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, OCTOBER 14, 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 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 - 5:31 PM
EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. (City Council/NPUA) Conference with legal counsel regarding potential initiation of litigation pursuant to Government Code 54956.9(d)(4). One potential case.
No reportable action
b. Conference with legal counsel regarding existing litigation pursuant to Government Code 54956.9(d)(1) Sylvia Miledi v. City of Needles, et al., Superior Court of the County of San Bernardino, Case No. CIVSB2510533
No reportable action
c. Public Employee Performance Evaluation Pursuant to Govt Code Section 54957. Title: City Manager
No reportable action
d. Conference with Legal Counsel—Significant Exposure to Litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2): 1 potential case.
No reportable action
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 6:28 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
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, second by Council Member McCorkle, 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 and former City Manager Rick Daniels in attendance.
CITY ATTORNEY – Parliamentary Procedures given by Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade.
PUBLIC APPEARANCE
Rick Daniels spoke about Proposition 50 and asked Council to consider adopting a Resolution to stay out of the political drama surrounding the Proposition.
George DeLeon reported on St. Vincent DePaul’s upcoming fundraiser and Open House.
PRESENTATION
1. Update on the Chamber of Commerce / Visitor Center given by Karrie Brazaski
INTERVIEWS
2. Continuation of Interviews / appointment to fill the vacancies on the Housing Commission and the Cemetery Advisory Board. CONTINUED TO DECEMBER 9, 2025
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member McCorkle pulled item 6 from the consent calendar.
Council Member Ford made a motion, second by Vice Mayor Campbell, to approve items 3 through 5 on the 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. Approved the Warrants Register through October 14, 2025
4. Approved the Minutes of September 23, 2025
5. Approved the minutes for the September 25, 2025, State of the City; October 3, 2025, Assembly Member Gonzalez Legislative Update Luncheon; October 3, 2025, Assembly Member Gonzalez Town Hall Meeting; and the October 7, 2025, ULI Technical Assistance Leadership Exchange Program (TAP)
Pulled Item
6. Award bid to WEKA, Inc. for the Phase V Water Service Replacement Project in the amount of $388,939 plus 10% contingency for a total project cost of $427,832.90 and authorize staff to execute a Public Works Agreement with WEKA, Inc. and move forward with the Notice of Award and Notice to Proceed
City Manager Patrick Martinez gave staff report.
Council asked questions. Director of Development Services/Capital Projects Kathy Raasch and City Manager Patrick Martinez responded.
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:49 pm.
No public comment.
Mayor Jernigan closed Public Comment at 6:49 pm.
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, second by Council Member McCorkle, to award bid to WEKA, Inc. for the Phase V Water Service Replacement Project in the amount of $388,939 plus 10% contingency for a total project cost of $427,832.90 and authorize staff to execute a Public Works Agreement with WEKA, Inc. and move forward with the Notice of Award and Notice to Proceed 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
7. Adopt Resolution 2025-42 Approving a First Amendment to the Employment Agreement with Kathy Raasch for Development Services/Capital Projects effective October 14, 2025, setting a salary of $159,300 in compliance with SB 1436 and incorporate into the salary schedule FY 2025-2026.
Director of Development Services/Capital Projects Kathy Raasch left the room during discussion.
City Manager Patrick Martinez gave staff report.
Council asked minimal questions. City Manager Patrick Martinez responded.
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:53 pm.
No public comment.
Mayor Jernigan closed Public Comment at 6:53 pm.
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, second by Council Member McCorkle, to Adopt Resolution 2025-42 approving a First Amendment to the Employment Agreement with Kathy Raasch for Development Services/Capital Projects effective October 14, 2025, setting a salary of $159,300 in compliance with SB 1436 and incorporate into the salary schedule FY 2025-2026.
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
8. Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Agreement with San Bernardino County for the Homeless Services Program and to Issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) City Manager Patrick Martinez gave staff report.
Council asked minimal questions. City Manager Patrick Martinez responded.
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:03 pm.
George Deleon asked staff who can submit an RFP. City Manager Patrick Martinez responded.
Mayor Jernigan closed Public Comment at 7:05 pm.
Council Member McCorkle made a motion, second by Vice Mayor Campbell, to Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Agreement with San Bernardino County for the Homeless Services Program and to Issue a Request for Proposals (RFP)
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
9. Provide Staff Direction on the purchase of Open Meeting Technologies Council voting software, equipment, installation, and staff training, for a total project cost not to exceed $15,500.
