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
March 5, 2025
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
Travis Endicott, Mayor
Kyle Blades, Mayor Pro-Tem
Solomon P. Rajaratnam, 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, March 5, 2025 @ 5:30 p.m.
City Council Chambers
100 W. California Avenue
Ridgecrest, California
Said SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION MEETING shall be for the purpose of:
Closed Session held pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957 Subpart (b):
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Title: City Manager
Dated: February 27, 2025
Travis Endicott, Mayor / Chair
ATTEST:
Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
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RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL
SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
FINANCING AUTHORITY
HOUSING AUTHORITY
AGENDA
Wednesday, March 5, 2025 Closed Session – 5:30 p.m.
Regular Session – 6:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
CLOSED SESSION
Closed Session held pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957 Subpart (b):
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Title: City Manager
REGULAR SESSION
• Pledge Of Allegiance
• Invocation
ATTORNEY REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
PRESENTATIONS
American Red Cross Month Proclamation
Employee Years of Service Presentations
Lions Club Speaker Contest Recognition
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 February 19, 2025 Charlon
2. Announcing Proclamations Prepared For The Month Of March And Scheduled Date Of Presentations Charlon
AGENDA - CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY / FINANCING AUTHORITY / HOUSING AUTHORITY REGULAR – March 5, 2025
COMMITTEE REPORTS**Committee Meeting dates are subject to change and will be announced on the City website
Economic Development Committee
Members: Kyle Blades and Solomon Rajaratnam
Meeting: 1st Monday of the month @ 5:15 p.m.
Location: City Hall Conference Room B, 1
st Floor
➢ Report from March 3, 2025
Finance Committee
Members: Solomon Rajaratnam and Scott Hayman
Meeting: 2nd Tuesday each month at 5:30 p.m.
Location: City Hall Conference Room B, 1
st Floor
➢ Next Meeting March 11, 2025
Infrastructure Committee
Members: Mayor Endicott and Kyle Blades
Meeting: 4
th Thursday each month at 5:00 p.m.
Location: City Hall Conference Room B, 1
st Floor
➢ Next Meeting February 27, 2025 - canceled
Parks, Recreation, and Quality of Life Committee
Members: Mayor Endicott and Scott Hayman
Meeting: 1
st Tuesday each month at 5:30 p.m.
Location: City Hall Council Chambers
➢ Report from March 4, 2025
City Organization & Services Committee “City Org”
Members: Mayor Endicott and Scott Hayman
Meeting: 1
st Thursday each month at 5:30 p.m.
Location: City Hall Conference Room B, 1st Floor
➢ Next Meeting March 6, 2025
OTHER COMMITTEES, BOARDS, OR COMMISSIONS
CITY MANAGER REPORT
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
A Proclamation of
The City of Ridgecrest, California
AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH
This March, we celebrate American Red Cross Month by recognizing the compassionate acts of people in City of Ridgecrest and by renewing our commitment to lend a helping hand to our neighbors in need. Since Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross more than 140 years ago, generation after generation has stepped up to deliver relief and care across our country and around the world, bringing out the best of humanity in times of crisis. Advancing this noble mission, the volunteers and supporters who now give back through the American Red Cross, Kern County and Eastern Sierra Chapter remain unwavering in their commitment to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of today’s emergencies.
Volunteers of the American Red Cross throughout Kern County and Eastern Sierra regions readily respond to the needs of the community. During the summer of 2024, the Borel fire burned areas surrounding the community of Lake Isabella. Red Cross volunteers responded immediately to the needs of the community, setting up safe, clean shelters in nearby Ridgecrest and Tehachapi, welcoming all families and neighbors displaced from their homes by the wildfires. Their voluntary and generous contributions shine a beacon of hope in people’s darkest hours — whether it’s delivering shelter, food and comfort during disasters; providing critical blood donations for hospital patients; supporting service members, veterans and their families; saving lives with first aid, CPR, AED and other skills; or delivering international aid and reconnecting loved ones separated by global crises.
This work to uplift our community is truly made possible by those who selflessly answer the call to help, whenever and wherever it’s needed. We hereby recognize this month of March in honor of their remarkable service, and we ask everyone to join in their commitment to care for one another.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED by the City Council of the City of Ridgecrest does hereby proclaim the month of March as Red Cross Month and encourages all Ridgecrest citizens to reach out and support its humanitarian mission.
Proclaimed this 5
th Day of March 2025
Travis Endicott
Mayor
Kyle Blades
Mayor Pro-Tem
Solomon P. Rajaratnam
Vice Mayor
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
SUBJECT: Employee Service Award Presentations
PRESENTED BY: Mayor and City Council
SUMMARY:
Service recognition awards presented by the Ridgecrest City Council to employees who have reached milestones in increments of five (5) or more years of employment with the City of Ridgecrest.
