Agendas are available on the City Website
https://www.ridgecrest-ca.gov/council-agendas
Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority
AGENDA
September 6, 2023
Closed Session 5:30 p.m.
Regular Session 6:00 p.m.
City Hall, Council Chambers
100 100 West California Avenue
Ridgecrest CA 93555
Ricca Charlon, CMC
City Clerk
[email protected]
(760) 499-5002
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you are a disabled person and you need a disability-related modification or accommodation to participate in the meeting, please contact Ricca Charlon at (760) 499-5002. Requests must be made as early as possible and at least one full business day before the start of the meeting.
Watch meetings on-line:
All of our meetings are streamed live at https://ridgecrest-ca.gov/369/Watch or on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/cityofridgecrest/live and are also available for playback after the meeting.
Call in for public comments:
To participate with verbal comments, please call (760) 499-5010. This phone line will allow only one caller at a time, so if the line is busy, please continue to dial. We will be allowing a 20-30 second delay between callers to give time for media delays and callers to dial in. If you wish to comment on multiple items you will need to call in as each item is presented.
CITY COUNCIL
Eric A. Bruen, Mayor
Solomon P. Rajaratnam, Mayor Pro-Tem
Kyle Blades, Vice Mayor
L. Scott Hayman, Council Member
John ‘Skip’ Gorman, Council Member
Ron Strand, City Manager
Keith Lemieux, City Attorney
Martin Koczanowicz, City Attorney
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100 W. CALIFORNIA AVE. | RIDGECREST, CA 93555
Phone 760.499.5000 | Fax 760.499.1520
www.ridgecrest-ca.gov
NOTICE AND CALL OF A SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION MEETING OF THE
RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY /
HOUSING AUTHORITY / FINANCING AUTHORITY
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY / HOUSING AUTHORITY / FINANCING AUTHORITY, PUBLIC AND CITY CLERK:
PUBLIC NOTICE that a SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION MEETING of the Ridgecrest City Council/Successor Redevelopment Agency/Housing Authority/Financing Authority is hereby called on:
Wednesday, September 6, 2023 @ 5:30 p.m.
City Council Chambers
100 W. California Avenue
Ridgecrest, California
Said SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION MEETING shall be for the purpose of:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL
Potential Litigation – Gov. Code § 54959.9(c) - One Case Dated: August 23, 2023
Eric A. Bruen, Mayor / Chair
ATTEST:
Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
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RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL
SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
FINANCING AUTHORITY
HOUSING AUTHORITY
AGENDA
Wednesday, September 6, 2023 Closed Session – 5:30 p.m.
Regular Session – 6:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
• Roll call
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION
CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL
Potential Litigation – Gov. Code § 54959.9(c) - One Case
REGULAR SESSION
• Pledge Of Allegiance
• Invocation
ATTORNEY REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
PRESENTATIONS
Life Saving Awards
Sergeants Hallmark, Kenney & N. Lloyd
Officers Coe, Henderson, J. Lloyd, Ogas, Pettit, Quiroz, Smith, Solorzano, & Stangle Frontier – Fiber Optic Installation in the City of Ridgecrest PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA - Persons wishing to address the Council on matters that are within the Council’s jurisdiction and DO NOT ALREADY APPEAR ON THE AGENDA, may do so at this time.
COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS/DIRECTION
CONSENT CALENDAR – All Matters Listed Under The Consent Calendar Are To Be Considered Routine And Enacted By One Motion Unless Pulled By A Council Member Or A Member Of The Public.
1. Proposed Action To Approve Draft Minutes Of The Ridgecrest City Council Regular Meeting Dated August 16, 2023 Charlon
2. Announcing Proclamations Prepared For The Month Of September And Scheduled Date Of Presentations Charlon
3. A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Ridgecrest To Cooperate With The County Of Kern, Electing To Participate In The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) And Home Investment Partnership Programs For Fiscal Years 2024, 2025, And 2026 And Authorizing The City Manager, Ronald Strand, To Sign The Cooperative Agreement Charlon
AGENDA - CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY / FINANCING AUTHORITY / HOUSING AUTHORITY REGULAR – September 6, 2023
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Ridgecrest Area Convention and Visitor Bureau (RACVB)
Members: Solomon Rajaratnam and Megan McKenzie (staff)
Meeting: 4
th Wednesday each month at 9:00 a.m.
Location: California Welcome Center
➢ Report from 8/23/23
Infrastructure Committee
Members: Solomon Rajaratnam and Kyle Blades
Meeting: 4th Thursday each month at 5:00 p.m.
Location: City Hall Council Chambers
➢ Report from 8/24/23 - Canceled
Economic Development Committee
Members: Kyle Blades and Solomon Rajaratnam
Meeting: 1st Monday of the month @ 5:15 p.m.
Location: City Hall Council Chambers
➢ Report from 9/4/23
Parks, Recreation, and Quality of Life Committee
Members: Mayor Eric A. Bruen and Skip Gorman
Meeting: 1st Tuesday each month at 5:30 p.m.
