Minutes of the Blythe City Council Meeting
September 9, 2025
The September 9, 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, Fire Chief Hasler and Police Chief Dale.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor DeConinck.
The Invocation was led by Councilman Burton.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION:
City Attorney Roberto stated there was no reportable action.
PROCLAMATION:
Patriotism Week, September 8-14, 2025. A proclamation was presented to the local Elks Order.
National Suicide Prevention Month. A Proclamation was presented to local organization Peace from Chaos.
PRESENTATION:
Recognition of Officer Luis Landeros, Corporal Kevin McCormick and Reserve Officer Brian Erdeyli. The Council presented a plaque to Officer of the Year Luis Landeros and recognized Officers McCormick and Erdeyli for their quick actions which resulted in lives 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.
4. 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, September 5, 2025.
5. Approval of the Warrant Register.
Recommendation: Approve 9/9/25, warrants numbered 11216 through 11227 and 80088 through 80127 in the amount of $202,843.95.
6. Approval of the Payroll Register.
Recommendation: Approve 9/9/25, warrants numbered 55335 through 55351 and Direct Deposits warrants numbered 62870 through 62947 in the amount of $304,693.25; 9/9/25, warrants numbered 55352 through 55353 in the amount of $399.61; 9/9/25, warrants numbered 55355 through 55371 and Direct Deposits warrants numbered 62948 through 63025 in the amount of $313,505.68, and 9/9/25, warrants numbered 55372 through 55383 and Direct Deposits warrants numbered 63026 through 63122 in the amount of $79,317.04;
7. Minutes of the August 26, 2025 City Council Meeting.
Recommendation: Approve the Minutes of the August 26, 2025 Meeting.
8. City of Blythe Permits Issued in the Month of August 2025.
Recommendation: Receive and file the monthly report.
9. City of Blythe Fire Department Monthly Activity Report for August 2025.
Recommendation: Receive and file the monthly report.
10. City of Blythe Police Department Monthly Activity Report for August 2025.
Recommendation: Receive and file the monthly report.
11. Quality of Life Program Activity Report for August 2025.
Recommendation: Receive and file the monthly report.
12. Request to Waive Temporary Use Permit Fees for Calvary Chapel’s Trunk-or-Treat on October 31, 2025.
Recommendation: Waive the Temporary Use Permit Fee of $262.00 for Calvary Chapel’s Trunkor-Treat event on October 31, 2025.
13. Investment Report for Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
Recommendation: Accepts and files the Quarterly Investment Report.
14. Application for Financial Assistance with State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Financial Assistance.
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-025:
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-025 – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER AS THE CITY’S AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE TO SIGN AND
FILE A FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION WITH THE STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD FOR
THE BIRCH STREET MANGANESE TREATMENT PROJECT, EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO APPLY
FOR AND RECEIVE THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND TAKE ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED TO RECEIVE AND ACCEPT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
15. Resolution No. 2025-024 Designating Camping Areas at Quechan Park fo the ECV Event October 9-12, 2025.
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-024.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-024. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA,
DESIGNATING AREAS OF QUECHAN PARK THAT MAY BE USED FOR CAMPING PURPOSES FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 9, 2025 THOROUGH OCTOBER 12, 2025 IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 12.32.030A OF THE 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.
CONTINUED BUSINESS:
Palo Verde Hospital Ad Hoc Committee Update. Interim City Manager Crecelius stated LAFCO has released its Municipal Service Review which it conducted at the request of the City. LAFCO has a scheduled Public Hearing this Thursday to discuss the MSR. The City Council is holding a Special City Council Meeting on Thursday at 6pm. The MSR outlines several recommendations and options, and we will be asking Council to take a position and put that in writing to submit to LAFCO.
