Needles City Council
April 28, 2026

(ACT) ACTION NEEDED
(INF) INFORMATION ONLY
(DIS) DISCRETIONARY
AGENDA

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL

NEEDLES PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY

HOUSING AUTHORITY CITY OF NEEDLES

CITY OF NEEDLES, CALIFORNIA
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 1111 BAILEY AVENUE.

TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2025
COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION – 5:00 PM
CITY COUNCIL MEETING – 6:00 PM

THE PUBLIC MAY ATTEND VIA TEAMS AND MAY SUBMIT ANY COMMENTS IN WRITING PRIOR TO NOON ON THE DAY OF THE MEETING BY EMAILING [email protected] TO JOIN THE LIVE TEAMS MEETING: log into the City of Needles website at www.cityofneedles.com to access the agenda and Click here to join the meeting If asked, enter the following: Meeting ID: 480 703 240# OR listen in and participate by calling Teams: 1-323-488-2227 - Meeting ID: 480 703 240# The meetings are being recorded.

CALL TO ORDER

ROLL CALL

PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS A three-minute time limit per person has been established.

RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Public Employee Performance Evaluation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957. Title:

City Manager
b. Conference with Labor Negotiator Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 Agency Negotiator: Patrick Martinez, City Manager; Unrepresented Employee: Treasurer c. Public Employee Performance Evaluation pursuant to Government Code §54957 - Title of position: City Clerk

CALL TO ORDER

ROLL CALL
EXECUTIVE SESSION REPORT - by City Attorney
\PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

INVOCATION

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

CORRESPONDENCE

INTRODUCTIONS
CITY ATTORNEY – Parliamentary Procedures
As a courtesy to those in attendance, we would ask that cell phones be turned off or set in their silent mode. Thank you
PUBLIC APPEARANCE - Persons wishing to address the NPUA / City Council on subjects other than those scheduled are requested to do so at this time. When called by the Mayor, please announce your name and address for the record. In order to conduct a timely meeting, a three-minute time limit per person has been established by Municipal Code Section 2-18. Amendments to the California Government Code Section 54950 prohibits the City Council from taking action on a specific item until it appears on the agenda.

PRESENTATION (A ten-minute time limit per presentation has been established per Municipal Code Section 2-18.)

1. Chamber of Commerce Update

INTERVIEWS

2. Interviews / appointments to fill vacancies on various Boards and Commissions. Provide staff direction - no applications have been received.

COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR All matters listed on the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion in the form listed. The Mayor or any member of the City Council may pull an item from the Consent Calendar for discussion. Prior to Council action, a member of the public may address the City Council on matters scheduled on the Consent Calendar. A three-minute time limit per person applies. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve Items 3 through 8 on the Consent Calendar by affirmative roll call vote. (ACT)

3. Approve the Warrants Register through April 28, 2026

4. Approve the Minutes of April 14, 2026

5. March 2026 Treasurers Report

6. Waive the reading and adopt Resolution No. 2026-9 authorizing filing of an application for federal funding under FTA Section 5311 (49 U.S.C. Section 5311), the federal program providing assistance to rural transit programs, with the California Department of Transportation.

7. Review and follow the League of California Cities advocacy on proposed legislation and authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support for Proposition 36.

8. Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of opposition to AB 1678

END OF COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR

REGULAR COUNCIL ITEMS

9. Adopt Ordinance 680-AC of the City Council of the City Of Needles, California, Amending Chapter 13, Article IV of the Needles Municipal Code to Prohibit Commercial Trucks Over 26,000 Pounds Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) from Parking on Residential Streets and in City Parks (ACT)

10. Adopt Resolutions 2026-13 and 2026-14 establishing Public Outreach and Interpretation Assistance Practices and adopting the Technology Disruptions Policy to ensure compliance with SB 707 providing clear procedures for maintaining public access and participation during City Council and Brown Act meetings. (ACT)

11. Ratify the City Manager's execution of the Restricted Grant Agreement (RG) and Adjust the Adopted FY26 Budget for the Clean California Community Cleanup & Employment Pathway (CCEP) Grant Program award in the amount of $169,355 (ACT)

12. Authorize the City Manager to proceed with the Active Grant Transportation Cycle 8 Grant Application and authorize Kimly Horn to complete the professional service needed for the grant submission, not to exceed $19,000 (ACT)

13. Approve Change Order No. 1 to the Public Works Agreement with Rainy Day Roofing, Inc. for the Administration Building Façade Awning Project (ACT)

14. Adopt Ordinance 681-AC of the City Council of the City Of Needles, California, Adding Chapter 8, Article IV to the Needles Municipal Code Establishing a Cash Rounding Policy for City Payments (ACT)

CITY ATTORNEY REPORT

CITY CLERK REPORT

CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager's Report for the weeks of April 10 and 17, 2026

COUNCIL REQUESTS
Council Member Ford
Council Member McCorkle
Vice Mayor Campbell
Council Member Pogue
Council Member Belt
Council Member Longbrake
Mayor Jernigan

ADJOURNMENT

INTERNET ACCESS TO CITY COUNCIL AGENDAS AND STAFF REPORT MATERIAL IS AVAILABLE PRIOR TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AT: http://www.cityofneedles.com Posted: April 24, 2026
SB 343-DOCUMENTS RELATED TO OPEN SESSION AGENDAS -- Any public record, relating to an open session agenda item, that is distributed within 72 hours prior to the meeting is available for public inspection at the City Clerk’s Office, 817 Third Street, Needles, CA 92363.

In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (760) 326-2113 ext 133. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting (28 CFR 35.102-104 ADA Title II).

I hereby certify, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing Agenda was posted at the front entrance of City Hall not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting.

Dated this 24th day of April 2026
/s/        Candace Clark, CPMC, CMC, City Clerk
City of Needles, California
Request for City Council Action
CITY COUNCIL NPUA Regular Special
Meeting Date: April 28, 2026
Title: Interviews / appointments to fill vacancies on various Boards and Commissions.

Background: The following vacancies were posted and published in the Needles Desert Star on April 8 and 15, 2026. No applications were received.

Planning Commission (Meets first Wednesday of each month at 4:00 p.m.) • One vacancy (term expires December 31, 2027)
Cemetery Advisory Board (Meets quarterly (January, April, July, October) on the third Thursday at 3:00 p.m.) • Four total vacancies:
• Two terms expiring December 31, 2026
• One term expiring December 31, 2027
• One term expiring December 31, 2029
Housing Commission (Meets fourth Wednesday of each month at 4:00 p.m.) • One vacancy (term expires December 31, 2027)
The City Clerk has completed the required noticing process; however, with no applications received, there are no candidates available for appointment. As a result, City Council direction is needed on how to proceed with filling these vacancies.

Given the number of vacancies on the Cemetery Advisory Board and the lack of applicant interest, staff is also seeking direction from City Council on whether to continue recruitment efforts or consider dissolution of the Cemetery Advisory Board.

Options for Council Consideration:
• Option 1: Direct staff to re-advertise all vacancies
• Option 2: Direct staff to expand outreach efforts to recruit applicants • Option 3: Direct staff to bring back an ordinance to dissolve the Cemetery Advisory Board • Option 4: Leave vacancies open and revisit at a future date Recommendation: Provide staff direction
Submitted By: Candace Clark, City Clerk
City Management Review: Date:

Other Department (when necessary): Date:
4/24/2026
Agenda Item 2.

City of Needles, California
Request for City Council Action
CITY COUNCIL NPUA HACN Regular Special
Meeting Date: APRIL 28, 2026
Title: WARRANTS
Background: N/A
Fiscal Impact: See attached Warrant Registers
Environmental Impact: N/A
Recommendation: Approve the Warrant Registers through April 28, 2026 *Does not include most current check payroll run
Submitted By: Mark C. DeMay, CGFM, Director of Finance
City Manager Approval: --��-__..;:;..._ __ /n.___,,,_� ,,,.-, __ _____ _ Other Department Approval (when required)
: _______ _
Date:

Date: ____ _
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M I N U T E S

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, APRIL 14, 2026 - COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION – 5:00 - CITY COUNCIL MEETING – 6:00 PM CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm and announced an excused absence for Council Member Pogue.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT
Council Member Larry Ford
Council Member Jamie McCorkle
Vice Mayor Ellen Campbell arrived at 5:03 pm
Mayor Janet Jernigan
Council Member Tona Belt
Council Member Henry Longbrake
ABSENT
Council Member JoAnne Pogue
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION - None RECESSED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION - 5:03 PM

EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Conference with Legal Counsel Regarding Potential Initiation of Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) Number of Cases: 2
No reportable action
b. Conference with Labor Negotiator Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 Agency Negotiator:

Patrick Martinez, City Manager; Unrepresented Employee: Treasurer No reportable action
c. Conference with legal counsel regarding existing litigation pursuant to Government Code 54956.9(d)(1) City of Needles v. Brown, Superior Court of the County of San Bernardino, Case No. CIVMB2200074 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 Pogue.

ROLL CALL (previously taken, as noted above)
EXECUTIVE SESSION REPORT –City Attorney John Pinkney 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 McCorkle, to approve the agenda.

Motion carried by the following roll call vote:

Ayes: Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Belt, Longbrake Noes: None

Absent: Council Member Pogue
Abstain: None
CONFLICT OF INTEREST – None
CORRESPONDENCE – Mayor Jernigan acknowledged a letter presented to Council by Ruth Musser-Lopez INTRODUCTIONS - Mayor Jernigan acknowledged former Council Member Tim Terral in attendance.

CITY ATTORNEY – Parliamentary Procedures given by City Attorney John Pinkney.

PUBLIC APPEARANCE
Ruth Musser-Lopez spoke about the upcoming Cal-Trans work and spoke in favor of sound walls.

Lillian Salcido spoke via Teams on behalf of Jeff West and the road running across his property, asking for compensation from the City.

Agenda Item 4.

PRESENTATION

1. Mayor Jernigan presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the Rodeo Association

2. Mayor Jernigan presented a Proclamation declaring April 2026 Child Abuse Prevention Month

3. Presentation given by Kathy Raasch, Development Services Director/Capital Projects: Completed Water Projects (Past Five Years)

PUBLIC HEARING

4. Adopt Resolution 2026-13-HACN recommending that the Housing Authority of the City of Needles (HACN) Board of Commissioners approve and adopt the Annual Agency Plan 2026–2027, including Housing Opportunity through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA) updates to the Administrative Plan, Admissions and Continued Occupancy Plan (ACOP), and Public Housing Lease Agreement.

City Manager Martinez and Housing Manager Deermer gave staff report Council asked questions and minimal discussion ensued.

Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:36pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:36pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ford, to Adopt Resolution 2026-13-HACN recommending that the Housing Authority of the City of Needles (HACN) Board of Commissioners approve and adopt the Annual Agency Plan 2026–2027, including Housing Opportunity through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA) updates to the Administrative Plan, Admissions and Continued Occupancy Plan (ACOP), and Public Housing Lease Agreement.

Motion carried by the following roll call vote:

Ayes: Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Campbell, Mayor Jernigan, Council Members Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None

Absent: Council Member Pogue
Abstain: None

NPUA / COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member McCorkle made a motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Campbell, to approve items 5-6 on the Consent Calendar.

Motion carried by the following roll call vote:

Ayes: Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Campbell, Mayor Jernigan, Council Members Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None

Absent: Council Member Pogue
Abstain: None

5. Authorized a FY26 Increase in Electrical Engineering Fees to Brooks Consulting, not to exceed $20,000, utilizing the adopted FY26 Electric Budget

6. Authorized the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with SMH Electrical Construction to Complete XIO SCADA Installation at the L Street Booster Station and Well No. 15, in an Amount Not to Exceed $43,533, Utilizing the Water Asset Replacement Fund

COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member McCorkle made a motion, seconded by Council Member Belt, to approve items 7-8 on the Consent Calendar.

Motion carried by the following roll call vote:

Ayes: Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Belt, Longbrake Noes: None

Absent: Council Member Pogue
Abstain: None

7. Approved the Warrants Register through April 14, 2026

8. Approved the Minutes of March 24, 2026 Agenda Item 4.

END OF COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR

REGULAR COUNCIL ITEMS

9. Adopt Resolutions 2026-11, 04-14-26-NPUA, and 2026-14-HACN.approving the Proposed Revised Budgets for fiscal year ending 06/30/26.

City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council had no questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:43pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:43pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member McCorkle, to Adopt Resolutions 2026-11, 04-14-26-NPUA, and 2026-14-HACN.approving the Proposed Revised Budgets for fiscal year ending 06/30/26.

Motion carried by the following roll call vote:

Ayes: Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Belt, Longbrake Noes: None

Absent: Council Member Pogue
Abstain: None

10. Accept and Adjust the Adopted FY26 Budget for the Q4 2025 T-Mobile Hometown Grant Program Award in the amount of $50,000.

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 Accept and Adjust the Adopted FY26 Budget for the Q4 2025 T-Mobile Hometown Grant Program Award in the amount of $50,000.

Motion carried by the following roll call vote:

Ayes: Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Belt, Longbrake Noes: None

Absent: Council Member Pogue
Abstain: None

11. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Restricted Grant Agreement (RG) and Adjust the Adopted FY26 Budget for the Clean California Community Cleanup & Employment Pathway (CCEP) Grant Program award in the amount of $169,355 - continued to April 28, 2026

12. Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2026-5 Approving the Ostby Economic Development Program Application for a New Residence Located at 3632 Riverview Terrace (APN 0660-151-40-0000) and Authorizing Payment of $15,361.13 to Pam Ostby.

City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council had no questions
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 Longbrake, to Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2026-5 Approving the Ostby Economic Development Program Application for a New Residence Located at 3632 Riverview Terrace (APN 0660-151-40-0000) and Authorizing Payment of $15,361.13 to Pam Ostby.

Motion carried by the following roll call vote:

Ayes: Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Belt, Longbrake Noes: None

Absent: Council Member Pogue
Abstain: None

13. Authorize the City to co-sponsor the Route 66 Centennial Car Show on November 14, 2026, in partnership with the River Cruizers Car Club, including approximately $500 in in-kind staff support and event services. Agenda Item 4.

City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council had no questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:52pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:52pm
Council Member Belt made a motion, seconded by Council Member McCorkle, to Authorize the City to cosponsor the Route 66 Centennial Car Show on November 14, 2026, in partnership with the River Cruizers Car Club, including approximately $500 in in-kind staff support and event services.

Motion carried by the following roll call vote:

Ayes: Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Belt, Longbrake Noes: None

Absent: Council Member Pogue
Abstain: None

14. Provide direction to staff regarding proposed parking modifications on F Street and Front Street, including 2-hour parking and no parking designations
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council asked questions and discussion ensued
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:05pm
Kevin Ostby spoke about the lack of parking and how it hinders any potential new businesses.

Aidan McCorkle asked how 2 hour parking would be enforced Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:12pm
Council further discussed and recommended staff look into an engineering study for 2 hour parking restrictions in the general downtown area.

15. Council to provide staff guidance on a possible Ordinance XXX-AC, Amending Chapter 13, Article IV, Entitled “Use of Certain Streets by Commercial Vehicles Prohibited”, in the Needles Municipal Code City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council asked questions and discussion ensued
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:18pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:18pm
Council directed staff to draft an ordinance, changing the language to prohibit parking

16. Agreement with Urban Futures, Inc. for General Obligation Bond Financial Advisory Services (NTE $25,000)
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council asked questions and discussion ensued
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:30pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:30pm
Council Member McCorkle made a motion, seconded by Council Member Longbrake, to approve the Agreement with Urban Futures, Inc. for General Obligation Bond Financial Advisory Services (NTE $25,000) Motion carried by the following roll call vote:

Ayes: Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Members Belt, Longbrake Noes: None

Absent: Council Member Pogue
Abstain: None
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT – given by City Attorney Pinkney
CITY CLERK REPORT – given by City Clerk Candace Clark
CITY MANAGER REPORT – given by City Manager Patrick Martinez

COUNCIL REQUESTS
Council Member Ford
 Requested staff look into creating event parking in the lot downtown where the old Chamber building used to be. Agenda Item 4.
 Asked staff to touch up features at the corner of Santa Fe Park where the bench is and touch up the red paint on the curb
Council Member McCorkle
 Thanked staff for fixing up the Little League bathrooms Vice Mayor Campbell
 Requested staff look into getting a soundwall, suggested reaching out to CalTrans  Reported on attendance at PVCC screening on Waterways and CRIT  Urged everyone to send letters of opposition to PVCC Board regarding their proposed cancellation of the graduation ceremony in Needles.

Council Member Belt
 Thanked staff for cleaning the beaches
 Asked about the bond from a few years ago for the school gymnasium (Measure N) Council Member Longbrake
 Reported the street lights are out at Coronado, J, and Erin  Reported stop sign at Bailey and Erin is being run, including by ebikes  Resident asked about resuming the tradition of painting horseshoes on the streets by the high school Mayor Jernigan
 Reported on the success of the Easter Egg Hunt and thanked Tri State for hosting it  Reported on the success of the Art in the Park and Car Show,  Reported on the success of the 48th annual rodeo and thanked the Rodeo Association  Reported on her attendance at the Billet Health dinner  Reported on the League of California Cities Desert Mountain Division meeting at El Garces.

ADJOURNMENT – Mayor Jernigan adjourned the meeting at 8:01 PM ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Mayor Janet Jernigan City Clerk Candace Clark
Agenda Item 4.

City of Needles, California
Request for City Council Action
CITY COUNCIL NPUA HACN Regular Special
Meeting Date: April 28, 2026
Title: March 2026 Treasurer’s Report
Background: Pursuant to California Government Code Section 53607, the City Treasurer is required to make a monthly report of the investment portfolio to the legislative body. Total cash and investments as of March 30, 2026 were $35,517,161.

Attached is the March 2026 Treasurer’s Report that contains information on the cash and investments held in the portfolio by the City of Needles, Needles Public Utility Authority, and Housing Authority of the City of Needles. In March, no additional investments were made into LAIF. At month-end, the combined LAIF balance for the City, NPUA and Housing Authority remained at $21,725,828. The most recent LAIF rate for the March 2026 month end was 3.98 percent.

Major factor affecting the LAIF interest rate, Federal Open Market Committee (the “Fed”) lowers or increases the Fed Funds rate to keep the national economy in balance, a corresponding change is reflected in the LAIF rate (and overall market rates), but usually with a smaller impact due to holdings in the LAIF portfolio that were previously invested in market securities when market conditions were different. At its January Federal Open Market Committee meeting, the Board maintained the Fed Funds Rate with no change at a range of 3.50-3.75 percent. The Fed is in a difficult position of balancing inflation, which is still above the target inflation rate of 2 percent, and lowering interest rates any further to spur the labor market, which could cause inflation to spike. In a related action, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System voted unanimously to approve the establishment of the primary credit rate at the existing level of 3.75 percent.

The Treasurer’s Report shows the cash held by fiscal agents related to the All American Canal Trust Fund and the NPUA 2016 Refunding Revenue Bonds. The All American Canal Trust Fund was created by the US Bureau of Reclamation, the City of Needles and the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) for the maintenance, capital and operation of the All American Canal. In exchange, Needles received a local water allotment from the Colorado River since it has no formal water rights. The canal is owned by the US Bureau of Reclamation and operated and maintained by NPUA. The trust funds, managed by the NPUA in its fiduciary capacity, are held at Zions Bank as the third-party trustee, for canal capital and maintenance. The market value of the funds held at Zion Bank on March 31st was $12,173,337.

US Bank acts as the trustee for the NPUA 2016 Revenue Refunding Bonds. The balances in the accounts at US Bank are usually small, unless funds have been sent to cover upcoming bond payments.

These various bond accounts are used simply to receive scheduled bond payments from the NPUA, and then the payments to bondholders are initiated by US Bank; the NPUA does not repay bondholders directly. The total residual cash held by US Bank was slightly up this month at $190. Tthe next semiannual debt service payments are not due again until August 2026.

The City’s investment portfolio conforms to the City’s Investment Policy in all respects. The City Treasurer certifies that the City has sufficient funds to meet its expenditure obligations during the next six months.

Fiscal Impact: LAIF interest is paid quarterly. Interest on LAIF balances for the month of March was $71,666, compared to $70,460 accrued in February. Interest earned on the balance in the Arrowhead Credit Union money market account, which holds a portion of the City’s Vehicle Replacement Funds, was $29.

Agenda Item 5.

Environmental Impact: None.

Recommended Action: Accept and file the March 2026 Treasurer’s Report.

Submitted By: Mark DeMay, Director of Finance and Administrative Services City Manager Approval: Date:

Other Department Approval (when required): Date: `
4/24/2026
Agenda Item 5.

Agenda Item 5.

Agenda Item 5.

City of Needles, California
Request for City Council Action
J:\Council Board and Commissions\City Council\2026\04282026\5311 - council cover sheet - 2025-26 fy.docx/cks CITY COUNCIL NPUA Regular Special
Meeting Date: April 28, 2026
Title: Resolution No. 2026-9 authorizing filing of an application for federal funding under FTA Section 5311 (49 U.S.C. Section 5311), the federal program providing assistance to rural transit programs, with the California Department of Transportation
Background: Section 5311 provides federal funding to support rural public transportation systems. These funds are a key component of the annual operating budget for Needles Area Transit (NAT), helping to sustain transit services for residents and the community.

This item authorizes the City to submit the required application through the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to continue receiving Section 5311 funding for the 2025–2026 fiscal year.

Fiscal Impact: $54,918 has been allocated by the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) for NAT operations for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Adoption of this resolution authorizes the application for these funds and does not create any additional fiscal impact.

Environmental Impact: None
Recommended Action: Waive the reading and adopt Resolution No. 2026-9 authorizing filing of an application for federal funding under FTA Section 5311 (49 U.S.C. Section 5311), the federal program providing assistance to rural transit programs, with the California Department of Transportation.

Submitted By: Cheryl Sallis, Community Services Manager City Manager Approval: Date:

Other Department Approval (when required): Date:
4/24/2026
04/24/2026
Agenda Item 6.

RESOLUTION NO. 2026-9

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEEDLES, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL FUNDING UNDER FTA SECTION 5311 (49 U.S.C. SECTION 5311), THE FEDERAL PROGRAM PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO RURAL TRANSIT

PROGRAMS, WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WHEREAS, the U. S. Department of Transportation is authorized to make grants to states through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to support operating assistance projects for non-urbanized public transportation systems under Section 5311 of the Federal Transit Act (FTA C 9040.1F); and WHEREAS, the California Department of Transportation (Department) has been designated by the Governor of the State of California to administer Section 5311 grants for transportation projects for the general public for the rural transit and intercity bus; and
WHEREAS, the City of Needles desires to apply for said financial assistance to permit operation of service within the City; and
WHEREAS, the City of Needles has, to the maximum extent feasible, coordinated with other transportation providers and users in the region (including social service agencies).

