Minutes of the Blythe City Council Meeting
March 11, 2025
The March 11, 2025 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 Halby, Burton and Spraggins. Staff in attendance included: Interim City Manager and City Clerk Crecelius, City Attorney Roberto, Finance Director and City Treasurer Elms, Chief Building Official Brown, Public Works Director Elegores and Police Chief Dale.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor DeConinck.
The Invocation was led by Councilman Burton.
PROCLAMATION:
American Red Cross Month – April 2025. The Proclamation was presented to representatives for the Riverside County Chapter of the American Red Cross.
PRESENTATION:
Audited Financial Statements for Fiscal Year 2023/24. Finance Director Elms stated the 2023/24 audit is complete. Daphne Munoz, Principal of CliftonLarsonAllen will present the details of the audit.
Daphne Munoz stated we performed an audit of the annual financial statements for the year ending June 30, 2024, for the City as well as the Blythe Financing Authority. The City spent more than $750,000 in federal expenditures so the City is required to have a single audit. This is in conjunction with the financial statements and is more of a compliance audit to meet federal grant requirements. Lastly, we performed an agreed upon procedure related to the City’s calculation of the annual appropriations limit. Pages 1-3 of the financial statements contain the auditor’s opinion. The period covered by this audit is July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. For that period, we issued an unmodified opinion. This means the financial statements are presented in all material respects and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. An unmodified opinion is the highest opinion you can get. The financial statements and the presentation of those statements are management’s responsibility. Our responsibility as auditors is to express an opinion. Auditing standards requires that we have sufficient evidence to obtain reasonable assurance that the statements are free of any misstatements. There is an emphasis of matter due to a re-statement of beginning fund balances and net position. Last year’s emphasis of matter was related to the going concern. Based on this year’s results and the fund balances, this year’s report does not include a going concern. We do not issue a report on internal controls, but if any issues were found it would be included in this report. I am happy to report there were no findings. We had no issues during the audit or disagreements with management.
Mayor DeConinck thanked staff for their hard work.
No public comment. The item was received and filed.
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 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.
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.
No public comment. Council Member Burton moved approval of the Consent Calendar. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Rodriguez with a unanimous aye vote.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Ordinance No. 935-25 Amending Title 17 of the Blythe Municipal Code Relating to Changes to Implement Various Programs Set Forth in the City’s 6 th Cycle Housing
Element. Interim City Manager Crecelius stated this is the second in a series of Ordinances addressing changes required by the Housing Element. The proposed ordinance implements changes in five Housing Element Programs: 1.A.3, 1.A.4, 2.A.6, 2.D.1 and 2.D.3. To address
1.A.3 the City committed to creating a density bonus to incentivize development by increasing economies of scale. In program 1.A.4, the City committed to amending the Zoning Code to require by right approval of housing developments that include 20% of the units as affordable to lower income. The proposed Ordinance adds a Housing Overlay zone which allows affordable developments by right. The Ordinance creates the zone and regulations; a General Plan Amendment and Zoning change will be necessary to establish the HEO zoning designation. In Program 2.A.6, the City committed to permitting mobile homes in the same manner as stick-built housing, modifications to parking requirements and modifications to lot coverage requirements for Medium Density Residential and High-Density Residential zones. In program 2.D.1, the city committed to amending the Zoning Code to designate residential care facilities as permitted uses by right in residential zones, add a definition for group homes and allow group homes with six or fewer persons by right in residential zones and updates the definition of family to be consistent with State Law. In Program 2.D.3, the City committed to amending the Zoning Code to ensure that supportive and transitional housing is treated as residential uses subject to only the same restrictions as other residential dwelling of the same type in the same zone to comply with State law requirements. In addition to implementing the various programs outlined above, the proposed ordinance also adds, revises and deletes definitions set forth in Chapters 17.04 and
17.08, relocating definitions to Chapter 17.04 and removing them from Chapter 17.08. The ordinance also includes a change to Section 17.10.050 to incorporate the allowed density per acre for each of the zones; the density correlates to that in the General Plan. The Blythe Municipal Code and State law require two public hearings regarding the proposed ordinance. On February 11, 2025, the City Council, acting as the City’s Planning Agency, conducted a public hearing regarding proposed Ordinance No. 935-25. Therefore, it is recommended that the City Council, subsequent to the public hearing, introduce Ordinance No. 935-25.
No public comment. Board Member Halby moved approval of staff’s recommendation. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Rodriguez with a unanimous aye vote.
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
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. Interim City Manager Crecelius asked the Council to take Public Comment on this item, and then continue the Public Hearing to the April 8, 2025 City Council Meeting.
No Public Comment. Council Member Burton moved to Continue the Public Hearing to the April Meeting. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Rodriguez with a unanimous aye vote.
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.
