TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session MINUTES City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
March 28, 2023
CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
5:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Wright called the Closed Session to order at 5:31 p.m.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Bilderain, Mintz, Scott, Wright. Councilmember Klink arrived at 5:35 p.m.
Adjourn to Closed Session - Mayor Wright adjourned the Closed Session at 5:32 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION: Initiation of litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (One Case).
REGULAR SESSION AGENDA
6:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER - High School student Elisabeth Marshall called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance - Twentynine Palms High School student Elisabeth Marshall led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Pastor Mike Maddy - Shadow Mountain Community Church, gave the Invocation.
Miss Marshall, Twentynine Palms High School ASB City Council representative, provided an update on what's going on at the High School.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Bilderain, Klink, Mintz, Scott, Wright.
Closed Session Announcements - Mayor Wright announced that the City Council authorized the City Manager to join a nationwide litigation regarding the opioid crisis against five new defendants and authorized settlement funds to be dispersed to San Bernardino County for countywide abatement. Councilmember Klink made a motion to approve, Councilmember Mintz seconded, and the vote was 5-0 in favor.
Changes to the Agenda - City Manager Luckino announced that Captain Warrick, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, had an introduction of a new addition to the team. He introduced the Morongo Basin Station's new Lieutenant, Lt. Al Huff.
City Manager Luckino introduced Ms. Deborah McGarrey, Southern California Gas, who provided an update on the recent rise in Gas bills.
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 the City website and clicking on the "Meeting Agendas" link.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
March 28, 2023
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS
2. Proclamation Recognizing March 2023 as Women's History Month.
Mayor Wright read the Proclamation in its entirety.
3. Proclamation Recognizing March 2023 as Irish-American Heritage Month.
Mayor Wright read the Proclamation in its entirety.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Scott mentioned that he attended the "Grilling with the Mayor" event.
Councilmember Mintz commented that he attended the MDAQMD meeting in Victorville, and he recently took a tour of the newly renovated pool.
Councilmember Klink welcomed Lt. Huff to the Morongo Basin, he attended some of the basketball games at the annual Basketball tournament and he attended the "Grilling with the Mayor" event. He wished everyone a Happy Easter.
Mayor Pro Tem Bilderain commented that he didn't attend any meetings, but he did watch some of the basketball games at the tournament this past weekend, and he welcomed Lt. Huff to the Morongo Basin.
Mayor Wright mentioned that he attended the basketball tournament in Beaumont the weekend prior, he sponsored the "Grilling with the Mayor" event, he attended the Twentynine Palms Basketball Tournament, and it was fun. He mentioned that he attended the carnival, and he helped deliver some meals through the Food for Life program.
CONSENT CALENDAR
4. Waive the Reading of Ordinance and Approve the Reading by Title Only.
5. Approval of Minutes of the City Council Meeting Held on March 14, 2023.
6. Investment Policy.
7. Fire Department Emergency Response Report - February 2023.
8. Legislative Report - February 2023.
9. Morongo Basin Ambulance Report - February 2023.
10. 6602 Freedom Way Demolition.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Award a contract to demolish the structures at 6602 Freedom Way to Clemons Demolition in the amount of $38,800 and authorize a Ten Percent (10%) Contingency in the amount of $3,880, for a total contract amount of $42,680.
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contract, including any necessary amendments thereto.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
March 28, 2023
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Scott to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted.
Councilmember Mintz abstained from item #10 due to a possible conflict of interest.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, KLINK, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: MINTZ FROM ITEM #10
ABSENT: NONE
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION – None.
PUBLIC HEARING
11. Wastewater Services - Continuance.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council continue this item to May 9, 2023.
This item was continued to a future meeting, tentatively in May.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
12. 2023 Healthy Cities Campaign Grant.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the grant funding opportunity to install a permanent 38' X 38' outdoor fitness court at Knott's Sky Park pending the available funding during the budget process.
