Agenda — Blythe City Council, March 27, 2025

BLYTHE CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting and Special Closed Session

SUNRISE
* Blythe *
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ISTABLISHED TRAD
AGENDA
March 27, 2025
2:30 P.M.

MEETINGS ARE HELD IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 235 NORTH BROADWAY, BLYTHE, CA

BLYTHE CITY COUNCIL
Blythe SPECIAL MEETING AND SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION
Special Meeting and Special Closed Session Notice and Agenda Thursday, March 27, 2025
2:30pm
Council Chambers at City Hall
235 N. Broadway
Blythe, CA 92225
Joseph DeConinck, Mayor
Johnny Z. Rodriguez, Vice Mayor Joseph Halby, IlI, Council Member Summer Spraggins, Council Member
Mallory Crecelius, Interim City Manager/City Clerk
Christa Elms, City Treasurer/Finance Director
Garth Dale, Police Chief Mirasol Elegores, Public Works Director Ronnie Hasler, Fire Chief

CALL TO ORDER

ROLL CALL

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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 Monday, March 24, 2025.

2. Annual Element Progress Report- Housing Element Implementation.

Recommendation: Receive and file the Annual Element Progress Report - Housing Element Implementation for 2024 and authorize staff to forward the report to the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) per Government Code Section 65400.
2024 Rule 20A Work Credit Balance.

Recommendation: Provide direction to staff to either abandon the Rule 20A fund balance or proceed with a underground district project.

Public comments will be allowed on the Special Meeting items during consideration of the items) described. Comments shall be limited to 3 minutes in duration.

PUBLIC COMMENT ON SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION: Members of the public may address the City Council on the Special Closed Session item only. Comments shall be limited to 3 minutes in duration.

RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION:

SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION ITEM:

CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8. Property: 3480 Quail Run Rd., Blythe, CA 92225. Agency Negotiator: Mallory Crecelius. Negotiating Parties: BNB Golf Management, Inc. Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment.

REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION:

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.

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 Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact City Clerk Mallory Crecelius at (760) 922-6161 ext. 1237. Notification at least 24 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting.

In addition, such writings and documents will be posted on the City's website: www.cityofblythe.ca.gov.

TRUINS FIRE

CITY OF BLYTHE
Blythe CITY COUNCIL MEETING

STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: March 27, 2025
SUBJECT: Annual Element Progress Report - Housing Element Implementation PRESENTED BY: Mallory Crecelius, Interim City Manager
PREPARED BY: Mallory Crecelius, Interim City Manager
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council receive and file the Annual Element Progress Report - Housing Element Implementation for 2024 and authorize staff to forward the report to the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) per Government Code Section 65400.

FISCAL IMPACT: None
BACKGROUND: State law requires every city and county to prepare and adopt a comprehensive, long-term general plan for the physical development of the city or county. Policy and project decisions made by the City as well as projects initiated by staff such as land use approvals, zoning code updates, subdivision, city projects and programs and capital improvement projects must be consistent with the goals and policies contained within the General Plan. State law requires a General Plan to include the following elements: Land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open space, noise and safety.

Periodically, each of the above elements must be updated to comply with changing state law requirements. On August 13, 2024 the City Council adopted the City's 6th Cycle Housing Element for the 2021-2029 period. The Housing Element was officially approved by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on August 29, 2024.

STAFF REPORT: Pursuant to Government Code Section 65400(a)(2), all cities and counties must submit to their legislative bodies an annual report on the progress made in the implementation of the goals and objectives contained within the General Plan. In addition, the annual report must be submitted to the Governor's Office of Planning and Research and HCD.

The annual report gives the OPR the opportunity to identify statewide trends in land use decision-making and local planning and development activities. The City's Annual Report is provided as an attachment to this staff report.

Therefore, it is recommended that the City Council receive and file the Annual Element Progress Report - Housing Element Implementation for 2024 and authorize staff to forward the report to the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) per Government Code Section 65400.

ATTACHMENTS:

1. Annual Element Progress Report - Housing Element Implementation

ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORT
Housing Element Implementation
Jurisdiction Blythe
Reporting Year 2024 Table Dan 1- Dec. 311
Program Implementation Status pursuant to GC Section 65583 Housing Programs Progress Report
3 Name of Program Objective Timeframe in HE Status of Program Implementation The City will pursue state, federal, and local funding sources to Increase and preserve the housing stock, Apply cooperatively with the County of Riverside to secure funding for first-time homebuyers and down payment assistance programs.

