Blythe public meetings in 2024

City Council

The City Council will certify the November 5, 2024 general municipal election results, administer oaths to newly elected members Samuel Burton and Summer Spraggins, and select a mayor and vice mayor. New business includes authorizing continued participation in the Post-Release Accountability and Compliance Team (PACT), which involves purchasing up to two pursuit vehicles for up to $158,241, and reallocating a budget position. Consent items cover approval of warrants totaling over $2.3 million, monthly reports, and a grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation for the WattEV I-10 Charging Terminal Project including a $6,781,453 contribution from WattEV.

• Adopt Resolution No. 2024-037 declaring results of the Nov. 5, 2024 general municipal election and installing Samuel Burton and Summer Spraggins as council members
• Authorize continued PACT participation through June 2028 and purchase of up to 2 pursuit vehicles for not exceeding $158,241
• Authorize grant agreement with U.S. DOT for the WattEV I-10 Charging Terminal Project and MOU with WattEV for its $6,781,453 contribution
• Approve Change Order No. 1 for Pumping Station #5 Renovation Project, increasing project budget by $65,920 to $284,856
• Authorize closure of City Hall and Public Works on December 23, 2024

The City Council certified the November 5, 2024 election results, declaring Summer Spraggins and Samuel Burton elected to four-year terms, and administered their oaths of office. Joseph DeConinck was re-elected as Mayor and Johnny Rodriguez as Vice Mayor by unanimous roll call votes. The council also approved the consent calendar, including warrants and payroll, and authorized continued participation in the PACT program with an additional officer, reallocated a budgeted position to Equipment Mechanic, approved a change order for Pumping Station #5, and closed City Hall on December 23, 2024.

• Certified election results, declaring Spraggins and Burton elected (unanimous)
• Re-elected Joseph DeConinck as Mayor (5-0)
• Re-elected Johnny Rodriguez as Vice Mayor (5-0)
• Approved consent calendar including warrants totaling $2,620,484.52 and payroll totaling $720,893.36 (unanimous)
• Authorized continued PACT participation with additional officer, reimbursed up to $238,150/year (unanimous)
• Adopted Resolution 2024-038 reallocating Purchasing Warehouseman position to Equipment Mechanic (unanimous)
• Approved Change Order No. 1 for Pumping Station #5, increasing project budget to $284,856 (unanimous)
• Authorized closure of City Hall and Public Works on December 23, 2024 (unanimous)

City Council

The Blythe City Council will hold public hearings on zoning amendments for emergency shelters and employee housing, a logistics center project exemption, and CDBG fund allocation. They will also consider purchasing four police vehicles, accepting multiple grants, and supporting an alcohol license for a mini mart. Consent items include approval of warrants, payroll, minutes, and monthly reports.

• Public hearing on Ordinance No. 934-24 amending Title 17 for emergency shelters, employee housing, and reasonable accommodation procedures
• Authorization to purchase four 2025 Dodge Durango Pursuits with upfitting for up to $316,481
• Public hearing on 2025-2026 CDBG allocation of $81,000 for the Home Enhancement Program
• Adoption of Ordinance No. 932-24 establishing solid waste enclosure requirements
• Letter of Public Convenience and Necessity supporting off-sale alcohol license for Blythe Mini Mart at 945 E. Hobsonway

City Council

The City Council will hold public hearings on requirements for solid waste enclosures and a one-year extension of a moratorium on commercial solar energy facilities. The body will also review several professional service agreements and city expenditure registers.

• Urgency Ordinance No. 933-24-U to extend the commercial solar energy facility moratorium for one year
• Ordinance No. 932-24 establishing requirements for solid waste enclosures
• Approval of warrants totaling $386,949.75, $1,374.95, and $722,427.05
• Professional service agreements for Kevin Nelson (Project Management) and Gustavo Rodriguez (Chief Plant Operator)
• Request to waive a $262.00 Temporary Use Permit fee for Calvary Chapel

City Council

The Blythe City Council will conduct a public hearing on proposed rate increases from CR&R Incorporated for SB 1383 organics collection services. The council also considers a $2.7 million service agreement for resurfacing 6th and 10th Avenues, an ordinance regulating shopping cart containment, and a report on the temporary moratorium on commercial solar energy facilities. Consent items include approval of warrants, payroll, minutes, and monthly activity reports.

