BLYTHE CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting and Special Closed Session FIRST GIT Blythe TS SCCTETTI AGENDA March 27, 2025 2:30 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 BLYTHE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING AND SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION Blythe Special Meeting and Special Closed Session Notice and Agenda Thursday, March 27, 2025 2:30pm 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 Mirasol Elegores, Public Works Director Ronnie Hasler, Fire Chief CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE SPECIAL MEETING ITEMS: 1. Posting of the Agenda. The summary of agenda items were 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 on Monday, March 24, 2025. 2. Annual Element Progress Report- Housing Element Implementation. Recommendation: Receive and file the Annual Element Progress Report = Housing Element Implementation for 2024 and authorize staff to forward the report to the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) per Government Code Section 65400. 3. 2024 Rule 20A Work Credit Balance. Recommendation: Provide direction to staff to either abandon the Rule 20A fund balance or proceed with a underground district project. 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. PUBLIC COMMENT ON SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION: Members of the public may address the City Council on the Special Closed Session item only. Comments shall be limited to 3 minutes in duration. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION: SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION ITEM: 1. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8. Property: 3480 Quail Run Rd., Blythe, CA 92225. Agency Negotiator: Mallory Creçelius. Negotiating Parties: BNB Golf Management, Inc. Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION: 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.clyoblylhe.cagov. ADJOURNMENT The next meeting will be held on April 8, 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 Disabilities Act, ifyou need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact City Clerk Mallory Crecelius at (760) 922-6161 ext. 1237. Notification at least 24 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting. Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the City Council regarding anyi item on this agenda will be made available for public inspection in the City Clerk's Office at City Hall, 235N. Broadway, Blythe, California during normal business hours. In addition, such writings and documents will be posted on the City's website: www.clbyotbyne.cagow. CITY OF BLYTHE Blythe CITY COUNCIL MEETING STAFF REPORT SHE MEETING DATE: March 27, 2025 SUBJECT: Annual Element Progress Report = Housing Element Implementation PRESENTED BY: Mallory Crecelius, Interim City Manager PREPARED BY: Mallory Crecelius, Interim City Manager RECOMMENDATION: Itis recommended that the City Council receive and file the Annual Element Progress Report - Housing Element Implementation for 2024 and authorize staff to forward the report to the Governor's OfficeofPlanning and Research (OPR) and the Department ofHousing and Community Development (HCD) per Government Code Section 65400. FISCAL IMPACT: None BACKGROUND: State law requires every city and county to prepare and adopt a comprehensive, long-term general plan fort thej physical development ofthe city or county. Policy and project decisions made by the City as well as projects initiated by staff such as land use approvals, zoning code updates, subdivision, city projects and programs and capital improvement projects must be consistent with the goals and policies contained within the General Plan. State law requires a General Plan to include the following elements: Land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open space, noise and safety. Periodically, each of the above elements must be updated to comply with changing state law requirements. On August 13, 2024 the City Council adopted the City's 6th Cycle Housing Element for the 2021-2029 period. The Housing Element was officially approved by the California Department ofl Housing and Community Development (HCD) on August 29, 2024. STAFF REPORT: Pursuant to Government Code Section 65400(a)(2), all cities and counties must submit to their legislative