TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting MINUTES
City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
August 23, 2022
CALL TO ORDER - Miss Harmony Hill, Senior at Twentynine Palms High School called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance - Miss Harmony Hill led the Pledge of Allegiance and gave a brief update of things happening at Twentynine Palms High School.
Invocation - Suzy Dick - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gave the Invocation.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Bilderain, Klink, Wright, and O'Gilvie. Councilmember Mintz had an excused absence.
Closed Session Announcements - None.
Changes to the Agenda - None.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor O'Gilvie announced that these proceedings may be viewed on demand on the City of Twentynine Palms website at www.29palms.org. You may also Live Stream this meeting by going on our website and clicking on the "Meeting Agendas" link.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS
1. Presentation by the Homeless Outreach and Proactive Enforcement (H.O.P.E) team.
2. Captain Warrick introduced Deputy Mike Jones, with the HOPE team, who gave a brief overview of what they do.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Klink wished everyone celebrating a birthday in August a Happy Birthday and he reminded everyone not to leave children or animals in their vehicles because it gets very hot in an enclosed vehicle.
Councilmember Bilderain mentioned that he did not attend any meetings and wished all the returning students a healthy and successful school year.
Mayor Pro Tem Wright mentioned that he attended the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the renovation of Luckie Park Pool, Theatre 29's Big Reveal, Kurt Schaupnner's birthday party and he wished everyone celebrating a birthday in August a Happy Birthday. He wished Councilmember Bilderain a Happy Birthday, and Councilmember Bilderain wished Mayor Pro Tem Wright a Happy Birthday as well. He reminded everyone that the Drive-In is now open and to continue to visit the Farmer's Market, and the WarHawks Football season has begun.
Mayor O'Gilvie mentioned that she attended the Groundbreaking Ceremony for Luckie Park Pool, a meeting with Congressman Obernolte, and she reminded everyone to obey the speed limits around the schools as school has started.
City Council - Regular Meeting
August 23, 2022
CONSENT CALENDAR
3. Waive the Reading of Ordinance and Approve the Reading by Title Only.
4. Approval of Project Phoenix Warrant Register Totaling $411,000.67.
5. Approval of Warrant Register Totaling $1,398,309.15.
6. Morongo Basin Ambulance Report - July 2022.
7. Treasurer's Report - FY 2021/22 Quarter 4.
8. California Intergovernmental Risk Authority (CIRA) Agreement for Apportionment of Retirement Obligations.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council authorizes the City Manager to sign the California Intergovernmental Risk Authority (CIRA) Agreement for the Apportionment of Retirement Obligations.
9. Revised Annual Contract with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the revised annual contract with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department for Law Enforcement Services in the amount of $4,620,449 plus incidental expenses, an increase of $106,197.
10. Social Media Policy.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the Social Media Policies for internal and external use of our Social Media Channels.
11. Contract Amendment to the Existing Agreement for Legal Services - Rutan and Tucker.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council authorize the Mayor to execute an amended professional services agreement with Rutan and Tucker.
12. United States Geological Survey (USGS).
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the Joint Funding Agreement (JFA) with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to gather data in furtherance of the City Wide Wastewater Project.
Pat Flanagan, Twentynine Palms, spoke in favor of Item #11.
Jeffrey Johnson, Twentynine Palms, spoke in favor of Item #11.
Susan Peplow, Joshua Tree, asked to be recorded in favor or Item #11.
City Manager Luckino asked that the record be corrected to read that the amount that was given in the Staff Report that the Water District was contributing is actually $100,000, not $104,757 as indicated.
ACTION: A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Wright, seconded by Councilmember Klink to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, KLINK, WRIGHT, O'GILVIE
NOES: NONE
ASTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MINTZ
City Council - Regular Meeting
August 23, 2022
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION – None.
PUBLIC HEARING - None.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
13. Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID).
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 22- 23 confirming the intention to levy an assessment for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 and;
2. Approve the Annual Report (Marketing Plan and Budget).
City Manager Luckino presented the Staff Report and then passed the floor to Marketing Director, Breanne Dusastre, who presented the Annual Report.
