TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session MINUTES City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
October 16, 2023
CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
5:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Wright called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Bilderain, Klink, Mintz, Scott, Wright.
Adjourn to Closed Session - Mayor Wright adjourned to Closed Session at 5:02 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
1. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code §54957 Public Employment, Interim City Manager.
2. Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code §54957 - Public Employees Performance Evaluation, City Clerk.
REGULAR SESSION AGENDA
6:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Wright called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance - Community Development Director Gardner led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Pastor LeeAnn Clarke, 29 Palms Ministerial Association, led the Invocation.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Bilderain, Klink, Mintz, Scott, Wright.
Closed Session Announcements - There was no reportable action from the Closed Session.
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 the City 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 attended two Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies, one for Alamo Laundromat and the other for Black Cactus Co-Working.
Councilmember Mintz commented that he also attended the two Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies; for Alamo Laundromat and Black Cactus Co-Working.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
October 16, 2023
Councilmember Klink mentioned that he attended the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Alamo Laundromat, and a Measure I meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Bilderain mentioned that he participated in a tour of City Hall and "mock" City Council meeting with students from the PLUS program and he attended Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies for Alamo Laundromat and Black Cactus Co-Working.
Mayor Wright commented that he also attended the site visit with students from the PLUS program, a meeting with Base representatives and the Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies for Black Cactus Co-Working. He wished his son Drayson and his daughter Mariana a Happy Birthday.
CONSENT CALENDAR - NONE
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION - NONE
PUBLIC HEARING- NONE
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
1. Consideration of Appointment of Interim City Manager and Approval of Contract Related to Same.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council appoint an Interim City Manager and approve the employment contract.
City Manager Luckino presented the Staff Report.
Susan Peplow, spoke in support of the consideration of Larry Bowden as Interim City Manager.
Mayor Wright read an email from Cindy Bernard, Joseph Carder, Mary Beth Holland, Clyde Kern, Debra Shea, Kat Talley-Jones, Susan Zakin, Heidi Heard, and Natalie Zuk, for the record.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Klink to appoint Larry Bowden as the Interim City Manager, and approved the employment contract.
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 Banner throughout the City.
2. Maintained vs. Non-Maintained Roads.
3. Identify ten lots to start a self-help construction program.
4. Discussion of forming a Youth Advisory Commission.
5. Discussion with the Homeless Committee on the possibility of hotels housing the homeless for short periods of time.
6. Discussion on the possibility of moving the Wastewater Treatment Plant from the Desert Knoll area to the east side of the City in the Industrial zone.
No items were added.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
October 16, 2023
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Susan Peplow, Joshua Tree, commented that there has been no official notice of the stakeholders meeting with TBID. She asked the City Council to get this going please.
Pamela LaFosse, Twentynine Palms, spoke about the Adobe Circle peacocks.
April Ramirez, Twentynine Palms, spoke first about clearing any rumors that are going around about her running for City Council because she is not. She also commented about some inconsistencies in the City's finances. She mentioned expenses made by Councilmember Mintz and Councilmember Klink at the Marine Corps Ball.
Joseph Carder, Twentynine Palms, thanked City Manager Luckino for all he did while serving as City Manager.
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager Luckino had no updates. He thanked Susan Peplow for her kind words.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Wright adjourned the meeting at 6:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/Public Information Officer