This CITY OF RIDGECREST SURPLUS VEHICLE SALE AGREEMENT (”AGREEMENT”) is made and entered into this 15th day of July 2026, by and between the City of Ridgecrest, a municipal corporation, hereinafter referred to as “CITY,” and Sierra Amateur Radio Club of the High Mojave, a California nonprofit corporation, hereafter referred to as “BUYER.”
RECITALS
A. CITY owns a 1998 Ford E-450 Communications Van (VIN 1FDXE40S6WHA10143) (#R236) which no longer serves any public purpose or function but does require maintenance, which is an ongoing expense for the City.
B. CITY desires to sell the vehicle to the BUYER, who is willing to purchase it for One Dollar ($1.00), for purposes of providing emergency communications, disaster preparedness, emergency response support, and public service throughout the Indian Wells Valley.
C. The vehicle is sold “as is, where is condition,” with all faults. The City makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding its condition or fitness for any purpose.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE AS FOLLOWS:
1. Donation. CITY hereby sells the vehicle to the BUYER only for the above stated purposes.
2. As-Is. The BUYER agrees to take possession and responsibility of the Vehicle in its “as-is” condition and CITY makes no representations or warranties there to BUYER further agrees to use the Equipment and the funds derived from the use of that vehicle only for the stated purpose.
3. Indemnification. The BUYER agrees to assume ownership of the Equipment and to assume any and all risks, including, but not limited to, risk of injury or death to third persons. BUYER agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless and release CITY, its officials, agents, and employees from any and all liability, losses, claims, administrative proceedings, actions, lawsuits, damages, injuries, awards, and court costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees (“DAMAGES”), whether asserted by BUYER, any of its officers, employees or agents or any third party, arising from any injuries or damages caused by or related to the donation, purchase, ownership, use or care of the Equipment that may occur on or after the effective date of this AGREEMENT (the “CLAIMS”).
4. Venue. This AGREEMENT shall be interpreted, construed and governed both as to validity and to performance of the Parties in accordance with the laws of the State of California. Legal actions concerning any dispute, claim or matter arising out of or in relation to this AGREEMENT shall be instituted in the Superior Court of the County of Kern, State of California, or any other appropriate court in such county, and BUYER agrees to submit to the personal jurisdiction of such court in the event of such action.
5. No Undue Influence. The Buyer declares and warrants that no undue influence or pressure was used against or in concert with any officer or employee of CITY in connection with the terms or implementation of this AGREEMENT, including any method of coercion, confidential financial arrangement, or financial inducement. No officer or employee of CITY has or will receive compensation, directly or indirectly, from BUYER, or from any officer, employee or agent of Sierra Amateur Radio Club of the High Mojave (BUYER), in connection with the granting of this AGREEMENT.
City of Ridgecrest Equipment Donation Agreement Page 2 of 2
6. Integration; Amendment. This AGREEMENT constitutes the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter of this AGREEMENT and supersedes and replaces any other written or oral agreements thereto. No amendment to this AGREEMENT will be effective unless in writing and signed by both parties.
7. Authority. The persons executing this AGREEMENT on behalf of the parties hereto warrant (i) such party is duly organized and existing, (ii) they are duly authorized to execute and deliver this AGREEMENT on behalf of said party, (iii) by so executing this AGREEMENT, such party is formally bound to the provisions of this AGREEMENT, and (iv) the entering into this AGREEMENT does not violate any provision of any other AGREEMENT to which said party is bound.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, CITY and BUYER have executed this AGREEMENT and is effective as of the date first listed above.
CITY OF RIDGECREST, a municipal
corporation
Travis Reed, City Manager
Sierra Amateur Radio Club of the High
Mojave:
By:________________________
Its: ________________________
By:________________________
Its: ________________________
Two corporate officer signatures required when the BUYER is a corporation, with one signature required from each of the following groups: 1) Chairperson of the Board, President or any Vice President; and 2) Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, Chief Financial Officer or any Assistant Treasurer. (Cal. Corp. Code § 313.) APPROPRIATE ATTESTATIONS SHALL BE INCLUDED AS
MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE BYLAWS, ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, OR OTHER RULES OR REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO BUYER’S BUSINESS ENTITY 17 This Page Intentionally Left Blank
Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority
STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT: Discussion Regarding Needed Appointments To Council Committees, Boards, And Commissions
PRESENTED BY: Ricca L. Charlon – City Clerk
SUMMARY:
Due to a recent resignation from the Planning Commission, an appointment is needed to fill the resulting vacancy and restore the Commission to its full membership.
