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 18, 2026
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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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
Travis Reed, City Manager
Keith Lemieux, City Attorney
Martin Koczanowicz, City Attorney
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RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL
SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
FINANCING AUTHORITY
HOUSING AUTHORITY
AGENDA
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 Regular Session – 6:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER - 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
REGULAR SESSION
• Pledge Of Allegiance
• Invocation
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 Regular Ridgecrest City Council Meeting Dated Feb. 4, 2026 Charlon
2. Proposed Action To Approve Draft Minutes Of The Special Ridgecrest City Council Meeting Dated Feb. 9, 2026 Charlon
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3. A Public Hearing And Approval Of A Resolution Of The Ridgecrest City Council Establishing A Finding For Unmet Transit Needs That Are Reasonable To Meet With The Public Transportation System For Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Transit
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 March 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
➢ Report from February 10, 2026
AGENDA - CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY / FINANCING AUTHORITY / HOUSING AUTHORITY REGULAR – February 18, 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 26, 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
➢ Report from February 11, 2026
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 4, 2026
PRESENTED BY: Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
SUMMARY:
Draft Minutes of the City Council / Successor Redevelopment Agency / Housing Authority / Financing Authority Regular Meeting Dated February 4, 2026 FISCAL IMPACT: None
ACTION REQUESTED: Approve minutes
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: Action as requested
Submitted by: Ricca Charlon Action Date: Feb. 18, 2026
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RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL
SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
FINANCING AUTHORITY
HOUSING AUTHORITY
DRAFT MINUTES
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 Special Session – 5:00 p.m.
Closed Session – 5:10 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; Council Member Gorman; Council Member Hayman
Absent: Vice Mayor Rajaratnam
Staff Present: City Attorney M. Koczanowicz; City Manager Reed; City Clerk Charlon APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Motion To Approve – Blades – Gorman – 4 ayes; 1 absent
DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS
1. Approval Of Consulting Services Agreement With Mr. Ron Strand To Assist As Needed With The Groundwater Adjudications And Upcoming Mediation Attorney / Reed Public Comment – M. Neel
Motion To Approve – Blades - Hayman – 3 ayes; 1 no (Gorman); 1 absent
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION
CLOSED SESSION – 5:25 p.m.
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 – 6:36 p.m.
ATTORNEY REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION – Mayor Endicott will be the representative for GA mediation
PRESENTATION
2. Safely Surrendered Baby Awareness Proclamation Council PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA – M. Licitra; M. Neel; S. Whiting; M.
Sinnott
COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS/DIRECTION
DRAFT MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY / FINANCING AUTHORITY / HOUSING AUTHORITY REGULAR – February 4, 2026
CONSENT CALENDAR
3. Proposed Action To Approve Draft Minutes Of The Ridgecrest City Council Charlon
4. Approve A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Ridgecrest, California, Requesting The Board Of Supervisors Of The County Of Kern To Consolidate A General Municipal Election To Be Held On June 2, 2026, With The Statewide Primary Election To Be Held On That Date, Pursuant To §10403 Of The Elections Code Charlon Motion To Approve – Blades - Hayman – 4 ayes; 1 absent
DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS
5. Approval Of An At-Will Employment Agreement For Professional Services For City Manager With Travis Reed Attorney
Motion To Approve – Blades - Gorman – 4 ayes; 1 absent
6. A Resolution To Approve A Surplus Police Vehicle Donation Agreement Between The City Of Ridgecrest And The Friends Of The Fair Ysit
Public Comment - None
Motion To Approve – Hayman - Blades – 4 ayes; 1 absent
ORDINANCES
