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, FEBRUARY 24, 2026 - COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION – NONE - CITY COUNCIL MEETING – 6:00 PM CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 6:00 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
Council Member Henry Longbrake
ABSENT
None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - led by Mayor Jernigan
INVOCATION - given by Vice Mayor Campbell
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council Member McCorkle made a motion, seconded by Council Member Pogue, 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 Don McCone in attendance.
CITY ATTORNEY – Parliamentary Procedures given by Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade.
PUBLIC APPEARANCE
Natalie Lessar (?) complimented the City of Needles’ Public Works Department and the City’s overall partnership with Mojave Desert Mountain Recycling and Republic Services.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. 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).
City Manager Martinez reported that this item is being pulled and will be re-noticed when the project documentation is complete.
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member McCorkle, to approve items 2-5 on the Consent Calendar.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
2. Approved the Warrants Register through February 24, 2026
3. Approved the Minutes of February 10, 2026
4. Accepted and Filed the Treasurer's Report for the month of January, 2026
5. Waived full reading and Adopted Ordinance 679-AC Amending Chapter 12, Entitled Short-Term Residential Rentals, in the Needles Municipal Code. Second Read Adopt.
END OF COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
REGULAR COUNCIL ITEMS
6. Pavement Management Program Update – Progress Report given by City Manager Martinez
7. Approve the purchase of custom signs from AWP Safety in the amount of $25,000 to be funded from General Fund reserves, for implementation of the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle (OHMV) Designated Routes Signage Plan
City Manager Martinez gave staff report.
Council had minimal questions.
Mayor Jernigan opened Public Comment at 6:21 pm
Public Comment
Don McCone thanked City Staff and Council for getting this implemented, stating it will be a useful tool for tourism.
Mayor Jernigan closed Public Comment at 6:22 pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, second by Council Member McCorkle, to Approve the purchase of custom signs from AWP Safety in the amount of $25,000 to be funded from General Fund reserves, for implementation of the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle (OHMV) Designated Routes Signage Plan Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
8. Approve Amendment #2 to the Visitor Center Agreement with the Needles Area Chamber of Commerce to establish operating hours of 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Thursday through Monday City Manager Martinez gave staff report.
Council asked questions and minimal discussion ensued.
Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade offered clarification.
Mayor Jernigan opened Public Comment at 6:25 pm
Public Comment - None
Mayor Jernigan closed Public Comment at 6:25 pm
Council Member Belt made a motion, second by Council Member Ford, to Approve Amendment #2 to the Visitor Center Agreement with the Needles Area Chamber of Commerce to establish operating hours of 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Thursday through Monday.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt Noes: Council Member Longbrake
Absent: None
Abstain: None
9. Approve the letter of support for AB 1708 (Solache) – HHAP Pathways for Cities Act and authorize the Mayor to sign and transmit the letter.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report.
Council had no questions
Mayor Jernigan opened Public Comment at 6:27 pm
Public Comment - None
Mayor Jernigan closed Public Comment at 6:27 pm
Council Member Pogue made a motion, second by Vice Mayor Campbell, to Approve the letter of support for AB 1708 (Solache) – HHAP Pathways for Cities Act and authorize the Mayor to sign and transmit the letter.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the meeting held on the 24th day of February, 2026, and approved by the City Council of the City of Needles, on the 10th day of March, 2026, Candace Clark, CPMC, CMC
City Clerk of the City of Needles
10. League of California Cities Desert Mountain Division and Policy Committee Travel Authorization City Manager Martinez gave staff report.
Council had minimal questions.
Mayor Jernigan opened Public Comment at 6:32 pm
Public Comment - None
Mayor Jernigan closed Public Comment at 6:32 pm
Council Member Belt made a motion, second by Council Member McCorkle, to authorize both Mayor Jernigan and Vice Mayor Campbell to attend, and be reimbursed for travel, the League of California Cities Desert Mountain Division Committee meetings; and authorize Mayor Jernigan to attend, and be reimbursed for travel, the League of California Cities Transportation, Communications, and Public Works Policy Committee meetings.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
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 – given by City Manager Patrick Martinez
COUNCIL REQUESTS
Council Member Ford
• No requests
Council Member McCorkle
• Stay on top of weeds around town
• Reported on her recent appointment to TRACES (Tristate Athletic Committee)-looking for sponsors Vice Mayor Campbell
• Reported on the success of the Info Fair and Car Show – Thanked Mayor • Offered condolences to the Hetrick family for their10 year old son’s E-bike accident Council Member Pogue
• Reported on Facebook posts by the Animal Shelter asking for donations and requested staff ensure the budget for the Animal Shelter is sufficient
Council Member Belt
• Jack Smith Park – recommend staff use city equipment to clean the beaches Council Member Longbrake
• Sorry he missed the car show
• Thanked Rec Center for being open to the public
• Asked about the status of bathrooms at the Animal Shelter • Requested staff get signs at the edge of town letting tourists know what there is to do in Needles • Duke Watkins Park funded by County – he hadn’t heard that before • More Transparency with Council
Mayor Jernigan
• Thanked everyone for their support at the Info Fair and Car Show • Reported on March 7 Amboy Café event she will be attending • Reported on upcoming events: Art in the Park, Craft Fair, Car Show, Rodeo ADJOURNMENT – Mayor Jernigan adjourned the meeting at 7:00 PM ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Mayor Janet Jernigan City Clerk Candace Clark