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 19, 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.
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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 19, 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:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - Existing Litigation Gov Code Section 54956.9 Anderson v. COR, Lloyd; Kern County Superior Court Case # BCV-24-101979 Dated: March 13, 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 19, 2025 Closed Session – 5:30 p.m.
Regular Session – 6:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - Existing Litigation Gov Code Section 54956.9 Anderson v. COR, Lloyd; Kern County Superior Court Case # BCV-24-101979
REGULAR SESSION
• Pledge Of Allegiance
• Invocation
ATTORNEY REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
PRESENTATIONS
National Transit Driver Appreciation Day Council
Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) Brewton/Consultant 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 March 5, 2025 Charlon
DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS
2. Discussion Regarding The Board Of The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority (IWVGA)
AGENDA - CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY / FINANCING AUTHORITY / HOUSING AUTHORITY REGULAR – March 19, 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
➢ Next meeting April 7, 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 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 March 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 April 1, 2025
City Organization & Services Committee “City Org”
Members: Mayor Endicott and Skip Gorman
Meeting: 1
st Thursday each month at 5:30 p.m.
Location: City Hall Conference Room B, 1st Floor
➢ Report from 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
Honoring National
Transit Driver Appreciation Day
WHEREAS, Transit Operators manage to keep a schedule, check fares, give directions, announce and remember stops: and,
WHEREAS, they safely maneuver public transit vehicles through unpredictable traffic and adverse weather conditions; and,
WHEREAS, Transit Operators transport people to various places that include work sites, schools, shopping and leisure activities – providing citizens from all walks of life with personal mobility and freedom; and,
WHEREAS, the health, safety and comfort of many people in this community greatly depends on their ability to rely upon the transportation services provided by our Transit Operators; and,
WHEREAS, the efficiency and effectiveness of these qualified and skilled professionals contribute to the quality of life that residents and visitors alike enjoy and rely upon; and, WHEREAS, Transit Operators don’t have an easy job; they just make it look that way.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED by the Ridgecrest City Council that we recognize and extend appreciation to our dedicated and skilled Transit Operators and hereby proclaim March 18, 2025 as “Transit Driver Appreciation Day."
Proclaimed this 19th 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: Proposed Action To Approve Draft Minutes Of The Ridgecrest City Council Regular Meeting March 5, 2025
PRESENTED BY: Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
SUMMARY:
Draft Minutes of the City Council / Successor Redevelopment Agency / Housing Authority / Financing Authority Regular Meeting March 5, 2025
FISCAL IMPACT: None
ACTION REQUESTED: Approve minutes
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: Action as requested
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RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL
SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
FINANCING AUTHORITY
HOUSING AUTHORITY
DRAFT MINUTES
Wednesday, March 5, 2025 Closed Session – 5:30 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 – 5:30 p.m.
Council Present: Mayor Endicott; Mayor Pro-Tem Blades; Vice Mayor Rajaratnam; Council Member Hayman; Council Member Gorman
Staff Present: City Attorney M. Koczanowicz; City Manager Strand
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion to approve agenda- Blades-Gorman 5 ayes
CLOSED SESSION
Closed Session held pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957 Subpart (b):
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Title: City Manager
REGULAR SESSION - 6:01 PM
ATTORNEY REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION- No reportable action
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.
Comments made by- Brenda, M. Neel
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
Correction to minutes page 2 Item 3 presented by Strand not Freese
DRAFT MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY / FINANCING AUTHORITY / HOUSING AUTHORITY REGULAR – March 5, 2025
2. Announcing Proclamations Prepared For The Month Of March And Scheduled Date Of Presentations Charlon
Motion to approve minutes with amendment and item 2- Blades-Hayman 5 ayes 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 7:09 PM
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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
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