Minutes of the Blythe City Council Meeting
July 8, 2025
The July 8, 2025, meeting of the Blythe City Council was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers by Vice Mayor Rodriguez. Also in attendance were Council Members Halby, Burton and Spraggins. Mayor DeConinck was excused from the meeting. 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, Fire Chief Hasler and Police Chief Dale.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Vice Mayor Rodriguez.
The Invocation was led by Councilman Burton.
PRESENTATION:
Recognition of Police Department Employee Sergeant Jakobsen. The Council recognized Sergeant Robert Jakobsen for actions taken in the field to apply a tourniquet resulting in a life being saved.
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.
2. 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 Thursday, July 3, 2025.
3. Approval of the Warrant Register.
Recommendation: Approve 7/8/25, warrants numbered 11134 through 11150 and 79730 through 79786 in the amount of $567,354.78; 7/8/25, Utility Billing Refund warrants numbered 79787 through 79800 in the amount of $1,062.16; 7/8/25, warrants numbered 79801 through 79827 in the amount of $111,954.44, and 7/8/25, warrants numbered 11151 through 11153 and 79828 through 79838 in the amount of $1,287,144.58.
4. Approval of the Payroll Register.
Recommendation: Approve 7/8/25, warrants numbered 55209 through 55210 in the amount of $869.44; 7/8/25, warrants numbered 55211 through 55228 and Direct Deposits warrants numbered 62237 through 62311 in the amount of $301,466.93; 7/8/25, warrants numbered 55229 through 55246 and Direct Deposit warrants numbered 62312 through 62388 in the amount of $303,930.47, and 7/8/25, warrants numbered 55247 through 55250 and Direct Deposits warrants numbered 62389 through 62425 in the amount of $146,034.58
5. Minutes of the June 10, 2025, City Council Meeting.
Recommendation: Approve the Minutes of the June 10, 2025 Meeting.
6. City of Blythe Permits Issued in the Month of June 2025.
Recommendation: Receive and file the monthly report.
7. City of Blythe Fire Department Monthly Activity Report for June 2025.
Recommendation: Receive and file the monthly report.
8. City of Blythe Police Department Monthly Activity Report for June 2025.
Recommendation: Receive and file the monthly report.
9. Quality of Life Program Activity Report for June 2025.
Recommendation: Receive and file the monthly report.
10. Request for Letter of Support for Palo Verde Valley Transit Agency’s Application for the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program.
Recommendation: Authorize the Mayor to execute a Letter of Support on behalf of the Palo Verde Transit Agency’s application for the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program through the Federal Transit Administration.
11. Wastewater Treatment Plant East Brine Basin Liner Project.
Recommendation: Award an agreement to Layfield USA, Corp. in an amount not to exceed $85,353.00; authorize the Interim City Manager to execute the agreement once all bonds and contract documents are approved as to form by the City Attorney; authorize an additional $15,000 for contingencies and establish a project budget not to exceed $100,335.00 It is further recommended Council authorize the Interim City Manager approve and execute change orders during construction within the approved project budget.
12. Subordination Request from the County Successor Agency for the City to Subordinate Certain Statutory Pass-Through Payments to Proposed Refunding Bonds of the County Successor Agency.
Recommendation: Approve the subordination request from the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency for the County of Riverside for the City to subordinate certain Statutory Pass-Through Payments deriving from the County’s Desert Communities Redevelopment Project Area to proposed refunding bonds of the County Successor Agency and authorize the City Manager or designee to complete, execute, and return to the County Successor Agency the form of Acknowledgement attached to the County Request Letter.
13. Levy of Special Taxes within Community Facilities District No. 2004-1 (Hidden Beaches).
Recommendation: City Council, in their capacity as acting legislative body for Community Facilities District No. 2004-1 (Hidden Beaches) adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-015. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL ACTING AS THE LEGISLATIVE BODY OF THE COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 2004-1 (HIDDEN BEACHES) OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE AUTHORIZING THE LEVY OF SPECIAL TAXES WITHIN COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 2004-1 (HIDDEN BEACHES) FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026.