Location: Kerr McGee Center Meeting Rooms
➢ Report from 9/5/23
City Organization and Services Committee (‘City Org’)
Members: Mayor Eric A. Bruen and Skip Gorman
Meeting: 1st Thursday each month at 5:30 p.m.
Location: City Hall Council Chambers
➢ Next meeting 9/7/23
Finance Committee
Members: Mayor Eric A. Bruen and Scott Hayman
Meeting: 2nd Tuesday each month at 5:30 p.m.
Location: City Hall Council Chambers
➢ Next meeting 9/12/23
OTHER COMMITTEES, BOARDS, OR COMMISSIONS
CITY MANAGER REPORT
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
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Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority
STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT: Proposed Action To Approve Draft Minutes Of The Ridgecrest City Council Regular Meeting Dated August 16, 2023
PRESENTED BY: Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
SUMMARY:
Draft Minutes of the City Council / Successor Redevelopment Agency / Housing Authority / Financing Authority Regular Meeting Dated August 16, 2023 FISCAL IMPACT: None
ACTION REQUESTED: Approve minutes
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: Action as requested
Submitted by: Ricca Charlon Action Date: Sept. 6, 2023
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RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL
SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
FINANCING AUTHORITY
HOUSING AUTHORITY
DRAFT MINUTES
Wednesday, August 16, 2023 Regular Session – 6:00 p.m.
This meeting was recorded and will be on file in the Office of the City Clerk for a certain period of time from date of approval by the Ridgecrest City Successor Agency/Financing Authority/Housing Authority.
Meetings are recorded solely for the purpose of preparation of minutes.
ROLL CALL – 6:00 p.m.
Council Present: Mayor Eric A. Bruen; Vice Mayor Kyle Blades; Mayor Pro-Tem Solomon P.
Rajaratnam; Council Member L. Scott Hayman; Council Member Skip Gorman
Absent: None
Staff Present: City Attorney M. Koczanowicz (WebEx); City Manager Strand; City Clerk Charlon; Captain Dampier; PW Director/Deputy City Manager Reed; Parks & Rec Director Wegener; Finance Director Cheri Freese
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion To Approve - Rajaratnam – Hayman 5 Ayes
NOTE: The vote is displayed in bold below each item. For example, Blades-Rajaratnam denotes Council Member Blades made the motion and Council Member Rajaratnam seconded the motion. Ayes, Noes, Absents, Abstentions follow.
REGULAR SESSION
PRESENTATION
Measure V Annual Report Measure V Committee Members
PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA – Unknown Speaker; T. Wiknich
COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS/DIRECTION
Bruen – youth child between K-18 local troop & pack holding scout-a-rama at DEF this Saturday Rajaratnam – requested staff members to look at dilapidated houses around town and take potential action
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Proposed Action To Approve Draft Minutes Of The Ridgecrest City Council Regular Meeting Dated August 2, 2023 Charlon
2. Approve Of Staff’s Use Of Placer.ai Analytical Software To Assist In Economic Development Activities To Improve The Quality Of Life Within The Ridgecrest Community Strand
3. Request for Sponsorship of the Petroglyph Rock Art Festival Nov. 4-5, 2023 Charlon
DRAFT MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY / FINANCING AUTHORITY / HOUSING AUTHORITY REGULAR – August 16, 2023
4. Proposed Approval Of Increased Appropriations To The Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget For The Design, Bid And Construction Services For The New Sgt. Pinney Memorial Pool Aquatic Complex Strand
Item(s) pulled – 2 (Gorman)
City Clerk Charlon to change 8/2/23 minutes to reflect Hayman came in at 5:08 not 6:08 Motion To Approve Consent Calendar items 1 (as amended), 3, & 4 - Hayman - Blades: 5 Ayes Item 2 – Gorman pulled for public opportunity to speak and wants to wait till last to speak.
Public comment – M. Sinnott; J. Ward; unknown speaker; K. Russell; S. Rajatora; T. Wiknich; L.
Lewis; J. Martin; C. Holloway; Unknown speaker; April
Motion To Approve Consent Calendar item 2 - Blades - Rajaratnam: 3 Ayes; 2 Nays (Hayman, Gorman)
COMMITTEE REPORTS
City Organization and Services Committee (‘City Org’)
Members: Mayor Eric A. Bruen and Skip Gorman
Meeting: 1st Thursday each month at 5:30 p.m.
Location: City Hall Council Chambers
➢ Report from 8/3/23
Economic Development Committee
Members: Kyle Blades and Solomon Rajaratnam
Meeting: 1st Monday of the month @ 5:15 p.m.
Location: City Hall Council Chambers
➢ Report from 8/7/23
Finance Committee
Members: Mayor Eric A. Bruen and Scott Hayman
Meeting: 2nd Tuesday each month at 5:30 p.m.
Location: City Hall Council Chambers
➢ Report from 8/8/23
Ridgecrest Area Convention and Visitor Bureau (RACVB)
Members: Solomon Rajaratnam and Megan McKenzie (staff)
Meeting: 4th Wednesday each month at 9:00 a.m.
