City manager updates: water safety, HUD oversight, graffiti enforcement and economic activity

The city manager provided a multipart administrative report. He said the city’s consumer-confidence report for the water system shows contaminant levels below health-warning thresholds and said a planned water-treatment plant scheduled for later this year will further improve treatment capacity. "Water in Needles is verifiably safe," the manager said while noting naturally occurring constituents in the Colorado River.

On housing, the manager said the HUD Los Angeles division has reviewed the Needles Housing Authority and labeled it "troubled" because of unreconciled bank records and missing signatures on minutes; the city is petitioning HUD to remove the designation while steps are taken to correct records. The manager said the city has secured about $250,000 toward a program for first-time homebuyers as part of pro-housing designation efforts.

The manager also reported the city identified a prolific graffiti contributor and thanked law enforcement; he said graffiti cleanup costs have been substantial and that incidents over $400 may be classified as felony vandalism. He announced the front-street underpass work is complete pending a final BNSF sign-off and highlighted the Hampton Inn grand opening and a planned expansion by the hotel owner.

Council members used the report to press for a monthly vandalism and cost report and reiterated public-safety reminders for address visibility to aid first responders.