Council moves forward on $1.4M street‑improvement phase and funds active-transportation plan

The Needles City Council approved consent‑calendar items that advance the city’s street‑improvement program and an active‑transportation master plan.

Staff reported that Phase 4B of the street‑improvement program has been scheduled for this year, listing multiple residential streets and water lateral work; the council set aside $3.6 million in prior actions for street projects. Staff recommended awarding Christensen & Brothers (named in the staff remarks) the Phase 4B construction contract; the packet and staff remarks referenced a total project cost in the neighborhood of $1.387 million and a recommended contract award value stated in discussion (the transcript language is partially garbled but the total project cost was discussed in that range). Council approved the award by roll call.

Separately, staff recommended executing a professional‑services agreement with Gly Haron (transcript spelling uncertain) Associates to prepare a pedestrian and bicycle master plan; staff said the city previously received about $370,000 in grant funds in November 2023 for that effort. The vendor was recommended because of community outreach experience; council approved the agreement and authorized the city manager to execute the contract.

Council emphasized that moving forward with the design is conditional on available grant funding and that any major expenditures would return to the council for appropriation. The city manager reiterated that staff will not present a grant application or contract that the city cannot afford to support.