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, MARCH 10, 2026 - COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION – 5:00 - CITY COUNCIL MEETING – 6:00 PM CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 5:02 pm and announced an excused absence for Council Member McCorkle.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Council Member Larry Ford
Vice Mayor Ellen Campbell
Mayor Janet Jernigan
Council Member JoAnne Pogue
Council Member Tona Belt
Council Member Henry Longbrake
ABSENT
Council Member McCorkle
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION - None RECESSED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION - 5:04 PM
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade announced that Council Member Ford would recuse himself from item b because he used to work with Recreation Manager Jennifer Valenzuela a. Conference with legal counsel regarding existing litigation pursuant to Government Code section 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
b. Conference with legal counsel regarding existing litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1) Hayley Dominguez v. City of Needles, et al., Superior Court of the County of San Bernardino, Case No. CIVSB2603518
No reportable action
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm and announced an excused absence for Council Member McCorkle.
ROLL CALL (previously taken, as noted above)
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
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Pogue, to approve the agenda.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Ford, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: Council Member McCorkle
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
Gina Guzman stated that some children were not allowed to participate in the basketball tournament and further asserted that areas outside of Needles were influenced by Needles’ City Staff Daniel Guzman reasserted the previous resident’s response and questioned the reported participant capacity of the tournament.
PRESENTATION
1. Representative Jay Markle and Chris Klein from Republic Services gave a presentation.
2. City Planner Irene Romero gave a presentation on the City Entitlement Process & Timeline.
REGULAR NPUA / COUNCIL ITEMS
3. Authorize Reliable Pump to Repair one Hydromatic 40 HP Pump, not to exceed $20,383.39 Utilizing the Wastewater Asset Replacement Fund
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council asked minimal questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:28pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:28pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ford, to authorize Reliable Pump to Repair one Hydromatic 40 HP Pump, not to exceed $20,383.39 Utilizing the Wastewater Asset Replacement Fund.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Members/Council Members Ford, Campbell, Mayor Jernigan, Members/Council Members Pogue, Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: Member/Council Member McCorkle
Abstain: None
4. Accept the work completed by Phillips Excavating, Inc. for the Well 11 to Well 15 Intertie project and authorize a Notice of Completion to record with the San Bernardino County Recorder’s office.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council had no questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:31pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:31pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ford, to accept the work completed by Phillips Excavating, Inc. for the Well 11 to Well 15 Intertie project and authorize a Notice of Completion to record with the San Bernardino County Recorder’s office.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Members/Council Members Ford, Campbell, Mayor Jernigan, Members/Council Members Pogue, Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: Member/Council Member McCorkle
Abstain: None
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Ford made a motion, seconded by Council Member Pogue, to approve items 5-6 on the Consent Calendar.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Ford, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: Council Member McCorkle
Abstain: None
5. Approved the Warrants Register through March 10, 2026
6. Approved the Minutes of February 24, 2026
END OF COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
REGULAR COUNCIL ITEMS
7. Adopt Resolution 2026-7 Authorizing an Application for and Receipt of Prohousing Incentive Pilot Program Funds not to exceed $520,000
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council asked minimal questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:34pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:34pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Longbrake, to adopt Resolution 2026-7 Authorizing an Application for and Receipt of Prohousing Incentive Pilot Program Funds not to exceed $520,000 Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Ford, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: Council Member McCorkle
Abstain: None
8. Accept proposal from Pacific Clinics to provide Homeless Services to Support Housing Access and Stability for a not-to-exceed contract amount of $50,000 and authorize staff to execute a Professional Services Agreement and Notice of Award for the work.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Maria Murillo and Mauricio Cruz, of Pacific Clinics, reported on their program.