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Needles, California, does hereby authorize Patrick Martinez, City Manager, or his designee, Cheryl K. Sallis, Community Services Manager, to file and execute applications on behalf of the City of Needles with the Department to aid in the financing of capital/operating assistance projects pursuant to Section 5311 of the Federal Transit Act (FTA C 9040.1F), as amended.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Patrick Martinez, City Manager, or his designee, Cheryl K. Sallis, Community Services Manager, is authorized to execute and file all certification of assurances, contracts or agreements or any other document required by the Department.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Patrick Martinez, City Manager, or his designee, Cheryl K. Sallis, Community Services Manager, is authorized to provide additional information as the Department may require in connection with the application for the Section 5311 projects.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Patrick Martinez, City Manager, or his designee, Cheryl K. Sallis, Community Services Manager, is authorized to submit and approve request for reimbursement of funds from the Department for the Section 5311 project(s).

PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Needles, California, held on the 28th day of April, 2026, by the following roll call vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:

Janet Jernigan, Mayor
ATTEST:

Candace Clark, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:

Lena Wade, Deputy City Attorney
Agenda Item 6.

City of Needles, California
Request for City Council Action
CITY COUNCIL NPUA Regular Special
Meeting Date: April 26, 2026
Title: League of California Cities (Cal Cities) support letter for Proposition 36, legislative priorities and key policy issues currently being advanced at the State level.

Background: The League of California Cities (Cal Cities) is actively advocating on behalf of cities statewide on a wide range of legislative and budget priorities impacting local government operations, funding, and authority.

During the current legislative session, nearly 1,800 bills have been introduced addressing key policy areas including housing, public safety, homelessness, infrastructure, and environmental quality.

These priorities align closely with the City of Needles’ strategic objectives related to economic development, infrastructure investment, and maintaining public safety while managing growth. Key legislative focus areas include:
• Housing, Community, and Economic Development: Efforts to expand housing production and funding, including proposed $10 billion housing bonds and reforms to streamline approvals and improve Housing Element timelines.
• Public Safety: Legislation targeting organized retail theft, DUI enforcement, and wildfire resilience, along with continued advocacy for sustained funding to support local law enforcement and emergency response. • Transportation and Infrastructure: Support for expanded contracting tools such as design-build and job order contracting, and long-term discussions regarding transportation funding mechanisms. • Community Services and Homelessness: Inclusion of approximately $500 million in Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) funding, with additional efforts to ensure smaller and rural communities have equitable access to these resources.
• Environmental Quality and Disaster Preparedness: Legislative proposals addressing wildfire mitigation, air quality, disaster recovery planning, and local response capacity.

A key advocacy priority for Cal Cities is securing $400 million in additional State funding to support implementation of Proposition 36, the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act approved by voters in 2024. Initial funding has been insufficient to fully implement the program—particularly for probation, treatment capacity, and accountability measures critical to its success.

The City of Needles has prepared a draft letter of support urging the Legislature to include this funding in the FY 2026–27 State Budget.

Fiscal Impact: None. This item provides policy direction only and does not commit City funds.

Recommendation: 1.Receive and file the Cal Cities legislative update; and

2. Authorize the Mayor to sign and submit a letter of support for the $400 million Proposition 36 funding request.

Submitted By: City Manager Patrick Martinez
City Manager Approval: Date:

Other Department Approval (when required): Date:
4/24/2026
Agenda Item 7.

Cal Cities Action Alert
Support $400 Million Funding Request for Proposition 36 Implementation
Action requested: Submit a letter and call your legislator urging support of a $400 million budget request to fully fund Proposition 36.

Why is this budget request important for cities:
 California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 36, the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act, in 2024. This measure created a new Treatment-Mandated Felony to address the surge in retail theft and shoplifting.  Last year, the Legislature provided approximately $100 million to begin Prop. 36 implementation, but no funding was provided for probation — a key factor to ensuring offenders are held accountable and receive treatment.  This $400 million budget request addresses the investments needed to expand service capacity, secure in-custody treatment, and allow for individualized planning and monitoring for those in our communities.

Additional background: Cal Cities is urging lawmakers to approve a $400 million request from Asm. Stephanie Nguyen and Sen. Catherine Blakespear for probation, accountability, and assessment. Cal Cities also testified in support of the funding during an Assembly Budget subcommittee in mid-March.

Links and attachments: Cal Cities support letter for the $400 million request and a sample city letter.

Where to send letters: Please send your letter to the staffer for Senate Budget Subcommittee #5 members (see below), your legislator, [email protected], and [email protected]
Senate Subcommittee 5 members and contact email.

Laura Richardson (Chair) [email protected]
Maria Elena Durazo [email protected]
Kelly Seyarto [email protected]
Questions? Please contact Jolena Voorhis, [email protected] or Serena Scott, [email protected] with any questions. We can also assist, if you need help finding the best email address for your legislator’s staff.

Agenda Item 7.

City of Needles
817 Third Street, Needles, California 92363
(760) 326-2113  FAX (760) 326-6765
www.cityofneedles.com
Mayor, Janet Jernigan
Vice Mayor Ellen Campbell
Councilmember Tona Belt
Councilmember Jamie McCorkle
Councilmember JoAnne Pogue
Councilmember Henry Longbrake
Councilmember Larry Ford
City Manager Patrick Martinez
April 28, 2026
The Honorable Laura Richardson The Honorable James Ramos Chair, Senate Budget Sub #5 Chair, Assembly Budget Sub #6 1021 O Street, Suite 7340 1021 O Street, Suite 8310
Sacramento, CA 95814 Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Proposition 36 Funding – Support Request for $400 Million in Funding for Recovery Support Services and Substance Use Treatment
Dear Honorable Members,
The City of Needles writes in strong support of the budget requests signed by Assembly Member Stephanie Nguyen and Senator Catherine Blakespear for additional funding in the amount of $400 million for probation and other services that are critical in the implementation of Proposition 36.

As you know, California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 36 (2024), the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act. This important measure made changes to drug and property theft crimes and created a new Treatment-Mandated Felony to address the surge in retail theft and shoplifting.

Funding to fully implement Proposition 36 is a top priority for our city. We are appreciative of the $115 million that was provided last year for the courts and behavioral health. However, more funding is needed to actualize the will of the voters.

Specifically, we support the request for $400 million to address the services needed to help ensure that treatment, when accompanied by supervision can increase the chances of successful rehabilitation. These investments are necessary to expand service capacity, secure in-custody treatment, and allow for individualized planning and monitoring for those in our communities. Absent real consequences and accountability, local governments cannot maximize treatment success.

For the City of Needles, a rural community with limited local resources, the need for this funding is especially critical. Our region faces ongoing challenges related to substance abuse, repeat property crime, and limited access to behavioral health and treatment services. Local law enforcement and emergency services are often the first—and sometimes only—point of response, placing significant strain on already limited staffing and resources. Without adequate funding for probation, treatment, and supervision, the goals of Proposition 36 cannot be fully realized at the local level.

For these reasons, the City of Needles urges the Legislature to include this important funding in the final FY 2026-27 State Budget and continue the progress being made in addressing retail theft, shoplifting and other crime in our communities.

Sincerely,
Janet Jernigan
Mayor
City of Needles
cc. Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez
State Senator Steve Padilla
Laura Varela, Regional Public Affairs Manager, at [email protected] League of California Cities, [email protected]
Agenda Item 7.

Strengthening California Cities through Advocacy and Education Follow us www.calcities.org Public Safety
Jolena Voorhis
Legislative Advocate
[email protected] • 916-658-8252
AB 1941 (Gonzalez, M) Organized metal theft.

This measure would enhance enforcement against copper wire theft by targeting repeat and organized offenders who steal, or traffic prohibited metal materials, and would establish a statewide data-sharing tool to allow for increased visibility into organized theft operations.

Cal Cities Position: Support/Co-Sponsor
Metal Theft
AB 1546 (Schultz) Vehicles: driving under the influence This measure would increase penalties for those with 2 previous DUI convictions to a wobbler and those with 4 or more with a felony.

Cal Cities Position: Support
AB 1662 (Wilson) Driving record: points: diversion
This measure provides that if a defendant has completed diversion from a DUI related charge the information must still be transmitted to the DMV to place on the individuals driving record.

Cal Cities Position: Support (Letter Pending)
Driving Under the Influence
AB 1874 (Wilson) Vehicles: Driver’s License Suspension and Revocation.

This measure would require that the court’s order of the revocation of a license begins when an individual is released from custody.

Cal Cities Position: Support (Letter Pending).

SB 907 (Archuleta) Driving under the influence: comprehensive reform.

This measure would make changes to the penalties for
committing vehicular manslaughter.

Cal Cities Position: Support (Letter Pending).

Driving Under the Influence
Fire Insurance/Wildfires
AB 1559 (Calderon) Residential property insurance images.

This measure would require notice to homeowners of any aerial footage to be taken during the policy period for purposes of insurance.

Cal Cities Position: Support
AB 1934 (Bennett) State Fire Marshall: home hardening.

This measure would require the Office of the State Fire Marshall to develop a certification program for home hardening by January 1, 2028.

Cal Cities Position: Support (Letter Pending)
Fire Insurance/Wildfires
AB 1986 (Bennett) Home Hardening.

This measure would require an insurance company to provide specific details on discounts available if home hardening is completed and certified by the Office of the State Fire Marshall.

Cal Cities Position: Support (Letter Pending).

AB 2724 (Bauer-Kahan) Catastrophe Modeling.

This measure would change the definition of distressed counties for the purposes of the Catastrophe Modeling regulations.

Cal Cities Position: Support (Letter Pending).

Fire Insurance/Wildfires
SB 911 (Becker) Transfer of real property: high fire severity zones This measure would require that when a property is being sold, the local fire agency must be provided notice regarding home hardening and if a no documentation is submitted within one year the local fire agency must conduct a compliance
inspection.

Cal Cities Position: Pending.

Fire Insurance/Wildfires
SB 959 (Grayson) Average Daily Attendance: emergencies
This measure would allow a fire chief to declare an evacuation in the case of an emergency.

Cal Cities Position: Support (Letter Pending)
SB 1270 (Richardson) Wildfire Mitigation Program: assistance to counties
This measure would expand the Wildfire Mitigation program to the top 10 most distressed counties.

Cal Cities Position: Pending
AB 2582 (Schultz) Crimes: prostitution.

This measure would provide diversion for those who have been arrested multiple times for loitering for prostitution.

Cal Cities Position: Pending.

AB 2749 (Sharpe-Collins) Crimes: loitering.

This measure would provide that a person is guilty of the loitering for prostitution only if the person takes a direct but ineffectual act towards its commission and the act must go beyond planning or preparation.

Cal Cities Position: Pending.

Loitering for Prostitution
SB 758 (Umberg) Public health: nitrous oxide.

This measure would prohibit the sale of nitrous oxide at retailers with a tobacco license except for grocery stores.

Cal Cities Position: Co-Sponsor.

SB 936 (Blakespear) Nitrous Oxide: sales.

This measure would prohibit the sale of nitrous oxide and create new penalties for selling the product including revoking the business license.

Cal Cities Position: Support.

Nitrous Oxide
AB 2076 (Lowenthal) The Parent’s Accountability and Child Protection Act: online marketplaces: nitrous oxide.

This measure would add nitrous oxide to the list of products that it is illegal to sell on-line unless age verification is provided by the buyer.

Cal Cities Position: Support (Letter pending).

SB 1314 (Menjivar) Smoke shops: locations, hours of operation and sale of nitrous oxide.

This measure would prohibit smoke shops from selling nitrous oxide and would prohibit the location of a smoke shop within 600 feet of a day care center.

Cal Cities Position: Track.

Nitrous Oxide
AB 1632 (Johnson) Trespass.

This measure would remove the notary requirement for a Trespass Letter of Authority and would extend the applicability of the request from 12 months to 3 years for properties with fire hazard, absent owners, or those closed to the public.

Cal Cities Position: Support.

AB 1959 (Patel) Juvenile justice. This measure would prohibit the recall and resentencing conviction of a juvenile convicted of murder and other serious crimes.

Cal Cities Position: Pending.

Public Safety - Miscellaneous
Strengthening California Cities
through Advocacy and Education Follow us www.calcities.org QUESTIONS?
Jolena Voorhis
Legislative Affairs, Lobbyist
[email protected] • 916-658-8252
Strengthening California Cities through Advocacy and Education Follow us www.calcities.org Transportation,
Communications, and
Public Works
Damon Conklin
Legislative Advocate
[email protected] 916-658-8234
Strengthening California Cities through Advocacy and Education Follow us www.calcities.org 2026 Cal Cities Advocacy Priorities
Public Safety. The progress cities have been making to
strengthen public safety must be sustained. Cities call on the state to respect the will of the voters and provide the resources needed to fully implement Proposition 36. Cities support sustained investments in police, fire services, and public works as a foundation of public safety.

Public works
SB 1001 (Archuleta) Emergency identification card program.

This measure would require the Office of Emergency Services to develop a public works and water utility worker identification program to issue identification cards to employees of a local municipality to authorize access to an area during or following a flood, storm, fire, earthquake, or other disaster, for the purpose of protection of public health and safety, preservation of life and property, and repair and restoration of water service.

Cal Cities Position: Support
Public works
AJR XX (Caloza) Public works: emergency responders.

This measure would recognize public works professionals play a vital role in disasters and other emergencies and are often often without fanfare, to support emergency response partners regardless of the hazard.

Cal Cities Position: Support (Once Introduced)
Public works
AB 1198 (Haney) Public works: prevailing wage.

This measure would mandate that is DIR determines, within a semiannual period, that there is a change in any prevailing rate of per diem wages in a locality, that determination applies to any public works contract that is awarded or for which notice to bidders is published after July 1, 2027. Requires wage increases to take effect during construction phase of PW project.

Cal Cities Position: Oppose
Public works
AB 1786 (Harabedian) Public works: best value.

This measure would extend existing best value construction contracting authority to cities and certain infrastructure focused joint powers authorities, creating parity with procurement tools already available to counties.

Cal Cities Position: Support
Public works
AB 2033 (Papan) Local agency public construction: job order contracting.

This measure would authorize cities to award individual annual job order contracts, for remodeling, not to exceed $500,000, to the lowest responsible bidder and be based on plans and
specifications for typical work.

Cal Cities Position: Support
Public works
SB 935 (Choi) Design-build.

This bill would make the design-build authority permanent, continue the requirement that certain submissions be certified under penalty of perjury, and specify that no state reimbursement is required.

Cal Cities Position: Support
Transportation
AB 1421 (Wilson) Road study: Technical advisory committee.

This measure would require the CA Transportation Commission, in consultation with the Transportation Agency, to consolidate and prepare research and recommendations related to a road user charge or a mileage-based fee system.

Cal Cities Position: Support
Transportation
AB 2679 (Hadwick) Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation
Account: funding apportionments: cities.

This measure would require the Controller, with respect to the revenues apportioned to cities, to apportion a minimum of $200,000 to each city, regardless of its population size.

Cal Cities Position: Concerns
Transportation
AB 1944 (Lee) Zero-emission transit buses: axle weight.

This measure would establish specified higher weight limitations up to 25,000 pounds for zero-emission transit buses procured through a solicitation process pursuant to which a solicitation was issued at various specified periods between January 1, 2027, and December 31, 2031
Cal Cities Position: Pending
Transportation
SB 1292 (Richardson) Enhanced curb management.

This measure provides cities with optional authority to modernize curb management and parking enforcement through
automated systems while including procedural safeguards related to privacy, oversight, and public outreach.

Cal Cities Position: Support
E-bikes
AB 1569 (Davies) Pupil safety.

AB 1614 (Dixon) Passengers: E-bike class 1 bikeway
AB 2346 (Wilson) Speedometer.

Cal Cities Position: Support
Pending TCPW Policy Committee
SB 1167 (Blakespear) Safety limits.

AB 1942 (Bauer-Kahan) Registration and special license plates.

AB 1557 (Papan) Power limits.

AB 2284 (Dixon) E-bike exclusionary list.

AB 2595 (Papan) San Mateo pilot.

SB 956 (Choi) Spot.

Permitting
SB 222 (Wiener) Water heaters and HVAC.

This measure seeks to adopt an overly prescriptive mandate over heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems that removes essential local permitting authority and threatens public safety.

Cal Cities Position: Oppose
Strengthening California Cities through Advocacy and Education Follow us www.calcities.org Non-legislation
2026 Regulations
Advanced Clean Fleet
Cal OSHA Gates
2026 Budget
$100 million for ZEV and Low Nox med-to-heavy duty
Caltrans Reporting: Advanced Clean Fleet
High-Speed Rail Authority TIF
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Tax Credit
Strengthening California Cities
through Advocacy and Education Follow us www.calcities.org QUESTIONS?
Damon Conklin
Legislative Advocate
[email protected] 916-658-8234
Strengthening California Cities through Advocacy and Education @calcities @calcities @calcities.org Budget and Legislative
Update
Speaker: Caroline Grinder, League of California Cities
Community services in the budget
Homelessness:

Includes $500 million for round
seven of the Homeless Housing,
Assistance, and Prevention
(HHAP) grant program promised
Funding is contingent on new
accountability metrics that will be
finalized this year.

Cal Cities Sponsored Bill
AB 1708 (Solache) HHAP Pathways for
Cities Act.

This measure would:

Create an opportunity for cities with
populations under 300,000 to access
state homelessness funding.

Require clear accountability metrics to
access the funds.

Give priority to cities that are
collaborating with local partners.

Cal Cities Position: Sponsor
Recovery housing: Sponsored Bills
SB 490 (Umberg) Alcohol and other drug programs.

This measure would require the Department of
Health Care Services (DHCS) to meet specific
timelines for investigating allegations of unlicensed
treatment services, allow counties to work with the
department to conduct site visits and enforce
licensure laws themselves, and require follow-up
site visits to ensure unlawful activity has stopped.

SB 329 (Blakespear) Alcohol and drug recovery or
treatment facilities: investigations.

This measure requires DHCS to complete timely
investigations into complaints about alcohol or
drug treatment facilities.

Cal Cities Position: Sponsor
Childcare
AB 1914 (Schiavo) General plan elements: childcare.

This measure would require that childcare be included in local general plans any time two or more elements are being updated after January 2028. Cities would be required to update all elements to include childcare, including land use, circulation, housing, safety, and environmental justice elements.

Cal Cities Position: Take to Policy Committee
Social Safety Net Programs
AB 2072 (Solache) CalFresh and WIC Contingency Fund.

This measure would create a state contingency fund to ensure the continued distribution of CalFresh and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits during any federal shutdown through January 20, 2029.

AB 2309 (Bains) CalFresh Protection Act.

This measure would require the State Department of Social Services to utilize state funds to ensure that CalFresh benefits continue to be issued to existing recipients.

Cal Cities Position: Take to Policy Committee
Food Deserts
AB 1674 (Ahrens) Food Affordability Act.

This measure would create a food desert elimination grant program to award grants to:

A developer or grocery store operator seeking to locate a grocery store in a food desert; or
An existing grocery store that provides food access in a lowaccess area to continue operation.

Requires local governments in a food desert to require an application for a new housing development to demonstrate that the project does not reduce site capacity for a large grocery store or require dedication of an equivalent space for grocery store use.

Cal Cities Position: Take to Policy Committee
Youth Homelessness
SB 492 (Menjivar) Youth Housing Bond Act of 2026.

This measure would create the Youth Housing Program within the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and authorizes $1 billion to be available for youth centers ($100 million) and youth housing ($900 million). The program would make awards to local agencies, nonprofit organizations, or joint ventures, for the purpose of acquiring, renovating, constructing, and purchasing equipment for youth housing.

Cal Cities Position: Take to Policy Committee
Emergency Preparedness
AB 2037 (Patterson) Wildfire Aging and Disability Grant Program.

This measure would establish a grant program administered by the California Department of Aging to award grants to seniors to mitigate against wildfires on properties they own.

SB 837 (Reyes) Disaster and emergency preparedness.

This measure would require Aging and Disability Resource Connection programs to provide disaster and emergency preparedness training to help older adults prepare for emergencies.

AB 1602 (Rubio) Foster youth: disaster aid assistance.

This measure would create the Child Welfare Disaster Response Account to support the needs of foster children and youth and their caregivers during a disaster.

Cal Cities Position: Pending Support
Other Pending Support Bills
AB 1996 (Bonta) California Child Poverty Reduction Council.

This measure would establish the California Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council to evaluate the impacts of policy proposals and budget provisions affecting children and child well-being.

SB 1314 (Menjivar) Smoke shops: locations, hours of operation.

This measure would prohibit a smoke shop's retail location from being within 600 feet of a school or day care center, and prohibit a smoke shop from making retail sales between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

AB 1954 (Ward) Municipal golf courses: reservations.

This measure would prohibit an operator of a third-party golf reservation service platform from advertising or selling reservations for a golf course owned by a local public agency without written authorization.

Cal Cities Position: Pending Support
Other Healthy Food Bills
AB 1731 (Wilson) California Healthy Food Procurement Fund Program.

This measure would establish the California Healthy Food Procurement Fund Program to increase procurement of healthy foods, including for institutions serving pupils in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12.

AB 2213 (Lee) California Healthy Food Financing Initiative This measure would create the California Healthy Food Financing Initiative to expand access to eliminate food deserts and prepare recommendations on actions to promote food access.

SB 1025 (Hurtado) Office of Food Security and Affordability.

This measure would establish the Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate outreach for food insecurity programs, establish and maintain a 24-hour toll-free hunger hotline, and establish best practices for food banks.

Cal Cities Position: Watch
Spot Bills to Keep an Eye on
AB 1924 (Gabriel) Statewide homelessness prevention strategy SB 865 (Ashby) Music Festivals
SB 866 (Blakespear) Emergency and Interim Shelter
SB 989 (Blakespear) Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program.

SB 1016 (Blakespear) Transitional housing bond.

Cal Cities Position: Watch
Other Recovery Housing Bills
AB 1779 (Davies) Ticket for round-trip transportation (CCAP) AB 1882 (Ellis) Spot bill
AB 2562 (Davies) Spot bill
AB 2614 (Dixon) Body brokering misdemeanor (Newport)
SB 1060 (Valladares) 6+ 1,000 ft away from school or daycare SB 1353 (Valladares) Spot bill
Homelessness (Two-year bills)
SB 569 (Blakespear) Department of Transportation: homeless encampments.

This bill would increase communication between the Department of Transportation and local governments to address
encampments on state property.

Cal Cities Position: Co-sponsor/Support
SB 16 (Blakespear) Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention program: housing element.

This measure would require all but 14 cities to provide additional information in their housing element on how their jurisdiction is responding to homelessness.