Terence Latimer, Twentynine Palms, asked when the RFP will go out on the website and inquired about signature event planning, asking how these events are launched. Director Dusastre replied that the RFP has not been completed yet and the events that are on the website are local events which occur every year.
Eric Menendez, with Desert Beacon, mentioned that his new website will be launched in the next month desertbeacon.com and anything that comes from the Visit29 website will be tracked through their website.
A public comment was sent via email from Cindy Bernard, Twentynine Palms, and was read into the record.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Klink, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Wright to Adopt Resolution No. 22- 23 confirming the intention to levy an assessment for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 and approve the Annual Report (Marketing Plan and Budget).
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, KLINK, WRIGHT, O'GILVIE
NOES: NONE
ASTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MINTZ
14. Pavement Management System (PMS.)
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council receive and file.
City Manager Luckino introduced City Engineer Ken Bailey, who gave the PowerPoint Presentation on roads that will be repaired within the City.
Marilyn Ehrlich, Twentynine Palms, mentioned that she has been a resident of Twentynine Palms since 1989 and she lives on Petersen Road, which is a non-maintained road by the City. It is a dirt road that floods when it rains, and it is very difficult to get in and out of their homes.
City Manager Luckino commented that there are 150 roads that the City maintains and there are approximately 50 private roads that are not maintained as it becomes a liability if the City were to grade. These are dirt roads that are not part of the City's system.
City Council - Regular Meeting
August 23, 2022
Councilmember Klink asked if there was a way for the City to help out these non-maintained roads. Public Works Superintendent Stacey commented there is a huge process and costs in order to make these roads maintainable.
City Manager Luckino mentioned that we could bring this item back for further discussion to the City Council.
There is no action taken on this item. The Report was received and filed.
15. Housing Transition Support.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council consider funding Morongo Basin Arch for a loan of $50,000, $10,000 per month for five months, until they receive grant funding from San Bernardino County.
City Manager Luckino presented the Staff Report. He then passed the floor to Ms. Astrid Johnson, President of Morongo Basin ARCH, who spoke about the program and the need for funds.
Anna O'Hare, Twentynine Palms, spoke regarding the paving issues. Mayor O'Gilvie mentioned that we are on a different item now and could she speak at the end under Public Comments. Ms. O'Hare continued to speak about roads, commenting that she did not get recognized during the time that the item was presented.
Susan Peplow, Joshua Tree, spoke in favor of this funding. She is in complete support of this.
Councilmember Bilderain made a motion that the City Council grant Morongo Basin ARCH $20,000 and loan them $30,000 so that they can get back on their feet. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Klink.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, KLINK, WRIGHT, O'GILVIE
NOES: NONE
ASTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MINTZ
City Manager Luckino asked if two Councilmembers would like to work with him to research the possibility of a program in the City. Mayor O'Gilvie and Councilmember Bilderain agreed to work with the City Manager.
16. City Manager Contract Amendment.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council Subcommittee (Mayor O'Gilvie and Mayor Pro Tem Wright) recommend the adjustments to the City Manager's contract totaling $5,837 or 2.0% with the details below:
1. An increase of 3.5% for Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) or $7,032;
2. An increase of $3,000 towards deferred compensation or 50%;
3. A decrease of $5,457 opting out of medical insurance or 64.5%;
4. An increase of $879 towards PERS contribution;
5. An increase of $281 towards Workers' comp;
6. An increase of $102 towards Medicare;
Anna O'Hare, Twentynine Palms, asked that if for some reason, the City Council chose not to give the City Manager the above items, will the City Manager resign? City Manager Luckino replied that he was very happy here.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Klink, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Wright to approve the adjustments to the City Manager's contract totaling $5,837 or 2.0% with the details below:
1. An increase of 3.5% for Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) or $7,032;
2. An increase of $3,000 towards deferred compensation or 50%;
City Council - Regular Meeting
August 23, 2022
3. A decrease of $5,457 opting out of medical insurance or 64.5%;
4. An increase of $879 towards PERS contribution;
5. An increase of $281 towards Workers' comp;
6. An increase of $102 towards Medicare;
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, KLINK, WRIGHT, O'GILVIE
NOES: NONE
ASTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MINTZ
17. Affordable Housing.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the Option Agreement with Milestone Housing for furtherance of the Affordable Housing Project behind City Hall; the City will be selling the land AND committing $1M from Housing Funds for the project.
