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, SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 - COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION – 5:00 PM - CITY COUNCIL MEETING – 6:00 PM CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 5:05 pm
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Council Member McCorkle
Vice Mayor Ellen Campbell
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, Utilities Manager Rainie Torrance, Director of Development Services/Capital Projects Kathy Raasch, and City Clerk Candace Clark.
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION - None RECESSED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION - 5:06 PM
EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Public Employee Performance Evaluation Pursuant to Govt Code Section 54957. Title: City Manager
No reportable action
b. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—EXISTING LITIGATION Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1) City of Needles v. Tonita Reed, et al.
Superior Court of the County of San Bernardino CIVSB2316434.
No reportable action
c. Conference with Labor Negotiator Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 Agency Negotiator: City Manager Patrick Martinez or his designee. Unrepresented Employee: Development Services Director/Capital Projects No reportable action
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Council Member McCorkle
Vice Mayor Ellen Campbell
Mayor Janet Jernigan
Council Member JoAnne Pogue
Council Member Tona Belt
Council Member Henry Longbrake
Council Member Larry Ford
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 Members 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 Member Tim Terral in attendance.
CITY ATTORNEY – Parliamentary Procedures given by Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade.
PUBLIC APPEARANCE
Kathy McConnell reported broken streetlights and globes along Broadway and requested staff adopt a street sweeping schedule that does not conflict with business traffic on front street.
Marianne Jones gave an update on the museum.
Tena McGee, Caitlyn Medley, and William Boschellli reported on Chamber and Visitor Center activities and events.
INTERVIEWS
1. Interviews / appointments to fill the vacancies on the Housing Commission and the Cemetery Advisory Board. CONTINUED TO OCTOBER 14, 2025.
REGULAR NPUA / COUNCIL ITEMS
2. Adopt Resolution 2025-41 Establishing a Joint Pole Rate of $15.10 Effective December 1, 2025, and $22.41 Effective December 1, 2026
Utility Manager Rainie Torrance gave staff report.
Council asked questions of staff and discussion ensued.
City Manager Patrick Martinez and Utility Manager Rainie Torrance answered questions of staff.
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:32pm.
Tim Terral of Route 66 Broadband cautioned that vendors will be forced to raise rates and asked council and staff to spread the increase over 4 years instead of 2.
Council asked questions and staff responded.
Mayor Jernigan closed Public Comment at 6:36 pm.
Member/Council Member Ford made a motion, second by Member/Council Member Belt, to Adopt Resolution 2025-41 Establishing a Joint Pole Rate of $15.10 Effective December 1, 2025, and $22.41 Effective December 1, 2026.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Members/Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Member/Vice Mayor Campbell, Member/Mayor Jernigan, Member/Council Member Belt
Noes: Members/Council Members Pogue, Longbrake
Absent: None
Abstain: None
3. Approve Change Order #1 to the Public Works Agreement with Pyramid Building and Engineering, Inc. for the Water Main and Manifold Improvements Project resulting in an increase to the contract in the amount of $89,700.82 for a new total contract amount of $1,218,376.82; and authorize staff to execute said Change Order.
City Manager Patrick Martinez gave staff report.
Council asked questions of staff and minimal discussion ensued.
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:43 pm.
No public comment.
Mayor Jernigan closed Public Comment at 6:43 pm.
Member/Council Member McCorkle made a motion, second by Member/Vice Mayor Campbell, to Approve Change Order #1 to the Public Works Agreement with Pyramid Building and Engineering, Inc. for the Water Main and Manifold Improvements Project resulting in an increase to the contract in the amount of $89,700.82 for a new total contract amount of $1,218,376.82; and authorize staff to execute said Change Order.
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
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Vice Mayor Campbell pulled item 7 and Council Member Belt pulled item 8 from the consent calendar.
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, second by Council Member Pogue, to approve items 4 through 6 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
4. Approved the Warrants Register through September 23, 2025
5. Approved the Minutes of September 9, 2025
6. Accepted and Filed the August 2025 Treasurer’s Report Pulled Items
8. Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support for the Palo Verde Healthcare District and Palo Verde Hospital in their efforts to restore suspended services and secure long-term sustainability as identified in the LAFCO Municipal Service Review.
City Manager Patrick Martinez gave staff report.
Council had no questions.
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:48 pm.
No public comment.
Mayor Jernigan closed Public Comment at 6:48 pm.
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, second by Council Member Ford, to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support for the Palo Verde Healthcare District and Palo Verde Hospital in their efforts to restore suspended services and secure long-term sustainability as identified in the LAFCO Municipal Service Review.