bodies an annual report on the progress made in the implementation oft the goals and objectives contained within the General Plan. In addition, the annual report must be submitted to the Governor's Office ofPlanning and Research and HCD. The annual report gives the OPR the opportunity to identify statewide trends in land use decision-making and local planning and development activities. The City's Annual Report is provided as an attachment to this staff report. Therefore, iti is recommended that the City Council receive and filet the Annual Element Progress Report Housing Element Implementation for 2024 and authorize staff to forward the report to the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) per Government Code Section 65400. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Annual Element Progress Report - Housing Element Implementation ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORT Housing Element Implementation Jurisdiction Blythe Reporting Year 2024 (Jan.1 1- Dec. 31) Table D Program Implementation Status pursuant to GC Section 65583 Housing Programs ProgressReport 2 3 4 Name of Program Objective Timeframe ink H.E Status ofF Programi Implementation The Citywillp pursue state, federal, andi local fundings sources to Increase and preservet thel housing stock. Applyo cooperativelyy witht the Countyo of Riverside to securef fundingf forf first-timet homebuyers and down paymenta assistance programs. Thec Cityv willa applya asac co-applicant witht the Countyo of Riversidet to securef funds for). 12/31/2024, thereafter Program 1.A.1 abatementrehabimation, programs. Linka availablet fundinge sources ont the Ciy ongoing annually Ongoing website." The Cityy wills seekt tof fund3 31 housing rehablitation! preservations projects. The Cityw willy promotet thed downp paymenta assistance program andr requestr reporting tromt the Countys of Riverside, The City willt targets 5 successful down payment assistancen applications annually Establishap parinership witht theli Imperial ValleyE Business Resource Center,a USDA Program 1.A2 5021 loany packager, to connect Interestedi lowa and very-low-Income! homebuyers with 12/31/2024 Ongoing resourcesa andpathwaystoh homeownerhie. Createa a Density Development Bonus tol Incentivize development! byincreasing economies of scale. The programy will adheret to Statel lawr requirements. The Cly Program 1.A3 Wills sendan notice tol housing developersa annually regardingt the avallabilityo of Complete by 06/30/2024 Ongoing densityD bonuses forg qualityinga applicants. One densityb bonus willl beg granted annuallyr resulting! Int the creation of oner medlum to high density development. A N of1 ABRPTNEE to EPATEN unitsy Hha be thel Tollowing types orsites inthe City's site Inventoryfor lower Income RHNA are subjecttob by-righta approval withoutd discretionary: actiona ande exemptf from CEQA ands subjecto onlyto design review based on objectives standards whenap projecth includes 20 percent oftheu units affordablet tol lower Income households and nos subdivisionl Is proposed: Reuse Sites (NoF Rezoning Required):sV Vacant sites thatv werel Identifiedi Int the City's 4th ands 6th cycles! HousingE Elementa as sitesf forl lowerl Income RHNA; andgn Nonvacant sitest thaty were Identifiedl Int the City's Sthe cycle Housing Element as sitesf for lower Asar matter of pollcy, income RHNA. By-rights shalln meant the local govemment'sr review shallr not require: consistent with State law, the Acondtionaluser permit- Al planned unit development permit- Other discretionary, City willy provide! byright ocal-govemment revlew or approval thaty would constitute a' "project" as definedin approvalt to development 1.A.4 Section? 211000 oft theF Public Resources Code. This provision does noty precludel loal/proposals ann reuse sites, Ongoing Program planninga agencles from Imposing design reviews standards. However, the revlew andbeginning 10/15/2021 approvalp process mustr remainr ministerial, andt the design reviewn mustr not (Statutory deadline ofthe consttutea a' "project" as defined In Section 21100 ofthe Public Resources Code. Housing Element update). The Citywilla amendt the2 Zoning Ordinance to require! by-right approyal of! housing Completez Zoning Ordinance developmentt that! Includes 20 percent oft the units as housing affordable to lower amendment by 06/30/2024. incomel