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 16, 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.
Watch meetings on-line:
All of our meetings are streamed live at https://ridgecrest-ca.gov/369/Watch or on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/cityofridgecrest/live and are also available for playback after the meeting.
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
Martin Koczanowicz, City Attorney
Keith Lemieux, City Attorney
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL
SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
FINANCING AUTHORITY
HOUSING AUTHORITY
AGENDA
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 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 Hampton Inn Suites, 50 W. Daily Dr., Camarillo, CA 93010.
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
REGULAR SESSION
• Pledge Of Allegiance
• Invocation
PRESENTATIONS
Hunger Action Month Proclamation
Constitution Week Proclamation
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.
1. Proposed Action To Approve Draft Minutes Of The Regular Ridgecrest City Council Meeting Dated Sept. 2, 2026 Charlon
DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS
2. Discussion Regarding The Board Of The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority (IWVGA) Regular Meeting Council Member Hayman
3. Resolution Amending Resolution No. 26-45 to Incorporate Omitted Uniform and Safety Shoe Allowance Provisions into the Management, Mid-Management and Confidential Compensation Plans Reed
4. A Resolution To Reject All Bids – CDBG Leroy Jackson Sports Complex Upper Softball Field And Skate Park Shade Project Wegener
AGENDA - CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY / FINANCING AUTHORITY / HOUSING AUTHORITY REGULAR – September 16, 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 October 5, 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 October 13, 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 September 24, 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 October 6, 2026
OTHER COMMITTEES, BOARDS, OR COMMISSIONS
CITY MANAGER REPORT
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
A Proclamation of
The City of Ridgecrest, California
PROCLAIMING SEPTEMBER 2026
HUNGER ACTION MONTH
WHEREAS, hunger and poverty are issues of vital concern in Kern County; and, WHEREAS, everyone needs nutritious food to thrive, and in every community in America, people are working hard to provide for themselves and their families – yet in 2022, 44 million people – 1 in 7 – including more than 13 million children – 1 in 5 – faced food insecurity in the U.S. That includes more than 144,000 residents in Kern County; and,
WHEREAS, the Wonderful Community Food Center at the Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) Food Bank is committed to working alongside various partners and organizations to fight these food insecurity numbers in Kern County; and,
WHEREAS, the CAPK Food Bank has over 200,000 interactions with community members a month; and, WHEREAS, the CAPK Food Bank distributed over 22 million pounds of food through more 200 pantry and commodity locations throughout Kern County; and,
WHEREAS, the month of September has been designated “Hunger Action Month” in order to bring attention to food insecurity in our communities and to enlist the public in the movement to end hunger by talking action – including volunteering, social media campaigns, donations and the Annual Feed the Need Food Drive at the Kern County Fair - to ensure the community, and everybody in it, has the food they need to thrive.
WHEREAS, food banks across the county, including the CAPK Food Bank will host numerous events throughout the month of September to bring awareness and help end hunger in Kern County; NOW, THEREFORE, The Ridgecrest City Council, hereby proclaims September 2026 as Hunger Action Month in recognition of the hard work and dedication throughout the community Proclaimed this 16th Day of September, 2026
Travis Endicott
Mayor
Kyle Blades
Mayor Pro-Tem
Solomon P. Rajaratnam
Vice Mayor
L. Scott Hayman
Council Member
John ‘Skip’ Gorman
Council Member
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
A Proclamation of
The City of Ridgecrest, California
HONORING
CONSTITUTION WEEK 2026
WHEREAS, The Constitution of the United States of America, the guardian of our liberties, embodies the principles of limited government in a Republic dedicated to rule by law; and,
WHEREAS, September 17, 2026 marks the two hundred and thirty-nineth (239 th)
anniversary of the framing of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Convention; and,
WHEREAS, It is fitting and proper to accord official recognition to this magnificent document and its memorable anniversary, and to the patriotic celebrations which will commemorate it; and,
WHEREAS, Public Law 915 guarantees the issuing of a proclamation each year by the President of the United States of America designating September 17 through 23 as Constitution Week.
