TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting MINUTES
City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
January 10, 2023
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Wright called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance - Animal Control Supervisor Rick Boyd led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Rev. Peggy Ventris, St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Bilderain, Klink, Mintz, Scott, and Wright.
Closed Session Announcements - None.
Changes to the Agenda - None.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Wright 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. Introduction of the City's newest employees.
Community Development Director Gardner (Director Gardner) introduced Ms. Katrina Bennett who works in the Planning Department.
2. Presentation by the Public Arts Advisory Committee (PAAC).
Former Chair, Ms. Pat Flanagan presented a Power Point presentation on the PAAC's accomplishments.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Mintz commented that he attended the State of the City, the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Grocery Outlet, the Toys for 29 Giveaway and Coffee with a Cop.
Councilmember Scott mentioned that he attended the State of the City, the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Grocery Outlet, Coffee with a Cop and the Toys for 29 Giveaway.
Councilmember Klink commented that he attended the State of the City and the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Grocery Outlet. He wished everyone celebrating a birthday in January a Happy Birthday and he wished his wife a Happy Anniversary to his wife of 40 years.
Mayor Pro Tem Bilderain welcomed Katrina to the City team. He mentioned that he attended the State of the City, the Toys for 29 Giveaway, and the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Grocery Outlet. He wished everyone good health and good wealth for this New Year.
City Council - Regular Meeting
January 10, 2023
Mayor Wright mentioned that he attended the Toys for 29 Golf Tournament, the Toy Giveaway, the Grocery Outlet Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, and he welcomed Katrina to the City team.
CONSENT CALENDAR
3. Waive the Reading of Ordinance and Approve the Reading by Title Only.
4. Approval of Minutes of the City Council Meeting Held on November 8, 2022.
5. Legislative Report - December 2022.
6. Morongo Basin Ambulance Report - December 2022
7. Fire Department Emergency Response Report - November 2022
8. SB1383 Education and Outreach Campaign.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the quote presented by CV Strategies for an amount not to exceed $42,000.00 to provide education and outreach to comply with SB1383.
Councilmember Klink asked for an explanation of item #8. City Manager Luckino provided an explanation.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Klink to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted.
Councilmember Scott abstained from item #8.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, KLINK, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: SCOTT FROM ITEM #8
ABSENT: NONE
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION – None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. Development Code Amendment - Pot Belly Pigs.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council conduct the Public Hearing, consider public comment, find the project exempt from CEQA and tentatively approve Ordinance No. 302, amending the City's Development Code to reflect requirements for keeping miniature pigs as pets.
Community Development Director Gardner (Director Gardner) presented the Staff Report. He then passed the floor to Animal Control Supervisor Rick Boyd (Supervisor Boyd) who provided more information on the item.
Mayor Wright opened the Public Hearing.
Karalee Hargrove, Twentynine Palms, spoke in favor of pot belly pigs as pets.
City Council - Regular Meeting
January 10, 2023
Karen Harper, Twentynine Palms, spoke against pot belly pigs.
Mayor Wright closed the Public Hearing.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Klink to find the project exempt from CEQA and tentatively approve Ordinance No. 302, amending the City's Development Code to reflect requirements for keeping miniature pigs as pets.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, KLINK, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
10. Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and Parking Requirements.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council conduct the Public Hearing, consider public comment, find the project exempt from CEQA and tentatively approve Ordinance No. 303, amending the City's Development Code to reflect requirements for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, in reflection of State Law.
Director Gardner presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Wright opened the Public Hearing.
Having no requests to speak from the public, Mayor Wright closed the Public Hearing.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Klink to find the project exempt from CEQA and tentatively approve Ordinance No. 303, amending the City's Development Code to reflect requirements for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, in reflection of State Law.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, KLINK, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
11. Appeal of VHR22-195
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council conduct the Public Hearing, consider public comment, deny the appeal, and allow Staff to continue processing the application.
Director Gardner presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Wright opened the Public Hearing.
Katherine Talley-Jones, Twentynine Palms, who is also the appellant, spoke in favor of the appeal.
City Council - Regular Meeting
January 10, 2023
James Krushat, Twentynine Palms, spoke in favor of the VHR, asking that the City Council abide by the Ordinance that was passed.
Cindy Bernard, Twentynine Palms, spoke in favor of the appeal.
Beau Campbell, Twentynine Palms, asked how the owner applied for a permit before the structure was built? He said it seems that there may be loopholes in the Ordinance and that should be looked into. He added that he is in favor of this gentleman being able to build his structure, however, it doesn't seem right that you can apply or obtain an STR permit before the structure is built.
