Residents press Needles council on ADA access, sidewalks and feral‑cat feeding rules

Multiple residents used the public comment period to press the Needles City Council for faster fixes to sidewalks and greater ADA access and to urge rules or enforcement on feeding feral cats.

Nancy Greenlist, who identified herself during public comment, described falls and mobility barriers and said sidewalk gaps impede wheelchair access. "There's no way for a wheelchair to get off the sidewalk" near some neighborhoods, Greenlist said, and warned she would pursue legal options if conditions did not improve.

An unidentified resident described damage to a family member’s vehicle and urged the council to "write a code to stop people from foraging these cats," arguing that reducing feeding would curb feral cat problems. Multiple speakers also asked the council to consider a citywide ordinance on feeding feral animals and to provide clearer public information about the city’s 15‑year street project and prioritization methodology.

City staff responding during the meeting said the city has begun a trap‑neuter‑release (TNR) effort and will be operating regular trapping events, expanding frequency as capacity allows. Staff also announced the Housing Authority is accepting Section 8 housing choice voucher applications and noted ways for residents to access assistance if displaced by recent incidents.

The council did not adopt a new ordinance at the meeting; residents’ requests were recorded for future consideration and staff indicated they would bring relevant recommendations and any necessary code language back to council in a subsequent meeting.