NEW BUSINESS:
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. Finance Director Elms stated the City made revisions to it’s purchasing Ordinance in June of 2021. The revisions were adopted to put policies and procedures in place to govern general purchases and public works projects separately. The intent was to streamline workflow and increase efficiency while providing uniformity between the two policies. The City took the approach of using bidding limits set by law in section 22032 of the Public Contract Code as it relates to public works projects to develop spending limits and bidding polices for general purchases so there was consistency within the two. In January, the bidding limits set in the public contract code increased for public works projects. These revisions would keep uniformity in provisions by amending the bidding limits and spending authority to align with the changes in the public contract code. If adopted, the City Manager’s authority and informal bidding provisions would increase from $60,000 to $75,000. City Council authority and formal bidding provisions would be required for anything over $75,000. The revision limits proposed carry through Chapter 2.65 of the Blythe Municipal Code as it pertains to general purchases.
Since its adoption in 2021, staff has made note of circumstances that have arose when making purchases. To address some of these issues, staff is proposing other minor changes to Chapter
2.65 of the Municipal Code. This includes adding an exemption for contracts for nuisance abatement services from competitive bidding which will allow staff to expedite this process, providing the City Manager with the authority to purchase vehicles, regardless of cost, provided such purchases comply with all other requirements of section 2.65 of the BMC. This revision is intended to address delays the City is experiencing between the ordering and delivery of the vehicles. The purchase would still need to be adopted by Council during the budget process and would need to conform with all other procedures and solicitation. The proposed amendments also include express contract purchase order amendment authorization including authorization for the City Manager to approve amendments up to 10% of the amount authorized by the Council. Lastly, it includes amending the provisions related to the sale of surplus property to allow the transfer of surplus property to a governmental agency, civic, or charitable organization by negotiated sale or exchange. Therefore, it is recommended Council introduce Ordinance No. 938-25.
Council Member Halby asked why this was not run by Council previously. I am not a fan of some of this, such as vehicles. I think Council should be approving these purchases. I have a lot of questions.
Interim City Manager Crecelius stated the vehicles could only be purchased if they were adopted in the budget. When we bring the budget to you, we tell you we are going to purchase 6 vehicles and the cost. Having to come back to get authority to make the purchase is creating delays.
During COVID there were supply chain issues, it took up to 2 years to get certain vehicles. To speed things up, once you adopt, through the budget process, the purchase of these vehicles, we can place the order. In terms of the change in amounts, that is based on the public contract code.
The code increased, so we are asking to increase the for consistency with the public contract code.
Finance Director Elms stated as the current Ordinance is written, under section 2.66, those contract limits as they are increased through the code, it automatically increases the public works project limits. We designed the Ordinance to keep consistency in those amounts. In terms of vehicles, we have to apply all other provisions of the ordinance That includes competitive bidding or using the State Contract. It does not exempt the bidding process. But we have ordering windows, and this streamlines the purchase to allow us to make a purchase within those windows. We are not purchasing anything outside of what has been adopted by Council in the budget.
Council Member Halby stated I’ve seen a lot of new vehicles and am not sure where they are coming from.
Interim City Manager Crecelius stated some of those are vehicles we have waited 2 years to receive. They were delivered with this year’s order, so all the vehicles are coming in at once. We have not ordered a vehicle you have not approved.
Finance Director Elms stated we just recently received units for PD that were approved and ordered well over a year ago. That is how long it is taking to get them. That is why we are trying to streamline purchases. We also just received units you approved back in the fall. They were all part of the budget.
Council Member Burton would like to see a receipt or something.
City Attorney Roberto stated she has seen in other cities that delegate authority to the City Manager provide a bi-annual report of the purchases made by the authority of the City Manager.
Interim City Manager Crecelius stated if you don’t adopt it in the budget, it doesn’t matter if it costs $1 or $100,000, I can’t buy it. It must be approved in the budget.
No public comment. Vice Mayor Rodriguez moved to introduce Ordinance No. 938-25. The motion was seconded by Council Member Burton with a unanimous aye vote.
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.
Agreement for Abatement Services at 495 N. Main Street. Chief Building Official Brown stated the property of topic is 495 N. Main Street. The property has had an open code case since April of 2020 for lack of property maintenance. There have been numerous attempts by Code Enforcement to contact the owner to have the property cleaned. Even with these efforts, no contact was made by the property owner. In September of 2023 the building burned, including all its contents. In the days and months following the fire, Code Enforcement worked diligently to contact the owner with no success. Code Enforcement staff looked for guidance from our City Attorney to start the abatement process. This is not a fast process, and the owner has been given many opportunities to bring the property up to code. Staff has prepared a contract, following the procedures of the purchasing policy to have the building removed from the property. It is recommended the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with R&L Watkins for the abatement of the property in an amount not to exceed $96,000, authorize $10,000 for project contingencies and establish a project budget of $106,000.