Eric Menendez, Twentynine Palms, is suggesting that the Ordinance come back to the City Council to address these types of structures being built.
Veno Nathraj, Twentynine Palms, commented that it is a beautiful building. He believes that the City needs to put commercial type homes in commercial zoned areas.
Alex Garcia, Twentynine Palms, commented that he works a lot with the homeless and believes that much of the community is not aware of this huge problem we have due to these short-term rentals. He said there aren't many places that are affordable for people that have been kicked out of their homes by the owners so that they can make it a short-term rental.
Heather Vescent, Twentynine Palms, spoke in favor of the appeal.
After a brief discussion, Councilmember Scott suggested that this item be tabled to a later date.
A motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Klink to deny the appeal.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: KLINK, MINTZ
NOES: SCOTT, BILDERAIN, WRIGHT
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
Mayor Pro Tem Bilderain suggested that the City Council meet with the applicant.
As the motion failed, an alternative motion must be made. Councilmember Scott made a motion to request more information from Staff and table the Hearing to a date certain. Mayor Pro Tem Bilderain seconded the motion.
The above motion was carried by a consensus of the City Council to table the Hearing.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
12. Initiation of Study of Two-Story Homes in Indian Cove (Future Agenda Item Request).
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council direct Staff to study the issue of two-story homes in Indian Cove, their impact to the community, and whether to make any modifications to the Development Code.
Director Gardner presented the Staff Report.
Heidi Heard, Twentynine Palms, would like to see a study done on two-story homes, especially in the National Park buffer zone.
City Council - Regular Meeting
January 10, 2023
Eric Menendez, Twentynine Palms, agreed with Ms. Heard.
Cindy Bernard, Twentynine Palms, suggests limiting structures in the Indian Cover neighborhood to one-story.
Karen Harper, Twentynine Palms, is having a two-story home built and she doesn't believe it is fair to limit residents to one-story homes especially when the Ordinance allows for two-story homes.
Veno Nathraj, Twentynine Palms, commented that he understands the residents arguing the point of obstruction of views in the Indian Cove area with these two-story homes.
After a brief discussion, the consensus of the City Council is to conduct a study of two-story homes in the city.
13. Planning Commission Appointment - Future Agenda Item Request.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council discuss the Policy.
City Manager Luckino presented the Staff Report.
Cindy Bernard, Twentynine Palms, commented that she believes there should be some citizen involvement in the process and there should be a Commissioner in each district.
After a brief discussion, the consensus was that the process should stay the same, having a two-member committee look over the applications, interview and recommend future Planning Commissioners.
14. City Council Regional Organizational Assignments.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council review Council assignments for Regional Organizations and make appointments as appropriate.
Mayor Wright presented the changes to the Regional Organizational Assignments that he recommends, making one change, which is the Planning Commission Subcommittee, naming Mayor Pro Tem Bilderain and Councilmember Scott as those representatives for that Committee.
City Clerk Villescas read the committees and representatives for each organization. All Councilmembers were in agreement with the changes.
FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
1. Seasonal Banners throughout the City.
2. Maintained v. Non-Maintained Roads.
3. VHR Ordinance.
4. Voting for Mayor as opposed to current selection process.
5. Discussion on working with non-profits to establish a "Heating Station" during the winter months.
No other items were added.
City Council - Regular Meeting
January 10, 2023
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jim Krushat, Twentynine Palms, commented that he has a concern as a citizen on how decisions are made. He mentioned that VHR discussion and policy that was adopted. He is concerned on how decisions are made based on who is in the audience, not on policy.
Veno Nathraj, Twentynine Palms, welcomed Councilmember Scott on him winning the election. He commented on the displacement of people from their homes. He mentioned that housing is not important in our city, but bed tax is. He commented that there is a huge shortage of affordable housing in our community. He asked the City Council to please do something for these homeless living in bushes.
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager Luckino commented on the following: representatives in the Morongo Basin will be meeting on January 21st from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to discuss the homeless, Strategic Planning Workshops will be held on January 24 and 25 and as a result, we will be cancelling the January 24th City Council meeting, and the next City Council meeting is scheduled for February 14th. With that being Valentine's Day, he asked the City Council if they wanted to move the meeting to February 15th, the Council could speak to him directly. He mentioned that the next Social Equity meeting will be held this Thursday, January 12th at Patriotic Hall beginning at 5:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Wright adjourned the meeting in memory of Planning Commissioner Greg Mendoza at 7:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/Public Information Officer