City Manager Luckino presented the Staff Report and asked the City Council to table this item for a future agenda.
Susan Peplow, Joshua Tree, commented that this is a great project and likes the land use behind City Hall. She is excited to see what the City will do.
A motion was made by Councilmember Klink, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Wright to table this item.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, KLINK, WRIGHT, O'GILVIE
NOES: NONE
ASTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MINTZ
18. New VHR Policy Update
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council receive and file.
City Manager Luckino presented the Staff Report.
Councilmember Klink asked if these STR owners will have to take this class every year as they renew their license. City Manager Luckino replied yes. Councilmember Klink asked if this could be changed because it is unnecessary to receive the same information over and over again.
Mr. Menendez with Desert Beacon mentioned that after the first initial class, the education component would be mainly just for updates and changes to the policy.
Councilmember Klink mentioned that this policy should be reviewed every two years instead of ten years because of changes that may occur.
Susan Peplow, Joshua Tree, spoke regarding the Good Neighbor class and she is proud of what the City is doing with educating VHR owners.
Two Public Comments were sent by email to be read into the record. They were from Cindy Bernard, Twentynine Palms and Heather Vescent, Twentynine Palms.
City Council - Regular Meeting
August 23, 2022
This item was just an update. The City Council received the update and filed.
FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
1. Discussion on adding sidewalk and picnic tables in Veterans' Park.
2. Voting for Mayor as opposed to current selection process.
3. Seasonal banners throughout the City.
4. Expanding the area for the Business Improvement Program.
No additional items were added.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Councilmember Bilderain requested to make a comment. He clarified that the comment he made earlier about Ms. Cindy Bernard mentioning that she does attend the Public Arts and Advisory Committee (PAAC) meetings. His statement was that she should become a member of this committee because of her tenacity and her ability to get things done. The PAAC would benefit from her being on the committee. She would be a great asset to this committee.
Octavious Scott, Twentynine Palms, mentioned that Ms. Cindy Bernard has been in contact with him while at the meeting and asked that he read a text she sent him, clarifying her comments. He commented that he appreciates the City Council funding a portion of the amount that Morongo Basin ARCH requested.
Anna O'Hare, Twentynine Palms, read a portion of an article that was in the Desert Trail newspaper quoting Mayor Pro Tem Wright, where he mentioned he was going to try to help the citizens with the cost when the sewer issue arises.
Lawrence Salcido, Twentynine Palms, spoke regarding the Indian Cove neighborhood. He commented that he is all for building but not for building two-story homes in the Indian Cove area. This obstructs the beautiful views of the mountains.
He asked the City Council to please look into this. He also asked the City Council to look at the roads in the Indian Cove area. There are many vehicles that speed up and down these residential roads and there are residents that walk with their children in the area and could be in danger of these speeders.
Cindy Bernard, Twentynine Palms, sent a Public Comment via email, to be read into the record.
Anita Petke, Twentynine Palms, commented that Desert Beacon and the Downtown Business Association is partnering with the City of Twentynine Palms, for the Pioneer Days Kickoff that will be held at Freedom Plaza.
Jeffrey Johnson, Twentynine Palms, spoke regarding the sewer project asking why would the City pursue construction of this project before the USGS survey is completed on septic tanks.
Councilmember Bilderain, commented that he believes the City Council gets paid plenty because they are not here for the money, they are here to do for the community. Most of their time is donated.
Councilmember Klink reiterated what Councilmember Bilderain said commenting that they are sitting on the Council for the citizens of the community. He also asked if we could bring back to Council the issue of two-story homes.
Councilmember Bilderain seconded the item.
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager Luckino introduced Interim Community Development Director Keith Gardner.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor O'Gilvie adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m.
City Council - Regular Meeting
August 23, 2022
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/PIO