TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL - REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
January 25, 2022
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor O'Gilvie called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance - Councilmember Mintz led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Rev. Don Thursby, Little Church of the Desert, gave the Invocation.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Bilderain, Klink, Mintz, Wright, O'Gilvie.
Closed Session Announcements - None.
Changes to the Agenda - None.
ANNOUNCEMENTS – None.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS
1. Senate Update by Dominic Heiden, Field Representative for Senator Shannon Grove, Sixteenth Senate District.
Field Representative Heiden gave an update on the Sixteenth District's Budget, Unemployment, and the various Bills that are before the Senate.
Councilmember Klink asked about Daylight Savings Time. Representative Heiden replied that there was a Proposition that was voted on so that the Legislature could end Daylight Savings Time, however, the Legislature is not ready to do that yet.
Mayor Pro Tem Wright asked if there is any legislative action in the works for the marijuana grows.
Representative Heiden replied that there is.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Klink mentioned that he attended the SBCTA meeting, he took a tour of the Project Phoenix Multi Activity Center, and it is great to see everyone out there using the facility.
Councilmember Mintz commented that he attended a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Exhale Art Studio, an MBTA Special Board meeting and announced that there will be a VHR Subcommittee virtual meeting Monday, January 31st at 6:00 p.m.
He mentioned that he also toured the Project Phoenix area.
Mayor Pro Tem Wright mentioned that he attended the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Exhale Art Studio, the MBTA Special Board Meeting, he toured Project Phoenix and thanked those Councilmembers that have been with the City from the beginning helping to make this project come to fruition and he wished everyone in January celebrating a birthday a Happy Birthday.
Mayor O'Gilvie commented that she attended the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Exhale Art Studio, she toured Project Phoenix and really enjoyed seeing the great things there. She wished her daughter a Happy Birthday.
Councilmember Klink added that he wanted to wish everyone celebrating a birthday in January a Happy Birthday, especially his daughter and he wished his wife Tory a Happy Anniversary.
City Council - Regular Meeting
January 25, 2022
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Waive the Reading of Ordinance and Approve the Reading by Title Only.
3. Treasurer's Report
4. Approval of Project Phoenix Warrant Register Totaling $2,153,544.93.
5. Approval of Warrant Register Totaling $2,709,685.86.
6. Electronic Scooters on Roadways.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve Resolution No. 22-02 authorizing the operation of electronic scooters on roadways with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour.
7. Environmental Initial Study (IS) for Trunk Sewer System.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute the environmental proposal by Terra Nova Planning and Research, Inc. in the amount of $173,970.
8. Adopt Resolution to Authorize Submittal of Application to CalRecycle for all CalRecycle Grant and Payment Programs.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council Adopt Resolution No. 22-03 authorizing the City Manager to submit applications and payment requests related to the administration of all CalRecycle Grant and Payment Programs offered by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).
9. Social Equity.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council authorize the City Manager negotiate and execute a professional service contract with Terra Nova Planning & Research, Inc. for the preparation of a Social Equity Element for the General Plan in the amount, not to exceed, $42,800.
10. Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Pertaining to Regulation of Solid Waste Including Organic Waste.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the second reading of Ordinance No. 296 amending in its entirety, Title 10, Chapter 10.04 of the Twentynine Palms Municipal Code pertaining to the Regulation of Solid Waste including Organic Waste.
11. Fire Department Monthly Report - December 2021
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Klink, seconded by Councilmember Mintz to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted.
Councilmember Mintz abstained from Item #4 on the Consent Calendar due to a possible conflict of interest.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: KLINK, MINTZ, WRIGHT, O'GILVIE
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: MINTZ FROM ITEM #4
ABSENT: BILDERAIN
City Council - Regular Meeting
January 25, 2022
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION - None.
PUBLIC HEARING - None.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
12. Purchase, Sale, and Development Agreement for Project Phoenix Property.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the Purchase, Sale, and Development Agreement with Greens Development Inc. for the sale of a property within the boundaries of Project Phoenix for $438,927 and the subsequent development of a 95-unit hotel.