14. Special Assessment for Prior Year Delinquent Charges.
Recommendation: Adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-016. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE ADOPTING THE
REPORT OF THE DELINQUENT UTILITY ACCOUNTS AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO FILE SAID
REPORT WITH THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE AUDITOR AND REQUEST THE AUDITOR PLACE THE DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS ON THE TAX ROLL.
15. Adoption of Tentative Agreement Regarding Successor MOU for the Clerical/ParaProfessional/Recreational Unit.
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-017 adopting the tentative agreement regarding the Clerical/Para-Professional/Recreation Unit’s successor Memorandum of Understanding for the period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-017. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA,
ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE AGREEMENT REGARDING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE SUCCESSOR MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF BLYTHE AND THE CLERICAL/PARAPROFESSIONAL/RECREATION UNIT FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2025 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027.
16. Approval and Adoption of Management Salary and Benefits Schedule for July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027.
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-019:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-019. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA,
APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE SALARY AND BENEFITS SCHEDULE FOR THE MANAGEMENT UNIT FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2025 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027.
17. Ordinance No. 940-25, Repealing and Replacing Chapter 17.33 (Accessory Dwelling Units/Junior Accessory Dwelling Units) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Blythe Municipal Code for Compliance and State Law.
Recommendation: Adopt Ordinance No. 940-25:
ORDINANCE NO. 940-25. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA, REPEALING AND PLACING CHAPTER 17.33 (ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS/JUNIOR ACCESSORY SWELLING UNITS) OF TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE BLYTHE MUNICIPAL CODE FOR COMPLIANCE WITH STATE LAW AND
MAKING A DETERMINATION THAT THE ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO PUBLIC RESOURCE CODE SECTION 21080.17
18. Adoption of Ordinance No. 942-25 Designating Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
Recommendation: City Council adopt Ordinance No. 942-25:
ORDINANCE NO. 942-25. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA,
DESIGNATING FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES AND FINDING THE ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT FROM
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061 (B)(3) (COMMON SENSE EXEMPTION) No public comment. Council Member Burton moved approval of the Consent Calendar. The motion was seconded by Council Member Spraggins with a unanimous aye vote.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Conditional Use Permit 2502-001 – River Posse Storage. Interim City Manager Crecelius stated J&J Tire Services applied for a Conditional Use Permit to construct the River Posse Storage facility at 9162 E. Hobsonway. The site has a General Commercial zoning designation. Automobile storage facilities are permitted in the General Commercial Zone with a Conditional Use Permit. The site is presently vacant and was once a fuel station. Notice of application for the subject Conditional Use Permit and adoption of a Notice of Exemption for the project was published in the Palo Verde Times and sent to surrounding property owners on June 25, 2025. No comments were received regarding the proposed project/CUP. As the Lead Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act, the City has undertaken preliminary review and determined that the proposed development qualifies for a Class 32 Infill Development Categorical Exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15332. The Categorical Exemption report describes the proposed project and assesses each of the criteria required to qualify for a Class 32 categorical exemption. The proposed project is not subject to any of the exceptions for exemption under Section 15300.2 of the CEQA Guidelines. The location of the project is predominantly urban and not considered a sensitive environment; therefore, the project will not result in any significant impacts. The cumulative impact of this project, and the approval of other projects like it in the vicinity, is not expected to have any significant environmental impact. The project is not located along any state designated scenic highway or within any designated hazardous waste site. Staff does not expect any significant impacts or unusual circumstances related to the approval and construction of this project. Therefore, the proposed project is categorically exempt from CEQA under CEQA Guidelines Section 15332, Infill Exemption. The Notice of Exemption will be filed with the County Clerk following City Council approval. Before final approval of the Conditional Use Permit, the City Council shall make the following findings: that the proposed location of the Conditional use is in accord with the objectives of this title and the purpose of the zone in which the site is located; that the proposed location in which the conditional use and the conditions under which it would be operated or maintained will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare, or materially injurious to properties or improvements in the vicinity; and A Conditional Use Permit issued under the terms of Blythe Municipal Code Title 17.68 shall lapse if no improvements have been made, and the holder of the permit shall not have utilized it within one year from the date upon which such a permit shall have been granted. Therefore, subsequent to the public hearing, it is recommended that Council Adopt Resolution No. 2025-020 approving a Notice of Exemption for Conditional Use Permit 2502-001 for the development of River Posse Storage and Resolution No. 2025-021 approving the Conditional Use Permit for a commercial storage facility on a parcel designated General Commercial.
