkle 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 Council Member Tim Terral in attendance CITY ATTORNEY - Parliamentary Procedures given by City Attorney John Pinkney PUBLIC APPEARANCE Lieutenant Jake Gault from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department announced that donations received in honor of the late Steve Jernigan, under the direction of Mayor Jernigan, would be donated to the Needles High School Hiking Club. Lieutenant Gault presented the hiking club with a check for $2,475. Members of the Needles High School Hiking Club thanked the Sheriff's Department for the donation.
PRESENTATION
Presentation by Ethan Guy, Director of Government Investments, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) who gave a PowerPoint presentation.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. Public Hearing held for the Annual Account of Development Impact Fees for FY 23 Staff report given by City Manager Martinez.
Mayor Jernigan opened the public hearing for public comment at 6:41 pm.
Mayor Jernigan closed the public hearing at 6:41 pm.
Council Member Belt moved, second by Council Member Pogue, to approve the Annual Account of Development Fees for FY 23. 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
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PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE COUNCIL ITEMS - None
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member McCorkle pulled item 5 for clarification. City Manager Martinez gave staff report.
Council Member Campbell moved, second by Council Member McCorkle, to approve consent calendar items 2 through 5. 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
2. Approved the Warrants Register through March 26, 2024
3. Approved the Minutes of March 12, 2024
4. Approved the Needles Rodeo Association Daily License Application for the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for their Needles Rodeo Association Rodeo, April 4 - 6, 2024 at the Needles Rodeo Grounds.
5. Rejected All Proposals received on October 4, 2023, for the Marketing and Public Affairs Professional Services and authorized staff to modify the existing RFP and re-advertise for proposals.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT - City Attorney Pinkney had nothing to report CITY MANAGER REPORT - Given by City Manager Martinez
MANAGERS REPORT
COUNCIL REQUESTS
Councilmember Campbell - reported on her recent trip to El Centro and the developer who created 900 units in 12 distressed properties which he converted from motel rooms into efficiency-apartments.
Councilmember McCorkle - reported that the Needles High School Band would be hosting a BBQ dinner tomorrow evening (Wednesday, March 27) at 6pm
Vice Mayor Merritt - had no requests
Council Member Pogue - Reported on the success of the SB County Resource Fair; reported that she recently took a tour of the El Garces, hosted by Mike Thornton, and stated he is a wonderful guide.
Councilmember Belt - Complimented the Recreation Center for all their efforts on the recent All Stars event, and for all that they do for the local youth.
Councilmember Longbrake - Reported on the success of the SB County Resource Fair; stated that he's hearing a lot of complaints from residents about the cannabis odor coming from the Lilly Hill grow facility, and other cannabis facilities on nights and weekends
Mayor Jernigan - met with the school district office and reported on the Arrowheart Foundation's program to address community needs; kindergartners are in need of a snack bar; high school students received toiletries and snacks from the Arrowheart Foundation; Arrowheart Foundation provided 350 free meals for the community at the Senior Center on May 23; reported on the Resource Fair success, and that it will be coming back again next year; thanked all involved who helped make it a success; reported the public defender will be hosting a workshop; the health department will be providing free shots and vaccines at the Mayor's office on Broadway; reported on the success of Art in the Park and the Craft Fair; reported that there is an Easter Egg Hunt in Santa Fe Park on Saturday, March 30 at 10 am.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Jernigan adjourned the meeting at 6:59 pm ATTEST: ones emigan ale jones
Mayor Janet Jernigan City Clerk Dale Jones, CMC
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