City Manager Patrick Martinez gave staff report.
Council Member Longbrake reported on why he brought this item forward.
Council asked questions and considerable discussion ensued. City Staff responded.
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, second by Council Member Longbrake, to Authorize the purchase of Open Meeting Technologies Council voting software, equipment, installation, and staff training, for a total project cost not to exceed $15,500.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: Council Members Ford and McCorkle
Absent: None
Abstain: None
10. Provide staff direction to submit the non-binding Notice of Intent to Propose to Visit California for California Welcome Center certification; and return to City Council on October 28, 2025, with a finalized operating plan and fiscal commitments for consideration before submitting the full application due November 4, 2025.
City Manager Patrick Martinez gave staff report.
Council Member Belt reported on why she brought this item forward.
Council asked questions and considerable discussion ensued. Karrie Brazaski of the Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center responded.
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:36 pm.
No public comment.
Mayor Jernigan closed Public Comment at 7:36 pm.
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, second by Council Member Belt, to authorize staff to submit the non-binding Notice of Intent to Propose to Visit California for California Welcome Center certification; and return to City Council on October 28, 2025, with a finalized operating plan and fiscal commitments for consideration before submitting the full application due November 4, 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. Approve Sixth Amendment to On-Call Consulting Services Agreement Between the City of Needles and Development Management Group, Inc. For Economic Development Consulting Services in the amount not to exceed $70,000 and extend the term of the Agreement until June 30, 2026.
City Manager Patrick Martinez gave staff report.
Council asked questions and considerable discussion ensued.
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:48 pm.
No public comment.
Mayor Jernigan closed Public Comment at 7:48 pm.
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, second by Council Member McCorkle, to Approve Sixth Amendment to On-Call Consulting Services Agreement Between the City of Needles and Development Management Group, Inc. For Economic Development Consulting Services in the amount not to exceed $70,000 and extend the term of the Agreement until June 30, 2026.
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
12. Provide Staff Direction on consideration of a reward system for reporting crimes committed within the City of Needles.
City Manager Patrick Martinez gave staff report.
Council asked questions and considerable discussion ensued.
Council directed staff to let the sheriff’s department handle this as they have been, continue utilizing the We Tip system and push this information out to the public.
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 September 5 & 12, 2025, given by City Manager Patrick Martinez
COUNCIL REQUESTS
Council Member Ford
x Requested staff research window displays in El Garces x Visitor Center needs way to display their flag to attract visitors Council Member McCorkle
x Reported on ICSC attendance and favorable responses from businesses x Requested staff contact 19th hole about equipment from Carl’s Jr.
Vice Mayor Campbell
x Reported on ICSC attendance and favorable responses from businesses x Decorate El Garces for Christmas
x Reported Women’s Club hosting a golf tournament on February 7 – details to come x Following the status of OHMV program – it is waiting on CHP sign off Council Member Pogue
x Congratulations to Patrick Martinez for his efforts in the City winning the Helen Putnam award for Bob Belt Beach Park
x Requested status update on Denny’s building and the one next to Needles Pt. Liquor x Thanked the Mayor for driving back from Long Beach in time to attend the 10-10 event Council Member Belt
x Flu Season – reminded everyone to get flu shots
Council Member Longbrake
x Requested window wraps in El Garces
x Requested staff reach out to Fidel (Subway, Chevron, Dairy Queen owner) about Carl’s Jr. to see if he is interested in the property
x Requested update on Broadway Nursery and suggested rescinding their CUP x Requested staff remove fence around building next to Needle’s Pointe Liquor x Asked what staff is going to do about Time Change
x Questioned staff on what was voted on for the NHA fencing x Wants billboards on City property along freeway advertising businesses and events x Reported that the 10-10 event time on the community calendar was incorrectly posted x Asked for status update on sign in front of Council Chambers x Raised concern over guidance given by City Manager to Council Members in decision making Mayor Jernigan
x Thanked city staff for facilitating Assemblymember Gonzalez’s visit x Thanked city staff for efforts in securing Helen Putnam award x Reported that the League of California Cities is reinstating their Rural City Group x Reported on 10-10 event and the upcoming Fall Festival and Fort Mojave Indian Tribe parade ADJOURNMENT – Mayor Jernigan adjourned the meeting at 8:31 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 14th day of October
2025, by the City Council of the City of Needles.
Candace Clark, CPMC, CMC
City Clerk of the City of Needles