Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the City Council regarding any item on this Agenda will be made available for Public inspection in the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 235 N. Broadway, Blythe, California during normal business hours. In addition such writings and documents will be posted on the City’s website: www.cityofblythe.ca.gov.
Blythe City Council Meeting
March 11, 2025
6:00pm
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Mayor DeConinck Interim City Manager/City Clerk Crecelius Police Chief Dale Vice Mayor Rodriguez City Attorney Roberto Fire Chief Hasler Council Member Halby City Treasurer/Finance Director Elms Public Works Director Elegores Council Member Burton Chief Building Official Brown
Council Member Spraggins
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION
ADDED STARTER: The City Council may add an item to the Agenda after making a finding that there is a need to take immediate action on the item and that the item came to the attention of the City Council and/or staff subsequent to the posting of the Agenda. An action adding an item to the Agenda requires a 2/3 vote of the City Council (4 of 5 Council Members). If less than 2/3 of the City Council is present, adding an item to the Agenda requires a unanimous vote.
PROCLAMATION: (Item 1)
1. American Red Cross- April 2025.
PRESENTATION: (Item 2)
2. Audited Financial Statements for Fiscal Year 23/2024.
Recommendation: Receive and file the City’s audited financial statements and related documents for FY23/2024.
CONSENT CALENDAR- (Items 3-11)
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.
3. Posting of the Agenda.
The agenda was 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 and on the City’s website on Friday, March 7, 2025.
4. Approval of the Warrant Register.
Recommendation: Approve 3/11/25, warrants numbered 10973 through 10996 and 79279 through 79341 in the amount of $1,038,553.95; 3/11/25, Utility Billing Refund warrants numbered 79342 through 79353 in the amount of $1,121.18 and 3/11/25, warrants numbered 10997 through 11007 and 79354 through 79386 in the amount of $220,979.28.
5. Approval of the Payroll Register.
Recommendation: Approve 3/11/25, warrants numbered 54997 through 55016 and Direct Deposit warrants numbered 61154 through 61227 in the amount of $295,166.24; 3/11/25, warrants numbered 55017 through 55035 and Direct Deposit warrants numbered 61228 through 61302 in the amount of $298,083.53 and 3/11/25, warrants numbered 55036 through 55047 and Direct Deposit warrants numbered 61303 through 61403 in the amount of $94,211.44.
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the City Council regarding any item on this Agenda will be made available for Public inspection in the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 235 N. Broadway, Blythe, California during normal business hours. In addition such writings and documents will be posted on the City’s website: www.cityofblythe.ca.gov.
6. Minutes of the February 11, 2025, City Council Meeting.
Recommendation: Approve the Minutes of the February 11, 2025, Meeting.
7. City of Blythe Permits Issued in the Month of February 2025.
Recommendation: Receive and file the monthly report.
8. City of Blythe Fire Department Monthly Activity Report for February 2025.
Recommendation: Receive and file the monthly report.
9. City of Blythe Police Department Monthly Activity Report for February 2025.
Recommendation: Receive and file the monthly report.
10. Quality of Life Program Activity Report for February 2025.
Recommendation: Receive and file the monthly report.
11. Ordinance No. 936-25 Establishing a Prohibition Against Camping and Storage of Personal Property upon Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places.
Recommendation: Adopt Ordinance No. 936-25.
ORDINANCE NO. 936-25. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA, ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 12.32 (CAMPING AND STORAGE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY ON PUBLIC PROPERTY PROHIBITED) TO TITLE 12 (STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND PUBLIC PLACES) OF BLYTHE MUNICIPAL CODE.
PUBLIC HEARING: (Items 12-13)
12. Ordinance No. 935-25 Amending Title 17 of the Blythe Municipal Code (Zoning Code) Relating to Changes to Implement Various Programs Set Forth in the City’s 6th Cycle Housing Element.
Recommendation: Subsequent to the public hearing, introduce Ordinance No. 935-25.
ORDINANCE NO. 935-25. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE BLYTHE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO CHANGES TO IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS SET FORTH IN THE CITY’S 6TH CYCLE HOUSING ELEMENT, INCLUDING ADDING A NEW HOUSING
ELEMENT OVERLAY, ADDING, REVISING, AND DELETING DEFINITIONS, ADDING AND AMENDING REGULATIONS
RELATING TO LOW BARRIER NAVIGATION CENTERS AND VARIOUS TYPES OF GROUP HOUSING, AMENDING
RESIDENTIAL LOT COVERAGE REQUIREMENTS IN THE R-M AND R-H ZONES, ADDING AND REVISING
STANDARDS REGARDING DENSITY IN RESIDENTIAL ZONES, AMENDING PARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR
SPECIFIED RESIDENTIAL USES, AND ADDING REGULATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE STATE DENSITY BONUS LAW,
AND FINDING THE ORDINANCE ES EXEMPT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061 (B)(3) (COMMON SENSE EXEMPTION).
13. Ordinance No. 937-25 Rezoning Two Parcels and Adding a New Section
17.27.050 to Title 17 (Zoning) of the Blythe Municipal Code Waiving the Art in Public Places Impact Fee on Affordable Housing and Special Needs Housing.
Recommendation: Council, acting as the City’s Planning Agency, conduct a Public Hearing regarding Ordinance No. 937-25.
ORDINANCE NO. 935-25. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA, REZONING TWO PARCELS AND ADDING A NEW SECTION 17.27.050 (WAIVER OF FEE) TO CHAPTER 17.27 (ARTS IN PUBLIC PLACES PROGRAM) OF DIVISION III (DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS) OF TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE BLYTHE MUNICIPAL CODE WAIVING THE ART IN PUBLIC PLACES IMPACT FEE ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SPECIAL NEEDS HOUSING.
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the City Council regarding any item on this Agenda will be made available for Public inspection in the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 235 N. Broadway, Blythe, California during normal business hours. In addition such writings and documents will be posted on the City’s website: www.cityofblythe.ca.gov.
NEW BUSINESS: (Items 14-16)
14. Ordinance No. 938-25 Amending Provisions of Chapter 2.65 (Purchasing System) of Title 2 (Administration and Personnel) of the Blythe Municipal Code Relating to Bidding Thresholds and Purchasing Authority, Amendment Authority, Bidding Exemptions, and Surplus Property.
Recommendation: Introduce Ordinance No. 938-25:
ORDINANCE NO. 938-25. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 2.65 (PURCHASING SYSTEM) OF TITLE 2 (ADMINISTRATION AND
PERSONNEL) OF THE BLYTHE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO BIDDING THESHOLDS AND PURCHASING AUTHORITY, AMENDMENT AUTHORITY, BIDDING EXEMPTIONS, AND SURPLUS PROPERTY.
15. Agreement for Abatement Services at 495 N. Main Street.
Recommendation: Authorize Interim City Manager to enter into an agreement with R&L Watkins, Inc. for the abatement of 495 N. Main Street in an amount not to exceed $96,000; authorize $10,000 for project contingencies; set a project budget of $106,000; authorize the Interim City Manager to execute any amendments to the agreement within the project budget and authorize the Interim City Manager to take any related actions necessary to abate this site.
16. 2024 Rule 20A Work Credit Balance.
Recommendation: Provide direction to staff to either abandon the Rule 20A fund balance or proceed with an underground district project.
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 April 8, 2025, 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 504/ADA Coordinator Mallory Crecelius at (760) 922-6161 EXT. 1237 or by email at [email protected]. Notification 72 business 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).