MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NEEDLES PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY
HOUSING AUTHORITY CITY OF NEEDLES
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - 1111 BAILEY AVE
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
EXECUTIVE SESSION - 5:00 PM
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
Vice Mayor Ellen Campbell
Mayor Janet Jernigan
Council Member Tona Belt arrived at 5:10 PM
Council Member Henry Longbrake
Council Member JoAnne Pogue
Council Member Jamie McCorkle
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS – None RECESSED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION at 5:06 PM
EXECUTIVE SESSION
a) Conference with legal counsel regarding existing litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1) Jane Doe v. City of Needles, et al., Superior Court of the County of San Bernardino, Case No. CIVSB2603777
No reportable action
b) Conference with Labor Negotiation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6. Agency designated representative City Manager Patrick Martinez or his designee. Unrepresented Employee: Utility Manager.
No reportable action
c) Conference with Labor Negotiation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6. Agency designated representative City Manager Patrick Martinez or his designee. Unrepresented Employee: Development Services Director/Capital Projects
No reportable action
d) Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8. Property:
APN(s): 0186-095-03-0-000, AND 0186-095-04-0-000. Agency Negotiator: City Manager Patrick Martinez.
Negotiating Parties: City of Needles as potential seller and Palm Communities as potential purchaser.
Under Negotiation: price and terms.
No reportable action
e) 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
f) Conference with Legal Counsel Regarding Potential Initiation of Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4). One Potential Case.
Motion made by Council Member Longbrake, second by Council Member McCorkle, to enforce delinquent transit occupancy tax.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes None
Absent None
Abstain None
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Jernigan called the meeting to order at 6:03 PM ROLL CALL – As noted above
EXECUTIVE SESSION REPORT – given by City Attorney John Pinkney PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - led by Mayor Jernigan
INVOCATION - given by Vice Mayor Campbell
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Item 16 has been removed from the agenda. Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ford, to approve the agenda, as amended.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes None
Absent None
Abstain None
CONFLICT OF INTEREST – None
CORRESPONDENCE – Mayor Jernigan acknowledged an email received, distributed to Council, and made available to the public.
INTRODUCTIONS – Mayor Jernigan acknowledged former Council Member Tim Terral in attendance.
CITY ATTORNEY – PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES not given
PUBLIC APPEARANCE
Robert Yee spoke about the upcoming 10-10 event, noting that over 100 participants will be coming from LA. He also asked about paperless options for utility bills.
Ruth Musser-Lopez reported on the Cal Trans meeting and expressed importance of having sound walls for physical and audible safety
Gretchen Lyons spoke about the Needles Marina Resort upcoming conversion from an over 55 community to all ages welcome and urged the City to put a moratorium on all Senior Park conversions.
Jeff West spoke about his ongoing River Lux Resort project, urging Council and staff to work with him in moving this forward.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1) Public Hearing noticed to consider all evidence and testimony for or against adoption of Resolution 2026-38 approving 2026-2027 Green Fee & Membership Rate Change at Rivers Edge Golf Course City Manager Patrick Martinez gave staff report and referred to JJ Deleon, Golf Pro, for questions Council had minimal questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:30 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:30 pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member McCorkle, to Adopt Resolution 2026-38 approving 2026-2027 Green Fee & Membership Rate Change at Rivers Edge Golf Course Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes None
Absent None
Abstain None
2) Public Hearing noticed to consider all evidence and testimony for or against approval of Ordinance 686-AC, Amending Chapter 14, Article I, of the Needles Municipal Code by Adding Section 14-21, "Sale of Kratom Prohibited (2nd Read Adopt)
City Manager Patrick Martinez gave staff report
Council had minimal questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:32 pm
Di Lucas spoke about her daughter who died due to Kratom and 7OH and the importance of banning these substances.