Cal Cities Position: Oppose unless amended
Strengthening California Cities
through Advocacy and Education
RPAM Bill Introduction
Legislative Update
March 10, 2026
Strengthening California Cities through Advocacy and Education @calcities @calcities @calcities.org HCED Live Bill List
Housing, Community, and Economic Development Hot Bills
Housing, Community, and Economic Development Priority
Bills
HCED Hot Bills
AB 2296 (Papan) Land Use
Currently a spot bill, the measure will be amended to significantly improve the housing element review process by encouraging local jurisdictions to begin planning earlier and providing greater clarity and certainty to a difficult and complex process.

Specifically, the measure will allow cities to begin planning 6 months earlier than the existing law, provide more certainty and technical assistance in the housing element review process, and implement several of the changes recommended in the
Cal Cities Position: Sponsor/Support
HCED Hot Bills
SB 908 (Wiener) Housing development: transit-oriented
development
Currently a spot bill, the measure will be amended and become SB 79 (Wiener, 2025) clean-up
office and sponsors to delay implementation until the 7th Regional Housing Needs Allocation Cycle (RHNA), require HCD to issue guidance about the proposal by a specific date, and establish a clear deadline for metropolitan planning organizations/councils of government to complete the required maps. Cal Cities has is a non-starter for the organization.

Cal Cities Position: Seeking Amendments
HCED Hot Bills
AB 736 (Wicks) The Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026
This measure would create a $10 billion housing bond to finance affordable rental housing and homeownership programs for the June 2026 Ballot.

Cal Cities Position: Support
HCED Hot Bills
SB 417 (Cabaldon) The Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026 This measure would create a $10 billion housing bond to finance affordable rental housing and homeownership programs for the November 2026 Ballot.

Cal Cities Position: Support
HCED Priority Bills
AB 1567 (Ta) General Plan: Annual Report: Congregate Care for the Elderly
This measure would allow local agencies to receive Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) credit for up to 15% of a residential living facilities.

Cal Cities Position: Support
HCED Priority Bills
AB 1621 (Wilson) Planning and Zoning Law: Postentitlement Phase Permits: Housing Accountability Act
This measure would prohibit local agencies from requiring more than 2 plan checks for a building permit unless the agency makes written findings based on substantial evidence that additional review is necessary to address a specific adverse impact on public health or safety.

Cal Cities Position: Oppose Unless Amended
HCED Priority Bills
AB 1623 (Davies) Planning and Zoning: Regional Housing Needs Allocation and Annual Report: Student Housing Quarters
This measure would allow local governments to receive RHNA credit for student housing quarters and would task HCD with determining which student housing quarters may count for RHNA.

Cal Cities Position: Pending
HCED Priority Bills
AB 1674 (Ahrens) Food Affordability Act
This measure would require project applicants to demonstrate that the new housing development will not reduce site capacity for a large grocery store or provide equivalent mitigation if the project is proposed in a food desert or in an area at risk of becoming one. The measure would require local agencies to review these requirements when reviewing applications for housing development projects.

Cal Cities Position: Take to Policy Committee
HCED Priority Bills
AB 1738 (Carrillo) State Housing Law: Remote Inspections This measure would require local governments to offer
homeowners an option for a remote inspection for a limited list of building permits by July 1, 2027. The measure would allow local governments, at their discretion, to conduct future inspections in person or remotely for those specific building permits that do not pass a remote inspection. Finally, the measure provides liability and immunity protections for local agencies if a remote inspection is used.

Cal Cities Position: Take to Policy Committee
HCED Priority Bills
AB 1751 (Quirk-Silva) Missing Middle Townhome Ownership Act This measure would require local governments to ministerially approve a proposed townhome, including their application, parcel map, or tentative final map, in areas zoned for multifamily housing or underutilized land zoned for single-family residential housing.

Cal Cities Position: Pending
HCED Priority Bills
AB 1914 (Schiavo) General Plan Elements: Childcare
This measure would require local governments, after January 1, 2028, to update the land use, circulation, housing, safety, and environmental justice elements as needed to address childcare needs in the jurisdiction when the agency updates two or more general plan elements at one time.

Cal Cities Position: Take to Policy Committee
HCED Priority Bills
AB 1997 (Lee) Land Use: Housing Development Approvals:

Timelines and Processes
This measure would prohibit local governments from overturning or revising a permit once a local utility or agency has approved the project. Additionally, the measure would require local governments with a population of 250K or more to assign a single development director to coordinate all aspects of the
development application from permitting to entitlement. Finally, the measure would require a public agency to approve or deny a development project after certification of an environmental impact report within 30-90 days, depending on whether the housing is an affordable housing project or not.

Cal Cities Position: Pending
HCED Priority Bills
AB 2002 (Solache) Local Government Assistance: Regional Early Action Planning Fund
This measure would establish the Regional Early Action Planning Fund in the State Treasury to provide councils of government, regional entities, and jurisdictions with one-time grants for planning activities necessary to meet the requirements of the 7th RHNA Cycle.

Cal Cities Position: Support In Concept
HCED Priority Bills
AB 2288 (Quirk-Silva) Adaptive Reuse: Industrial Zones
This measure would require local agencies to approve adaptive reuse projects by-right in industrial zones.

Cal Cities Position: Pending
HCED Priority Bills
AB 2418 (M. Gonzalez) Local Building Permits: Nonresidential Private Permitting Review
This measure would require local agencies to hire a third-party inspector if a project applicant requests it and the local agency takes more than 30 days to review a completed nonresidential building permit application. If a local agency cannot find an entity or person to review the permit, a project applicant may request and pay for a third-party inspector instead. Additionally, if an applicant uses a third-party inspector, the local agency must approve the permit within 10 business days of receiving it back from the third-party inspector, or it is deemed approved. Finally, the measure provides liability and indemnification for local agencies on any permit reviewed by a third-party inspector.

Cal Cities Position: Pending
HCED Priority Bills
AB 2433 (Alvarez) Housing Development: Affordable Homes Bonus This measure would require local agencies to ministerially approve a density bonus law (DBL) project. Additionally, the measure would increase the number of concessions or waivers a project applicant could qualify for under DBL without increasing the number of affordable units a developer must build. The measure also allows density bonuses to be permitted within or outside the geographic areas of the housing development where the affordable or marketrate units are located. Finally, the measure would require local agencies to adopt procedures and timelines to notify an applicant that a project is eligible for a density bonus and to process a density bonus application.

Cal Cities Position: Pending
HCED Priority Bills
AB 2601 (Lee) Planning and Zoning: Housing Development:

Streamlined Approval and Subdivisions
This measure would allow an SB 9 (Atkins, 2021) project to receive concurrent processing with an application for a parcel map or final map for a proposed subdivision. Additionally, the measure would allow the primary dwellings or existing dwellings in an urban lot split to be developed or converted into condominiums upon the applicant's request.

Cal Cities Position: Pending
HCED Priority Bills
AB 2748 (Quirk-Silva) Building Standards: Affordable Housing Developments: Electric Vehicle Charging
This measure would exempt a 100% affordable housing project from installing electric-vehicle charging standards as required by the 2025 California Green Building Code and local building standards from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2035.

Cal Cities Position: Take to Policy Committee
HCED Priority Bills
SB 722 (Wahab) Transit-Oriented Housing Development: Excluded Parcels and Sites
This measure would exempt existing mobile home parks,
recreational vehicle parks, and special occupancy parks from the requirements of SB 79 (Wiener 2025).

Cal Cities Position: Support
HCED Priority Bills
SB 1014 (Grayson) Development Projects: Onsite and Offsite Improvements
This measure would require a local agency within 30 days of receiving a preliminary application for a housing development project to provide a list of any required offsite or onsite improvements and an estimate of the cost for the improvements to the project applicant.

Cal Cities Position: Pending
HCED Priority Bills
SB 1036 (Grayson) Mitigation Fee Act
This measure would require a local agency to provide a fee credit or reduce the mitigation fee by an amount proportionate to the change in use of a site.

Cal Cities Position: Pending
HCED Priority Bills
SB 1086 (Dahle) Zoning: Allowed Uses: Microschools and MicroEducation Entities This measure would require local agencies to ministerially approve a micro-education or microschool project in areas zoned for residential, mixed-use, commercial, or industrial zones if the proposed project meets the specific definitions in the bill.

Cal Cities Position: Pending
HCED Priority Bills
SB 1116 (Caballero) Planning and Zoning: Housing Development Projects: Subdivisions
This measure would require new height and setback requirements under the Subdivision Map Act for smaller starter homes.

Additionally, the measure would require local agencies to ministerially approve smaller starter homes with minimum sizes that vary depending on whether the plot is zoned for multifamily or single-family residential.

Cal Cities Position: Pending
HCED Priority Bills
SB 1117 (Cervantes) Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units
This measure would further limit local governments' ability to charge impact fees on ADUs with more than 750 square feet of interior livable space. Specifically, the measure would allow local agencies to charge only the proportional cost of impact fees for ADUs with more than 750 square feet.

Cal Cities Position: Pending
HCED Priority Bills
SB 1216 (Cabaldon) Planning and Zoning Law: Housing Leadership Designation
This measure would provide production-based incentives to local governments that permit a set number of housing units per 1,000 affordability as determined by the median purchase price of a home in the jurisdiction and the area median household income.

Cal Cities Position: Track
HCED Priority Bills
SB 1258 (Wiener) Streamlined Housing Approvals: Hazardous Waste Sites
This measure would require local agencies to ministerially approve housing projects in hazardous waste sites if a local health officer determines that the site is viable for residential use or residential mixed-use and meets various other requirements.

Cal Cities Position: Pending
Strengthening California Cities through Advocacy and Education @calcities @calcities @calcities.org Spot Bills to Closely Monitor
SB 1003 (Grayson) Development Projects
SB 1169 (Grayson) Land Use: Subdivision Map Act
AB 2005 (Ahrens) Housing Developments: Urban Lot Split: Parcel Maps AB 2074 (Haney) Land Use
AB 1815 (Wicks) Factory-Built Housing
Strengthening California Cities through Advocacy and Education @calcities @calcities @calcities.org Spot Bills to Closely Monitor
AB 2741 (Muratsuchi) Housing Element: Inventory of Land: Substantial Compliance AB 2079 (Elhawary) Adaptive Reuse
AB 2094 (Harabedian) Affordable Housing
AB 2127 (Johnson) Accessory Dwelling Units
AB 2177 (Bennett) Planning and Zoning Law: Open-Space Zoning SB 1312 (Richardson) Cemetery and Funeral Bureau: Advisory Committee Strengthening California Cities
through Advocacy and Education Follow us www.calcities.org QUESTIONS?
Brady Guertin
Legislative Advocate, HCED
[email protected] 916-658-8255
Strengthening California Cities
through Advocacy and Education
Environmental Quality
Legislative Bills
March 12, 2026
Strengthening California Cities through Advocacy and Education Follow us www.calcities.org Air Quality Updates Wildfire smoke
SB 899 (Grove) Fire prevention: Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force: wildfire smoke.

This measure would require the Task Force to evaluate health costs, impacts of high severity wildfire smoke and further actions to mitigate smoke health impacts in the subsequent action plan update.

Position: Support
AB 2586 (Rodriguez, Celeste): Fire prevention: air quality and smoke monitoring.

This measure is a spot bill related to improving air quality and smoke monitoring, and to conduct a public awareness
campaign about prescribed burns.

Position: Tracked
Air quality spot bills
AB 2712 (Ellis): Oil and gas: restrictions: health protection zones.

This measure is a spot bill that would modify the 3,200-foot setback for oil and gas wells to be redefined based on emission data, not sensitive receptor proximity.

Position: Tracked
SB 1075 (Reyes): Air resources: toxic air contaminants: criteria air pollutants: community emissions reduction programs.

This measure is a spot bill
to develop a strategy to decrease air contaminants and
pollutants in communities with high exposure levels.

Position: Tracked
Strengthening California Cities through Advocacy and Education Follow us www.calcities.org Climate Change Updates Climate change
AB 35 (Alvarez):Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024: Administrative Procedure Act: exemption: program guidelines.

This measure would no longer required each state agency to complete emergency regulations to administer the climate bond funding and would exempt the adoption of regulations for these programs from the Administrative Procedure Act for future climate bond allocations. Instead, the bill would required state agencies administering funding to develop draft project guidelines and submit them to the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, who would be required to post them online.

The bill would permit the use of existing guidelines and criteria and is set to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.

Position: Support
Strengthening California Cities through Advocacy and Education Follow us www.calcities.org CEQA Updates CEQA & Tribal
AB 1881 (Ramos) California Tribal Religious Freedom.

This bill would expand existing protections by prohibiting government agencies from burdening tribes' religious practices unless there's a compelling reason and would require early consultation on any state or local agency land use, permitting, or funding action and gain consent from tribes for projects affecting sacred sites. The bill would mandate that any such project should avoid harming sacred sites and would allow tribal access for ceremonial purposes. The bill would require information that sacred sites must remain confidential, exempt from the California Public Records Act.

Position: Pending
CEQA Clean Up
SB 299 (Cabaldon) California Environmental Quality Act:
exemption: day care centers.

This bill would clean up the CEQA exemptions from SB 131 last year, to ensure the CEQA exemption for day care centers applies in residential areas and not exclusively in industrial areas.

Position: Support
AB 1553 (Connolly): California Environmental Quality Act.

This is a spot bill for CEQA clean up from 2025.

Position: Tracked
SB 954 (Blakespear): California Environmental Quality Act: natural and working lands: advanced manufacturing: day care centers.

This is a spot bill for CEQA clean up from 2025.

Position: Tracked Strengthening California Cities through Advocacy and Education Follow us www.calcities.org Disaster Preparedness Updates
Disaster preparedness
AB 262 (Caloza) California Individual Assistance Act.

This measure would establish the California Individual Assistance Act under the Office of Emergency Services to distribute funding to local agencies, community-based organizations, and
individuals with assistance following a disaster.

Position: Sponsor
Disaster preparedness
AB 1866 (Rogers) California Disaster Assistance Act: minimum damage threshold.

This measure would strengthen the California Disaster Assistance Act by ensuring that the state prioritizes local agencies that do not qualify for federal disaster aid (FEMA) for consideration of state disaster public assistance following a state-declared emergency.

Position: Sponsor
Disaster preparedness
AB 2385 (Petrie-Norris) Local reconstruction agencies.

This measure would allow a city or county to adopt a disaster recovery plan, consistent with its general plan. The bill would require the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation, in consultation with other specified state and local entities, to assess the recovery and rebuilding needs of jurisdictions across the state and prepare guidance on disaster recovery plans, including model ordinance language. This bill would authorize a city, county, or other local subdivision of the state to adopt an ordinance prior to a disaster, which could be invoked as soon as possible after a disaster, that would establish a local reconstruction agency to coordinate disaster recovery efforts in the areas impacted by the disaster.

Position: Support
Wildfire preparedness
AB 2517 (Calderon) Fire safety: fire hazard severity zones.

This measure would improve the Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) designation process conducted by the Office of the State Fire Marshal by ensuring consistent and timely updates to the Local Responsibility Area FHSZ maps and establishing a more
transparent, publicly accessible process at the state level for developing and releasing these designations. .

Position: Sponsor
Wildfire preparedness
AB 2410 (Ellis): Wildfire safety: fuels reduction projects: California Environmental Quality Act: California Coastal Act.

This measure would, on or before January 31, 2028, require the California Environmental Protection Agency and the Natural Resources Agency to each report to the Legislature information necessary for vegetation management and defensible space projects.

Position: Support
Wildfire liability spot bills
AB 1554 (Calderon): California Earthquake Authority.

This measure is a spot bill that would require the CEA to provide an annual report to the Senate Committee on Insurance and the Assembly Committee on Insurance. The bill would specify that the certified examination and verification report be posted on the Position: Tracked
SB 1370 (Stern): Wildfire Fund: report.

This measure is a spot bill that would authorize the CEA to issue recommendations to the legislature based on the SB 254 report.

Position: Tracked
Wildfire contamination
AB 1642 (Harabedian): Wildfires: contamination standards.

This measure would require DTSC to adopt, no later than July 1, 2027, emergency regulations specifying the science-informed, health-based standards for investigation, environmental testing, and clearance, to guide the removal of lead and asbestos inside and outside of homes, schools, workplaces, and other structures in residential areas after a wildfire. The bill would also require DTSC, in consultation with the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, to adopt regulations by July 1, 2028, specifying science-informed, health-based standards for hazardous chemicals following a wildfire, and would require those standards to be established at chemical levels to ensure safe re-occupancy and prevent new cancer cases attributable to such fires, as provided.

Position: Take to Policy Committee
Wildfire & public water systems
SB 1417 (Perez): Disaster preparedness: public water system.

This measure would require a disaster-impacted public water system to conduct a disaster impact assessment within 6 months of a disaster, in coordination with the disaster-impacted county before receiving state funding. The bill would require the assessment to include specified components, including
determining whether the best interest of the affected residences requires becoming a consolidated water system in order to ensure access to quality water and adequate supply. The bill would require the assessment to be provided to the State Water Resources Control Board.

Position: Take to Policy Committee
Wildfire & public water systems
AB 2013 (Bennett): Fire risk areas: water suppliers: emergency disaster preparedness plan.

This bill would require a water supplier that services more than 100 customers that are located in a moderate, high, or very high fire hazard severity zone to establish an emergency preparedness plan for response to red flag warnings, extreme weather events, and other major power outages or emergencies that pose a potential threat to providing adequate water service.

Position: Take to Policy Committee
Strengthening California Cities through Advocacy and Education Follow us www.calcities.org Energy Updates
Power charge indifference adjustment (PCIA)
AB 1761 (Rogers) Electricity: calculation methodology: data disclosure.

This measure would require the CPUC to ensure that all data relied on in any decision or ruling, or in any proposal or analysis any other party, for the determination or application of a calculation methodology for any charge imposed on customers of a load-serving entity to recover the cost of contracts or resources owned by an electrical corporation or any value derived from that calculation (PCIA) is made available to loadserving entities and ratepayer advocates on behalf of customers.

Position: Support
Data centers
AB 1577 (Bauer-Kahan) Data centers: monthly reporting.

This measure would require the CEC to establish a process for the owner of a data center to submit specified information to the usage effectiveness, water usage effectiveness, and total water consumption and the quantity of fuel consumed by onsite generators or other fuel-based energy systems. The bill would require the CEC, as part of the 2029 edition of the integrated energy policy report, to include an assessment of electrical load trends for data centers.

Position: Support
Data centers
SB 886 (Padilla) California Technology Innovation and Ratepayer Protection Act.

This measure, the California Technology Innovation and
Ratepayer Protection Act, would require the Public Utilities Commission, on or before July 1, 2027, to establish or modify an electrical corporation tariff for the interconnection of the participating large load customer facilities in providing transmission, distribution, and generation services. This measure would require the Commission to ensure that such costs are not shifted to non-large load customers.

Position: Pending
Data centers tracked bills
AB 2619 (Papan) Water resources: data centers.

This bill would require a person who owns or operates a data center, to share relevant water use information to their water supplier prior to applying to a city or a county for an initial business license, equivalent instrument, or permit. This bill would require a person who owns or operates a data center to report its water use when applying or renewing to a city or county for an initial business license. The bill would require the Department of Water Resources and the California Energy Commission to develop guidelines and best practices to maximize the use of natural resources to address the developing and emerging needs of technology in California. On or before January 1, 2029, the department would be required to develop guidance that cities and counties may use for assessing projected water use impacts of proposed data centers.

Position: Pending
Data centers tracked bills
SB 887 (Padilla) CEQA: environmental leadership development projects: data centers: clean energy powerplant projects.

SB 943 (Becker) Public utilities: electricity: transmission charge:
industrial transition usage.

SB 978 (Perez) Large-scale energy facilities: labor: electricity rates.

SB 1168 (McNerney) Data centers: natural gas and electricity:
surcharges.

Energy bills to take to committee
SB 1138 (Padilla): Load-serving entities: resource adequacy requirements.

This bill would require the CPUC to permit a load-serving entity, including IOUs, ESPs, and CCAs, to demonstrate compliance with resource adequacy requirements by selling to, or otherwise making transactions with, another load-serving entity to meet not more than 25% of its compliance obligation.

AB 2266 (Schultz): Load-serving entities.

This bill would require the CPUC, on and after January 1, 2030, when setting certain resource adequacy and resource
procurement obligations for load-serving entities, including IOUs, ESPs, and CCAs, to use the same capacity valuation method to assess the reliability contribution of each resource type.

Strengthening California Cities through Advocacy and Education Follow us www.calcities.org Water Updates Water quality: PFAS
SB 1313 (McNerney) PFAS: State Revolving Fund
This measure would clarify that PFAS treatment and infrastructure projects that remove forever chemicals from local water supplies are eligible for funding under the State Revolving Fund programs.

Position: Sponsor
Wastewater
SB 1081 (Laird) Waste discharge requirements: minimum
penalties: exception: publicly owned treatment works.

This measure would change the definition to include communities with 3,000 or fewer residents when determining financial hardship related to waste discharge permit violations.

Position: Support
Water supply planning
SB 1085 (Durazo) Water supply planning: CEQA determination.

This measure would require a city or county to identify a public water systems to conduct a water supply assessment for certain projects that the city or county approves, without regard to whether the project is determined to be subject to the
requirements of CEQA.

Position: Pending
Water rates
AB 2180 (Ward) Local government: Proposition 218: Omnibus Implementation Act: proportional cost of service.

This measure would authorize a local government to demonstrate the proportional cost of the service attributable to a parcel by any method that reasonably allocates the ascertainable cost of providing service to all parcels, if substantiated. The bill would provide that for water or sewer service fee or charge impositions a local government is not required to provide an exact measure of the cost of the service at each parcel and may instead impose uniform or tiered rates to parcel or customer classes that are defined based on common characteristics indicative of likely water or sewer use.

Position: Support
Strengthening California Cities through Advocacy and Education Follow us www.calcities.org Solid Waste & Recycling
Updates
Solid Waste: Vapes
AB 762 (Irwin) Disposable, battery-embedded vapor inhalation device: prohibition.

This measure would ban disposable, battery-embedded vapor inhalation devices.

Position: Support
AB 2667 (Hadwick): Vape products: household hazardous waste:
advertising.

This measure would mandate that no later than January 1, 2030, DTSC develop approaches to improve safety and convenience in managing confiscated vape pens from schools. It also would allow designated facilities to disassemble vape pens safely. The bill would prohibit misleading marketing practices for vape products, such as mimicking non-vape products, utilizing branding attractive to minors, or incorporating video game features.

Position: Support
Solid Waste
AB 1812 (Aguiar-Curry) Solid waste: compostable products:
regulations.

This measure would ban the sale of product labeled as
distinguishable from non-compostable products. The bill would require CalRecycle to develop regulations to ensure compliance that non-compostable product are not entering and
contaminating the compost stream.

Position: Support
Solid Waste
AB 2253 (Boerner) Solid waste: environmental marketing claims.

This measure would require that all recycled content of plastic must adhere to the Federal Trades Commission standards as of January 1, 2026, and would ensure that recycled content claims are based on actual physical content without using certain accounting methods.

Position: Support
Solid Waste
AB 2462 (Pellerin) Unsafe products: disposal: penalties.

Existing law requires manufacturers to provide free safe return or disposal of unsafe products not only to consumers or retailers but also to recycling centers, municipal facilities, and other specified locations. This measure would also increase the daily
administrative penalty of $2,500 for general violations or $5,000 if there are violations. CalRecycle would handle these penalties, with the collected fines deposited into a new Product Recall Penalty Account.

Position: Support
Solid Waste
SB 1371 (Durazo) Solid waste handling services: labor disputes.

This measure would prohibit franchise agreements from including a force majeure clause that would relieve service providers from their obligations during a labor dispute. Any existing force majeure provisions in these agreements that allow suspension of services due to labor disputes would be considered void and unenforceable.

Position: Pending
Recycling
SB 1180 (Allen D ) Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act: California Plastic Pollution Mitigation Fund.

This measure would require simplified application processes and technical support for grant programs, reimburses certain costs, and restricts fund usage for the PPMF. The bill would require the Secretary for Environmental Protection to report annually on all fund expenditures.

Position: Support
Household hazardous waste
AB 1617 (Alanis) Household hazardous waste: reporting.

This measure would change the household hazardous waste reporting deadlines to account for the prior calendar year, rather than fiscal year, on the annual reporting deadline of October 1.

Position: Support
Illegal dumping
SB 1218 (Arreguin) Refusal of registration: illegal dumping violation penalties.

This measure would require the California Department of Motor Vehicles to refuse to renew the registration of a vehicle until the registered owner or lessee has been mailed and addresses a notice of delinquent illegal dumping violation.

Position: Support
Strengthening California Cities through Advocacy and Education Follow us www.calcities.org Coastal Updates Coastal planning
AB 2373 (Dixon) Neighborhood scale adaptation approach.

The measure would authorize local governments lying, in whole or in part, within the coastal zone to include a neighborhood-scale adaptation approach, when including land use policies and implementation measures in their local coastal program or sea level rise plan. The bill would define the neighborhood-scale adaptation approach to include, but not be limited to, the identification of areas and assets that are subject to the approach and policies that reflect the shared planning features and specific preferred adaptation strategies for different areas or development types based on the geophysical and land use characteristics intended to minimize, mitigate, or avoid coastal impacts.

Position: Sponsor
TAKE ACTION: Join the Support Coalition
Federal Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Program
The Bureau of Ocean
(BOEM) 5-year plan for
drilling in U.S. federal
waters (from 3 - 200
miles offshore) was
released Nov. 20, 2025.

Jan. 27 to Feb. 26, 2026
was a 30 day public
comment period.

Call for Local Action
facilities ordinances
Offshore oil
AB 1536 (Addis): Offshore Oil.

The measure would express the Legislature's intent to introduce future legislation concerning the legal authority on offshore oil permitting and regulation. It also aims to introduce or maintain protections for communities affected by offshore oil transportation and procurement.

Position: Tracked
SJR 12 (Laird): Proposed 2026 2031 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program: opposition.

This measure would request that the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management hold public hearings in California on the proposed 2026 2031 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program and prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement to accompany the program. The measure would strongly and unequivocally oppose any new offshore drilling and declare unequivocal support for the current federal prohibition on new oil or gas drilling in federal waters offshore of the Pacific coast.

Position: Support
Coastal planning
AB 1938 (Irwin) Coastal recreation: designated state surfing reserves
This measure would propose the Ocean Protection Council develop criteria and an application process by July 1, 2027, for designating areas of the coastline as state surfing reserves. The bill would allow local governments to apply to have parts of their coastline designated as surfing reserves by describing the area in their application. If the area meets the established criteria, the Council will approve the designation and publicize it.

Position: Support if Amended
Coastal planning
AB 2254 (Addis) Monarch butterflies: conservation.

This measure would require, on or before July 1, 2027, the Coastal Commission to develop and provide guidance on model policies to be used by a local government for the protection of monarch butterfly overwintering habitat. The bill would require, on and after July 1, 2027, a local government with a monarch butterfly overwintering habitat site located within the coastal zone to to include monarch butterfly overwintering habitat site protection policies in their local coastal program (LCP) at the time of their next amendment of their LCP
Position: Opposed Unless Amended (Letter Pending)
Coastal planning
AB 1740 (Zbur) Coastal resources: coastal development permits:
urban multimodal communities: bicycle facilities.

This measure would allow cities to designate as "urban multimodal communities" if they have at least one high-quality transit corridor or transit priority area, plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and traffic-related fatalities, and specified bicycle facilities. If these criteria are met, cities must submit documentation to the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation and post it online. In designated urban multimodal communities, some developments will not require a coastal development permit. The bill also exempts installing specified bicycle facilities within the right-of-way of a state highway from requiring a coastal development permit, as long as they do not remove existing public coastal accessways.

Position: Pending
Coastal planning
SB 1229 (Allen): Coastal resources: coastal development permits:
disaster exemption.

This measure would limit the coastal development permit exemption for the replacement of a structure damaged in a disaster to the property owner on record for the property who was listed as the property owner on record immediately
preceding the disaster.

Position: Tracked
Coastal planning
AB 2051 (Wicks) Public resources: Coastal Resilience Permitting Working Group
This measure would require the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, in consultation with the Secretary for Environmental Protection, to form a Coastal Resilience Permitting Working Group. This group, made up of representatives from federal, state, and local agencies, would create a Coastal Resilience Permitting Roadmap for projects in designated areas. By April 1, 2027, the California Coastal Commission and the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development
Commission, collaborating with other relevant agencies, must establish a Coastal Resilience Permit Advisory Group to aid the Working Group.

The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency is required to present this roadmap to the Governor and legislative committees by January 1, 2028.

Position: Pending
Strengthening California Cities
through Advocacy and Education Follow us www.calcities.org QUESTIONS?
Melissa Sparks-Kranz
Legislative Advocate
[email protected] 916-658-8232
City of Needles, California
Request for City Council Action
CITY COUNCIL NPUA HACN Regular Special
Meeting Date: April 28, 2026
Title: Authorize the Mayor to Sign a Letter of Opposition to Assembly Bill 1678

Background: The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) Board of Directors has unanimously voted to oppose Assembly Bill 1678 (AB 1678), authored by Assemblymember John Harabedian.

AB 1678 proposes to remove the existing Metro Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority’s responsibility for extending the Metro A Line (formerly the Gold Line) beyond Claremont and instead create a new entity, the Claremontclair Authority (CMA), to deliver the project from Claremont to Montclair.

While the City supports regional transit investment, AB 1678 raises significant concerns related to local control, financial exposure, and governance. As outlined in the attached opposition letter, the bill would override locally adopted transportation priorities and remove decision-making authority from SBCTA and other affected local agencies.

The proposed structure could expose local agencies to substantial financial risk by potentially requiring the transfer of assets without adequate protections and limiting the ability of local jurisdictions to negotiate operations and maintenance agreements prior to project delivery. Additionally, the bill may pre-commit local agencies to long-term operational funding obligations without defined terms or cost controls.

AB 1678 also creates governance concerns by allowing external agencies to review and influence project decisions while limiting meaningful oversight by local jurisdictions directly impacted by the project. These provisions raise broader concerns regarding accountability, fiscal responsibility, and the precedent of State-directed project delivery without local approval.

Given these concerns, SBCTA is requesting member agency support in opposing AB 1678 to preserve local control over transportation planning decisions and protect regional financial resources.

Fiscal Impact: None. This action does not commit City funds.

Environmental Impact: None.

Recommendation: Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of opposition to Assembly Bill 1678.

Submitted By: Patrick Martinez, City Manager
City Manager Approval: Date:

Other Department Approval (when required): Date:
4/24/2026
Agenda Item 8.

City of Needles
817 Third Street, Needles, California 92363
(760) 326-2113  FAX (760) 326-6765
www.cityofneedles.com
Mayor, Janet Jernigan
Vice Mayor Ellen Campbell
Councilmember Tona Belt
Councilmember Jamie McCorkle
Councilmember JoAnne Pogue
Councilmember Henry Longbrake
Councilmember Larry Ford
City Manager Patrick Martinez
April 28, 2026
The Honorable Lori D. Wilson
Chair, Assembly Committee on Transportation
California State Assembly
1020 N Street, Suite 112
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: AB 1678 (Harabedian) – OPPOSE
Dear Chair Wilson,
On behalf of the City of Needles, I am writing to express our opposition to Assembly Bill (AB) 1678 by Assemblymember John Harabedian.

AB 1678 would remove the existing Metro Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority’s responsibility for extending the A Line (formerly the Gold Line) beyond Claremont and create a new authority – the Claremontclair Authority (CMA) – to deliver the extension from Claremont to Montclair. While the City of Needles supports expanding high-quality transit service in our region, this bill raises significant legal, financial, and governance concerns and sets a troubling precedent for the State to mandate that local agencies build, fund, and operate specific projects regardless of locally adopted priorities or funding capacity.

Most concerning, AB 1678 exposes local agencies to substantial risk while limiting their authority. The bill would require the transfer of assets at the discretion of the CMA without adequate protections for local agency interests, including right-of-way protections and risk mitigation. It also grants the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) – but not affected local agencies – the authority to review significant project changes, effectively excluding local jurisdictions from meaningful oversight of a project within their own communities.

Additionally, the bill creates significant and ongoing financial exposure. Local agencies could be precluded from negotiating operations and maintenance agreements until after construction begins, effectively pre-committing them to fund operations without defined terms. This structure risks obligating local jurisdictions to cover ongoing operating costs without meaningful oversight or cost control.

These concerns are particularly significant given the history of the project, which has experienced ongoing cost escalation, repeated delays, and uncertainty regarding delivery. In response, local and regional agencies have begun advancing alternative transit strategies that better reflect current conditions, prioritize fiscal responsibility, and deliver more reliable mobility outcomes.

AB 1678 would override these locally adopted policy directions, undermining the authority of local elected officials to determine which transportation projects are advanced and funded in their communities. It raises broader concerns regarding accountability and the responsible stewardship of limited transportation resources.

For these reasons, [Organization Name] respectfully opposes AB 1678. The bill exposes local taxpayers to significant financial risk, weakens local control, and sets a precedent that could have far-reaching implications for other regions across the state.

We remain committed to working collaboratively on transportation solutions that are fiscally responsible, locally supported, and deliver meaningful mobility improvements for the communities we serve.

Sincerely,
Janet Jernigan
Mayor, City of Needles
Cc: San Bernardino County Legislative Delegation
Assembly Transportation Committee
Agenda Item 8.

City of Needles, California
Request for City Council Action
CITY COUNCIL NPUA Regular Special
Meeting Date: April 14, 2026
Title: Ordinance No. 680-AC Amending Chapter 13, Article IV of the Needles Municipal Code to Prohibit Commercial Trucks Over 26,000 Pounds Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) from Parking on Residential Streets and in City Parks Background: This item recommends adoption of Ordinance No. 680-AC amending Chapter 13, Article IV (Use of Certain Streets by Commercial Vehicles Prohibited) of the Needles Municipal Code to prohibit commercial trucks over 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) from parking on residential streets and within City parks.

At the April 12, 2026 City Council meeting, Council provided direction to staff to focus the ordinance on restricting the parking of large commercial vehicles, including semi-trucks and other heavy-duty trucks, within residential neighborhoods. Staff has expanded this approach to also address impacts within City parks, where similar concerns related to safety, access, and facility use have been identified.

On February 28, 2023, the City Council adopted the Land Use & Transportation Element, which established a framework for identifying a truck network to support industrial and commercial growth while minimizing impacts to residential areas and sensitive receptors. The Transportation Element recommends limiting heavy truck impacts in residential areas and community-serving spaces.

On November 18, 2025, the City Council requested that staff evaluate options to reduce heavy truck impacts in residential areas and near schools.

The proposed ordinance, prepared in consultation with the City Attorney and consistent with applicable provisions of the California Vehicle Code, establishes the following:

Parking Restrictions
• Prohibits commercial trucks over 26,000 pounds GVWR from parking on residential streets • Prohibits commercial trucks over 26,000 pounds GVWR from parking within City parks • Focuses enforcement on stationary vehicles rather than restricting roadway access • Targets large commercial vehicles, including semi-trucks and similar heavy-duty vehicles Exemptions
• Allows temporary parking for active loading and unloading • Allows access for deliveries, utilities, emergency vehicles, solid waste services, and municipal operations • Provides flexibility for necessary short-term operational needs Implementation
• Requires installation of appropriate regulatory signage prior to enforcement • Authorizes administrative citation enforcement for violations • Establishes clear and enforceable standards for compliance Purpose and Benefits
The ordinance is intended to:
• Improve neighborhood livability and safety
• Protect public parks and recreational spaces from incompatible vehicle use • Reduce noise, congestion, and visual impacts in residential and community areas • Minimize roadway and park infrastructure damage caused by heavy vehicles • Align with adopted transportation policies while supporting economic activity on appropriate routes Agenda Item 9.

This approach balances the need to support commercial and industrial activity while protecting residential neighborhoods and public spaces from the impacts of long-term parking of heavy commercial vehicles.

Fiscal Impact: Costs associated with installation of regulatory signage and enforcement. Costs are expected to be minimal and can be accommodated within existing departmental budgets.

Recommendation: Adopt Ordinance 680-AC of the City Council of the City of Needles California, Amending Chapter 13, Article IV of the Needles Municipal Code to Prohibit Commercial Trucks Over 26,000 Pounds Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) from Parking on Residential Streets and in City Parks
Submitted By: Kathy Raasch, Director of Development Services/Capital Projects Lena Wade, Esq., Deputy City Attorney
City Manager Approval: Date:

Other Department Approval (when required): Date:
4/24/26
Agenda Item 9.

ORDINANCE 680-AC

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEEDLES REPEALING AND REPLACING CHAPTER 13, ARTICLE IV, SECTION 13-35.1 ENTITLED “USE OF CERTAIN STREETS BY OVERSIZED VEHICLES PROHIBITED” WHEREAS, California Vehicle Code Section 35701 authorizes the City of Needles (“City”) to adopt ordinances prohibiting the use of streets by certain vehicles exceeding a specified weight when alternate routes have been provided; and
WHEREAS, on June 22, 2021, the City passed, approved and adopted Ordinance 640-AC which amended Needles Municipal Code Chapter 13, Article IV by adding section 13-35.1 Entitled “Use Of Certain Streets By Oversized Vehicles Prohibited;” and
WHEREAS, the City of Needles may prohibit any commercial vehicle exceeding a certain manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating, subject to certain exemptions, from using certain roadways consistent with the City’s Policy (TR-1.9) in the Land Use & Transportation Element adopted on February 28, 2023; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of this ordinance is to enhance traffic safety, reduce roadway maintenance costs, and preserve the residential and community character of designated streets by prohibiting the use of certain City streets by trucks exceeding 14,000 pounds or seven (7) tons gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), consistent with the requirements of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans); and WHEREAS, the City seeks to prohibit commercial trucks over 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) from parking on residential streets and in City parks’ and WHEREAS, the City seeks to repeal and replace Needles Municipal Code section 13-35.1 as set forth in Exhibit “A” attached hereto.

NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Needles does ordain as follows:

SECTION 1. Incorporation of Recitals. The recitals reflected above are true and correct and are incorporated by this reference herein as the cause and foundation for the action taken by the and through this Ordinance.

SECTION 2. CEQA. Pursuant to Section 15060(c)(2) of the California CEQA Guidelines, adoption of the subject Ordinance will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment and therefore is not subject to CEQA. Additionally, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) the activity is not a “project” as defined in Section 15378 because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.

SECTION 3. Repeal and Replacement of Needles Municipal Code Section 13-35.1.

Needles Municipal Code Section 13-35.1, entitled Use of Certain Streets by Commercial Vehicles Prohibited, of the Needles Municipal Code is hereby repealed and replaced as set forth in Exhibit “A” attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.

SECTION 4. Effective Date. This action shall become final and effective thirty (30) days after this decision by the City Council as provided by the Needles Municipal Code.

SECTION 5. Severability. If any section or provision of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, or contravened by reason of any preemptive legislation, the remaining sections and/or provisions of this Ordinance shall remain valid.

The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted this Ordinance, and each section or Agenda Item 9.
provision thereof, regardless of the fact that any one or more section(s) or provision(s) may be declared invalid or unconstitutional or contravened via legislation.

SECTION 6. Certification. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Ordinance and shall transmit copies of the same to the applicant.

INTRODUCED AND READ for the first time and ordered posted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Needles, California, held on the 28th day of April 2026, by the following roll call vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:
____________________________
Janet Jernigan, Mayor
ATTEST: __________________________________
Candace Clark, City Clerk
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Needles, California, held on the 12th day of May 2026, by the following roll call vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:
__________________________________
Janet Jernigan, Mayor
ATTEST: __________________________________
Candace Clark, City Clerk
Approved as to form: _______________________________
John Pinkney, City Attorney
Agenda Item 9.

CHAPTER 13. MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
Article IV. Operation of Vehicles.

Sec. 13-35.1 Use of certain streets by oversized vehicles prohibited. (a) Whenever this chapter designates and describes any street or portion thereof as a street the use of which is prohibited to any oversized vehicle, the city traffic engineer shall erect and maintain appropriate signs on those streets affected.
(b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to passenger buses under the jurisdiction of the state public utilities commission.
(c) In accordance with this section, the following streets and parts of streets are hereby declared to be streets the use of which is prohibited by any oversized vehicle over six thousand pounds gross weight (except school buses and city vehicles) and/or eight (8) feet tall and subject to the exceptions of sections 35701 and 35703 of the Vehicle Code of the state:

Third Street, between J and C Streets.

North K Street, between Needles Highway and Front Street.

Chestnut Street, between West Broadway and North K Street.

Walnut Street, between West Broadway and North K Streets.

M Street, between Needles Highway and Spruce Street.

N Street, between Needles Highway and Spruce Street.
(d) Exceptions. The provisions of this section shall not apply to trucks performing local deliveries or local pick-ups to or from destinations located on the restricted streets, provided no reasonable alternative route exists; trucks owned or operated by a public utility, public agency, or municipality engaged in construction, maintenance, or emergency operations; emergency vehicles as defined California Vehicle Code section 165; transit vehicles, including buses operated by public transit agencies; or garbage collection, postal service, and other essential municipal service vehicles.

Sec. 13-35.2 Oversized vehicles prohibited from parking on the streets identified in Sec. 13.35.1(c), residential streets and City parks. Commercial trucks over twenty six thousand (26,000) pounds gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) (except school buses and city vehicles) are prohibited from parking on the streets identified in Sec 13.35.1(c), any residential street within the City as designated in the City of Needles Transportation Element, as it may be amended from time to time, and City parks.

Sec. 13-35.3 Signage. Appropriate signage indicating the truck restrictions in this section shall be installed by the City at locations deemed necessary by the City to provide notice to drivers, in accordance with Caltrans and California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) standards.

Enforcement of the prohibition shall commence upon installation of said signage.

Sec. 13-35.4 Violation—Penalty. In the discretion of the Enforcement Officer or designee identified by the City Manager, any person violating the provisions of Sections 13-35.1 and 13-35.2 shall be issued an administrative citation or a citation for a misdemeanor pursuant to Needles Municipal Code section 2A-04. The following specific fines shall apply:
(1) A fine of five hundred dollars ($500) shall be imposed for the unauthorized parking of any commercial vehicle in a location not designated for commercial vehicle parking and/or on a roadway that is not an authorized truck route, in violation of this Chapter.

Agenda Item 9.

Exhibit “A”
to Ordinance 680-AC
Land Use & Transportation Element
Adopted February 28, 2023 12 City of Needles
Exhibit 4: Roadway Network
Land Use & Transportation Element
Adopted February 28, 2023 13 City of Needles
Exhibit 5: Bicycle and Pedestrian Network
Land Use & Transportation Element
Adopted February 28, 2023 15 City of Needles
Exhibit 7: Truck Network
City of Needles, California
Request for City Council Action
CITY COUNCIL NPUA HACN Regular Special
Meeting Date: April 28, 2026
Title: Adoption of Resolutions 2026-13 and 2026-14 to Ensure Compliance with SB 707 (Brown Act Modernization)
Background: This item considers the adoption of City Council Resolutions 2026-13 establishing Public Outreach and Interpretation Assistance Practices and 2026-14 adopting the Technology Disruption Policy to ensure compliance with Senate Bill 707 (SB 707) and to provide clear procedures for maintaining public access and participation during City Council and Brown Act meetings when technological disruptions occur.

Senate Bill 707 (SB 707) amended provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act to strengthen public access to local government meetings conducted using teleconferencing or hybrid formats. The law requires legislative bodies to provide consistent, reliable public access and to address interruptions that prevent members of the public from observing or participating in meetings.

SB 707 further requires that when a technological disruption within the local agency’s control prevents public access, the legislative body may not continue the meeting until access is restored. As a result, agencies are required to adopt clear, written procedures to guide staff and elected officials in responding to such disruptions.

The City currently utilizes Microsoft Teams to facilitate remote and hybrid participation. While internal practices exist, formal adoption of these policies ensures consistency, transparency, and compliance with State law.

Adoption of these policies will ensure the City meets the SB 707 requirements prior to the July 1, 2026 implementation deadline.

Fiscal Impact: None
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 2026-13 establishing Public Outreach and Interpretation Assistance Practices and Resolution No. 2026-14 adopting the Technology Disruption Policy.

Submitted By: Candace Clark, City Clerk
Lena Wade, Deputy City Attorney
City Manager Approval: Date:

Other Department Approval (when required): Date:
4/24/2026
Agenda Item 10.
1 RESOLUTION NO. 2026-13

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEEDLES ADOPTING

PUBLIC OUTREACH AND PUBLIC INTERPRETATION ASSISTANCE PRACTICES WHEREAS, on October 3, 2025, Governor Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 707, “The Brown Act Modernization Act;” and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Government Code Section 54953.4(b)(3)(C), beginning on July 1, 2026, the City of Needles must make reasonable efforts, as determined by the City Council, to invite groups that do not traditionally participate in public meetings to attend those meetings; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Government Code Sections 54953.4(b)(2)(A)-(C), beginning on July 1, 2026, the City must reasonably assist members of the public who wish to translate a meeting or receive interpretation, so long as it is not disruptive to the meeting, and the City Council shall publicize instructions on how to request assistance; and
WHEREAS, to achieve compliance with Government Code Section 54953.4(b)(3)(C), the City Clerk’s Office intends to compile a list of contacts for all media organizations that cover Needles, faith groups/organizations in the city, and community organizations/neighborhood groups that work within the city and provide notice of City meetings to those groups; and WHEREAS, the City Clerk intends to provide information on the City of Needles website inviting similar groups to register for information regarding City meetings and will review and update this list at least annually to ensure accuracy; and
WHEREAS, in furtherance of Government Code section 54953.4(b)(2), the City Clerk will ensure closed caption services for City Council meetings remain readily available to the public; and WHEREAS, the City’s agendas for City Council and City Commissions and Boards include the following language, which may be updated from time to time:

Notice: Any attendees who require assistance, a disability-related modification, or language assistance, in order to participate in the meeting should contact [staff member’s name] by [time] on [meeting date] at [staff member’s phone number and email]. Any individual who wishes to request an alternate format for the agenda, meeting notice, or other writings that are distributed at the meeting should contact [staff member’s name] by [time] on [meeting date] at [staff member’s phone number and email].

