Minutes of the Blythe City Council Meeting
September 8, 2026
The September 8, 2026, 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, Public Works Director Elegores, Chief Building Official Brown, Acting Police Chief Walnoha and Fire Chief Hasler.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor DeConinck.
The Invocation was led by Council Member Burton.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION:
City Attorney Roberto stated there was no reportable action.
PROCLAMATION:
National Suicide Prevention Month. The Proclamation was presented to members of Peace from Chaos. The community was invited to attend their event on Saturday.
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 Friday, September 4, 2026.
3. Approval of the Warrant Register.
Recommendation: Approve 9/8/26, warrants numbered 81345 through 81358 in the amount of $145,421.96; 9/8/26, warrants numbered 11626 through 11632 and 81359 through 81421 in the amount of $746,858.77; 9/8/26, utility billing refund warrants numbered 81422 through 81431 in the amount of $1,182.94 and 9/8/26, warrants numbered 11633 through 11637 and 81432 through 81469 in the amount of $240,128.03.
4. Approval of the Payroll Register.
Recommendation: Approve 9/8/26, warrants numbered 55910 through 55924 and Direct Deposit warrants numbered 66119 through 66193 in the amount of $291,823.50; 9/8/26, warrants numbered 55925 through 55926 in the amount of $14.59, 9/8/26, warrants numbered 55927 through 55928 and in the amount of $13,370.01; 9/8/26, warrants numbered 55929 through 55942 and Direct Deposit warrants 66194 through 66267 in the amount of $288,291.35; 9/8/2026, warrants numbered 55943 through 55955 and Direct Deposit warrants numbered 66268 through 66360 in the amount of $100,479.36 and 9/8/26, warrants numbered 55956 through 55970 and Direct Deposit warrants numbered 66361 through 66434 in the amount of $297,995.84.
5. Minutes of the August 11, 2026 City Council Meeting.
Recommendation: Approve the Minutes of the August 11, 2026 Council Meeting.
6. City of Blythe Permits Issued in the Month of August 2026.
Recommendation: Receive the monthly report.
7. City of Blythe Fire Department Monthly Activity Report for August 2026.
Recommendation: Receive the monthly report.
8. City of Blythe Police Department Monthly Incident and Activity Report for August 2026.
Recommendation: Receive the monthly report.
9. Letter of Support for the Palo Verde Valley Transit Agency’s Application for the FTB Buses and Bus Facilities Grant.
Recommendation: Retroactively approve submission of the support letter.
10. Request to Waive Community Center Rental Fees for the Rec-N-Crew’s Annual Homecoming Event.
Recommendation: Waive the Community Center Rental Fees, excluding deposit and labor.
11. Funding Agreement between City and Chamber of Commerce for Tourism Activities and Business Support Services.
Recommendation: Authorize the Interim City Manager to execute a grant between the City and the Blythe Chamber of Commerce for tourism activities and business support services once reviewed and approved by the City Attorney.
12. Agreement to Continue Providing Law Enforcement Services to the Palo Verde Unified School District.
Recommendation: Authorize the Interim City Manager to negotiate and execute the Law Enforcement Services Agreement with Palo Verde Unified School District to continue providing law enforcement services through June 30, 2028, in such final form as approved by the City Attorney.
13. Biennial Review of the Conflict of Interest Code.
Recommendation: Receive the biennial report on the City’s Conflict of Interest Code.
14. Amendment Number Two to Peacemaker Lease Agreement between the City of Blythe and Syneco Systems, Inc.
Recommendation: Authorize the Interim City Manager to execute Amendment Number Two to the Lease Agreement between the City and Syneco Systems, Inc. for Peacemaker Odor Scrubbers for Sewer Lift Stations: #3, #5, #11, #13 and #14, extending the term of the Lease Agreement for three years, through September 30, 2029.
15. Postponement of Commercial Cannabis Dispensary Application Process.
Recommendation: Postpone the commercial cannabis dispensary application process and authorize staff to issue refunds to the two current applicants.
16. Finding Pursuant to California Public Contract Code Section 3400(c) for Specification of the Pureflow Filtration System for the Hidden Beaches Water System Treatment, Filtration, and Storage Project.
Recommendation: Council find that Pureflow Filtration Division of California Environmental Controls, Inc. manganese and iron removal filtration system is designed by brand for the Hidden Beaches Water System Treatment, Filtration, and Storage Project in order to match other products in use on another public improvement, at the City’s Water Treatment Plant, in accordance with California Public Contract Code section 3400(c).
17. Adoption of Tentative Agreement Regarding Successor Memorandum of Understanding for the Non-Sworn Personnel Represented by the Blythe Police Officer’s Association.
Recommendation: Adopt the following Resolution:
RESOLUTION: 2026-029. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA,
ACCEPTING, APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE AGREEMENT REGARDING THE TERMS AND
CONDITIONS OF THE SUCCESSOR MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF BLYTHE AND THE NON-SWORN PERSONNEL REPRESENTED BY THE BLYTHE POLICE OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2026 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2028 AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE SUCCESSOR MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.