households, applicablet to sitest being usedt tor meett the 6th cycle RHNAt that representa" "reuse" ofs sites previouslyi identifledI Int the 4tha and 5th cycles! Housing Element. The" "reuse"s sites ares speclficallyl Identifiedi int thel inventory. Byright approvalforr reuses sites! Is effective as ofthes statutory deadline ofthe! Housing Element! (October1 15,2 2021). Consistenty with Statel lawa anda as ar matter ofp policy, the cityw wille complyw withs Statel lawy witht thisr requirement forp projects to bep proposedo on raase sitas Housing Programs Progress Report 2 3 Name of Program Objective Timeframe inH.E Status ofF Program Implementation ro ensure adequate sitesa are ayalablet throughout thep planning period to meet the City's RHNA, the Cityv willo continue to annually update ani inventoryt thate detalls the amount,t type, ands size of parcels to assist developersi inb identifying! lands suitablef for residentiald development andt thate also detallst then number ofe extremelyl low, veryl low, low,a andn moderate-ncome units constructeda annually. To ensure suiclent Program 1.A.5 residentialc capacltyisr maintalnedt to accommodatet theF RHNA need, thec Citywill Complete! by 06/30/2024 Ongoing developa andi implementaf formal ongoingt fprojectbyproject)e evaluationg procedure pursuantt to Govemnment Code 556863. Should an approval ofd development result In areduction ofc capacity belowt ther resldential capaciyr neededt to accommodate the remalning needi forl lower-income households, the City willl Identifys and zone suticientaltesio accommodate. thes shertfal. Monitort the City's potablev water-generating capacity: and its potablev water Annualr monitoring Program 1.B.1 distribution system tol Increaset thev water-generating: and distribution capaclty, the planning Ongoing andt MAe/areghoact necessary, tor meet Blythe's longterm housing expansionr needs, to providea an period. adequate supplyofp potable watert tor residences citywide. Monitort the City's sewer systema and treatment capaciyt toi increase the sewer throughout the Program 1.B.2 system network, asn necessary,t to meetE Blythe's long-term housing expansion Ongoing. planning period, Ongoing needs, through grants andi loans state andf federalp programs. Enforce Statel laws requiringt that ton: new (non-mobile home) housingu units be built inc compliance witht ther newr requirements of Title 24, whiche ensurer muchg greater energye efficlency, and explore varlous methods ofc creatingi incentives and requirementst tob bullde energy-efficient! low-Income housing. Such methods could include adopting! bullding codesa andi landscape ordinances that promote energya and Program 1.C.1 watere efficiencys ando offeringn reduced orn no development costs for those programs Continuous Ongoing thath havel beend designedt to maximize energye efficlency In all newr residential development," This wille ensuret that utilityt bills, particularlyt thoset forc coolingo ofnew units, willl be affordablet tol lower Income persons. The City shall makel Information avallablef from utility purveyors on energy conservation programs avallable ont the CIVVEbAE The Citys shall worki with Souther Californla Edison( (SCE) to provide guldance on nowto become more energye efficient, save money, andr reduce the carbont footprint. Meet quarterly, promote Program 1.C.2 The Cityv willp providel Information regarding SCE's Energy! Elficient programs on the continuouslyt throughoutt the Ongoing Cityy website. The City will collaborate witht thec Coachella Valley Associationc of lifec oft the IREN Program. Govemments (CVAG) quarterlyt to promotet thek Inland Reglonal Energyn Network IRENI programsonthe Citywebsite, Support - ande enforcef housingl lawsa and pollcles by referringd discrimination Fairk Housing! Information will complaints tot thef Fairk Housing Couneilc ofF Riverside County, which maintalns the bep posted ont the Program 1.D.1 area'so clearinghousef fors suche complaints. Thep processf forr reporting housing by 12/31/2022, thereafter, Citywehsite Ongoing discrimination: andr resources willl bep postede ont the Chyv website andi willb be continuous. dasemiatedatthe connections. Supports solf-h help programs E lower-Income (extremely lows, veryl low, low-ja and Update Cityy website regarding speciain needs households and providea assistance where