Notification in advance of the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting, the materials related to it, and the ability to comment; and WHEREAS, the City’s assistance will include extra time for public comment to allow for the translation of comments, instructions on how to turn on captions for the meeting, local resources if an individual requires assistance, and a wireless microphone to accommodate a physical disability; and WHEREAS, the procedures outlined in this resolution are consistent with the City’s commitment to being a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive City that has an engaged, informed, and valued community.

NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Needles does hereby resolve, determine, find, and order as follows:

Section 1. Recitals. The Recitals set forth above are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference.

Agenda Item 10.
2 Section 2. Adoption of Public Outreach and Public Interpretation Assistance Practices. a. The City Clerk’s Office will maintain a list of media contacts, faith organizations, civic engagement groups, civil rights organizations, good government organizations, community and neighborhood groups in the city to receive the City Council agenda pursuant to Government Code Section 54953.4(b)(3)(C) and will take all actions necessary to keep the list current. The City Council finds that these efforts are reasonable.
b. The City Council and City Commission and Board Agendas will include information on how to obtain both language and physical-disability assistance in order to participate in meetings. The City Clerk is authorized to continue providing accessibility services including those described in this Resolution. c. The City Council authorizes the City Manager and City Clerk to take such actions as they deem necessary to effectuate the purpose and intent of this Resolution.

Section 3. Effective Date. These Public Outreach and Public Interpretation Assistance Practices are adopted and effective July 1, 2026.

Section 4. Severability. All portions of this resolution are severable. Should any individual provision or portion of a provision of this resolution be adjudged to be invalid and unenforceable, the remaining provisions and portions of provisions shall be and continue to be fully effective, except as to the provision(s) and/or portion(s) of provisions that have been judged to be invalid.

PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council on the 28th day of April 2026, by the following roll call vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:

Janet Jernigan, Mayor
ATTEST:

Candace Clark, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:

Lena Wade, Deputy City Attorney
Agenda Item 10.

RESOLUTION NO. 2026-14

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEEDLES ADOPTING

THE TECHNOLOGY DISRUPTION POLICY
WHEREAS, on October 3, 2025, Governor Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 707, “The Brown Act Modernization Act;” and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Government Code Section 54953.4(b)(1)(A)(i)(l)(ib)(la), the City Council must, prior to July 1, 2026, adopt a publicly approved policy to address procedures when disruption of telephone or internet service occurs; and
WHEREAS, this policy must provide for recessing, reconvening, and the efforts that the City Council shall make to attempt to restore service; and
WHEREAS, the Technology Disruption Policy (“Policy”) attached hereto as Exhibit A ensures that the City complies with the SB 707 requirements; and
WHEREAS, under the Policy, if a disruption of telephonic or internet service prevents members of the public from attending or observing the meeting via two-way telephonic service or two-way audiovisual platform, the City Council must recess open session for at least one hour, or until service is restored, whichever is earlier; and
WHEREAS, if after an hour, the City has been unable to restore telephonic and internet service, the City Council shall reconvene and either:

1. Adjourn the meeting; or

2. Adopt a finding, by roll call vote, that good faith efforts were made in accordance with the adopted Policy and that the public interest in continuing the meeting outweighs the public interest in remote public access; and
WHEREAS, the attached Policy, if adopted, becomes effective July 1, 2026.

THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEEDLES, CALIFORNIA DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:

Section1. Recitals. The Recitals set forth above are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference.

Section 2. Adoption And Effective Date. The attached Technology Disruption Policy is adopted and effective July 1, 2026.

Section 3. Delegation of Authority. The City Manager is hereby delegated all the necessary authority to implement the Technology Disruption Policy.

Section 4. Severability. All portions of this resolution are severable. Should any individual provision or portion of a provision of this resolution be adjudged to be invalid and unenforceable, the remaining provisions and portions of provisions shall be and continue to be fully effective, except as to the provision(s) and/or portion(s) of provisions that have been judged to be invalid.

PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council on the 28th day of April 2026, by the following roll call vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:

Janet Jernigan, Mayor
ATTEST:

Candace Clark, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:

Lena Wade, Deputy City Attorney
Agenda Item 10.
1 CITY OF NEEDLES

TECHNOLOGY DISRUPTION POLICY

1. Background
Senate Bill 707 (2025) amended the Brown Act to require eligible legislative bodies to adopt, on or before July 1, 2026, a policy addressing how the City of Needles (“City”) will respond to disruptions in telephonic or internet service that prevent members of the public from attending or observing a meeting remotely. This Technology Disruption Policy (“Policy”) is adopted to comply with that requirement and to ensure continuity of public participation during technical disruptions.

2. Purpose
This Policy establishes procedures for responding to a disruption in the telephonic or internet services that provide two-way remote public access to meetings of the City Council of the City of Needles (“City Council”), as required by the Brown Act (Gov. Code § 54953.4). The Policy ensures transparency, public participation, and continuity of government during technology disruptions.

3. Definitions
For purposes of this Policy:
a. “Disruption” means any failure, outage, or other interruption that prevents members of the public from attending or observing the meeting via these remote access services. b. “Remote access services” means the two-way telephonic service and/or two-way audiovisual platform used to provide real-time remote public attendance and observation of meetings.

4. Applicability
This Policy applies to all open and public meetings of the City at which remote public participation is offered or required under the Brown Act.

5. Procedures in the Event of a Service Disruption
a. Response to Service Disruption. If the Presiding Officer or Clerk becomes aware of a disruption to the City’s remote access services that prevents members of the public from attending or observing the meeting remotely:
(1) The Presiding Officer or Clerk shall immediately announce the disruption to the public.
(2) The Presiding Officer may then call for a recess of the open session or convene the legislative body in closed session, consistent with the Brown Act. (3) Staff shall begin efforts to diagnose and restore the disrupted service. (4) The meeting shall remain in recess for at least one hour or until service is restored, whichever is sooner. The recess period may be extended if restoration efforts are ongoing.
.
b. Efforts to Restore Service. The City shall make good faith efforts to restore remote access services, which may include:

Agenda Item 10.
2 (1) Troubleshooting platform or teleconferencing software (2) Resetting or replacing audiovisual equipment
(3) Attempting alternative connection methods
(4) Contacting necessary support staff or service providers (5) Switching to back-up equipment or platforms, if available The Clerk shall document the restoration efforts undertaken.

6. Reconvening the Open Session
a. Timing. The open session may be reconvened after at least one hour has elapsed from the time of disruption or as soon as service is restored, whichever occurs earlier. b. If Service Is Restored. If the remote access service is restored before or at the time the meeting reconvenes, the meeting shall continue as normal. c. If Service Is Not Restored. If service has not been restored after one hour, the City Council may reconvene and:
(1) Adjourn the meeting; or
(2) Continue the meeting in open session by adopting, by roll call vote, the following, or a substantially similar, finding:
“The City has made good faith efforts to restore telephonic or internet service in accordance with its adopted Policy, and the public interest in continuing the meeting outweighs the public interest in remote public access.” Upon adoption of the finding, the legislative body may continue the open session despite the fact that remote access services have not been restored.

7. Recordkeeping
The Clerk shall enter a brief statement into the meeting minutes, including the following:
a. The nature and time of the disruption
b. The restoration efforts undertaken
c. The time the meeting was reconvened (if applicable)
d. Any finding adopted pursuant to section 6.c(2)

8. Review and Updates
This Policy may be amended by the City Council at a noticed public meeting in open session, not on the consent calendar.

Agenda Item 10.

City of Needles, California
Request for City Council Action
CITY COUNCIL NPUA HACN Regular Special
Meeting Date: April 28, 2026
Title: Ratify the City Manager's execution of the Restricted Grant Agreement (RG) and Adjust the Adopted FY26 Budget for the Clean California Community Cleanup & Employment Pathway (CCEP) Grant Program award in the amount of $169,355 Background: Caltrans has officially announced $25 million in Clean California Community Cleanup & Employment Pathway (CCEP) grants to 90 local projects statewide, with 100% of funding directed to under-resourced communities. The City of Needles is included among the awardees for our “Revive the Desert – Illegal Dumping Cleanup & Community Stewardship” project in the amount of $169,355.

Administered by the California Department of Transportation under Governor Gavin Newsom’s Clean California initiative, CCEP goes beyond traditional cleanup grants. The program combines litter and graffiti abatement with structured workforce partnerships to provide paid job training and transitional employment opportunities. It specifically supports individuals experiencing homelessness, justice-impacted individuals, and at-risk youth — creating pathways to long-term employment while improving public spaces.

Since launching in 2021, Clean California has removed millions of cubic yards of litter, hosted hundreds of free dump days, mobilized thousands of volunteers, and created more than 18,000 jobs statewide. The program is designed to deliver both environmental improvement and economic opportunity.

Needles’ inclusion in this competitive round reflects our continued ability to secure state investment aligned with our beautification, stewardship, and workforce goals.

The grant funds authorize two temporary MCWI positions, staff reimbursement, and materials/equipment to clean up over a dozen illegal dumping sites throughout the City of Needles. There is no match on this grant.

Fiscal Impact: $169,355 in grant funds for the Public Works Department to complete illegal dumping clean-up, no cost to the City.

Environmental Impact: N/A
Recommended Action: Ratify the City Manager's execution of the Restricted Grant Agreement (RG) and Adjust the Adopted FY26 Budget for the Clean California Community Cleanup & Employment Pathway (CCEP) Grant Program award in the amount of $169,355 Submitted By: Rainie Torrance, Utility Manager
City Manager Approval: Date:

Other Department Approval (when required): Date:
4/24/2026
04/24/2026
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BRIDGE
MM 141
BOB BELT BEACH PARK (1st Beach) MANNY MORRIS (2nd Beach) Restroom
MARINA AND GOLF COURSE BOUNDARY AGREEMENT PER RESO 9-1-87-3 WITH B.O.R.

C.O. Play Restroom

S T O R A G ES T O R A G E

S T O R A G E

S T O R A G E

C A M P I N G

C A B I N S
Restroom

C A M P I N G

C A M P I N G

C A M P I N G

C A M P I N G C A M P I N G L A U N C H I N G

C A M P I N G O F F I C E
G A S

P I C K L E B A L L S T O R E STEVE ST SHIRLEY ST STEVE ST KAREN ST

DOLLIE DR

DAVID DR

JAMES PL

ALAN AVE

ROBERT DR

APARTMENTS RIVERVIEW TERRACE
1307

NEEDLES

AQUATIC
CENTER
PUMP
TRACK

BASKETBALL COURT
3 PETE'S

BASEBALL FIELD
SKATE
PARK
SPLASH
PAD

PLAYGROUND
SM. DOG
PARK

SPIKES' DOG
PARK

NIKKI BUNCH

BASEBALL FIELD

FRAN FLOWERS

BASEBALL FIELD
RR

RR DUKE WATKINS PARK COMPLEX

R I V E R

LILLYHILL APARTMENTS

TERRACE VIEW

APARTMENTS

MESA GRANDE

APARTMENTS

RIVER GARDEN

APARTMENTS

NEEDLES HIGH

SCHOOL NEEDLES MIDDLE
SCHOOL

VISTA COLORADO

ELEMENTARY

NEEDLES

SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICE NEEDLES BUS & MAINTENANCE

BUILDING
Pool Parking

LILLYHILL DRIVE

EL MONTE STREET PARKWAY STREET PERU STREET BALBOA STREET

CARTY WAY

PARKWAY STREET

CORTEZ STREET

DESOTO STREET

RIO VISTA STREET CARTY WAY

CARTY PLCARTY CIR

PERU STREET

PERU STREET DESOTO STREET

FLORA VISTA STREET

LUNA VISTA STREET PARKWAY STREET

J STREET J STREET PUBLIC PARK & UTILITY LANE OAK CIRCLE

SYCAMORE DRIVE

ELM CIRCLE
S. ERIN DRIVE

ERIN DRIVE COLLINS STREET WASHINGTON STREET FAIRMONT AVE PARK AVE

FRONT STREET

K STREET

L STREET

EAGLE PASS RD
4TH STREET
5TH STREET
SPRUCE STREET WALNUT STREET CHESTNUT STREET MARKET STREET NORTH "K" STREETRACE STREET VINE STREET M STREET NORTH "L" ST Q STREET P STREET O STREET N STREET R STREET T STREET RACE STREET VINE STREET

BUSH STREET

VALLEY AVE

DOWNEY AVE CIBOLA STREET D STREET E STREET GRANDVIEW G STREET

SAFARI DR GOLDEN LN

CHERRY DR DESERT DR RIVERVIEW LN MORGAN DR MUSTANG LN HOLIDAY WAY

EASY ST

SCHULZ RD

SPIKES RD
E. SPIKES RD W. SPIKES RD

LILLYHILL DRIVE

LARCHWOOD STREET SANTA FE CIRCLE REDWOOD AVE CASA LINDA STREET CASA LINDA STREET CASA LINDA STREET CALLE HERNANDEZ RD LA CIMA RD PASEO DEL REY STREET CLARY DRIVE BAILEY AVE (Un-Improved) BAILEY AVE

I STREET

G STREETF STREET

E STREET

D STREET

C STREET

B STREET

A STREET
W. BROADWAY AVE
W. BROADWAY AVE THIRD STREET
FOURTH STREET C STREET B STREET (Navajo St) A STREET (Orange St) PALM WAY ROBUFFA

BAZOOBUTH STREET

ACOMA STREET

DESNOK STREET B STREET A STREET PALM WAY QUIVERA

J STREET LA MESA WAY
Wagon

LS ( V A C A T E D )

THIRD STREET

F STREET
ARMY ROAD C STREET (Meridja St) BAILEY AVE ORANGE ST HIGHLAND STREET

MORRIS DRIVE EARL COURT

ERIN DRIVE HOSPITALITY LANE

J STREET

L STREET

CIBOLA STREET BAZOOBUTH STREET

SAN CLEMENTE STREET

SAN LUIS STREET
E. SAN CARLOS ST

GILMAN STREET

ALISO STREET
E. ARIZONA AVE
W. SAN CARLOS STREET

ICE PLANT RD

CORTEZ STREET RIO VISTA STREET

FLORA VISTA STREET

LUNA VISTA STREET

J STREET

PARKWAY STREET

LILLYHILL DRIVE

LILLYHILL DRIVE
SAN CLEMENTE STREET (Un-Improved)
TIERRA SECA DRIVE (Un-Improved) VILLA BELLA COURT BROZA ALTA DRIVE (Un-Improved) ALTA VISTA DRIVE

CALLE HERNANDEZ RD

LA CIMA RD CASA DEL SOL STREET CASA LOMA STREET CASA REAL STREET CLARY DRIVE

LILLYHILL DRIVE LILLYHILL DRIVE D STREET

CRESTVIEW LN J STREET

SAN CLEMENTE STREET BAILEY AVE LEONARD OWENSBY DR

F STREET

VINE STREET

BUSH STREET

CORTEZ STREET

CARTY WAYCORONADO STREET CORONADO STREET BAILEY AVE

LILLYHILL DRIVE

LA CIMA RD

SAN CLEMENTE STREET

SAFARI DR

SAFARI DR
/ SAFARI DR

GOLDEN LN / SAFARI DR

VICTORY DR

VICTORY DR VICTORY DR

MORGAN DR

GOODWILL STREET

DESNOK STREET DESNOK STREET

CIBOLA STREET
ACOMA STREET W. BROADWAY AVE
W. BROADWAY AVE
E. BROADWAY AVE
E. BROADWAY AVE
E. BROADWAY AVE
W. BROADWAY AVE
W. BROADWAY AVE
W. BROADWAY AVE
W. BROADWAY AVE (OVERPASS)
W. BROADWAY AVE (OVERPASS)

H STREET

FRONT STREET

FRONT STREET

FRONT STREET

FRONT STREET

FRONT STREET

THIRD STREET PARK AVE CORONADO STREET

J ST HILL

K STREET

EAGLE PASS RD

CALIFORNIA AVE MARKET STREET Q STREET P STREET
NEEDLES HWY (ARCH STREET) (RIVER ROAD) PASHARD STREET (ARCH STREET) RIVER ROAD NORTH "K" STREET NORTH "K" STREET

NORTH K STREET

BUSH STREET
WALNUT STREET CHESTNUT STREET MARKET STREET NORTH "L" STREET NORTH "L" STREET M STREET M STREET W. BROADWAY AVE

RACE STREET RACE STREET P ST R STREET S STREET CHANNEL R STREET T STREET U STREET

NEEDLES HWY

PASHARD STREET
COLUMBUS DRIVE NEEDLES HWY BALBOA PLACE (ROUTE 66)
E. BROADWAY AVE
HWY 95 SOUTH
HWY 95 SOUTH
HWY 95 SOUTH
HWY 95 SOUTH

NEEDLES HWY

FRONT STREET
FLIP MENDEZ PARKWAY W. ARIZONA AVE

ICE PLANT RD (PVT)

BRIDGE ROAD

RIVER ROAD MARINA DRIVE

RIVER ROAD

RIVER STREET RIVER STREET

RIVER STREET RIVER ROAD

RIVER ROAD

RIVER ROAD

BEACH DRIVE

LAGOON STREET FAIRWAY DRIVE O STREET Q STREET LEWIS LN (FMIT) DAVIDSON ST (FMIT) LAMBERT ST (FMIT)

ROSS ST (FMIT) MERRIMAN STREET (FMIT) SMOKESTACK AVE (FMIT)

BARRCKMAN ST (FMIT) MONTEREY AVE Q STREET

SPIRIT RUNNERS
PARK

RESTROOMS

PARK C O L O R A D O
GYM

CAFETERIA
(OLD)

CAFETERIA

AUDITORIUM
POOL

SMITH RD

HIGH WATER TANKS PARKWAY STREET

ILLEGAL DUMPING & WEED ABATEMENT
Within City of Needles
Dump Site or Weed
Abatement Location
Z:\-- T ELLMORE\My DRAWINGS\NEW BASE MAP\BASE MAP 2025 - 101625.dwg, Layout1, 10/16/2025 12:10:51 PM, Drawn by: Tammy Ellmore

Clean CA Program
Community Cleanup and Employment Pathway (CCEP) Grant Proposal I. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

CALTRANS

DISTRICT

PROJECT TITLE AGENCY
NAME
AGENCY

CONTACT
NAME
PHONE
NUMBER

EMAIL ADDRESS
8 Revive the
Desert: Illegal
Dumping
Cleanup &
Community
Stewardship in
Needles
City of
Needles
Rainie
Torrance,
Utility
Manager
(760)326-
2115
Ext. 140
[email protected]

1.2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The City of Needles proposes the “Revive the Desert: Illegal Dumping Cleanup & Community Stewardship in Needles” project, a citywide initiative to clean up 25 illegal dumping sites identified across the community. These sites have been impacted by the accumulation of hazardous waste, bulky items, and general debris, posing environmental and public health risks.

The cleanup will be carried out by a combination of City of Needles Public Works staff and two part-time temporary Maintenance Construction Workers hired locally. The team will be responsible for removing waste, addressing graffiti, and restoring the affected areas using appropriate safety gear, disposal containers, and equipment. The City will also utilize its existing fleet, trailers, backhoes, and dump trucks, with associated fuel and maintenance costs included in the project budget.

In parallel, the City will launch a comprehensive community education and engagement campaign led by nonprofit partners Saint Vincent de Paul and Set Free. These organizations will:
 Distribute pamphlets, flyers, and mailers created by the City to educate residents about the impacts of illegal dumping.
 Conduct in-person outreach in high-foot-traffic areas.  Promote the campaign through social media and local newspaper publications to reach a broader audience.
 Participate as volunteers in the city’s proposed community cleanup event as proposed by the project.

This public engagement effort is designed to raise awareness, encourage responsible waste disposal, and foster long-term community stewardship.

The project includes:
 Planning/Outreach: Illegal dumping education campaign.  Employment: City staff and temporary hires for cleanup and project management.  Cleanup: Supplies, safety gear, disposal fees, and roll-off containers.  Other Costs: Vehicle use, fuel, maintenance, and administrative oversight.

1.3 PURPOSE AND NEED
Agenda Item 11.

The City of Needles continues to face significant challenges related to illegal dumping and environmental degradation. As a small desert community with limited staffing and resources, the city has identified 25 illegal dumping sites that have accumulated hazardous waste, bulky items, and general debris. These sites pose risks to public health, diminish the natural beauty of the Mojave Desert, and contribute to a sense of neglect in the community.

Illegal dumping not only impacts the environment but also undermines civic pride and discourages the use of public spaces. The City’s Public Works Department does not have the capacity to address the scale of the problem alone, and without targeted intervention, these conditions will persist and worsen.

This project provides a structured and collaborative solution to these challenges. The City will deploy a combination of municipal staff and two part-time temporary workers to conduct cleanup operations across all 25 sites. This approach ensures that the work is completed efficiently while also creating short-term employment opportunities for local residents.

In addition to physical cleanup, the project includes a robust community education campaign led by nonprofit partners Saint Vincent de Paul and Set Free. These organizations will engage residents through pamphlets, mailers, flyers, social media outreach, and local newspaper publications. Their efforts will raise awareness about the impacts of illegal dumping and promote responsible waste disposal practices.

By restoring public spaces and engaging the community, the project will revitalize neglected areas, improve environmental conditions, and foster a culture of stewardship. It also supports workforce development by providing paid work experience and involving local organizations in meaningful civic efforts.

Ultimately, this initiative aligns with the Clean California Program’s goals by addressing litter and blight, creating employment pathways, and promoting sustainable community revitalization in an underserved region.

1.4 MAP (Attachment A)
Instructions: Include any relevant project location maps, and associated data maps.

1.5 COST – Suggested Amount: $50,000 to $200,000
Instructions: Provide a detailed cost estimate for each activity below and submit with Attachment E.

Activity Estimated Cost Would applicant accept partial
funding for this activity?
Planning / Outreach $ 11,000 Yes
No
Project Implementation – Employment (based on
historic number of litter crews/staff) $ 122,735.60 Yes No
Project Implementation – Cleanup (based on
historic quantities of litter collection) $ 15,000 Yes
No
Matching Funds – In-Kind Contribution $ 0.00 Yes
No
Other – Project Management & Vehicle Use $ 20,619.20 Yes No
TOTAL $ 169,354.80 Yes
No
Agenda Item 11.

