Ridgecrest City Council
February 21, 2024

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
February 21, 2024
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, February 21, 2024 @ 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 COUNCIL:

Conference with Legal Counsel – Potential Litigation (GC § 54956.9) - One case Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (GC Sec. 54956.9) Mojave Pistachios, LLC v Indian Wells Valley Water District, et al.

Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2021-01187275-CU-OR-CJC Dated: February 15, 2024
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, February 21, 2024 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 COUNCIL
Conference with Legal Counsel – Potential Litigation (GC § 54956.9) - One case Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (GC Sec. 54956.9) Mojave Pistachios, LLC v Indian Wells Valley Water District, et al.

Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2021-01187275-CU-OR-CJC

REGULAR SESSION
• Pledge Of Allegiance
• Invocation

ATTORNEY REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION

PRESENTATIONS

1. Parks & Recreation Update Wegener
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.

2. Proposed Action To Approve Draft Minutes Of The Ridgecrest City Council Regular Meeting Dated February 7, 2024 Charlon

3. Approval Of Loan Payoff And Release Of Promissory Note And Covenant For The High Desert Haven Project City Attorney

DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS

4. Discussion Regarding The Board Of The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority (IWVGA) Hayman

5. Appointment of A City Council Member to the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) Charlon

AGENDA - CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY / FINANCING AUTHORITY / HOUSING AUTHORITY REGULAR – February 21, 2024

6. Authorization To Enter Into A Two (2) Year Agreement With Flock Safety, Inc. (Not To Exceed $80,000.00 For FY24 And Not To Exceed $72,000.00 FY25) For Automated License Plate Reader Cameras (ALPR’s) Acting Chief Tucker

7. A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Ridgecrest Authorizing The Commencement Of Proceedings In Connection With The Proposed Financing Of Capital Improvements For The City, Expressing Its Official Intent Regarding Certain Capital Expenditures To Be Reimbursed With Proceeds Of Such Proposed Financing And Retaining A Municipal Advisor, Bond Counsel, Disclosure Counsel And Underwriter/Placement Agent And Directing Certain Actions With Respect Thereto Freese

8. Proposed Addition Of A Part-time Administrative Analyst 1 To The City Classification Plan And The Addition Of This Position To The Remaining FY24 Budget Strand

PUBLIC HEARINGS

9. Conduct Public Hearing And Adoption Of A Resolution Establishing West Las Flores Avenue, Between North Mahan Street To North Down Street And On North Down Street, Between West Las Flores Ave To West Church Avenue As An Underground Utility Project District To Utilize SCE Rule 20A Funding Reed

ORDINANCES

10. Introduction And First Reading Of An Ordinance Of The City Council Of The City Of Ridgecrest Amending The Ridgecrest Municipal Code Concerning Accessory Structures And Make A Finding That The Amendment Of The Zoning Code Is Not Subject To Environmental Review Under CEQA Spurlock

11. Introduction And First Reading Of An Ordinance Of The City Council Of The City Of Ridgecrest Amending The Ridgecrest Municipal Code Concerning R-4 Medium Density Multifamily Residential District And Make A Finding That The Amendment Of The Zoning Code Is Not Subject To Environmental Review Under CEQA Spurlock

COMMITTEE REPORTS
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 02/13/24
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 02/22/24
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 02/28/24

AGENDA - CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY / FINANCING AUTHORITY / HOUSING AUTHORITY REGULAR – February 21, 2024

Economic Development Committee
Members: Kyle Blades and Solomon Rajaratnam
Meeting: 1st Monday of the month @ 5:15 p.m.

Location: City Hall Council Chambers
➢ Next meeting 03/04/24
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 03/05/24
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 03/07/24

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 February 7, 2024
PRESENTED BY: Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
SUMMARY:

Draft Minutes of the City Council / Successor Redevelopment Agency / Housing Authority / Financing Authority Regular Meeting Dated February 7, 2024 FISCAL IMPACT: None
ACTION REQUESTED: Approve minutes
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: Action as requested
Submitted by: Ricca Charlon Action Date: Feb 21, 2024
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RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL

SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY

FINANCING AUTHORITY

HOUSING AUTHORITY

DRAFT MINUTES
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 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
Council Present: Mayor Eric A. Bruen; Mayor Pro-Tem Solomon P. Rajaratnam; Vice Mayor Kyle Blades; Council Member Skip Gorman; Council Member L. Scott Hayman

Absent: None
Staff Present: City Attorney M. Koczanowicz; City Clerk Charlon; Chief Scott; Parks & Rec Director Wegener; Finance Director Freese
APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Motion To Approve Agenda – Blades – Rajaratnam 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

PRESENTATIONS

1. Grand Jury Proclamation Council

2. Safely Surrender Baby Proclamation Council
PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA – R. Blackwell; T. Frazier

COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS/DIRECTION

CONSENT CALENDAR

3. Proposed Action To Approve Draft Minutes Of The Ridgecrest City Council Regular Meeting Dated January 17, 2024 Charlon

4. Authorization For The City Manager, Ron Strand, To Sign The Notice Of Completion For CDBG Project 17.21.1 Leroy Jackson Fencing; For The City Clerk To File The Notice Of Completion And For City Staff To Release Retention In The Amount Of Four Thousand Seven Hundred And Ninety-Two Dollars And Fifty Cents ($4,792.50) To The Contractor, All American Fence Erectors, Within Thirty (30) Days After Recordation Of The Notice Of Completion Wegener

5. Council’s Approval Of Remote Participation By Mayor Bruen At The March 6, 2024 City Council Meeting Charlon
Motion To Approve Consent Calendar – Blades - Hayman 5 Ayes

DRAFT MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY / FINANCING AUTHORITY / HOUSING AUTHORITY REGULAR – February 7, 2024

DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS

6. Appointment Of Committee Members To Two (2) Committees – Existing Measure V And Newly Formed Measure P Charlon
Minute Motion To Approve E. Dixon to Measure P and C. Holloway to Measure V – Blades - Hayman 5 Ayes

7. A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Ridgecrest Adopting A Position Description For Background Investigator Into The Classification Plan Chief Scott Motion To Approve – Blades - Rajaratnam 5 Ayes

ORDINANCES

8. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 24-01, An Ordinance Of The City Council Of The City Of Ridgecrest Adding Chapter 4 To The Ridgecrest Municipal Code Regarding Use Of Military Equipment Capt. Dampier
Motion To Waive Reading In Full Of Ordinance 24-01, An Ordinance Of The City Council Of The City Of Ridgecrest Adding Chapter 4 To The Ridgecrest Municipal Code Regarding Use Of Military Equipment - Blades - Hayman 5 Ayes
Motion To Adopt Ordinance 24-01, An Ordinance Of The City Council Of The City Of Ridgecrest Adding Chapter 4 To The Ridgecrest Municipal Code Regarding Use Of Military Equipment - Blades - Gorman 5 Ayes

COMMITTEE REPORTS
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
➢ Report from 01/24/24
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 02/01/24
Economic Development Committee
Members: Kyle Blades and Solomon Rajaratnam
Meeting: 1st Monday of the month @ 5:15 p.m.

Location: Conference Room B – 1
st Floor City Hall
➢ Report from 02/05/24

DRAFT MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY / FINANCING AUTHORITY / HOUSING AUTHORITY REGULAR – February 7, 2024

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: City Hall Council Chambers
➢ Report from 02/06/24
Finance Committee
Members: Mayor Eric A. Bruen and Scott Hayman
Meeting: 2nd Tuesday each month at 5:30 p.m.

Location: Conference Room B – 1
st Floor City Hall
➢ Next meeting 02/13/24
Infrastructure Committee
Members: Solomon Rajaratnam and Kyle Blades
Meeting: 4
th Thursday each month at 5:00 p.m.

Location: Conference Room B – 1
st Floor City Hall
➢ Next meeting 02/22/24

OTHER COMMITTEES, BOARDS, OR COMMISSIONS

CITY MANAGER REPORT

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT – 7:20 p.m.

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Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority

STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT: Approval Of Loan Payoff And Release Of Promissory Note And Covenant For The High Desert Haven Project
PRESENTED BY: City Attorney
SUMMARY:

In October of 2001 Redevelopment Agency entered into an agreement with High Desert Haven for a development of a senior housing project at 124 E. Dolphin avenue in Ridgecrest.