Council Member Rajaratnam will be making a nomination to fill the vacant position on the Planning Commission.
An updated Committee Appointment Spreadsheet is attached for your reference.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
ACTION REQUESTED: Appoint Members To Committees, Boards, And Commissions CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION:
Submitted by: Ricca Charlon Action Date: July 15, 2026
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Commissions, Board, & Committees Mayor Travis Endicott Skip Gorman L. Scott Hayman Solomon P. Rajaratnam Kyle Blades Planning Commission
(Each Council Member nominates a commissioner) Cody Pauxtis Juan 'Bernie' Mondragon Vanessa Hayman Bill Farris Jr.
Personnel Commission
(Each Council Member nominates a commissioner) Mike Gross Mike Avery Reg Johnson Adrian Ochoa Bill Farris Jr.
Construction Appeals Board
(Each Council Member nominates a commissioner) Clifton Robbins Bill Freund Alex Gross Mike Ferguson Bill Farris Jr.
Handicap Access Appeals Board
(Municipal Code requires 2 members be physically handicapped, 2 members experienced in construction, and 1 member be a public member
Lora Vitale Crisian Loya Alex Gross Chris Hill Bill Farris Jr.
Ridgecrest Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (RACVB) (1 Council Appointment & 1 Alternate) Staff - J. Rickets Rajaratnam Kern Council of Governments (KernCOG)
(1 Council Appointment & 1 Alternate) Gorman Blades
Navy Community Council
(Mayor + 1 Council Appointment) Endicott Rajaratnam
IWV Groundwater Authority Hayman Blades
Finance Committee Hayman Rajaratnam
Civilian & Military Affairs Mayor Chief of Police
East Kern County Air Pollution Control Board Gorman Blades Quad State Local Governments Authority Gorman
League of California Cities Blades Gorman
Disaster Council (appointments set by Municipal Code) Mayor/Chair City Manager/Director of Emergency Services
Chief of Police/Asst.
Director of Emergency
Services
Round Table/BLM Gorman Hayman
Infrastructure Committee Endicott Blades Planning Commissioner Cody Pauxtis
Planning Commissioner
Bernie Mondragon
City Organization and Services Gorman Endicott Planning Commissioner Bill Farris Jr.
Parks, Recreation, Quality of Life (includes Senior Advisory Council and Arts Council) Hayman Endicott Planning Commissioner Vanessa Hayman
Planning Commissioner
Cody Pauxtis
Economic Development Committee Blades Rajaratnam Planning Commissioner Bill Farris Jr.
Planning Commissioner
Bernie Mondragon
Measure V (Each Council Member nominates a member) Mike Gross Chris Hill Brandon Temple Gurpreet Badrain Holly Farris Measure P (Each Council Member nominates a member) Bradley Patin Denise Gorman Elidia Dixon Forest Lloyd Holly Farris EAST Kern EDC Blades Staff - J. Rickets
LAFCO Endicott
Kern EDC Bill Farris Jr.
Other Emergency Service Personnel as
appointed by the Director of Emergency
Services to fulfill critical functions
updated March 4, 2026
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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) Regular Meeting
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
Submitted by: Ricca Charlon Action Date: July 15, 2026
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Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority
STAFF REPORT
01351.0086 2161672.1
SUBJECT: Consideration Of Authorization To File Petition For Intervenor Status In The California Energy Commission Small Power Plant Exemption Proceeding For The Proposed Inyokern Data Center Project (Docket No. 26-SPPE-01)
PRESENTED BY: Travis Reed, City Manager
SUMMARY:
Pursuant to Council direction provided at the June 3, 2026, Ridgecrest City Council meeting, City staff, together with the Office of the City Attorney, have prepared a Petition for Intervenor Status related to the proposed Inyokern Data Center Project. Staff is requesting authorization to submit the Petition for Intervenor Status in the California Energy Commission (CEC) Small Power Plant Exemption (SPPE) proceeding and authorize the City Manager, or designee(s), to participate in the proceeding on behalf of the City.
