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, MAY 12, 2026 - COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION – 5:00 - CITY COUNCIL MEETING – 6:00 PM CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 5:03 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 §54957 - Title of position:
City Clerk
No reportable action
b. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS – Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8 Property within Final Tract Map Rustic Acres #5 Negotiator: Patrick Martinez, City Manager or designee Negotiating Parties: Lane Stromberg Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment No reportable action
c. Conference with Real Property Negotiators Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.5 for APN 0186-201-03. Negotiating Parties: The Lamar Companies and the City of Needles. (Negotiating Party for the City of Needles Patrick Martinez, City Manager). Under Negotiations: Price and Terms.
No reportable action
d. Conference with Legal Counsel Regarding Potential Initiation of Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) Number of Cases: 1
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 – City Attorney Pinkney gave report as noted above.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - led by Mayor Jernigan
INVOCATION - given by Vice Mayor Campbell
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council Member Pogue made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ford, to approve the agenda.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
CONFLICT OF INTEREST – None
CORRESPONDENCE – None
INTRODUCTIONS - Mayor Jernigan acknowledged former Council Members Tim Terral and Ruth MusserLopez in attendance.
PUBLIC APPEARANCE
City Treasurer Virginia Tasker thanked Council for considering her salary adjustment.
PRESENTATION
1. City Planner Irene Romero gave a presentation on Mobile Food Vendor Process & Permitting.
Council asked questions and staff responded.
Public Comment:
Jared Johnston commented on the costs and how they affect non-profits hosting events
2. Chamber of Commerce Update given by Karrie Brazaski
NPUA / COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Member/Council Member McCorkle made a motion, seconded by Member/Council Member Ford, to approve item 3 on the NPUA/ Council consent calendar.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Jernigan, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
3. Authorized a Second Amendment to the Joint Use of Poles between the City of Needles and the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe Telecommunications Inc. for seven (7) new connections along E Broadway Street.
END OF NPUA CONSENT CALENDAR
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR Approve Items 4 through 13 on the Consent Calendar by affirmative roll call vote.
Public Comment received from Ruth Musser Lopez in opposition to number 10 and urged Council to pull this item.
Item 10 was pulled from the consent calendar.
Council Member Pogue made a motion, seconded by Council Member Longbrake, to approve Consent Calendar items 4 through 9, 11 through 13.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
4. Approved the Warrants Register through May 12, 2026
5. Approved the Minutes of April 28, 2026
6. Approved the letters of support SBCTA grant applications for Student Safe 360 and authorized the Mayor to sign and transmit the letters.
7. Waived the reading and adopted Resolution 2026-15 dissolving the Cemetery Advisory Commission
8. Accepted and filed the auditor AUP report for the FY 2024-2025 Gann Limit calculation.
9. Waived the reading and adopted Resolution 2026-16, Amending Resolution 2024-12 to update the salary of the City Treasurer not to exceed $550 per month.
11. Waived the reading and adopted 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. (Second Read Adopt)
12. Waived the reading and adopted 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 (Second Read Adopt)
13. Cancelled the July 28, and August 25, 2026, regular City Council / NPUA / HACN meetings.
END OF COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
PULLED FROM CONSENT:
10. Authorize the Mayor to Sign a Letter of Opposition to Senate Bill 1414 Regarding County Redistricting Governance
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
No Council Questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:51 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:51 pm
Council Member McCorkle made a motion, seconded by Council Member Longbrake, to Authorize the Mayor to Sign a Letter of Opposition to Senate Bill 1414 Regarding County Redistricting Governance Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
REGULAR COUNCIL ITEMS
14. Reject Bid for the Animal Control Restroom Addition Project and Authorize Staff to Revise the Plans for the Building Addition and Resolicit Bids for Construction City Manager Martinez gave staff report
No Council Questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:55 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:55 pm
Council Member Longbrake made a motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Campbell, to Reject Bid for the Animal Control Restroom Addition Project and Authorize Staff to Revise the Plans for the Building Addition and Resolicit Bids for Construction
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
15. Adopt Resolution 2026-10, a list of Projects for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 funded by SB1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
No Council Questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:59 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:59 pm
Council Member Longbrake made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ford, to Adopt Resolution 2026-10, a list of Projects for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 funded by SB1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
16. Accept Change Order No. 1 (Final) to the Agreement with Precise Builders, Inc. for the 19th Hole Bar & Grill Kitchen Remodel Project in the amount of $88,023.80 resulting in an increase to the total project budget of $4,683.80.and a total contract amount of $504,722.80; and Authorize Staff to Execute the Notice of Completion (NOC) for the work
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
No Council Questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:03 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:03 pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member McCorkle, to Accept Change Order No. 1 (Final) to the Agreement with Precise Builders, Inc. for the 19th Hole Bar & Grill Kitchen Remodel Project in the amount of $88,023.80 resulting in an increase to the total project budget of $4,683.80.and a total contract amount of $504,722.80; and Authorize Staff to Execute the Notice of Completion (NOC) for the work
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
17. Appoint a Council Member to serve as the Alternate to the SBRHT (San Bernardino Regional Housing Trust) in the event the Delegate is unable to attend.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Vice Mayor Campbell expressed an interest in being the alternate for SBRHT Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:05 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:05 pm
Council Member Ford made a motion, seconded by Council Member McCorkle, to Appoint Vice Mayor Campbell to serve as the Alternate to the SBRHT (San Bernardino Regional Housing Trust) in the event the Delegate is unable to attend.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
18. Approve Change Order 3 to the Public Works Agreement with Pyramid Building and Engineering, Inc. for the Water Main and Manifold Improvements Project resulting in an increase to the contract in the amount of $196,278.46 for a new total contract amount of $1,498,98.88; and authorize staff to execute said Change Order
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
No Council Questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:10 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:10 pm
Council Member Longbrake made a motion, seconded by Council Member McCorkle, to Approve Change Order 3 to the Public Works Agreement with Pyramid Building and Engineering, Inc. for the Water Main and Manifold Improvements Project resulting in an increase to the contract in the amount of $196,278.46 for a new total contract amount of $1,498,98.88; and authorize staff to execute said Change Order
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
19. Staff Update Regarding Lattice & Paint Proposals for the Administration Building Facade Awning Project
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council discussion ensued
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:14 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:14 pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Longbrake, to authorize staff to proceed with the revised quote and scope of work for the Administration Building Facade lattice and painting project.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT – City Attorney Pinkney had nothing to report 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 take donations for the Fire Truck restoration wish list, and pledged $100 donation himself
Council Member McCorkle
• Reported on the upcoming Little League tournament of champions • Reported on Needles HS students being considered for the ACES awards Vice Mayor Campbell
• Commended the success of the Dance Traxx event
• Reported the swim team is starting
• Participated in a ride along with the SBCSD on the river, stressed the importance of swim lessons Council Member Pogue
• No requests
Council Member Belt
• Commended the city and recreation department for all of the good events; golf, basketball, swim Council Member Longbrake
• Stressed the importance of swim lessons
• Participated in the ride along with SBCSD
• Reported that Dance Traxx provides a great program
• Reported the City received high praise on the quality of the Elementary School • Another resident expressed concern over lack of response from City • Reported streetlights out at J and Erin, and on J Street between Coronado and the Parkway Mayor Jernigan
• Encouraged everyone to attend the Run for the Wall event tomorrow ADJOURNMENT – Mayor Jernigan adjourned the meeting at 7:35 pm ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Mayor Janet Jernigan City Clerk Candace Clark