As part of the Agreement the Redevelopment Agency loaned a total of $500,000 to the developer, secured by the Promissory Note and the Development Agreement. High Desert Haven has been making payments on the note but now wishes to pay off the total remaining amount and clear the Promissory Note. The balance of the loan is $145,750.00 and there is no prepayment penalty. With Council’s approval the loan will be paid off and an extinguishment of the Promissory Note and DDA obligation will be recorded clearing title on the property.

CEQA: This is not a Project under CEQA Guidelines as it does not have any potential for significant impact on the environment.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The Loan Payoff will be reported to the State and distributed in accordance with existing laws governing payoffs to affordable housing accounts.

ACTION REQUESTED:

Staff recommends that Council adopt the attached resolution and approve the payoff and recordation of satisfaction of conditions of the Development Agreement.

CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION:

Concur with Recommended action
Submitted by: Martin Koczanowicz, City Attorney Action Date: 02.21.24 This Page Intentionally Left Blank
RESOLUTION 24-Xx

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY OF

THE CITY OF RIDGECREST, CALIFORNIA APPROVING A LOAN PAY OFF

FOR THE HIGH DESERT HAVEN PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING

RECORDING OF SATISFACTION OF CONDITIONS
WHEREAS, in 2001 the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Ridgecrest entered into a Development Agreement (DDA) with High Desert Haven for construction of a senior housing project wherein, among other conditions, the developer received a $500,000 loan secured by the DDA and a Promissory Note; and,
WHEREAS, the developer has constructed a senior care facility and has made regular payments on the loan and now wishes to pay off the balance in ,order to clear title and market the property to continue its use as an elderly care facility; and WHEREAS, The City Council desires to accommodate the request and to continue to have the facility operating in the City to the benefit of the residents.

NOW, THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL, ACTING IN ITS CAPACITY AS THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY OF THE CITY OF RIDGECREST, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1 That the above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by this reference.

Section 2 The balance of the loan in the amount of $145,750.00 may be paid off by High Desert Haven.

Section 3 Upon receipt of payoff amount, the City shall cause the attached document to be recorded on title for the property.

Section 4 The City Manager is authorized to execute any necessary documents and take such further action consistent with and as needed to implement this Resolution on behalf of the City.

Section 5 The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution. This Resolution is effective immediately.

PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 21st day of February 2024. _______________________________ ,
Eric Bruen, Mayor
City of Ridgecrest
_______________________________ ,
Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
City of Ridgecrest
Resolution 24-Xx Page 2 of 2

STATE OF CALIFORNIA)
COUNTY OF KERN) ss.

CITY OF RIDGECREST)
I, Ricca Charlon, City Clerk of the City of Ridgecrest, County of Kern, State of California do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution 24-XX was regularly adopted by the City Council of said City of Ridgecrest at a regular meeting of said council held on the 21st day of February, 2024 by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAINED:
________________________________
Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
City of Ridgecrest

RECORDING REQUESTED BY
AND WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO:

City of Ridgecrest
100 W. California Ave
Ridgecrest CA 93555
Attn: City Clerk
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Space above this line for Recorder’s use
EXEMPT FROM RECORDING FEES UNDER GOVT CODE 27383

FULL RELEASE OF REAL ESTATE FROM

REGULATORY AGREEMENT
(124 E. Dolphin St, Ridgecrest CA)
The City of Ridgecrest, a municipal corporation (“City”) in its capacity as the Successor Agency to the Ridgecrest Redevelopment Agency and Housing Agency, hereby acknowledges the satisfaction of a certain Promissory Note and releases in its entirety that certain Regulatory and Affordable Housing Agreement dated October 5, 2001 executed by Abraham Mathew dba High Desert Haven in favor of City and recorded on 04.30.2003 as Instrument No. 0203083780 in the Official Records of Kern County, State of California.

Dated: ____________, 2024
ATTEST:

CITY OF RIDGECREST,
a municipal corporation
_______________________________ By: _______________________________ Ricca Charlon, City Clerk Ron Strand, City Manager
A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the document to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of that document.

STATE OF CALIFORNIA

COUNTY OF KERN
On ____________, 2024 before me, , a Notary Public, personally (here insert name and title of the officer)
appeared
who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the instrument.

I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.

WITNESS my hand and official seal.

Signature
This area for notary stamp)
EXHIBIT “A”

LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
BEING PORTIONS OF PARCEL 4 AS SHOWN ON PARCEL MAP NO. 7852 RECORDED IN BOOK 33, PAGE 74 OF PARCEL MAPS, JUNE 10, 1986, AND PARCEL 1 OF LLA-03-16 AS DESCRIBED IN DOCUMENT NO. 0203180812 RECORDED AUGUST 28, 2013 IN THE CITY OF RIDGECREST, COUNTY OF KERN, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, RECORDED IN COUNTY RECORDER’S OFFICE OF

SAID COUNTY, THAT PORTION MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS, AND PER EXHIBIT B MADE A PART HEREOF:

PARCEL 4 OF PARCEL MAP 7852 & PARCEL 1 OF SAID LLA-03-16 EXCEPT THE WESTERLY 55 FEET OF PARCELS 3 & 4 PM 7852 DEDICATED FOR ROAD

PURPOSES,
EXCEPT THE SOUTHERLY 45 FEET OF PARCEL 3 PM 7020 DEDICATED FOR STREET

PURPOSES,
EXCEPT THE EASTERLY 30 FEET OF PARCELS 2 & 3 FOR ACCESS PURPOSES.

PARCEL “1”
NET AREA = 274,820.6 SF OR 6.31 ACRES.

GROSS AREA = 324,285.2 SF OR 7.44 ACRES.
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Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority

STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT: Discussion Regarding The Board Of The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority (IWVGA)
PRESENTED BY:

L. Scott Hayman, City Council / IWVGA Representative
SUMMARY:

Report and discussion regarding Board meetings of the IWVGA. Including, Board discussion and consideration of issues of importance requiring action by the IWVGA.

FISCAL IMPACT: None
ACTION REQUESTED: Discuss
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: Action as requested
Submitted by: Ricca Charlon Action Date: Feb 21, 2024
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Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority

STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT: Appointment of A City Council Member to the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO)
PRESENTED BY: Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
SUMMARY:

In May 2024 Maricopa’s Appointee, John Crump, will have his term on the Commission come to an end. As the Commission rotates the City members alphabetically, Ridgecrest comes up next. Starting in May there is a four-year term that is open and needs to be filled by Ridgecrest.

Commission’s Legal Authority:

Established December 10, 1963, pursuant to provisions of Chapter 1808 enacted by the 1963 California Legislature and Section 56000 (prior code 54780, et seq.) of the Government Code; pursuant to LAFCo Resolution 99-11, the membership was increased to add two special district members and one special district alternate; January, 2006, pursuant to Government Code Section 56328.5, membership was increased to add one member and one alternate from the City with the largest population and one member and one alternate public member who is not a member of the governing body of any local agency.

Membership Qualifications:

Fifteen (15) members including six (6) alternates:
• two (2) representing the County and appointed by the Board of Supervisors from their membership and a third Supervisor who shall be an alternate member • two (2) representing the cities in the county and one (1) alternate member, each of whom shall be a city officer, appointed by the City Selection Committee and one (1) alternate member.
• one (1) member representing the general public, and one (1) alternate member, appointed by the other members of the Commission
• two (2) representing the special districts of the county, and one (1) alternate member, each of whom shall be a special district member, nominated and elected by the special districts • one (1) representing the city with the largest population and one alternate, appointed by the legislative body of that city
• one (1) representing the general public but shall not be a member of the governing body of any local agency and one (1) alternate, appointed by the four (4) members of the commission appointed by the county supervisors and the independent special district selection committee Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority

STAFF REPORT
Term:

Four-year staggered term, with the exception of the City Selection Committee Alternate Member, which shall serve a two-year term, all terms to expire on the first Monday in May of the term year.

Duties:

It shall be the responsibility of the Commission to review and approve or disapprove with or without amendment, wholly, partially or conditionally proposals for the incorporation of cities, formation of special districts, annexation of territory to local agencies, exclusion of territory from a city, disincorporation of a city, consolidation of two or more cities, and the development of a new community.

Compensation:
$100 per meeting.

Meeting Place and Time:

Kern Council of Governments (Kern COG) Conference Room
1401 19th Street, Suite 300
Bakersfield, CA
Third Wednesday of each month at 5:00 P.M.