Now, Therefore, Be It Proclaimed, the Ridgecrest City Council does hereby proclaim the week of September 17 through 23, 2026 as CONSTITUTION WEEK and ask our citizens to reaffirm the ideals the Framers of the Constitution had in 1787 by vigilantly protecting the freedoms guaranteed to us through this guardian of our liberties.
Proclaimed this 16
TH Day of September, 2026
Travis Endicott
Mayor
Kyle Blades
Mayor Pro-Tem
Solomon P. Rajaratnam
Vice Mayor
L. Scott Hayman
Council Member
John ‘Skip’ Gorman
Council Member
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
1 This Page Intentionally Left Blank
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 September 2, 2026
PRESENTED BY: Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
SUMMARY:
Draft Minutes of the City Council / Successor Redevelopment Agency / Housing Authority / Financing Authority Regular Meeting Dated September 2, 2026 FISCAL IMPACT: None
ACTION REQUESTED: Approve minutes
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: Action as requested
Submitted by: Ricca Charlon Action Date: Sept 16, 2026
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL
SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
FINANCING AUTHORITY
HOUSING AUTHORITY
DRAFT MINUTES
Wednesday, September 2, 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 Endicott; Mayor Pro-Tem Blades; Council Member Hayman; Council Member Gorman
Absent: Vice Mayor Rajaratnam
Staff Present: City Attorney M. Koczanowicz; City Manager Reed; City Clerk Charlon APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Motion To Approve – Blades - Hayman– 4 ayes; 1 absent
PRESENTATIONS
1. Police Explorer Appreciation To Local Businesses For Their Support Sergeant Lloyd & The Police Explorers
2. Wastewater Treatment Plant Update Roberts
Public Comment – S. Whiting; K. Russell
PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Public Comment – B. Bayne; R. Endicott; B. Licitra; L. Stephens; J. Jones; L. Gaceta; K. Russell; Betsy; T. Bouyer; M. Sinnott
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
Motion To Approve – Blades - Hayman– 4 ayes; 1 absent
DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS
4. Discussion Regarding Fowl In City Limits Council Member Gorman Public Comment – L. Gaceta; Tabitha; L. Stephens; J. Jones; A. Gross; M. Sinnott; Kelly; S. Lesniak; K.
Brown - Direction given to staff to research what would be involved to have chickens in R1
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 Public comment - None
Motion To Waive Reading In Full Of Ordinance 26-04 Of The Ridgecrest City Council Amending The Ridgecrest Municipal Code As It Relates To The Conflicts Of Interest – Endicott, Gorman– 4 ayes; 1 absent
DRAFT MINUTES - CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY / FINANCING AUTHORITY / HOUSING AUTHORITY REGULAR – September 2, 2026
Motion To Adopt, By Title Only, Ordinance 26-04 Of The Ridgecrest City Council Amending The Ridgecrest Municipal Code As It Relates To The Conflicts Of Interest – Blades - Hayman– 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 September 7, 2026 – canceled next meeting Oct.
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
• Discussion on flock
MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT – 8:34 pm
2 This Page Intentionally Left Blank
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: Sept. 16, 2026 This Page Intentionally Left Blank
3 This Page Intentionally Left Blank
Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority
STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT: Resolution Amending Resolution No. 26-45 to Incorporate Omitted Uniform and Safety Shoe Allowance Provisions into the Management, Mid-Management and Confidential Compensation Plans PRESENTED BY: Travis Reed, City Manager
SUMMARY
On July 15, 2026, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 26-45 approving by reference the Compensation Plans for the Management, Mid-Management, Confidential, and Part-Time Employee Groups, effective July 1, 2026.
Following adoption, staff identified that existing Uniform Allowance and Safety Shoe Allowance provisions applicable to certain Mid-Management and Confidential classifications were inadvertently omitted from the adopted Compensation Plans. These allowances have historically been provided to eligible classifications and were intended to remain in effect as part of the adopted compensation plans.
