Minutes of the Blythe City Council Meeting
October 11, 2022
The October 11, 2022 meeting of the Blythe City Council was called to order at 6:00pm in the Council Chambers by Mayor Reynolds. Also in attendance were Vice Mayor DeConinck and Council Members Rodriguez, Halby and Burton. Staff in attendance included: Interim City Manager and City Clerk Crecelius, City Attorney Roberto, Chief Building Official Brown, Fire Chief Hasler and Police Chief Dale.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Reynolds.
The Invocation was offered by Councilman Burton.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION:
City Attorney Roberto stated there is no reportable action.
PRESENTATION:
California Department of Insurance. Andrea Valdes, Outreach Analyst presented information on CDI, including low-cost auto insurance available through the California Department of Insurance.
CONSENT CALENDAR: Items on the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be enacted with one motion of the Council. If any item requires individual consideration, it will be removed from the consent calendar and acted upon separately.
Councilman Halby moved approval of the Consent Calendar. The motion was seconded by Councilman Burton with a unanimous aye vote.
2. 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 Friday, October 7, 2022.
3. Approval of the Warrant Register.
Recommendation: Approve 10/11/2022, warrants numbered 10050 through 10054 and 75791 through 75851 in the amount of $303,676.32.
4. Approval of the Payroll Register.
Recommendation: Approve 10/11/2022, warrants numbered 53196 through 53213 and Direct Deposit warrants numbered 54088 through 54146 in the amount of $251,228.04; 10/11/2022, warrants numbered 53214 through 53216 in the amount of $12,274.62 and 10/11/2022, warrants numbered 53217 through 53221 in the amount of $65,286.44.
5. Minutes of the September 27, 2022 City Council Meeting.
Recommendation: Approve the Minutes of the September 27, 2022 Meeting.
6. City of Blythe Permits Issued for the Month of September 2022.
Recommendation: Receive and file this monthly report.
7. City of Blythe Fire Department Monthly Activity Report for September 2022.
Recommendation: Receive and file the monthly report.
8. City of Blythe Police Department Monthly Activity Report for September 2022.
Recommendation: Receive and file the monthly report.
9. Quality of Life Pilot Program Activity Report for September 2022.
Recommendation: Receive and file the monthly Report.
10. Investment Report for First Quarter FY 2022/23.
Recommendation: Accept and file the quarterly Investment Report.
11. Surplus Property- Blythe Police Department.
Recommendation: Deem the items in the Surplus Equipment List as surplus and excess property and authorize staff to dispose of the assets.
12. Purchase of Police Vehicles.
Recommendation: Authorize the purchase and outfitting of two patrol vehicles and one administrative vehicle for use by the Police Department in an amount not to exceed $191,877.76.
13. Consideration of Resolution to Terminate Determining the Local Emergency Due to May 23, 2022 Fire on Spring Street.
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2022-033:
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-033. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA, PROCLAIMING THE TERMINATION OF THE LOCAL EMERGENCY PROCLAIMED ON MAY 24, 2022 DUE TO THE FIRE THAT STARTED ON MAY 23, 2022
14. Ordinance No. 918-22 Amending Provisions of the Zoning Code Relating to Residential Care Facilities, Group Dwellings and the Definition of Family.
Recommendation: Adopt Ordinance No. 918-22:
ORDINANCE NO. 918-22. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE BLYTHE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO RESIDENTIAL CARE
FACILITIES AND THE DEFINITIONS OF GROUP DWELLINGS AND FAMILY FOR COMPLIANCE WITH STATE
AND FEDERAL LAW
No public comment. Vice Mayor DeConinck moved approval of the Consent Calendar. The motion was seconded by Councilman Burton with a unanimous aye vote.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Categorical Exemption- Lester Fitness Center. Interim City Manager Crecelius requested to continue the Public Hearing to the November 8 th City Council meeting. The
applicant’s agent submitted applications for the project with an address of 835 W. Hobsonway.
