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 23, 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 - arrived at 5:02 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 - 5:01 pm
EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. 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
b. Conference with labor negotiators pursuant to government code section 54957.6. Agency designated representatives: Mayor Janet Jernigan, Vice Mayor Ellen Campbell, and Council Member Henry Longbrake.
Unrepresented Employee: City Clerk
No reportable action
c. Conference with labor negotiators pursuant to government code section 54957.6. Agency designated representatives: Mayor Janet Jernigan, Vice Mayor Ellen Campbell, and Council Member Henry Longbrake.
Unrepresented Employee: City Manager
This item was removed and no action or discussion took place on this matter 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 Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade 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 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 Member Tim Terral in attendance.
CITY ATTORNEY – PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES given by Deputy City Attorney Lena Wade
PUBLIC APPEARANCE
Jared Johnston announce the upcoming Eagles free kids swimming event at the Recreation Center Wayne Colburn announced that River Communities Coalition will be hosting a rummage sale July 31 – August 1 Tim Terral, representing the Chamber of Commerce, announced the fireworks stand and passed out flyers Nancy Greenwood complained about the lack of signage in Needles
PRESENTATION
1. Dr. Mary McNeil gave an update on the Needles Chamber of Commerce Business Directory Sign Program
PUBLIC HEARING
2. City of Needles, Needles Public Utility Authority (NPUA), & Housing Authority of the City of Needles (HACN) Public Hearing on the Proposed Budgets for Fiscal Year 2026-2027; and, approval of Resolutions 2026-23, 06- 23-2026-NPUA, and 2026-15-HACN adopting the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Annual Operating and Capital Budgets
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council had no questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:15 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:15 pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member McCorkle, to adopt City of Needles, Needles Public Utility Authority (NPUA), & Housing Authority of the City of Needles (HACN) Resolutions 2026-23, 06-23-2026- NPUA, and 2026-15-HACN adopting the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Annual Operating and Capital Budgets.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
3. Adopt Resolution 2026-25 calling for the holding of a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the election of certain officers as required by the provisions of the Charter and requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Bernardino to consolidate a General Municipal Election, with the Statewide General Election to be held on that date pursuant to §10403 of the Elections Code City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council had no questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:17 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:17 pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ford, to Adopt Resolution 2026-25 calling for the holding of a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the election of certain officers as required by the provisions of the Charter and requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Bernardino to consolidate a General Municipal Election, with the Statewide General Election to be held on that date pursuant to §10403 of the Elections Code
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Longbrake pulled items 6 and 7
Council Member Pogue made a motion, seconded by Council Member Longbrake, to approve Consent Calendar items 4 through 5
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 June 23, 2026
5. Approved the Minutes of June 9, 2026
PULLED ITEMS
6. Authorize the Mayor to execute a Letter of Support for River Communities Coalition's USDA Rural Business Development Grant application
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
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Pogue, to Authorize the Mayor to execute a Letter of Support for River Communities Coalition's USDA Rural Business Development Grant application Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
7. Authorize the Mayor to Submit a Letter of Support for Assembly Bill 1821 Regarding Updates to the California Public Records Act
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council engaged in minimal discussion
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:22 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:22 pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member McCorkle, to Authorize the Mayor to Submit a Letter of Support for Assembly Bill 1821 Regarding Updates to the California Public Records Act Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
END OF COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
REGULAR COUNCIL ITEMS
8. Receive and file the presentation from Urban Futures, Inc. regarding potential ballot measures and provide direction to staff regarding potential placement of measures on the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election ballot
City Manager Martinez gave staff report and introduced Michael Busch of Urban Futures, who gave a presentation on the three possible ballot measures and the survey conducted.
Council asked questions and considerable discussion ensued Staff and Michael Busch responded to Council questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:46 pm
Wayne Colburn stated that all three should be on the ballot and the voters will prioritize and decide how to vote.
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:50 pm
Further Council deliberation ensued
Council requested staff bring all three measures back for consideration and approval at the next council meeting.
9. Accept Notice of Completion for work completed by Pyramid Building and Engineering, Inc. for the Water Main and Manifold Improvements project and authorize a Notice of Completion to be recorded with the San Bernardino County Recorder’s Office
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council had no questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:06 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:06 pm
Council Member Pogue made a motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Campbell, to Accept Notice of Completion for work completed by Pyramid Building and Engineering, Inc. for the Water Main and Manifold Improvements project and authorize a Notice of Completion to be recorded with the San Bernardino County Recorder’s Office Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
10. Adopt Resolution 2026-20 establishing the appropriations subject to the limit for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council had no questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:08 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:08 pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ford, to Adopt Resolution 2026-20 establishing the appropriations subject to the limit for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
11. Adopt Resolution 2026-24, approving the City of Needles Annual Statement of Investment Policy and Rescinding Resolution 2025-31
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council had no questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:10 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:10 pm
Council Member McCorkle made a motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Campbell, to Adopt Resolution 2026-24, approving the City of Needles Annual Statement of Investment Policy and Rescinding Resolution 2025-31 Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
12. Ordinance 682-AC Amending Chapter 12 of the Needles Municipal Code regarding business license requirements for vendors participating in approved community events (First Read) City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council had no questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:12 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:12 pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ford, to approve Ordinance 682-AC Amending Chapter 12 of the Needles Municipal Code regarding business license requirements for vendors participating in approved community events (First Read)
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
13. Adopt Resolution 2026-26 Determining the Needles Off Highway Motor Vehicle (OHMV) Staging Area Project is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Directing Staff to File a Notice of Exemption (NOE) with the State of California Office of Planning and Research, State Clearinghouse, and the San Bernardino County Clerk
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council asked minimal questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:15 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:15 pm
Council Member McCorkle made a motion, seconded by Council Member Pogue, to Adopt Resolution 2026-26 Determining the Needles Off Highway Motor Vehicle (OHMV) Staging Area Project is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Directing Staff to File a Notice of Exemption (NOE) with the State of California Office of Planning and Research, State Clearinghouse, and the San Bernardino County Clerk Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, 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
• No Requests
Council Member McCorkle
• Requested feedback and ideas from public on Route 66 Centennial events, signs, and spoke about the Centennial Event day and encouraged people to come to Council meetings and that the meeting videos are online
Vice Mayor Campbell
• Requested staff look into banning Kratom in the City of Needles • Local resident was victim of boating accident, boater did not stop • Expressed condolences to Linda Hedrick and family for her recent surgery Council Member Pogue
• Asked about removing the stop sign at K and Front street, by underpass • Asked about encouraging Needles’ Businesses to advertise on billboards along I-40 Council Member Belt
• Thanked staff for trimming trees and keeping beaches clean • Reported J Street is getting potholes and requested staff look into getting those filled in Council Member Longbrake
• Agreed with Vice Mayor Campbell about banning Kratom
• Reported that Streetlights on Broadway and Coronado are still not working Mayor Jernigan
• Reported on her attendance at the Desert Mountain Division meeting in Barstow • Congratulated Barstow on the intermodal system
• Wagon Wheel sponsored 500 Needles brochures, getting another 500 • Museum had 151 visitors the previous weekend
• Will be attending the upcoming tourism summit
ADJOURNMENT – Mayor Jernigan adjourned the meeting at 7:42 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 23rd day of June, 2026, and approved by the City Council of the City of Needles, on July 14, 2026.
Candace Clark, CPMC, CMC
City Clerk of the City of Needles