MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NEEDLES PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY
HOUSING AUTHORITY CITY OF NEEDLES
CITY OF NEEDLES, CALIFORNIA -------- EL GARCES - 950 FRONT STREET, NEEDLES TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2025 - COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION - 5:15 PM - CITY COUNCIL MEETING - 6:00 PM CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 5:22 pm
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Council Member Zachery Longacre
Council Member Jamie Mccorkle
Vice Mayor Ellen Campbell attended via Teams
Mayor Janet Jernigan
Council Member JoAnne Pogue
Council Member Tona Belt
Council Member Henry Longbrake
Also in attendance were City Manager Patrick Martinez, Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade, Director of Development Services Kathy Raasch, Utility Manager Rainie Torrance, and Interim City Clerk Candace Clark.
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION
Jeff Williams spoke in favor of working with MIH to get their debt resolved, urging staff and council to consider the jobs and revenue they bring to the city.
Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade announced the conflicts of interest on Executive Session Item B for Council Member Pogue, whose son works for MIH, Vice Mayor Campbell, whose son works in the industry, and Council Member Longacre, who works in the industry; Due to the need for a quorum of 4 to vote, and according to FPPC Regulations, one of the conflicted members was chosen to vote by the drawing of straws as follows: Council Member Longacre drew the first straw, followed by Council Member Pogue drawing the second straw. Vice Mayor Campbell received the third straw, which was the short straw, and therefore Vice Mayor Campbell was chosen to participate in the vote.
RECESSED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION - 5:29 PM
EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Conference with Legal Counsel Regarding Existing Litigation Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(l )) - Brian Brown v. City of Needles, Bernard Hotz, II, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Case No. 5:23-01118-MWC (SSC) b. Conference with Legal Counsel Regarding Potential Initiation of Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4). One potential Case.
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 6: 12 pm
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Council Member Zachery Longacre
Council Member Jamie Mccorkle
Vice Mayor Ellen Campbell
Mayor Janet Jernigan
Council Member JoAnne Pogue
Council Member Tona Belt
Council Member Henry Longbrake
EXECUTIVE SESSION REPORT- Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade reported the following:
a. No reportable action
b. Council Member Mccorkle made a motion, second by Council Member Belt, to authorize city staff and city attorney's office to pursue any and all remedies available to the City and NPUA to
Ayes: Council Member Longacre, Mccorkle, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Pogue, Bell, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
1. Approved the Warrants Register through March 11, 2025
2. Approved the Minutes of February 25, 2025
3. Approved the Needles Rodeo Association Daily License Application for the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for their Needles Rodeo Association Rodeo, April 4 - 5, 2025. at the Needles Rodeo Grounds
END OF COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
REGULAR COUNCIL ITEMS
4. Authorize the purchase of a Crafco Inc. EZ 1500 Crack Seal Trailer and an Empire Cat Sullair 375 Compressor, with a total cost not to exceed $184,972.
City Manager Patrick Martinez gave staff report.
Minimal council discussion ensued.
Council Member Longacre made a motion, second by Council Member Pogue, to authorize the purchase of a Crafco Inc. EZ 1500 Crack Seal Trailer and an Empire Cat Su/lair 375 Compressor, with a total cost not to exceed $184,972.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Longacre, Mccorkle, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Pogue, Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
5. Authorize an additional $9,500 to the FY 25 budget for the demolition of the building at 100 G Street, utilizing general fund reserves for a total project cost not to exceed $19,500.
City Manager Patrick Martinez gave staff report.
Minimal council discussion ensued.
Council Member Longacre made a motion, second by Council Member Pogue, to authorize an additional $9,500 to the FY 25 budget for the demolition of the building at 100 G Street, utilizing general fund reserves for a total project cost not to exceed $19,500.
Motion carried by the following roll call vole:
Ayes: Council Member Longacre, Mccorkle, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Pogue, Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
6. Authorize the City Manager to proceed with GPS Trackit for Fleet Management Services at an annual cost of $9,600 under a three-year contract.
City Manager Patrick Martinez gave staff report.
Minimal council discussion ensued.
Public Comment - Tim Terral stated that he uses a GPS tracking system and suggested adding cameras, stating that in the event of an accident they pay for themselves.
Council Member Longacre made a motion, second by Council Member Pogue, to authorize the City Manager to proceed with GPS Trackit for Fleet Management Services at an annual cost of $9,600 under a three-year contract.
1 O. Authorize the City Clerk's Department to publish a notice of vacancy on the Board of Public Utilities due to the retirement of Mike Schneider
City Manager Patrick Martinez gave staff report.
Council discussion ensued. Council Member Pogue made a motion, second by Vice Mayor Campbell, to authorize the City Clerk's Department to publish a notice of vacancy on the Board of Public Utilities due to the retirement of Mike Schneider, and to publish any future vacancies as needed. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Longacre, Mccorkle, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Pogue, Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT - given by Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade CITY CLERK REPORT - Given by Interim City Clerk Candace Clark CITY MANAGER REPORT - for the weeks of February 21, and 28, 2025 - given by City Manager Patrick Martinez
COUNCIL REQUESTS
Council Member Longacre - reported that the dugouts at Ed Parry Park are being trashed and asked staff to keep them locked up; feral cats are becoming an issue again; asked about pothole repair in the Vistas; asked about the paint for Cal-Trans to cover graffiti; reported on the upcoming community clean up on March 29 on San Clemente street: thanked law enforcement for their efforts in addressing the illegal truck parking issue on Ice Plant road.
Council Member Mccorkle - reiterated the vandalism issue in the Ed Parry Park dugouts; asked staff to work on a master plan for beautification on Broadway.
Council Member Pogue - commended Council Member Longacre on his cleanup efforts; asked about Route 66 Pharmacy Medicare Part B insurance acceptance: thanked the Fire Department for the Household Hazardous Waste Collection event recently held.
Vice Mayor Campbell - asked about painting the electric boxes around town: reported that it is illegal for minors to ride a bike without a helmet and urged enforcement and asked about providing a safety course for children; commended the book box located by Dance Traxx and asked about getting more.
Council Member Belt - welcomed new Code Enforcement Officer Ray Bernasconi; urged staff to hire local whenever possible; reported Dance Traxx building needs repair and asked staff to look into it; reported on the Egg My Yard event in Bullhead and asked about doing that in Needles: asked about status of Splash Pad.
Council Member Longbrake - talked about Ed Parry dugouts being locked; reiterated Broadway beautification and asked about getting someone to do a mural on the theater: suggested Broadway be two lanes with parking on either side; asked staff to install road striping at Duke Watkins: asked for $20k to be donated by the city to Firehouse Ministries food bank: suggested city utilize local youth to paint the electric boxes.
Mayor Jernigan - reported on the podcast she participated in after the SBCT A meeting, with Mark Orr, Teamster representative; reported on the Little League season opener Eagles sponsored BBQ fundraiser:
asked about a shade structure at Ed Parry park' reported on the upcoming Resource Fair and Chamber Breakfast; reported the Barstow Chamber of Commerce is moving into the Barstow Harvey House; asked about dog park signs and solutions for eliminating dog poop in the ballfields; asked for law enforcement to address semi-trucks parking on Erin Drive; asked for an update on the Website; asked about fencing with slats around trash bins in Santa Fe Park.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Jernigan adjourned the meeting at 7:22 pm Interim City Clerk Candace Clark