TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting MINUTES
City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
October 10, 2023
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Wright called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance - Boy Scout Thomas Elkins led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Bilderain, Mintz, Scott, Wright. Councilmember Klink had an excused absence.
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 - NONE
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Scott mentioned that he did not attend any meetings.
Councilmember Mintz mentioned that he did not attend any meetings.
Mayor Pro Tem Bilderain mentioned that he did not attend any meetings.
Mayor Wright mentioned that he attended the Kickoff for Pioneer Days and he attended the ASYMCA Service Members of the Quarter Luncheon aboard the Base.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Waive the Reading of Ordinance and Approve the Reading by Title Only.
2. Approval of Minutes of the City Council Meeting Held on September 18, 2023.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Scott to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: KLINK
City Council - Regular Meeting
October 10, 2023
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION - NONE
PUBLIC HEARING - NONE
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS - NONE
FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
1. Seasonal Banners throughout the City.
2. Maintained vs. Non-Maintained Roads.
3. Identify ten lots to start a self-help construction program.
4. Discussion on forming a Youth Advisory Committee.
5. Discussion with the Homeless Committee on the possibility of hotels housing the homeless for short periods of time.
6. Assess and Examine Pedestrian and Street Safety around the schools.
No additional items were added.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Alice Lawson, Twentynine Palms, spoke about the crosswalks and stop signs on Sun Valley, Sunnyvale, Hillside, and El Paseo. She asked if speed bumps could be installed along these streets. City Manager Luckino replied yes, but there is a liability, and a traffic study would need to be initiated.
Steve Spear, Twentynine Palms, provided a packet to each Councilmember containing documents of complaints he has placed with the City. He commented that he did not receive a response from Code Enforcement about these complaints or have they informed him if any of these complaints had been resolved.
Susan Peplow, Joshua Tree, thanked City Manager Luckino for his time with the City. She mentioned she appreciates the effort of the City Council in the leadership of the community. She asked the City Council not to make hasty decisions when it comes to selecting a new City Manager.
Pamela LaFosse, Twentynine Palms, spoke about the peacocks on Adobe Circle that were recently removed. She commented that she was not given the opportunity to speak at her appeal hearing and feels she wasn't listened to throughout the process.
Thomas Elkins, Twentynine Palms, encouraged the City Council to take a look at some of the Council Initiated Items that have been sitting on the agenda for months such as the Youth Advisory Committee item. He commented that forming this committee would be beneficial to the City.
Benjamin Alley, Twentynine Palms, spoke about an incident that recently occurred to his wife. He commented that she was assaulted by three teenagers in her front yard, and it took 25 minutes for deputies to arrive and hasn't been contacted by an investigator.
Veno Nathraj, Twentynine Palms, thanked City Manager Luckino for his service and wished him good luck. He commented on the issue that Ms. Lawson has brought up for the past three years and mentioned that the City recently renovated the City pool, however, his hotel keeps getting teenagers coming to use his pool because there is no other pool to go to.
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Council - Regular Meeting
October 10, 2023
City Manager Luckino mentioned that he did not have any updates but wanted to read a prepared Staff Report on the adjournment of this meeting, which will be a Special Meeting set for the following day, October 11th, to consider an appointment of an Interim City Manager. He mentioned that he is proposing this meeting be adjourned to October 16th, when an Interim City Manager can be appointed.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Wright adjourned the meeting to October 16, 2023 at 6:24 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/Public Information Officer