191
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NEEDLES PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY
GALIFORNIA
HOUSING AUTHORITY CITY OF NEEDLES
NEEDL CITY OF NEEDLES, CALIFORNIA
EL GARCES - 950 FRONT STREET, NEEDLES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2024 - COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION - 5PM - CITY COUNCIL MEETING - 6PM CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 5:17 PM
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Council Member Ellen Campbell
Vice Mayor Kirsten Merritt
Mayor Janet Jernigan
Council Member JoAnne Pogue
Council Member Tona Belt
Council Member Henry Longbrake
ABSENT - Mayor Jernigan announced an excused absence for Council Member Jamie McCorkle Also Present: City Attorney John Pinkney, City Manager Patrick Martinez, and Assistant City Clerk Candace Clark.
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS - None RECESSED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION at 5:19 pm
EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Conference with Labor Negotiators Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6. Agency Designated Representatives: Mayor Janet Jernigan and Councilmember Tona Belt.
No Reportable Action
b. Public Employee Performance Evaluation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957. Title: City Manager
No Reportable Action
c. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation - Regarding Potential Initiation of Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d) (4). Two Potential Cases No Reportable Action
EXECUTIVE SESSION REPORT - given by City Attorney Pinkney as indicated above.
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 6:13 PM
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Council Member Ellen Campbell
Vice Mayor Kirsten Merritt
Mayor Janet Jernigan
Council Member JoAnne Pogue
Council Member Tona Belt
Council Member Henry Longbrake
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Led by Mayor Jernigan
INVOCATION - Given by Council Member Campbell
APPROVAL OF AGENDA - No Action Taken
CONFLICT OF INTEREST - None
CORRESPONDENCE - None
INTRODUCTIONS - Mayor Jernigan acknowledge Former Mayor Jeff Williams, Former Council Members Tim Terral and Zachery Longacre in attendance.
CITY ATTORNEY - Parliamentary Procedures given by City Attorney Pinkney
PUBLIC APPEARANCE -
Laurie Fragoso spoke on behalf of the Rodeo Association against assertions that their 501k is delinquent. She provided handouts showing their EIN and entity status and a list of donations they have given during this past year.
Cory Payne spoke on behalf of the Rodeo Association and indicated that they have no interest in being drawn into politics. He asserted that they have many volunteers who work hard to bring the Rodeo to the residents of Needles and the larger Tri-State Area every year.
Wayne Colburn refuted allegations that he made false statements about the Rodeo Association status, asserting that his statements were accurate, based on a State of California website.
INTERVIEWS
1. Interviews and appointments to fill vacancies on various Boards and Commissions Three applications were received as follows: Two for Parks and Recreation (two vacancies) and one for Utility Board (one vacancy).
Council Member Campbell made a motion, second by Vice Mayor Merritt, to appoint Michael Powell to the Board of Public Utilities; Maria McAndrews and Manuel Calderon Jr. to Parks and Recreation, all with terms expiring on 12/31/2027.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Campbell, Vice Mayor Merritt, Council Members Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: Council Member McCorkle
Abstain: None
PUBLIC HEARING
2. Public hearing noticed to consider all evidence and testimony for or against Amending the Appendix to the Conflict of Interest Code pursuant to the Political reform Act of 1974 City Manager Martinez gave staff report
There were 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
No Council discussion or deliberation.
Council Member Campbell made a motion, second by Vice Mayor Merritt, to adopt Resolution No. 2024-42 rescinding Resolution No. 2022-71 and approving and adopting an amended Appendix to the Conflict of Interest Code pursuant to the Political Reform Act of 1974.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
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Ayes: Council Member Campbell, Vice Mayor Merritt, Council Members Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: Council Member McCorkle
Abstain: None
3. Public Hearing Noticed to consider all evidence and testimony for or against Ordinance No. 668-AC of the City Council Approving Needles Municipal Code amendment to amend section 96.00 "Table of Permissible Uses" And Section 96.08 "Dwelling Units." City Manager Martinez gave staff report
There were no questions of staff
Mayor Jernigan opened the public hearing at 6:35 PM
Donna Lawrence asked for an explanation of this Ordinance and how it will affect her property. City Manager Martinez responded.
Mayor Jernigan closed the public hearing at 6:37 PM
No Council discussion or deliberation.
Council Member Campbell made a motion, second by Vice Mayor Merritt, to adopt Ordinance No. 668-AC of the City Council Approving Needles Municipal Code amendment to amend section 96.00 "Table of Permissible Uses" And Section 96.08 "Dwelling Units."
