BLYTHE CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
May 30, 2025
1:00 P.M.
Joseph DeConinck, Mayor
Johnny Z. Rodriguez, Vice Mayor
Joseph Halby, III, Council Member
Sam Burton, Council Member
Summer Spraggins, Council Member
Mallory Crecelius, Interim City Manager/City Clerk
Brittany Roberto, City Attorney
MEETINGS ARE HELD IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, 235 NORTH BROADWAY, BLYTHE, CA 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
SPECIAL MEETING
Special Meeting Notice and Agenda
Friday, May 30, 2025
1:00pm
Council Chambers at City Hall
235 N. Broadway
Blythe, CA 92225
Joseph DeConinck, Mayor
Johnny Z. Rodriguez, Vice Mayor Joseph Halby, III, Council Member Summer Spraggins, Council Member Samuel Burton, Council Member Mallory Crecelius, Interim City Manager/City Clerk Brittany Roberto, City Attorney Christa Elms, City Treasurer/Finance Director Jason Brown, Chief Building Official Garth Dale, Police Chief
Ronnie Hasler, Fire Chief
Mirasol Elegores, Public Works Director
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
SPECIAL MEETING ITEMS:
1. Posting of the Agenda.
The summary of agenda items 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 Thursday, May 29, 2025.
2. Establishing a Palo Verde Hospital Ad Hoc Committee and Taking Associated Actions.
Recommendation: Form an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of two members of the City Council to address the current state of Palo Verde Hospital (PVH), by working with the PVH Board of Directors, the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) and our elected representatives; and authorize the Mayor to issue letter(s) on behalf of the City to LAFCO, and our State, County and Federal partners related to emergency funding for the hospital and assistance with the future management and operation of Palo Verde Hospital.
Public comments will be allowed on the Special Meeting items during consideration of the item(s) described. Comments shall be limited to 3 minutes in duration.
ADJOURNMENT: The next meeting will be held on June 10, 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).
CITY OF BLYTHE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: May 30, 2025
SUBJECT: Establishing a Palo Verde Hospital Ad Hod Committee and Authorizing the Mayor to Issue Letters on Behalf of the City Related to Emergency Funding and Assistance for the Hospital
PRESENTED BY: Mallory Crecelius, Interim City Manager
PREPARED BY: Mallory Crecelius, Interim City Manager
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended the Council form an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of two members of the City Council to address the current state of Palo Verde Hospital (PVH), by working with the PVH Board of Directors, LAFCO and our elected representatives; and authorize the Mayor to issue letter(s) on behalf of the City to the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), and our State, County and Federal partnersrelated to emergency funding for the hospital and assistance with the future management and operation of Palo Verde Hospital.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
___________________________________________________________________________ BACKGROUND: Earlier this year, the City began receiving information from concerned citizensrelated to the current financial state of Palo Verde Hospital (PVH). In February, the City reached out to Riverside County Board Supervisor V. Manual Perez’s Office offering the City’s assistance and asking them to identify the oversight body for the Palo Verde Hospital District’s Board of Directors so that we could determine the best path forward.
After learning last week that the hospital had shuttered all operations except for the Emergency Room, City officials contacted our State and Federal partners to make them aware of the current state of PVH.
Although the City has no jurisdiction over Palo Verde Hospital, its Board of Directors or its management, it is a critical aspect of our community. The City is committed to working with the Board, either current or re-organized, its management and our elected representatives to ensure the hospital remains open and operational. The future success of the City is dependent upon having a functional hospital and healthcare system for our residents.
STAFF REPORT: For the City to efficiently assist Palo Verde Hospital,staff recommends that the Council form an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of two members of the City Council to address issues related to the current state of Palo Verde Hospital. The Ad Hoc Committee will provide updates to the full Council and will get direction from the full Council as needed.
We are learning that the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) has jurisdiction over special districts such as Palo Verde Hospital. Staff would like authorization from Council for the Mayor to issue letter(s) to LAFCO and our State, County and Federal partners requesting assistance in this matter.
____________________________________________________________________________ ATTACHMENTS: None