FISCAL IMPACT: None
ACTION REQUESTED: Appoint City Council member to LAFCO via minute motion CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: Action as requested
Submitted by: Ricca Charlon Action Date: Feb 21, 2024
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 2036 Primary Primary Prim&Alt
Primary
Prim&Alt Prim&Alt
Primary Primary Prim&Alt Prim&Alt
Primary Primary Prim&Alt Prim&Alt
Primary Primary Prim&Alt Prim&Alt
Primary Primary Prim&Alt Prim&Alt
Primary Primary Prim&Alt Prim&Alt
Primary Primary Prim&Alt Prim&Alt
Primary Primary Prim&Alt Prim&Alt
2020
2022
2024
2026
2028
2030
2032
2034
Taft to Wasco Primary
Tehachapi to Arvin
Tehachapi to Wasco
Primary
Alternate
Taft to Tehachapi Alternate
Shafter to Tehachapi Primary
Shafter to Taft Alternate
Alternate
McFarland to Ridgecrest Alternate
Ridgecrest to Shafter Alternate
Primary

LAFCO APPOINTMENTS BY CITY SELECTION COMMITTEE
California City to Delano
Delano to McFarland

SHAFTER
TAFT
WASCO
DELANO

MARICOPA
Primary
ARVIN

BAKERSFIELD

CALIFORNIA CITY
Holds a permanent seat on LAFCO

MCFARLAND

RIDGECREST
Maricopa to Ridgecrest
California City to Maricopa Primary
Alternate
Alternate

TEHACHAPI
Primary
Ridgecrest to Taft
Delano to Maricopa
Maricopa to McFarland
LAFCO terms of office for each member expire the first Monday in May in the year in which the term of the member expires (Gov. Code 56334). Rotation by cities alphabetically (with the exception of City of Bakersfield which holds a permanent seat) with staggered terms. Primary members serve a four-year term and Alternate member serves a two-year term. If an appointed city member no longer holds office, the CSC will appoint a representative from the same city to fill unexpired term. (Alternate member term revised to two-year term and cities rotation schedule revised to reflect that the Alternate member be from the same city as the Primary member during the last two years of the Primary member's four-year term) Revised 04/15/2010 McFarland to Shafter Primary
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Kern Local Agency
Formation Commission
5300 Lennox Ave. Suite 303
Bakersfield, CA 93309
661-716-1076
www.co.kern.ca.us/lafco/
Memo
To: Commissioners
From: Blair Knox, Executive Officer
Date: December 6, 2023
Subject: LAFCO Meeting Schedule for 2024
__________________________________________________________________ Below are the recommended dates for 2024 LAFCo meetings. All meetings will be on a Wednesday, 5:15pm at either the Kern Council of Government (KernCOG) Conference room or the County of Kern Board of Supervisors Chambers unless notice of change of location and/or time is given.

Please note that the Commission always has the discretion to call a special meeting or cancel a scheduled meeting if needed.

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this schedule.

January 17th July – Dark
February 21st August 21st
March 20th September 18th
April 17th October 16th
May 15th November - Dark
June 19th December 4th
Once again, the July meeting will be dark since most boards and councils are dark during that month. The November and December meetings will be combined due to the proximity of the holidays. Except for the December meeting, all meetings are scheduled for the 3rd Wednesday of the month.

Recommendation: Approve schedule of 10 meetings for 2024.

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Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority

STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT: Authorization To Enter Into A Two (2) Year Agreement With Flock Safety, Inc. (Not To Exceed $80,000.00 For FY24 And Not To Exceed $72,000.00 FY25) For Automated License Plate Reader Cameras (ALPR’s)
PRESENTED BY: Aaron Tucker, Acting Chief of Police
SUMMARY:

Staff is requesting the City Council approve as presented, a. Authorization to enter into a two (2) year agreement with Flock Safety, Inc. (Not to exceed $80,000.00 for FY24 and not to exceed $72,000.00 FY25) for Automated License Plate Reader cameras (ALPR’s).
b. To issue a final approval for the previous allocated fund in the FY24 budget.

DISCUSSION:

The Ridgecrest Police Department Mission Statement is: “Our purpose is to form a lasting and mutually rewarding partnership with our community based on respect and sincerity. Our mission is to provide loyal, fair and ethical police services that actively prevent crime, reduce fear and enhance the safety of citizens through Community Policing.”
The Ridgecrest Police Department strives to leverage technology in innovative ways to effectively provide police services to the community. The Ridgecrest Police Department Investigations Bureau sought a crime prevention and reaction program which would implement technology with real-time data to bring new investigative tools to assist with solving crimes in the community.

One of the solutions located was Flock Safety Inc. Automated License Plate Reader camera system (ALPR’s). ALPR’s have been used by many law enforcement agencies around the country to deter crime and further their investigations, providing results of apprehensions of the most dangerous criminals and the recovery of children who have been abducted.

Flock Safety Inc. ALPR’s objectively capture vehicle license plates and associated vehicle characteristic, not people or faces. The ALPR’s are used to prevent crime by sending real-time alerts to law enforcement when a stolen vehicle or a vehicle associated to a wanted suspect has been detected within a city. ALPR’s send real-time alerts when vehicles associated to abducted/ missing persons are detected (Amber/ Silver Alerts); providing law enforcement the ability to react quickly.

ALPR’s allows investigators to search for vehicle characteristics described by victims and during the timeframe the crime occurred. ALPR’s support law enforcement in conducting criminal investigations by providing critical information that will generate almost immediate actionable leads; leads that can result in quick apprehension and the recovery of crucial evidence.

Over the past six (6) months, Ridgecrest Police Department Investigations Bureau has worked with Flock Safety, Inc. representatives to examine the benefits of implementing ALPRs in the City of Ridgecrest and locations throughout the city to provide the best benefit for crime deterrence and investigations.

Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority

STAFF REPORT
Staff has conducted two (2) Town Hall Meetings for discussion and feedback from community members. As a result of these meetings, concern was voiced in regards to facial recognition technology being used and the privacy of information stored. To address these concerns, it is confirmed facial recognition is not part of the ALPR implementation, nor an investigative tool sought after. Additionally, all information captured and stored from the ALPR’s would be the sole property of the Ridgecrest Police Department and stored on encrypted databases.

In accordance with California Senate Bill 34, the Ridgecrest Police Department will implement specific policy for ALPR’s, which restricts local law enforcement on sharing ALPR data with any federal agency and agencies outside the State of California. Additionally, information collected from the ALPR’s is restricted for use to only state, local and county agencies within the State of California if approved by the Ridgecrest Police Department.

The implementation of ALPR’s also allows the Ridgecrest Police Department to join a network of ALPR’s which have been implemented by other Kern County Law Enforcement agencies and neighboring counties Law Enforcement agencies.

After careful examination of the City of Ridgecrest geographical location and roadways, Flock Safety Inc. representatives provided a quote for the implementation of 24 ALPR’s which would be strategically located throughout city limits. The amount of ALPR’s could increase or decrease based upon the final determination of ALPR locations, which could affect installation costs.

As part of the subscription to Flock Safety Inc., they are responsible for the installation and maintenance of the equipment. The ALPR’s will be mounted based upon the suggested camera locations. The quote provided reflected five (5) cameras would be installed on Flock Safety Inc. installed poles and nineteen (19) would be installed on pre-existing infrastructure poles.

The Flock Safety Inc. subscription and contract requires a twenty-four (24) month lease/ subscription term with the first year including the lease/ subscription/ implementation cost of $78,100.00 and the second-year lease/ subscription costing $72,000.00. There are no penalties for non-renewal at the conclusion of the two (2) year lease/ subscription term.

RECOMMENDATION:
a. Authorization to enter into a two (2) year agreement with Flock Safety, Inc. (Not to exceed $80,000.00 for FY 24 budget and not to exceed $72,000.00 for FY 25 budget) for Automated License Plate Reader cameras (ALPR).
b. To issue a final approval for the previous allocated fund in the FY24 budget.

FISCAL IMPACT: The fiscal impact to the FY24 budget is $80,000.00 and the fiscal impact to the FY25 budget will be $72,000.00.

ACTION REQUESTED: Approve as requested.

CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: Action as requested
Submitted by: Aaron Tucker, Acting Chief of Police Action Date: February 21, 2024 RESOLUTION NO. 24-xx

A RESOLUTION OF THE RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE
AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO A TWO (2) YEAR AGREEMENT WITH FLOCK SAFETY, INC. (NOT TO EXCEED $80,000.00 FOR FY24 AND NOT TO EXCEED $72,000.00 FY25) FOR AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READER CAMERAS (ALPR’S)
WHEREAS, the City of Ridgecrest Police Department has completed an evaluation of Flock Safety Inc.

Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Ridgecrest Police Department’s evaluation included other Kern County Agencies using Flock Safety Inc. ALPR technology and consulting with Flock Safety Inc representatives; and, WHEREAS, on January 9, 2024 and January 24, 2024, Ridgecrest Police Department Investigations Burau conducted Town Hall Meetings encouraging public comment and concerns, fulfilling requirements of California Senate Bill 34; and,
WHEREAS, the results of the public comment and concerns were addressed and an implementation quote was obtained from Flock Safety Inc. for the implementation of a two (2) year lease/ subscription of ALPR’s; and, WHEREAS, the implementation/ lease/ subscription for the total amount not to exceed $80,000.00 for FY24 and total amount not to exceed $72,000.00 for FY25; and, WHEREAS, the City of Ridgecrest budgeted funds for the ALPR system in the adopted FY24 budget; and, WHEREAS, the City of Ridgecrest agrees to budget funds for the ALPR system in the upcoming FY25 budget, not to exceed $72,000.00; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Ridgecrest find it reasonable and appropriate to enter into an agreement with Flock Safety Inc. for the lease of ALPR technology, related software, cloud services, and implementation.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council approves authorization to enter into a two (2) year agreement with Flock Safety, Inc. (Not to exceed $80,000.00 for FY24 and not to exceed $72,000.00 FY25) for Automated License Plate Reader cameras (ALPR’s) and authorize the final approval for the previous allocated fund in the FY24 budget and agree to budget funds for the ALPR system in the upcoming FY25 budget, not to exceed $72,000.00.

APPROVED AND ADOPTED, this 21st day of February 2024, by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSTAIN:

ABSENT:

Eric A. Bruen, Mayor
ATTEST:

Ricca Charlon, CMC
City Clerk
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
Flock Safety + CA - Ridgecrest PD
______________
Flock Group Inc.
1170 Howell Mill Rd, Suite 210
Atlanta, GA 30318
______________
MAIN CONTACT:

Caroline Fraher
[email protected]
3108443659
Created Date: 02/08/2024
Expiration Date: 08/11/2023
Quote Number: Q-39047
PO Number:

Budgetary Quote
This document is for informational purposes only. Pricing is subject to change.

Bill To: 100 W California Ave Ridgecrest, California 93555 Ship To: 100 W California Ave Ridgecrest, California 93555 Billing Company Name: CA - Ridgecrest PD Subscription Term: 24 Months Billing Contact Name: Payment Terms: Net 30
Billing Email Address: Retention Period: 30 Days
Billing Phone: Billing Frequency: Annual Plan - First Year Invoiced at Signing.

Hardware and Software Products
Annual recurring amounts over subscription term
Item Cost Quantity Total
Flock Safety Platform $72,000.00
Flock Safety LPR Products
Flock Safety Falcon ® Included 24 Included
Professional Services and One Time Purchases
Item Cost Quantity Total
One Time Fees
Flock Safety Professional Services
Professional Services - Standard
Implementation Fee $650.00 5 $3,250.00
Professional Services - Existing Infrastructure
Implementation Fee $150.00 19 $2,850.00
Subtotal Year 1: $78,100.00
Annual Recurring Subtotal: $72,000.00
Estimated Tax: $0.00
Contract Total: $150,100.00
Taxes shown above are provided as an estimate. Actual taxes are the responsibility of the Customer. This is not an invoice – this document is a non-binding proposal for informational purposes only. Pricing is subject to change.

Billing Schedule Amount (USD)
Year 1
At Contract Signing $78,100.00
Annual Recurring after Year 1 $72,000.00
Contract Total $150,100.00
*Tax not included
Product and Services Description
Flock Safety Platform Items Product Description
Flock Safety Falcon ® An infrastructure-free license plate reader camera that utilizes Vehicle Fingerprint® technology to capture vehicular attributes.

One-Time Fees Service Description
Installation on existing
infrastructure
One-time Professional Services engagement. Includes site & safety assessment, camera setup & testing, and shipping & handling in accordance with the Flock Safety Advanced Implementation Service Brief.

Professional Services -
Standard Implementation Fee
One-time Professional Services engagement. Includes site and safety assessment, camera setup and testing, and shipping and handling in accordance with the Flock Safety Standard Implementation Service Brief.

Professional Services -
Advanced Implementation Fee
One-time Professional Services engagement. Includes site & safety assessment, camera setup & testing, and shipping & handling in accordance with the Flock Safety Advanced Implementation Service Brief.

FlockOS Features & Description
Package: Community
FlockOS Features Description
7 This Page Intentionally Left Blank
Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority

STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT: A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Ridgecrest Authorizing The Commencement Of Proceedings In Connection With The Proposed Financing Of Capital Improvements For The City, Expressing Its Official Intent Regarding Certain Capital Expenditures To Be Reimbursed With Proceeds Of Such Proposed Financing And Retaining A Municipal Advisor, Bond Counsel, Disclosure Counsel And Underwriter/Placement Agent And Directing Certain Actions With Respect Thereto
PRESENTED BY: Cheri Freese, Finance Director
SUMMARY:

The City of Ridgecrest is undertaking a significant capital project to construct a new aquatic facility within the city limits. This new facility is anticipated to serve as a vital recreational and community resource for residents and visitors alike. The project encompasses various elements essential for a modern aquatic center, including swimming pools, recreational areas, amenities for visitors, and necessary infrastructure.

The City intends to finance the construction of the new aquatic facility through the issuance of obligations. This resolution signifies the City's official intent to reimburse itself for the expenditures incurred in the development of the aquatic facility with the proceeds from the proposed financing.

Proposed Actions:
• Preparation of Necessary Documents: The Council is requested to authorize appropriate officers and officials of the City to proceed with the preparation of the necessary documents required for the financing of the new aquatic facility. These documents will be subject to final approval by the Council at a subsequent meeting. • Designation of Advisors and Counsel:
o Municipal Advisor: Wulff Hansen & Co. is proposed to be designated as the municipal advisor to the City. The City Manager, or any designee thereof, is authorized to enter into an agreement with this firm, with compensation contingent upon the successful issuance of the bonds.
o Bond Counsel: Quint & Thimmig LLP, or any successor thereof, is proposed to be designated as bond counsel. The City Manager is authorized to enter into an agreement with this firm, with compensation contingent upon the successful issuance of the financing.
o Disclosure Counsel (If Applicable): Quint & Thimmig LLP, or any successor thereof, is proposed to be designated as disclosure counsel if the financing is structured as a public offering.

Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority

STAFF REPORT
o Underwriter/Placement Agent: Hilltop Securities Inc. is proposed to be designated as the underwriter if the financing is structured as a public offering, or as the placement agent if structured as a private placement.

The maximum principal amount of the financing for the construction of the new aquatic facility is set at $16,000,000, as specified in the resolution.

The adoption of this resolution will authorize the commencement of proceedings for the proposed financing of the new aquatic facility for the City of Ridgecrest. It is recommended that the City Council approves the resolution to proceed with these actions and bring this vital community project to fruition.

FISCAL IMPACT: The maximum principal amount allocated for this project is $16,000,000.

Based on current estimates, the total debt service cost is projected to be $16,598,672. It's important to note that this figure is subject to slight adjustments depending on the final bond coupon rate.

ACTION REQUESTED: Approve the resolution authorizing the commencement of proceedings for the proposed financing of capital improvements for the City of Ridgecrest, express official intent regarding reimbursement of certain capital expenditures, and retain advisory services for the project.

CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: Approve as requested.

