161
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NEEDLES PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY
HOUSING AUTHORITY CITY OF NEEDLES
CITY OF NEEDLES, CALIFORNIA
EL GARCES
950 FRONT ST, NEEDLES
THE 5:00 P.M. PORTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING WAS RECESSED BY THE CITY CLERK TO 6:00 P.M.
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 2024
COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION - NONE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING - 6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 6:00 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
Also in attendance were City Manager Patrick Martinez, City Attorney John Pinkney, City Clerk Dale Jones, and Assistant City Clerk Candace Clark
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Led by Mayor Jernigan
INVOCATION - Given by Council Member Campbell
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council Member Campbell 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
Abstain: None
CONFLICT OF INTEREST - None
CORRESPONDENCE - None
INTRODUCTIONS - Mayor Jernigan acknowledged former Council Members Tim Terral and Shawn Gudmundson in attendance.
CITY ATTORNEY - Parliamentary Procedures given by City Attorney Pinkney
PUBLIC APPEARANCE
Wayne Colburn spoke about the Trailblazer sign project and expressed concern over the Chamber of Commerce's lack of action and urged City Staff to follow through and make sure the $8700 contribution made by San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe is spent appropriately.
Jared Johnston informed Council and the public about the upcoming Swim with the Eagles 2599 event at the Needles Aquatic Center on June 22, 2024, from 2pm - 6pm, where kids sixteen and under can swim free and free snow cones are available.
162
PRESENTATIONS
1. Administer Oath of Office to Irene Romero, City Planner City Manager Martinez introduced and gave a brief bio and City Clerk Jones administered the Oath of Office to Irene Romero, City Planner.
Presentation of Certificates to the NHS Boys' Baseball and the NHS Girls' Softball Teams in recognition for their outstanding performance winning the 2024 State Championships.
City Manager Martinez gave a synopsis of the success of both teams, and Mayor Jernigan presented certificates to the NHS Boys' Baseball and the NHS Girls' Softball Teams in recognition for their outstanding performance winning the 2024 State Championships.
RECESSED THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND CONVENED A JOINT COUNCIL / NPUA / HACN
MEETING
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3. City of Needles, NPUA, & Housing Authority of the City of Needles proposed budgets for FY 2025 Public Hearing and approval of Resolutions 2024-27, 06-11-2024-NPUA, and 2024-7-HACN adopting the Proposed Budgets for the fiscal year ending 06/30/25.
City Manager Martinez a gave staff report, addressing the changes in the budget, highlighting $100,000 that is necessary for the Senior Center repairs, and gave a review of activities that the Senior Center provides to the community. He distributed a list of activities to Council and acknowledged that the Senior Center also acts as a cooling station when needed Council had no questions of staff
Mayor Jernigan opened the public hearing at 6:27 pm. There was no public comment. Mayor Jernigan closed the public hearing at 6:27 pm.
There was no Council discussion or deliberation.
Member/Council Member Campbell moved, second by Member/Vice Mayor Merritt, to approve Resolutions 2024-27, 06-11-2024-NPUA, and 2024-7-HACN adopting the Proposed Budgets for the fiscal year ending 06/30/25.
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
Abstain: None
4. Approve Resolution No. 2024-26 Adopting a Vision, Mission, and Values Statement and 2025 Goals for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 identified on Exhibit "A" and direct the City Manager to develop action plans for implementation and followed up with a mid-year review in January 2025.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report.
Council had no questions of staff.
Mayor Jernigan opened the public hearing at 6:31 pm. There was no public comment. Mayor Jernigan closed the public hearing at 6:31 pm.
There was no Council discussion or deliberation.
Council Member Campbell moved, second by Vice Mayor Merritt, to approve Resolution No. 2024-26 adopting a Vision, Mission, and Values Statement and 2025 Goals for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 identified on Exhibit "A" and direct the City Manager to develop action plans for implementation to follow up with a mid-year review in January 2025. 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
Abstain: None
163
Public hearing noticed to consider all evidence and testimony for or against approval of a proposed November 5, 2024, ballot measure that would establish an alternative square foot tax on cannabis cultivation within the City. Call for Election, Consolidation with San Bernardino County and Argument and Impartial Analysis
City Manager Martinez gave staff report, explaining the alternative ballot measure of $1.75 per square foot of canopy on cultivation businesses only, stating that, if passed by the voters, Council can choose whether to implement the measure.
Council asked minimal questions of staff.
Mayor Jernigan opened the public hearing at 6:44 pm. There was no public comment.
City Manager Martinez called for a break at 6:49 pm
Mayor Jernigan reopened the public comment at 6:51 pm
There was no public comment
Mayor Jernigan closed the public hearing at 6:51 pm.
Council had minimal discussion.
Council Member McCorkle moved, second by Council Member Belt to waive the first reading of Ordinance No. 665-AC, an Ordinance of the City of Needles, California, adding Article IX (Cannabis Cultivation Square Foot Tax) to Chapter 20, of the Needles Municipal Code establishing an Alternative Square Foot Tax on Cannabis Cultivation, subject to voter approval. 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
Abstain: None
Council Member Pogue moved, second by Council Member McCorkle, to waive reading and adopt Resolution No. 2024-28, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Needles, California, Calling for and Giving Notice of the Holding of a General Municipal Election to Be Held on November 5, 2024, for the Election of Certain Officers as Required by the Provisions of the Charter, and for the Submission of a Proposed Measure that Would Establish an Alternative Square Foot Tax on Cannabis Cultivation in the City; AND to waive reading and adopt Resolution No. 2024-29, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Needles, California, Requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Bernardino to Consolidate a General Municipal Election to be Held on November 5, 2024, with the Statewide General Election to be Held on the Date Pursuant to Section 10403 of the Elections Code.