That address is incorrect, the address for the site is 475 W. Hobsonway. Due to this, the Public Hearing will be re-noticed with the correct address. If anyone is here this evening to speak on this matter, we will take public comment.
Vice Mayor DeConinck moved to continue the Public Hearing to November 8, 2022. The motion was seconded by Councilman Rodriguez with a unanimous aye vote.
NEW BUSINESS:
Engevik Park Playground Improvement Project. Interim City Manager Crecelius stated on August 19, 2022, the City released an Invitation for Proposals for the Engevik Park Playground Improvement Project. The bid was directly sent to eight playground installers and posted on the City’s website. The specifications for the Playground Improvement Project included one play structure with capacity for 20 to 25 children combining elements to be used by children 5 to 12 years of age, one swing set with a minimum of 2 swings for children 5 to 12 years of age and a minimum of 1 toddler swing and a standalone spinner or climbing element.
The project also includes the installation of poured in place fall protection under the play systems. Sand will be left in the areas between the play structures like the playground at Miller Park. Project bids were received from Gotham Poured Rubber Corporation in the amount of $154,259.33 and Ortco, Inc. in the amount of $146,944.60. Ortco was the apparent low bidder.
Ortco’s construction license is current and in good standing with the State of California. They have previously performed work for the City of Blythe, in 2019 installing the playground equipment, fall protection and shade structure at Miller Park. That project was successfully completed and accepted by the City. Therefore, staff determined Ortco, Inc. to be the responsive and responsible bidder. Due to continued supply chain issues, there is a twelve-week lead time on the playground equipment. Ortco, Inc. has been in contact with the vendor and will place the order as soon as the Notice of Award is issued. Once equipment is received, the contractor will have 60 days to complete the project. It is recommended Council authorize the Interim City Manager to execute Agreement No. 2022-034 A with Ortco, Inc. contingent upon all bonds and proper contract documents being fully executed to the satisfaction of the City Attorney and Interim City Manager, issue a purchase order to Ortco, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $146,944.60, authorize an additional $15,000 for contingencies, project inspection and engineering services and authorize the Interim City Manager to approve change orders during construction not exceeding $15,000 and establish a project budget not to exceed $161,944.60.
Vice Mayor DeConinck asked how far out we were. Interim City Manager Crecelius stated it’s the hope to have the project delivered in first quarter of 2023. There is a second component of this project which is the shade structure. It was budgeted with CDBG funding. We are working on those bid documents. We hope to coordinate both and have them installed together to deliver a complete project.
No public comment. Vice Mayor DeConinck moved approval of staff’s recommendation. The motion was seconded by Councilman Burton with a unanimous aye vote.
ORAL REPORTS: None
MEMBER COMMENT:
Vice Mayor DeConinck complemented everyone involved with Homecoming. There were a lot of people in the parade, and the next day CR&R must have been out with the street sweeper as the streets were clean.
Councilman Rodriguez stated Natalie Lough, a Candidate for Judge is here this evening.
Natalie Lough, Deputy DA with Riverside County is running for Superior Court Judge, seat number four. I will be on your ballot in November. My goal is to enforce laws as written, not as I wish it were written and to put public safety first. That is why I am running.
Councilman Burton stated Homecoming was awesome. Congratulations to the Jackets for that victory. They put on a show, and it was great to have a win on Homecoming.
Mayor Reynolds stated there was interagency cooperation doing traffic control for the parade with Blythe PD, RSO, CHP and Border Patrol. For those of you not familiar with Blythe, Homecoming is a holiday.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Debra Powels of 413 W. Hobsonway stated she is a candidate running for City Council. I thank everybody for their support. I was told that Vice Mayor DeConinck is a great mentor and I look forward, if I am able to be in your company working with you.
ADJOURN: The City Council meeting was adjourned at 6:27pm. ________________________________
Dale Reynolds, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________
Mallory Crecelius, City Clerk