Submitted by: Cheri Freese Action Date: February 21, 2024 RESOLUTION 24-Xx

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIDGECREST

AUTHORIZING THE COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS IN CONNECTION

WITH THE PROPOSED FINANCING OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE

CITY, EXPRESSING ITS OFFICIAL INTENT REGARDING CERTAIN CAPITAL

EXPENDITURES TO BE REIMBURSED WITH PROCEEDS OF SUCH PROPOSED

FINANCING AND RETAINING A MUNICIPAL ADVISOR, BOND COUNSEL,

DISCLOSURE COUNSEL AND UNDERWRITER/PLACEMENT AGENT AND

DIRECTING CERTAIN ACTIONS WITH RESPECT THERETO

RESOLVED, by the City Council (the “Council”) of the City of Ridgecrest(the “City”), as follows:

WHEREAS, the City proposes to finance certain capital projects (collectively, the “Project”) described in Exhibit A hereto;
WHEREAS, all or a portion of the expenditures relating to the Project (the “Expenditures”) (i) have been paid within the sixty days prior to the passage of this Resolution or (ii) will be paid on or after the passage of this Resolution;
WHEREAS, the City reasonably expects to reimburse itself for the Expenditures with the proceeds of obligations the interest on which will be excluded from the gross income of the owner or owners of such obligations; and,
WHEREAS, City staff has investigated financing options and has determined that it is in the best interest of the City to authorize the preparation of the necessary documents to consummate such financing, contingent on subsequent Council approval, and to retain a municipal advisor, bond counsel and disclosure counsel to assist the City.

NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby DECLARED and ORDERED, as follows:

Section 1. The Council authorizes appropriate officers and officials of the City to proceed with the preparation of the necessary documents in connection with the financing, subject to the final approval thereof by the Council at a subsequent meeting.

Section 2. The City reasonably expects to reimburse the Expenditures with proceeds from a financing.

Section 3. The maximum principal amount of such financing for the Project is $16,000,000.

Section 4. This Resolution is a declaration of official intent to reimburse expenditures pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.150-2.
-2-
Section 5. Wulff Hansen & Co. is hereby designated as municipal advisor to the City in connection with the financing. The City Manager, or any designee thereof, is authorized to enter into an agreement such firm, the compensation for such services to be contingent upon the successful issuance of such bonds.

Section 6. Quint & Thimmig LLP, or any successor thereof, is hereby designated as bond counsel in connection with the financing. The City Manager, or any designee thereof, is authorized to enter into an agreement with such firm, the compensation for such services to be contingent upon the successful issuance of such financing. If the financing is structured as a public offering, Quint & Thimmig LLP, or any successor thereof, is hereby designated as disclosure counsel in connection with the financing. The City Manager, or any designee thereof, is authorized to enter into an agreement with such firm, the compensation for such services to be contingent upon the successful issuance of such financing.

Section 7. Hilltop Securities Inc. is hereby designated as underwriter. in connection with the financing. If the financing is structured as a private placement, Hilltop Securities Inc. is hereby designated as placement agent in connection with the financing.

Section 7. All actions of the officers, agents and employees of the City that are in conformity with the purposes and intent of this Resolution, whether taken before or after the adoption hereof, are hereby ratified and confirmed.

Section 8. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect immediately upon its adoption.

Passed and adopted this 21st day of February, 2024, by the following votes:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

Eric A. Bruen, Mayor
City of Ridgecrest
ATTEST:

Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
City of Ridgecrest
Exhibit A

EXHIBIT A

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
The Project consists of a new aquatic facility.

This Page Intentionally Left Blank
City of Ridgecrest
Certificates of Participation, Series 2024
Funding for the Aquatics Center Project
February 2024
Resolution of Intent and Reimbursement
• Hires the financing team:
• Municipal Advisor: Wulff, Hansen & Co.
• Underwriter/Placement Agent: Hilltop Securities
• Bond and Disclosure Counsel: Quint & Thimmig
• Above-listed parties fees are success-based and 100% contingent on a completed financing
• Indicates City’s intent to issue financing to fund the Project • Preserves City’s right to reimburse itself for project expenditures from bond proceeds
• Begins 60 days prior to the passage of the Resolutions an up through closing • Resolution does not commit the City to move forward with financing, it merely preserves its rights
Sources and Uses of Funds and Financing Statistics
Sources of Funds
Par Amount $12,790,000
Premium 1,532,955
Total Sources of Funds $14,322,955
Uses of Funds
Project Fund $14,000,000
Bond Insurance 36,517
Surety Bond 25,580
Costs of Issuance 202,791
Underwriter’s Discount 58,067
Total Uses of Funds $14,322,955
Financing Summary Statistics
Dated Date May 15, 2024
Final Maturity June 1, 2034
True Interest Cost (TIC) 2.84%
All-in TIC 3.20%
Average Annual Debt Service $1,652,523
Total Interest $3,808,672
Total Debt Service $16,598,672
All figures are preliminary, estimated, and subject to change Figures represent market conditions as of February 8, 2024 Preliminary Debt Service Projections
Period Ending Principal Coupon Yield to Maturity Interest Debt Service 6/1/2025 990,000 5.00% 3.13% 667,922 1,657,922
6/1/2026 1,070,000 5.00% 2.90% 590,000 1,660,000
6/1/2027 1,125,000 5.00% 2.78% 536,500 1,661,500
6/1/2028 1,180,000 5.00% 2.71% 480,250 1,660,250
6/1/2029 1,240,000 5.00% 2.69% 421,250 1,661,250
6/1/2030 1,300,000 5.00% 2.71% 359,250 1,659,250
6/1/2031 1,365,000 5.00% 2.73% 294,250 1,659,250
6/1/2032 1,435,000 5.00% 2.75% 226,000 1,661,000
6/1/2033 1,505,000 5.00% 2.78% 154,250 1,659,250
6/1/2034 1,580,000 5.00% 2.81% 79,000 1,659,000
Total $12,790,000 $3,808,672 $16,598,672
All figures are preliminary, estimated, and subject to change Figures represent market conditions as of February 8, 2024 8 This Page Intentionally Left Blank
Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority

STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT: Proposed Addition Of A Part-time Administrative Analyst 1 To The City Classification Plan And The Addition Of This Position To The Remaining FY24 Budget PRESENTED BY: Ron Strand, City Manager
SUMMARY: In November 2022, the citizens of Ridgecrest approved Measure P – a one cent general fund sales tax to help fund city services. One of the goals of Measure P was for the City to sponsor community events to enhance the quality of life within our community and to help local businesses recruit and retain employees.

This Measure P goal was based in part on a quality-of-life survey conducted in October 2022, where over 1200 people participated – of which 48% worked or had a significant other who work at NAWS China Lake.

The survey indicated a strong desire for more community events where people could meet and socialize.

Two potential events that came to mind were evening entertainment and a Farmer’s Market. Both, if successful, can provide a gathering place for the community to connect, socialize, build relationships and help foster a sense of community.

Staff chose to focus first on creating a series of evening entertainment events where the community can come together to enjoy live entertainment along with a variety of food and wine/beer vendors. Beginning in February 2023, and throughout the year, the City sponsored four “Night on/off Balsam St.” events. The events were well attended with approximately 3000-4000 people at each event. The community enjoyed the events and expressed interest for them to continue.

With the success of these events, Staff feels it is time to move forward and establish a City sponsored Farmer’s Market downtown on Balsam St. The timing is right. The current RCC Farmer’s Market is winding down and is interested in being absorbed. A robust Farmer’s Market will be enjoyed by the community and will help revitalize our downtown. Additionally, a Farmer’s Market can help to create a healthy, and sustainable local food system that benefits the entire community.

The City currently does not have the staffing to develop and manage a Farmer’s Market. Staff believes a new parttime employee would enable the City to sponsor a Farmer’s Market. In the FY24 budget, Measure P funds were budgeted to sponsor/support community events. There are sufficient Measure P funds in the FY24 budget to fund a parttime Administrative Analyst 1 position for the remaining budget cycle. If this position is approved by City Council, staff believes it will take at least three months for the City to develop and establish a Farmer’s Market on Balsam St.

Staff is recommending City Council approved of the addition of a parttime Administrative Analyst 1 position to the FY24 budget and to add the parttime Administrative Analyst 1 position to the City Classification Plan.

Attachment A: Classification Plan for a parttime Administrative Analyst 1 (grade 1063) FISCAL IMPACT: $9k – available funds in the FY24 budget.

