Minutes of the Blythe City Council Meeting
January 9, 2024
The January 9, 2024, meeting of the Blythe City Council was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers by Mayor DeConinck. Also in attendance were Vice Mayor Rodriguez and Council Members Reynolds and Burton. Councilman Halby was excused from the meeting. Staff in attendance included: Interim City Manager and City Clerk Crecelius, City Attorney Roberto, Finance Director and City Treasurer Elms, Chief Building Official Brown, Police Chief Dale, Public Works Director McLaughlin and Fire Chief Hasler.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor DeConinck.
The Invocation was led by Councilman Burton.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION:
City Attorney Roberto stated there was no reportable action.
PRESENTATION: Mayor DeConinck asked to move the Presentation by the 2023-2024 Fair Ambassadors to the top of the Agenda.
Presentation by the 2023-2024 Fair Ambassadors. The 2023-2024 Fair Ambassadors introduced themselves and discussed the events occurring during this year’s Fair and Livestock Show and Auction scheduled for March 14-17, 2024.
Recognition of Palo Verde High School Athletes for their Outstanding Athletic and Educational Achievements. Troy Peterson presented on behalf of the Girls Varsity Golf Team who won their 4
th straight League Championship. On top of a winning season, the girls were recognized as the all-academic team for the Southeastern Conference. Mia Peterson was recognized as the Captain as she had the highest cumulative GPA. Kaitlyn Bush was awarded the all-sports student athlete of the year for Fall Sports. There is only one girl and one boy selected and she did it.
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.
3. 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, January 5, 2024.
4. Approval of the Warrant Register.
Recommendation: Approve 1/9/24, warrants numbered 10442 through 10478 and 77607 through 77644 in the amount of $902,885.67; 1/9/24, Utility Billing Refund warrants numbered 77645 through 77656 in the amount of $1,131.35 and 1/9/24, warrants numbered 10479 through 10487 and 77657 through 77677 in the amount of $157,753.81.
5. Approval of the Payroll Register.
Recommendation: Approve 1/9/24, warrants numbered 54122 through 54130 and Direct Deposit warrants numbered 57539 through 57556 in the amount of $154,687.22; 1/9/24, warrants numbered 54131 through 54132 in the amount of $443.78; 1/9/24, warrants numbered 54133 through 54152 and Direct Deposit warrants numbered 57557 through 57625 in the amount of $288,119.65; 1/9/24, warrants numbered 54153 through 54168 and Direct Deposit warrants numbered 57626 through 57693 in the amount of $261,173.72; 1/9/24, warrant numbered 54169 and Direct Deposit warrant numbered 57694 in the amount of $57,679.44 and 1/9/24, warrants numbered 54170 through 54184 and Direct Deposit warrants numbered 57695 through 57789 in the amount of $74,377.17.
6. Minutes of the December 7, 2023, Special City Council Meeting.
Recommendation: Approve the Minutes of the December 7, 2023 Special Meeting.
7. Minutes of the December 12, 2023 City Council Meeting.
Recommendation: Approve the Minutes of the December 12, 2023 Meeting.
8. City of Blythe Permits Issued for the Month of December 2023.
Recommendation: Receive and file this monthly report.
9. City of Blythe Fire Department Monthly Activity Report for December 2023.
Recommendation: Receive and file the monthly report.
10. City of Blythe Police Department Monthly Activity Report for December 2023.
Recommendation: Receive and file the monthly report.
11. Quality of Life Program Activity Report for November 2023.
Recommendation: Receive and file the monthly report.
12. Investment Report for Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
Recommendation: Receive and file the quarterly report.
13. Amendment Number One to Agreement with Joe A. Gonsalves and Son for State Legislative Advocacy Servies.
Recommendation: Authorize the Interim City Manager to execute Agreement No. 2024-001 A and execute any future amendments to the agreement that do not increase the maximum compensation.
14. Acceptance of a 2,216 Square Foot Portion of Real Property Located on Quail Run Road.
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2024-001:
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-001. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA,ACCEPTING A GRANT DEED FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF A 2,216 SQUARE FOOT PORTION OF
REAL PROPERTY LOCATED ALONG QUAIL RUN ROAD, CONSENTING TO THE RECORDATION OF THE GRANT DEED AND AUTHORIZING THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE CERTIFICATE OF ACCEPTANCE.
15. Ordinance No. 923-23 Repealing and Replacing Chapter 17.26 (Signs) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Blythe Municipal Code.
Recommendation: Adopt Ordinance No. 923-23:
ORDINANCE NO. 923-23. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA, REPEALING AND REPLACING CHAPTER 17.26 (SIGNS) OF TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE BLYTHE MUNICIPAL
CODE AND FINDING THE ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW UNDER THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061(B)(3) (COMMON SENSE EXEMPTION).
16. Ordinance Prohibiting the Unlawful Possession of Catalytic Converters.
Recommendation: Adopt Ordinance No. 924-23:
ORDINANCE NO. 924-23 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA, ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 9.94 (UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CATALYTIC CONVERTER) TO TITLE 9 (PUBLIC
PEACE, MORALS AND WELFARE) OF THE BLYTHE MUNICIPAL CODE AND FINDING THE ORDINANCE IS
EXEMPT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061(B)(3) (COMMON SENSE EXEMPTION).
17. Ordinance Adding Section 2.40.030 relating to Level I Reserve Police Officers.
Recommendation: Adopt Ordinance No. 928-23:
ORDINANCE NO. 928-23 – AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA, ADDING A NEW SECTION 2.40.030 (RESERVE POLICE OFFICERS) TO CHAPTER 2.40 (RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS) OF TITLE 2 (ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL) OF THE
BLYTHE MUNICIPAL CODE AND FINDING THE ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061(B)(3) (COMMON SENSE EXEMPTION).