1.6 SCHEDULE
Note: Project implementation should be completed by April 1, 2027 and final reports/close-out completed by October 31, 2027.

Milestone Start Date End Date
Planning & Community Engagement Begins 1/1/2025 2/15/2026 Hiring/Training Program Launch 2/16/2026 3/31/2026
Cleanup Activities Begin 4/1/2026 3/31/2027
Project Completion (By April 1, 2027) 4/1/2027 4/1/2027 Project Close-out (By October 31, 2027) 4/2/2027 10/31/2027

1.7 KNOWN CONCERNS OR RISKS
Known environmental concerns or risks
No
Yes
Known right-of-way concerns or risks
No
Yes
The cleanup sites span 25 illegal dumping locations throughout the City of Needles, many of which are situated in ecologically sensitive areas of the Mojave Desert. These include locations near the city’s water reservoir and along Eagle Pass Road adjacent to a substation. The presence of hazardous waste, such as tires, bedding, and household debris, poses risks to both the natural habitat and public health. Coordination with the State Lands Commission may be required due to jurisdictional boundaries and land ownership.

Right-of-way concerns may also arise due to the proximity of several sites to utility infrastructure and statemanaged lands. The City will need to work closely with relevant agencies to ensure proper access, safety protocols, and regulatory compliance.

Additional risks that could impact project delivery include:
-Staffing limitations: The City’s small municipal workforce may face challenges in maintaining consistent progress across all 25 sites. While two part-time temporary workers will be hired to support the effort, scheduling and oversight may be affected by availability and workload. -Weather conditions: Desert climate extremes, including high temperatures, wind, and seasonal monsoons, could delay outdoor cleanup activities or pose safety risks to workers and volunteers. -Permitting and interagency coordination: Delays in securing necessary permits or approvals from state agencies could impact the timeline, particularly for sites near protected or regulated lands. -Budget constraints: Although the project is designed to be cost-effective, unexpected costs such as increased disposal fees, equipment maintenance, or fuel expenses could strain the budget if not carefully managed.

To mitigate these risks, the City will implement a detailed project schedule with built-in flexibility, maintain close coordination with Caltrans and the State Lands Commission, and ensure clear communication. The involvement of nonprofit partners will also help support outreach and community engagement, keeping the project on track and within scope.
2 EVALUATION CRITERIA ALIGNMENT
Agenda Item 11.

2.1 EVALUATION CRITERIA ALIGNMENT
Litter Abatement
The proposed project will address 25 illegal dumping sites identified throughout the City of Needles. These locations have been impacted by the accumulation of hazardous waste, bulky items, and general debris, posing risks to public health and the Mojave Desert ecosystem. Cleanup activities will include the removal of tires, bedding, household waste, and graffiti. Crews will be equipped with appropriate safety gear and tools to ensure thorough and safe removal. The project will significantly improve the environmental quality and visual appeal of these public spaces, making them safer and more accessible for residents and visitors.

Job Creation & Employment Pathways
To support implementation, the City will deploy a combination of municipal Public Works staff and two part-time temporary Maintenance Construction Workers hired locally. These positions will provide paid work experience and exposure to municipal operations, offering transitional employment opportunities for underserved individuals. The City’s Public Works Director will oversee project implementation, ensuring that employment pathways are integrated into the broader revitalization strategy. While the project does not include formal workforce training, it provides meaningful job access and civic engagement.

Community Engagement & Partnership
Community involvement is a cornerstone of this initiative. The City has partnered with Saint Vincent de Paul and Set Free, two local nonprofit organizations that will lead the public engagement and education campaign.

These partners will distribute educational materials, including pamphlets, flyers, and mailers created by the City, and conduct outreach through social media, local newspaper publications, and in-person engagement in highfoot-traffic areas. Their efforts will raise awareness about the impacts of illegal dumping and promote responsible waste disposal practices. The City will also implement a Public Engagement Plan to guide inclusive participation throughout the project lifecycle.

Sustainability
To ensure long-term impact, the City will integrate cleanup responsibilities into routine Public Works operations and continue collaborating with nonprofit partners for ongoing outreach. The public education campaign is designed to shift community behavior and foster a culture of environmental stewardship. The City will also explore infrastructure improvements, such as signage and waste bins, to discourage future dumping. These strategies aim to sustain the project’s outcomes beyond the grant term and promote lasting civic pride.

Agenda Item 11.

3 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

3.1 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INFLUENCE
Community input has played a central role in shaping the City of Needles’ proposed CCEP project. Residents and local organizations have consistently voiced concerns about the environmental and health impacts of illegal dumping across the city. These concerns were raised during informal community meetings and through feedback received by city staff and nonprofit partners. The decision to expand the project to include all 25 identified illegal dumping sites was directly informed by this input and reflects the community’s desire for a comprehensive solution.

Local nonprofits Saint Vincent de Paul and Set Free have been instrumental in identifying problem areas and offering support. Their involvement has helped the City understand the scale of the issue and the need for a coordinated response that includes both cleanup and public education. These organizations will lead the community education campaign, distributing pamphlets, flyers, and mailers created by the City, and conducting outreach through social media, local newspaper publications, and in-person engagement in highfoot-traffic areas.

During implementation, the City will activate its Public Engagement Plan (see Attachment B), which includes:
 Community education campaigns to raise awareness about the impacts of illegal dumping and promote responsible waste disposal.
 Flyer and mailer distribution to residents, with materials created by the City and disseminated by nonprofit partners.
 Social media outreach and local newspaper ads to reach a broader audience.  In-person engagement by nonprofit staff in areas with high pedestrian activity.  Youth outreach through local schools and community centers to foster environmental responsibility among younger generations.
 Partnership development with additional local organizations, businesses, and tribal groups to expand the project’s reach and sustainability.

The City will maintain open communication with residents throughout the project via public notices, social media updates, and community meetings. Feedback mechanisms will be established to ensure that community voices continue to guide project decisions and adjustments.

By embedding community engagement into every phase of the project, from planning to implementation and beyond, the City of Needles aims to build lasting civic pride and a shared commitment to maintaining clean, safe, and welcoming public spaces.
4 UNDERSERVED or HISTORICALLY EXCLUDED COMMUNITIES

4.1 ANALYSIS
Is the project located in an underserved or
historically excluded community?
Yes
No
partially located in an underserved community
What was the basis for determining if any part of project is located in or benefits an historically excluded community:
(only check a box if in or partially in an historically excluded community)
a. Median Household Income
b. CalEnviroScreen 4.0
c. Free or Reduced-Price School Meals
d. Healthy Places Index
e. Native American Tribal Lands
f. Other

4.2 BENEFITS TO UNDERSERVED or HISTORICALLY EXCLUDED COMMUNITY Agenda Item 11.

The City of Needles, located in a geographically isolated region of the Mojave Desert, faces persistent socioeconomic and environmental challenges. With a low median household income, limited municipal staffing, and proximity to Native American tribal lands, the community qualifies as underserved and historically excluded.

This project is designed to directly address these disparities by delivering tangible benefits across multiple dimensions.

Job Access
The project will create employment opportunities for underemployed and underserved residents through the hiring of two part-time temporary Maintenance Construction Workers to support the City’s Public Works Department. These roles will provide paid work experience in public works and environmental cleanup, offering a pathway to future employment. By engaging individuals who face barriers to traditional employment, the project supports economic inclusion and workforce development.

Cleaner, Safer Public Spaces
Illegal dumping has compromised the safety and usability of public areas across the city. The cleanup of 25 identified dumping sites will remove hazardous waste and restore these spaces, making them safer for recreation, community use, and environmental preservation. Improved aesthetics and reduced health risks will enhance the overall quality of life for residents and visitors.

Increased Civic Pride and Stewardship
Through partnerships with Saint Vincent de Paul and Set Free, the project will engage community members in a citywide education campaign about the impacts of illegal dumping. These efforts will include flyer distribution, mailers, social media outreach, and local newspaper publications. By involving residents in both education and cleanup efforts, the project will foster a sense of ownership and pride in the local environment, encouraging long-term stewardship and responsible waste practices.

Connection to Public Resources and Services
The project will strengthen ties between residents and city services, including the Public Works Department and local nonprofits. By participating in cleanup efforts and public engagement activities, community members will gain greater awareness of available resources and how to access them. The initiative will also serve as a model for future collaborations, demonstrating the City’s commitment to inclusive, community-centered development. 5 LETTER OF SUPPORT

5.1 LETTER OF SUPPORT
Instructions: Attach signed letters from Caltrans district (where proposal is located) endorsing the project. 6 ADDITIONAL ATTACHMENTS

6.1 SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS
Instructions – Attach any applicable documents as follows:
 Attachment A: Project / Data Maps
 Attachment B: Public Engagement Plan
 Attachment C: Existing Site Photos
 Attachment D: Letters of Support
 Attachment E: Cost Breakdown & Estimate
o Break down expenses by category (e.g., staff time, equipment, materials, outreach, etc.) o Briefly explain the purpose of each cost to demonstrate alignment with project goals.

Prepared by:

Rainie Torrance, Utility Manager
City of Needles
Agenda Item 11.

Patrick Martinez
City Manager
City of Needles
Date
Approval Recommended by:

District Clean CA Grant Coordinator Date
Approved by:

Clean California Program Director Date
Agenda Item 11.

Instructions – Attach any applicable documents as follows:
 Attachment A: Project / Data Maps
 Attachment B: Public Engagement Plan
 Attachment C: Existing Site Photos
 Attachment D: Letters of Support
 Attachment E: Cost Breakdown & Estimate
o Break down expenses by category (e.g., staff time, equipment, materials, outreach, etc.) o Briefly explain the purpose of each cost to demonstrate alignment with project goals.

Agenda Item 11.

City of Needles, California
Request for City Council Action
CITY COUNCIL NPUA HACN Regular Special
Meeting Date: April 28, 2026
Title: Authorize the City Manager to Proceed with the Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 8 Grant Application and Approve Professional Services with Kimley-Horn, Not to Exceed $19,000
Background: The Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 8 grant funding opportunity has been announced, with applications due in June 2026. The ATP provides competitive statewide funding for projects that improve walking and bicycling infrastructure, including sidewalks, curb and gutter improvements, and multi-use paths.

The City of Needles has previously pursued ATP funding for sidewalk infill and related infrastructure improvements. In preparation for Cycle 8, the City has developed its Active Transportation Plan (ATP) in coordination with Kimley-Horn, which included extensive community engagement through surveys, workshops, field audits, and stakeholder outreach conducted between Fall 2025 and Summer 2026.

Staff is proposing submission of a grant application for Phase 1 of the City’s Active Transportation Plan, with an estimated project cost of approximately $12 million. The proposed project includes development of a walking loop with pedestrian safety enhancements along J Street, Bailey Avenue, Lilly Hill Drive, and D Street.

Improvements would include installation of curb, gutter, sidewalk infill, and protective features to enhance pedestrian safety.

These improvements are intended to:
• Support public health and active lifestyles
• Provide safe, accessible routes for residents of all ages • Improve connectivity between neighborhoods and key destinations • Enhance overall community livability and safety
City staff will prepare the grant application, with Kimley-Horn providing technical support, engineering documentation, and application review to ensure competitiveness and compliance with ATP requirements.

Fiscal Impact: Up to $19,000 for professional services with Kimley-Horn, to be funded through existing General Fund Reserves.

Environmental Impact: The proposed project supports increased walkability and active transportation, which may reduce reliance on motor vehicles and contribute to lower emissions and improved air quality.

Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to proceed with the Active Transportation Program Cycle 8 grant application and approve professional services with Kimley-Horn for grant preparation support, not to exceed $19,000.

Submitted By: Rainie Torrance, Utility Manager
City Manager Approval: Date:

Other Department Approval (when required): Date:
4/24/2026
04/24/2026
Agenda Item 12.
kimley-horn.com 401 B Street, Suite 600, San Diego, California 92101 (619) 234-9411 April 14, 2026
Patrick Martinez, MPL, ACE
City of Needles
City Manager
817 Third Street
Needles, CA 92363
Re: Letter Agreement for Professional Services for Support for ATP Cycle 8 Grant Application Dear Mr. Martinez:

Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. (“Kimley-Horn” or “Consultant”) is pleased to submit this proposal to the City of Needles (“City”) for providing professional services related to the ATP Cycle 8 Application for the Bike Loop Project.

Project Understanding
The State of California released a call for projects for the eighth cycle of the Active Transportation Program (ATP) on March 19, 2026. Grant applications are due on June 22, 2026.

The City previously submitted a grant application for Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 6, for which the City was awarded funding, and for Cycle 7 for which the City was not awarded funding.

Kimley-Horn will assist the City with the support of one (1) new grant application for the ATP Cycle 8 Large Infrastructure grant application as provided by the Caltrans Division of Local Assistance (DLA). The grant application will be prepared in a manner consistent with the Caltrans published guidelines. The City of Needles will lead efforts on the text portion of the grant application, while Kimley-Horn will lead efforts on preparation of the project concept, cost estimate, and schedule. Kimley-Horn will also review and provide feedback on the previous grant application that was submitted for Cycle 7.

The Scope of Services is defined in the following tasks.

Scope of Services
Task 1: Support Application Development for Bike Loop Project • Participate in up to three (3) coordination calls or meetings with the City related to the Bike Loop Project and ATP application development.
• Support the City in refining and documenting the Bike Loop Project definition based on Cycle 8 ATP requirements and direction from the City.
• Provide advice on key points to touch on for each of the questions in the application form that requires text narrative to be developed by way of a Narrative Strategy document. • Provide raw files for any applicable technical information / data from recent work on the Active Transportation Plan to support the City’s preparation of application narratives, tables, and attachments.
• Document key engineering assumptions and design considerations to support application consistency and completeness.
• Advise City on critical path / required items including Letters of Support, coordination with State Conservation Corps, and non-infrastructure costs, as applicable. • Review application narratives developed by the City.

Agenda Item 12.

kimley-horn.com 401 B Street, Suite 600, San Diego, California 92101 (619) 234-9411 Deliverables:
• Application support materials previously developed for the Active Transportation Plan • Narrative Strategy document
• Consolidated set of comments on application narratives developed by the City Task 2: Develop Concepts, Engineer's Estimate and Schedule for Bike Loop Project • Develop and refine concept-level design alternatives for the Bike Loop Project based on ATP eligibility requirements, prior coordination meetings, and City direction. • Prepare conceptual layout for the project illustrating proposed bicycle facilities, intersection treatments, and supporting pedestrian improvements, as applicable. • Coordinate with the City to confirm assumptions, limits, and consistency with adopted plans and policies.
• Prepare a detailed Engineer’s Opinion of Probable Construction Cost (OPCC) for the Bike Loop Project consistent with ATP guidance and Attachment F requirements. • Update the cost estimate as needed based on agreed-upon refinements to the project concept. • Develop a preliminary project delivery schedule reflecting key phases such as environmental clearance, design, right-of-way activities (if applicable), and construction. • One round of revisions to exhibits, cost estimate, and schedule based on one consolidated set of comments from the City.

Deliverables:
• Concept-Level Project Exhibits (1 pdf)
• Engineer’s Opinion of Probable Construction Cost (1 excel file) • Preliminary Project Schedule (1 excel file)
Task 3: Review Cycle 7 Application for Sidewalk Infill Project • Review the Cycle 7 Sidewalk Infill Project application materials, including project description, scoring components, cost estimate summaries, and supporting exhibits provided by the City. • Assess the application against Cycle 7 ATP scoring results, reviewer comments, and known competitiveness factors.
• Identify key factors that may have limited competitiveness, including project definition, facility types, eligibility, cost effectiveness, safety narrative, or alignment with ATP goals. • Prepare a brief written summary (email) outlining high‑level observations and recommended considerations for future grant cycles or project refinements.

Deliverables:
• Cycle 7 application review summary email
Information Provided By Client
Kimley-Horn shall be entitled to rely on the completeness and accuracy of all information provided by the City. The City shall provide all information requested by Kimley-Horn during the project including but not limited to the following:
 Right-of-Way information if available
 As-Builts (in AutoCAD format) if available
 Previous Cycle 6 and Cycle 7 grant submittal packages Services Not Included
Any other services, including but not limited to the following, are included not included in this Agreement:
• Field visit
• Grant application narrative development
• Meetings in addition to those identified in the scope Agenda Item 12.

kimley-horn.com 401 B Street, Suite 600, San Diego, California 92101 (619) 234-9411 • Letters of support development or coordination
• Application submittal
Schedule
Kimley-Horn will perform the services as expeditiously as practicable with the goal of meeting a mutually agreed upon schedule.

Fee and Expenses
Kimley-Horn will perform the services in Tasks 1 - 3 for the total lump sum labor fee below. In addition to the lump sum labor fee, direct reimbursable expenses such as express delivery services, air travel, subconsultant costs, and other direct expenses will be billed at 1.15 times cost. All permitting, application, and similar project fees will be paid directly by the Client. Should the Client request Kimley-Horn to advance any such project fees on the Client’s behalf, a separate invoice for such fees, with a fifteen percent (15%) markup, will be immediately issued to and paid by the Client.

Task Number & Name Fee Type
1 Support Application for Bike Loop Project $5,880 Lump Sum 2 Develop Concept, Engineer's Estimate and Schedule for Bike Loop Project $11,870 Lump Sum
3 Review Cycle 7 Application for Sidewalk Infill Project $1,250 Lump Sum Total $19,000
Lump sum labor fees will be invoiced monthly based upon the overall percentage of services performed.

Payment will be due within 30 days of your receipt of the invoice and should include the invoice number and Kimley-Horn project number.

Closure
We appreciate the opportunity to provide these services. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC.

Amy Restelli Megan Ulery, P.E., LEED AP
Project Manager Vice-President
Agenda Item 12.

Rev 02/2026
1 KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC.

STANDARD PROVISIONS
1) Kimley-Horn's Scope of Services and Additional Services. Kimley-Horn will perform only the services specifically described in this Agreement (“Services”). Any services that are not set forth in the scope of Services described herein will constitute additional services (“Additional Services”). If requested by the Client and agreed to by Kimley-Horn, Kimley-Horn will perform Additional Services, which shall be governed by these provisions. Unless otherwise agreed to in writing, the Client shall pay Kimley-Horn for any Additional Services an amount based upon Kimley-Horn’s then-current hourly rates plus an amount to cover certain direct expenses including in-house reproduction, postage, supplies, digital data storage and security, and local mileage. Other direct expenses will be billed at 1.15 times cost. 2) Client's Responsibilities. In addition to other responsibilities herein or imposed by law, the Client shall:
a. Designate in writing a person to act as its representative, such person having complete authority to transmit instructions, receive information, and make or interpret the Client's decisions. b. Provide all information and criteria as to the Client's requirements, objectives, and expectations for the Project and all standards of development, design, or construction. c. Provide Kimley-Horn all available studies, plans, or other documents pertaining to the Project, such as surveys, engineering data, environmental information, etc., all of which Kimley-Horn may rely upon. d. Arrange for access to the site and other property as required for Kimley-Horn to provide its Services. e. Review all documents or reports presented by Kimley-Horn and communicate decisions pertaining thereto within a reasonable time so as not to delay Kimley-Horn. f. Furnish approvals and permits from governmental authorities having jurisdiction over the Project and approvals and consents from other parties as may be necessary. g. Obtain any independent accounting, legal, insurance, cost estimating, and feasibility services required by Client.
h. Give prompt written notice to Kimley-Horn whenever the Client becomes aware of any development that affects Kimley-Horn's Services or any defect or noncompliance in any aspect of the Project. 3) Period of Services. Unless otherwise stated herein, Kimley-Horn will begin work after receipt of a properly executed copy of this Agreement. This Agreement assumes conditions permitting continuous and orderly progress through completion of the Services. Times for performance shall be extended as necessary for delays or suspensions due to circumstances that Kimley-Horn does not control. If such delay or suspension extends for more than six months, Kimley-Horn’s compensation shall be renegotiated. 4) Method of Payment. Client shall pay Kimley-Horn as follows:
a. Invoices will be submitted periodically for Services performed and expenses incurred. Invoices are due and payable upon presentation. Client shall pay Kimley-Horn a time price differential of one and one-half percent (1.5%) of the outstanding amount of each invoice that is overdue for more than 30 days. The Client shall also pay any applicable sales tax. All retainers will be held by Kimley-Horn and applied against the final invoice. If the Client fails to make any payment due under this or any other agreement within 30 days after presentation, Kimley-Horn may, after giving notice to the Client, suspend services and withhold deliverables until all amounts due are paid, and may commence legal proceedings including filing liens to secure payment. b. The Client will remit all payments electronically to:

Account Name: KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC.

Bank Name and Address: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104 Account Number: 2073089159554
ABA#: 121000248
c. The Client will send the Project number, invoice number, and other remittance information by e-mail to [email protected] at the time of payment.
d. If the Client relies on payment or proceeds from a third party to pay Kimley-Horn and Client does not pay Kimley-Horn’s invoice within 60 days of receipt, Kimley-Horn may communicate directly with such third party to secure payment.
e. If the Client objects to an invoice, it must advise Kimley-Horn in writing giving its reasons within 14 days of receipt of the invoice or the Client’s objections will be waived, and the invoice shall conclusively be deemed due and owing. If the Client objects to only a portion of the invoice, payment for all other portions remains due.

Agenda Item 12.

Rev 02/2026
2 f. If Kimley-Horn initiates legal proceedings to collect payment, it shall recover, in addition to all amounts due, its reasonable attorneys' fees, reasonable experts' fees, and other expenses related to the proceedings.