City Manager Luckino introduced Scott Clinkscales, Community Events Coordinator, who presented the Staff Report and video.
Karen Harper, Twentynine Palms, asked why the Knott's Sky Park area for this outdoor fitness court. She commented that she did not receive any information on this. She does not think this location is a great idea.
After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Klink to approve the grant funding opportunity to install a permanent 38 x 38 outdoor fitness court at Knott's Sky Park pending the available funding during the budget process and with alternative locations and cost comparison.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, KLINK, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
Mayor Pro Tem Bilderain thanked the Park and Rec staff for all their hard work in putting together the basketball tournament this past weekend.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
March 28, 2023
13. AB (Assembly Bill) 1708 (Muratsuchi) on Theft.
City Manager Luckino presented the Staff Report on AB1708 which seeks to increase the accountability for repeat theft offenders. He then passed the floor to Captain Warrick, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department who presented more information regarding this Bill.
RECOMMENDATION: Cal Cities is recommending the City Council take action to support AB 1708 to increase accountability for repeat theft offenders.
City Manager Luckino presented the Staff Report on AB1708 which seeks to increase the accountability for repeat theft offenders. He then passed the floor to Captain Warrick, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department who provided more information regarding this Bill.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bilderain to take action to support AB1708 to increase accountability for repeat theft offenders.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, KLINK, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
14. East Valley Regional Steering Committee.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council appoint a member to serve on the East Valley Steering Committee representing the City.
City Manager Luckino presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Wright nominated Councilmember Scott to serve on the East Valley Steering Committee representing the City. Councilmember Mintz seconded the nomination.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, KLINK, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
15. Fire Safety Plan.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council review and approve this termination process and accept the potential additional funds needed for this transaction for the Water Districts Fire Fighter PERS Safety Plan.
City Manager Luckino presented the Staff Report.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Scott to approve this termination process, and accept the potential additional funds needed for this transaction for the Water District's Fire Fighter PERS Safety Plan.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
March 28, 2023
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, KLINK, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
16. Mission Statement of the Public Arts Advisory Committee (PAAC).
RECOMMENDATION:
1) The City Council adopt the Resolution setting the number of members of the Public Arts Advisory Committee (PAAC), as well as modifying the time and date of the meeting of the PAAC. 2) The City Council approve the revised Mission Statement of the Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC).
Community Development Director Keith Gardner (Director Gardner) presented the Staff Report.
Gary Daigneault, Twentynine Palms and Board member of Theatre 29, spoke about the concerns of the Theatre Board. They feel that the PAAC is an empire building, trying to gain oversight of the theatre and other artistic organizations. They feel that the PAAC should not be interfering with artistic processes that are going on.
Natalie Zuk, Twentynine Palms, spoke in favor of the PAAC.
After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Klink to adopt the Resolution setting the number of members of the Public Arts Advisory Committee (PAAC), as well as modifying the time and date of the meeting of the PAAC and approve the revised Mission Statement of the Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC), removing items #1 and 4 from the Mission Statement.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, KLINK, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
1. Seasonal banners throughout the City.
2. Maintained v. Non-Maintained Roads.
3. Voting for Mayor as opposed to the current selection process.
4. Discussion on working with non-profit organizations to establish a "Heating Shelter" during the Winter months.
Councilmember Mintz added an item having the Planning Commission look at what materials can be used for commercial driveways. Councilmember Klink seconded the motion.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
March 28, 2023
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager Luckino provided the following update: the City is soliciting applications for the Citizens Advisory Committee for Wastewater, as well as the Homeless/Housing Committee, and should be brought to the City Council for appointment at the second meeting in April, the preliminary budget will be presented in late April. He mentioned that the 29 Palms Band of Mission Indians sent over a letter of support for the Wastewater Project, and the County is also looking at their short-term rental policy.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Wright adjourned this meeting at 7:34 p.m. to the next meeting which will be April 25, 2023.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/Public Information Officer