It is further recommended Council authorize the Interim City Manger to issue any contract amendments within the project budget and authorize the Interim City Manger to take any actions necessary to abate 495 N. Main Street.
Vice Mayor Rodrigeuz asked if abatement of the trees was part of the project.
Council Member Halby asked about timing.
City Attorney Roberto stated if Council approves this contract, my office will move forward with the abatement warrant. In the past, warrants took months, and some took a week. It’s really luck of the draw on the judge and if they sign off on it right away. The warrant is valid for 14 days, If there are issues, we can ask the judge to approve an extension.
Public Comment. Leslie Watkins thanked staff for their attention to this. We are hopeful it will not take 6 months to obtain the warrant. We would love to have that site cleared for a multitude of reasons. There is quite a bit of dumped vegetation and tree trimmings. Per code, we will take every tree to a 6-foot canopy. We will take the under growth and dumped items. That was not part of the project, but we are doing it. We want a clean slate at that property. The largest part of the bid is the asbestos removal. Thank you again for the opportunity to continue to clean our city.
Council Member Spraggins moved approval of staff’s recommendation. The motion was seconded by Council Member Burton with a unanimous aye vote. 2024 Rule 20A Work Credit Balance. Public Works Director Elegores stated Southern California Edison Rule 20A is part of the California Public Utilities Commission Electric Tarif Rule 20, which allows utilities to fund underground projects that benefit the public interest, with projects nominated by cities and counties and paid for by utility rate payers. Rule 20A focuses on converting overhead electrical facilities to underground installations. Projects must demonstrate a benefit to the general public, not just the customers in the affected area. Utilities annually allocate “work credits” to cities and counties, which can be used to redeem for underground projects. On June 3, 2021, the California Public Utility Commission issued a decision that revises the CPUC’s Electric Rule 20A program. The decision discontinues the authorization of new Electric Rule 20A work credit allowances. As such, there are no work credits being allocated for 2025 which makes Blythe’s work credit balance $586,195. Any work credit that has not been allocated to a community with an active Rule 20A project will expire in June 2025. The City has not previously completed any projects with Rule 20A funding as the City’s allocated work credits were not enough to fund a project without a major contribution from the City’s General Fund. To retain the work credits and avoid reallocation, prior to June 2025 the City must have a suitable project location identified and submitted to SCE no later than April 1 st and the
City must adopt an ordinance creating an underground district that meets the criteria. The identified project must meet Rule 20A guidelines. In the event the Council directs staff to proceed with an underground district project, staff has identified a project in Todd Park. An underground line would be installed beginning at the driveway at Barnard running along the edge of the parking lot covering 610 feet, then turning east towards the basketball court to cover approximately 270 linear feet. This line would allow in the future, and as part of a separate project, the installation of lighting in Todd Park. The project would stretch 890 linear feet and cost an estimated a little more than $900,000. Staff has contemplated looking for grants or other funding to install solar lights in Todd Park like what was recently installed in Miller Park. This may be the most cost-effective option for the City. Therefore, it is recommended the City Council provide direction to staff to either abandon the Rule 20A fund balance or proceed with an underground district project.
The City council asked a number of questions related to Rule 20A project guidelines. After a lot of dialogue between the City Council and staff, it was suggested that a Special Meeting be held to discuss this further.
Public Comment.
Rob Holt thinks there are better options for lighting at Todd Park and are probably some other areas with overhead lines that make more sense.
Diane Easley asked what the impacts to health would be on these underground lines.
Direction to schedule a Special Meeting was provided to staff.
ORAL REPORTS:
Interim City Manager Crecelius reported on the Outlook Conference.
Council Member Spraggins reported on the Chamber Mixer being hosted by Blythe PD. She thanked Blythe PD for finding the belt buckles and knives and working on the case and the community who helped as well.
Council Member Halby reported on the fair this upcoming weekend and his work last weekend with the Pink Trash Bags. There is a mess at Dollar General with their cardboard. It was a good clean up.
Council Member Burton reported on the pancake breakfast at the VFW.
Mayor DeConinck reported he met the new CHP Commander. They will be on patrol on HWY 95 this weekend, so everyone be safe and don’t drink and drive.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Dustin Lindermuth of Not Your Average Candy Company said the project review process and fees are high and are discouraging new businesses for opening. We are pricing out people who want to bring economic development to our city. The fees make investment less viable. I ask Council to review these fees and find a more balanced approach.
Diane Easley stated there was a report published in 2022 about the City’s economic peril.
ADJOURN: The City Council meeting was adjourned at 7:06pm. ________________________________
Joseph DeConinck, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________
Mallory Crecelius, City Clerk