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:34 pm
Council Member Ford made a motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Campbell, to Adopt Ordinance 686-AC, Amending Chapter 14, Article I, of the Needles Municipal Code by Adding Section 14-21, "Sale of Kratom Prohibited” Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes None
Absent None
Abstain None
3) Public Hearing noticed to consider all evidence and testimony for or against approval of Ordinance 685-AC adopting by reference the 2025 California Fire Code, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 9, together with applicable appendices and amendments adopted by the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District through Ordinance FPD 26-02 (2nd Read Adopt)
City Manager Patrick Martinez gave staff report
Council had minimal questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:36 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:36 pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ford, to Adopt Ordinance 685-AC adopting by reference the 2025 California Fire Code, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 9, together with applicable appendices and amendments adopted by the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District through Ordinance FPD 26-02 (2nd Read Adopt)
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes None
Absent None
Abstain None
PRESENTATIONS
4) Presentation of the future Colorado River Operating Guidelines given by Rainie Torrance, Utility Manager
NPUA CONSENT CALENDAR
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ford, to approve items 5 through 8 on the NPUA Consent Calendar.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Mayor Jernigan, Council Members Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes None
Absent None
Abstain None
5) Accepted and Filed the AB32 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Verification Report 2025 Emissions prepared by Lincus Incorporated
6) Accepted and Filed the 2027 California Air Resources Board (CARB) Publicly Owned Utility (POU) Allocation Distribution Form and Annual Free Allowance Allocation under the California Cap-and-Trade Program 7) Authorized Brooks Consulting LLC to Develop a 10-year Capital Funding Plan for the Needles Public Utility Authority (NPUA) Electric Department, not to exceed $15,000, utilizing the adopted FY 27 Operations and Maintenance Budget
8) Received and Filed the October 2026 Water and Wastewater COLA Adjustment
NPUA REGULAR ITEMS
9) Approve a 2.9% cost-of-living (COLA) increase in electric basic service charge rate and streetlights as of October 1, 2026; approve an over-hydro rate of $0.1058 effective October 1, 2026; apply a .01 Power Cost Adjustment reducing the over-hydro rate to $.0958 and approve the methodology to calculate the annual electric base rate and the power cost adjustment rate based on the rate calculation spreadsheets Utility Manager Rainie Torrance gave staff report
Council had minimal questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 6:54 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 6:54 pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Pogue, to Approve a 2.9% cost-of-living (COLA) increase in electric basic service charge rate and streetlights as of October 1, 2026; approve an over-hydro rate of $0.1058 effective October 1, 2026; apply a .01 Power Cost Adjustment reducing the over-hydro rate to $.0958 and approve the methodology to calculate the annual electric base rate and the power cost adjustment rate based on the rate calculation spreadsheets
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Mayor Jernigan, Council Members Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes None
Absent None
Abstain None
HACN REGULAR ITEM
10) Receive and File Public Housing Agency Recovery & Sustainability (PHARS) Assessments Results and Determinations
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ford, to Receive and File Public Housing Agency Recovery & Sustainability (PHARS) Assessments Results and Determinations Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Mayor Jernigan, Council Members Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes None
Absent None
Abstain None
COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Item 16 was removed from the agenda and has been postponed City Manager Patrick Martinez clarified that an affirmative vote on item 14 would authorize the voting delegate to vote in favor of the League Resolution 1.
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ford, to approve items 11 through 15, and item 17 on the Council Consent Calendar.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbe
Pogue, Belt, Longbrake
Noes None
Absent None
Abstain None
11) Approved the Warrants through September 8, 2026
12) Approved the Minutes of August 11, 2026
13) Approved filing of a claim for Local Transportation Fund (LTF) and State Transit Assistance (STA) Funds for the fiscal year 2026-2027
14) Approved League of California Cities 2026 Annual Conference Resolution No. 1 - City Position and Voting Delegate Direction
15) Approved the 2027 Employee Benefits Plan for Medical, Dental, and Vision. 16) City Council Resolution 2026-41 Approving a Second Amendment to the Lease Agreement with News West Publishing Company Inc. doing business as the Needles Desert Star, for Office Space at 950 Front Street, Suite A-25 – Removed from agenda
17) Adopted City Council Resolution 2026-40 Approving an Amendment to the Lease Agreement with Tri-State Alano Club of Needles, Inc., for the City-Owned Building at 801 Third Street Until September 9, 2029
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
REGULAR ITEMS
18) Consideration of Purest USA LLC’s appeal of the City Manager’s denial of Cannabis Business Regulatory License Application No. 2017-80 and either denying the appeal and upholding the City Manager’s decision adoption of a resolution or granting the appeal and setting aside the denial.
