Needles, CA: Summary and voting results from the Needles City Council, Needles Public Utility Authority, Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency and Needles Public Financing Authority Meeting.
A Needles City Council, Needles Public Utility Authority, Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency and Needles Public Financing Authority Meeting was held on Tuesday, May 30th, 2017 inside the Needles City Council Chambers in Needles, California.
Needles City Council Member Robert Richardson M.D. was participating via teleconference from Lancaster, California, and Needles Vice Mayor Jeff Williams had an excused absence.
** Here is a summary and the voting results that occurred during the meeting: **
**** Executive Session: ****
** Video from ZachNews on YouTube: **
– Agenda Item A: Conference with Real Property negotiator pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8; Property (Approximately 27.61 acre property located East of I-40 and Southeast of State Road 96 (East Broadway Street) APN 0186-222-07. Agency Negotiator, City Manager Rick Daniels or his designee; Negotiating Parties Successor Agency to the Needles Redevelopment Agency as Seller and Iceplant Management LLC and Kevin Bacon as buyers. Under Negotiation price, terms, terms of payment and proposed assignment.
**** Needles City Attorney Report on Executive Session: ****
** Video from ZachNews on YouTube: **
– Agenda Item A: Needles City Attorney John Pinkney reports that there was no reportable action taken.
**** Public Appearances: ****
** Video from ZachNews on YouTube: **
Nobody spoke during Public Appearance.
**** Public Hearings: **
– Agenda Item #1:
** Video from ZachNews on YouTube: **
Public hearing noticed to consider all evidence and testimony for or against a Conditional Use Permit for a Medical Marijuana Manufacturing Facility at 101 E. Spike’s Road, location of an existing Medical Marijuana Dispensary, APN 0650-431-10; Applicant Harry Ezajian.
Approve the Findings of Facts and Resolution No. 2017-42 approving a Conditional Use Permit for a Medical Marijuana Manufacturing Facility located at 101 East Spike’s Road, APN 0650-431-10.
** Agenda Item Information: **
http://cityofneedles.com/2017%20WEBSITE%20FILE%20POSTING/1%20CITY%20COUNCIL/05%20MAY/Mtg%202/cc_053017-1-manufacturing.pdf
Members of the Needles City Council unanimously voted to approve the Approve the Findings of Facts and Resolution No. 2017-42.
– Agenda Item #2:
** Video from ZachNews on YouTube: **
Public hearing noticed to consider all evidence and testimony for or against a Conditional Use Permit for a Medical Marijuana Cultivation Facility at 101 E. Spike’s Road, location of an existing Medical Marijuana Dispensary, APN 0650-431-10; Applicant Harry Ezajian.
Approve the Findings of Facts and Resolution No. 2017-43 approving a Conditional Use Permit for a Medical Marijuana Cultivation Facility located at 101 East Spike’s Road APN 0650-431-10.
** Agenda Item Information: **
http://cityofneedles.com/2017%20WEBSITE%20FILE%20POSTING/1%20CITY%20COUNCIL/05%20MAY/Mtg%202/cc_053017-2-cultivation.pdf
Members of the Needles City Council unanimously voted to approve the Findings of Facts and Resolution No. 2017-43.
**** Recess The Needles City Council Meeting And Convene A Joint Needles City Council / Needles Public Utility Authority Meeting: ****
– Agenda Item #3:
** Video from ZachNews on YouTube: **
NPUA / COUNCIL: NPUA and General Fund budget workshop discussion for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2018.
** Agenda Item Information: **
http://cityofneedles.com/2017%20WEBSITE%20FILE%20POSTING/1%20CITY%20COUNCIL/05%20MAY/Mtg%202/cc_053017-3-budget.pdf
Agenda Item #3 was information only and no votes was taken by members of the Needles City Council and the Needles Public Utility Authority.