ACTION REQUESTED: Approval as requested
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: Action as requested
Submitted by: Ron Strand Action Date: February 21, 2024 This Page Intentionally Left Blank
RESOLUTION NO. 24-XX

A RESOLUTION OF THE RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL APPROVING
THE ADDITION OF A PARTTIME ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST 1 TO

THE CITY CLASSIFICATION PLAN AND THE ADDITION OF THIS
POSITION TO THE FY24 BUDGET
WHEREAS, the City is interested in establishing a City-sponsored Farmer’s Market downtown on Balsam St.; and,
WHEREAS, a robust Farmer’s Market can be enjoyed by the community and can help revitalize our downtown and to create a healthy, and sustainable local food system that benefits the entire community, and;
WHEREAS, if successful, can provide a gathering place for the community to connect, socialize, build relationships that help foster a sense of community and hopefully improve our overall quality of life, and;
WHEREAS, the City currently does not have the staffing to develop and manage a Farmer’s Market. Staff believes a new parttime employee would enable the City to sponsor a Farmer’s Market. In the FY24 budget, Measure P funds were budgeted to sponsor/support community events. There are sufficient Measure P funds in the FY24 budget to fund a parttime Administrative Analyst 1 position for the remaining budget cycle.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Ridgecrest hereby:

1. Approve the addition of a parttime Administrative Analyst 1 (grade 1063) to the City Classification Plan.

2. Approve the addition of a parttime Administrative Analyst 1 position to the remaining FY24 budget.

3. Authorize the Finance Director to make the necessary adjustments to the FY24 budget.

APPROVED AND ADOPTED, this 21th day of February 2024, by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

Eric A. Bruen, Mayor
ATTEST:

Ricca Charlon, CMC
City Clerk
This Page Intentionally Left Blank

This Page Intentionally Left Blank
9 This Page Intentionally Left Blank
Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority

STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT: Conduct Public Hearing And Adoption Of A Resolution Establishing West Las Flores Avenue, Between North Mahan Street To North Down Street And On North Down Street, Between West Las Flores Ave To West Church Avenue As An Underground Utility Project District To Utilize SCE Rule 20A Funding
PRESENTED BY: Travis Reed, Public Work Director
SUMMARY:

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has an established regulation, known as Rule 20, which pertains to undergrounding of utility poles. Rule 20A projects are typically in areas of a community that are used most by the public and are completed by and paid for 100% by SCE. To qualify, the City Council must determine, after holding a public hearing on the subject, that undergrounding in the designated area is in the public interest for one or more of the following reasons:
• Undergrounding will avoid or eliminate an unusually heavy concentration of overhead electric facilities.
• The street, road, or right-of-way is extensively used by the public and carries a heavy volume of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
• The street, road, or right‑of‑way is considered an arterial street or major collector as defined in the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research General Plan Guidelines.

In order to form an underground utility district, Chapter 16, Article III of the City of Ridgecrest Municipal Code requires a three-step process. The first step is for the City Council adopt a resolution calling for a public hearing to determine whether public health, safety or welfare requires undergrounding, with the City Clerk providing notice of the hearing to all affected property owners. The second required step is for the Council to hold a public hearing and adopt a resolution designating the area to be included in the district and determining that the removal of the aboveground facilities is necessary based on findings related to public health, safety, or general welfare.

As the third and final next step, the Council will be asked to establish a project schedule by resolution which identifies the date by which properties in an established undergrounding district must be ready to receive underground service and by which poles, overhead wires and associated overhead structures shall be removed. Once a district is formed, it becomes unlawful to construct or maintain aboveground facilities beyond the date established by the City for removal of such facilities.

Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority

STAFF REPORT
The proposed area for the Rule 20A project is approximately 2820 feet along Las Flores Ave and 4220 feet along Downs Street as shown on Attachment “A”. Shortly after the receipt of the City’s Resolution to establish the undergrounding district, SCE will begin the project design, followed by conversion work and removal of poles, which could last approximately two years.

Funding – Source: SCE Rule 20A Funds and City General Funds As a Rule 20A project, SCE will be responsible for 100% of the underground conversion costs for the designated area, including design, construction, and coordination with the property owners. Though there will be minimal direct costs to the City, there will be staff time required for project coordination with SCE.

Item Cost Funding
Source
SCE Design and Construction $3,005,756 Rule 20A
City Project Management Consultant $20,000 General Fund Environmental Impact:

The proposed action does not constitute a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act, per the CEQA guideline definition.

FISCAL IMPACT:
$20,000 for City Project Management Consultant services funded from City General Fund.

ACTION REQUESTED:

1. Adopt a resolution establishing West Las Flores Avenue between North Mahan Street to North Down Street and North Down Street between West Las Flores Ave to West Church Ave as an Underground Utility District (UUD)

2. Authorizes the City Manager, Ronald Strand, to execute all necessary agreements with SCE.

CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: Action as Requested
Submitted by: Travis Reed Action Date: February 21, 2024 RESOLUTION NO. 24-XX

A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING WEST LAS FLORES AVENUE, BETWEEN

NORTH MAHAN STREET TO NORTH DOWN STREET AND NORTH DOWNS

STREET, BETWEEN WEST LAS FLORES AVE TO WEST CHURCH AVENUE AS AN UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT TO UTILIZE SCE RULE 20A

FUNDING
WHEREAS, City staff have recommended the undergrounding of utilities on Las Flores and Downs Street and have received confirmation from Southern California Edison indicating adequate Rule 20A program allocations to underground utilities within the certain area of the City as shown on Exhibit “A”, a map entitled “LAS FLORES AVENUE AND DOWNS STREET UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT,” and,
WHEREAS, the proposed underground utility district is proposed to be funded in whole through funding under Tariff Rule 20 of the California Public Utilities Commission; and, WHEREAS, on February 21, 2024, the Ridgecrest City Council held a duly noticed public hearing, at which time all persons interested were given an opportunity to be heard and were heard.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Ridgecrest City Council hereby finds and determines that the public health, safety, and welfare requires the removal of poles, overhead wires and associated structures, and underground installation of wires and facilities for supplying electric, communication and similar or associated services in the district as shown on the attached exhibit map and that, pursuant to Ridgecrest Municipal Code Chapter 16, the area described as West Las Flores Avenue between North Mahan Street to North Down Street and on North Down Street between West Las flores Ave to West Church Ave hereby designated and declared an Underground Utility District of the City of Ridgecrest. The boundaries of said district are delineated on Exhibit “A” and hereby incorporated as part of this Resolution.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council does hereby order the removal of all poles, overhead wires and associated overhead structures, and the underground installation of wires and facilities for supplying electric, communication, and similar or associated service within the Underground Utility District.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk is hereby directed to cause a certified copy of this Resolution to be recorded in the office of the County Recorder for the County of Kern.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council hereby finds that the Underground Utility District herein created is in the general public interest and eligible for funding in whole or in part through funding under Tariff Rule 20 of the California Public Utilities Commission for the following reasons:
a. The undergrounding to be accomplished will avoid or eliminate an unusually heavy concentration of overhead distribution facilities.

Resolution No 24-xx Page 2 of 2
b. The street, roads, or rights-of-way in the District are extensively used by the general public, and carry a heavy volume of pedestrians or vehicular traffic; and c. The said street, roads, or rights-of-way adjoin or pass through a civic area.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Ridgecrest City Council hereby authorizes SCE to use SCE Rule 20A funds for the required customer service conduit and panel modification/conversion.

APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21st day of February, 2024 by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:
________________________________
Eric A. Bruen, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________
Ricca Charlon
City Clerk
477-03-021
508-02-013

RIDGECREST
SENIOR

APARTMENTS
508-02-009 477-01-010
KERR McGEE

SPORTS COMPLEX

PARKING
508-02-008
APN
508-02-006
S.C.E.
508-02-007
S.C.E.
477-01-011
477-01-017
477-01-016
477-01-015
477-01-007

KERR MCGEE
YOUTH
SPORTS

COMPLEX
456-02-018 456-02-012 456-02-013 456-03-105 456-03-104 456-03-103 456-33-101 456-04-025 456-04-011 456-04-010 456-04-024 456-05-213 456-05-214 456-05-101 456-05-102
067-50-101
067-41-120
456-10-207 455-10-008
455-10-009
456-23-106
456-05-103
456-05-104
456-05-105
456-05-106
456-05-107
456-05-108
456-05-117
456-09-001
456-09-002
456-09-003
456-09-004
456-09-007 456-02-016
456-02-022 456-33-105 456-33-104 456-03-103
456-33-102
456-05-116
067-50-102
067-50-103
067-50-104
067-50-105
067-50-106
067-05-021
067-05-020
456-09-006
456-09-005
456-05-109
067-05-007
067-05-008
067-05-009
067-05-018
APN
477-03-024

CITY OF RIDGECREST

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
100 W. CALIFORNIA AVENUE
RIDGECREST, CA. 93555
(760) 499-5000

CITY OF RIDGECREST
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON RULE 20 PROGRAM
374 POLI STREET, SUITE 101
VENTURA, CALIFORNIA 93001
(805) 653-6597

LAS FLORES AVENUE AND DOWNS STREET

UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT

DOWNS ST FROM CHURCH AVE TO LAS FLORES AVE AND

LAS FLORES AVE FROM MAHAN ST TO DOWNS ST

LAS FLORES AVE DOWNS ST MAHAN ST

CHURCH AVE

RIDGECREST AVE KERN AVE INYO ST MONO ST

ARGUS AVE

LEE AVE DOWNS ST

UNDERGROUND UTILITY

DISTRICT BOUNDARIES
EXHIBIT "A"
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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
SUBJECT: Ordinance of the Ridgecrest City Council Amending the Ridgecrest Municipal Code Concerning Accessory Structures and make a finding that the amendment of the zoning code is not subject to environmental review under CEQA.

