TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting MINUTES
City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
November 14, 2023
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Wright called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance - Boy Scout Thomas Elkins led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Ms. Karalee Hargrove, gave the Invocation.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Bilderain, Mintz, Scott, Wright. Klink had an excused absence.
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 Park and Recreation's Newest Employees.
Ms. Kary Minatrea, Recreation Division Manager, introduced Curtis McCoy and Jorge Guzman, the newest City employees.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Scott mentioned that he attended the Marine Corps Birthday Pageant and the Veterans' Day event at Freedom Plaza.
Councilmember Mintz commented that he attended the Marine Corps Birthday Pageant, the Birthday Lunch, the Veterans' Day event and he thanked Ms. Minatrea and Mr. Clinkscales for organizing a great event. He mentioned that he parked cars at the Sky's the Limit event they held on Saturday.
Mayor Pro Tem Bilderain welcomed the new employees, he attended the Marine Corps Birthday Pageant, the Birthday lunch, the Veterans' event, and he celebrated the Marine Corps Birthday at the various locations that had celebrations going on.
Mayor Wright welcomed the new employees, he attended the Marine Corps Birthday Pageant, the Birthday lunch, the Veterans' Day event and attended a Mayor's Roundtable in Fontana.
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Waive the Reading of Ordinance and Approve the Reading by Title Only.
3. Approval of Minutes of the City Council Meeting Held on October 24, 2023.
City Council - Regular Meeting
November 14, 2023
4. Approval of Warrant Register Totaling $1,114,623.91
5. Split Rock Ave Bridge Design Contract Amendments
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve Amendment Nos. 2 and 3 with Dokken Engineering, not to exceed a combined total of $86,000, and authorize the Interim City Manager to execute all documents.
6. Public Utilities -Wastewater Services - Second Reading RECOMMENDATION: The City Council find the project exempt from CEQA and adopt the Ordinance, adding Chapter 15.10 Wastewater Services to the Municipal Code.
7. Award a Construction Services Contract to Courtmaster Sports, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve and award a construction services contract to Courtmaster Sports, Inc. for repair and resurfacing of the basketball courts within Luckie Park utilizing 2023/2024 CDBG program funds.
8. Fire Department Emergency Response Report - October 2023.
Councilmember Scott asked that item #7 be removed for discussion.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bilderain, 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
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION
7. Award a Construction Services Contract to Courtmaster Sports, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve and award a construction services contract to Courtmaster Sports, Inc. for repair and resurfacing of the basketball courts within Luckie Park utilizing 2023/2024 CDBG program funds.
Recreation Division Manager Minatrea presented the Staff Report.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Scott, seconded by Councilmember Mintz, to approve and award a construction services contract to Courtmaster Sports, Inc. for repair and resurfacing of the basketball courts within Luckie Park utilizing 2023/2024 CDBG program funds.
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
November 14, 2023
PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. DCA23-000002 - Nonconforming Buildings and Uses.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council find the project exempt from CEQA and adopt the Ordinance, approving the Development Code Amendment for Chapter 19.142 Nonconforming Buildings and Uses.
Mayor Wright opened the Public Hearing.
Having no requests to speak, Mayor Wright closed the Public Hearing.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Mayor Wright, to find the project exempt from CEQA and adopt Ordinance No. 313, approving the Development Code Amendment for Chapter 19.142 Nonconforming Buildings and Uses.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: KLINK
10. DCA23-000007 - Vacation Home Rentals.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council find the project exempt from CEQA and adopt the Ordinance, approving the Development Code Amendment for Chapter 19.41 Vacation Home Rentals.
Director Gardner presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Wright opened the Public Hearing.
Mayor Wright read emails into the record from the following: George Mulopulos, Heather Vescent, Cindy Bernard, and Debra Shea.
Jim Krushat, Twentynine Palms, spoke about the benefits of VHRs for the City's economy.
Kat Talley-Jones, Twentynine Palms, expressed her frustration with the Planning Committee. She asked the City Council not to approve the current suggested changed to the Code.
Heidi Heard, Twentynine Palms, spoke against VHRs.
John Talley-Jones, Twentynine Palms, spoke against the proposed changes to the STR rules and made suggestions to these changes.
