Minutes of the Blythe City Council Special Meeting
and Special Closed Session
May 18, 2023
The May 18, 2023 Special Meeting and Special Closed Session of the Blythe City Council was called to order at 3:15pm in the Council Chambers by Mayor DeConinck. Also in attendance were Vice Mayor Rodriguez and Council Members Reynolds, Halby, and Burton. Staff in attendance included: Interim City Manager and City Clerk Crecelius, City Attorney Roberto, Finance Director and City Treasurer Elms and Police Chief Dale.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor DeConinck.
The Invocation was offered by Councilman Burton.
SPECIAL MEETING ITEMS:
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 Tuesday, May 16, 2023.
No public comment. Councilman Burton moved approval of the posting of the Agenda.
The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Rodriguez with a unanimous aye vote.
2. Memorandum of Understanding between City and the Palo Verde Unified School District for the 2023 Summer Program. Interim City Manager Crecelius reported a few months ago the Palo Verde Unified School District’s Superintendent contacted me about hosting a summer program at the Rec Center. The State is now requiring schools to have a 9-hour School day, starting in Summer School. Their summer school program runs from 8am to 12:15pm. It’s called an ELO, Expanded Learning Opportunity Program. The District would like to partner with the City to have their ELO program at the Rec Center and they would reimburse us for these services. This would include hiring staff, children participating in the program and so forth. We went over the various charges, such as the monthly membership for youth being $15 per month. She proposed remitting to the City $3,000 per week, $12,000 over the course of the Summer School session. The participants would have a sack lunch provided by the District and the District would provide transportation to the Rec Center. They would be able to stay at the Center until 5pm each day unless signed out earlier by a listed parent or guardian.
This is based on 100 kids participating in the program. They would need to enroll themselves in this program separately from enrollment in summer school. This funding includes hiring 2 additional part time staff members for the summer to assist with the program. We will also provide an afternoon healthy snack. I think this is a great way to expand on the programs offered at the Rec Center. I have seen a decline in participation since COVID. This would be a great way to market the center to students who are not currently utilizing it. Aside from the Summer Program they will be mandated to do this during the school year. This could parlay into future agreements and programs at the Rec Center. The School is still working on the MOU. The City Attorney has reviewed the MOU and provided comments. The School District received approval from their Board to move forward with the program but will need to take the agreement back to their Board once its approved by their legal counsel. It is recommended that Council authorize the Interim City Manager to execute the MOU once it has been approved by the City Attorney.
Councilman Halby is concerned with signing kids out early. He also pointed out we are responsible for the kids until they get home. It was reported the School District may provide transportation from the Rec Center back to the school at 5pm.
Vice Mayor Rodriguez asked if other cities or communities are doing this? Interim City Manager Crecelius stated we are modeling this program from the Ukiah School District’s program. It’s a bigger program, it’s a bigger district but we used it as a model for our program.
No public comment. Councilman Reynolds moved approval of staff’s recommendation.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Halby with a unanimous aye vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS: None
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION:
SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION ITEM:
1. Public Employee Appointment. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1).
Title: Public Works Director.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION:
City Attorney Roberto stated there was no reportable action.
ADJOURN: The City Council meeting was adjourned at 4:18pm. ________________________________
Joseph DeConinck, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________
Mallory Crecelius , City Clerk
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