• Public hearing on CR&R rate increases for SB 1383 organics collection; possible adoption of Resolution 2024-031 approving maximum rate increases
• Service Agreement with Riverside County for resurfacing 6th and 10th Avenues, not to exceed $2,687,972
• Ordinance No. 931-24 establishing shopping cart containment regulations
• Tentative Parcel Map 39006 for Palo Verde College to divide a 197-acre parcel at One College Drive
• Agreement with Tripepi Smith for communications and marketing services up to $50,000

The City Council approved a rate increase for organics collection services, raising standard residential solid waste service from $28.08 to $41.14 per month, effective October 1, 2024. The council also approved a tentative parcel map for Palo Verde College, a service agreement for road resurfacing, and tabled an ordinance on trash container locking mechanisms. All votes were unanimous except for the tabled ordinance and the Tripepi Smith agreement, which had one dissenting vote each.

• Approved SB 1383 organics rate increase to $13.06/month (unanimous)
• Approved Tentative Parcel Map 39006 for Palo Verde College (unanimous)
• Authorized $2,687,972 service agreement for 6th and 10th Avenue resurfacing (consent)
• Adopted Ordinance No. 931-24 on shopping cart containment (consent)
• Tabled Ordinance No. 932-24 on trash container locking; directed study session (3-1)
• Approved $50,000 agreement with Tripepi Smith for communications (3-1)
• Approved consent calendar including warrants, payroll, and reports (unanimous)

City Council

The City Council will hold a public hearing to adopt the 2021-2029 Housing Element update (Resolution 2024-028) and authorize a $15,000 contract with Veronica Tam and Associates for implementation. Other major items include a public hearing on a tentative parcel map for Palo Verde College, a new ordinance on shopping cart containment, and approval of various consent calendar items such as a Public Works Director employment agreement and amendments for law enforcement and shelter services.

• Public hearing: adopt 6th Cycle Housing Element Update and $15,000 contract with Veronica Tam and Associates
• Public hearing: Tentative Parcel Map 39006 to split a 197.27-acre parcel at 1 College Drive (Palo Verde College)
• Ordinance 931-24 establishing shopping cart containment regulations
• Employment agreement with Mirasol B. Elegores as Public Works Director
• Amendment to law enforcement services agreement with Palo Verde Unified School District for a Critical Incident Prevention & Response Team Officer

City Council

The Blythe City Council will hold a public hearing to adopt the 6" Cycle Housing Element Update for the 2021-2029 planning period. The council will also consider contracts for water system design and community center improvements. Additionally, the agenda includes reviewing routine warrants and a closed session regarding potential litigation.

• Public hearing regarding adoption of the 6" Cycle Housing Element Update
• Contract with The Holt Group for up to $277,940 for Hidden Beaches Water Supply System design
• Proposed floor replacement at Doris Morgan Community Center not to exceed $76,939.84
• Adoption of Ordinance No. 930-24 regarding Military Equipment Use Policy
• Approval of warrants including $838,616.63 for various services

City Council

The City Council will meet to adopt the fiscal year 2024-2025 operating and capital budget. The agenda also includes calling for the November 5, 2024, general municipal election. Additionally, the council will consider various project awards and public hearings regarding lighting district assessments.

• Awarding Cholla Construction a contract up to $218,936 for Pumping Station #5 Renovation
• Adopting the FY 2024-2025 operating and capital budget
• Calling for the November 5, 2024, general municipal election
• Public hearing for annual assessments in Lighting District Nos 1 and 2
• Accepting completed roof repairs and painting at the Wastewater Treatment Plant

City Council

The Blythe City Council is holding a study session to review the draft Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. This is a discussion item only, with no formal vote scheduled. Public comment is limited to this agenda item, with speakers limited to 3 minutes.

• Presentation of the Draft Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025

City Council

The Blythe City Council is holding a special meeting to discuss the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) Traffic Relief Plan and a related ballot measure. The council will provide direction to staff on the city's preferred funding share for the plan's investment categories. Public comments are allowed on this single agenda item.

• Direction on City's preferred funding share for RCTC Traffic Relief Plan investment categories
• Discussion of RCTC Traffic Relief Plan / Ballot Measure

City Council

The Blythe City Council will hold a closed session on anticipated litigation and labor negotiations, then a regular meeting covering consent items, a public hearing on the Hidden Beaches water project, and new business including a $299,490 audit contract and a $47,440 grant. The agenda is largely routine, with approvals of warrants, payroll, and reports, plus a discussion on supporting a federal women's facility at Chuckawalla Valley State Prison.

• Award audit services contract to CliftonLarsonAllen LLP for $299,490 over 3 years, with optional extensions
• Authorize participation in Operation Stonegarden Grant Program up to $47,440.46
• Public hearing on Hidden Beaches Water Supply Improvement Project at 4551 Hidden Beaches Drive
• Approve warrants totaling $356,370.36 and payroll registers totaling $640,451.12
• Discuss 'Save Chuck' report on lobbying to turn CVSP into a federal women's facility

City Council

The Blythe City Council is holding a study session to hear a presentation from Brown University researchers on the socio-economic impacts of the potential closure of Chuckawalla Valley State Prison. This is a discussion item only, with no formal action scheduled. Public comment is limited to this agenda item.

