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MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NEEDLES PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY
FORMA
HOUSING AUTHORITY CITY OF NEEDLES
CITY OF NEEDLES, CALIFORNIA
EL GARCES - 950 FRONT STREET, NEEDLES
THE 5:00 P.M. PORTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING WAS RECESSED BY THE CITY CLERK TO 5:30 P.M.
TUESDAY, JULY 9, 2024
COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION - 5:30 PM
CITY COUNCIL MEETING - 6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m.
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 present City Manager Patrick Martinez, Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade and SBEMP Partner Vee Sotelo via teams, City Clerk Dale Jones, and Assistant City Clerk Candace Clark
RECESSED THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND CONVENED A JOINT COUNCIL / NPUA MEETING at 5:34 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS - None RECESSED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION at 5:34 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. (City Council / NPUA) Conference with legal counsel regarding potential initiation of litigation pursuant to Government Code 54956.9(d)(4). One potential case.
No reportable action
b. Conference with legal counsel regarding potential litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2).
No reportable action
EXECUTIVE SESSION REPORT - Deputy City Attorney Wade announced there was no reportable action as noted above.
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Council Member Ellen Campbell
Council Member Jamie McCorkle
Vice Mayor Kirsten Merritt
Mayor Janet Jernigan
Council Member JoAnne Pogue
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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
Abstain: None
CONFLICT OF INTEREST - None
CORRESPONDENCE - None
INTRODUCTIONS - Mayor Jernigan acknowledged former Council Member Zachary Longacre in attendance.
CITY ATTORNEY - None
PUBLIC APPEARANCE
Zachary Longacre spoke about feral cats that are destroying property and urged staff to write an ordinance against feeding them.
Nancy Greenwood stated that the streets and sidewalks are not ADA compliant and are unsafe for those with disabilities; she urged staff to address these issues and warned that she would contact an attorney if nothing is done.
Karrie Brazaski gave an update on the Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center activities and announced that they are fully staffed and actively recruiting volunteers.
Roxanne Hooten stated that the streets and sidewalks are non ADA compliant and urged the city ot address these issues, stating she is unable to visit her sister who lives across the street.
PRESENTATION
PowerPoint presentation given by Michael Bracken of Development Management Group, Inc.
Council asked questions and discussion ensued.
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE NPUA/COUNCIL ITEMS - None
NPUA / COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Member/Vice Mayor Merritt moved, second by Member/Council Member Campbell, to approve consent calendar items 1 through 5. 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
1. Accepted the annual report to the California Energy Commission Power Disclosure Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 2023
2. Approved the 2021 - 2022 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Allowance and Offset Transaction from CP National and Evo Markets dated June 13, 2024
3. Authorized the Purchase from Pres Tech Equipment Company for a 500 Gallon Vacuum Tank Model# PV500-GHO-W-T not to exceed $91,665.32
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4. Approved the Annual Depository Statement and authorized and directed Finance staff to make monthly transfers from NUA to City accounts to reimburse for the fiscal year 2024-2025 payments for bond debt service, contract services, purchase payments, and reim bursement of non-utility sanitation revenues deposited with the Authority, according to the approved budget.
5. Authorized the City Manager to execute the no charge Premium Support Agreement for the first year and Issue a Notice of Completion to Landis & Gyr
END OF NPUA CONSENT CALENDAR
ADJOURNED THE JOINT NPUA/COUNCIL MEETING AND RECONVENED THE COUNCIL MEETING at 6:46 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE COUNCIL ITEMS
Zachary Longacre asked about the paving schedule. City Manager Martinez responded.
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Belt pulled item 10 for discussion. City Manager Martinez gave staff report.
Council Member Campbell moved, second by Council Member Pogue, to approve consent calendar items 6 through 10. 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
6. Approved the Warrants Register of June 25 and July 9, 2024
7. Approved the Minutes of June 11, 2024
8. Approved filing of a claim for Local Transportation Fund (LTF) and State Transit Assistance (STA) Funds for the fiscal year 2024-2025
9. Awarded bid to Superior Paving Company, Inc. DBA United Paving Company for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Flip Mendez Parkway Paving Improvements Project in the amount of $288,472.24 plus 5% contingency for a total project cost of $302,895.85 and authorized staff to execute a Public Works Agreement with United Paving Co. and move forward with the Notice of Award and Notice to Proceed.
10. Accepted proposal from Tripepi Smith to provide Marketing and Public Affairs Professional Services for a Not to Exceed amount of $40,000 annually and authorized staff to execute a Professional Services Agreement and Notice of Award for the work.
END OF COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager's Updates from June 21 and June 28, 2024 given by City Manager Martinez
COUNCIL REQUESTS
Council Member Campbell spoke about the Bob Belt Beach Park grand opening and stated she was sorry she missed it; applauded city staff and local agencies for responding quickly to the fire on Bush street; asked about looking into building a sound wall seeking funds from CalTrans and indicating it could have prevented the fire; attended a function with medical personnel who praised our City Manager for his quick response to the pharmacy closure; asked staff about code banning the feeding of stray cats; addressed the 15 year street paving projects plan.
Council Member McCorkle thanked all who helped with the fire; commented on the Bob Belt Beach Park video and the current marketing efforts, thanking Michael Bracken for his presentation and efforts to promote the City of Needles.
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Vice Mayor Merritt thanked everyone involved in helping with the fire; asked about a report on the sidewalks; encouraged staff to look into an ordinance regarding the stray cats.
Council Member Pogue thanked everyone for their efforts in handling the fire; reported that a member tripped on the sidewalks in front of the Women's Club and they are uneven and unsafe.
Council Member Belt thanked Chamber of Commerce/Visitor Center for the Chamber mixer with Billet Health; thanked city staff for the park improvements; asked about trash clean up at the parks and beaches; reported cars not following the 2 hour parking restriction on front street; praised the city's marketing efforts.
Council Member Longbrake thanked previous council members for their work on park improvements and thanked Rainie Torrance for getting the grants for park improvements; applauded animal control for their catch and release program and addressed the feral cat issue; asked about the Alano Club lease, stating they have nowhere to go; stated he does not like to be interrupted and asked the Mayor to use her gavel in such instances.
Mayor Jernigan reported on her attendance at Dr. Paget's memorial; attended the ribbon cutting at the cannabis labarotory and Billet Health event; commented on the cooling stations; attended the Bob Belt Beach Park grand opening and asked about installing a sign at Manny Morris Park; applauded Adrian Chavez of Code Enforcement for his efforts; requested the Public Utility meetings be on Teams; reported on 1000 brochures that were donated.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Jernigan adjourned the meeting at 7:20 pm ATTEST:/ _anel quiga Dare\
Mayor Janet Jernigan City Clerk Dale Jones, CMC