The City will apply as a co-applicant with the County of Riverside to secure funds for 1212112024, thoreafter Program 1.A.1 abatement/rehabllitation programs. Link available funding sources on the City Ongoing website. The City will seek to fund 3 housing rehabllitation/ preservations projects. ongoing annually The City will promote the down payment assistance program and request reporting from the County of Riverside, The City will target 5 successful down payment assistance applications annually.
502 ban packager, to connect terested low and venes income condu, restin 12312021 Ongoing Program 1.A.2
resources and pathways to homeownership.

Create a Density Development Bonus to Incentivize development by increasing economies of scale. The program will adhere to State law requirements. The City will send a notice to housing developers annually regarding the availability of Program 1.A.3 Complete by 06/30/2024 Ongoing
density bonuses for qualltying applicants. One density bonus will be granted annually resulting in the creation of one medium to high density development. A total of 14 new moderate-Income units will be created
ursuant to Government Code Section 65583.2, reusing the following types of sites in the City's site inventory for lower Income RHNA are subject to by-right approval without discretlonary action and exempt from CEQA and subject only to design reviow based on oblective standards when a project includes 20 percent of the units affordable to lower income households and no subdivision Is proposed: Reuse Sites (No Rezoning Required): § Vacant sites that were Identifled in the City's 4th and 5th cycles Housing Element as sites for lower Income RHNA; and § Nonvacant sites that were Identified In the City's 5th cycle Housing Element as sites for lower As a matter of policy, income RHNA. By-right shall mean the local government's review shall not require: • consistent with State law, the A conditional-use permit - A planned unit development permit - Other discretionary, City will provide byright local-government review or approval that would constitute a "project" as defined in approval to development Section 21100 of the Public Resources Code. This provision does not preclude local proposals on reuse sites, Ongoing Program 1,A.4 planning agencles from Imposing design review standards. However, the revlew and beginning 10/15/2021 approval process must remain ministerial, and the design review must not (Statutory deadline of the constitute a "project" as defined In Section 21100 of the Public Resources Code. Housing Element update).

The City will amend the Zoning Ordinance to require by-right approval of housing Complete Zoning Ordinance development that Includes 20 parcent of the units as housing affordable to lower amendment by 06/30/2024. income households, applicable to sites being used to meet the 6th cycle RHNA that represent a "reuse" of sites previously identified In the 4th and 5th cycles Housing Element. The "reuse" sites are specifically Identified in the inventory. By-right approval for reuse sites is effective as of the statutory deadline of the Housing Element (October 15, 2021). Consistent with State law and as a matter of policy, the City will comply with State law with this requirement for projects to be proposed on revise sites
Housing Programs Progress Report
Name of Program Objective Timeframe in HE Status of Program Implementation To ensure adequate sites are avaliable throughous the planning period to meet the City's RHNA, the City will continue to annually update an inventory that detalls the amount, type, and size of parcels to assist developers in identifying land suitable for residential development and that also detalls the number of extremely low, very low, tow, and moderate-income units constructed annually. To ensure sufficient Program 1.A.5 residential capacity is maintained to accommodate the RHNA need, the City will Complete by 06/30/2024 Ongoing develop and implement a formal ongoing (project-by-project) evaluation procedure pursuant to Government Code 556863. Should an approval of development result in a reduction of capacity below the residential capacity needed to accommodate the remalning need for lower-Income households, the City will Identify and zone sufficient sites to accommodate the shortfal
Monitor the City's potable water-generating capacity and its potable water Annual monitoring Program 1.B.1 istribution system to increase the water-generating and distribution capacity, when throughout the planning Ongoing necessary, to meet Blythe's long-term housing expansion needs, and to provide an period. adequate supply of potable water to residences citywide.

Monitor the City's sewer system and treatment capacity to increase the sewer Ongoing, throughout the Program 1.B.2 system network, as necessary, to meet Blythe's long-term housing expansion planning period, Ongoing needs, through grants and loans from state and federal programs.

