Keith Walnoha

The City Council meeting covered a wide range of administrative and community topics. Key agenda items included the recognition of teachers from the Palo Verde Unified School District, the designation of Building Safety Month, and the approval of financial registers and payroll. The Council also addressed the Biennial Review of the Conflict-of-Interest Code, a rate adjustment for the Solid Waste Franchise Agreement, and the award of the Barnard/Lovekin Storm Lift Rehabilitation Project. A public hearing was held regarding staff vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts. Furthermore, the Council engaged in a detailed discussion regarding the format and reporting of Police Department incident statistics and authorized a funding application for water treatment improvements at the Hidden Beaches water system.

The council discussed various items including the participation in the Operation Stonegarden Grant Program and an agreement for state legislative advocacy services. A public hearing was held regarding a Conditional Use Permit for a light manufacturing and storage facility at 150 S. Main Street. The council received updates on the Palo Verde Hospital Ad Hoc Committee and acted to terminate an emergency declaration related to sinkhole and sewer repairs. Other business included a discussion on resuming the use of state prison inmate community service crews for park maintenance and a decision to hold a study session to develop regulations for smoke shops and the sale of tobacco and vapor products.

The Council meeting involved several recognitions and presentations, including awards for educators and law enforcement personnel. Key actions included the approval of the warrant and payroll registers, the placement of a lien against a property for abatement costs, and an update on the Palo Verde Hospital Ad Hoc Committee and a stabilization loan. Council discussed and approved modeling an ordinance for regulating kratom-based products after the Riverside County ordinance. Additionally, the Council reviewed the city's water quality challenges concerning hardness and total dissolved solids, agreeing to continue research into potential low-cost mitigation strategies and staff recommendations. The meeting concluded with various departmental reports on drone programs, fire training, and upcoming local events.

The primary focus of the Special Meeting was the authorization of an Emergency Bridge Loan to the Palo Verde Healthcare District (PVHD) due to the district's dire financial situation and the looming threat of hospital closure. Discussions centered on the denial of critical funding expected by PVHD and the City's attempt to provide a $330,000 bridge loan, calculated based on the hospital's weekly burn rate. A major point of contention was the proposed terms, specifically making the loan contingent upon the PVHD authorizing the County to assume day-to-day management and operation of the hospital, and requiring two vacant Board seats to be filled. Public comment included strong opinions regarding the necessity of leadership change within the PVHD Board before any funds are advanced. The Council ultimately approved a Resolution authorizing a budget amendment to allocate $330,000 from surplus funds to finance the loan, with the terms set at a 3% interest rate with a six-month grace period and a final payment due by June 10, 2028.

The meeting began with a moment of silence in memory of Joe Cota. The Consent Calendar involved routine items, including the approval of various warrant and payroll registers, receiving and filing monthly activity reports for Permits, the Fire Department, the Police Department, and the Quality of Life Program, accepting the Quarterly Investment Report, authorizing acceptance of the Community Center Floor Repair Project work, and adopting the 2025 California Codes via Ordinance No. 945-25. Separately, the council discussed the status of a $330,000 loan provided to Palo Verde Hospital to ensure continued operation, which included requirements for County management involvement and filling vacant board seats. An update was provided on the Mercy Air base opening at the airport. New Business included the presentation of the Audited Financial Statements for Fiscal Year 2024-2025, which resulted in an unmodified opinion with no findings. A report was given on emergency repairs undertaken by the Interim City Manager for a sinkhole, collapsed sewer main, and manholes near 900 N. Broadway, which were subsequently authorized for acceptance. During public comment, concerns were raised regarding the water/salt issue, and the Interim City Manager committed to placing a staff report on the February agenda to discuss salinity limits under the Blythe Municipal Code.