possiblet in the thea avallabilityo of sell-help constructione of six sell-help homes within the City: annually through coordination programs by 06/30/2024; andc cooperationy with Habitatf for Humanity, Coachella ValleyH Housing Coalition, Streamline process for Program 2.A.1 other organizations, andp providel Information ont these programs ont the City Identifying nuisance Ongoing website. The Cityw willn revise thel Municipal Codet tos streamlinet thea abatemente of properties completedI In 2022. nuisance properties ande create a mechanismt tot takec conservatorship of nuisance Mechenism for properties tol ben re-purposed for housing developmentt throughs self-help programs. conservatorship of abated Twor nuisance propertiesw willl be Identified anda abated annually forat totalofi 16 properties createdl In 2022. Ipropertiess durinat the2 2021102028plamninar Lperiod. Housing Programs Progress Report 2 3 4 Name ofF Program Objective Timeframe in HE Status ofF Program Implementation Analyzea and update various existing programs forl lower-i -ncome homebuyers that includel Mortgage Credit Certificate Programs, First-Time Home Buyer, andy various Annual Community Forum by Program 2.A2 othere existinga assistance programs, andy providel information ont thesep programs on 12/31/2024a andv website Ongoing thec Cityy website. Facilitate ones annualc community forumt to engage andi inform tho updates 12/31/2024. public afa available! homebuyer assistance dentifyzoning toencourage E UBETEYEEEBHYIES: very iow,! lows, andr moderateincomel households andf fora all specialr needs households (e-9.e elderly, homeless, farmworkers, persons withe disabilities, female-headed households), such as supportive! housinga ands single-room occupancy units. The Cityy wille encourage the development ofh housingf fore extremelyk low, verylow, low, andr moderate-income households andf fore alls special needs households (e.g. elderly, homeless, farmworkers, persons with disabiltles, femalo-headed households)t througha a' varletys of activities such as: Performinge outreach to Ongoing, as projects are housingo developers on atleast an annuall basis;- Providing financial (when feasible)processedt through the Program 2.A.3 ori In-kindt technical assistance orl landv writedowns; . Providinge expedited Development Services Ongoing processing; Identilyingp grant andf funding opportunities, applyingf forc ors saportingDepattmert: anda annual applicationsf forf fundinge ona and ongoing! basis, reviewing and priorittzing! local outreach efforts to funding at leastt twicel Int thep planning period; -Walving Arti InPublic Places developers. developmenti impact fee whichi is appliedton residential development offive or more lotse oront five orr mores acres;-Deferring planninga andp plan check fees and permit feesu until project completion (before Certificate of Occupancy! Isi issued); and. Allowing additional densityor fexibillyl In developments standards for projects containinga an affordable housing component. The Cityv will worktoc create 661 new unitsf fore extremelyl lowivery! low-income! households, new construction of71 low- B Citys househalds. shall pursue andnaw avallable sanstructionglA: anda appropriates state naw FRET housaholds sourcest to supporte efforts to preserve andr meetn newo construction needs ofe extremelylow, verylow, low-, andn moderate-income households and for all specialr needs households (e.g., elderly, homeless, farmworkers, persons with disabilities, female- Ongoing, monitor! NOFAS on Program 2.A.4 headedi households) anda assist! ina addressingt the needs of households overpaying an annual basis. Ongoing forh housing costs and/orl livingl In an overcrowded situation. Appropriate sources of funding willb bed determined onas case-by-caset basis. The Cityy willa applyasa a co- applicanty with Riverside Countyf for atl least one housing funding sourcep per calendaryear. Program 2,A.5 Create marketing materlalto promote avallable, vacants sites withint the Citytol low 06/30/2024. Revise, update Ongoing income andn market-rate housing developers. andd disseminate annualy. The Citywilla amendt thez Zoning Code to: Permit manufactured housing! Int the same mannera and In the same zone as a conventionale or stickbuilts structures are permitted pursuant to Government Code 65852.3a and consolidatel R/MH and Mobile Home zones. Implement Streamlined! Ministerial Approval Processes for developmentt thate conformst to SB: 35 and Govemnment Code $65913.4r requirements. -Modifythe Citys parkdngr requirements to create separater requirements for Program 2.A.6 detacheds single-family homes andm multl-amily developments ando create multlfamily. 