TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting MINUTES
City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
November 8, 2022
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor O'Gilvie called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance - Councilmember Klink led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Suzy Dick, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, led the Invocation.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Klink, Wright, O'Gilvie. Councilmembers Bilderain and Mintz arrived at 6:40 p.m.
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 to the Twentynine Palms High School Touchdown Club for their Participation in the Cash for Trash and Recycling Program.
This presentation was moved to the next meeting.
2. Proclamation Recognizing November as Family Court Awareness Month.
There was no one in attendance to receive the Proclamation. Mayor O'Gilvie read the Proclamation to the audience.
3. Presentation by the Public Arts Advisory Committee (PAAC).
This presentation was moved to the next meeting.
4. Presentation by Ms. Kimberly Andromeda, Director of Institute of Inquiry, on the Childcare Crisis.
Ms. Andromeda gave a presentation on the Childcare Crisis in the Morongo Basin.
A five-minute break was taken to reconnect the technology due to the power outage that occurred.
5. Presentation by Frontier Communications.
Mr. Doug McAllister, Vice President for Internal Affairs with Frontier Communications, gave a presentation on fiberoptics and the services that Frontier provides.
City Council - Regular Meeting
November 8, 2022
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Klink wished everyone celebrating a birthday in November a Happy Birthday and wished the City a Happy Birthday on November 23rd. He commented that he did not attend any meetings.
Councilmember Bilderain wished his mother and daughter a Happy Birthday celebrating in November. He mentioned that he attended the Pioneer Days festivities. He also wished a Happy Birthday to the Marines and Happy Veterans' Day and Happy Thanksgiving.
Councilmember Mintz congratulated the High School volleyball team for winning their first round of State playoffs, he mentioned that he attended the annual Weed Show, and he attended the Pioneer Days festivities.
Mayor Pro Tem Wright congratulated the Twentynine Palms High School volleyball team, he wished a Happy Birthday to all Marines and wished all a Happy Veterans' Day. He mentioned that he attended a Basin Transit meeting, a Pioneer Days Sunrise Service and he has been busy with his son's football games.
Mayor O'Gilvie mentioned that she attended all the Pioneer Days festivities, including the Sunrise service, and she attended the Basin Transit meeting. She wished all the Marines a Happy Birthday, Happy Veterans' Day and Happy Thanksgiving. She also stated, " Go Astros".
CONSENT CALENDAR
6. Waive the Reading of Ordinance and Approve the Reading by Title Only.
7. Approval of Minutes of the City Council Meeting Held on October 11, 2022.
8. Fire Department Monthly Report - September 2022.
9. Legislative Report - September 2022.
10. Safe Routes to Schools Infrastructure Implementation ATPL-5448(010).
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Reject all Bids received for the subject project.
2. Authorize Staff to direct KOA to perform value engineering to reduce the cost of construction without changing the scope of the project.
3. Once plans are updated with cost-saving revisions, authorize Staff to re-advertise the project.
11. Award Construction Contract for the SR 62 Raised Median Project.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Adopt the design of the project represented by the Plans and Specifications for the SR 62 Median Project;
2. Award a contract for the “SR 62 Raised Median Project,” to LCR Earthwork & Engineering Corp., in the amount of $247,750.00 and authorize a Ten Percent (10%) Contingency in the amount of $24,775, for a total contract amount of $272,525;
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contract, including any necessary amendments.
City Council - Regular Meeting
November 8, 2022
12. Luckie Park Pool Rehabilitation Grant Application.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve Resolution No. 22-26 for a grant application for the Luckie Park Pool rehabilitation from the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation and authorize the City Manager to negotiate and submit all documents necessary for the project.
13. Treasurer's Report - FY 2022/23 Quarter 1.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Bilderain to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted.
Councilmember Mintz abstained from item #6, due to a possible conflict of interest.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, KLINK, MINTZ, WRIGHT, O'GILVIE
NOES: NONE
ASTAIN: MINTZ FROM ITEM #6
ABSENT: NONE
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION – None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
14. Triennial California Building Code Publication: Resolution No. 22-27; 2022 California Building Code Adoption, Ordinance No. 301.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council conduct the Public Hearing, adopt Resolution No. 22-27 and introduce Ordinance No. 301, repealing Section 18.01, California Code of Regulation, of Title 18 of the City of Twentynine Palms Municipal Code.
Community Development Director Gardner (Director Gardner) presented the Staff Report.
Mayor O'Gilvie opened the Public Hearing.
Having no requests to speak, Mayor O'Gilvie closed the Public Hearing.