***** Needles Public Utility Authority / Needles City Council Consent Calendar: ****
** Video from ZachNews on YouTube: **
All matters listed on the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion in the form listed. The Mayor or any member of the Needles Public Utility Authority / Needles City Council may pull an item from the Consent Calendar for discussion. Prior to Needles Public Utility Authority / Needles City Council action, a member of the public may address the Needles Public Utility Authority / Needles City Council on matters Scheduled on the Consent Calendar. A 3 minute time limit per person applies. Recommended Action: Approve items #4 through #6 on the Consent Calendar by affirmative roll call vote.
– Agenda Item #4: Authorize the City Manager to execute Revision No. 2 to the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) Balancing Authority and Ancillary Services (metering, operating and scheduling instructions) Agreement No. 08-DSR-11917.
** Agenda Item Information: **
http://cityofneedles.com/2017%20WEBSITE%20FILE%20POSTING/1%20CITY%20COUNCIL/05%20MAY/Mtg%202/cc_053017-4-WAPA.pdf
– Agenda Item #5: Ratify the action taken by the City Manager who signed the Notice of Direct Pay Procedures and Responsibilities with the Department of Community Services and Development for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
** Agenda Item Information: **
http://cityofneedles.com/2017%20WEBSITE%20FILE%20POSTING/1%20CITY%20COUNCIL/05%20MAY/Mtg%202/cc_053017-5-LIHEAP.pdf
– Agenda Item #6: Waive the reading and adopt Resolution No. 2017-46 authorizing the destruction of certain records pursuant to Government Code Section 34090.
** Agenda Item Information: **
http://cityofneedles.com/2017%20WEBSITE%20FILE%20POSTING/1%20CITY%20COUNCIL/05%20MAY/Mtg%202/cc_053017-6-records.pdf
Members of the Needles Public Utility Authority / Needles City Council unanimously voted to approve Agenda Items #4 through #6 on the Consent Calendar.
**** Adjourn The Joint Meeting And Convene A Joint Needles City Council / Needles Public Utility Authority, Needles Public Financing Authority and Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency Meeting: ****
– Agenda Item #7:
** Video from ZachNews on YouTube: **
NPUA, NPFA, City Council and Successor Agency to approve the resolutions which approve two Separate Amended and Restated Joint Exercise of Powers Agreements to add the NPFA as a member of the NPUA and to add the NPUA as a member of the NPFA, and to remove the Successor Agency as a member of both Joint Powers Authority’s.
** Agenda Item Information (For All Actions): **
http://cityofneedles.com/2017%20WEBSITE%20FILE%20POSTING/1%20CITY%20COUNCIL/05%20MAY/Mtg%202/cc_053017-7-bonds.pdf
NPUA ACTION: Resolution No, 05-30-2017-NPUA authorizing the NPUA to become a member of the NPFA and taking certain other actions in connection therewith approving the Amended and Restated Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement forming the Needles Public Financing Authority.
Members of the Needles Public Utility Authority unanimously voted to approve Resolution No, 05-30-2017-NPUA.
NPFA ACTION: Resolution No. NPFA 2017-1 authorizing the NPFA to become a member of the NPUA and taking Certain other actions in Connection therewith approving the Amended and Restated Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement forming the Needles Public Utility Authority.
Members of the Needles Public Financing Authority unanimously voted to approve Resolution No. NPFA 2017-1.
CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Resolution No. 2017-44 authorizing the execution and delivery of an Amended and Restated Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement forming the Needles Public Utility Authority, and Resolution No. 2017-45 authorizing the execution and delivery of an Amended and Restated Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement forming the Needles Public Financing Authority.
Members of the Needles City Council unanimously voted to approve Resolution No. 2017-44.
SARDA ACTION: Resolution No. 05-30-2017-SARDA approving an Amended and Restated Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement forming the Needles Public Utility Authority; and Resolution No. 05-30-2017-1-SARDA approving an Amended and Restated Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement forming the Needles Public Financing Authority.
Members of the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency unanimously voted to approve Resolution No. 05-30-2017-SARDA.
**** Recess The Joint Meeting And Reconvene The Needles City Council Meeting: ****
**** Regular Items: ****
– Agenda Item #8:
** Video from ZachNews on YouTube: **
Approve the warrants register through May 30, 2017.
