MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NEEDLES PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY
HOUSING AUTHORITY CITY OF NEEDLES
CITY OF NEEDLES, CALIFORNIA
COUNCIL CHAMBERES, 1111 BAILEY AVE, NEEDLES
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2025 - COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION – 5:00 PM - CITY COUNCIL MEETING – 6:00 PM CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 5:06 pm
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Council Member McCorkle
Vice Mayor Ellen Campbell arrived at 5:09 pm
Mayor Janet Jernigan
Council Member JoAnne Pogue
Council Member Tona Belt
Council Member Henry Longbrake
Council Member Larry Ford
Also present were City Manager Patrick Martinez, Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade, Director of Development Services/Capital Projects Kathy Raasch, Utilities Manager Rainie Torrance (via Teams), Interim Finance Director Jill Taura, and City Clerk Candace Clark.
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION - None RECESSED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION - 5:07 PM
EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Conference with legal counsel regarding significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code §54956.9(b) (1 potential case).
No reportable action
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm ROLL CALL (previously taken)
EXECUTIVE SESSION REPORT – Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade gave report as noted above.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - led by Mayor Jernigan
INVOCATION - led by Vice Mayor Campbell
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council Member Pogue made a motion, second by Vice Mayor Campbell to approve the agenda. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Ford, 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 Council Members Tim Terral and Shawn Gudmundson, and Bullhead City Vice Mayor Dan Alfonzo in attendance.
CITY ATTORNEY – Parliamentary Procedures given by Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade.
PUBLIC APPEARANCE
Jared Johnston complimented staff on the new equipment being used to improve the city.
PRESENTATION
1. Update and PowerPoint Presentation on the Chamber of Commerce / Visitor Center given by Elizabeth Hayden.
PUBLIC HEARING
2. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-30 A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Needles, California, Establishing A Revised Schedule Of Certain Fees And Charges For City Services.
Staff Report given by City Manager Patrick Martinez
Council asked minimal questions of staff
Mayor opened the public hearing at 6:24 pm
Public Comment:
Shawn Gudmundson stated that the fees should be adjusted annually.
Mayor closed the public hearing at 6:26 pm
After minimal Council Discussion, Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, second by Council Member McCorkle to Adopt Resolution No. 2025-30 A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Needles, California, Establishing A Revised Schedule Of Certain Fees And Charges For City Services. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Ford, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Pogue, Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
NPUA / COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Member/Council Member McCorkle made a motion, second by Member /Council Member Ford, to approve items 3 through 4 on the NPUA/Council Consent Calendar.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Members/Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Member/Vice Mayor Campbell, Member/Mayor Jernigan, Members/Council Members Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
3. Accepted the 2025 Reservoir Inspection Report(s) for the East and West Tanks located on San Clemente at Clary Drive and the High Tank located on Parkway.
4. Adopted the State Water Resources Control Board Cross-Connection Control (CCC) Plan.
END OF NPUA CONSENT CALENDAR
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Pogue pulled item 8 for clarification.
City Manager Patrick Martinez addressed the typo in item 8 and staff will correct.
8. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-31, A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Needles, California Adopting The City of Needles Annual Statement Of Investment Policy And Rescinding Resolution 1-25-00-01.
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, second by Council Member Pogue, to Adopt Resolution No. 2025-31, A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Needles, California Adopting The City of Needles Annual Statement Of Investment Policy And Rescinding Resolution 1-25-00-01.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Pogue, Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, second by Council Member Longbrake, to approve items 5, 6, 7 and 9 on the Council Consent Calendar.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Pogue, Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
5. Approved the Warrants Register through July 8, 2025.
6. Approved the Minutes of June 24, 2025.
7. Approved the Annual Depository Statement for fiscal year 2025-2026 for bond debt service, contract services, purchase payments, and reimbursement of non-utility sanitation revenues deposited with the Authority.
9. Accepted the May 2025 Treasurer’s Report.
END OF COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
REGULAR COUNCIL ITEMS
10. Approve the position reclassification of the current Human Resources Specialist to a Human Resources Analyst, effective July 1, 2025.
City Manager Patrick Martinez gave staff report.
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, second by Council Member McCorkle, to Approve the position reclassification of the current Human Resources Specialist to a Human Resources Analyst, effective July 1, 2025.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Pogue, Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
11. Waive full reading and Adopt Ordinance 675-AC adding Chapter 11A, Camping, to the Needles Municipal Code, establishing regulations prohibiting camping on public property. (First Read Introduction)
City Manager Patrick Martinez gave staff report.
Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade commented on edits.
Council asked questions.
No Public Comment.
Council Member McCorkle made a motion, second by Council Member Ford, to Waive full reading and Adopt Ordinance 675-AC adding Chapter 11A, Camping, to the Needles Municipal Code, establishing regulations prohibiting camping on public property. (First Read Introduction)
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Ford, 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 City Clerk Candace Clark
CITY MANAGER REPORT – for the weeks of June 20 and June 27, 2025, given by City Manager Patrick Martinez
COUNCIL REQUESTS
Council Member Ford
• City Fireworks show for 250-year anniversary next year Council Member McCorkle
• Thanked Jared Johnston for comments on city cleanup
• Requested staff get woodchipper quote
• City should use local cable channel
Vice Mayor Campbell
• Grandkids to 4th of July pool party – was nice
• Received positive comments on improvements at Bob Belt Beach Park • Requested staff look into painting Electric Boxes – use local artists/youth • Thanked Cal Trans for California Bear cleanup
• Asked about easement for residents near electric yard Council Member Pogue
• Congratulated Eagle Scout
• Flag at Santa Fe Park is tattered
• Water Guru recommends watering before sunrise
Council Member Belt
• Nothing
Council Member Longbrake
• Agreed with Commissioner Ford on Fireworks for 250-year celebration • Agreed with Vice Mayor Campbell on painting Electric Boxes – stated Laughlin does this • Asked about the voting board and requested staff look into getting a visual voting system Mayor Jernigan
• Reported on Jose Esparanza’s visit
• Thanked Elks for the 4th of July party at the pool
• Reported on attendance at the Cal Cities joint meeting with Vice Mayor Campbell • TV in the lobby of City Hall
City Clerk Candace Clark
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the meeting held on the 8th day of July 2025, by the City Council of the City of Needles.
Candace Clark, CPMC, CMC
City Clerk of the City of Needles
ADJOURNMENT – Mayor Jernigan adjourned the meeting at 7:19 pm