Enforce State laws requiring that all new (non-mobile home) housing units be buitt in compliance with the new requirements of Title 24, which ensure much greater energy efficlency, and explore varlous methods of creating incentives and requirements to bulld energy-efficlent tow-Income housing. Such methods could include adopting bulling codes and landscape ardinances that promote anergy an continuous Ongoing Program 1.C.1 water efficiency and offering reduced or no development costs for those programs that have been designed to maximize energy efficlency in all new residential development. This will ensure that utility bills, particularly those for cooling of new units, will be affordable to lower Income persons. The City shall make Information avallable from utility purveyors on energy conservation programs avallable on the City webaite
The City shall work with Southern California Edison (SCE) to provide guldance on The to become more energy efficent, save money, and reduce the carbon footprim. Meet quarterty, promote The City will provide Information regarding SCE's Energy Efficient programs on the continuously throughout the Ongoing Program 1.C.2 City website. The City will collaborate with the Coachella Valley Assoclation of Govemments (CAG) quarterly to promote the inland Reglonal Energy Network life of the IREN Program. (IREN) energy efficlency programs on the City website.

Support and enforce fair housing laws and policies by referring discrimination Fair Housing Information will complaints to the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, which maintalns the Program 1.D.1 area's clearinghouse for such complaints. The process for reporting housing be posed on the singing discrimination and resources will be posted on the City website and will be by 12/31/2022, thereafter, continuous.
disseminated at the onset of new water utility connections.

Support solf-help programs for lower-income (extremely low, very low, low-) and Update City website regardins
special needs households and provide assistance where possible in the the avallabllity of self-hell construction of six self-help homes within the City annually through coordination and cooperation with Habitat for Humanity, Coachella Valley Housing Coalition, programs by 06/30/2024; other organizations, and provide Information on these programs on the City Streamline process for Program 2.A.1 website. The City will revise the Municipal Code to streamline the abatement of Identitying nuisance nulsance propertles and create a mechanism to take conservatorship of nulsance Mechenism for roperties to be re-purposed for housing devolopment through self-help programs wo nulsance properties will be Identified and abated annually for a total of 16 conservatorship of abated properties during the 2021 to 2029 planning period. properties created In 2022.

Housing Programs Progress Report
Name of Program Obiective Timeframe In HE Status of Program Implementation Analyze and update various existing programs for lower-income homebuyers that include Mortgage Credit Certificate Programs, First-Time Home Buyer, and various Annual Community Forum by Program 2.A.2 other existing assistance programs, and provide information on these programs on 12/31/2024 and website Ongoing the City website. Facilitate one annual community forum to engage and inform the updates 12/31/2024. public of available homebuyer assistance procrams
dentify zoning to encourage and facilitate housing suitable for extremely low, very low, low, and moderate-Income households and for all special needs households (e.g., elderly, homeless, farmworkers, persons with disabilities, female-headed households), such as supportive housing and single-room occupancy unlts. The City will encourage the development of housing for extremely low-, very low., low-, and moderate-Income households and for all special needs households (e.g., elderty, homeless, farmworkers, persons with disabilities, female-headed households) through a varlety of activities such as: • Performing outreach to Ongoing, as projects ar housing developers on at least an annual basis; • Providing financial (when feasible) processed through the or In-kind technical assistance or land writedowns; • Providing expedited Development Services Program 2.A.3 processing; • Identifying grant and funding opportunities, applying for or supporting Department and annual Ongoing applications for funding on an ongoing basis, reviewing and prioritizing local outreach efforts to funding at least twice in the planning pertod; • Walving Art In Public Places developers. development impact fee which is appled to residential development of five or more lots or on five or more acres; • Deferring planning and plan check fees and permit fees until project completion (before Certificate of Occupancy Is issued); and • Allowing addilonal density or flexibility In development standards for projects containing an affordable housing component. The Clty will work to create 66 new units for extremely low/very low-income households, new construction of 71 low. support efforts to preserve and meet new construction needs of extremely low, very low, low-, and moderate-Income households and for all special needs householde (e.g., olderly, homeless, farmworkers, persons with disabiltles, female. Ongoing, monitor NOFAs on Program 2.A.4 headed households) and assist in addressing the needs of households overpaying Ongoing funding will be determined on a case-by-case basis. The City will apply as a co- applicant with Riverside County for at least one housing funding source per calendar year.

Create marketing material to promote avallable, vacant sites within the City to low 06/30/2024, Revise, update Ongoing Program 2,A.5 Income and market-rate housing developers. and disseminate annually.

