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, JANUARY 13, 2026 - COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION – 5:00 PM - CITY COUNCIL MEETING – 6:00 PM CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 5:04 pm
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Council Member Larry Ford
Council Member McCorkle
Vice Mayor Ellen Campbell
Mayor Janet Jernigan
Council Member JoAnne Pogue
Council Member Tona Belt
ABSENT
Council Member Henry Longbrake
Also present were City Manager Patrick Martinez, Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade, City Clerk Candace Clark, Utilities Manager Rainie Torrance, and City Planner Irene Romero.
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION - None RECESSED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION - 5:05 PM
EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Conference with real property negotiator pursuant to Government Code §54956.8: Agency negotiator City Manager Patrick Martinez or his designee. Negotiating Parties are the City of Needles as the potential lessor and San Bernardino County as the potential lessee for of a portion of the building located at 1111 Bailey Avenue, APN 0185-221-13-0000. Under negotiations are the price and terms.
No reportable action
b. Conference with legal counsel regarding existing litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1) City of Needles v. Rivera, et al., Superior Court of the County of San Bernardino, Case No.
CIVSB2022575
No reportable action
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm and announced an excused absence for Council Member Longbrake
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Council Member Larry Ford
Council Member McCorkle
Vice Mayor Ellen Campbell
Mayor Janet Jernigan
Council Member JoAnne Pogue
Council Member Tona Belt
ABSENT
Council Member Henry Longbrake
EXECUTIVE SESSION REPORT – Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade gave report as noted above.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - led by Mayor Jernigan
INVOCATION - given by Vice Mayor Campbell
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mayor Jernigan announced that Item 10 will be continued to January 27, 2026.
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Pogue, to approve the agenda as amended.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Ford, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Pogue, Belt Noes: None
Absent: Council Member Longbrake
Abstain: None
CONFLICT OF INTEREST – None
CORRESPONDENCE – Mayor Jernigan announced two items of correspondence. One email regarding public hearing item 3; and one letter regarding item11
INTRODUCTIONS - Mayor Jernigan acknowledged former Council Members Tim Terral, Shawn Gudmundson, Zachery Longacre, and Former Mayor Jeff Williams in attendance.
CITY ATTORNEY – Parliamentary Procedures given by Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade.
PUBLIC APPEARANCE
Marianne Jones gave an update on the Museum and highlighted an article about the 100th Anniversary of Route 66 in the museum’s newsletter.
PRESENTATION
1. Representatives from Tri-State Community Healthcare Center gave a Presentation on Local Primary Care Services, Behavioral Health Programs, and Community Health Resources.
Council asked questions, and representatives responded.
No public comment.
2. The Mayor presented a plaque to recent retiree Kathy Bernal.
Former City Manager Rick Daniels acknowledged Kathy’s contribution to the City of Needles.
3. Adopt Resolution 2025-49 Approving a Conditional Use Permit for a Licensed Retail Cannabis Dispensary and Related Tenant Improvements at 1611 Needles Highway, APN 0185-062-26-0000, within the General Commercial (C-2) Zoning District
City Planner Romero gave staff report.
Council asked considerable questions and applicant responded. Council deliberated on setting timeline conditions and applicant agreed.
Mayor Jernigan opened the public hearing at 6:45pm
Public Comment
James McGue spoke as a representative of THC, stating he opposes another dispensary.
Mayor Jernigan closed the public hearing at 6:48pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ford, adopt Resolution 2025-49 Approving a Conditional Use Permit for a Licensed Retail Cannabis Dispensary and Related Tenant Improvements at 1611 Needles Highway, APN 0185-062-26-0000, within the General Commercial (C-2) Zoning District, with the following conditions: The exterior is to be completed within 6 months of start, and the entire project to be completed within 9 months of start.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Ford, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Pogue, Belt Noes: None
Absent: Council Member Longbrake
Abstain: None
4. Adopt Resolution 2026-1 of the City Council of the City of Needles Approving a Conditional Use Permit Amendment to City Council Resolution 2017-114 for a Medical Marijuana Cultivation Facility Located at 204 Bazoobuth Street (APN 0186-154-13), Including Modification of Perimeter Wall Materials and Relocation of Parking and Trash Enclosure to Adjacent Parcels (APNS 0186-154-05 and 0186-154-01). CONTINUED TO JANUARY 27, 2026
REGULAR NPUA / COUNCIL ITEMS
5. Approve Change Order 2 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 $84,333.60 for a new total contract amount of $1,302,710.42; and authorize staff to execute said Change Order.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report.