Councilman Burton moved approval of the Consent Calendar. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Rodriguez with a unanimous aye vote.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Ordinance No. 927-23 Repealing and Replacing Chapter 17.78 (Environmental Evaluation) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Blythe Municipal Code. Interim City Manager Crecelius stated on December 12, 2023, the Council, acting as the City’s Planning Agency conducted a Public Hearing regarding proposed Ordinance 927-23 which would repeal Chapter
17.78 of the BMC in its entirety. Currently, this chapter requires the Planning Director to make an environmental assessment of all matters requiring action by the City Council under the zoning code. As the California Environmental Quality Act does not apply to projects that an agency rejects or disapproves, Chapter 17.78 requires grater obligations on City staff and project applicants than what is required by State Law. Staff prepared Ordinance No. 927-23 to repeal this chapter in its entirety for compliance with State laws and regulations. It is therefore recommended that the City Council, subsequent to the Public Hearing, introduce Ordinance No. 927-23.
No public comment. Councilman Reynolds moved approval of Staff’s recommendation. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Rodriguez with a unanimous aye vote.
ORDINANCE NO. 927-23. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA, REPEALING CHAPTER 17.78 (ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION) OF TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE BLYTHE
MUNICIPAL CODE AND FINDING THE ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW UNDER
THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061(B)(3) (COMMON SENSE EXEMPTION).
Tentative Parcel Map No. 38860. Interim City Manager Crecelius stated Jonathan Smith and his agent, The Holt Group request approval to allow the division of one (1) 0.39± acre parcel into two (2) separate parcels. The project site is located at 184 N. Acacia and is legally described as Assessor’s Parcel Number 851-071-014. Proposed Parcel No. 1 is 0.14± acres in size and Proposed Parcel No. 2 is 0.25± acres in size. Each parcel has access from an improved, dedicated right-of-way. No variances or exceptions are required for this Parcel Map. This site has a LowDensity Residential zoning designation which allows for a minimum lot area of 6,000 SF. As the smallest proposed parcel is 6,000 SF, the Parcel Map is consistent with existing zoning regulations. Surrounding land uses include residential uses and vacant property. The project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Guidelines Section 15315- Minor Land Divisions, and a Notice of Exemption with De Minimis Impact Finding will be filed. Therefore, subsequent to the Public Hearing, it is recommended Council adopt Resolution No. 2024-002 approving the Notice of Exemption with De Minimis Impact Findings for Tentative Parcel Map 38860 and Resolution No. 2024-003 approving Tentative Parcel Map 38860 with conditions.
No public comment. Councilman Reynolds moved approval of staff’s recommendation. The motion was seconded by Councilman Burton with a unanimous aye vote.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-002. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE CONTAINING
FINDINGS IN SUPPORT OF APPROVAL OF A NOTICE OF EXEMPTION WITH DE MINIMIS IMPACT FINDING FOR TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 38860.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-003. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE CONTAINING FINDINGS AND CONDITIONS IN SUPPORT OF APPROVING TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 38860 TO ALLOW THE DIVISION OF ONE (1) 0.39± (GROSS) ACRE PARCEL INTO TWO (2) SEPARATE PARCELS ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 184 N. ACACIA STREET (ASSESSOR’S PARCEL NUMBER 851-071-014).
CONTINUED BUSINESS:
Save Chuck. Interim City Manager Crecelius provided an update on the efforts to Save Chuck.
No public comment. The item was received and filed.
NEW BUSINESS:
Letter of Support for Grid Alternatives. Interim City Manager Crecelius stated at the December 12, 2023, meeting, representatives from GRID Alternatives made a formal request during Public Comment for a letter of recommendation from the City and for use of the City’s logo in promoting their no cost solar installation programs. The letter would be mailed to qualified properties within the City outlining available programs through GRID Alternatives.
Staff was directed to bring this item back to council for discussion and direction.
No public comment. Councilman Reynolds moved approval of a support letter. The motion was seconded by Councilman Burton with a unanimous aye vote.
Request to Waive Community Center Rental Fees for RAP Foundation Meeting.
Interim City Manager Crecelius stated the Regional Access Project Foundation, the 4 th District
Supervisor’s Office and Peace from Chaos wish to host a community meeting focused on mental health in the Community Center on February 15th from 1pm to 8pm. The City of Blythe has an agreement with the Riverside County Office on Aging for exclusive use of the Community Center Monday through Friday from 6:30am to 3:30pm. The RAP foundation was able to secure permission from the Office on Aging for use of the center on the 15th. The RAP foundation submitted a fee waiver request for use of the Community Center for this meeting. Staff recommends Council waive rentals fees excluding the $100 labor fee and $150 deposit.
Councilman Reynolds offered to pay the Labor and Deposit fee.
Public comment. George Colangeli with the RAP Foundation stated the Office on Aging staff could open and close the building for the event, so City labor would not be needed.
Vice Mayor Rodriguez moved to waive all fees except the deposit fee, to be paid by Councilman Reynolds for the RAP Foundation event. The motion was seconded by Councilman Burton with a unanimous aye vote.
ORAL REPORTS:
Councilman Reynolds wished everyone a Happy New Year.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
ADJOURN: The City Council meeting was adjourned at 6:38pm. ________________________________
Joseph DeConinck, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________
Mallory Crecelius, City Clerk