Council approves surplus designation and transfer of 1.34-acre parcel to utility authority

The council approved, during a joint MPUA/SARTA session on March 28, a staff recommendation to declare an approximately 1.34‑acre parcel (APN as listed in the agenda) surplus to the successor agency’s needs and to transfer the property to the Needles Public Utility Authority (PUA) for potential use as a power substation or future percolation pond.

Staff said the parcel originally formed part of circulation/percolation ponds tied to a 2004 wastewater treatment configuration but is not needed for current operations. The transfer was described as a no‑cost land swap between the successor agency and the PUA with related administrative approvals to follow.

The council debated procedural matters about acting in different capacities (SARTA versus PUA) and then moved to approve items 4(a) and 4(b) together. The roll-call vote was recorded in favor by council members present. No members spoke in public comment on the item before it closed.

The resolution references California government code provisions and states the parcel is designated as exempt surplus land and is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act, per the language read from the agenda. Staff said there were no reportable actions on related closed‑session real‑estate negotiation items.

Next steps noted by staff include administrative transfer paperwork and any necessary city/PUA procedural steps to prepare the site for its intended utility purpose.