Council asked minimal questions and applicant responded Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:41pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:41pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Longbrake, to accept proposal from Pacific Clinics to provide Homeless Services to Support Housing Access and Stability for a not-to-exceed contract amount of $50,000, and authorize staff to execute a Professional Services Agreement and Notice of Award for the work.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Ford, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: Council Member McCorkle
Abstain: None
9. Adopt Resolution 2026-6 approving the Measure I Continuation Expenditure Plan.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Otis Greer, from SBCTA, gave report and responded to Council questions.
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:44pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:44pm
Council Member Pogue made a motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Campbell, to adopt Resolution 2026-6 approving the Measure I Continuation Expenditure Plan.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Ford, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: Council Member McCorkle
Abstain: None
10. Adopt Resolution 2026-8 Approving participation in the Joint Powers Authority (JPA) for the establishment of the San Bernardino Regional Housing Trust (SBRHT).
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council had no questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:47pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:47pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ford, to adopt Resolution 2026-8 Approving participation in the Joint Powers Authority (JPA) for the establishment of the San Bernardino Regional Housing Trust (SBRHT).
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Ford, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: Council Member McCorkle
Abstain: None
11. Authorize those interested to attend the League of California Cities 2026 Annual Conference and Expo scheduled for September 23-25 at the Anaheim Convention Center and designate a voting delegate and alternate (s).
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council discussion ensued. Vice Mayor Campbell is the LCC Delegate and Mayor Jernigan is the Alternate. Both expressed interest in attending.
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:49pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:49pm
Council Member Ford made a motion, seconded by Council Member Pogue, to authorize Vice Mayor Campbell as the Delegate, and Mayor Jernigan as the Alternate, to attend the League of California Cities 2026 Annual Conference and Expo scheduled for September 23-25 at the Anaheim Convention Center.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Ford, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: Council Member McCorkle
Abstain: None
12. Authorize those interested to attend the ICSC Western Event at the San Diego Convention Center on September 14-16, 2026.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council discussion ensued. Vice Mayor Campbell expressed an interest in attending.
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:53pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:53pm
Council Member Belt made a motion, seconded by Council Member Pogue, to authorize Vice Mayor Campbell to attend the ICSC Western Event at the San Diego Convention Center on September 14-16, 2026.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Ford, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Pogue, Belt Noes: Council Member Longbrake
Absent: Council Member McCorkle
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
• Thanked staff for the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) installations • Requested staff research using the old overhead RR signal by El Garces and installing a Rt 66 Banner and possible permanent archway
Vice Mayor Campbell
• Reported on positive feedback she has been receiving on all the events happening in Needles • Thanked staff and Sheriffs’ department for their presence in town and positive interactions with residents Council Member Pogue
• Requested staff look into missing street signs at cross streets at San Clemente - like Casa Linda Council Member Belt
• Asked Patrick to check on status of replacement of all street signs that was previously approved • Reminded staff to stay ahead of seasons and use city equipment to drag sand and clean the beaches, remove weeds
Council Member Longbrake
• Agreed with Tona – keep beaches clean
• West side gas stations sidewalks in front are uneven and dangerous • Cannabis smell on west side is bad at night
• Received a report there is debris around the old Denny’s • Reported on a citizen who claims to have been a victim of racism in Needles Mayor Jernigan
• Reported on the upcoming Resource Fair – 34 agencies will be participating – encouraged residents to participate
• Reported on recent Baseball, Softball, Basketball Tournaments – she attended the Needles High School Baseball Tournament where Danny Medrano, a volunteer of over 40 years, was honored. • Reported on Amboy Anniversary event – car show had 400 cars participate – received a lot of positive comment about Needles and everything that is happening here. • Asked staff about empty signs – money was given by Dawn Rowe for the Business Directory Sign program, and nothing has been done with them – they are still empty – urged staff to look into this and bring the Chamber before Council to address why they have not been done.
ADJOURNMENT – Mayor Jernigan adjourned the meeting at 7:18 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 10th day of March, 2026, and approved by the City Council of the City of Needles on March 24, 2026 Candace Clark, CPMC, CMC
City Clerk of the City of Needles