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Campbell, Vice Mayor Merritt, Council Members Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: Council Member McCorkle
Abstain: None
RECESSED THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND CONVENED A JOINT COUNCIL / NPUA MEETING at 6:39 pm
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE COUNCIL / NUA ITEMS - None
NPUA / COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Member / Vice Mayor Merritt made a motion, second by Member / Council Member Belt, to approve NPUA / Council Consent Calendar items 4 through 5.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Member/Council Member Campbell, Member/Vice Mayor Merritt, Member/ Mayor Jernigan, Member/Council Members Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: Member/Council Member McCorkle
Abstain: None
4. Approved the 2023 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Allowance Transaction from CP Energy Marketing LP ($614,631.60) and Evolution Market ($6,146.32) for a total amount not to exceed $620,778 to be funded from the adopted FY25 electric budget.
5. Accepted the bid of Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. to prepare a Comprehensive Electric, Water, and Wastewater Cost of Service Ratemaking Study at a cost not to exceed $98,774 utilizing the adopted FY25 NPUA budget.
END OF NUA CONSENT CALENDAR
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ADJOURNED THE JOINT COUNCIL/NUA MEETING AND RECONVENED THE COUNCIL MEETING at 6:40 pm
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE COUNCIL ITEMS - None
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Campbell pulled Consent Calendar item 8 for discussion.
Mayor Jernigan called for a motion on Consent Calendar Items 6, 7, and 9.
Council Member Campbell made a motion, second by Council Member Belt, to approve Council Consent Calendar items 6, 7, and 9.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Campbell, Vice Mayor Merritt, Council Members Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: Council Member McCorkle
Abstain: None
6. Approved the Warrants Register through October 22, 2024.
1. Approved the Minutes of October 8, 2024.
9. Waived the reading and adopted Resolution No. 2024-41 waiving the sealed bid process and accepting a budgetary quote from Flock Safety for purchase of automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras.
Consent Calendar item 8 pulled for discussion.
8. Accept Proposal from Phillips Excavating, Inc. for the Well 11 to Well 15 Intertie Project in the amount of $435,065 plus 10% contingency for a total project cost of $478,506.50 and authorize staff to execute a Public Works Agreement with Phillips Excavating, Inc. and move forward with the Notice of Award and Notice to Proceed.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report.
Council Member Campbell made a motion, second by Council Member Belt, to accept Proposal from Phillips Excavating, Inc. for the Well 11 to Well 15 Intertie Project in the amount of $435,065 plus 10% contingency for a total project cost of $478,506.50 and authorize staff to execute a Public Works Agreement with Phillips Excavating, Inc. and move forward with the Notice of Award and Notice to Proceed.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Campbell, Vice Mayor Merritt, Council Members Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: Council Member McCorkle
Abstain: None
END OF COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
REGULAR COUNCIL ITEMS
10. Create an AdHoc Committee of no more than three Council Members to organize the Annual Employee Appreciation Event (Christmas Party).
Council Member Longbrake stated he would like to serve on the Ad-Hoc Committee with Council Members Campbell and Belt.
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Council Member Campbell made a motion, second by Vice Mayor Merritt, to appoint Council Members Campbell, Belt, and Longbrake to the Annual Employee Appreciation Event Ad-Hoc Committee.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Campbell, Vice Mayor Merritt, Council Members Pogue, Belt, and Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: Council Member McCorkle
Abstain: None
CITY MANAGER REPORT - Given by City Manager Martinez
Manager's Report for the weeks of October 4 and October 11, 2024
COUNCIL REQUESTS
Council Member Campbell - Thanked City staff for making street improvements in the City of Needles, and in her neighborhood.
Vice Mayor Merritt - Thanked staff and the community who have supported her throughout her term on Council.
Council Member Pogue - Reminded the community to get out and vote on November 5 and thanked Vice Mayor Merritt for her service to the City of Needles.
Council Member Belt - Announced the Fall Festival coming up on November 2 and asked about getting a Pickleball court in Needles.
Council Member Longbrake - Mentioned Pickleball, agreeing with Council Member Belt; reported on his attendance at the League of California Cities Annual Conference and a meeting he attended on Fentanyl awareness.
Mayor Jernigan - attended the St. Vincent De Paul fundraiser at the Elk's Lodge; announced that the NUSD is working with St. Vincent De Paul to provide bags of groceries to students on Friday afternoons so they have food for the weekend; attended the Fort Mohave Valley Telecom ribbon cutting event at Santa Fe Park.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Jernigan adjourned the meeting at 6:52 PM
Master are sering
Assistant City Clerk Candace Clark
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