The California Energy Commission is currently processing an application for a Small Power Plant Exemption for the proposed Inyokern Data Center Project.
While the proposed project is located outside City limits and outside the City's land use jurisdiction, staff believes the project has the potential to affect regional groundwater resources, electrical infrastructure, housing opportunities, economic development, and public infrastructure throughout the Indian Wells Valley. As a result, staff believes it is prudent for the City to formally participate in the proceeding.
Intervenor status grants the City party status in the proceeding, allowing the City to receive filings, participate in workshops and hearings, submit comments and evidence, and preserve the City's ability to raise concerns as additional information becomes available.
Most importantly, seeking intervenor status does not constitute support for or opposition to the project. It simply ensures the City has a seat at the table. Intervenor status grants the City access to certain confidential documents and data relevant to contested issues, allows for more meaningful engagement in the process compared to non-intervenor public commenters, and creates a stronger basis for the City’s position with regard to judicial review in the event the City seeks to engage in litigation following the CEC’s decision.
The purpose of intervenor status is to ensure the City remains engaged throughout the proceeding, receives all relevant studies and technical information, and preserves its ability to participate as the review process moves forward.
Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority
STAFF REPORT
01351.0086 2161672.1
Approval of the Petition to Intervene would allow the City to:
• Receive filings, studies, and technical reports submitted during the proceeding; • Participate in workshops, hearings, and evidentiary proceedings; • Review and comment on technical analyses and environmental documents; • Preserve the City's standing throughout the process; and • Ensure regional interests are adequately represented during project review.
Intervenor status does not:
• Constitute approval of the project;
• Constitute opposition to the project;
• Commit the City to supporting or contesting the project; or • Predetermine future City comments or positions.
Participating in this process as an intervenor will provide the City with first-hand information which would assist in ultimately taking a position on the project.
The opportunity for substantive comments will occur later in the process following the California Energy Commission's determination that the application is complete. Appropriate opportunities for comment will likely include:
1. During preparation and circulation of environmental review documents;
2. During public workshops and evidentiary hearings; and
3. During formal comment periods established by the Commission.
At those stages, the City will have the opportunity to review environmental analyses, water supply information, electrical transmission studies, and other supporting documentation prior to formulating positions or recommendations.
Although the City has not taken a position on the project, staff has identified several areas that warrant continued review throughout the proceeding, including:
• Groundwater demand and consistency with long-term basin sustainability efforts; • Availability of electrical transmission and distribution capacity; • Potential impacts to future housing production and economic development opportunities;
• Greenhouse gas emissions and cumulative environmental impacts; Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority
STAFF REPORT
01351.0086 2161672.1
• Infrastructure demands associated with project construction and operation; and • Regional cumulative impacts on public services and utilities.
These issues are regional in nature and may affect residents, businesses, public agencies, and future development opportunities throughout the Indian Wells Valley.
The City's participation in this proceeding extends beyond the proposed project itself.
How the City handles significant regional projects outside its jurisdiction has the potential to shape how future businesses, industries, and employers view Ridgecrest as a partner in economic development and regional planning.
By participating as an intervenor, the City demonstrates that it intends to be engaged, informed, collaborative, and solutions-oriented while ensuring regional resources and infrastructure are managed responsibly.
The decisions made on projects of this scale can shape the future of the Indian Wells Valley for decades. It is important that the City be part of those discussions, not because we have predetermined the outcome, but because our residents, businesses, and future economic opportunities deserve representation throughout the process.
FISCAL IMPACT: $0.00
ACTION REQUESTED: Provide direction to staff for the submittal of the Petition to seek intervenor status.
CITY MANAGER / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RECOMMENDATION: Action as requested:
Submitted by: Travis Reed Action Date: July 15, 2026
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