MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NEEDLES PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY
CALIFORNIA
HOUSING AUTHORITY CITY OF NEEDLES
NEEDLE CITY OF NEEDLES, CALIFORNIA
EL GARCES - 950 FRONT STREET, NEEDLES
TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2025 - COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION - 5:30 PM - CITY COUNCIL MEETING - 6:00 PM CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 5:31 pm
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Council Member Jamie McCorkle
Vice Mayor Ellen Campbell
Mayor Janet Jernigan
Council Member Tona Belt
Council Member Henry Longbrake
ABSENT
Council Member JoAnne Pogue
Council Member Zachery Longacre
Also present were City Manager Patrick Martinez, Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade, Utility Manager Rainie Torrance, Housing Manager Angelica Deermer, Interim Finance Director Barbara DiLeo, and Interim City Clerk Candace Clark.
RECESSED THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND CONVENED A JOINT COUNCIL MEETING
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION
Jeff Williams spoke about MIH and a new owner interest and urged council to approve an agreement with the potential new owner.
RECESSED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION - 5:36 PM
Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade reported on the following conflicts:
Council Member Longacre recused due to a conflict of interest because he works in the cannabis industry and Council Member Pogue recused due to a conflict of interest because her son lives with her and works for the party in question.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Conference with Legal Counsel Regarding Potential Initiation of Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d) (4). One potential Case.
No reportable action
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 6:11 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 stated that there was no reportable action on Executive Session Item a, as noted above.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - led by Mayor Jernigan
INVOCATION - led by Vice Mayor Campbell
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, second by Council Member Pogue to approve the agenda. 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
CONFLICT OF INTEREST - None
CORRESPONDENCE - None
INTRODUCTIONS - Mayor Jernigan acknowledged former Mayor Jeff Williams and SB County Sheriff's Department Captain Jake Gault in attendance.
CITY ATTORNEY - Parliamentary Procedures given by Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade.
PUBLIC APPEARANCE - None
PRESENTATION
1. Mayor Jernigan presented Certificates of Appreciation to the Needles Varsity Boys and Girls Basketball Teams in recognition for their outstanding performance at the State Championships.
2. NPUA: Accept and file the NPUA fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, audit report completed by Vasquez & Company LLP.
Vasquez & Company LLP. gave presentation on audit.
Council asked questions and discussion ensued.
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, second by Council Member Pogue to Accept and file the NUA fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, audit report completed by Vasquez & Company LLP.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Members/Council Members Longacre, McCorkle, Member/Vice Mayor Campbell, Member/Mayor Jernigan, Members/Council Members Pogue, Belt, Longbrake
Absent: None
3. San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Deputy Jeff Dean gave presentation on Ebike Safety.
4. Senior Code Enforcement Officer Bernie Hatz gave presentation on current Code Enforcement responsibilities, actions, and enforcement efforts.
PUBLIC HEARING
5. HACN: Adopt Housing Authority of the City of Needles (HAN) Resolution No. 2025-9- HACN, adopting the Five-Year Plan and Annual Agency Plan (2025-2029) for the Housing Authority of the City of Needles (HACN) and accept and file Annual Public Hearing and the Civil Rights Certification with United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Housing Manager Angelica Deermer gave staff report.
Council asked minimal questions of staff.
Mayor Jernigan opened the public hearing at 7:46 pm
No public comments.
Mayor Jernigan closed the public hearing at 7:47 pm
Council Member Pogue made a motion, second by Vice Mayor Campbell to Adopt Housing Authority of the City of Needles (HACN) Resolution No. 2025-9-HACN, adopting the Five-Year Plan and Annual Agency Plan (2025-2029) for the Housing Authority of the City of Needles (HACN) and accept and file Annual Public Hearing and the Civil Rights Certification with United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Members/Council Members Longacre, McCorkle, Member/Vice Mayor Campbell, Member/Mayor Jernigan, Members/Council Members Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
HACN / COUNCIL REGULAR ITEM
6. Housing Authority of the City of Needles financial audit report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
Interim Finance Director Barbara Dileo gave staff report.
Council asked questions of staff and minimal discussion ensued.
No public comments.
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, second by Council Member Belt to accept and file the Housing Authority of the City of Needles financial audit report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Members/Council Members Longacre, McCorkle, Member/Vice Mayor Campbell, Member/Mayor Jernigan, Members/Council Members Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
ADJOURNED THE JOINT CITY COUNCIL / NPUA / HACN MEETING AND RECONVENED THE COUNCIL MEETING at 7:57 pm
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE COUNCIL ITEMS - None
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member McCorkle made a motion, second by Vice Mayor Campbell to approve Items 7 through 8 on the Consent Calendar. 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
7. Approved the Warrants Register through April 8, 2025.
8. Approved the Minutes of March 25, 2025.
END OF COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
REGULAR COUNCIL ITEMS
9. Consideration of an Ordinance Regarding Homeless Encampments City Manager Patrick Martinez gave staff report.
Considerable Council Discussion ensued
Mayor Jernigan opened Public Comment
Pastor James Jones urged Council and staff to look for solutions to help homeless rather than creating an ordinance against them sleeping in the park.
Council Member Longacre made a motion, second by Council Member McCorkle to develop an anti-camping ordinance. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Longacre, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Pogue, Belt
Noes: Council Member Longbrake
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 March 21 and 28, 2025 - given by City Manager Patrick Martinez
COUNCIL REQUESTS
Council Member Longacre - asked about weed abatement at Bob Belt Beach Park, Golf Course and San Clemente; urged staff to board up abandoned apartment near HS; asked staff to look into funding for an OHV Park; requested creation of a Graffiti Task Force; reported that the on ramp creosote bushes need to be removed or trimmed; asked about bringing back boat racing Council Member McCorkle - reported that a request was made to her that Ed Parry Park be renamed Needles Baseball Complex; commented on BNSF Robbery incident - public was not informed.
Council Member Pogue - requested Utility Bill electronic option.
Vice Mayor Campbell - Reported on upcoming Fun Run and Art in the Park; thanked Public Works; thanked Rodeo Association; asked about Crosswalk at B St. and Broadway (near Hardware Express); wished retiring Captain Ross Tarangle well and welcomed Jake Gault Council Member Belt - requested Jack Smith Park weed abatement and fire mitigation; asked staff to investigate cleaning sand at the beaches; urged citizens to get their kids vaccinated - reported death in Bullhead of a child from measles.
Council Member Longbrake - expressed concern that animals are being poisoned, including several birds that were found dead, and reported seeing pellets around dog park; urged staff to install bathroom at Animal Shelter
Mayor Jernigan - thanked Billet Health for the Veteran's Pancake Breakfast; thanked Rodeo Association; reported on Well Station Ribbon Cutting; Inland Empire tour bus coming on April 14 ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Jernigan adjourned the meeting at 8:45 pm Nauar
Mayor Janet Jernigan Interim City Clerk Candace Clark