12/31/2024 parking standardst basedo on ther number oft bedrooms. - Modityt thel lote coverage ongoing requirementsf for the R-Ma andF R-Hz zones. Revise Conditional Usel Permitf findings toensuref findingsa arec objectivea andp provide for certaintyi in outcomes, andt to remoyet the required findingsf fora approving residential uses In nonresidentialz zones onlylt dwelling Is In character witht the existing neighborhooda andt thea adjacent uses are residential. Establish Project Review Committee (PRC)F Process and createf findingsf for approval thata are objective andp provide certaintyl in outcomes. Housing Programs Progress Report 2 3 4 Namec of Program Objective Timeframe inH.E Status of Program Implementation Toe encourage transparency andf facilitate development sites selection, thec Cityv will postt the City's2 Zoning! Mapc on thec Citywobsite as wella as additional information, Program 2.A7 includingt the planning ando developmentf fee schedule, planninga applications and By 06/30/2024: and ongoing Ongoing forms, andi Informational handoutst thata are currently avallable att the public counter butnoto thev website. Dste Citya amendedSZeningo Ordinance, Section 17,fO4owA Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUS) and. Junior ADUS (Bachelor/Grannyl Flat/Efficiency units), by- rightinn residential, ISa and IG: zones. Ordinance 911-21 meets Statel lawr requirements toa allow ADU's by-right inr residentialz zones. However, since 2021, several new State laws haver modified ADUI requirements tot further encouraget thist typec of development. The Citywill updatet the City's ordinance to complyv with recent Program 2.A.8 changes, The Cityv willa alsop promotet thed development of ADUs by: 1. Advertising Byo 06/30/2024 and ongoing Ongoing avallability of pre-approved plans ont the City's website. 2. Providing ADUresources ont the City's website, Including ADUr requirements, preapproved plans, and avallablef funding (such as CALFHAT fundingf for predevelopment costs). 3, Assigning a dedicated permitt techniciant for ADUI Inquiries andr revlews. The Cityy will alsoi inform ADU applicantst that ADUI units are subject to SB 329. and SB: 222- rental unito cannot be denledb based on source ofi income by postingi informationc ont the Cityl websitea and Coordinate Ty quarterlyy witht the Verde Valley Transit/ Agencytoe ensure thatt the Program 2.B.1 publict transportationt needs of seniors and specialr needs groupsa area adequately Quarterly and ons an ongoing Ongoing met. Coordinate witht the PWVTA to ensuret thats seniors havea adequate accesst to basis. neededm medicalservices. shopping. ando other amenitlesf fromt their residences. Increasep participation Int theU USDAI Home Rehabilitation GrantiLoan Program, Assist Program: 2.B.2 very-low-Income familytos secure rehabilitationf funds. Preserve 8 very-low- Annually Ongoing E unlts during the 2021t02 2029p planning perlod. The Citys shall cooperate quarterly with neighboringo cities,t the County, ando other agenciesi int the development of programs almed at providing homeless shelters and Quarterly and on an ongoing Program 2.0.1 relateds services. Participate int thel Riverside County Continuum of Care activities. basis. Ongoing Continuet the Homeless Outreach Team (HOT)a activities ando coordinate with the RegionalAccess Project/RAPI quarterlye unityforum. 5B520 requiresn residential caret faciities cemIu ort fewer persons tobe permittedin allr residentlal zones. Currently, residential care! homes with six or fewer persons are permitedi in somez zones witha ac conditional usep permit. The Cityy willr reviset the eurrentr regulationst tor meet Statek lawn requirements, Speciicaly, thec Cityv willa amend Zoning Codet to designate permitted uses by-righti in residentialz zonesf forcare faceiltiesn regardless effaciltys size. Theser regulations willa applytob both State licensedf facilties andu unlicensedf facilities, subject onlyto theg generallya applicable, Program 2.D.1 nondiscriminatory! health, safety, andz zoning! lawst