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
7. Approve site location and architectural proposal for design of a new metal building for Dial-ARide (DAR) vehicles and accept the proposal from Selberg and Associates for architectural design services in the amount of $14,950.
City Manager Patrick Martinez gave staff report.
Council had no questions.
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:51 pm.
No public comment.
Mayor Jernigan closed Public Comment at 6:51 pm.
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, second by Council Member McCorkle, to approve site location and architectural proposal for design of a new metal building for Dial-A-Ride (DAR) vehicles and accept the proposal from Selberg and Associates for architectural design services in the amount of $14,950.
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
END OF COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
REGULAR COUNCIL ITEMS
9. Accept Proposal from Disability Access Consultants (DAC) to Provide Consultant Professional Services for an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan for the City of Needles’ Public Facilities, Parks and Public Rights-of-Way for a total project cost of $37,900 to be funded by CJPIA in the amount of $23,500 and the City portion of $14,400 to be added to the FY26 General Fund Budget.
City Manager Patrick Martinez gave staff report.
Council asked questions and minimal discussion ensued.
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:55 pm.
No public comment.
Mayor Jernigan closed Public Comment at 6:55 pm.
Council Member McCorkle made a motion, second by Vice Mayor Campbell, to accept Proposal from Disability Access Consultants (DAC) to Provide Consultant Professional Services for an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan for the City of Needles’ Public Facilities, Parks and Public Rights-of-Way for a total project cost of $37,900 to be funded by CJPIA in the amount of $23,500 and the City portion of $14,400 to be added to the FY26 General Fund Budget.
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
10. Renaming Ed Parry Field and Phillips Field Complex.
City Manager Patrick Martinez gave staff report.
Council asked questions and minimal discussion ensued.
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:58 pm.
No public comment.
Mayor Jernigan closed Public Comment at 6:58 pm.
Council advised staff to make no changes to the current name of Ed Parry Field and Phillips Field Complex.
11. Provide Staff Direction on the proposed renaming of Quinn Court.
City Manager Patrick Martinez gave staff report.
Council asked questions and minimal discussion ensued.
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:04 pm.
Tim Terral spoke against renaming, cautioning that it may open the City up to royalty issues with the Peanuts Foundation.
Marianne Jones thanked Council Member Ford for the suggestion but suggested alternately promoting Route 66.
Tim Terral asked about getting a Route 66 drive thru sign.
Kathy McConnell warned that changing a street name has to go through the County, tax assessor, and is a monumental task.
Mayor Jernigan closed Public Comment at 7:12 pm.
After discussion and public comment, Council Member Ford directed staff to drop the item.
12. Employee Appreciation Event
City Manager Patrick Martinez gave staff report.
Council discussion ensued. Employee Appreciation event will be held Friday, December 5, 2025.
Mayor Jernigan, Vice Mayor Campbell, and Council Member Belt will be the organizing committee.
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:15 pm.
No public comment.
Mayor Jernigan closed Public Comment at 7:15 pm.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT – given by Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade CITY MANAGER REPORT – for the weeks of September 5 and 12, 2025, given by City Manager Patrick Martinez
COUNCIL REQUESTS
Council Member Ford
• Nothing
Council Member McCorkle
• Nothing
Vice Mayor Campbell
• Reported on attendance at the State of the County and that Mental Health services are expanding in Needles
Council Member Pogue
• Reported that she met some visitors at the 19th hole who travelled here from the Czech Republic Council Member Belt
• Requested the California Welcome Center be agendized
• Reported NUSD HS Volleyball and Football season is starting, and they are looking for sponsors Council Member Longbrake
• Lights on Broadway are out, and globes are discolored – especially by bank • Sidewalk in front of building by Needles Point Liquor is a trip hazard • Thanked City Staff for getting El Garces cleaned up
• Urged City Staff to maintain beaches and keep them clean • Reported negative You Tube videos of Needles, requested response from City highlighting positive aspects of the City
• Requested Ballot measure for 2026 Election on increasing Council stipends • Requested reward for reporting criminal activity
Mayor Jernigan
• Reported on attendance at Mobility 21 and topics covered • Thanked City workers
• Promoting and Planning tourism event for the Route 66 Anniversary next year ADJOURNMENT – Mayor Jernigan adjourned the meeting at 7:38 PM ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Mayor Janet Jernigan City Clerk Candace Clark
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the meeting held on the 23rd day of September 2025, by the City Council of the City of Needles.
Candace Clark, CPMC, CMC
City Clerk of the City of Needles