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
Abstain: None
Council Member Campbell moved, second by Council Member Longbrake to waive the reading and adopt Resolution No. 2024-30, a Resolution of the City Council of Needles, California, Setting Priorities for Filing Written Arguments) Regarding a City Measure and appointed Mayor Jernigan to write an argument in favor of the proposed ballot measure and directing the City Attorney to Prepare an Impartial Analysis 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
Abstain: None
Vice Mayor Merritt moved, second by Council Member McCorkle, directing staff to reach out to the community for an argument against the proposed ballot measure establishing an Alternative Square Foot Tax on Cannabis Cultivation. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
164
Ayes: Council Members Campbell, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Merritt, Council Members Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE NPUA/COUNCIL ITEMS - None
REGULAR NPUA / COUNCIL ITEMS
6. NPUA/Council - Accept Change Order No. 1 (Final) in the amount of $15,020.00 for a total contract amount of $1,005,419.00 for the work completed by Phillips Excavating, Inc. for the Water Service Lateral Replacement project and authorize staff to execute said Change Order; and accept the Notice of Completion for the Work
Member/Council Member Pogue moved, second by Member/Council Member Campbell to accept Change Order No. 1 (Final) in the amount of $15,020.00 for a total contract a mount of $1,005,419.00 for the work completed by Phillips Excavating, Inc. for the Water Service Lateral Replacement project and authorize staff to execute said Change Order; and accept the Notice of Completion for the Work. 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
Abstain: None
ADJOURNED THE JOINT COUNCIL/NPUA/HACN MEETING AND RECONVENED THE COUNCIL MEETING at 7:02 pm
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE COUNCIL ITEMS - None
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Campbell moved, second by Council Member McCorkle to approve consent calendar items 7 through 8. 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
Abstain: None
7. Approved the Warrants Register through June 11, 2024
8. Approved the Minutes of May 28, 2024
END OF COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
REGULAR COUNCIL ITEMS
9. Update to the Emergency Declaration Resolution 2024-7 Local emergency due to the closure of the only California pharmacy within Needles
City Manager Martinez extended the Emergency Declaration and gave an update.
10. Authorize those interested to attend the ICSC Western Event at the Palm Springs Convention Center on September 23-25, 2024.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report and minimal discussion ensued.
Council Member Campbell moved, second by Vice Mayor Merritt, to authorize Mayor Jernigan, Counci.
Members Longbrake and McCorkle, to attend the ICSC Western Event at the Palm Springs Convention Center on September 23-25, 2024. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
165
Ayes: Council Members Campbell, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Merritt, Council Members Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
11. Authorize those interested to attend the League of California Cities 2024 Annual Conference and Expo scheduled for October 16-18, 2024, at the Long Beach Convention Center and designate a voting delegate and alternate (s).
City Manager Martinez gave staff report and minimal discussion ensued.
Vice Mayor Merritt moved, second by Council Member McCorkle, to authorize Mayor Jernigan and Council Members Campbell and Longbrake to attend the League of California Cities 2024 Annual Conference and Expo scheduled for October 16-18, 2024, at the Long Beach Convention Center.
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
Abstain: None
Council Member Longbrake moved, second by Vice Mayor Merritt, to designate Mayor Jernigan as the voting delegate. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Campbell, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Merritt, Council Members Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake
Noes:
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Council Member Campbell moved, second by Vice Mayor Merritt, to designate Council Member Campbell as the alternate. 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
Abstain: None
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT - Given by City Attorney Pinkney
CITY CLERK REPORT -Given by City Clerk Jones
CITY MANAGER REPORT - Given by City Manager Martinez
COUNCIL REQUESTS
Councilmember Campbell - reported on the new bridge grand opening event in Bullhead City.
Councilmember McCorkle - commented on the success of the new bridge grand opening in Bullhead City and the two cities (Bullhead City and Laughlin) working together to make it a success; asked staff about the U-turn he ale of e as any no or to edits one iguar sign at Broadway and Needles Hwy; asked about Jeff West's sign and the fence around it and inquired about Vice Mayor Merritt - missed the bridge grand opening event but drove across it; thanked everyone for their support during her recent absence due to a family loss.
Council Member Pogue - commented on the bridge grand opening event and its success.
Councilmember Belt - asked about making the Recreation Center gym available at night for kid's activities; reported on the upcoming Tri State food donation and asked about the use of a forklift; reported on the upcoming Bunco event at the Women's Club; and wished everyone Happy Father's Day. 166
Councilmember Longbrake - informed everyone about Dr. Paget's memorial service on Friday, June 14 at 2pm at the Elks Lodge; praised San Bernardino County for expanding their Mental Health services; asked about the upcoming Alano club relocation and possible extension of their lease.
Mayor Jernigan - reported on the new bridge grand opening event in Bullhead City; reported on her attendan‹ at SCTA meetings and her request for funding for the Sheriff's Department; attended Palo Verde graduation and Needles High School Graduation ceremonies; asked staff to follow up and report back on council requests.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Jernigan adjourned the meeting at 7:32 pm
Dalelens
Mayor Janet Jernigan City Clerk Dale Jones, CMC