• Presentation by Professor John M. Eason and students from Brown University on socio-economic impacts of potential Chuckawalla Valley State Prison closure

City Council

The Blythe City Council will consider awarding four construction contracts totaling about $2.5 million for the Beautify Blythe Project, covering work at the transit center, Miller Park, and the public works yard. The council will also hold a public hearing on a conditional use permit for a wireless telecommunications facility and discuss options to fill a council vacancy.

• Award contracts for Beautify Blythe Project totaling $2,509,693.50, including $825,579 to AZCA Drilling & Pump for transit center work and $582,102 to Burrow Construction for the public works yard
• Public hearing on Conditional Use Permit 2403-001 for Vertical Bridge Holdings to operate a wireless telecommunications facility on a general commercial parcel
• Adopt Ordinance No. 929-24 establishing a 72-hour parking limit
• Approve agreement with HdL Coren & Cone for property tax consulting at $13,860 in year one, with up to $75,000 in additional work
• Approve warrants totaling $619,768.03 and payroll warrants totaling $295,028.22

City Council

The Blythe City Council is holding a study session to hear a presentation by Kosmont Companies on a Resiliency Study commissioned by Riverside County. The study addresses the proposed closure of Chuckawalla Valley State Prison by March 2025. No formal decisions are on the agenda; this is a discussion item.

• Presentation by Kosmont Companies on Resiliency Study
• Addresses proposed closure of Chuckawalla Valley State Prison by March 2025
• Study commissioned by County of Riverside
• Public comments limited to agenda items, 3 minutes per speaker

City Council

The City Council is holding a study session to hear a presentation from Brown University researchers on the socio-economic impacts of the potential closure of Chuckawalla Valley State Prison. No formal decisions are on the agenda; this is an informational item for discussion.

• Presentation by Professor John M. Eason and Brown University students on socio-economic impacts of potential Chuckawalla Valley State Prison closure

City Council

The Blythe City Council will vote on routine consent items, including warrants, payroll, and minutes, and will consider several new business items. Key actions include purchasing bus shelters and solar lighting for the Beautify Blythe Project, funding a new staff position, and authorizing sewer repair design work. The council will also receive reports on property abatement and a police vehicle transfer.

• Purchase orders for solar lighting (Horizon Lighting, Inc., up to $128,925.80) and bus shelters (LNI Custom Manufacturing, up to $181,490.38) for Beautify Blythe Project
• Adopt resolutions for successor MOUs with Mid-Management Unit and LIUNA Local 1184 (July 1, 2023–June 30, 2025)
• Repeal Chapter 17.78 (Environmental Evaluation) of Title 17 (Zoning) via Ordinance No. 927-23
• Authorize RFP for Chanslor Place Phase II Sewer Repairs and investigate Phase III options
• Approve transfer of 2013 Oshkosh M-ATV armored vehicle from federal LESO program

City Council

This study session is cancelled. The sole agenda item was a presentation by Kosmont Companies on a resiliency study commissioned by Riverside County regarding the proposed closure of Chuckawalla Valley State Prison by March 2025. No decisions are scheduled.

• Presentation on resiliency study for proposed Chuckawalla Valley State Prison closure by March 2025

City Council

The Blythe City Council will hold a regular meeting on January 9, 2024, with a closed session for litigation and labor negotiations. The main agenda includes public hearings on a new sign ordinance and a tentative parcel map, plus several consent items such as approving warrants, payroll, and new ordinances. The council will also consider waiving a $500 rental fee for a RAP Foundation meeting and receive reports on various city services.

• Ordinance No. 923-23: Repealing and replacing Chapter 17.26 (Signs) of the Zoning Code
• Ordinance No. 924-23: Prohibiting unlawful possession of catalytic converters
• Ordinance No. 928-23: Adding Level I Reserve Police Officers section
• Public hearing: Tentative Parcel Map No. 38860 to divide 0.394-acre parcel at 184 N. Acacia Street into two parcels
• Waive $500 Community Center rental fee for RAP Foundation meeting on February 15, 2024

City Council

This is a special closed-session meeting of the Blythe City Council. The only substantive item is a conference with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation, with one potential case. The meeting is not open to the public for discussion of this item, though public comment is allowed on the closed-session item only. No decisions or proposals are listed on the agenda beyond this confidential legal matter.

• Closed session: conference with legal counsel on anticipated litigation (one potential case) under Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4)