Location: California Welcome Center
➢ Next meeting 8/23/23
Infrastructure Committee
Members: Solomon Rajaratnam and Kyle Blades
Meeting: 4th Thursday each month at 5:00 p.m.
Location: City Hall Council Chambers
➢ Next meeting 8/24/23
DRAFT MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY / FINANCING AUTHORITY / HOUSING AUTHORITY REGULAR – August 16, 2023
Parks, Recreation, and Quality of Life Committee
Members: Mayor Eric A. Bruen and Skip Gorman
Meeting: 1st Tuesday each month at 5:30 p.m.
Location: Kerr McGee Center Meeting Rooms
➢ Next meeting 9/5/23
OTHER COMMITTEES, BOARDS, OR COMMISSIONS
CITY MANAGER REPORT
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT – 8:20 p.m.
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Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority
STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT: Announcing Proclamations Prepared For The Month Of September And Scheduled Date Of Presentations
PRESENTED BY: Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
SUMMARY:
The Ridgecrest City Council receives requests for presentation of ceremonial proclamations for various events and observations. Proclamations below have been prepared and will be presented on the date and time shown.
Cerro Coso Community College 50th Anniversary
Proclamation will be presented on September 7, 2023 @ 6:00 p.m.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
ACTION REQUESTED: Approve and file
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: Action as requested
Submitted by: Ricca Charlon Action Date: Sept. 6, 2023
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A Proclamation of
The City of Ridgecrest, California
HONORING
CERRO COSO COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S
50TH ANNIVERSARY
WHEREAS, higher education is a core foundation of a thriving community, supporting growth, progress, and opportunity for all; and,
WHEREAS, Cerro Coso Community College has served our community for five decades, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to enriching the lives of individuals from all walks of life through exceptional academic programs and dedicated faculty and staff; and, WHEREAS, Cerro Coso Community College has been instrumental in empowering students of all backgrounds to achieve their dreams and aspirations, contributing to a skilled workforce, and fostering lifelong learners within our community; and,
WHEREAS, our college has continuously adapted to the evolving needs of the community, embracing innovations, and embracing emerging technologies to ensure that its students are wellprepared for the challenges of the future; and, WHEREAS, the success and accomplishments of Cerro Coso Community College would not have been possible without the unwavering support of the communities we serve.
Now, Therefore, Be It Proclaimed, the Ridgecrest City Council does hereby proclaim its joining of Cerro Coso Community College's 50th Anniversary Celebration, and invites the entire community of Ridgecrest to join us in marking this momentous milestone.
Proclaimed this 7
rd Day of September, 2023
Eric A. Bruen
Mayor
Kyle Blades
Vice Mayor
Solomon P. Rajaratnam
Mayor Pro Tem
L. Scott Hayman
Council Member
John ‘Skip’ Gorman
Council Member
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Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority
STAFF REPORT
Submitted by: Ricca Charlon Action Date: Sept. 6, 2023
SUBJECT: A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Ridgecrest To Cooperate With The County Of Kern, Electing To Participate In The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) And Home Investment Partnership Programs For Fiscal Years 2024, 2025, And 2026 And Authorizing The City Manager, Ronald Strand, To Sign The Cooperative Agreement PRESENTED BY: Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
SUMMARY:
This is the same CDBG Agreement and Resolution that were forwarded from the County and brought before Council on June 21, 2023. At that time Council approved the item, City Manager signed it and we forwarded it to the County. It was then taken to the Board of Supervisors, who also approved it, and forwarded it on to HUD. HUD reviewed the packet and did not feel that it was complete with all the necessary information. HUD made some modifications and sent it back to the County. The County contacted the City Clerk via phone to explain that they would be sending the revised items back to us for additional approval.
For this reason, we are bringing the Agreement and Resolution back for your approval a 2nd time.
At the time of agenda posting the new Agreement and Resolution had not been received from the County. Due to time constraints, the item is placed on the agenda in hopes we will have the documents before the meeting. If not received, we will pull the item on the night of our meeting.
Original Staff report:
Staff is presenting to the City Council the Cooperative Agreement with the County of Kern Planning and Community Development Department, electing to continue participation in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership Programs for Fiscal Years 2024 through 2026.
The Cooperation Agreement and Resolution are required as part of the Urban County Qualifications.
The Cooperation Agreement along with a Resolution must be filed with the County prior to July 3, 2023 to meet these critical deadlines for this essential funding. A copy of the time line for the qualification process along with the Cooperation Agreement and Resolution are attached for your consideration.
CDBG funding is directly related in assisting and undertaking, essential community projects for renewal to provide assistance in our low to moderate income housing areas within the community.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
ACTION REQUESTED: Adopt A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Ridgecrest To Cooperate With The County Of Kern, Electing To Participate In The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) And Home Investment Partnership Programs For Fiscal Years 2024-2026 And Authorizing The City Manager, Ronald Strand, To Sign The Cooperative Agreement CITY MANAGER / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RECOMMENDATION:
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