The proposed amendment incorporates the omitted provisions into the Compensation Plans to ensure the adopted documents accurately reflect the compensation and benefits authorized for eligible classifications. This amendment does not establish a new compensation benefit; rather, it clarifies and memorializes existing compensation practices that were inadvertently omitted from Resolution No. 26-45.
BACKGROUND
Resolution No. 26-45 approved the City's Management, Mid-Management, Confidential, and Part-Time Compensation Plans effective July 1, 2026. During implementation of the adopted plans, staff discovered that the Uniform Allowance and Safety Shoe Allowance provisions applicable to certain Management, Mid-Management and Confidential classifications were omitted from the final adopted documents. The amendment corrects this administrative omission and aligns the written Compensation Plans with the City's existing compensation practices.
The affected employees have continued to receive these benefits consistent with longstanding City practice; however, the language was inadvertently omitted from the adopted Compensation Plans.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the attached Resolution amending Resolution No. 26-45 to incorporate omitted Uniform Allowance and Safety Shoe Allowance provisions into the Management, Mid-Management and Confidential Compensation Plans, effective July 1, 2026.
Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority
STAFF REPORT
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no additional fiscal impact associated with this amendment. The Uniform Allowance and Safety Shoe Allowance are existing compensation benefits that have been budgeted and administered by the City. This amendment formally incorporates those existing benefits into the adopted Compensation Plans.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
ACTION REQUESTED:
1. Adopt the attached Resolution amending Resolution No. 26-45.
2. Approve the incorporation of the omitted Uniform Allowance and Safety Shoe Allowance provisions into the Management, Mid-Management and Confidential Compensation Plans effective July 1, 2026.
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: Action as requested.
Submitted by: Travis Reed, City Manager Action Date: Sept. 16, 2026 Staff Contact: Patricia Rockwell, Human Resources Administrator RESOLUTION NO. 26-xx
A RESOLUTION OF THE RIDGECREST CITY COUNCIL AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 26-45 TO INCORPORATE OMITTED UNIFORM AND SAFETY SHOE
ALLOWANCE PROVISIONS INTO THE MANAGEMENT, MID-MANAGEMENT AND
CONFIDENTIAL COMPENSATION PLANS
The City Council of the City of Ridgecrest hereby finds that Resolution No. 26-45, adopted on July 15, 2026, approved by reference the Compensation Plans for the Management, Mid-Management, Confidential and Part-Time Employee Groups effective July 1, 2026. Following adoption, staff identified that existing Uniform Allowance and Safety Shoe Allowance provisions applicable to certain Mid-Management and Confidential classifications were inadvertently omitted from the adopted Compensation Plans.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Ridgecrest hereby amends Resolution No. 26-45 as follows:
1. The Management Compensation Plan is amended to include the following provisions:
• Uniform Allowance – Chief of Police: $2,000 annually, pensionable compensation for classic members, reported and paid bi-annually in advance. Payment shall be made on the regular paycheck for the second pay period in July. Because the allowance is paid in advance, employees separating from City service shall reimburse the City on a prorated monthly basis for the unused portion through their final paycheck.
2. The Mid-Management Compensation Plan is amended to include the following provisions:
• Uniform Allowance – Police Captain: $2,000 annually, pensionable compensation for classic members, reported and paid bi-annually in advance. Payment shall be made on the regular paycheck for the second pay period in July. Because the allowance is paid in advance, employees separating from City service shall reimburse the City on a prorated monthly basis for the unused portion through their final paycheck. • Safety Shoe Allowance – Chief Plant Operator, Parks Maintenance Supervisor, and Public Works Supervisor:
$300 annually for required safety shoes, authorized by the department supervisor and paid on the regular paycheck for the second pay period in July.
