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
September 2, 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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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
Martin Koczanowicz, City Attorney
Keith Lemieux, City Attorney
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RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL
SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
FINANCING AUTHORITY
HOUSING AUTHORITY
AGENDA
Wednesday, September 2, 2026 Regular Session – 6:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
REGULAR SESSION
• Pledge Of Allegiance
• Invocation
PRESENTATIONS
1. Police Explorer Appreciation To Local Businesses For Their Support Sergeant Lloyd & The Police Explorers
2. Wastewater Treatment Plant Update Roberts
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.
3. Proposed Action To Approve Draft Minutes Of The Regular Ridgecrest City Council Meeting Dated August 19, 2026 Charlon
DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS
4. Discussion Regarding Fowl In City Limits Council Member Gorman
ORDINANCES
5. Second Reading And Adoption Of Ordinance 26- 04 Of The City Council Of The City Ridgecrest Amending The Ridgecrest Municipal Code As It Relates To The Conflicts Of Interest Attorney
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 September 7, 2026
AGENDA - CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY / FINANCING AUTHORITY / HOUSING AUTHORITY REGULAR – September 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 September 8, 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 August 27, 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 September 1, 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 August 19, 2026
PRESENTED BY: Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
SUMMARY:
Draft Minutes of the City Council / Successor Redevelopment Agency / Housing Authority / Financing Authority Regular Meeting Dated August 19, 2026 FISCAL IMPACT: None
ACTION REQUESTED: Approve minutes
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: Action as requested
Submitted by: Ricca Charlon Action Date: Sept 2, 2026
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RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL
SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
FINANCING AUTHORITY
HOUSING AUTHORITY
DRAFT MINUTES
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 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
Council Present: Mayor Pro-Tem Blades; Vice Mayor Rajaratnam; Council Member Hayman; Council Member Gorman
Absent: Mayor Endicott
Staff Present: City Attorney M. Koczanowicz; City Manager Reed; City Clerk Charlon APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Motion To Approve – Rajaratnam - Hayman– 4 ayes; 1 absent
PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA – J. Jones; A. Weismullar; M. Harris; Unknown speaker; S. Miller; Unknown Speaker; Unknown Speaker; M. Sinnott
COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS/DIRECTION
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Proposed Action To Approve Draft Minutes Of The Regular Ridgecrest City Council Meeting Dated August 5, 2026 Charlon
Public Comment – None
Motion To Approve – Rajaratnam - Gorman– 4 ayes; 1 absent
DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS
2. A Resolution Of The Ridgecrest City Council For Acceptance Of The Engineering And Traffic Survey Report And Authorization To Post The Speed Zones Accordingly Roberts Public Comment – L. Stephens; S. Miller; A. Crutchfield Continued to next Council meeting
*Mayor joined from LAFCO at 7:08pm
3. A Resolution Of The Ridgecrest City Council Authorizing Acceptance Of The Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District (EKAPCD) New Alternative Fuel Vehicle Grant Ysit Public Comment – S. Miller; Unknown Speaker
Motion To Approve – Blades - Hayman– 5 ayes
4. Discussion Regarding The Board Of The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority (IWVGA) Regular Meeting Hayman
ORDINANCES
5. Introduction And First Reading Of An Ordinance Of The City Council Of The City Ridgecrest Amending The Ridgecrest Municipal Code As It Relates To The Conflicts Of Interest Attorney Public Comment – L. Stephens
Motion To Waive Reading In Full Hayman–Blades - 5 ayes
Motion To Introduce, By Title Only, Blades - Gorman– 5 ayes
AGENDA - CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY / FINANCING AUTHORITY / HOUSING AUTHORITY REGULAR – August 19, 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
➢ Next meeting September 7, 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 September 8, 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 August 27, 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 September 1, 2026
OTHER COMMITTEES, BOARDS, OR COMMISSIONS
CITY MANAGER REPORT
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Chicken discussion
MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT - 7:33 p.m.
