Minutes of the Blythe City Council
Special Meeting
November 28, 2022
The November 28, 2022 Special meeting of the Blythe City Council was called to order at 2:30pm 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:
Finance Director and City Treasurer Elms, City Attorney Roberto and other Agency staff.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Reynolds.
The Invocation was offered by Councilman Burton.
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.
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, November 23, 2022.
No public comment. Councilman Rodriguez moved approval of the Consent Calendar. The motion was seconded by Councilman Burton with aye votes from Rodriguez, Burton, Halby, DeConinck and Reynolds.
NEW BUSINESS:
Emergency Repairs at Waste Water Treatment Plant. City Attorney Roberto reported during the week of November 14th, a 20-inch sewer pipe bringing sewage into the aeration basin at the Waste Water Treatment Plant collapsed. Staff initially tried to bypass the line to repair the pipe, but the bypass failed. Staff also brought in larger pumps to clear the area which did not hold. As a result, staff is not sure where the pipe is compromised or if there are multiple breaks in the line. Staff believes the following work is required to repair the pipe: installation of three plugs into the 17-foot manhole allowing the area to dry out to enable staff to determine what is compromised. Due to the depth of the existing service line which has created issues during the repair, the project will likely include installation of a new overground service line along with any other necessary repairs to broken or compromised sewer line or joints. The Public Contract Code defines an emergency as a sudden, unexpected occurrence that poses a clear and imminent danger, requiring immediate action to prevent or mitigate the loss or impairment of life, health, property, or essential public services. In cases of emergency, when it is impractical to convene a meeting of the City Council, the City Manager is authorized to order the repair or replacement of a public facility, take any direction related and immediate action required by that emergency, and procure the necessary equipment, services, and supplies for those purposes without giving notice for bids to let contracts. On November 22nd, due to the impracticability of convening a meeting of the Council due to the Thanksgiving holiday and the need for the repairs to be made immediately, the Interim City Manager determined the collapsed pipe constituted an emergency and directed staff to move forward with the repairs. The Public Contract Code requires the Interim City Manager to report to the City Council the reasons why the emergency will not permit a delay resulting from a competitive solicitation for bids and why the action is necessary to respond to the emergency. The Public Contract Code also requires the City Council to review the emergency action ordered by the Interim City Manager no later than 7 days after the action and at least at every regularly scheduled meeting thereafter until the action is terminated, to determine by a 4/5 vote that there is a need to continue the action. As detailed in the staff report, the emergency action is necessary because there is a need to repair the collapsed pipe at the Waste Water Treatment Plant immediately to protect public health and safety and to avoid potential fines from the State. Further, if the City follows competitive bidding requirements for the repair work, it would take approximately 2-3 months before a contractor would start the repairs. Therefore, the emergency will not permit a delay resulting from a competitive solicitation for bids. Because repairs are necessary and on-going, staff recommends the City Council determine, by four-fifths vote, that there is a need to continue the emergency repairs to the collapsed sewer pipe at the Waste Water Treatment Plant.
Councilman Halby asked how long it will take to be repaired. Interim Public Works Director Hamblen stated they were able to have it plugged today. The bypass is in place, and it will take 3 days for the area to dry. After its dry, we can assess what needs to be done to repair the line.
Mayor Reynolds asked how much of the area would need to be excavated. It was estimated an area of 20x20. The pipes are approximately 10 feet deep. The pipe comes in from the influent pump station and is pumped up to the bar screen. From there its gravity fed back down. This break is on the gravity fed side which is on its way to the aeration basin.
Mayor Reynolds asked if there were any concerns from the State. It was reported no, a dam was built to contain the overflowing sewer and deliver it to the aeration pond. Everything was contained on site.
No public comment. Vice Mayor DeConinck moved approval of staff’s recommendation. The motion was seconded by Councilman Burton with aye votes from Rodriguez, Burton, Halby, DeConinck and Reynolds.
ORAL REPORTS: None
MEMBER COMMENT:
Councilman Burton congratulated the Palo Verde Yellow Jacket Football team for two in a row.
Mayor Reynolds stated there is a game this Friday night at Scott Stadium against Muir High School from Pasadena. This is a semi-final game. If they win, they go to the finals. Good luck Yellow Jackets. Just a reminder this Friday is the Tree Lighting Ceremony followed by the Winter Fest in Todd Park and the Christmas parade on Saturday.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
ADJOURN: The City Council meeting was adjourned at 2:45pm. ________________________________
Dale Reynolds, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________
Mallory Crecelius, City Clerk