MINUTES
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, MAY 26, 2026, COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION – 5:00 PM 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
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 - 5:02 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: 1
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, second by Council Member McCorkle, to authorize the City to enter into a tolling agreement with Landis and Gyr Technology, Inc. and Master Meter, and in the event a tolling agreement cannot be met, Council further authorized the City to initiate litigation.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Jernigan, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 6 pm ROLL CALL – All present as noted above
EXECUTIVE SESSION REPORT – given by City Attorney Pinkney 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: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
CONFLICT OF INTEREST – None
CORRESPONDENCE – Mayor Jernigan acknowledged an Email received from one of the Commission applicants explaining why he was unable to attend the meeting for an interview.
INTRODUCTIONS - None
CITY ATTORNEY – Parliamentary Procedures given by City Attorney Pinkney
PUBLIC APPEARANCE
Marcus Scott presented ideas about putting a grocery store with fresh indoor vertically grown produce in the old Rite Aid building.
PRESENTATION
1. Mayor Jernigan presented certificates of appreciation to Tumbleweed Market and vendors for their participation in the Needles Sunday Market.
2. NPUA / COUNCIL / HACN: Provide staff direction to proceed with the Budget process and schedule the matter for a public hearing on June 9 and a public hearing and action on June 23, 2026, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council asked questions and made recommendations. Considerable discussion ensued.
Items requested to be added include a cooling station and angle parking on Broadway.
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:21 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:21 pm
INTERVIEWS
3. Conduct interviews and make appointments to fill two seats on the Planning Commission; one with a term to expire on December 31, 2027, and one with a term to expire December 31, 2029; and one seat on Housing Commission with a term to expire December 31, 2027.
Council interviewed Alisia Hernandez, who was present, for Planning Commission.
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, second by Council Member Longbrake, to appoint Alisia Hernandez to Planning Commission, with a term to expire December 31, 2029.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Jernigan, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Council interviewed Wendy Welt, who was participating via Teams, for Planning Commission.
Council Member Ford made a motion, second by Vice Mayor Campbell, to appoint Alisia Hernandez to Planning Commission, with a term to expire December 31, 2029.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Jernigan, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Applicant Shivam Bhakta was unable to attend, as noted in correspondence provided.
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, second by Council Member Longbrake, to appoint Shivam Bhakta to Housing Commission, with a term to expire December 31, 2027.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Jernigan, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member McCorkle, to approve Consent Calendar items 4 through 8.
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 26, 2026
5. Approved the Minutes of May 12, 2026
6. Accepted and filed the April 2026 Treasurer’s Report.
7. Waived the reading and adopted Resolution No. 2026-17 approving an Eighteenth Amendment to and Extension of the License between the City of Needles and Bonnie Baker Senior Center for use of the kitchen and a portion of the dining area in the Needles Senior Citizens Center during the 2026-2027 fiscal year
8. Authorized a month-to-month contract extension to California Consulting for grant writing services and accept an increase from $110/hr to $125/hr
END OF COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
REGULAR COUNCIL ITEMS
9. Approve the Thirty First Amendment to Contract No. 99-376 with the County of San Bernardino providing for law enforcement services by amending Schedule A for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council asked questions and minimal discussion ensued.
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:53 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:53 pm
Council Member Longbrake made a motion, second by Council Member Ford, to Approve the Thirty First Amendment to Contract No. 99-376 with the County of San Bernardino providing for law enforcement services by amending Schedule A for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Jernigan, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
10. Waive the reading and adopt Resolution 2026-18 approving an Agreement between the City of Needles and Needles Unified School District for a Sheriff's Service Specialist for the 2026-2027 school year.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council asked questions and minimal discussion ensued.
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:56 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:56 pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, second by Council Member Pogue, to Waive the reading and adopt Resolution 2026-18 approving an Agreement between the City of Needles and Needles Unified School District for a Sheriff's Service Specialist for the 2026-2027 school year.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Jernigan, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
11. Accept Change Order No. 1 (Final) to the Public Works Agreement with Vance Corporation for the Phase V Street Paving Improvements Project and Accept the Work as Complete City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council asked questions and minimal discussion ensued.