7. Adoption Of A Resolution And Introduction And First Reading Of An Ordinance Amending The Ridgecrest Municipal Code To Clarify That Any Term Of Service On The Council That Is More Than Two Years Counts As A Full Term For Purposes Of Term Limits And To Change Mayoral Term From Two To Four Years And Placing The Measures On The Election Ballot For June 2, 2026 Election Attorney
Public Comment – L. Horny, T. Wiknich, M. Neel, A. Gross, M. Sinnott, S. Whiting Motion to Approve A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Ridgecrest, California, Calling For The General Municipal Election To Be Held On Tuesday, June 2, 2026 For The Submission To The Voters A Question Relating To Local Ballot Measure Clarifying And Resetting The Terms Of Office For Council Members And Resetting And Changing The Term Of Elected Mayor with the change of wording as follows: In order to correct an ambiguity, shall the City of Ridgecrest Municipal Code be amended to change term limits from 8 consecutive years to two 4-year terms, and provide, for purposes of term limits, that any council member appointed to a partial term of more than two years shall be deemed to have served a full term for the purposes of determining term limits? Gorman - Hayman – 4 ayes; 1 absent
Motion To Introduce An Ordinance Of The City Council Of The City Of Ridgecrest Amending The Ridgecrest Municipal Code To Provide For 4-year Term For An Elected Mayor, Set Term Limits At Two Terms And Clarifying A Term Calculation For An Appointed Council Member Gorman - Hayman – 4 ayes; 1 absent
Motion To Waive Reading In Full Of An Ordinance Of The City Council Of The City Of Ridgecrest Amending The Ridgecrest Municipal Code To Provide For 4-year Term For An Elected Mayor, Set Term Limits At Two Terms And Clarifying A Term Calculation For An Appointed Council Member Gorman - Hayman – 4 ayes; 1 absent
DRAFT MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY / FINANCING AUTHORITY / HOUSING AUTHORITY REGULAR – February 4, 2026
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
➢ Report from 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
➢ Report from January 22, 2026 / January 29, 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
➢ Report from February 3, 2026
OTHER COMMITTEES, BOARDS, OR COMMISSIONS
CITY MANAGER REPORT
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT – 8:03 p.m.
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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 SPECIAL Meeting Dated February 9, 2026
PRESENTED BY: Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
SUMMARY:
Draft Minutes of the City Council / Successor Redevelopment Agency / Housing Authority / Financing Authority SPECIAL Meeting Dated February 9, 2026 FISCAL IMPACT: None
ACTION REQUESTED: Approve minutes
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: Action as requested
Submitted by: Ricca Charlon Action Date: Feb. 18, 2026
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RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL
SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
FINANCING AUTHORITY
HOUSING AUTHORITY
DRAFT MINUTES
Monday, February 9, 2026 5:30 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
Absent: None
Staff Present: City Attorney M. Koczanowicz (Webex); City Manager Reed; City Clerk Charlon APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Motion To Approve – Blades - Rajaratnam– 5 ayes PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA ONLY - None
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
ATTORNEY REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION – S. Rajaratnam will be the representative for GA mediation as Mayor had an employment conflict.
ADJOURNMENT – 6:01 p.m.
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Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority
STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT: A Public Hearing And Approval Of A Resolution Of The Ridgecrest City Council Establishing A Finding For Unmet Transit Needs That Are Reasonable To Meet With The Public Transportation System For Fiscal Year 2026-2027
PRESENTED BY: Sergio Covarrubias & Justin Schuchman, Transit Division SUMMARY:
The Transportation Development Act of 1971 (TDA), as amended, provides for the disbursement of funds from the Local Transportation Fund for various eligible transportation uses.
These funds are distributed by the Kern Council of Governments (Kern COG), in its capacity as the Regional Transportation Planning Agency. An eligible claimant, such as the City wishing to receive TDA funding through Kern COG must conduct an annual review of the transit needs of the individuals and groups in the community which utilize the service.
Kern COG Resolution 90-04 defines “unmet transit needs” as follows:
“An unmet transit need exists if an individual of any age or physical condition is unable to transport himself or herself due to deficiencies in the existing transportation system.
