Needles council approves ordinance to create five-member housing commission

On March 28 the Needles City Council held a public hearing and approved ordinance 660 to add Article 9 (Housing Commission) to Chapter 2 (Administration) of the municipal code. Staff recommended a five‑member commission rather than seven, citing difficulty filling existing commissions, and identified membership requirements including one resident or customer of housing-authority properties and one member at least 62 years old.

Staff said the new commission would operate similarly to other advisory bodies (e.g., utility board, planning commission) by hearing matters and making recommendations to council. The ordinance will be returned for a second reading at a future meeting; staff said they will open a 30‑day appointment period during which the council will solicit applicants for the five positions if the council prefers five members.

During the hearing staff stated that HUD has been engaged on the city’s recovery plan and that draft audits and financial statements are being reviewed as part of ongoing compliance and recovery work. No substantive public testimony was offered on the ordinance during the hearing. The council moved and seconded the ordinance and recorded unanimous yes votes by members present.

The ordinance’s effective date will follow the standard ordinance process and the advertised appointment period for new commissioners.