Councilmember Mintz recused himself from this item due to a possible conflict of interest and left the virtual room at 6:26 p.m.
City Manager Luckino presented the Staff Report. He then passed the floor to Atman Kidakia, Managing Principal with Greens Development, to discuss their development.
Jeffrey Johnson, Twentynine Palms, requested to speak but was unavailable at the time of Public Comment.
Veno Nathraj, Twentynine Palms, expressed his gratitude to Greens Development and welcomed them to the City of Twentynine Palms. He also thanked the City Manager for his choice in picking Greens Development.
He wished Greens the best of luck.
E. Leslie, Twentynine Palms, asked if there was an estimated time of completion for the project. Mr. Kidakia replied that they can break ground early next year and it will take approximately 14 months to complete.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Klink, seconded by Councilmember Mintz to approve the Purchase, Sale, and Development Agreement with Greens Development Inc. for the sale of a property within the boundaries of Project Phoenix for $438,927 and the subsequent development of a 95-unit hotel.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, KLINK, WRIGHT, O'GILVIE
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: MINTZ
ABSENT: NONE
Councilmember Mintz returned to the virtual meeting at 6:54 p.m.
13. Downtown Specific Plan.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council review the summary of public input, analysis, and recommendations of the draft Downtown Specific Plan and provide feedback to Staff.
Community Development Director Clark presented the Staff Report and PowerPoint Presentation.
14. Voluntary Collection Agreement with HOMEAWAY.COM,INC (VRBO) for Transient Occupancy Tax.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the Voluntary Collection Agreement with HOMEAWAY.COM, INC, effective March 1, 2022, to collect and remit Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) and Tourism Fees on behalf of the Hosts for transactions completed on the VRBO.com internet-based platform and authorize the Tax Administrator to execute such agreement.
City Council - Regular Meeting
January 25, 2022
City Manager Luckino presented the Staff Report.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Klink to approve the Voluntary Collection Agreement with HOMEAWAY.COM, INC, effective March 1, 2022, to collect and remit Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) and Tourism Fees on behalf of the Hosts for transactions completed on the VRBO.com internet-based platform and authorize the Tax Administrator to execute such agreement.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, KLINK, MINTZ, WRIGHT, O'GILVIE
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
15. City Council Regional Organizational Assignments.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council Review Council assignments for Regional Organizations and make appointments as appropriate.
Mayor O'Gilvie briefly discussed the assignments that are currently in place. She requested to go back on the MBTA Board, being a Board representative, replacing Councilmember Mintz. Councilmember Mintz agreed and asked if he could serve as the alternate Board Member. All Councilmembers agreed with the changes.
FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
1. Discussion on adding sidewalk and picnic tables in Veterans' Park.
2. Shopping Carts.
3. Voting for Mayor each year instead of the current selection process of ascending to the Mayor's seat determined by votes received in the Elections.
Councilmember Wright asked that the solar moratorium be brought back to discuss. Councilmember Bilderain seconded the item.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
IT Director Eli Marshall read into the record, a comment from Jeffrey Johnson regarding the Groundwater Management Plan 2014 Update.
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager Luckino gave an update on the Environmental Analysis that was approved in the Consent Calendar, Shawn Michael, Twentynine Palms, commented on off road vehicles in his area. He commented that he addressed the City Council over a year ago and nothing has been done.
Armando Juarez, Twentynine Palms, asked why Pine Avenue from Old Dale Road to Sullivan Road hasn't been paved.
City Manager Luckino replied that within the City, there are some roads that are private and not maintained by the City.
Pine Avenue is one of those roads.
Bob Tolentino asked when road paving is going to begin again. City Manager Luckino replied that when the weather begins to warm up, Public Works will begin to pave again.
City Council - Regular Meeting
January 25, 2022
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor O'Gilvie adjourned the meeting in memory of Kathryn Piersol Crank at 7:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/PIO
City of Twentynine Palms