that applytoa all singie-tamily 6/30/2024 Ongoing residences. The Citywilla amendt the Zoning Codet to define group! homes anda allow forg group! homes withs six ort fewerp persons! byr right! In all residentialz zones subject onlytot thes same restriction int thatz zone andy willa allow! larger licensed residential caret facllities of seven or more personsl In allr resldential zones. Additionally, the Citywilla amendt the Zoning Code tou updatel its definition offamilyto be consistent withe current housing! law. Revise Zoning Ordinance tor reflect Statel law requirement torresidentialsare faciiiasoiserias ndfermormenens. The Cityy willy work witht the Inland Reglonal Centert tol Implement and outreach Inland Reglonal Center Program 2.D.2 programt thatl Informs famillesy withint the Cityo on housinga ands services available for Information willl be Ongoing personsy with developmental disabillties. Posta al hyperlink tot thell Inland Reglonal hyperlinked ont the City Center onthe CHYV website. website by 06/30/2024. Housing Programs Progress Report 2 3 4 Name of Program Timeframe inH.E Status ofF Program Implementation The Cityv willa amendt thez Zoning Codei ensure thatt supportlve andt transitional housinga aret treated as residential usess subject thes samer restrictionst that applytoo other residentiale dwellings oft thes samet mEE typeb the same: zone. Speciically, the Clywille ensuret the City's regulationsa arec consistent with AB: 2162, which requires certains supportivel housing projects of50 units or fewert tol bep permitted by rightina allz zones where multifamilys andi mixed-use developments arep permitted and prohibits parking requirementsy within % mlle ofp public transit. Zoning Codey will also be amended to reflect current statel lawi requirements Includingl languaget for low-barrier navigationc centers. Low-barrier navigation centers will bea allowed Program 2.D.3 pursuant Govemment Codes $65660. Emergency shelters int the Cityo of Blythe are Completed by 06/30/2024 Ongoing permitted! byr right Int the I-Sa and! IG: zones, which llow single-familyn residential usesy witha a conditional use permit. An analysis of sulitabllity! based on parcels size Identifies 56 vacant! I-S and! G parceis of less than one acrel ins size that would be appropriate for smallt to medium size shelter facllities withe enoughs spreadt to adequatelya accommodatet the City's unsheltered homeless. The Cityv wille amendt the Zoning Codet toa addressr recento changes: Expandt the definition of emergeney sheltersp per AB: 23391 to include Interim housing options such as navigatione centers, bridgeh housing, andr respite and recuperative care. Amend Parking standards for solelyo on staffinal eyal 139, - Ordinance BI currentlyo containg ET for employee housing. Healha ands Safety Code $17021.5 (Employse! Housing Act)r requires) jurisdictions to Program 2.D.4 permit employee housing proyidinga accommodationsi for six orf fewer employees be Completed byo 06/30/2024 Ongoing deemedar residential uses subjectt tot the same standards as single family residences. The Cityw willa amendt thez Zoning Ordinance to complyy with the Employeel Housing Act. Chapter1 17.85 provides a clear process tol facilitate the roviowa anda approvald of requests forr reasonable accommodation. Overall, thef factors considered for Program 2.D.5 approvala are objective; however," "potentiall impact on surrounding uses" is broad Completedi byo 06/30/2024 Ongoing and opent to Interpretation! bythe decision maker. The Cityv willa amend Chapter 17.85 tor remove thisf factor from conslderations when reviewing reasonable accommodations. Identityf funding mechanisms to usef fort the purchase andr rehabilitation off fixer-up nomes! byl lower-income (extremelyl lows, very low-, low-j ands speclalr needs Program 3.A.1 households (e.g., elderly, homeless, farmworkers, personsy with disabilities, female- Annually Ongoing headedh households). Assist onek lower Income or special needs household annually tosecurel home rehabiltationt funds. Continuet to collaboratey witht the County of Riversidet tos secure fundsf for Program 3.A.2 rehabilitationc ofl lower-income owner-occupled homes, Strive to rehabilitate an Annually Ongoing average of one lower-income owner-o occupledh home annually. Continue code enforcementa action on substandardi motels anda