MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NEEDLES PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY
HOUSING AUTHORITY CITY OF NEEDLES
CITY OF NEEDLES, CALIFORNIA
COUNCIL CHAMBERES, 1111 BAILEY AVE, NEEDLES
TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 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
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Council Member Larry Ford
Council Member Jamie McCorkle
Vice Mayor Ellen Campbell arrived at 5:05 pm
Mayor Janet Jernigan
Council Member Tona Belt
Council Member Henry Longbrake
Council Member JoAnne Pogue
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION - None RECESSED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION - 5:04 pm
EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Public Employee Performance Evaluation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957. Title: City Manager
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. Public Employee Performance Evaluation pursuant to Government Code §54957 - Title of position:
City Clerk
No reportable action
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm ROLL CALL (previously taken, as noted above)
EXECUTIVE SESSION REPORT – Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade gave report as noted above.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - led by Mayor Jernigan
INVOCATION - given by Vice Mayor Campbell
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council Member McCorkle made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ford, to approve the agenda.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Council Members Pogue Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
CONFLICT OF INTEREST – None
CORRESPONDENCE – None
INTRODUCTIONS - Mayor Jernigan acknowledged former Council Member Tim Terral in attendance.
CITY ATTORNEY – Parliamentary Procedures given by Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade PUBLIC APPEARANCE - None
PRESENTATION
1. Chamber of Commerce Update – Continued to May 12, 2026
INTERVIEWS
2. Interviews / appointments to fill vacancies on various Boards and Commissions. Provide staff direction - no applications have been received.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council asked questions and discussion ensued
Council directed staff to look for alternative ways to advertise vacancies, including inserts in utility bills and posting on the Needles Connect app.
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member McCorkle made a motion, seconded by Council Member Longbrake, to approve items 3-8 on the Consent Calendar.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Council Members Pogue Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
3. Approved the Warrants Register through April 28, 2026
4. Approved the Minutes of April 14, 2026
5. Accepted and filed the March 2026 Treasurers Report
6. Waived the reading and adopted 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. Reviewed and followed the League of California Cities advocacy on proposed legislation and authorized the Mayor to sign a letter of support for Proposition 36.
8. Authorized 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 City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council asked questions and discussion ensued
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:19 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:19 pm
Council Member Longbrake made a motion, seconded by Council Member Pogue, to 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.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Council Members Pogue Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
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.
City Manager Martinez and Deputy City Attorney Wade gave staff report Council had no questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:23 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:23 pm
Council Member Ford made a motion, seconded by Council Member Longbrake, to 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.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Council Members Pogue Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
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
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council had minimal questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:25 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:25 pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Longbrake, to 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.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Council Members Pogue Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
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
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council asked questions and discussion ensued. Utility Manager Torrance responded Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:33 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:33 pm
Council Member Belt made a motion, seconded by Council Member Longbrake, to 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.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Council Members Pogue Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
13. Approve Change Order No. 1 to the Public Works Agreement with Rainy Day Roofing, Inc. for the Administration Building Façade Awning Project
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council asked questions and considerable discussion ensued.
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:46 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:46 pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Longbrake, to authorize staff to look at alternatives to lower the cost, and continue the item to the next meeting.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Council Members Pogue Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
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 City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council asked questions and minimal discussion ensued
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:52 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:52 pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ford, to 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.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Council Members Pogue Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT – given by Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade CITY CLERK REPORT – given by City Clerk Candace Clark
CITY MANAGER REPORT – given by City Manager Patrick Martinez
COUNCIL REQUESTS
Council Member Ford
x No requests
Council Member McCorkle
x Commented on the Awning/Lattice project cost, saying it was the equivalent of an annual salary Vice Mayor Campbell
x Reported on the Courthouse meeting she attended and their plan to expand services x Reported on the League of California Cities conference she attended x Reported on the grand opening of a new restaurant – Lucky Dhaba, and encouraged everyone to support this new local business
Council Member Pogue
x Complimented the city on the success of the Sunday Market Council Member Belt
x Thanked staff for ongoing efforts to support the City of Needles Council Member Longbrake
x No requests
Mayor Jernigan
x Reported on her attendance at the League of California Cities conference and thanked Patrick for his presentation at the conference.
x Reported on the Inland Empire tourism efforts
x Wished the new restaurant Lucky Dhaba success
ADJOURNMENT – Mayor Jernigan adjourned the meeting at 7:15 pm ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Mayor Janet Jernigan City Clerk Candace Clark