18. Authorize Representative for Financial Assistance Application’s with the State Water Resources Control Board.
Recommendation: Adopt the following Resolutions:
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-030. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE CITY’S AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE BIRCH STREET MANGANESE TREATMENT PROJECT.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-031. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE CITY’S AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE HIDDEN BEACHES WATER SYSTEM TREATMENT, FILTRATION, AND STORAGE PROJECT.
19. Ordinance Adopting Amended Military Equipment Policy Pursuant to Assembly Bill 481.
Recommendation: Adopt Ordinance No. 947-26:
ORDINANCE NO. 947-26. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA,
ADOPTING AN AMENDED MILITARY EQUIPMENT POLICY 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).
Public Comment. George Colangeli of 415 N. Main Street thanked the Council for item No. 9.
It’s very important for our maintenance facility project. If we get this grant, it will make the project shovel ready.
Vice Mayor Rodriguez moved approval of the Consent Calendar. The motion was seconded by Council Member Burton with a unanimous aye vote.
PUBLIC HEARING: None
CONTINUED BUSINESS:
Palo Verde Hospital Ad Hoc Committee Update. Staff reported there were no updates.
Mayor DeConinck stated there is a Palo Verde Healthcare District Board meeting tomorrow.
No public comment The item was received.
NEW BUSINESS:
Master Tax-Exempt Lease/Purchase Agreement with U.S. Bancorp Government Leasing and Financing, Inc. for Equipment and Vehicles. Finance Director Elms stated it should be noted for the record that the draft Lease Agreement and documents stated in the Staff Report as Attachment 2 were inadvertently omitted from the Agenda. They were provided under separate cover to Council electronically prior to the meeting today, along with hard copies provided this evening. During the annual budget process staff identified a need for approximately $1.5 million in equipment and vehicles for the Public Works, Recreation, Police and Fire Departments. Council adopted funding for the equipment through a lease purchase enabling the City to spread the cost of the equipment over several years, providing for a consistent annual budget. After budget adoption, staff identified US Bancorp Government Leasing and Finance as the financer able to provide a competitive financing plan. The term of the agreement is 5 years with an interest rate of 4.37%. This provides an annual payment of $340,450.60 for a total payment of $1,702,253. Most of the equipment can be procured through cooperative purchasing programs in line with the City’s purchasing policy. The amount of $1.5 million was derived from preliminary cost estimates. During procurement, if the cost is lower than the original amount financed, the City will have the option to apply the remaining amount toward the principal of the lease; or exercise the option to purchase additional equipment. It is staff’s recommendation to purchase additional equipment if the amount available is sufficient to do so. It is staff’s recommendation that the City Council Adopt Resolution No. 2026-028 authorizing the Interim City Manager to execute and deliver a Master Tax-Exempt Lease/Purchase Agreement and related instruments with U.S. Bancorp in such final form as approved by the City Attorney. It is further recommended that the City Council authorize the Interim City Manager or designated staff to proceed with the purchase of the equipment and vehicles in accordance with the City’s purchasing policy as well as the purchasing of additional equipment if the amount available permits us to do so.
No public comment. Vice Mayor Rodriguez moved approval of staff’s recommendation. The motion was seconded by Council Member Burton with a unanimous aye vote.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-028. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLYTHE, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A MASTER TAX-EXEMPT LEASE/PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH U.S. BANCORP GOVERNMENT LEASING AND FINANCE, INC. AND RELATED INSTRUMENTS FOR THE PURCHASE OF CERTAIN EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES FOR THE CITY, DESIGNATING THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER AS THE CITY’S AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE TO EXECUTE AND DELIVER THE LEASE/PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND RELATED
INSTRUMENTS, AND AUTHORIZING THE TAKING OF ALL OTHER ACTIONS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THE LEASE/PURCHASE AGREEMENT.
ORAL REPORTS:
Interim City Manager reported on upcoming events including the Community Clean Up Day, Fall sports programs and Pancake Breakfast.
MEMBER COMMENT:
Council Member Burton asked about the Sign Ordinance Study Session.
Mayor DeConinck thanked the Blythe Fire Department.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Syrah Navarro of 471 S. Second Street and Senior at UC Irvine asked about Flock cameras being discretely installed throughout the City. She asked about misuse and people being wrongly accused. She asked who approved of this, what information was tracked and why was no public briefing provided.
Christopher Peters of 371 Tesoro Lane once again asked about the restrooms in the park. Are you going to do anything? If not, I will stop coming. There is no bathroom at Appleby park. Kids are practicing at all fields. I will volunteer to lock them up in the evening. We need to have them open for the kids in the community.
Mayor DeConinck asked what was being done and how soon before the restrooms would be open.
Public Works Director Elegores stated they are locked because they are being vandalized.
Mayor DeConinck said we need to come up with a solution.
Council Member Burton asked about porta potties.
Council Member Halby asked about the ownership of the Flock Cameras. It was reported there were four purchased by the City with the Stone Garden Grant.
George Colangeli stated the Palo Verde Valley Transit Agency will have a bus on Hobsonway for a silent memorial on 9/11. This weekend there was a DJ battle in Parker. Two of our local DJ’s are here. Syrah Navarro placed third in the competition and Alonzo Camou placed second.
ADJOURN: The City Council meeting was adjourned at 6:37pm. ________________________________
Joseph DeConinck, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________
Mallory Crecelius, City Clerk