apartments as Program 3.A3 complaints accur or as routinei inspection datal is collected. Code enforcement will Ongoing Ongoing follow-up withe codey violatione complaintsy within7 72hours ofreporto ofy violation. Monitora affordable units to ensuret thatt their affordabilityit is preserved. Annually contactp property owners, gauge Interest andi identify nonprofit partners, and pursue Aunding andp preservations strategys onap projectb basis.1 The Cityv willv work witht tenants afatrisk units and proyidet them withe education regardingt tenantr rights and Ongoing, as projects Program 3.A4 conversion procedures. The Chyv willa alsop providet tenantsl Ins at-risk projectsy with approach expiration. Annually Ongoing informationr regarding Section 8r rents subsidies through thel Housing Authority and contact propertyo owners others affordable housing opportunities int the CHy. Facilitate thec creation oft two (2) tow-income unitsa andf fortyive! [45) moderate-income units bythee end of the 2021- 2029 planningperiod. Housing Programs Progress Report 2 3 4 Name ofF Program Objective Timeframe in HE Status of Program Implementation Reviewa andr reviset thel Land Use Map tol Identify opportunities forli Inclusion ofl low Reviews and develop Program 4.A.1 Income, medlum to! higho density development Ink high resource areas, as identified strategies by 12/31/2027 Ongoing IntheA AFFHa analyais. Pursuef fundinga annuallyf for housing developments thatl Incorporatea active Annually and on an ongoing Program4 4.B.1 transportation initiatives; pedestrian pathways, shaded bus stops, ando create green basis. Ongoing thatr reduceh Islands. - meet E housingn needs of all segmentso ofthe community, the City willa affirmative furthert fairh housingt through strategiest thatf focus ond outreach and Programs 5.A.1 enforcement, accesst to opportunlties, anti-displacement, place-based 42 att the strategy for Ongoing- depende on action Ongoing Improvement, andn new housing! In highr resource areas. Table ende oft this section consolldatest the Ciy'sr meaningful actions to affirmatively further fair housing fromt the city'sHousing! Plana asy wella as unique actionsto AFFH. The Citywill implementa a comprehensive communication strategy (See AFFH Outreach Strategies below). that includes a menu of actions aimeda ate effectively Program 5.A.2 disseminating! information about existing resources andp programs tos underserved Ongoing- -depends on action ongoing and sensitive communities, ensuring equitable access and awareness ofa available opportunitles. Antroisplacements Strategy: ResldentsinCensus) TRCSDESAZATea increasedr risk of displacement duet to (private Investments, rising housingo costs, limited affordable housing opportunities, closure of Chuckwalla Valley State Prison) disproportionately impact! lower Income households, minority! households,8 households alreadye experiencing cost burdens & overcrowding. Toe ensure existing residents in Census Tracts 461.02 & 462 can remain & benefit as ther nelghborhood Complete targeted In 2024-2025; Programs 5.A.3 improves thec Cityy will: Implement Program 1A1,2 2.A.1, 1A.2& 3.A4. Create al listo of engagementi Adopt AntiDisplacement Ongoing arfordable units avallablec city wide & postito on City website & distribute (social Strategy In 2026. medla, newsletter, websito, communlty events). Include portall In Cityy websitef for providerst to reporty vacancles. Provide Housing Authority with updates onu unit Nvacancies. Provide a linkt tot the Countys Housing Authoritys Affordable Housing Search. Partner with nonprofits that serve underserved residentsv withint the City. Icreatel infermationala As educational fiven n Enaliah & Spaniah. CITY OF BLYTHE Blythe CITY COUNCIL MEETING STAFF REPORT TS SH MEETING DATE: March 27, 2025 SUBJECT: 2024 Rule 20A Work Credit Balance PRESENTED BY: Mirasol B. Elegores, Public Works Director PREPARED BY: Mallory Crecelius, Inteirm City Manager RECOMMENDATION: Staffrecommends that the City Council provide direction to stafft to either abandon the Rule 20A fund balance or proceed with an underground district project. FISCAL IMPACT: FISCAL IMIPACT: The prospective underground wiring system project will cost approximately $1.85 million. The City has $586,195 in Rule 20. A funding to apply to the project. The balance of$1,263,805 would come from the City's