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, JUNE 9, 2026, COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION – 5:00 PM CITY COUNCIL MEETING – 6:00 PM CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 5:03 pm
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Council Member Larry Ford
Council Member Jamie McCorkle
Vice Mayor Ellen Campbell
Mayor Janet Jernigan
Council Member Tona Belt – arrived at 5:23 pm
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). One potential case.
No reportable action
b) Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation – Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) and/or (3). One potential case.
No reportable action
CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm ROLL CALL – All present as noted above
EXECUTIVE SESSION REPORT – given by City Attorney Robert Patterson as noted above PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - led by Mayor Jernigan
INVOCATION - given by Vice Mayor Campbell
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Pogue, to approve the agenda.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: 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 in attendance.
PUBLIC APPEARANCE
Wayne Colburn requested staff agendize signing a letter of support for River Communities Coalition to pursue grant funding for a coop grocery store.
PRESENTATION
1. City Manager Martinez gave presentation on results of the voter survey that was conducted regarding the funding of City Projects as possible ballot measures.
PUBLIC HEARING
2. Public Hearing on Vacancies to Comply with Assembly Bill 2561 City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council had no questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:12 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:12 pm
Council Member Pogue made a motion, second by Vice Mayor Campbell, to Receive and file this report in compliance with AB2561
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
3. Conduct the public hearing, receive public testimony, provide direction as appropriate, and introduce the proposed FY 2026-27 Annual Operating and Capital Budgets for adoption.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council had no questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:16 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:16 pm
NPUA / HACN / COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Pogue, to approve NPUA/HACN/Council Consent Calendar items 4 through 6.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Vice Mayor Campbell, Mayor Jernigan, Pogue Belt, Longbrake Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
4. Authorized a Joint Use of Poles between the City of Needles and Citizen Utilities Rural Company DBA Frontier Communications
5. Ratified the Utility Manager's Signature dated May 12, 2026, for the California Energy Commission 2025 Power Source Disclosure Annual Report
6. Adopted Joint Resolution Nos. 2026-19, 6-9-2026-NPUA, and 2026-14-HACN approving the FY 2026-27 LAIF Authorized Persons List.
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member McCorkle, to approve Consent Calendar items 7 through 10.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
7. Approved the Warrants Register through June 9, 2026
8. Approved the Minutes of May 26, 2026
9. Accepted and filed the May 2026 Treasurer’s Report
10. Adopted Resolution No. 2026-22 authorizing the submission of an Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 8 grant application for the Needles Multimodal Loop Project Phase 1.
END OF COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
REGULAR COUNCIL ITEMS
11. Accept Parcel Map No. 20989 located at 193 Morgan Drive and accept dedication of Public Utility Easements shown on the Final Map.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council had no questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:20 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:20 pm
Council Member Ford made a motion, second by Council Member McCorkle, to Accept Parcel Map No. 20989 located at 193 Morgan Drive and accept dedication of Public Utility Easements shown on the Final Map.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
12. Provide Direction Regarding the Preparation and Submittal of an Application to the CalRecycle Beverage Container Redemption Innovation Grant Program Cycle 9 for the Needles Pilot Reverse Vending Machine Project.
Utility Manager Torrance and City Manager Martinez gave staff report Council asked questions and discussion ensued.
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:39 pm
Tim Terral said this is a great idea and spoke about one he used when he lived in Highland several years earlier.
Wayne Colburn asked about the user accounts and if there could be multiple accounts for one household.
Utility Manager Torrance responded and stated that more details will be provided.
City Manager Martinez responded to Council questions and provided more clarification.
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:42 pm
13. Authorize those interested to attend the 2026 Operation Dry Water Press Conference in Lake Havasu City, AZ on June 29, 2026, and authorize reimbursement of approved travel related expenses in accordance with City policy.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Mayor Jernigan and Vice Mayor Campbell expressed interest in attending Council asked questions and 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, second by Council Member Longbrake, to Authorize Mayor Jernigan and Vice Mayor Campbell to attend the 2026 Operation Dry Water Press Conference in Lake Havasu City, AZ on June 29, 2026, and authorize reimbursement of approved travel related expenses in accordance with City policy.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT – City Attorney Patterson 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
• The banner on the railroad crossing is too small. Suggested it be moved to the front of El Garces and replaced with a larger banner.
• Requested landscaping around the Needles sign at G and H • Reported the pedestrian crossing on J street outside council chambers is faded and should be repainted Council Member McCorkle
• Likes the QR code on the banner
• Reported salt cedar trees on River Road need to be cleaned up Vice Mayor Campbell
• Reported that the parking lot at the old county building is in disrepair Council Member Pogue
• Stated that the Palo Verde Graduation ceremony in Needles was nice Council Member Belt
• Requested staff trim trees at Bob Belt Beach Park
• Needles High School graduation – this was the 120th year Council Member Longbrake
• Requested more signage in the city to prevent tourists from getting lost • Reported several streetlights are still out – Broadway by hardware store, Santa Fe Park, J Street between Coronado and Erin
Mayor Jernigan
• Reported on her attendance at the Victorville fair
x She hosted a couple visiting from London who write periodicals and enjoyed seeing the City of Needles x Thanked Michael Wright from the museum
x Reported on the success of the Texas BBQ Caravan and 72-ounce steak challenge x Received Visit California Route 66 Passbooks and is distributing them ADJOURNMENT – Mayor Jernigan adjourned the meeting at 7:04 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 9th day of June, 2026, and approved by the City Council of the City of Needles, on June 23, 2026.
Candace Clark, CPMC, CMC
City Clerk of the City of Needles