PRESENTED BY:

Heather Spurlock, City Planner

BACKGROUND
The Ridgecrest Municipal Code's section 106-28 deals with accessory structures. However, the current code section is insufficient in ensuring that the development of accessory structures aligns with the goals and objectives of the general plan and land use principles. To address this, the proposed amendment aims to clarify the development standards for accessory structures, including building heights, setbacks, types of structures, and the specific zoning districts that permit various structures.

On January 23, 2024 the Planning Commission heard this item and recommended that City Council approve the proposed code amendment and make a finding that this Zoning Code Amendment is except from CEQA pursuant to Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15378.

ANALYSIS
Accessory buildings or structures are those structures that are secondary to the main building or structure. The proposed amendment sets out the following development guidelines:
 Detached accessory structures should not be more than 2/3 of the size of the primary dwelling.
 Accessory buildings cannot exceed the height of the primary dwelling.  Cargo containers are permitted in industrial, agricultural, and institutional zones.  In commercial zones, cargo containers may be permitted through a conditional use permit.  Temporary storage containers (PODS) can be used for up to 30 days in residential zones and up to 90 days in commercial zones.
 If the public works director finds that a proposed accessory structure is appropriate for the property, compatible with the development in the surrounding area, and does not pose any health or safety risks, height and size limits may be increased.

These guidelines are consistent with and partially based on the Kern County zoning code.

Environmental Analysis
This Ordinance is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15378 because it can be seen with certainty that the Ordinance has no possibility of a significant effect on the environment. This Ordinance concerns organizational and administrative activities involving clarifications or interpretations of existing Zoning Code regulations and it can be seen with certainty that it will not result in any physical changes in the environment. Anything approved per this code section would undergo its own CEQA review once an application was submitted.

RECOMMENDED MOTIONS:

Motion to waive reading in full an Ordinance of the Ridgecrest City Council, amending the Ridgecrest Municipal Code concerning Accessory Structures.

Requires a second
Motion to introduce, by title only, an Ordinance of the Ridgecrest City Council, amending the Ridgecrest Municipal Code concerning Accessory Structures.

Requires a second
FISCAL IMPACT: None
ACTION REQUESTED: Approve recommended motions
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION:

Action as requested
Submitted by: Heather Spurlock Action Date: February 21, 2024 Attachment 1
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ORDINANCE NO. 24-Xx

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF RIDGECREST
AMENDING SECTION 106-28 OF CHAPTER 106 (ZONING) OF THE

RIDGECREST MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING ACCESSORY

STRUCTURES
WHEREAS, California Constitution Article XI, Section 7, enables the City of Ridgecrest (the “City”) to enact local planning and land use regulations; WHEREAS, the authority to adopt and enforce zoning regulations is an exercise of the City’s police power to protect the public health, safety, and welfare; WHEREAS, the City desires to ensure that development occurs in a prudently effective manner, in accordance with the goals and objectives of the General Plan and reasonable land use planning principles; WHEREAS, the City desires to update its regulations related to accessory buildings and structures which are not qualified as Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

WHEREAS, the planning commission held a public hearing and considered the proposed ordinance and recommended for Council approval; and

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIDGECREST, CALIFORNIA DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. The recitals above are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference.

SECTION 2. Section 106-28 (Accessory Structures) of ARTICLE I (IN GENERAL) of Chapter 106 (ZONING) of Ridgecrest Municipal Code is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
“The following regulations shall apply to the location of accessory buildings unless otherwise provided in this title:

A. Except in the case of accessory dwelling units approved pursuant to Section 106-37 of this title, accessory buildings in residentially zoned areas shall be subject to the requirements of subparagraph (1) of this subsection. Square footage and heights exceeding those specified by this section may be allowed only when approved by the Planning Director and/or the Public Works Director following the procedure described in subsection (2) below. Except for a detached garage, all other accessory buildings shall be located no closer to the front property line than the principal dwelling.

1. Detached accessory buildings shall not exceed two thirds (2/3) of the square footage of the primary dwelling. The accessory building shall not exceed the height of the principal dwelling.

2. Heights and square footages exceeding the maximums otherwise permitted by this section may be allowed if the director makes the following findings:
a. The increased height or square footage will permit appropriate development on the property;
b. The increased height or square footage is compatible with development in the vicinity; and
2 c. The increased height or square footage will not be materially detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare or to property or residents in the vicinity.

B. No accessory buildings on the rear of a reverse corner shall be located nearer to the side lot line on the street side of such reversed corner lot than the front yard depth required on the key lot in the rear.

C. No accessory buildings or structures shall be located within a required front, side, or rear yard, except as provided for in this title.

D. Accessory buildings may be considered a part of the main building if connected by a common wall of not less than five (5) feet in length, or if not more than twenty (20) feet from the main building and connected thereto by a roof of not less than five (5) feet in width.

E. One (1) detached accessory building for use as a private garage may be permitted to occupy the required front yard of an interior lot in residential uses when the slope of the front half of such lot is greater than one (1) foot rise or fall in the horizontal distance of four (4) feet from the established street elevation at the front property line; provided, however, that no portion of any such building shall be less than five (5) feet from the side or front property line of the lot, and further provided that no such building shall exceed thirty-five feet in height, and further provided that no portion of any such building shall encroach upon the required front or side yard setbacks.

F. Cargo containers are permitted "by right" as an accessory structure in the M-1, M-2, RSP, CI, UR, & PA, RA zones. Cargo containers require approval of a conditional use permit in the CN and CS zones.

Cargo containers, where permitted, shall not be used for human occupancy. Signs shall not be permitted on, or attached to, cargo containers, except those required by law that contain public safety information for the container. Cargo containers, where permitted, shall not be stacked. Cargo containers shall also be temporarily permitted in any zone district in conjunction with an authorized construction project. Except for temporary cargo containers specifically authorized in conjunction with a construction project, cargo containers shall be painted a uniform earthen hue color (e.g. beige, tan, brown).

G. Except within approved mini-warehouse facilities, temporary, portable on-demand storage units (e.g., PODS) are permitted for up to thirty (30) days in residential, mobile home park zoning districts and up to ninety (90) days in the agricultural, and commercial zoning districts. Additional time may be authorized when the portable storage unit is necessary and related to authorized on-site construction or when approved in conjunction with the approval of a conditional use permit, as provided for in Section 106-128. Signage on such units shall be limited to the name of the manufacturer and public safety information.” SECTION 3. This Ordinance is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15378 because it can be seen with certainty that the Ordinance has no possibility of a significant effect on the environment. This Ordinance concerns organizational and administrative activities involving clarifications or interpretations of existing Zoning Code regulations and it can be seen with certainty that it will not result in any physical changes in the environment. Anything approved per this code section would be categorically exempt or undergo its own CEQA review once an application was submitted.

SECTION 4. Any provision of the Ridgecrest Municipal Code or appendices thereto inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance, to the extent of such inconsistencies and no further, is hereby repealed or modified to the extent necessary to implement the provisions of his Ordinance. 3 SECTION 5. If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance, or any part thereof is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance or any part thereof. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional.

SECTION 6. The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall attest to the passage of this Ordinance.

The City Clerk shall cause the same to be published once in the official newspaper within fifteen (15) days after its adoption. This Ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days after adoption.

Introduced and first read at a meeting of the City Council of the City of Ridgecrest held ____________, ___ 2024.