Council asked minimal questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:54pm
Public Comment – none
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:54pm
Council Member Ford made a motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Campbell, to approve Change Order 2 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 $84,333.60 for a new total contract amount of $1,302,710.42; and authorize staff to execute said Change Order.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Members/Council Member Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Mayor Jernigan, Members/Council Members Pogue, Belt
Noes: None
Absent: Member/Council Member Longbrake
Abstain: None
6. Public Art Mural(s) to Be painted on Electrical Utility Boxes City Manager Martinez gave staff report.
Council asked questions and discussion ensued.
Applicants who submitted a proposal from the Scarce Collective answered questions via speakerphone with the assistance of Zachery Longacre
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:00pm
Public Comment – none
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:00pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Pogue to accept the proposal to paint murals on 8 electrical utility boxes as outlined, for a total cost of $7,900, including artistic services, materials, travel, and mobilization, to be funded by the Electric Department’s Annual Adopted Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Budget.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Members/Council Member Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Mayor Jernigan, Members/Council Members Pogue
Noes: Member/Council Member Belt
Absent: Member/Council Member Longbrake
Abstain: None
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member McCorkle made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ford, to approve items 7 and 8 on the consent calendar.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Ford, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Pogue, Belt Noes: None
Absent: Council Member Longbrake
Abstain: None
7. Approved the Warrants Register through January 13, 2026
8. Approved the Minutes of December 9, 2025.
END OF COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
REGULAR COUNCIL ITEMS
9. Appoint a Council Member to the Budget Committee (replacing former Council Member Longacre) City Manager Martinez gave staff report.
No public comment.
Council Member Ford made a motion, seconded by Council Member McCorkle, to appoint Vice Mayor Campbell to the Budget Committee. Vice Mayor Campbell consented.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Ford, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Pogue, Belt Noes: None
Absent: Council Member Longbrake
Abstain: None
10. Visitor Center Operating Hours continued to January 27, 2026
11. Adopt Resolution 2026-2 Approving the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle (OHMV) Designated Routes Signage Plan, Authorizing Implementation Including Signage, Public Education, and Coordination with Law Enforcement.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report.
Fred Minegar spoke about the project via Teams
Council asked questions and considerable discussion ensued.
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:37pm
Shawn Gudmundson spoke about the history of this project and expressed his support in moving this forward.
City Manager Martinez clarified that this approval is for signage and does not implement the program immediately. Further stating that there will be a ribbon cutting and community workshop.
Vice Mayor Campbell asked about a time frame and City Manager Martinez responded.
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:40pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member McCorkle to adopt Resolution 2026-2 approving the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle (OHMV) Designated Routes Signage Plan, Authorizing Implementation Including Signage, Public Education, and Coordination with Law Enforcement.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Ford, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Pogue, Belt Noes: None
Absent: Council Member Longbrake
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 December 26, 2025, and January 2, 2026, given by City Manager Patrick Martinez
COUNCIL REQUESTS
Council Member Ford
x Requested staff research the possibility of adding a pet cemetery to the existing cemetery. x Report that with the owner’s permission, he will be installing a marquis on the old theater building advertising the upcoming Route 66 Centennial Celebration.
x Requested staff look into paying the Mayor more than the $1/month stipend.
Council Member McCorkle
x Suggested that time-frame requirements be added to all new projects upon approval.
Vice Mayor Campbell
x Thanked everyone for the condolences on the loss of her sister over the holidays Council Member Pogue Nothing
Council Member Belt Nothing
Mayor Jernigan
x Thanked local agencies for food and gifts over the holidays, especially the Sheriff’s department. x Congratulated St. Vincent DePaul on their recent remodel and thanked them for providing services to the community.
x Reported on upcoming events, including the Info Fair and Car Show x Asked about showcasing the City Fire Truck at the west end of El Garces.
ADJOURNMENT – Mayor Jernigan adjourned the meeting at 7:57 PM ________________________________________ ________________________________________ City Clerk Candace Clark
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the meeting held on the 13th day of January, 2026, and approved by the City Council of the City of Needles, on January 27, 2026.
Candace Clark, CPMC, CMC
City Clerk of the City of Needles
Mayor Janet Jernigan