RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL
SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
FINANCING AUTHORITY
HOUSING AUTHORITY
MINUTES
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 Closed Session – 5:30 p.m.
Regular Session – 6:00 p.m.
Pursuant to California Government Code 54953(b)(1) one additional call-in location has been established for the Mayor to attend this meeting via teleconference at Kern Council of Governments Board Room; 1401 19th Street, Suite 300, Bakersfield, CA 93301.
ROLL CALL – 5:30 p.m.
Council Present: Mayor Pro-Tem Blades; Vice Mayor Rajaratnam; Council Member Hayman; Council Member Gorman
Staff Absent Mayor Endicott
Staff Present: City Attorney M. Koczanowicz (Webex); City Manager Strand; City Clerk Charlon APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Motion To Approve Agenda – Rajaratnam - Hayman - 4 ayes – 1 absent
CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL Existing Litigation Gov Code Section 54956.9 Gilmore vs. City of Ridgecrest et al. USDC Eastern District Case No: 1:25-CV-01022-JLT-CDB
REGULAR SESSION
ATTORNEY REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION – No reportable action in closed session
PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation of Proclamation – Constitution Week Council
2. Presentation of Retirement from PACT – Lou Arnold & MaryLise Trowsdale Chief Ysit
3. Recognition of Ridgecrest Police Officers Who Represented The City Of Ridgecrest In The World Police And Fire Games In Birmingham Alabama – Sergeant Groves, Sergeant N. Lloyd, Officer Coe, Officer R. Smith, & SRO Galaviz Chief Ysit
4. FY2024 Measure V Report Measure V Committee
PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA - None
COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS/DIRECTION
CONSENT CALENDAR
5. Proposed Action To Approve Draft Minutes Of The Ridgecrest City Council Charlon Motion To Approve Consent Calendar– Rajaratnam - Hayman 4 ayes – 1 absent
DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS
6. Council’s Discussion And Direction To Staff Regarding An Ordinance Prohibiting Illegal Fireworks And Assessing Responsibility On Property Owner City Attorney / Chief Ysit Direction given to bring back to next meeting for 1st reading
MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY / FINANCING AUTHORITY / HOUSING AUTHORITY REGULAR – September 17, 2025
7. A Resolution Of The Ridgecrest City Council Authorizing Acceptance Of The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) New Alternative Fuel Vehicle Gran Chief Ysit Motion To Approve – Hayman – Gorman 4 ayes – 1 absent
8. Discussion Regarding The Board Of The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority (IWVGA) Hayman
Public Comments – Mike Sinnott
9. Discussion And Proposed Action To Approve A Resolution Designating A Voting Member And Alternate(s) To Attend The League Of California Cities Annual Conference And Represent The City Of Ridgecrest Charlon
Motion To Approve Gorman as primary and Blades as secondary – Hayman – Gorman 4 ayes – 1 absent
COMMITTEE REPORTS
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, 1st Floor
➢ Next meeting October 6, 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, 1st Floor
➢ Report from September 9, 2025
Infrastructure Committee
Members: Mayor Endicott and Kyle Blades
Meeting: 4th Thursday each month at 5:00 p.m.
Location: City Hall Conference Room B, 1st Floor
➢ Report from September 4, 2025
Parks, Recreation, and Quality of Life Committee
Members: Mayor Endicott and Scott Hayman
Meeting: 1st Tuesday each month at 5:30 p.m.
Location: City Hall Council Chambers
➢ Next meeting October 7, 2025
OTHER COMMITTEES, BOARDS, OR COMMISSIONS
CITY MANAGER REPORT
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – East Kern Healthcare District Conversations once per month opposite GA conversations
MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT -7:45 p.m.