APPROVED AND ADOPTED: This ___ day of ___________, 2024 by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:

Eric Bruen, Mayor
ATTEST:

Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
SUBJECT: Ordinance of the Ridgecrest City Council Amending the Ridgecrest Municipal Code Concerning R-4 Medium Density Multifamily Residential District and make a finding that the amendment of the zoning code is not subject to environmental review under CEQA.

PRESENTED BY:

Heather Spurlock, City Planner

BACKGROUND
The Ridgecrest Municipal Code section 106-32 R-4 Medium Density Multifamily Residential was amended in 2015 by Ordinance 15-03. Ordinance 15-03 updated the municipal code to comply with state regulations regarding emergency shelter and density bonuses. However, during the amendment multifamily dwellings were removed as permitted uses in the zoning district. This proposed amendment corrects this error and permits multifamily dwellings as permitted usesin the R-4 Medium Density zoning district.

On January 23, 2024 the Planning Commission heard this item and recommended that City Council approve the proposed code amendment and make a finding that this Zoning Code Amendment is except from CEQA pursuant to Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15378.

ANALYSIS
Each zoning district includes permitted uses and conditional uses. Permitted uses in the R-2 (Low Density Multifamily Residential) and R-3 (Medium Density Multifamily Residential) zoning districts include multifamily residential dwellings. The R-4 Medium Density Residential zoning district is appropriate for the permitted use of multifamily dwellings. The omission in the current code is a past error that this amendment will correct. This amendment will not increase density in the R-4 zoning district which is 1,000 sq. ft. per dwelling unit.

Environmental Analysis
This Ordinance is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15378 because it can be seen with certainty that the Ordinance has no possibility of a significant effect on the environment. This Ordinance concerns organizational and administrative activities involving clarifications or interpretations of existing Zoning Code regulations and it can be seen with certainty that it will not result in any physical changes in the environment. Anything approved per this code section would be either categorically exempt from CEQA or undergo its own environmental review once an application is submitted
RECOMMENDED MOTIONS:

Motion to waive reading in full an Ordinance of the Ridgecrest City Council, amending the Ridgecrest Municipal Code concerning R-4 Medium Density Multifamily Residential District.

Requires a second
Motion to introduce, by title only, an Ordinance of the Ridgecrest City Council, amending the Ridgecrest Municipal Code concerning R-4 Medium Density Multifamily Residential District.

Requires a second
FISCAL IMPACT: None
ACTION REQUESTED: Approve recommended motions
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION:

Action as requested
Submitted by: Heather Spurlock Action Date: February 21, 2024 Attachment 1
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
ORDINANCE NO 24-Xx

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF RIDGECREST
AMENDING SECTION 106-32 OF CHAPTER 106 (ZONING)

OF THE RIDGECREST MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING
THE R-4 MEDIUM DENSITY MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL

DISTRICT
WHEREAS, California Constitution Article XI, Section 7, enables the City of Ridgecrest (the “City”) to enact local planning and land use regulations; and, WHEREAS, the authority to adopt and enforce zoning regulations is an exercise of the City’s police power to protect the public health, safety, and welfare; and, WHEREAS, the City desires to ensure that development occurs in a prudently effective manner, in accordance with the goals and objectives of the General Plan and reasonable land use planning principles; and,
WHEREAS, the City desires to update its regulations related to the R-4 Medium Density Multifamily Residential District to include multifamily residential dwellings as a permitted use; and, WHEREAS, the planning commission held a public hearing and considered the proposed ordinance and recommended for Council approval.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIDGECREST, CALIFORNIA DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. The recitals above are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference.

SECTION 2. Section 106-321 (R-4 Medium Density Multifamily Residential District) of Division 1 (Generally) of Article IV (Zoning District Regulations) of Chapter 106 (ZONING) of Ridgecrest Municipal Code is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
“(a) Application. This section shall apply to the R-4 Medium Density Multifamily Residential District unless otherwise provided in this Code.
(b) Permitted uses. The following uses may be permitted subject to the application for a site plan review pursuant to division 4 of article II of this chapter. (1) Multifamily residential dwellings.
(2) A one-family dwelling.
(3) Accessory structures which shall be located on the same parcel of land unless the main building and the accessory structure area both located on adjacent lots which meet minimum area requirements.
(4) Private greenhouses and horticultural collections, flower and vegetable gardens and fruit trees not intended for commercial purposes.
(5) Home occupations.
(6) Accessory dwelling units subject to the requirements of section 106-37. (7) Emergency shelters.
2 (c) Conditional uses. The following uses may be permitted subject to the application for a conditional use permit per division 3 of article II of this chapter. (1) Public and quasi-public uses of an educational or religious type including public and parochial elementary schools, junior high schools, high schools and colleges, day care centers, nursery schools, private nonprofit schools and colleges, churches, parsonages and other religious institutions. (2) Public and private charitable institutions, hospitals, sanitariums, rest homes and nursing homes, but not including hospitals, sanitariums, rest homes or nursing homes for mental or drug addict or liquor addict cases.
(3) Public uses of an administrative, recreational, public service or cultural type including city, county, state or federal administrative centers and courts, libraries, museums, art galleries, police and fire stations and other public buildings, structures and facilities, public playgrounds, parks and community centers.
(4) Electrical distribution substations, gas regulator stations, communications equipment buildings, public service pumping stations and/or elevated pressure tanks. (5) Enclosed temporary construction materials storage yards required in connection with the development of a subdivision, and temporary subdivision sales offices and model home display areas.
(6) Lodges, social halls, fraternal organizations operated by a nonprofit organization. (7) Mobilehome parks.
(8) Parking lots.
(9) Bed and breakfast inns.
(d) Site area. The minimum site area shall be 6,000 square feet. (e) Building height. Building height shall not exceed 35 feet. (f) Lot frontage. Each site shall not have less than 60 feet of frontage on a public street, except that those sites which front on a cul-de-sac or knuckle may have a frontage of not less than 40 feet. (g) Lot width. The minimum lot width of each interior lot shall be no less than 60 feet except as noted in subsection (f) of this section. A corner lot shall be no less than 65 feet in width. (h) Lot depth. The minimum depth of each lot shall be no less than 100 feet. (i) Site density. The minimum site area per dwelling unit shall be 1,000 square feet. (j) Coverage. The maximum site area covered by structures shall not exceed 70 percent. (k) Yard requirements.
(1) Front yard. The minimum front yard setback shall be ten feet with no parking permitted in the setback except on driveways, which shall accommodate no more than one automobile per dwelling unit nor occupy more than 75 percent of the setback area. On a cul-de-sac or knuckle lot, the minimum front yard setback line shall be determined by scribing a straight line between two points located ten feet behind the front property line on the side property lines. In no case shall any portion of the setback line be less than eight feet.
(2) Rear yard. The minimum rear yard shall be ten feet. Accessory structures may be located in any portion of a required rear yard provided they do not encroach into a utility easement. 3 Further, the drip line of an accessory structure shall not fall outside of the lot on which the accessory structure is installed.
(3) Side yard. The minimum side yard setback on each side of a main building shall not be less than five feet except that on the street side of corner lots there shall be a side yard of not less than ten feet.
(4) Garages and carports. Garages and carports taking direct access from the street shall provide a minimum of 20 feet of parking space between the structure and the front or street side property line. When adjacent to an alley, they shall be no less than 15 feet from centerline of said alley. (l) Site plan review. All uses in the R-4 district except single-family dwelling shall comply with the provisions of division 4 of article II of this chapter.

SECTION 3. The adoption of this ordinance is not a "project" subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code Section §§ 21000 et seq.) as the minor amendments to the Code will not cause any potential changes to the environment SECTION 4. Any provision of the Ridgecrest Municipal Code or appendices thereto inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance, to the extent of such inconsistencies and no further, is hereby repealed or modified to the extent necessary to implement the provisions of his Ordinance.

SECTION 5. If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance, or any part thereof is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance or any part thereof. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional.

SECTION 6. The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall attest to the passage of this Ordinance. The City Clerk shall cause the same to be published once in the official newspaper within fifteen (15) days after its adoption. This Ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days after adoption.

Introduced and first read at a meeting of the City Council of the City of Ridgecrest Held ____________, ___ 2024.

APPROVED AND ADOPTED: This ___ day of ___________, 2024 by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:

Eric Bruen, Mayor
ATTEST:

Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
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