No public comment. The item was received and filed.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Consideration of Adoption of Urgency Ordinance No. 943-25-U Amending Title 17 (Zoning) of the Blythe Municipal Code to Establish Regulations Relating to Commercial Solar Energy Facilities and Review of Ordinance No. 944-25 Amending Title 17 (Zoning) to Establish Regulations Relating to Commercial Solar Energy Facilities. Interim City Manager Crecelius stated presently the Blythe Municipal Code does not define or regulate commercial solar energy facilities. For the purpose of this discussion, a commercial solar energy facility is defined as a system designed to collect, store and distribute power to meet off-site energy demand. Commercial energy facilities are commonly referred to as solar farms or solar arrays. This does not include accessory solar facilities, such as rooftop solar or systems that are designed to collect and store energy for on-site use. As no regulations for these business types exist, the City would be unable to review any applications submitted for these projects or set project conditions to preserve the scale and character of established neighbors, encourage the development of the downtown and achieve compatibility between industrial development and surrounding neighborhoods. To address this, in October of 2023 the City Council adopted an Urgency Ordinance establishing a temporary moratorium on the establishment of new commercial solar energy facilities in the City. The Urgency Ordinance was extended and is set to expire on October 9, 2025. On August 5th the City Council held a study session to provide direction to staff on the preparation of an Ordinance to regulate the development of commercial energy facilities in the City. At the Study Session, the Council provided direction regarding desired regulations for commercial solar energy facilities, including where to allow such facilities to be located, permitting requirements, and development standards. If adopted, commercial solar energy facility projects would be permitted in the Service Industrial (I-S) and General Industrial (I-G) zones with a Conditional Use Permit. Development would be prohibited in the Plan area, on any land that is or has been in agricultural production in the past 5 years, and within 600 feet of any interstate, highway, or residentially zoned property. Other development standards include: Minimum lot size of 10 acres, maximum height restrictions for both ground and roof mounted facilities of 25 feet and four feet respectively, commercial solar energy facilities visible from the public-right-of-way must be installed to minimize visual and aesthetic impacts and may not include illumination other than what is necessary to operate the facility, commercial solar energy facilities cannot be developed above a septic system without approval from Riverside County Department of Environmental Health, commercial solar energy facilities cannot be located within 50 feet of any aquatic habitat unless the City makes specified findings, As commercial solar energy facility projects have a functional lifespan of 25-30 years, the Ordinance as proposed would require developers to provide the City with a site restoration plan to return the subject property to its pre-existing condition, including a requirement that the developer deposit a bond to ensure the completion of the restoration work. Staff will also address screening requirements, vehicle access, and glare and erosion control through the Conditional Use Permit process. This will ensure that commercial solar energy facilities are permitted in a way that protects the public health, safety and welfare of the community and surrounding neighborhoods. It is necessary for the City to immediately adopt regulations for commercial solar energy facilities prior to the expiration of the moratorium on October 9 th, to ensure that such
regulations apply to any development applications received for such projects prior to having an effective regular ordinance. Urgency Ordinance No. 943-25-U amends Title 17 to establish regulations relating to commercial solar energy facilities to be effective immediately. Ordinance No. 944-25 contains the exact same changes to Title 17 but is being brought forth through the normal procedures to provide the public with an opportunity to be heard on the matter.
Therefore, subsequent to the public hearing, it is recommended Council, by a four-fifths vote, adopt Urgency Ordinance No. 943-25-U.
No public comment. Council Member Halby moved approval of staff’s recommendation. The motion was seconded by Council Member Burton with a unanimous aye vote.
ORDINANCE NO. 943-25-U. AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 17.04 (DEFINITIONS) AND CHAPTER 17.08 (PERMITTED USES) AND ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 17.57 (SOLAR ENERGY FACILITIES) TO THE BLYTHE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING
TO COMMERCIAL SOLAR ENERGY FACILITIES AND FINDING THE ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT FROM
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061(b)(3).
ORAL REPORTS:
Mayor DeConinck stated on Thursday there is a Study Session at 1pm to discuss an extension of the sewer system to Mesa Bluffs. The Special Meeting to discuss the LAFCO report will be at 6pm on the 11th.
Councilman Halby announced the Elks is having a 75th Anniversary celebration on October 4 th at
the fairgrounds.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Tony Podgorski of 317 N. First street stated he was having a 9-11 event at City Hall on Thursday at 6pm and asked if it would interfere with the Council meeting.
ADJOURN: The City Council meeting was adjourned at 6:37pm. ________________________________
Joseph DeConinck, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________
Mallory Crecelius, City Clerk