Such expenses shall include the cost, at Kimley-Horn's normal hourly billing rates, of the time devoted to such proceedings by its employees.
g. The Client agrees that the payment to Kimley-Horn is not subject to any contingency or condition. KimleyHorn may negotiate payment of any check tendered by the Client, even if the words “in full satisfaction” or words intended to have similar effect appear on the check without such negotiation being an accord and satisfaction of any disputed debt and without prejudicing any right of Kimley-Horn to collect additional amounts from the Client.
5) Use of Deliverables. All documents, data, and other deliverables prepared by Kimley-Horn are related exclusively to the Services described in this Agreement and may be used only if the Client has satisfied all of its obligations under this Agreement. They are not intended or represented to be suitable for use or reuse by the Client or others on extensions of this Project or on any other project. Any modifications by the Client to any of Kimley-Horn’s deliverables, or any reuse of the deliverables without written authorization by KimleyHorn will be at the Client's sole risk and without liability to Kimley-Horn, and the Client shall indemnify, defend and hold Kimley-Horn harmless from all claims, damages, losses and expenses, including but not limited to attorneys' fees, resulting therefrom. Kimley-Horn’s electronic files and source code remain the property of Kimley-Horn and shall be provided to the Client only if expressly provided for in this Agreement. Any electronic files not containing an electronic seal are provided only for the convenience of the Client and use of them is at the Client’s sole risk. In the case of any defects in the electronic files or any discrepancies between them and the hardcopy of the deliverables prepared by Kimley-Horn, the hardcopy shall govern. 6) Intellectual Property. Kimley-Horn may use or develop its proprietary software, patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and other intellectual property owned by Kimley-Horn or its affiliates (“Intellectual Property”) in the performance of this Agreement. Intellectual Property, for purposes of this section, does not include deliverables specifically created for Client pursuant to the Agreement and use of such deliverables is governed by section 5 of this Agreement. Kimley-Horn maintains all interest in and ownership of its Intellectual Property and conveys no rights in the Intellectual Property to Client, unless otherwise agreed to in writing. Any enhancements of Intellectual Property made during the performance of this Agreement are solely owned by Kimley-Horn and its affiliates. If Kimley-Horn’s Services include providing Client with access to or a license for Kimley-Horn’s (or its affiliates’) proprietary software or technology, Client agrees to the Terms of Service set forth at https://www.khtsinc.com/terms-of-Service/ which terms are incorporated herein by reference.
7) Opinions of Cost. Because Kimley-Horn does not control the cost of labor, materials, equipment or services furnished by others, methods of determining prices, or competitive bidding or market conditions, any opinions rendered as to costs, including but not limited to the costs of construction and materials, are made solely based on its judgment as a professional familiar with the industry. Kimley-Horn cannot and does not guarantee that proposals, bids or actual costs will not vary from its opinions of cost. If the Client wishes greater assurance as to the amount of any cost, it shall employ an independent cost estimator. Kimley-Horn's services required to bring costs within any limitation established by the Client will be paid for as Additional Services.
8) Termination. The obligation to provide further services under this Agreement may be terminated by either party upon seven days' written notice in the event of substantial failure by the other party to perform in accordance with the terms hereof, or upon thirty days’ written notice for the convenience of the terminating party. Kimley-Horn shall be paid for all services rendered and expenses incurred to the effective date of termination, and other reasonable expenses incurred by Kimley-Horn as a result of such termination. 9) Standard of Care. The standard of care applicable to Kimley-Horn’s Services will be the degree of care and skill ordinarily exercised by consultants performing the same or similar services in the same locality at the time the Services are provided. No warranty, express or implied, is made or intended by Kimley-Horn's performance of services, and it is agreed that Kimley-Horn is not a fiduciary with respect to the Client. 10) LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. In recognition of the relative risks and benefits of the Project to the Client and Kimley-Horn, the risks are allocated such that, to the fullest extent allowed by law, and notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement or the existence of applicable insurance coverage, that the total liability, in the aggregate, of Kimley-Horn and Kimley-Horn's officers, directors, employees, agents, and Agenda Item 12.

Rev 02/2026
3 subconsultants to the Client or to anyone claiming by, through or under the Client, for any and all claims, losses, costs, attorneys’ fees, or damages whatsoever arising out of or in any way related to the services under this Agreement from any causes, including but not limited to, the negligence, professional errors or omissions, strict liability or breach of contract or any warranty, express or implied, of Kimley-Horn or KimleyHorn's officers, directors, employees, agents, and subconsultants, shall not exceed twice the total compensation received by Kimley-Horn under this Agreement or $50,000, whichever is greater. An increase to this limitation of liability may be negotiated for additional fee. This Section is intended solely to limit the remedies available to the Client or those claiming by or through the Client, and nothing in this Section shall require the Client to indemnify Kimley-Horn.
11) Mutual Waiver of Consequential Damages. In no event shall either party be liable to the other for any consequential, incidental, punitive, or indirect damages including but not limited to loss of income or loss of profits.
12) Professional Liability Insurance. Kimley-Horn will maintain a professional liability insurance policy for the services provided by Kimley-Horn during the course of this Agreement. 13) Construction Costs. Under no circumstances shall Kimley-Horn be liable for extra costs or other consequences due to changed or unknown conditions or related to the failure of contractors to perform work in accordance with the plans and specifications. Kimley-Horn shall have no liability whatsoever for any costs arising out of the Client’s decision to obtain bids or proceed with construction before Kimley-Horn has issued final, fully approved plans and specifications. The Client acknowledges that all preliminary plans are subject to substantial revision until plans are fully approved and all permits obtained. 14) Certifications. All requests for Kimley-Horn to execute certificates, lender consents, or other third-party reliance letters must be submitted to Kimley-Horn at least 14 days prior to the requested date of execution.

Kimley-Horn shall not be required to execute certificates, consents, or third-party reliance letters that are inaccurate, that relate to facts of which Kimley-Horn does not have actual knowledge, or that would cause Kimley-Horn to violate applicable rules of professional responsibility. 15) Dispute Resolution. All claims arising out of this Agreement or its breach shall be submitted first to mediation in accordance with the American Arbitration Association as a condition precedent to litigation. Any mediation or civil action by Client must be commenced within one year of the accrual of the cause of action asserted but in no event later than allowed by applicable statutes. 16) Hazardous Substances and Conditions. Kimley-Horn shall not be a custodian, transporter, handler, arranger, contractor, or remediator with respect to hazardous substances and conditions. Kimley-Horn's Services will be limited to analysis, recommendations, and reporting, including, when agreed to, plans and specifications for isolation, removal, or remediation. Kimley-Horn will notify the Client of unanticipated hazardous substances or conditions of which Kimley-Horn actually becomes aware. Kimley-Horn may stop affected portions of its Services until the hazardous substance or condition is eliminated. 17) Construction Phase Services.
a. If Kimley-Horn prepares construction documents and Kimley-Horn is not retained to make periodic site visits, the Client assumes all responsibility for interpretation of the documents and for construction observation, and the Client waives any claims against Kimley-Horn in any way connected thereto. b. Kimley-Horn shall have no responsibility for any contractor's means, methods, techniques, equipment choice and usage, equipment maintenance and inspection, sequence, schedule, safety programs, or safety practices, nor shall Kimley-Horn have any authority or responsibility to stop or direct the work of any contractor. Kimley-Horn's visits will be for the purpose of observing construction and reporting to the Client whether the contractors’ work generally conforms to the construction documents prepared by Kimley-Horn.

Kimley-Horn neither guarantees the performance of contractors, nor assumes responsibility for any contractor’s failure to perform its work in accordance with the contract documents. c. Kimley-Horn is not responsible for any duties assigned to it in the construction contract that are not expressly provided for in this Agreement. The Client agrees that each contract with any contractor shall state that the contractor shall be solely responsible for job site safety and its means and methods; that the contractor shall indemnify the Client and Kimley-Horn for all claims and liability arising out of job site accidents; and that the Client and Kimley-Horn shall be made additional insureds under the contractor’s general liability insurance policy.

Agenda Item 12.

Rev 02/2026
4 18) No Third-Party Beneficiaries; Assignment and Subcontracting. This Agreement gives no rights or benefits to anyone other than the Client and Kimley-Horn, and all duties and responsibilities undertaken pursuant to this Agreement will be for the sole benefit of the Client and Kimley-Horn. The Client shall not assign or transfer any rights under or interest in this Agreement, or any claim arising out of the performance of services by Kimley-Horn, without the written consent of Kimley-Horn. Kimley-Horn reserves the right to augment its staff with subconsultants as it deems appropriate due to project logistics, schedules, or market conditions. If Kimley-Horn exercises this right, Kimley-Horn will maintain the agreed-upon billing rates for services identified in the contract, regardless of whether the services are provided by in-house employees, contract employees, or independent subconsultants.
19) Confidentiality. The Client consents to the use and dissemination by Kimley-Horn of photographs of the Project and to the use by Kimley-Horn of facts, data and information obtained by Kimley-Horn in the performance of its Services. If, however, any facts, data or information are specifically identified in writing by the Client as confidential, Kimley-Horn shall use reasonable care to maintain the confidentiality of that material.
20) Miscellaneous Provisions. This Agreement is to be governed by the law of the State of California. This Agreement contains the entire and fully integrated agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous negotiations, representations, agreements, or understandings, whether written or oral. Except as provided in Section 1, this Agreement can be supplemented or amended only by a written document executed by both parties. Any conflicting or additional terms on any purchase order issued by the Client shall be void and are hereby expressly rejected by Kimley-Horn. If Client requires Kimley-Horn to register with or use an online vendor portal for payment or any other purpose, any terms included in the registration or use of the online vendor portal that are inconsistent or in addition to these terms shall be void and shall have no effect on Kimley-Horn or this Agreement. Any provision in this Agreement that is unenforceable shall be ineffective to the extent of such unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions. The non-enforcement of any provision by either party shall not constitute a waiver of that provision nor shall it affect the enforceability of that provision or of the remainder of this Agreement.

Agenda Item 12.

Active Transportation Plan
Learn more about the project
and provide your feedback at:
needlesatp.com/provide-input
6’ 4’ 11’ 12’ 14’ 12’ 11’ 4’ 6’
P P
12’ 12’
P
6’ 6’ 4’ 4’ 6’ 8’ 6’
3 Bailey Avenue
Proposed One-way Bikeway
Proposed Two-way Bikeway
One-way Bikeway Two-way Bikeway / Multi-use Path
6’ 12’ 12’ 14’ 12’ 12’ 6’ 6’ 6’ 5’ 12.5’ 12.5’
P
6’ 6’ 6’ 5’ 10’ 6’
Proposed Two-way Bikeway
4 Lillyhill Drive
Proposed One-way Bikeway
Source: San Diego County Bike Coalition Source: Encyclepedia Bicycling Blog Source: FHWA Small Towns and Rural Roads Multimodal Network Proposed Loop Project 1 J Street
Parking Protected Bikeways
Source: Napa County Bicycle Coalition
2 D Street/E Street
One-Way Couplet
Source: Getting Around Sacramento
1 2
4 3
Legend
City of Needles
Proposed Facility
Class I Multi-use Path
Class II Bike Lane
Class III Bike Route
Class IV Bikeway (One-Way)
City of Needles, California
Request for City Council Action
CITY COUNCIL NPUA Regular Special
Meeting Date: April 28, 2026
Title: Approve Change Order No. 1 to the Public Works Agreement with Rainy Day Roofing, Inc. for the for the Administration Building Façade Awning Project Background: Due to the visible deterioration and rotting condition of the existing awning at the City Hall Administration Building, staff engaged a designer and engineer to evaluate the awning and provide recommendations. A conceptual plan to remove and reconstruct the awning was prepared and approved by the Building & Safety Division and advanced into a complete set of engineered plans and construction documents for public bid.

This project was advertised for bids on December 23, 2025, and bids were opened on January 20, 2026.

Rainy Day Roofing, Inc. was awarded the contract on February 10, 2026 for a total project cost of $211,312.20.

Additionally, an allowance of $8,700 was set aside for additional work to replace the deteriorating lattice at the City Hall yard wall. This allowance was not adequate to complete the work; therefore, Rainy Day Roofing, Inc. submitted a proposal for additional work to repair the lattice and complete painting of the wall as follows:

1. Remove existing lattice, paint all surrounding wood (both sides), and install new painted redwood lattice - $35,780.00.

2. Power wash and paint maintenance block wall (city yard) both sides using paint for masonry, stucco, brick.- $15,628.00
Fiscal Impact: Costs are budgeted in the FY 2025–2026 Budget from Fund 510 (Administrative Facilities – Property Capital). This change order increases the contract by $51,408, for a revised total project cost of $262,720.

Recommendation: Approve Change Order No. 1 to the Public Works Agreement with Rainy Day Roofing, Inc. Administration Building Façade Awning Project resulting in an increase to the contract in the amount of $51,408 for a new total project cost of $262,720; and authorize staff to execute said Change Order.

Submitted By: Kathy Raasch, Director of Development Services/Capital Projects City Manager Approval: Date:

Other Department Approval (when required): Date: 4/24/2026 4/24/2026
Agenda Item 13.

CITY OF NEEDLES

C H A N G E O R D E R
PROJECT: Admin Building Façade Awning Project ORDER NO: 1 OWNER: City of Needles CONTRACTOR: Rainy Day Roofing, Inc.

FOLLOWING CHANGES ARE MADE TO THE CONTRACT:

Description of Changes Decrease Contract Price Increase Contract Price 1) Remove and Replace Lattice $ 35,780.00
2) Paint Prep & Paint Wood and Wall $ 15,628.00
JUSTIFICATION:

Additional work requested by City Council and staff. $51,408.00 added to the Public Works Agreement with Rainy Day Roofing with 10% contingency remaining for any incidentals to complete the contract.

Original Contract Price $ 192,102.00
Previous Change Order(s) Amount $0.00
Original Contract Price plus previous Change Orders $ 192,102.00 Contract Price Due This Change Order $ 51,408.00
New Contract Price $ 243,510.00

CHANGE IN CONTRACT TIME
Contract Time will be
(Increased)
Adjusted Date for
Completion of all Work Calendar Days

30 Calendar Days June 27, 2026

30 APPROVALS REQUIRED
Requested by:

Signature (Project Manager)
Date: 04/28/2026
Contractor Acceptance:

Signature (Contractor)
Date:

Approved by: Date: 04/28/2026
Signature (City Manager) CC meeting

C H A N G E O R D E R
Agenda Item 13.

License #974439 (B, C39)
We are a certified MBE, SBA 8(a), and SBA company.

RAINY DAY ROOFING INC
6371 Haven Ave Ste 3-144
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
91737-6943
+19515822410
[email protected]

ADDRESS SHIP TO
Administration Building Facade
Awning Project
City of Needles
Director of Development
Services/Capital Projects
760-326-2113 Ext. 126
Administration Building Facade
Awning Project
City of Needles
Director of Development
Services/Capital Projects
760-326-2113 Ext. 126
Estimate 1391
DATE 03/10/2026

DESCRIPTION QTY RATE AMOUNT
Remove existing lattice. Paint all surrounding wood both sides. Install new painted redwood lattice.
1 35,780.00 35,780.00
All labor at Prevailing Wage
Please approve this estimate digitally or sign and return to receive a schedule date. (A contract will be issue once estimate has been approved)
We look forward to your business. If you have any questions about the estimate, please contact our office at
[email protected]
SUBTOTAL 35,780.00
TAX 0.00
TOTAL $35,780.00
Accepted By Accepted Date
Agenda Item 13.

License #974439 (B, C39)
We are a certified MBE, SBA 8(a), and SBA company.

RAINY DAY ROOFING INC
6371 Haven Ave Ste 3-144
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
91737-6943
+19515822410
[email protected]

ADDRESS SHIP TO
Administration Building Facade
Awning Project
City of Needles
Director of Development
Services/Capital Projects
760-326-2113 Ext. 126
Administration Building Facade
Awning Project
City of Needles
Director of Development
Services/Capital Projects
760-326-2113 Ext. 126
Estimate 1390
DATE 03/10/2026

DESCRIPTION QTY RATE AMOUNT
Power wash and paint maintenance block wall both sides using paint for masonry - stucco - brick.
1 15,628.00 15,628.00
All labor at Prevailing Wage
Please approve this estimate digitally or sign and return to receive a schedule date. (A contract will be issue once estimate has been approved)
We look forward to your business. If you have any questions about the estimate, please contact our office at
[email protected]
SUBTOTAL 15,628.00
TAX 0.00
TOTAL $15,628.00
Accepted By Accepted Date
Agenda Item 13.

City of Needles, California
Request for City Council Action
CITY COUNCIL NPUA Regular Special
Meeting Date: April 28, 2026
Title: Ordinance No. 681-AC Adding Chapter 8, Article IV (Payment Processing and Cash Handling) to the Needles Municipal Code Establishing a Cash Rounding Policy for City Payments
Background: This item recommends adoption of Ordinance No. 681-AC adding Chapter 8, Article IV (Payment Processing and Cash Handling) to the Needles Municipal Code to establish a uniform cash rounding policy for City payments. The ordinance is intended to address operational challenges associated with the declining availability of one-cent coins (“pennies”) in circulation.

Arrowhead Credit Union has announced that, effective April 30, 2026, pennies will no longer be accepted for deposit and has encouraged customers to complete deposits prior to that date. This change reflects broader actions at the federal level, where the United States Department of the Treasury has reduced production of pennies due to rising manufacturing costs and decreased use in everyday transactions.

As a result, the City anticipates increasing difficulty in making exact change for cash transactions. Without a standardized approach, this could create inconsistencies in cashiering practices and impact customer service.

The proposed ordinance establishes a clear and transparent administrative process allowing cash payments to be rounded to the nearest five cents ($0.05) only when exact change cannot be made due to the unavailability of pennies. All fees, taxes, and charges will continue to be calculated to the exact cent, and rounding will apply solely at the point of cash payment. Non-cash payments, including credit card, debit card, check, and electronic payments, will not be affected.

The ordinance is structured to formally amend the Needles Municipal Code, with all operative provisions codified under Chapter 8 through Exhibit “A,” ensuring clarity, consistency, and ease of administration.

Key provisions of the ordinance include:

Cash Rounding Policy
• Rounds cash payments to the nearest $0.05 when pennies are unavailable • Applies neutral rounding (up or down) to ensure no revenue gain to the City • Maintains exact calculation of all amounts owed
Administrative Implementation
• Authorizes the City Manager or designee to implement procedures, update systems, and provide staff Training
• Provides for public notification through signage, billing materials, and the City website Operational Efficiency
• Encourages structuring future fees and payment totals in $0.05 increments where feasible • Improves transaction efficiency and reduces cashiering errors This approach is consistent with emerging practices across financial institutions and public agencies and ensures the City can continue accepting cash payments while maintaining fairness, transparency, and operational efficiency.

Fiscal Impact: Minimal. Implementation costs are limited to minor updates to cashiering procedures, staff training, and public notification materials (e.g., signage and website updates) and can be accommodated within existing departmental budgets. Agenda Item 14.

Recommendation: Adopt Ordinance No. 681-AC adding Chapter 8, Article IV to the Needles Municipal Code establishing a cash rounding policy for City payments.

Submitted By: Patrick Martinez, City Manager
Lena Wade, Esq., Deputy City Attorney
City Manager Approval: Date:

Other Department Approval (when required): Date:
4/24/2026
Agenda Item 14.

ORDINANCE 681-AC

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEEDLES ADDING CHAPTER 8, ARTICLE IV TO THE NEEDLES MUNICIPAL CODE

ESTABLISHING A CASH ROUNDING POLICY FOR CITY PAYMENTS
WHEREAS, the City of Needles, California (“City”) is a municipal corporation duly organized under the constitution and laws of the State of California; and WHEREAS, the City accepts cash payments for certain fees, charges, taxes, fines, penalties, assessments, utility charges, and other amounts owed to the City; and WHEREAS, the United States Department of the Treasury has ceased production of one-cent coins (“pennies”), resulting in declining and inconsistent circulation of pennies; and WHEREAS, with the reduced availability of pennies, City departments may be unable to reliably make exact change for cash transactions requiring one-cent coins; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to maintain the acceptance of cash while ensuring fairness, administrative efficiency, and transparency in City financial operations; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that establishing a uniform cash rounding policy and structuring payment totals in increments of five cents ($0.05), where feasible, will reduce reliance on pennies and improve operational efficiency; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance does not alter the amount of any fee, tax, rate, charge, fine, penalty, assessment, or other amount adopted or imposed by the City, but instead establishes an administrative method for processing cash payments when exact change cannot be made.

NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEEDLES DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. All the above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by this reference.

SECTION 2. Chapter 8 of the Needles Municipal Code is hereby amended to add a new Article IV, entitled “Payment Processing and Cash Handling,” immediately following Section 8-19, as set forth in Exhibit “A” attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.

SECTION 3. Nothing in this Ordinance shall be construed to alter, amend, reduce, increase, waive, or otherwise modify any fee, tax, rate, charge, fine, penalty, assessment, or other amount adopted or imposed by the City.

SECTION 4. This action shall become final and effective thirty (30) days after this decision by the City Council as provided by the Needles Municipal Code.

SECTION 5. If any section or provision of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining portions shall remain valid.

SECTION 6. The City authorizes City staff to take such other and additional actions as may be reasonably necessary to implement the purpose of this ordinance and implement the exhaustion of administrative remedies procedure adopted herein.

SECTION 7. The City Clerk shall certify the introduction and adoption of this Ordinance.

SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE
Agenda Item 14.

INTRODUCED AND READ for the first time and ordered posted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Needles, California, held on the 28th day of April 2026, by the following roll call vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:
____________________________
Janet Jernigan, Mayor
ATTEST: __________________________________
Candace Clark, City Clerk
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Needles, California, held on the 12th day of May 2026, by the following roll call vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:
____________________________
Janet Jernigan, Mayor
ATTEST: __________________________________
Candace Clark, City Clerk
Approved as to form: _______________________________
Lena Wade, Deputy City Attorney
Agenda Item 14.

Exhibit “A”
to Ordinance 681-AC
CHAPTER 8 – FINANCE
ARTICLE IV – PAYMENT PROCESSING AND CASH HANDLING
Sec. 8-20. Purpose and Intent.

The purpose of this Article is to establish a uniform and transparent administrative method for processing cash payments made to the City when exact change cannot be made due to the unavailability of one-cent coins (“pennies”), by authorizing neutral rounding to the nearest five cents ($0.05) at the point of payment only, while preserving the legally adopted amount owed to the City.

This Article does not alter the amount of any fee, tax, or charge adopted by the City Council and is intended solely to govern payment processing.

Sec. 8-21. Definitions.

For purposes of this Article:
(a) Amount Due means the exact amount owed to the City as calculated pursuant to applicable fee schedules, rates, ordinances, resolutions, or laws, expressed to the nearest cent. (b) Cash Payment means payment made using United States currency and coin. (c) Non-Cash Payment means payment made by check, credit card, debit card, electronic funds transfer, or any other non-cash method accepted by the City.

Sec. 8-22. Cash Rounding Policy.
(a) Calculation of Amount Due. All amounts owed to the City shall be calculated and recorded to the exact cent.
(b) Application of Rounding. When an Amount Due is paid by Cash Payment and exact change cannot be made due to the unavailability of one-cent coins, the amount collected shall be rounded to the nearest five cents ($0.05) at the point of payment. (c) Rounding Principles. Rounding shall be applied as follows:

1. Amounts ending in $0.01 or $0.02 shall be rounded down to $0.00;

2. Amounts ending in $0.03 or $0.04 shall be rounded up to $0.05;

3. Amounts ending in $0.06 or $0.07 shall be rounded down to $0.05; and

4. Amounts ending in $0.08 or $0.09 shall be rounded up to $0.10. (d) Neutral Application. Rounding shall be applied in a neutral and uniform manner and shall not be designed to increase City revenues.
(e) Non-Cash Payments. Amounts paid by Non-Cash Payment shall be collected in the exact Amount Due without rounding.
(f) No Effect on Fees. Cash rounding differences shall not be considered fee reductions, waivers, or unauthorized gifts of public funds.