Susan Peplow, Joshua Tree, gave her suggestions on each of the proposed changes to the VHR rules.
Jonathan Hume, Desert Heights, mentioned that the County recently completed a study on the impact of VHRS on housing in the unincorporated area and they found no impact on housing. He expressed that if a study were done in the community, we will find the same result. He made suggestions to the other proposed changes to the code.
Eric Menendez, Twentynine Palms, echoed the support of the purpose built STRs and what was said by Ms.
Peplow and Mr. Hume on the paved driveways.
City Council - Regular Meeting
November 14, 2023
After a lengthy discussion of each proposed change, the consensus of the City Council was to send the item back to the Planning Commission for discussion on some of the proposed changes. The item cannot be approved until all changes are discussed with the Planning Commission.
11. DCA23-000012 - Western Joshua Trees.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council find the project exempt from CEQA and adopt the Ordinance, approving the Development Code Amendment for Western Joshua Trees.
Mayor Wright opened the Public Hearing.
Having no requests to speak, Mayor Wright closed the Public Hearing.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bilderain, to find the project exempt from CEQA and adopt Ordinance No. 314, approving the Development Code Amendment for Western Joshua Trees.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, KLINK, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: KLINK
12. DCA23-000015 - DTSP Land Use Tables.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council find the project exempt from CEQA and adopt the Ordinance approving the Development Code Amendment for the Downtown Specific Plan land use tables.
Mayor Wright opened the Public Hearing.
Having no requests to speak, Mayor Wright closed the Public Hearing.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bilderain, to find the project exempt from CEQA and adopt Ordinance No. 315, approving the Development Code Amendment for the Downtown Specific Plan land use tables.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: KLINK
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
13. City Clerk Compensation.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve increases to the City Clerk’s Compensation.
Interim City Manager presented the Staff Report.
ACTION: A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Bilderain, seconded by Mayor Wright, to approve increases to the City Clerk's Compensation.
City Council - Regular Meeting
November 14, 2023
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: KLINK
14. Public Arts Advisory Appointment.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council appoint Paul Razo as a standing member of the Public Arts Advisory Committee.
PAAC Members Anna Stump and Kate Short presented the Staff Report and recommendation. Mr. Paul Razo introduced himself to the City Council.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Scott, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bilderain, to appoint Paul Razo as a standing member of the Public Arts Advisory Committee.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: KLINK
FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
1. Seasonal Banners throughout the City.
2. Identify ten lots to start a self-help construction program.
3. Discussion of forming a Youth Advisory Commission.
4. Discussion with the Homeless Committee on the possibility of hotels housing the homeless for short periods of time.
5. Assess and examine pedestrian and street safety around the schools.
6. Discussion on the peacock issue and creating an Ordinance to consider them wild animals and prohibiting them from being fed.
Mayor Wright asked Staff to find a way to give Food for Life $20,000 for their program. Councilmember Scott seconded the item. The City Council asked that this be brought to the next meeting on December 12th.
Mayor Pro Tem Bilderain asked that number three on the list be brought back and that the Interim City Manager schedule a meeting with students at the Junior High and High School to begin this process. All Councilmembers were in favor.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Thomas Elkins, Twentynine Palms, spoke about the Future Initiated Item of forming a Youth Advisory Commission.
Izzy Hargrove, Twentynine Palms, spoke about the Future Initiated Item of forming a Youth Advisory Commission.
Suzy Dick, Yucca Valley, gave information about an event happening in Yucca Valley at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Jim Krushat, Twentynine Palms, spoke about the National Park buffer zone relating to VHRs and single-family homes.
City Council - Regular Meeting
November 14, 2023
Susan Peplow, echoed Mayor Wright's thoughts on citizens who write letters to be read into the record at City Council meetings.
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
Interim City Manager commented that it is busy keeping up to speed with what is going on. He mentioned that the City Manager recruitment will go out November 20th and will run until January 16, 2024, hoping to have a permanent City Manager by April 2024. He mentioned the Tree Lighting Ceremony is going to be held on Tuesday, December 5th.
Mayor Wright announced the Mayor's Toys for 29 Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, December 2nd. He also announced that there will not be a second meeting in November. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, December 12th.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Wright adjourned the meeting at 7:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/PIO