3. The Confidential Compensation Plan is amended to include the following provision:
• Safety Shoe Allowance – Streets Foreman and Wastewater Foreman: $300 annually for required safety shoes, authorized by the department supervisor and paid on the regular paycheck for the second pay period in July. • This amendment is intended to clarify and memorialize existing compensation practices that were inadvertently omitted from the Compensation Plans adopted by Resolution No. 26-45. This amendment shall be effective July 1, 2026, the same effective date as the Compensation Plans.
4. Except as expressly amended herein, all provisions of Resolution No. 26-45 shall remain in full force and effect.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 16th day of September, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
______________________________
Travis Endicott, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
4 This Page Intentionally Left Blank
Ridgecrest City Council
Successor Redevelopment Agency
Financing Authority
Housing Authority
STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION TO REJECT ALL BIDS – CDBG LEROY JACKSON SPORTS
COMPLEX UPPER SOFTBALL FIELD AND SKATE PARK SHADE PROJECT PRESENTED BY: Nerissa Wegener, Parks and Recreation Director SUMMARY:
The City solicited bids for the installation of shade structures at the Leroy Jackson Sports Complex Upper Softball Fields (Schedule A) and the City Skate Park (Schedule B). These projects are to be funded through a combination of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and Park Impact Fees.
Bids were received on July 6, 2026, and publicly opened by City staff. The City received the following bids:
Bidder Schedule A Schedule B Total Bid
Synergy Construction $319,081.00 $155,200.00 $474,281.00 JTS Construction $421,036.01 $208,762.68 $629,798.69
Following staff and the grant authorizers review of the bid documents, it was determined that the bid submitted by Synergy Construction contained an incomplete bid packet and was therefore deemed non-responsive. The bid submitted by JTS Construction substantially exceeded the available project budget.
Pursuant to California Public Contract Code Section 20166, the City Council may reject any or all bids when it is determined to be in the City's best interest. Staff recommends rejecting all bids and authorizing staff to revise the bid documents as necessary and re-advertise the projects in an effort to obtain responsive and competitively priced bids.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with rejecting the bids. The projects will continue to be funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program upon successful rebidding.
ACTION REQUESTED:
1. Rejects all bids received for the Project.
2. Directs staff to notify the bidders of the rejection.
3. Authorizes staff to revise the project plans and specifications as necessary and re-advertise the Projects for competitive bids in accordance with applicable law and City procedures.
4. Directs staff to return to the City Council with a recommendation for award following completion of the new bidding process.
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION: Action as requested
Submitted by: Nerissa Wegener, Parks and Recreation Director Action Date: September 16,2026 This Page Intentionally Left Blank
RESOLUTION NO. 26-Xx
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIDGECREST
REJECTING ALL BIDS FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK
GRANT (CDBG) LEROY JACKSON SPORTS COMPLEX UPPER SOFTBALL FIELD SKATE PARK SHADE PROJECT; AND AUTHORIZING STAFF TO
RE-ADVERTISE AND SOLICIT NEW BIDS
WHEREAS, the City of Ridgecrest solicited bids for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Leroy Jackson Sports Complex Softball Field and Skate Park Shade Project (collectively, the “Projects”); and
WHEREAS, bids were publicly opened on July 6, 2026, and the city received two bids; and WHEREAS, upon review, staff determined that one bid substantially exceeded the available project funding and the other was non-responsive due to an incomplete bid packet as determined by the grant authorizer; and
WHEREAS, California Public Contract Code Section 20166 authorizes the City to reject any or all bids; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that rejecting all bids and re-advertising the Projects is in the City’s best interest to promote responsive and competitive bidding within available project funding.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Ridgecrest hereby:
1. Rejects all bids received for the Project.
2. Directs staff to notify the bidders of the rejection.
3. Authorizes staff to revise the project plans and specifications as necessary and re-advertise the Projects for competitive bids in accordance with applicable law and City procedures.
4. Directs staff to return to the City Council with a recommendation for award following completion of the new bidding process.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 16
th day of September, 2026 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Travis Endicott, Mayor
ATTEST:
Ricca Charlon, City Clerk
This Page Intentionally Left Blank