Exclusions are as follows:
1. Those requests for minor operational improvements.
2. Improvements funded and scheduled for implementation in the following year.
The term “reasonable to meet” is defined as:
1. Operational Feasibility: The requested improvement must be safe to operate, and there must be adequate roadways for transit vehicles
2. Duplication of Service: The proposed service shall not duplicate other transit services
3. Timing: The proposed service shall be in response to an existing rather than a future need
4. Service must meet the legally required farebox ratio (PUC Sections 99268.2, 99268.5 and CAC Sections 6633.2, 6633.5) with fares close to fares of similar service.” The hearing was duly noticed at least 30 days (December 17th , 2025) prior to this evening.
It is appropriate for council to open the Public Hearing, receive written and oral comments regarding any “unmet transit needs” and determine whether these “needs are reasonable to meet.” The documentation of the Public Hearing will be forwarded to Kern COG so the city remains eligible for TDA funds.
Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority
STAFF REPORT
FISCAL IMPACT: None at this time, yet this is a positive to the City Budget ACTION REQUESTED:
Open the Public Hearing, consider all public comments per the criteria previously described.
Provide direction to staff if necessary.
Approve a Resolution and Establish a finding for “Unmet Needs” that are “reasonable to meet” with the Public Transportation System for fiscal year 2026-2027 CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION:
Submitted by: Sergio Covarrubias & Justin Schuchman Action Date: February 18th, 2026 RESOLUTION 26-XX
A RESOLUTION OF RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL ESTABLISHING A
FINDING FOR UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS THAT ARE REASONABLE TO
MEET WITH THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2025-2026
WHEREAS, pursuant to California Government Code Section 29350, the County of Kern and the State Board of Equalization have entered into an agreement that provides for the collection of certain additional sales and use taxes in Kern County that are returned to Kern County, administered by the regional transportation planning agency (Kern Council of Governments) and use for the purpose specified in California Public Utilities Code Section 99200 et seq.; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to Public Utilities Code 99401.5, Kern Council of Governments (Kern COG) is required to establish and define the terms “unmet transit needs.” Kern COG Resolution 90-04 defines “unmet transit needs” as follows:
“An unmet transit need exists if an individual of any age or physical condition is unable to transport himself or herself due to deficiencies in the existing transportation system.
Excluded are:
1. Those requests for minor operational improvements
2. Those improvements funded and scheduled for implementation in the following year.
The term “reasonable to meet” is defined:
• Operational Feasibility: The requested improvement must be safe to operate, and there must be adequate roadways for transit vehicles
• Duplication of Service: The proposed service shall not duplicate other transit services
• Timing: The proposed service shall be in response to an existing rather than a future need
• Service must meet the legally required farebox ratio (PUC Sections 99268.2, 99268.5 and CAC Sections 6633.2, 6633.5) with fares close to fares of similar service”; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Ridgecrest receives Transportation Development Act funds from Kern COG for various transportation uses; and, WHEREAS, before any allocation of Transportation Development Act funds is made for a purpose not related to public transportation services, a public hearing must be held to determine if there are any “unmet needs that are reasonable to meet” in the public transportation system: and,
WHEREAS, a public hearing was duly advertised and held on December 17th, 2025, to receive public comments regarding unmet transit needs that are reasonable to meet; and,
Resolution 26-Xx Page 2 of 2
WHEREAS, the City Council considered all available information, including the information presented at the public hearing on February 18th , 2026; and, WHEREAS, the City of Ridgecrest is required to submit findings from the annual unmet transit needs public hearing to Kern COG by the end of April 2026.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ridgecrest that:
1) The facts herein are true, and the Council has jurisdiction to consider and make findings in the matter herein mentioned; and
2) The Council hereby determines that there are no unmet transit needs that are reasonable to meet within Ridgecrest; and
3) The Transit Division, or Public Works Director is directed to submit this finding and the supporting documentation to Kern COG.
ADOPTED, AND APPROVED, this 18th day of February, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
_____________________________________
Travis Endicott, Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________________
Ricca Charlon, City Clerk