RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL
SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
FINANCING AUTHORITY
HOUSING AUTHORITY
MINUTES
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 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 Endicott; Mayor Pro-Tem Blades; Vice Mayor Rajaratnam; Council Member Hayman;
Absent: Council Member Gorman
Staff Present: City Attorney M. Koczanowicz; City Manager Strand; City Clerk Charlon APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Motion To Approve – Blades - Hayman – 4 ayes; 1 absent
CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL GOV CODE SECTION 54956.9 ( b) Potential Litigation (4 cases)
Closed Session held pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957 Subpart (b):
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Title: City Manager
*Gorman arrived at 5:35 and joined closed session
REGULAR SESSION- 6:07 pm
ATTORNEY REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION – 4 claims – denied; City Manager review – unanimous appointment of Travis Reed, contract at next meeting
PRESENTATION
1. Presentation Of The Key To The City to Tex Hoppus Gorman PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA – M. Neel; M. Licitra
COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS/DIRECTION
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Proposed Action To Approve Draft Minutes Of The Ridgecrest City Council Charlon Motion To Approve – Blades - Rajaratnam – 5 ayes
PRESENTATION
3. Presentation Of Retirement to City Manager Ron Strand Staff / Council
MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY / FINANCING AUTHORITY / HOUSING AUTHORITY REGULAR – January 21, 2026
ADJOURNMENT - 7:25 p.m. after presentation to Ron Strand. All remainder items continued to next meeting.
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 February 2, 2026
Finance Committee
Members: Solomon Rajaratnam and Scott Hayman
Meeting: 2nd Tuesday every other month at 5:30 p.m.
Location: City Hall Conference Room B, 1st Floor
➢ Next meeting February 10, 2026
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
➢ Next meeting January 22, 2026
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 February 3, 2026
OTHER COMMITTEES, BOARDS, OR COMMISSIONS
CITY MANAGER REPORT
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS