BLYTHE CITY COUNCIL
* Blythe *
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AGENDA
MAY 26, 2022
3:00 P.M.
Dale S. Reynolds, Mayor
Joseph DeConinck, Vice Mayor
Johnny Z. Rodriguez, Council Member
Joseph Halby, III, Council Member
Sam Burton, Council Member
Mallory Crecelius, Intein Cly anarer/City Cler
MEETINGS ARE HELD IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 235 NORTH BROADWAY, BLYTHE, CA THE 5-1151110
Blythe Blythe City Council Meeting
Special Meeting
May 26, 2022
3:00pm
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Mayor Reynolds Interim City Manager/City Clerk Crecelius Police Chief Dale Vice Mayor DeConinck City Attorney Roberto
Councilman Rodriguez City Treasurer/Finance Director Elms Councilman Halby Chief Building Official Brown
Councilman Burton Fire Chief Hasler
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CONSENT CALENDAR- (Item 1)
All matters listed under Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items prior to the time of voting on the motion unless members of the Council or staff request specific items be discussed and/or removed from the Consent Calendar for separate action.
1. Posting of the Agenda.
The summary of agenda items were posted on the bulletin boards on the outside of the public entrance to the Council Chamber and near the inside entrance of the Council Chamber on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
NEW BUSINESS: (Item 2)
2. Ratification of the Mayor's Proclamation of the Existence of a Local Emergency Due to the May 23, 2022 Fire on Spring Street.
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2022-015.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-015. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA, RATIFYING PROCLAMATION NO. 2022-01 DECLARING THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY DUE TO THE FIRE THAT STARTED ON MAY 23, 2022.
ORAL REPORTS (Council may ask a question for clarification, make a brief announcement, make a brief report on his/her own activities, request staff to report back at a subsequent meeting concerning any matter, or take action to direct staff to place a matter of business on a future agenda.) PUBLIC COMMENT Public comments will be allowed on matters not appearing on the agenda, but within Council/Blythe Successor Agency jurisdiction. Speakers are asked to identify themselves by stating their name and address for the record. Comments shall be limited to 3 minutes in duration.
ADJOURNMENT The next meeting will be held on June 14, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 235 N. Broadway, Blythe, California.
NOTE TO THE PUBLIC:
In compliance with the Americans with Disability Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact ADA Coordinator Mallory Crecelius at (760) 922-6161 EXT. 1237 or by email at [email protected]. Notification 24 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.104 ADA Title II).
such writings and documents will be posted on the City's website: www.cityofblythe.ca.gov.
CONSENT
CALENDAR
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NEW BUSINESS
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CITY OF BLYTHE
Blythe CITY COUNCIL MEETING
STAFF REPORT
LISHED
MEETING DATE: May 26, 2022
SUBJECT: Ratification of the Mayor's Proclamation of the Existence of a Local Emergency Due to May 23, 2022 Fire on Spring Street
PRESENTED BY: Mallory Crecelius, Interim City Manager
PREPARED BY: Mallory Crecelius, Interim City Manager
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Council adopt the following Resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-015 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA, RATIFYING PROCLAMATION NO. 2022-01 DECLARING THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY DUE TO THE FIRE THAT STARTED ON MAY 23, 2022
FISCAL IMPACT: Unknown at this time.
BACKGROUND: Section 2.52.020(A)(1) of the Blythe Municipal Code (BMC) defines a "local emergency" as "the duly proclaimed existence of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the territorial limits of a county, city and county, or city, caused by such conditions as air pollution, fire, flood, storm, epidemic, riot or eartaquake, or other conditions, other than conditions resulting from a labor controversy, which conditions are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of that political subdivision and require the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat."
Under California Government Code Section 8630, the City Council or an official designated by ordinance of the City Council can proclaim the existence of a local emergency. Section 252.110 of the BMC designates the Mayor as the City's Disaster Director. Section
2.52.120(A)(2) of the BMC authorizes the Mayor, as the Disaster Director, to declare the existence of a local emergency when the City Council is not in session.
On May 23, 2022, at approximately 8:40 p.m., a fire started burning on North Spring Street between Hobsonway and Murphy Street. It is believed that the fire started at the Sears Hometown Store located at 155 North Spring Street and then spread to Ashley Furniture HomeStore, located at 175 North Spring Street. The Blythe Fire Department requested and received mutual aid from CAL FIRE, the Parker Fire Department, the Ehrenberg Fire Department and the Imperial County Fire Department. The Blythe Police Department requested and received mutual aid from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, California Highway Patrol and United States Border Patrol who assisted with securing the scene and traffic control due a large amount of pedestrian and vehicle traffic which were impeding the Fire Department's ability to fight the fire. The fire was contained by approximately 12:00 a.m. on May 24, 2022.
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The Ashley Furniture HomeStore and Sears Hometown store were completely destroyed as a result of the fire. Calvary Chapel sustained water damage from the fire. Although the full extent of the damages is not yet known, other damages include debris on City streets and rights-of- way, resonating smoke in the vicinity of the fire and lingering smoke smell in the Blythe Police Department and City Hall. The State Fire Marshall is investigating the cause of the fire.
It is anticipated the City will continue to have around the clock personnel on-site for the next ( davs. Fire crews continue to monitor the tire. .
O days, Fire crews contin da to monito pohe red hagch and destroyed buildingil ines try and appropriate. The site will be secured with a temporary fencing for health and safety purposes.
As authorized by California Government Code Section 8630 and BMC Section
2.52.120(A)(2), on May 24, 2022, the Mayor, as the Disaster Director, proclaimed the existence of a local emergency due to the fire.
STAFF REPORT: Pursuant to California Government Code Section 8630 and Section
2.52.120(A)(2) of the BMC, the local emergency declared by the Disaster Director must be ratified within seven (7) days or it will have no further force or effect. Further, pursuant to California Government Code Section 8630, once proclaimed, the City Council is required to review the need for continuing the local emergency at least every 60 days until the local emergency is terminated, and must proclaim the termination of the local emergency at the earliest possible date that conditions warrant.
Staff is requesting that the City Council ratify the Mayor's proclamation of the local emergency.
ATTACHMENTS: Resolution No. 2022-015
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RESOLUTION NO. 2022-015
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA, RATIFYING
PROCLAMATION NO. 2022-01 DECLARING THE
EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY DUE TO THE
FIRE THAT STARTED ON MAY 23, 2022
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE HEREBY FINDS, DETERMINES AND DECLARES AS FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, the California Emergency Services Act (California Government Code ection 8330 et seq.), authorizes the City Council, or an official designated by ordinance of th 'ity Council, to proclaim a local emergency when the City is threatened by conditions of disaster or extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the City that are, or are likely to be, beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of the City; and WHEREAS, Section 2.52.110 of the Blythe Municipal Code designates the Mayor as the City's Disaster Director; and
WHEREAS, if the City Council is not in session, Blythe Municipal Code Section 2.52.120 empowers the Disaster Director to declare the existence of a local emergency; and WHEREAS, Section 2.52.020(A)(1) of the Blythe Municipal Code defines a "local emergency" as "the duly proclaimed existence of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the territorial limits of a county, city and county, or city, caused by such conditions as air pollution, fire, flood, storm, epidemic, riot or earthquake, or other conditions, other than conditions resulting from a labor controversy, which conditions are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of that political subdivision and require the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat"; and WHEREAS, on May 23, 2022, a fire starting burning in the City of Blythe on North Spring Street between Hobsonway and Murphy Street; and
WHEREAS, the health, safety and well-being of persons within territorial limits of the City of Blythe is of the highest priority; and
WHEREAS, conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property have arisen due to the fire; and
WHEREAS, it is anticipated that such conditions are beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of the City and require the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat: and
WHEREAS, the City's ability to mobilize local resources, coordinate interagency response, accelerate procurement of vital supplies, use mutual aid and allow for future Resolution No. 2022-015 Page 1 of 3
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reimbursement by the state and federal governments will be critical to responding to the effects of the fire; and
WHEREAS, on May 24, 2022, the Mayor, as the City's Disaster Director, declared the existence of a local emergency as authorized by California Government Code Section 8630 and Blythe Municipal Code Section 2.52.120. A true and correct copy of Proclamation No. 2022-01 is attached hereto as Exhibit "A"; and
o the safety of pes the and property wereby find thy conditions or ase or of tre ri started on May 23, 2022.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Mayor's proclamation of local emergency, Proclamation No. 2022- 01, dated May 24, 2022, is hereby ratified.
SECTION 2. As contemplated in the Emergency Services Act contained in California Government Code Section 8550 et seq. and Chapter 2.52 of the Blythe Municipal Code, a local emergency exists based on the existence of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property caused by the fire that started burning on North Spring Street on May 23, 2022, as detailed in the recitals set forth above.
SECTION 3. During the existence of this local emergency, the powers, functions and duties of the emergency organization of this City shall be those prescribed by state law and by ordinances, resolutions, and orders of this City, including but not limited to the City's Emergency Operations Plan.
SECTION 4. This local emergency shall continue to exist until the City Council proclaims the termination of this local emergency. The City Council shall review the need for continuing the local emergency in the manner required by law.
SECTION 5. A copy of this resolution and the emergency proclamation be forwarded to the Director of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services requesting that the Director find it acceptable in accordance with State law; that recovery assistance be made available under the California Disaster Assistance Act; and that the State expedite access to State and Federal resources and any other appropriate disaster relief programs.
Resolution No. 2022-015 Page 2 of 3
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PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 26th day of May, 2022 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Dale Reynolds, Mayor
ATTEST:
Mallory Crecelius, City Clerk
Resolution No. 2022-015 Page 3 of 3
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EXHIBIT A
PROCLAMATION NO. 2022-01
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PROCLAMATION NO. 2022-01
A PROCLAMATION BY THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE,
CALIFORNIA, ACTING AS THE DISASTER DIRECTOR, DECLARING
THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY DUE TO THE FIRE THAT STARTED ON MAY 23, 2022
THE DISASTER DIRECTOR OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA HEREBY FINDS AND DETERMINES AS FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, the California Emergency Services Act (California Government Code beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of the City; and WHEREAS, Section 2.52.110 of the Blythe Municipal Code designates the Mayor as the City's Disaster Director; and
WHEREAS, if the City Council is not in session, Blythe Municipal Code Section 2.52.120 empowers the Disaster Director to declare the existence of a local emergency; and WHEREAS, Section 2.52.020(A)(1) of the Blythe Municipal Code defines a "local emergency" as "the duly proclaimed existence of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the territorial limits of a county, city and county, or city, caused by such conditions as air pollution, fire, flood, storm, epidemic, riot or earthquake, or other conditions, other than conditions resulting from a labor controversy, which conditions are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of that political subdivision and require the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat"; and WHEREAS, on May 23, 2022, a fire starting burning in the City of Blythe on North Spring Street between Hobsonway and Murphy Street; and
WHEREAS, the health, safety and well-being of persons within territorial limits of the City of Blythe is of the highest priority; and
WHEREAS, conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property have arisen due to the fire; and
WHEREAS, it is anticipated that such conditions are beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of the City and require the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat; and
WHEREAS, the City's ability to mobilize local resources, coordinate interagency response, accelerate procurement of vital supplies, use mutual aid and allow for future reimbursement by the state and federal governments will be critical to responding to the effects of the fire; and
Proclamation No. 2022-01 Page 1 of 2
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WHEREAS, the Mayor as the City's Disaster Director believes and has concluded that the conditions of extreme peril caused by the fire warrant the proclamation of a local emergency.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED by the Mayor of the City of Blythe, acting as the Disaster Director, as follows:
A. As contemplated in the Emergency Services Act contained in California burning on North Spring Street on May 23, 2022, as detailed in the recitals set forth above.
B. During the existence of this local emergency, the powers, functions and duties of the emergency organization of this City shall be those prescribed by state law and by ordinances, resolutions, and orders of this City, including but not limited to the City's Emergency Operations Plan.
C. The City Council shall review and ratify this proclamation within seven (7) days as required by law. The City Council shall review the need for continuing the local emergency as required by law until it terminates the local emergency, and shall terminate the local emergency at the earliest possible date that conditions warrant.
D. A copy of this proclamation shall be forwarded to the Director of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services requesting that the Director find it acceptable in accordance with state law; that recovery assistance be made available under the California Disaster Assistance Act; and that the State expedite access to state and federal resources and any other appropriate disaster relief programs.
PROCLAIMED this 24th day of May, 2022.
Mayor/Disaster Director
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
mal, cute
Mallory Crecelius
City Clerk City Attorney
Proclamation No. 2022-01 Page 2 of 2
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REPORTS
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PUBLIC
COMMENT
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ADJOURN
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