TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting MINUTES
City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
January 23, 2024
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Bilderain 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 - LeeAnn Clarke, Twentynine Palms Ministerial Association, gave the Invocation.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Klink, Mintz, Scott, Wright, Bilderain.
Closed Session Announcements - None.
Changes to the Agenda - None.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Bilderain 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. Proclamation Recognizing January as School Board Recognition Month.
Mayor Bilderain read the Proclamation and then presented the Proclamation to School Board Member John Cole.
2. Presentation by Interim City Manager Bowden on Roads and Pedestrian Safety.
Interim City Manager Bowden provided an update on City Roads and Pedestrian Safety.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Scott mentioned that he participated in the Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Walk and Prayer Bowl.
Councilmember Wright commented that he also participated in the MLK Walk and Prayer Bowl and he complimented Ms.
Minatrea, Recreation Program Manager, and the Staff on a fantastic job with the Youth Basketball Program.
Councilmember Mintz mentioned that he also participated in the MLK Walk and Prayer Bowl and he attended the MDAQMD meeting in Victorville.
Mayor Pro Tem Klink mentioned that he did not attend any meetings.
Mayor Bilderain commented that he participated in the MLK Walk and Prayer Bowl.
CONSENT CALENDAR
3. Waive the Reading of Ordinance and Approve the Reading by Title Only.
City Council - Regular Meeting
January 23, 2024
4. Approval of Minutes of the City Council Meeting Held on January 9, 2024, and the Special Meeting held on January 17, 2024.
5. Youth Council Resolution Approval.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve Resolution No. 24-01 establishing a Youth Council.
6. Fire Department Emergency Response Report - December 2023.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Klink, seconded by Councilmember Wright to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted minus item # 5.
Councilmember Scott asked that item #5 be pulled for discussion.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: KLINK, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION
5. Youth Council Resolution Approval.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve Resolution No. 24-01 establishing a Youth Council.
Recreation Program Manager Minatrea (Program Manager Minatrea) presented the Staff Report.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Klink, seconded by Councilmember Scott to approve Resolution No. 24-01, establishing a Youth Council.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: KLINK, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
PUBLIC HEARING
7. DCA - Article 3, Administration, Permits, and Procedures.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council find the project exempt from CEQA, introduce the Ordinance and approve the Development Code Amendment for Article 3, Administration, Permits and Procedures.
Community Development Director Gardner (Director Gardner) mentioned that this item will be tabled and presented at the February 13, 2024 meeting.
City Council - Regular Meeting
January 23, 2024
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
8. Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) Advisory Board Appointment.
RECOMMENDATION: The TBID Subcommittee (Mayor Bilderain and Mayor Pro Tem Klink) will make a recommendation to the City Council for the appointment to the TBID Advisory Board.
Mayor Bilderain presented the Staff Report and recommendation to the City Council.
Susan Peplow, commented that she feels Mr. Ramsey is a wonderful fit to the TBID Board.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Wright to approve the recommendation made by Mayor Pro Tem Klink and Mayor Bilderain to appoint Ashton Ramsey to the TBID Board.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: KLINK, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
9. Self-Help Housing Project.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council provide direction to Staff as to how to proceed with obtaining ten (10) contiguous lots for participation in the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition self-help program.
Director Gardner presented the Staff Report.
Susan Peplow suggested that the Staff looked at GIS and made a random pull and ask the property owners within proximity to give their feedback on interest because the property owners within the proximity would have vast knowledge of land in that area. She commented that this would be a good way to find out about flood zones, etc.
After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Wright to have Director Gardner explore options 1 and 2 that he presented to the City Council. The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
10. 2024/2025 CDBG Funding Prioritization.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve and prioritize the allocation of CDBG funds for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 to the City's parking lot improvement ADA rehabilitation and accessibility construction project.
Program Manager Minatrea presented the Staff Report.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Wright to approve and prioritize the allocation of CDBG funds for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 to the City's parking lot improvement ADA rehabilitation and accessibility construction project.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: KLINK, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
City Council - Regular Meeting
January 23, 2024
FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
1. Seasonal/Military Banners throughout the City.
2. Discussion with the Homeless Committee on the possibility of hotels housing the homeless for short periods of time.
Councilmember Wright asked if the Interim City Manager could provide an update on the JPA. Mayor Pro Tem Klink seconded the item.
Mayor Pro Tem Klink asked if we could have "Welcome King of the Hammers Visitors" signs up along the Highway for those attending the event in the future. Councilmember Wright seconded the item.
Mayor Pro Tem Klink suggested installing "poop bag" stations along National Park Drive for those that walk along National Park Drive and walk their dogs.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
LeeAnn Clarke, thanked the City Council and Staff for attending the MLK Walk and Prayer Bowl, she thanked the Morongo Unified School District Board for their recognition at tonight's meeting, and thanked Mr. Ashton Ramsey, for being a part of the TBID Board and a part of our community and thanked him for maintaining the mural at Tin Town.
Mayor Pro Tem Klink commented that the graffiti at the Farmers Insurance building has been removed.
Mary Jane Binge mentioned that now that we have added Mr. Ramsey to the TBID Board, it would be a good time to revisit and complete the TBID Ordinance to include term limits so that the community can continue to receive new ideas and fresh insight from stakeholders.
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
Interim City Manager Bowden provided the following update: he received word today that San Bernardino County Flood Control District will begin construction on the culvert and rebuild of the new crossing bridge at El Rey Avenue. The road will be closed from January 29 to May 10, 2024.
Mayor Bilderain reminded everyone that he will be at Fan's this Friday to listen to the community's concerns and ideas.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Bilderain adjourned the meeting in memory of Chris Plummer at 6:56 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/Public Information Officer