** Agenda Item Information: **
http://cityofneedles.com/2017%20WEBSITE%20FILE%20POSTING/1%20CITY%20COUNCIL/05%20MAY/Mtg%202/cc_053017-8-warrants.pdf
Members of the Needles City Council unanimously voted to approve the warrants.
– Agenda Item #9:
** Video from ZachNews on YouTube: **
Resolution No. 2017-47 designating the building at 517 North K Street as an historical structure.
** Agenda Item Information: **
http://cityofneedles.com/2017%20WEBSITE%20FILE%20POSTING/1%20CITY%20COUNCIL/05%20MAY/Mtg%202/cc_053017-9-historic.pdf
Members of the Needles City Council unanimously voted to approve Resolution No. 2017-47.
Known as the “Big Green House” located on the corner of North K Street and Needles Highway in Needles, California, the “Big Green House” is claimed to be haunted and in the pass hosted an annual community haunted house in October (See in picture above from ZachNews).
City of Needles Mayor Edward T. Paget, the owner of the “Big Green House” property, recuse himself from the agenda item and left the room while deliberations on the agenda item took place.
Needles City Council Member Shawn Gudmundson presided after vote.
**** Needles City Attorney’s Report: ****
** Video from ZachNews on YouTube: **
Needles City Attorney John Pinkney talked about a variety of topics:
- Working on amendment – another amendment – to the medical marijuana ordinance. As you are probably aware of, there’s a lot of changes going on at the State wide level, there’s legislation proposed by the governor, and there’s changes going on in the industry. One of the changes is: different manufacturing processes for certain types of products. So one of the things we will need to be addressing and amending is dealing with the issue of manufacturing using volatile chemicals. And there are probably other items that we will make changes to and will come to you, the Needles City Council, unless its zoning changes which will go to the Needles Planning Commission first. along with that, there are proposed regulations at the State level dealing with the medical marijuana industry and so we have been reviewing those proposed regulations and we’re hearing comments on behalf of City of Needles, we’re going to work with the Needles City Manager on those comments and once he’s comfortable with them, then they will most likely go to the State – under the Needles City Manager’s signature.
- We also assisted the City of Needles in connection with the Spike Road C.U.P.; looking at the issues that were raised at the last Needles City Council Meeting.
- We also assisted the City of Needles in connection with a document destruction review, as the City Attorney are require to do before documents are destroyed.
- We have also been negotiating and preparing a 2nd amendment to the Purchase of Sale agreement for the Icehouse Road S.A.R.D.A. property.
- In addition to that, we have been working on a deposit agreement – and made some changes to the deposit agreement – the City of Needles uses when a medical marijuana facility applicant applies for a project, they have to make a deposit for the utilities they require for their project.
- We have also advice the City of Needles labor employment legal questions as they arise.
- We also, there’s 2 lawsuits; one lawsuit against Days Inn and the other one against River Road, for delinquencies in connection with the Transient Occupancy Tax (T.O.T.).
- We are also looking at potential other lawsuit against River Road for another code violation.
- We also reviewed Needles Public Utility Authority (N.P.U.A.) utility deposit policy and a propose resolution; adopting an advised deposit policy.
- We have also advice the City of Needles in connection with – legal questions related to bids to a particular bid.
- We have also advice the City of Needles, regarding the sale of surplus property.
- We have also advice the City of Needles in connection with encouragement permit.
**** Needles City Manager’s Report: ****
** Video from ZachNews on YouTube: **
Needles City Manager Rick Daniels talked about a variety of topics:
- Spoke about Monday’s semi truck spill of hazardous materials along U.S. Highway 95 near Five Mile Road in Needles, California. The California Highway Patrol and Caltrans said a semi truck carrying Zinc Chloride spilled along U.S. Highway 95 near Five Mile Road in Needles, California on Monday, May 29th, 2017. The spill closed U.S. Highway 95 and lead to the evacuation of a near by R.V. park. The California Highway Patrol and Caltrans confirmed the time of the spill was at 11:26am PT, not 12:30pm PT. Needles City Manager Rick Daniels said that a hazardous material team removed all of the soil that was contaminated and the roadway was reopened at 8:00am PT on Tuesday.