Sec. 8-23. Administrative Implementation.

The City Manager, or designee, is authorized to:
(a) Adopt administrative procedures to implement this Article; (b) Update cashiering systems and internal controls as necessary; and (c) Provide training and public notice regarding the cash rounding policy.

Agenda Item 14.

Sec. 8-24. Public Notice.
(a) The City shall provide reasonable and conspicuous notice that cash payments may be subject to rounding to the nearest five cents ($0.05).
(b) Notice may be provided through:

1. Signage at payment locations;

2. Billing statements, invoices, or receipts;

3. The City’s website; or

4. Other reasonable means as determined by the City Manager. (c) Notice shall state that:

1. All amounts are calculated to the exact cent;

2. Rounding applies only to cash payments; and

3. Non-cash payments are not subject to rounding.
(d) Failure to provide notice in a particular instance shall not affect the validity of the Amount Due or payment processed.

Sec. 8-25. Policy to Avoid Penny-Based Totals.
(a) To the extent practicable, the City shall structure fees, charges, and payment totals so that amounts due end in increments of five cents ($0.05) or whole dime increments. (b) This policy applies to:

1. New or amended fee schedules;

2. Administrative pricing for services and programs;

3. Recurring charges, including utilities; and

4. Point-of-sale transactions.
(c) This section does not require recalculation or modification of previously adopted fees. (d) Where amounts do not align with such increments, the cash rounding provisions of this Article shall apply.
(e) The City Manager, or designee, shall determine feasibility based on operational, legal, and technological considerations.

Sec. 8-26. No Creation of Rights.

This Article establishes an administrative payment procedure only and does not create any private right of action against the City.

Sec. 8-27. Severability.

If any provision of this Article is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions, which shall continue in full force and effect.

Agenda Item 14.

City of Needles
817 Third Street, Needles, California 92363
(760) 326-2113 • FAX (760) 326-6765
www.cityofneedles.com
Mayor, Janet Jernigan
Vice Mayor Ellen Campbell
Councilmember Tona Belt
Councilmember Jamie McCorkle
Councilmember JoAnne Pogue
Councilmember Henry Longbrake
Councilmember Larry Ford
City Manager Patrick J. Martinez

MEMORANDUM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: PATRICK J. MARTINEZ, CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: WEEKLY MEMORANDUM
DATE: April 10, 2026

1. League of Cities – Desert Mountain Division Meeting
Today, the City of Needles hosted the League of California Cities Desert Mountain Division meeting at the historic El Garces, welcoming representatives from across the region for collaboration and policy discussion. The City would like to thank Mayor Jernigan, Vice Mayor Campbell, Mike Thornton, and City staff for their efforts in making the event a success. The City Manager also provided an update on the City’s Off-Highway Motor Vehicle (OHMV) Program and related legislation, highlighting Needles as the only city in California where OHVs are permitted to operate on Historic Route 66, supporting connectivity, tourism, and local economic activity. Hosting this meeting supports the City Council’s goals of strengthening regional partnerships, promoting tourism, and enhancing Needles’ role as the Gateway to California.

2. PublicCEO Feature – T-Mobile Hometown Grant
The City of Needles was recently featured in PublicCEO, a statewide publication reaching over 18,000 local government leaders, highlighting the City’s receipt of a $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant for the Route 66 Arch Project. The article recognized Needles as one of only 25 communities nationwide selected from nearly 900 applications, underscoring the City’s continued success in securing competitive funding. The grant will support development of a Route 66-themed gateway arch near Train Park, enhancing the downtown corridor and visitor experience. This recognition not only brings positive statewide visibility to Needles, but also reinforces the City’s ongoing efforts to invest in economic development, tourism, and community revitalization aligned with City Council goals.

3. NBC Palm Springs Feature – Route 66 Segment
The City of Needles was recently featured in an upcoming segment of The New Mindset of the Coachella Valley, airing on NBC Palm Springs. As part of the program’s focus on regional leaders and community stories, Mayor Janet Jernigan participated in an interview highlighting Needles’ connection to Historic Route 66 and the City’s role in the upcoming 100th Anniversary. The segment, facilitated by Jose Esparza, includes discussion on the City’s history, community identity, and opportunities tied to the Route 66 Centennial. The feature is

scheduled to begin promotional airing on May 16, 2026, as part of a broader Route 66 special. This exposure supports the City Council’s goals of promoting tourism, strengthening economic development, and enhancing Needles’ visibility as a key destination along Historic Route 66.

4. River Cruizers Car Show Recognition
This week, the Mayor received a token of appreciation from the River Cruizers Car Club for the City’s partnership and support of the “Cruisin’ the Century” Car Show. The event drew strong participation, with 61 vehicles showcased, highlighting the success of Route 66–themed tourism and community events.

The City’s 1923 American LaFrance Fire Truck earned the Mayor’s Pick Award, celebrating Needles’ unique history and character. This event supports the City Council’s goals of fostering economic growth and tourism while strengthening community engagement. River Cruizers has also announced a follow-up Route 66 Centennial Car Show on November 14, 2026, which the City plans to cosponsor to extend visitation and maximize economic impact. This continued partnership reinforces Needles’ identity as a premier Route 66 destination and supports ongoing efforts to activate downtown and promote local businesses.

5. Rivers Edge Golf Course Events & Tournament Update
The City continues to support recreational opportunities that enhance quality of life for residents. Rivers Edge Golf Course will host the Dwarf Car Nationals Golf Tournament in partnership with Mohave Valley Raceway on April 17, 2026, followed by the Spring Fling Golf Tournament on April 23, 2026. The Twilight League begins on April 21, 2026, offering weekly play with space still available for two additional teams. Looking ahead, the 27th Annual Flip Mendez Youth Fundraiser Golf Tournament on May 2, 2026, is officially sold out with 162 players and 54 teams—the largest turnout in the event’s history. The City recognizes JJ DeLeon and the Rivers Edge Golf Course staff for their strong efforts in organizing these events, which support the City Council’s goals of promoting recreation, strengthening community engagement, and supporting local economic activity.

6. Beach Preparation & Beautification Efforts
The City continues to take pride in maintaining clean, safe, and enjoyable public spaces for residents. This week, Public Works crews made strong progress preparing Bob Belt Beach Park and Jack Smith Park for the summer season, completing beach grooming, vegetation removal, and site cleanup to improve accessibility, safety, and overall usability along the Colorado River. Crews also completed installation of new restroom countertops at Ed Perry Park, further enhancing the quality, cleanliness, and durability of park facilities ahead of increased seasonal use. In addition, staff refreshed crosswalk striping at J Street and Bailey to improve pedestrian visibility and safety. These efforts preserve the natural beauty of our riverfront for everyday community use while also enhancing the visitor experience and supporting local businesses. This work supports the City Council’s goals of enhancing public spaces, strengthening community pride, and promoting safe and accessible recreational opportunities throughout the City.

7. Father-Daughter Dance – Cindi’s Kids
Tomorrow, Cindi’s Kids will host their annual Father-Daughter Dance at the Needles Recreation Center for daughters ages 3–18. This longstanding event provides a meaningful opportunity for families to connect and create lasting memories in a safe and welcoming environment. The City would like to recognize Jennifer Valenzuela and Recreation Center staff for their continued efforts in activating City facilities and delivering quality programming for our residents. Their work ensures our community spaces are not only maintained, but actively used in ways that bring people together. Events like this strengthen community bonds and support family-focused activities. This effort supports the City Council’s goals of enhancing community engagement, promoting familyfriendly opportunities, and fostering a connected and vibrant community.

8. Animal Shelter Spay & Neuter Clinic Update
This week, the Needles Animal Shelter hosted a fully booked spay and neuter clinic, serving 46 animals. Led by Dr. Angelina Beeks of Angel’s Touch Mobile Veterinary Clinic, this biannual program—established in April 2022—continues to provide a critical local service, eliminating the need for residents to travel out of state. A deposit is required to secure appointments, with the majority of costs offset through Animal Shelter donations. As part of the clinic, all dogs are licensed prior to leaving, ensuring compliance with City requirements and promoting responsible pet ownership. The City extends its appreciation to Dr.

Beeks and her team for their continued partnership. This effort supports the City Council’s goals of enhancing quality of life, strengthening community services, and promoting public safety.

9. Tri-State Community Healthcare Easter Egg Hunt – Update The Fourth Annual Needles Easter Egg Hunt, hosted by Tri-State Community Healthcare at Jack Smith Park, was a great success, with strong attendance and families from across the community enjoying a fun-filled morning. With over 5,000 eggs, activities, and appearances by the Easter Bunny, the event created memorable experiences for children and families alike. The turnout and energy at the event reflect the strong sense of community in Needles. The City extends its appreciation to Tri-State Community Healthcare, event partners, volunteers, and community leaders, including Mayor Jernigan, for their efforts in making the event a success. Their continued commitment highlights the value of community partnerships and supports the City Council’s goals of enhancing community engagement and promoting family-friendly activities.

10.Community Events Calendar Now Live
The City’s new website now features a Community Events Calendar—a single source for community events, civic meetings, and community programs. Local organizations are invited to submit or update events through the City Clerk’s Office to keep the calendar current and inclusive. Contact Candace Clark at [email protected] to participate. Residents can subscribe and sync the calendar to mobile devices for real-time updates, making it easier to stay informed and engaged.

11.Staff Recognition – Code Enforcement Certification

The City of Needles proudly congratulates Ray Bernasconi on earning his California Association of Code Enforcement Officers (CACEO) Certification, officially recognizing him as a CACEO Certified Code Enforcement Officer. This professional achievement reflects Mr. Bernasconi’s dedication to his field and commitment to serving the community. His continued growth supports the City’s investment in workforce development and reinforces our commitment to maintaining a high standard of public service.

1. CAL CITIES DESERT MOUNTAIN DIVISION

2. PUBLICCEO FEATURE

3. NBC PALM SPRINGS FEATURE – ROUTE 66

SEGMENT

4. RIVERS CRUIZERS CAR CLUB

5. RIVERS EDGE GOLF COURSE

6. CITY BEAUTIFICATION

7. ANIMAL SHELTER CLINIC

8. CINDI’S KIDS DANCE

9. EASTER EGG HUNT

City of Needles 817 Third Street, Needles, California 92363 (760) 326-2113 • FAX (760) 326-6765
www.cityofneedles.com
Mayor, Janet Jernigan
Vice Mayor Ellen Campbell
Councilmember Tona Belt
Councilmember Jamie McCorkle
Councilmember JoAnne Pogue
Councilmember Henry Longbrake
Councilmember Larry Ford
City Manager Patrick J. Martinez

MEMORANDUM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: PATRICK J. MARTINEZ, CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: WEEKLY MEMORANDUM
DATE: April 17, 2026

1. Cal Cities City Leaders Summit – Panel Participation Next week, Mayor Jernigan and Vice Mayor Ellen Campbell will attend the Cal Cities City Leaders Summit in Sacramento to engage in statewide policy discussions and advocacy. The City Manager will serve as a featured panelist on “The New Grants and Economic Development Playbook,” sharing strategies to secure funding, leverage partnerships, and advance infrastructure and economic development based on the City’s recent successes. Participation in Cal Cities ensures Needles remains competitive for funding, connected to key decision-makers, and engaged in policies that impact our community. This recognition reflects the strong work being done across the organization—driven by a City Council with a clear vision, a strong internal effort to pursue opportunities, and partnerships that help us deliver results. The summit also provides a platform to share Needles’ story and bring back best practices that support Council priorities and long-term growth.

2. Third Annual Community Fall Festival Celebrating the Route 66 Centennial The City is preparing for the Third Annual Community Fall Festival on November 7, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Santa Fe Park, celebrating the 100-Year Anniversary of Route 66 and reinforcing Needles’ role as the eastern gateway to California. This signature event is designed to attract regional visitors and position Needles as a premier Route 66 destination during the Centennial year. Planned activities include an OHMV car show, live entertainment, food vendors, a beer garden, kids zone, and a fireworks show to anchor the evening. Staff is actively advancing event logistics with a strong focus on vendor recruitment and sponsorship opportunities, with limited vendor space available and active outreach underway to secure event sponsors. The festival builds on prior success and is expected to draw increased attendance due to the national significance of the Centennial. This event directly supports Council priorities related to tourism, economic development, and community engagement. Contact: Jennifer Valenzuela, Parks and Recreation, (760) 326-2814 or [email protected]. Additional information is available on the City’s Route 66 Centennial webpage.

3. Needles Highway Improvement Project – Construction Update Construction will begin on April 23, 2026, and continue through July 31, 2026, for a San Bernardino County Public Works project improving approximately 2.32 miles of Needles Highway from David Drive to just north of Notchco Road. The project includes roadway rehabilitation, striping, signage, and related infrastructure upgrades. Initial work will include utility locating and preconstruction activities, followed by full construction. Work will occur Monday through Friday between 6:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and the public should expect traffic control and potential delays. Residents are asked to follow posted “No Parking” signage and keep roadways clear during active work. We appreciate the community’s patience during construction. Contact: Granite Construction – James Regan, (760) 625-5423; San Bernardino County Public Works, (909) 387-7920. Refer to the attached notice.

4. Lucky Dhaba – New Business & Ribbon Cutting
The City is pleased to welcome Lucky Dhaba, a new Indian restaurant located on the west end of Needles at 2411 W. Broadway Street. The Needles Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting and food tasting on April 25, 2026, with the restaurant scheduled to officially open to the public on April 26, 2026. This new business reflects continued growth in Needles and highlights ongoing momentum in attracting investment and expanding dining options. The addition of Lucky Dhaba supports City Council goals related to economic development, business attraction, and enhancing local amenities. Residents are encouraged to support this new local business.

5. NIAA 2A State Softball & Baseball Tournaments – Needles Host Site Staff met this week at the Jo Jo Garcia Memorial Sports Complex to prepare for the upcoming NIAA 2A State Softball and Baseball Tournaments, with games to be held at Needles High School. This event will bring teams, families, and visitors into the community, supporting local businesses and advancing the City Council’s goal of promoting sports tourism. The tournament is scheduled for May 14–16. City staff are actively coordinating operations and facility readiness to ensure a safe, well-organized event that showcases Needles. The Girls’ team will look to defend their State Championship title, while the Boys’ team will compete to build on last year’s runner-up finish. Hosting events of this scale strengthens partnerships with the Needles Unified School District and positions the City to attract future tournaments and continued economic activity.

6. Route 66 Bike Week – Final Reminder
Route 66 Bike Week begins next week, taking place April 20–26, 2026, and will bring a weeklong motorcycle ride experience along the historic Mother Road.

Riders will travel through Needles and surrounding Route 66 communities, generating increased activity for local businesses and regional tourism. This is expected to bring an influx of visitors to the area, and the community should anticipate increased traffic and activity throughout the week. The event continues to highlight Needles’ role as a key destination along Route 66 and supports the City Council’s goals of promoting economic activity and community pride.

7. Flip Mendez Golf Tournament – Final Sponsorship Opportunity The 27th Annual Flip Mendez Youth Fundraiser Golf Tournament on May 2, 2026, at Rivers Edge Golf Course is sold out, reflecting strong community support. The tournament benefits the Flip Mendez Youth Fund, which provides scholarships and financial assistance for local youth to participate in sports and recreational programs. As the event approaches, this serves as a final opportunity for businesses and community members to participate as hole sponsors. Sponsorships will help maximize funding and ensure continued support for youth athletics and scholarships. For sponsorship opportunities or additional information, please contact Rhonda Mendez at (760) 927-2220 or Frank Mendez at (760) 927-2215.

8. Run for the Wall (RFTW) Needles – Event Update
The annual Run for the Wall (RFTW) procession will stop in Needles on May 13, 2026, commemorating the 35th Anniversary of the Gulf War. Riders are expected to arrive at approximately 12:35 p.m., with activities taking place at El Garces and Santa Fe Park along Route 66. The event honors Veterans and raises awareness for POW/MIA accountability, and continues to draw strong participation from riders and community members. Local residents and Veterans are encouraged to attend and welcome the riders into Needles. Community partners are also accepting donations for food in support of the event. This event supports City Council goals related to community engagement, honoring Veterans, and regional tourism.

9. Chamber Spotlight – Needles Branch Library
The Needles Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a “Good Morning Needles” event featuring the Needles Branch Library, highlighting its free programs and community resources. Branch Manager Adela Covarrubias shared information on services that support education, digital literacy, and community engagement.

Current programs include Storytime, Basic Internet Classes, and Family Game Time, with the Summer Reading Program launching in June. Residents are encouraged to click the link to learn more about available programs and upcoming events.

10.Needles Pride Program & Infrastructure Improvements
This week, staff continued advancing efforts that support community pride, safety, and system reliability. Public Works focused on weed abatement along J Street, a highly visible corridor, as part of ongoing beautification efforts. In preparation for increased seasonal activity, staff also striped lanes at Jack Smith Park to support safe access and economic activity at the boat launch.

Infrastructure improvements continued under the Electric Circuit Reliability Program, including work along Lilly Hill Drive and Larchwood Circle to replace aging and inaccessible poles and improve overall system reliability. Additionally, concrete repairs were completed at the underpass sidewalk railing to enhance public safety. These efforts reflect the City’s continued commitment to maintaining a clean, safe, and well-functioning community.

11.Earth Day Transit Promotion – Fare-Free Service
In recognition of Earth Day, Needles Area Transit and Dial-a-Ride will offer farefree transit services on April 22, 2026, encouraging residents to utilize public transportation and reduce environmental impact. This initiative provides an

opportunity for the community to experience local transit services at no cost while promoting sustainability and alternative transportation options. The program is supported in partnership with regional transit agencies and aims to increase awareness and ridership. This effort supports City Council goals related to environmental stewardship, accessibility, and community engagement.

12.Update – Penny Deposits
Arrowhead Credit Union has announced that pennies will no longer be accepted for deposit after April 30, and is encouraging customers to complete deposits prior to that date. This change is being driven at the federal level, as the U.S.

Treasury reduces production of pennies due to rising manufacturing costs and declining use in circulation. The City is sharing this update to keep residents informed and avoid any confusion. Staff are also monitoring these broader changes and working toward practical solutions to ensure continued efficient cash handling operations, with additional information to be brought forward to City Council at a future meeting.

13.Bi-Annual Vaccination and Licensing Clinic – Next Weekend This is a reminder that the City of Needles Animal Shelter will host its low-cost vaccination and pet licensing clinic on April 25, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Animal Shelter (1662 Flip Mendez Parkway). In partnership with PetSmart Veterinary Services, the clinic offers affordable vaccinations and microchipping, helping reduce costs for residents. Pet licensing will be available at reduced rates, and all dogs will be licensed prior to leaving, ensuring compliance with City requirements and promoting responsible pet ownership.

This event supports public health and improves overall licensing compliance.

Residents from the tri-state area are welcome to participate. Dogs must be on leashes and cats must be in carriers.

14.Needles Women’s Club Flower Show – Final Reminder
The 96th Annual Needles Women’s Club Flower Show will be held on April 25, 2026, at the Needles Women’s Clubhouse. This long-standing community event highlights local talent in gardening and floral design and is free and open to the public. Entries will be accepted from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., followed by judging from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with public viewing from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Residents are encouraged to attend, participate, and support this community tradition. This event supports Council priorities related to community engagement and local pride. Contact: Mary McNeil, (626) 705-3394

15.Dance Trax 51 Spring Recital – Reminder
Just a reminder that Dance Trax 51 will host its Spring Recital on May 1 and May 2 at 6:00 p.m. at the Needles High School Auditorium. This event will showcase the talent and hard work of our local youth dancers. We encourage the community to come out and support these young performers.

16.Behavioral Health Community Meeting – Public Outreach The San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) will host a community meeting in Needles next month on May 19, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Needles Council Chambers. The meeting will provide an overview of the transition from the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) to the

Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), along with information on programs and resources available to the community. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to attend, ask questions, and provide input on behavioral health services in Needles. The City is supporting outreach efforts to promote attendance and ensure local engagement. This effort supports Council priorities related to community well-being and access to services.

17.“Our Water Ways” Film Screening at Palo Verde College The “Our Water Ways” film screening was held on April 11, 2026, at the Palo Verde College Needles Educational Center and was well attended by the community. Hosted by Palo Verde College and led by Dean Jaclyn Randall, the event brought together regional and tribal voices to share perspectives on the cultural and historical significance of water. We appreciate Supervisor Rowe’s support in sending her Field Director, Steve Reyes, to participate.

The program featured speakers Paul Jackson and Nora McDowell (Fort Mojave Indian Tribe), along with Matt Leivas, former Chemehuevi Heritage Chair, who is also featured in the film. The discussion highlighted the Colorado River’s importance, emphasizing water rights, cultural connections, and the essential role water plays in sustaining life—reinforcing the need for continued stewardship in Needles as a Colorado River community.

18.Historic 1923 American LaFrance Fire Truck Restoration City Councilmember Larry Ford and Heather Timmons volunteered their time to refurbish original brass fire extinguishers from the City of Needles’ historic 1923 American LaFrance Fire Truck (as shown). Their efforts reflect strong community pride and a commitment to preserving the City’s history. With only a few finishing touches remaining, approximately $15,000 is still needed to complete the restoration. Donations are welcome to help bring this project across the finish line. Those interested in contributing may contact Jesse Fragoso at [email protected].

19.Community Events Calendar Now Live
The City’s new website now features a Community Events Calendar—a single source for community events, civic meetings, and community programs. Local organizations are invited to submit or update events through the City Clerk’s Office to keep the calendar current and inclusive. Contact Candace Clark at [email protected] to participate. Residents can subscribe and sync the calendar to mobile devices for real-time updates, making it easier to stay informed and engaged.

1. CAL CITIES PARTICIPATION

2. 3RD ANNUAL COMMUNUTY FALL FESTIVAL

3. NEEDLES HIGHWAY PROJECT 1C

4. NEEDLES CHAMBER RIBBON CUTTING

5. HOSTING NIAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

6. ROUTE 66 BIKE WEEK SELIGMAN

7. FLIP MENDEZ SPONORSHIPS

8. RUN FOR THE WALL

9. NEEDLES CHAMBER SPOTLIGHT

10. ELECTRICAL IMPROVEMENTS- LARCHWOOD

10. CITYWIDE BEAUTIFICATION- J STREET

10. CITYWIDE BEAUTIFICATION- BOAT LAUNCH

10. CITYWIDE BEAUTIFICATION- UNDERPASS

11. EARTH DAY FREE TRANSIT

12. ARROWHEAD CREDIT UNION

13. VACCINATION CLINIC

14. WOMEN’S CLUB FLOWER SHOW

15. DANCE TRAX 51 RECITAL

17. PALO VERDE COMMUNITY EVENT

17. PALO VERDE COMMUNITY EVENT

18. HISTORIC FIRE TRUCK RESTORATION EFFORT