The City will amend the Zoning Code to: • Permit manufactured housing in the same manner and in the same zone as a conventional or stick-built structures are permitted pursuant to Government Code 65852,3 and consolidate R/MH and Moblie Home zones, • Implement Streamlined Ministerial Approval Processes for development that conforms to SB 35 and Goverment Code §65913.4 requirements. • Modify the City's parking requirements to create separate requirements for Program 2.A.6 detached single-family homes and multi-family developments and create muttamlly 12/31/2024 ongoing parking standards based on the number of bedrooms. • Modify the lot coverage requirements for the R-M and R-H zones. • Revise Conditional Use Permit findings to ensure findings are objective and provide for certainty in outcomes, and to remove the required findings for approving residential uses in nonresidential zones only It dwelling Is In character with the existing neighborhood and the adjacent uses are residential. • Establish Project Review Committee (PRC) Process and create findings for approval that are objective and provide certainty in outcomes.

Housing Programs Progress Report
Name of Program Objective Timeframe in H.E Status of Program Implementation To encourage transparency and faciltate development site selection, the City will post the City's Zoning Map on the City website as well as additional information, Program 2.A.7 Including the planning and development fee schedule, planning applications and By 06/30/2024 and ongoing Ongoing forms, and Informational handouts that are currentiy avallable at the public counter In 2021, the City amended its Zoning Ordinance, Section 17, to allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junlor ADUs (Bachelor/Granny Flat/Efficiency units), by- right in residential, IS and IG zones. Ordinance 911-21 meets State law requirements to allow ADU's by-right in residential zones. However, since 2021, several new State laws have modified ADU requlrements to further encourage this type of development. The City will update the Clty's ordinance to comply with recent changes. The City will also promote the development of ADUs by: 1. Advertising Ongoing Program 2.A.8 a vallabilty of pre-approved plans on the City's webslte, 2. Providing ADU resources By 06/30/2026 and ongoing on the City's website, Including ADU requirements, preapproved plans, and avallable funding (such as CALFHA funding for predevelopment costs). 3, Assigning a dedicated permit technician for ADU Inquiries and revlews. The City will also inform ADU applicants that ADU units are subject to SB 329 and SB 222- rental unit cannot be denled based on source of income by posting information on the City website and the ADU applicatien.

Coordinate quarterly with the Palo Verde Valley Transit Agency to ensure that the public transportation needs of seniors and special needs groups are adequately Quarterly and on an ongoing ongoing Program 2.B.1 met. Cordinate with the Ato ensure that seniors have adequate access to basis.

Program 2B.2 Ongoing
income units during the 2021 to 2029 planning perlod.

The City shall cooperate quarterly with nelghboring cities, the County, and other agencles in the development of programs aimed at providing homeless shetters and Quarterly and on an ongoing Program 2.C.1 related services. Parlicipate in the Riverside County Continuum of Care activitles.( Ongoing Continue the Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) activitles and coordinate with the basis. permitted in some zones with a conditlonal use permit. The City will revise the current regulations to meet State law requirements. Specifically, the City will amend Zoning Code to designate permitted uses by-right in residential zones for care facilities regardiess of facility size. These regulations will apply to both State Program 2.D.1 llcensed facilities and unlicensed facilities, sublect only to the generally applica 6/30/2024 nondiscriminatory health, safety, and zoning laws that apply to all single-family Ongoing residences. The City will amend the Zoning Code to define group homes and allow for group homes with six or fewer persons by right in all residential zones subject only to the same restriction in that zone and will allow larger Ilcensed residential care facilities of seven or more porsons In alt residentlal zones. Additlonally, the City will amend the Zoning Code to update its definition of family to be consistent with current housing law. Revise Zoning Ordinance to reffect State law requirement i residential care facilitien of 6 or lese and 6 or more persens à Nywill umrl witth tho inisno Ranloni Centerto imnlsment ân oirrac [Inland Regional Center program that Informs familles within the City on housing and services available fo Information will be Program 2.D.2 ersons with developmental disabilities. Post a hyperlink to the Inland Reglonal hyperlinked on the City ongoing Center on the City website. website by 06/30/2024.