General Fund. Should the City move forward with a project, the City would be required to remit funding to SCEI by June of this year. BACKGROUND: SCE Rule 20A is part ofthe California Public Utilities Commission Electric Tariff Rule 20, which allows utilities to fund underground projects that benefit the public interest, with projects nominated by cities or counties and paid for by utility rate payers. Rule 20A focuses on converting overhead electrical facilities to underground installations. Projects must demonstrate a benefit to the general public, notjust customers in the affected area. Utilities annually allocate "work credits" to cities and counties, which can be used to redeem for underground projects. OnJune3, 2021, the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) issued a decision that revises the CPUC's Electric Rule 20 program. The Decision discontinuous the authorization of new Electric Rule 20A work credit allocations. As such, there are no work-credits being allocated for 2025 which makes Blythe's Work Credit Balance $586,195. The City of Blythe is currently in "Inactive" status as of. January 1,2025. Any work credit that has not been allocated to a community with an active Rule 20A project will expire in June 2025. Pursuant to D.23-06-008 with effective date of June 8, 2023, any Rule 20A Project within two (2) years ofi the effective date of this Decision shall be deemed expired. Any Rule 20A work credit that has not been deducted from a community's work credit balancel by December 1,2033 shall be deemed expired. The City has not previously completed any projects with Rule 20 A funding as the city's allocated work-credits were not enough to fund a project without a major contribution from the City's general fund. STAFF REPORT: To retain the City's work credits and avoid reallocation; both oft the following conditions must be completed prior to June 2025: 1. A suitable project location must be identified and submitted to SCE not later than April 1, 2025. 2. The governing body must adopt an Ordinance creating an underground district that meets the criteria of avoiding or eliminating an unusually heavy concentrated overhead lines, right-of-way serves as a thoroughfare for the general public and carries heavy volume of pedestrian, wheelchair access: is limited or impeded by existing above ground electric or telecommunications infrastructure, right-of-way passes through a civic area or public recreation area or right-of-way is considered as an arterial street or major collector as defined by the California Department of Transportation. Rule 20 A guidelines require a minimum project length of600 linear feet. It's estimated a project ofthis size costs roughly $1 million. A project of this size would include the undergrounding of one service line and 2-3 utility poles. After further discussion with SCE on allowable projects, undergrounding overhead lines is the only allowable expense for this program. New service lines, or enhancements to existing service are not projects that can be completed with Rule 20 A monies. The entire extent ofthis funding is to put overhead lines underground. Any lines undergrounded as part oft this program will be owned and maintained by SCE. Projects must have aj public benefit, not directly benefit a certain business or neighborhood and be located on a major arterial street or thoroughfre. This is why early on staffb began looking for projects on or around city owned properties such as the parks. Should Council wish to move forward with an underground district project, staffhas identified a project on S. Lovekin Blvd. The project consists of1,100 linear feet from the City boundary on S. Lovekin Blvd. to 14th Avenue. Per SCE's current approved project schedule, thej project would start in 2028. Although the project would not start until 2028 at the earliest, funding for the project is required to be on deposit with SCE by June ofthis year. Dueto the cost and the size ofthe project, iti is not staff S recommendation to move forward with al Rule 20A project. The cost benefit to the City is not there. However, that would mean leaving $586,195 of Rule 20A credits on the table, SO Staffis requesting direction from staff on how to proceed. ATTACHMENT/S: 1. Underground Project Map E IA 1 NIMEAOT GA 18, NIMAOT - - BLIDSCATIMPIADI mive nAs di B a e 2 a 5 - ADJOURN