No public comment. Council Member Burton moved approval of Staff’s recommendation. The motion was seconded by Council Member Spraggins with a unanimous aye vote.
CONTINUED BUSINESS:
Palo Verde Hospital Ad Hoc Committee Update. Vice Mayor Rodriguez provided an update.
Public Comment. Katchya Currier said our hospital staff are amazing and show up for our community without open communication, honesty or transparency. She asked about hospital payments for Medical and Medicare. She asked if safety measures were put into place after hospital security was removed. As an ER without a surgical team are we still supporting three layers of executive staff including a CEO, COO, CNO and Medical Director? I challenge you to ask about the SCORE survey.
The item was received and filed.
NEW BUSINESS:
Council Going Dark for the Month of August. Interim City Manager Crecelius stated staff recommends Council go dark for the month of August, resuming the regular City Council meeting schedule on the second Tuesday in September. Staff does not anticipate the need to hold a meeting in August. A special meeting may be called, if necessary. Should Council wish to hold a meeting in August, staff recommends the meeting be held on the fourth Tuesday, August 26th.
Councilman Halby said we have business every month and we need to have our meetings.
No public comment. Council Member Burton moved approval to hold the August meeting on the 26th of the month. The motion was seconded by Council Member Halby with aye votes from Rodriguez, Halby and Burton and a no vote from Spraggins.
Acceptance of the Cannabis Tax Fund Grant and Adoption of a Resolution Amending the Schedule of Positions to Add a Police Sergeant – Retired Annuitant Position.
Police Chief Dale stated the California Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program is intended to assist allied agencies in education, prevention and enforcement of laws relating to driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs including cannabis and cannabis products.
The goal of the grant is to reduce and mitigate the impacts of impaired driving. The Blythe Police Department submitted a grant for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 to fund DUI saturation patrol and DUI checkpoints. The California Highway Patrol has conditionally approved a grant award of $211,582 to be used toward equipment, salaries and training related to DUI enforcement. Due to deployment needs, a part time employee should be utilized for this program. It is proposed that the City hire a retired Blythe Police Department as an extra help retired annuitant. The retired annuitant has years of experience in traffic and DUI enforcement.
Staff recommends Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-018 authorizing the Interim City Manager to accept and expend grant funds provided by the California Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund and Resolution No. 2025-022 approving a revised Schedule of Authorized Positions to include a Police Sergeant- Retired Annuitant Position.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-018. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA,
AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT FUNDS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY
PATROL CANNABIS TAX FUND GRANT PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZING THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL GRANT DOCUMENTS.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-022. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE REVISED SCHEDULE OF AUTHORIZED POSITIONS.
No public comment. Council Member Burton moved approval of Staff’s recommendation. The motion was seconded by Council Member Spraggins with a unanimous aye vote.
Appointment of Beverly Mays as the Community Appointee to the Palo Verde Valley Transit Agency Board of Directors. Interim City Manager Crecelius stated the Palo Verde Valley Transit Agency Board of Directors has a five-member board comprised of two council members appointed by the Mayor, a community member appointed by the County of Riverside, a community member appointed by the City of Blythe and a representative of the County of Riverside. The Board is currently comprised of Vice Mayor Rodriguez, Council Member Halby, Board Supervisor V. Manuel Perez and County appointee Ashley Guzman. The City’s community appointee Vernoica Alvarado recently resigned, creating a vacancy on the board. The Transit Agency conducted recruitment efforts to fill said vacancy. The PVVTA Executive Committee interviewed applicants and recommends the City Council appoint Beverly Mays as the at-large member of the PVVTA Board of Directors.
No public comment. Council Member Burton moved approval of staff’s recommendation. The motion was seconded by Council Member Spraggins with a unanimous aye vote.
ORAL REPORTS:
Council Member Halby reminded Council and staff about confidentiality.
Council Member Burton thanked Blythe Fire Department for the 4 th of July Fireworks show and
their response to the fire.
Fire Chief Hasler asked to recognize Jason Brown who is the shows “shooter”.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
ADJOURN: The City Council meeting was adjourned at 6:25pm. ________________________________
Joseph DeConinck, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________
Mallory Crecelius, City Clerk