City Manager Martinez and City Attorney John Pinkney gave staff report Council had minimal questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:21 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:21 pm
Council Member Ford made a motion, seconded by Council Member Longbrake, to Adopt Resolution 2026-37, Option A, denying the appeal and upholding the City Manager’s decision.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes None
Absent None
Abstain None
19) Approve the Purchase and Delivery of a Modified Shipping Container to Provide ADA Restrooms, Office Space and Utility Room for the Animal Control Facility
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council had minimal questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:25 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:25 pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member Pogue, to Approve the Purchase and Delivery of a Modified Shipping Container to Provide ADA Restrooms, Office Space and Utility Room for the Animal Control Facility Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes None
Absent None
Abstain None
20) Accept the Work Completed by Rainy Day Roofing, Inc. for the Administration Building Façade Awning Project and Authorize a Notice of Completion to Record with the San Bernardino County Recorder’s Office City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council had no questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:27 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:27 pm
Council Member Pogue made a motion, seconded by Council Member McCorkle, to Accept the Work Completed by Rainy Day Roofing, Inc. for the Administration Building Façade Awning Project and Authorize a Notice of Completion to Record with the San Bernardino County Recorder’s Office Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes None
Absent None
Abstain None
21) Award the base bid and Additive Alternate No. 1 to Phillips Excavating, Inc. for the Phase V-B Water Service Lateral Replacement Project in the amount of $474,386 plus 10% contingency for a total project cost of $521,825 and authorize staff to execute a Public Works Agreement with Phillips Excavating, Inc. and move forward with the Notice of Award and Notice to Proceed
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council had no questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:29 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:29 pm
Council Member McCorkle made a motion, seconded by Council Member Pogue, to Award the base bid and Additive Alternate No. 1 to Phillips Excavating, Inc. for the Phase V-B Water Service Lateral Replacement Project in the amount of $474,386 plus 10% contingency for a total project cost of $521,825 and authorize staff to execute a Public Works Agreement with Phillips Excavating, Inc. and move forward with the Notice of Award and Notice to Proceed Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes None
Absent None
Abstain None
22) Resolution 2026-36 authorizing the City Manager to execute Program Supplement No. F005 to the Administering Agency-State Agreement for Federal-Aid Projects with the State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the administration of federal-aid funds for the River Road/River Street Rehabilitation Project
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council had questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:32 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:32 pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member McCorkle, to Adopt Resolution 2026-36 authorizing the City Manager to execute Program Supplement No. F005 to the Administering Agency-State Agreement for Federal-Aid Projects with the State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the administration of federal-aid funds for the River Road/River Street Rehabilitation Project Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes None
Absent None
Abstain None
23) Accept TKE Engineering Inc. Proposal to provide Professional Engineering Services to complete the project plans, contract documents, engineers’ estimate; and to provide right-of-way assistance for the River Road and River Street Rehabilitation Project for a Not to Exceed (NTE) amount of $256,000; and authorize staff to execute the Professional Services Agreement with TKE Engineering, Inc.
City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council had questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:34 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:34 pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member McCorkle, to Accept TKE Engineering Inc.
Proposal to provide Professional Engineering Services to complete the project plans, contract documents, engineers’ estimate; and to provide right-of-way assistance for the River Road and River Street Rehabilitation Project for a Not to Exceed (NTE) amount of $256,000; and authorize staff to execute the Professional Services Agreement with TKE Engineering, Inc.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes None
Absent None
Abstain None
24) Authorize those interested to attend the 2026 San Bernardino County State of the County Conference on October 8, 2026, at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, CA City Manager Martinez gave staff report
Council Member Belt, Vice Mayor Campbell, and Mayor Jernigan expressed an interest in attending.
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member McCorkle, to Authorize Council Member Belt, Vice Mayor Campbell, and Mayor Jernigan to attend the 2026 San Bernardino County State of the County Conference on October 8, 2026, at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, CA Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes None
Absent None
Abstain None
25) City of Needles Fall Festival Route 66 Celebration Update given by City Manager Martinez 26) Resolution 2026-39 Approving the Third Amendment to the City Manager Employment Agreement with Patrick Martinez
City Manager Martinez stepped out of the room
City Attorney John Pinkney gave staff report
Council had no questions
Mayor Jernigan opened public comment at 7:45 pm
No Public Comment
Mayor Jernigan closed public comment at 7:45 pm
Vice Mayor Campbell made a motion, seconded by Council Member McCorkle to adopt Resolution 2026-39 Approving the Third Amendment to the City Manager Employment Agreement with Patrick Martinez Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes Council Members Ford, McCorkle, Campbell, Pogue, Belt, Longbrake Noes None
Absent None
Abstain None
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT 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
x Reported on his experience at the recent Blood Drive at Elk’s Lodge Council Member McCorkle
x Reported on the approval of the extension for the OHMV pilot program x Reported on the upcoming OHMV Poker Run at Pirate’s Cove and the OHMV car show taking place during the November 7 Fall Festival / Route 66 Centennial Celebration Vice Mayor Campbell
x Thanked city crews for city wide cleanup
Council Member Pogue
x No Requests
Council Member Belt
x No Requests
Council Member Longbrake
x No Requests
Mayor Jernigan
x Reported on the upcoming Chamber of Commerce Community Awards being hosted at the Elk’s Lodge x Encouraged everyone to participate in upcoming events ADJOURNMENT – Mayor Jernigan adjourned the meeting at 8:00 PM 1 %1_ LP_"T'
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I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of tKHminutes of the meeting held RQWKH8WK GD\RI September, DQG DSSURYHG by the City Council of the City of NeedlesRQSeptember 2.
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City Clerk of the City of Needles
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