Councilmember Klink commented that he is concerned about everything going electric and the cost of homes going up substantially.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Klink, seconded by Councilmember Bilderain, to adopt Resolution No. 22-27 and introduce Ordinance No. 301, repealing Section 18.01, California Code of Regulation, of Title 18 of the City of Twentynine Palms Municipal Code.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, KLINK, MINTZ, WRIGHT, O'GILVIE
NOES: NONE
ASTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
City Council - Regular Meeting
November 8, 2022
15. Elimination of Issuance Fees for Water Heaters and Swamp Coolers.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council conduct the Public Hearing, consider public comment, find the project exempt from CEQA and adopt the Resolution, approving the elimination of issuance fees for water heaters and swamp coolers.
Director Gardner presented the Staff Report.
Mayor O'Gilvie opened the Public Hearing.
Having no requests to speak, Mayor O'Gilvie closed the Public Hearing.
ACTION: A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Wright, seconded by Councilmember Bilderain to find the project exempt from CEQA and adopt Resolution No. 22-28, approving the elimination of issuance fees for water heaters and swamp coolers.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, KLINK, MINTZ, WRIGHT, O'GILVIE
NOES: NONE
ASTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
16. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for FY 2021/22.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council receive and file.
Finance Director Abigail Hernandez-Conde (Director Hernandez-Conde) presented the Staff Report and Annual Financial Comprehensive Report. She then passed the floor to Mr. Brad Welebir with Rogers, Anderson, Malody and Scott Auditors (RAMS) who further elaborated on the results of the audit.
Having no action to take, the Report was received and filed.
17. City Wastewater and Sewer Project.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff is looking for direction and discussion on the following:
1. Location of Treatment Plant;
2. Collection System Initial Phasing;
3. State Grant Request.
City Manager Luckino presented the Staff Report and PowerPoint presentation. He then passed the floor to Mr.
Andrew Frost, Project Manager for Carollo Engineers, who continued with the PowerPoint presentation indicating the new location which is 4.4 acres right along the flood channel along Desert Knoll.
Cindy Bernard, Twentynine Palms, made a public comment via email, that was read into the record.
Matt Shragge, General Manager for the Twentynine Palms Water District, spoke that he is happy to see that the City and the Water District is working together on this project.
City Council - Regular Meeting
November 8, 2022
Consensus of the City Council is all in favor of:
1. Location of Treatment Plant;
2. Collection System Initial phasing;
3. State Grant Request.
FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
1. Voting for Mayor as opposed to current selection process.
2. Seasonal Banners throughout the City.
3. Maintained v. Non-Maintained Roads.
4. VHR Ordinance.
5. Two-story homes in Indian Cove.
Councilmember Klink suggested that we consider a discussion to work with the non-profits to help out with a heating station during the winter months since we have a cooling center in the summer months. All Councilmembers agreed to have this come back as an agenda item.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Daniel Demeyere, Twentynine Palms, commented on problems with vandalism with mailboxes. In the last two months, mailboxes where he lives were all opened and mail stolen. Councilmember Klink suggested that the City Manager talk to the Postmaster. His second issue is his concern that we only have one deputy serving Twentynine Palms and surrounding areas and we really need one more. City Manager Luckino mentioned that there are two deputies for this area for each shift.
Tanquasta (Tanc) Brown, Twentynine Palms, commented on the awareness of homeless shelters. She mentioned that she came up with an idea of a non-profit shelter and she has a petition with many signatures that are in favor of a homeless shelter.
Pam La Fosse, Twentynine Palms, commented on the peacocks on Adobe Circle that have been in the community for many years. She wanted to make the City Council aware that there is a neighbor that is doing horrible things to these peacocks. She is hoping that the City Council can help out in some way to protect these birds. City Manager Luckino mentioned that he would follow up with Animal Control.
Eric Menendez, Twentynine Palms, wanted to inform the community that Rediscover 29 Palms will be selling Christmas trees. He added that Sunset Strolls is starting back up again and the first one will be Friday, November 11, 2022.
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager Luckino mentioned that Stater Brothers will be doing a major remodel soon, they have also geo fenced most of their shopping carts and will be contracting with a company soon for the retrieval of shopping carts. The Light Parade time has been changed to 6:00 p.m., and the Sunnyvale Garden Suites Hotel has been converted to an apartment complex. He commented that in regard to EV charging stations, the City has been trying to get the ones that were recently installed maintained and repaired, and he mentioned that he recently went on a ride along with one of the Sheriff's Department deputies.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor O'Gilvie adjourned the meeting at 8:24 p.m. and wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/PIO