Housing Programs Progress Report
Name of Program Objective Timeframe in HE Status of Program Implementation The City will amend the Zoning Code to ensure that supportive and transitional housing are treated as residential uses subject only to the same restrictions that apply to other residential dwellings of the same type in the same zone, Specifically, the City will ensure the City's regulations are consistent with AB 2162, which requires certain supportive housing projects of 50 unlts or fewer to be permitted by right in all zones where multifamily and mixed-use developments are permitted and prohibits parking requirements within ¼ mlle of public transit, Zoning Code will also be amended to reflect current state law requirements Including language for low-barrier navigation centers. Low-barrler navigation centers will be allowed Program 2.D.3 pursuant Govemment Code §65660, Emergency shelters in the City of Blythe are Completed by 06/30/2024 Ongoing permitted by right In the I-S and I-G zones, which allow single-family residential uses with a conditional use permit. An analysis of suitabllity based on parcel size identifies 56 vacant I-S and I-G parcels of less than one acre in size that would be appropriate for small to medium size shelter facilities with enough spread to adequately accommodate the City's unsheftered homeless. The City will amend the Zoning Code to address recent changes: • Expand the definition of emergency shelters per AB 2339 to include Interim housing options such as navigation centers, bridge housing, and respite and recuperative care. - Amend Parking standards for amancy shelters to be based solelx on statting lovel pursuant to AB.1 Zaning Ordinance does not currently contain provisions for employee hous Health and Safety Code §17021.5 (Employee Housing Act) requires jurisdictions to Program 2.D.4 dermed a residentaline prolding accommodations for six or fewer employees be Comploted by 06/30/2024 Ongoing deemed a residential use subject to the same standards as single family residences.

The City will amend the Zoning Ordinance to comply with the Employee Housing apter 17,85 provides a clear process to faciltate the roviow and approval of requests for reasonable accommodation, Overall, the factors considered for approval are objective; however, "potential impact on surrounding uses" is broad Ongoing Program 2.D.5 and open fo interpretation by the decision maker. The City will amend Chapter 17.85 Completed by 06/30/2024 to remove this factor from consideration when reviewing reasonable accommodations.

Idemtity funding mechanisms to use for the purchase and rehabilitation of fixer-up homes by lower-income (extremely low, very low-, low.) and special needs Program 3.A.1 louseholds (e.g., elderty, homeless, farmworkers, persons with disabilities, female. Annually Ongoing leaded households). Assist one lower Income or special needs household annually to secure home rehabilitation funds.

Continue to collaborate with the County of Riverside to secure funds for Program 3.A.2 rehabilitation of lower-income owmer-occupled homes, Strive to rehabilitate an Annually average of one (1) lower-Income, owner- occupied home annually.

Continue code enforcement action on substandard motels and apartments as Program 3.A.3 complaints occur or as routine inspection data is collected. Code enforcement will Ongoing ollow-up with code violation complaints within 72 hours of report of violation Monitor affordable units to ensure that their affordability is preserved. Annually contact property owners, gauge Interest and Identify nonprofit partners, and pursue funding and preservation strategy on a project basis. The City will work with tenants of at-risk units and provide them with education regarding tenant rights and Ongoing, as projects Program 3.A.4 conversion procedures. The Cly will also provide tenants in at-risk projects with approach expiration. Annually Ongoing information regarding Section 8 rent subsidles through the Housing Authority and contact property awnars other affordable housing opportunities in the City. Facilitate the creation of two (2) low-income unlts and forty-five (45) moderate-Income units by the end of the 2021- 2029 planning period.

Housing Programs Progress Report
4 Name of Program Objective Timeframe in HE Status of Program Implementation Review and revise the Land Use Map to Identify opportunities for inclusion of low Review and develop Program 4.A.1 Income, medium to high density development in high resource areas, as identified Ongoing strategies by 12/31/2027
In the AFFH analyais.

Pursue funding annually for housing developments that incorporate active Program 4.B.1 transportation intatives; pedestrian pathways, shaded bus stops, and create green basis. Annually and on an ongoing Ongoing Spaces that reduce heat Islands.

To adequately meet the housing needs of all segments of the community, the City will affirmative further fair housing through strategies that focus on outreach and enforcement, access to opportunities, anti-displacement, place-based strategy for Program 5.A.1 Improvement, and new housing In high resource areas. Tablo 42 at the end of this Ongoing-depends on action Ongoing section consolldates the City's meaningful actions to affirmatively further fair housing fram the city's Housing Plan as well as unique actions to AFFH.

The City will Implement a comprehensive communication strategy (See AFFH Outreach Strategles below) that includes a menu of actions almed at effectively Program 5.A.2 disseminating Information about existing resources and programs to underserved Ongoing - depends on action Ongoing and sensitive communities, ensuring equitable access and awareness of available opportunitles.