- The North Needles Highway project is getting closure by the day, it should start in the second week of June 2017, starting where Miranda’s Car Wash is at (Intersection of Needles Highway and West Broadway).
- The road project, the Interstate 40 / Arizona Highway 95 Connector Project, not I-40/J Street project, is suppose to be done by Friday, June 2nd, 2017, with the exception to the traffic signals won’t be activated. The suppliers didn’t provide the right equipment for the traffic signals’ control box so those item are still coming in.
- I have hired a new code enforcement officer, who’s an active duty tribal law enforcement official, Adrian Chavez and because of importance of this position, rather then me swearing him in, I ask the Needles City Council to swear him in at one of our upcoming meetings. He will start in the second week of June 2017; his attending a Washington, D.C. field trip with his daughter so he’ll start after that, on Monday, June 12th, 2017. We are very pleased that he applied and was selected.
- I have been informed by the San Bernardino County Court administrator that they’re going to begin telephonic court services to the community beginning in July 2017. They will start telephonicly with court appearances on Fridays, then expand as the need presents itself.
- It was Needles City Mayor Edward T. Paget M.D.’s Birthday last week.
**** Needles City Council Requests: ****
– Needles City Council Member Shawn Gudmundson:
** Video from ZachNews on YouTube: **
Needles City Council Member Shawn Gudmundson talked about a variety of topics:
- Needles City Council Member Shawn Gudmundson talked about his trip to the International Conference of Shopping Centers (I.C.S.C.) Real Estate Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Shawn Gudmundson said he had a couple of sit down meetings at the event.
Made many great contacts and sent emails out to the following companies and got a few responses.
Shawn Gudmundson said he contacted: Walmart Realty; Del Taco; Burger King; Popeye’s Chicken; Kroger Real Estate; associates representing Grocery Outlet – had good conversation with them; Smart & Final Extra; In and Out; Phillip Edison Redevelopment for retail centers; Wendy’s; and on Tuesday: Denny’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, Arby’s; met with Choice Hotels to pitch to them to build a hotel here.
Shawn Gudmundson said he was told “No” a lot, but that didn’t deter him and did send all of the emails out and had great correspondence.
- Shawn Gudmundson talked about the City of Needles and proper flag etiquette.
Shawn Gudmundson said that we need to have somebody properly trained on when the American flag is to be lowered to half mast.
- Shawn Gudmundson then talked about the San Bernardino County Fire Department and the lack of professionalism during calls to public service.
The concern that Shawn Gudmundson spoke about is regarding San Bernardino County Fire Department’s Station 32 and firefighters disrespecting the family and partner of a 71 year old paralyzed United States Veteran during a med assist call on Thursday, May 25th, 2017 in Needles, California (See Facebook Posting Above).
No responses by the San Bernardino County Fire Department to ZachNews regarding this matter.
- Shawn Gudmundson finished by talking about the Needles Lady ‘Stangs winning the N.I.A.A. 2A State Championship.
– Needles City Council Member Louise Evans:
** Video from ZachNews on YouTube: **
Needles City Council Member Louise Evans talked about the community and them being supportive.
– Needles City Council Member Clayton Hazlewood:
** Video from ZachNews on YouTube: **
Needles City Council Member Clayton Hazlewood talked about a variety of topics:
- Needles City Council Member Clayton Hazlewood talked about the San Bernardino County Fire Department’s Station 32 and the fire engine should be leaving the City of Needles, unless if it’s assisting with a mutual aid on another fire in the area.
Clayton Hazlewood said that at the last Needles City Council Meeting held on Tuesday, May 9th, 2017 (Facebook Live Video Below), he wasn’t really happy with what the Caption had to say, regarding the fire truck being out of the station for other things, including getting groceries.
The people in the community are paying the County extra money now on their taxes to have that fire protection and Clayton Hazlewood said that they can come up with a better plan if they need to get groceries or running errands.
