Minutes of the Blythe City Council Special Meeting
May 15, 2025
The May 15, 2025, Special Meeting 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 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.
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 Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
No public comment. Vice Mayor Rodriguez moved approval of the posting of the Agenda. The motion was seconded by Council Member Burton with a unanimous aye vote.
2. Revocation of Business License Issued to Fortune Five Properties LLC dba EconoLodge - Blythe. Interim City Manager Crecelius stated on Tuesday, the City’s prosecutor presented his case. Mr. Zubaid was here and provided comment. This is your time to deliberate. Before we get into that, the City Attorney will explain your role today during this Special Meeting.
City Attorney Roberto stated on Tuesday you heard evidence and information from City staff and Mr. Zubaid related to the revocation of their business license. Your role in this is to be both judge and jury based on the information presented during the hearing on Tuesday. You get to decide the facts and the weight to give those facts. The burden of proof in this matter is more likely than not or 51%. If you believe that based on the evidence presented on Tuesday is it more likely than not that EconLodge violated the Municipal Code then you can revoke their license. The purpose of this meeting today is to allow you to discuss and deliberate the facts presented on Tuesday and make a determination.
The Exhibits made part of the record on Tuesday were made available to the Council.
Mayor DeConinck asked if the license was revoked and they became current, could they get it back. It was reported that it would be part of the Council’s decision.
Council Member Halby stated he stated he needs until June 30th. Either give him a hard deadline and he is either paid up or we revoke it.
Interim City Manager Crecelius stated if we give him an extension, and he pays or he pays and then become delinquent again, could there be a stipulation that the license is revoked immediately if he becomes behind again? My concern is that last year he had to take out a loan to become current on TOT. Now six months later we are in the same place and he owes us an additional $16,000 - $20,000.
City Attorney Roberto stated if Council wanted to go that direction and not revoke based on the hearing the other day, you would direct staff to negotiate a new agreement with Mr. Zubaid. If you want to give direction on the items you want to include, we could condition it on that such as waving the right to future hearings.
Interim City Manager Crecelius stated one thing the Council wanted was attorney fees.
Council Member Halby said he has until the end of June 30th to catch up and with that he waives his right to future hearing for next year if he is late. If he does not like this deal, we will revoke the Business License. This is a non-negotiable offer.
City Attorney Roberto asked if he refuses the terms, are you directing us to schedule another meeting to revoke the Business License?
No public comment. Councilman Halby moved to move forward with the agreement as directed. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Rodriguez with a unanimous aye vote.
ADJOURN: The City Council meeting was adjourned at 4:15pm. ________________________________
Joseph DeConinck, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________
Mallory Crecelius , City Clerk