Anti-Displacement Strategy: Residents In Census Tract 461.02 & 462 are af increased risk of displacement due to (private investments, rising housing costs, limited affordable housing opportunities, clasure of Chuckwalla Valley State Prison) disproportionately impact lower Income households, minority households, & households already experiencing cost burdens & overcrowding. To ensure existing Complete targetec esidents in Census Tracts 461.02 & 462 can remain & benefit as the neighborhood Program 5.A.3 Adopt AntiDisplacemer ongoing
affordable untts avallable city wide & past it on City website & distribute (social Strategy in 2026. media, newsletter, website, community events). Include portal In City website for providers to report vacancles. Provide Housing Authority with updates on unit vacancies. Provide a link to the County's Housing Authority's Affordable Housing Search. Partner with nonprofits that serve underserved residents within the City.

Greate Informational & educational fivers in Enslish & Seanist.

TOSHINS FIRST

CITY OF BLYTHE
Blythe CITY COUNCIL MEETING

STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: March 27, 2025
SUBJECT: 2024 Rule 20A Work Credit Balance
PRESENTED BY: Mirasol B. Elegores, Public Works Director PREPARED BY: Mallory Crecelius, Inteirm City Manager
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council provide direction to staff to either abandon the Rule 20A fund balance or proceed with an underground district project.

FISCAL IMPACT: FISCAL IMPACT: The prospective underground wiring system project will cost approximately $1.85 million. The City has $586,195 in Rule 20 A funding to apply to the project. The balance of $1,263,805 would come from the City's General Fund. Should the City move forward with a project, the City would be required to remit funding to SCE by June of this year.

BACKGROUND: SCE Rule 20A is part of the California Public Utilities Commission Electric Tariff Rule 20, which allows utilities to fund underground projects that benefit the public interest, with projects nominated by cities or 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 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 (CPUC) issued a decision that revises the CPUC's Electric Rule 20 program. The Decision discontinuous the authorization of new Electric Rule 20A work credit allocations. As such, there are no work-credits being allocated for 2025 which makes Blythe's Work Credit Balance $586, 195.

The City of Blythe is currently in "Inactive" status as of January 1,2025. Any work credit that has not been allocated to a community with an active Rule 20A project will expire in June 2025.

Pursuant to D.23-06-008 with effective date of June 8, 2023, any Rule 20A Project within two (2) years of the effective date of this Decision shall be deemed expired. Any Rule 20A work credit that has not been deducted from a community's work credit balance by December 1,2033 shall be deemed expired.

The City has not previously completed any projects with Rule 20 A 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.

STAFF REPORT: To retain the City's work credits and avoid reallocation; both of the following conditions must be completed prior to June 2025:

1. A suitable project location must be identified and submitted to SCE not later than April 1, 2023.

2. The governing body must adopt an Ordinance creating an underground district that meets the criteria of avoiding or eliminating an unusually heavy concentrated overhead lines, right-of-way serves as a thoroughfare for the general public and carries heavy volume of pedestrian, wheelchair access is limited or impeded by existing above ground electric or telecommunications infrastructure, right-of-way passes through a civic area or public recreation area or right-of-way is considered as an arterial street or major collector as defined by the California Department of Transportation.

Rule 20 A guidelines require a minimum project length of 600 linear feet. It's estimated a project of this size costs roughly $1 million. A project of this size would include the undergrounding of one service line and 2-3 utility poles.

After further discussion with SCE on allowable projects, undergrounding overhead lines is the only allowable expense for this program. New service lines, or enhancements to existing service are not projects that can be completed with Rule 20 A monies. The entire extent of this funding is to put overhead lines underground. Any lines undergrounded as part of this program will be owned and maintained by SCE. Projects must have a public benefit, not directly benefit a certain business or neighborhood and be located on a major arterial street or thoroughfare. This is why early on staff began looking for projects on or around city owned properties such as the parks.

Should Council wish to move forward with an underground district project, staff has identified a project on S. Lovekin Blyd. The project consists of 1,100 linear feet from the City boundary on S. Lovekin Blvd. to 14" Avenue. Per SCE's current approved project schedule, the project would start in 2028: Although the project would not start until 2028 at the earliest, funding for the project is required to be on deposit with SCE by June of this year.

Due to the cost and the size of the project, it is not staff's recommendation to move forward with a Rule 20A project. The cost benefit to the City is not there. However, that would mean leaving $586,195 of Rule 20A credits on the table, so Staff is requesting direction from staff on how to proceed.

ATTACHMENT/S:

Underground Project Map
3/24/25,9:38 AM 'Online Road Book"
4th Are.
"Online Road Book" RivCoTrans TOAL: 1110ut.

Find address or place
GITYO?
BLYTH!
"LOVEKIN BE VD

ADJOURN

Blythe City CouncilMarch 27, 2025

Blythe City Council
March 27, 2025