** Facebook Live Video from Tuesday, May 9th, 2017 on ZachNews: **
On Tuesday, May 9th, 2017, Clayton Hazlewood said that people have been seeing the San Bernardino County Fire Department’s fire engine at a Safeway grocery store in Fort Mohave, Arizona and Clayton Hazlewood asked what’s the closes response the community can get if something happens and can those other things like getting groceries be done rather then the fire engine.
San Bernardino County Fire Department’s Thomas Marshall said that we try to limit the number of times they go during the week – they do, you may see them there twice a week, not seeing them in their barracks, and breaking up the crew, you break up the crew’s strength.
Clayton Hazlewood said that you have a lot of people here (Needles, California) paying $170.00 a year on their property taxes and wants to make sure they have a fire engine there for them.
Needles City Council Member Shawn Gudmundson asked Thomas Marshall if that can be done by a clerk or somebody else, getting groceries for the fire station instead of the crew.
Thomas Marshall said we don’t, adding that the 3 are here (firefighters) and they bring their own food with them, its when you’re there and someone says ‘Hay, somebody forgot to bring in chicken’.
Clayton Hazlewood asked Thomas Marshall if there’s another vehicle that can be use, but Thomas Marshall repeated that it would break up the crew and you wouldn’t have 3 guys (firefighters) available – there would only be 2 guys (firefighters) and 2 guys can’t put out a fire.
No responses by the San Bernardino County Fire Department to ZachNews regarding this matter since Tuesday, May 9th, 2017.
- Clayton Hazlewood said he thinks we’re moving in the right direction on having a court here and hopefully, that boost towards back to the way it use to be.
- Clayton Hazlewood spoke about Code Enforcement, saying that Adrian is going to have a big job. We need to come up with a plan on getting our community clean up.
– Needles City Council Member Tona Belt:
** Video from ZachNews on YouTube: **
Needles City Council Member Tona Belt talked about a variety of topics:
- Tona Belt spoke about a street light near the Budet Inn that is out and the area being dark for people to walk in, and to have that fix. Needles City Manager Rick Daniels said it will be done – promptly.
- Tona Belt thanked the local fire departments during the last fire, that occurred near the California Village area in Needles, California on Friday, May 26th, 2017 (Seen in picture above only on ZachNews). Tona Belt thanked them, including Mohave Valley Fire Department, for coming over to help us.
- Tona Belt thanked everybody who came out to the Memorical Day service held at Needles Riverview Cemetery on Monday, May 29th, 2017. Tona Belt said it was very nice honoring our fallen.
- Tona Belt spoke about there not being a flag pole at Nikki Bunch Field and asked if it’s possible to get a flag pole put up there so that we can stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Tona Belt said she would like to see a flag there.
– Needles City Council Member Robert Richardson, M.D.:
** Video from ZachNews on YouTube: **
Needles City Council Member Robert Richardson, M.D. thanked the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and the San Bernardino County Fire Department for there services to the community adding that whatever the issues are, that they will be worked out.
Robert Richardson, M.D. then thanked all of the City of Needles employees for keeping the community functioning.
Robert Richardson, M.D. then said that in a month, he’ll be back in Needles, California full time – permanently.
– Needles Mayor Edward T. Paget M.D.:
** Video from ZachNews on YouTube: **
Needles Mayor Edward T. Paget thanked everybody who came out to the Memorical Day service held at Needles Riverview Cemetery on Monday, May 29th, 2017. Needles Mayor Edward T. Paget said it was a very touching event honoring everybody who served in the military as well as in law enforcement and fire department; an inspiring morning out at the cemetery.
**** You can view the full Needles City Council, Needles Public Utility Authority, Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency and Needles Public Financing Authority Meeting agenda packet at the following City of Needles website address: ****
http://cityofneedles.com/2017%20WEBSITE%20FILE%20POSTING/1%20CITY%20COUNCIL/05%20MAY/Mtg%202/cc_053017-agenda%20ALL%20TOGETHER.pdf
**** You can view other City of Needles meetings agendas at the following City of Needles website address: ****
http://cityofneedles.com/Pages/Departments-Services/Boards/
For more information regarding the Needles City Council Meetings, please contact Dale Jones in the City Clerk’s Office at the City of Needles at: 1 (760) 326-2113 Ext. 345.