1 ST Quarter January – March 2025
20 Years
Kelly Brewton - Finance
10 Years
Justin Schuchman - Transit
FISCAL IMPACT: None
ACTION REQUESTED:
Presentation Of Certificates To Employees By City Council Members CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION:
Action as requested
Submitted by: Ricca Charlon Action Date: March 5, 2025
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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 February 19, 2025
PRESENTED BY: Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
SUMMARY:
Draft Minutes of the City Council / Successor Redevelopment Agency / Housing Authority / Financing Authority Regular Meeting February 19, 2025
FISCAL IMPACT: None
ACTION REQUESTED: Approve minutes
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: Action as requested
Submitted by: Ricca Charlon Action Date: March 5, 2025
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RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL
SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
FINANCING AUTHORITY
HOUSING AUTHORITY
DRAFT MINUTES
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 Closed Session – 5:00 p.m.
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 – 5:00 p.m.
Council Present: Mayor Pro-Tem Blades; Vice Mayor Rajaratnam; Council Member Hayman; Council Member Gorman
Absent: Mayor Endicott (attending LAFCO via zoom)
Staff Present: City Attorney M. Koczanowicz; City Clerk Charlon; City Manager Strand APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Attorney asked to move item 6 to before item 3 Motion To Approve Amended Agenda – Hayman - Rajaratnam 3 Ayes; 1 Abstention (Gorman); 1 Absent
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.
CLOSED SESSION
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 – 6:00 p.m.
ATTORNEY REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION – No reportable action
PRESENTATIONS
Lifesaving Awards
Sgt. Nathan Lloyd, Ofc. Andrew Solorzano, Ofc. Bryce Benites, and Ofc. James Quiroz Meritorious Award
Dispatcher Amber Peterson and Dispatcher Ariana Luque
PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA – M. Neel, S. Boyle, Y. Garcia
COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS/DIRECTION
DRAFT MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY / FINANCING AUTHORITY / HOUSING AUTHORITY REGULAR – February 19, 2025
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Proposed Action To Approve Draft Minutes Of The Ridgecrest City Council Regular Meeting Dated February 5, 2025 Charlon
2. A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Ridgecrest Setting A Date For The Unmet Transit Needs Hearing Reed
Motion To Approve Consent Calendar Hayman – Rajaratnam 4 Ayes; 1 Absent (Endicott)
DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS
*Mayor Endicott came in at 6:32 p.m.
3. A Resolution To Approve An Equipment Donation Agreement Between The City Of Ridgecrest And Indian Wells Valley TV Boosters, Inc. Freese
Public Comment – R. McGowan
Motion to Approve Item 3 - Blades – Gorman 5 Ayes
4. 2024 Annual Progress Report (APR) For The General Plan And Housing Element With Regional Housing Need Allocation Progress Spurlock
Public Comment – S. Boyle
Motion to Approve Item 4 - Hayman – Gorman 5 Ayes
5. Discussion Of Blight Within The Community Rajaratnam Public Comment – G. Charlon; M. Neel; S. Boyle; A. Cortez
6. City Response To Indian Wells Valley Water District Letter Dated February 3, 2025 Lemieux Public Comment – R. Kicinski; M. Neel
7. Discussion Regarding The Board Of The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority (IWVGA) Hayman
Public Comment – M. Neel
COMMITTEE REPORTS**Committee Meeting dates are subject to change and will be announced on the City website
Economic Development Committee
Members: Kyle Blades and Solomon Rajaratnam
Meeting: 1st Monday of the month @ 5:15 p.m.
Location: City Hall Conference Room B, 1
st Floor
➢ Next Meeting March 3, 2025
Finance Committee
Members: Solomon Rajaratnam and Scott Hayman
Meeting: 2nd Tuesday each month at 5:30 p.m.
Location: City Hall Conference Room B, 1
st Floor
➢ Report from February 11, 2025
DRAFT MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY / FINANCING AUTHORITY / HOUSING AUTHORITY REGULAR – February 19, 2025
Infrastructure Committee
Members: Mayor Endicott and Kyle Blades
Meeting: 4
th Thursday each month at 5:00 p.m.
Location: City Hall Conference Room B, 1
st Floor
➢ Next Meeting February 27, 2025
Parks, Recreation, and Quality of Life Committee
Members: Mayor Endicott and Scott Hayman
Meeting: 1
st Tuesday each month at 5:30 p.m.
Location: City Hall Council Chambers
➢ Next Meeting March 4, 2025
OTHER COMMITTEES, BOARDS, OR COMMISSIONS
CITY MANAGER REPORT
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT – 8:36 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 March 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.
Respect for Law
Respect for Law Proclamations will be presented at the Awards Dinner on March 22, 2025 at the Kerr McGee Community Center.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
ACTION REQUESTED: Approve and file
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: Action as requested
Submitted by: Ricca Charlon Action Date: March 5, 2025
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