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:01 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:01 pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, second by Council Member McCorkle, to Accept Change Order No. 1 (Final) to the Public Works Agreement with Vance Corporation for the Phase V Street Paving Improvements Project and Accept the Work as Complete.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Jernigan, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
12. Authorize Mayor Jernigan and interested City Council Members to attend the Discover SoCal Empire Tourism & Investment Summit scheduled for July 7–9, 2026, in Ontario, California, and authorize reimbursement of approved travel, lodging, meals, and related expenses in accordance with City policy.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council asked questions and minimal discussion ensued.
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, second by Council Member Ford, to Authorize Mayor Jernigan and interested City Council Members to attend the Discover SoCal Empire Tourism & Investment Summit scheduled for July 7–9, 2026, in Ontario, California, and authorize reimbursement of approved travel, lodging, meals, and related expenses in accordance with City policy.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Jernigan, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
13. Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support for the California Joint Powers Insurance Agency (CJPIA) Coalition to Protect Community Services.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council had no questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:05 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:05 pm
Council Member McCorkle made a motion, second by Vice Mayor Campbell, to Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support for the California Joint Powers Insurance Agency (CJPIA) Coalition to Protect Community Services.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Jernigan, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
14. Award the Base Bid for the Downtown Route 66 Monument Sign Project to MJB Power LLC in the amount NTE $50,000 and authorize staff to execute a Public Works Agreement with MJB Power LLC and move forward with the Notice of Award and Notice to Proceed for the project.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council asked questions and minimal discussion ensued.
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:13 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:13 pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, second by Council Member McCorkle, to Award the Base Bid for the Downtown Route 66 Monument Sign Project to MJB Power LLC in the amount NTE $50,000 and authorize staff to execute a Public Works Agreement with MJB Power LLC and move forward with the Notice of Award and Notice to Proceed for the project.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Jernigan, Pogue, Longbrake Noes: Belt
Absent: None
Abstain: None
15. Provide Staff Direction for Paint and Roofing Material Colors for City Hall City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council asked questions and considerable discussion ensued Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:17 pm
Tim Terral stated he likes blue for the roof
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:17 pm
Council Member Longbrake made a motion, second by Council Member Pogue, to use two shades of gray paint for the building and blue for the roofing material.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Jernigan, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
16. Receive and file the report, discuss business license and event licensing requirements for vendors participating in community events, and provide staff direction regarding future licensing requirements. If directed, staff will return with any necessary Municipal Code amendments, fee schedule amendments, or administrative procedures for Council consideration.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council asked questions and considerable discussion ensued Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:42 pm
Tim Terral suggested lowering the fees and removing the $46 processing fee for a year as a trial, in order to get more vendors to participate
Patrick Lauterio stated he understands the fees, and suggested the one-day fees not be charged the $46 processing fee Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:49 pm
Further Council deliberation ensued
Council Member Pogue made a motion, second by Council Member Longbrake, to waive the $46 processing fee for vendors making less than $15,000 per year.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Jernigan, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Vice Mayor Campbell reminded staff about the discussion and Council consensus to change the wording from Amusement Event License to Temporary Event License.
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
• No Requests
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
• Reported on her attendance at ICSC in Las Vegas – businesses are open to conversations about potential future development in Needles
Council Member Pogue
• Honored to have participated in the Memorial Day service Council Member Belt
• Asked staff to increase enforcement and communication with the Park Ranger to prevent cars driving on the beach
Council Member Longbrake
• Reported several streetlights are out all around town Mayor Jernigan
• Reported on her attendance at the League of California Cities Joint Desert Mountain Division meeting • Thanked public works for their hard work on the cemetery for the Memorial Day event • Received California Passport books, will be distributing to local businesses and tourism events • Requested staff look into why the green business signs have not been completed ADJOURNMENT – Mayor Jernigan adjourned the meeting at 8:15 pm ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Mayor Janet Jernigan City Clerk Candace Clark
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the meeting held on the 26th day of May, 2026, and approved by the City Council of the City of Needles, on June 9, 2026.
Candace Clark, CPMC, CMC
City Clerk of the City of Needles