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Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority
STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT: Second Reading And Adoption Of Ordinance 26-04 Of The City Council Of The City Ridgecrest Amending The Ridgecrest Municipal Code As It Relates To The Conflicts Of Interest PRESENTED BY: Martin Koczanowicz, City Attorney
SUMMARY:
The Political Reform Act requires every local government agency to review its conflict-of-interest code biennially. A conflict-of-interest code tells public officials, governmental employees, and consultants what financial interests they must disclose on their Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700). The City Council is the code reviewing body for city agencies.
If amendments to an agency’s conflict of interest code are necessary, the amended code must be forwarded to the City Council approval within 90 days. A City’s amended code is not effective until it has been approved by the City Council. Note that the Local Agency Biennial Notice does not need to be forwarded to the Fair Political Practices Commission (“FPPC”).
The FPPC requires the code to be amended if there are any positions either added or deleted from the previous cycle. There have been three additions to the positions covered by the Conflict-of-Interest laws since the 2024 Code Amendments.
Introduction and first reading were held August 19, 2026.
The job titles and categories added are the following:
* Public Works Director
* Accounting Supervisor
Recommended Motions:
Motion To Waive Reading In Full Of Ordinance 26-04 Of The City Council Of The City Ridgecrest Amending The Ridgecrest Municipal Code As It Relates To The Conflicts Of Interest Motion To Adopt, By Title Only, Ordinance 26-04 Of The City Council Of The City Ridgecrest Amending The Ridgecrest Municipal Code As It Relates To The Conflicts Of Interest FISCAL IMPACT: None
ACTION REQUESTED: Approve recommended motions.
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION:
Submitted by: Martin Koczanowicz Action Date: Sept 2, 2026 This Page Intentionally Left Blank
ORDINANCE NO. 26 – 04
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY RIDGECREST
AMENDING THE RIDGECREST MUNICIPAL CODE AS IT RELATES TO
THE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS
WHEREAS, the Political Reform Act of 1974 (the “Act”) requires every local agency to adopt a conflict-of-interest code applicable to specified public officials and employees or consultants holding designated positions; and
WHEREAS, the Act requires local agencies to review their conflict-of-interest code biennially to ensure it accurately identifies designated employees and disclosure categories; and
WHEREAS, the Act requires the code be amended if any positions are either added or deleted from the previous year; and
WHEREAS, the City has conducted its biennial review and desires to amend Part 1, Chapter 2, Article 1, Section 2.88 of the Ridgecrest Municipal Code to update the designated employees and disclosure categories.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Amendment
Section 2.88 of the Ridgecrest Municipal Code is deleted and reinstated to read as follows:
“Sec. 2-88. - Conflicts of interest.
(a) The Political Reform Act (Government Code § 81000 et seq.) requires state and local government agencies to adopt and promulgate conflict of interest codes. The fair political practices commission (FPPC) has adopted a regulation (2 California Code of Regulations § 18730), which contains the terms of a standard conflict of interest code. After public notice and hearing, it may be amended by the FPPC to conform to amendments in the Political Reform Act. Therefore, the terms of 2 California Code of Regulations § 18730, and any amendments to it duly adopted by the FPPC, are hereby incorporated into the conflict-of-interest code of the city by reference. This regulation designating officials and employees and establishing economic disclosure categories shall constitute the conflict-of-interest code of the city.
(1) All officials and employees required to submit a statement of economic interests shall file their statements with the city clerk, or designee. The city clerk shall make and retain a copy of all statements filed by the city council, city manager, mayor, director of finance, and city attorney, and forward the originals of such statements to the fair political practices commission. (2) The city shall retain the originals of statements for all other designated positions named in the city's conflict of interest code. All retained statements, Ordinance 26-04 Page 2 of 4
original or copied, shall be available for public inspection and reproduction (Government Code § 81008).
(b) The following categories are established for the purpose of conflicts of interest disclosure:
(1) Category 1. Persons in this category shall disclose all investments, business positions and sources of income, including gifts, loans, and travel payments. (2) Category 2. Persons in this category shall disclose all interests in real property within the city's jurisdiction. The definition of the term "interests in real property," as used herein, can be found in the Political Reform Act (see Government Code § 82033).
(3) Category 3. Persons in this category shall disclose all income (including gifts, travel payments, and loans) from investments in and business positions with business sources that provide leased facilities, manufacture, provide, or sell services (including consulting and training services) and/or supplies (including goods, equipment, vehicles, or machinery) of a type utilized by the city and associated with the job assignment of designated positions assigned this disclosure category. The definition for the term "income and gift," as used herein, can be found in the Political Reform Act (see Government Code §§ 82028 and 82034).
(4) Category 4. Persons in this category shall disclose all investments, business positions, and income, including gifts, loans and travel payments, from sources that are subject to the regulatory, permit, or licensing authority of, or have an application for a license or permit pending before the city and associated with the job assignment of designated positions assigned this disclosure category. (5) Category 5. Individuals who perform under contract the duties of any designated position shall be required to file statements of economic interests disclosing reportable interest in the categories assigned to that designated position. In addition, individuals who, under contract, participate in decisions which affect financial interests by providing information, advice, recommendation, or counsel to the city which could affect financial interest shall be required to file statements of economic interests, unless they fall within the Political Reform Act's exceptions to the definition of the term "consultant." The level of disclosure shall be as determined by the city manager or designee. (c) The following employees, hereinafter "designated employees," shall file disclosure statements for all categories of disclosure:
DESIGNATED POSITIONS DISCLOSURE CATEGORY
Accounting Supervisor 1, 3, 4
Administrative Analyst I 1, 3, 4
Administrative Analyst II 1, 3, 4
Administrative Analyst III 1, 3, 4
Animal Shelter Supervisor 1, 3, 4
Chief Building Official 1, 3, 4
Ordinance 26-04 Page 3 of 4
Chief of Police 1, 3, 4
Chief Plant Operator 1, 3, 4
City Attorney Per Govt Code § 87200
Assistant City Attorney Per Govt Code § 87200
Assistant Finance Director 1, 2, 3, 4
City Clerk 1, 2, 3, 4
City Council Per Govt code § 87200
City Engineer 1, 2, 3, 4
City Manager Per Govt Code § 87200
City Planner 1, 2, 3, 4
Deputy City Manager / Public Works Director 1, 2, 3, 4
Director of Finance Per Govt Code § 87200
Director of Parks & Recreation 1, 2, 3, 4
Economic Development Manager 1, 2, 3, 4
Information Technology Manager 1, 3, 4
Mayor Per Govt Code § 87200
Park Maintenance Supervisor 1, 2, 3, 4
Planning Commissioners Per Govt Code § 87200
Police Captain 1, 2, 3
Public Works Director 1, 2, 3, 4
Public Works Supervisor 1, 2, 3, 4
Consultants/new positions As determined by City Manager Employees appointed on interim or temporary duty for these designated positions.
(d) Consultants/new positions are included in the list of designated positions and shall disclose pursuant to the broadest disclosure category in the code, subject to the following limitations: the city manager or his designee may determine in writing that a particular consultant or new position, although a designated position, is hired to perform a range of duties that is limited in scope and thus is not required to fully comply with disclosure requirements in this section. Such written determination shall include a description of the consultant's or new position's duties and, based upon that description, a statement of the extent of disclosure requirements. The city manager or his designee's determination is a public record and shall be retained for public inspection in the same manner and location as this conflict-ofinterest code (Government Code § 81008). (Code 1980, § 2-8.102; Ord. No. 96-03; Ord. No. 12-01, § 2; Ord. No. 14-01, § 2; Ord. No. 17-01, § 1; Ord. No. 20-05 , § 1, 10-7-2020)”
SECTION 2. Severability. The invalidity of any portion of this ordinance shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions, which shall remain in full force and effect.
Ordinance 26-04 Page 4 of 4
SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall attest to the adoption of this ordinance and shall cause the same to be published in a newspaper of general circulation within 15 days after its passage in accordance with Government Code section 36933. This ordinance shall take effect 30 days after its second reading and adoption pursuant to Government Code section 36937.
Introduced and first read at a meeting of the City Council of Ridgecrest held August 19, 2026.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the Ridgecrest City Council at its regular meeting on this 19th of August, 2026 by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstain:
Absent:
______________________________
Travis Endicott, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Ricca Charlon, City Clerk