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 12, 2024
REGULAR SESSION AGENDA
6:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Bilderain called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance - Mr. Thomas Johnson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Pastor LeeAnn Clarke, 29 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 the City website and clicking on the "Meeting Agendas" link.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS
1. Presentation to the Twentynine Palms High School Softball Team for their Participation in the Cash for Trash and Recycling Program.
Mayor Pro Tem Klink presented checks in the amount of $300 each from Burrtec Waste and Recycling and the City of Twentynine Palms to the Twentynine Palms High School Softball Team.
2. Introduction of the new San Bernardino County Fire District's Assistant Chief of Operations, Chief Bill Villarino.
Assistant Fire Chief Scott Tuttle introduced the new Assistant Fire Chief Bill Villarino.
3. Presentation by Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Joint Powers Authority.
Correction: Southern California Council of Governments (SBCOG) Joint Powers Authority. Ms.
Monique Reza-Arellano, Chief of Council of Governments and Equity Programs, gave a Power Point Presentation.
4. Presentation by Twentynine Palms Park and Recreation on Upcoming Sports Events.
Haywood Adams, Recreation Supervisor, provided the City Council with an update on upcoming sports events.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
March 12, 2024
5. Proclamation Recognizing March 2024 as Women's History Month.
Mayor Bilderain read the Proclamation in its entirety and presented the Proclamation to Ms. Kim Ortamond.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Scott mentioned that he attended a community meeting for the Indian Cove residents, he met with some members of the community to discuss a plan to help feed the unhoused, and he attended the Pelican Club Dinner.
Councilmember Wright commented that he attended the Pelican Club Dinner.
Councilmember Mintz mentioned that he attended several City meetings and he reminded everyone of the Rotary carnival the weekend of March 21st and Community Cleanup Day is Saturday, March 30th from 7:00 a.m. to Noon.
Mayor Pro Tem Klink wished everyone celebrating a birthday in March a Happy Birthday. He wished Chief Scott Tuttle good luck on his retirement and welcomed Assistant Chief Villarino.
Mayor Bilderain commented that he attended Leadership Luncheon aboard the Base, the Pelican Club Dinner and he was the guest speaker at the quarterly Basinwide Foundation Luncheon.
CONSENT CALENDAR
6. Waive the Reading of Ordinance and Approve the Reading by Title Only.
7. Approval of Warrant Register Totaling $714,087.92.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Wright to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted.
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 - None.
PUBLIC HEARING – None.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
March 12, 2024
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
8. The Sanctuary Church Fee Waiver Request for the Use of the Community Center Gymnasium.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council discuss and make a determination on waiving the rental fees for the use of the Community Center Gymnasium and Kitchen for the Sanctuary Church’s 20th Anniversary Celebration.
Recreation Division Manager Minatrea presented the Staff Report. She then passed the floor to Pastor Jauron James, who provided additional information about the Anniversary Celebration.
Ms. LeeAnn Clarke, spoke in favor of the Sanctuary Church.
Mr. Sylvester Cullum spoke in favor of the Sanctuary Church.
Ms. Karen Harper asked about the non-profit organizations and if they can get fees waived as well? After a brief discussion, the City Council asked Division Manager Minatrea to provide a revised fee, after discussing a waiver of certain items that were being charged. This item was tabled to the next meeting to give the revised amounts per City Council.
9. Housing Element Annual Report.
The City Council accept the report and direct Staff to send to the State Department of Housing and Community Development Department.
Interim City Manager Bowden presented the Staff Report.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Klink, seconded by Councilmember Scott to accept the report and direct Staff to send it to the State Department of Housing and Community Development Department.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: KLINK, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
10. Project Phoenix Wastewater System Service Contract Amendment.
Councilmember Mintz recused himself due to a possible conflict of interest and left the Council Chambers at 7:08 p.m.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council:
1. Approve Amendment No. 2 to the contract for the Project Phoenix Wastewater System Operations and Maintenance with the County of San Bernardino Special Districts Department
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
March 12, 2024
County Service Area 70 (CSA 70) in the amount of $146,793.58 for a total not-to-exceed amount of $346,482.59.
2. Authorize the Interim City Manager to execute all documents necessary to execute the Amendment, including any necessary amendments thereto.
Interim City Manager Bowden presented the Staff Report.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Klink to approve Amendment No. 2 to the contract for the Project Phoenix Wastewater System Operations and Maintenance with the County of San Bernardino Special Districts Department County Service Area 70 (CSA 70) in the amount of $146,793.58 for a total not-to-exceed amount of $346,482.59 and authorize the Interim City Manager to execute all documents necessary to execute the Amendment, including any necessary amendments thereto.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: KLINK, SCOTT, WRIGHT, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: MINTZ
ABSENT: NONE
Councilmember Mintz returned to the Council Chambers at 7:11 p.m.
11. Update on Self-Build Housing Program.
Interim City Manager Bowden presented the Staff Report.
FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
1. Seasonal Banners throughout the City.
2. Discussion with the Homeless Committee on the possibility of hotel housing the homeless for short periods of time.
3. Discussion of moving the 29! sign.
4. General Plan review.
5. Discussion on an Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change grant that is available.
Councilmember Mintz requested that the Fee Waiver Policy be reviewed and updated. Councilmember Wright seconded the item. He also asked for a discussion on the SBCOG Membership Dues Increase.
Councilmember Wright seconded the item.
Councilmember Scott requested that the City Council revisit the funds that were allocated for the portable showers and Navigation Center. Councilmember Wright seconded the item.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
LeeAnn Clarke, Twentynine Palms, thanked Mayor Bilderain for serving as the keynote speaker for the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast that was held on February 20th, a Community Good Friday Tenebrae Service will be held Friday, March 29th from Noon to 1:00 p.m. at Little Church of the Desert in the Sanctuary, a Community Easter Sunrise Service will be held on Sunday March 31st at Freedom Plaza and she thanked Gary Daigneault and
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
March 12, 2024
Z107.7 for showcasing Anna Stump, Chairperson for the Public Arts Advisory Committee on the "Up Close" Show on March 8th, who represented the City with excellence and professionalism.
Geoffrey Preston, Twentynine Palms, thanked Councilmember Scott for facilitating the community meeting held the night before to help provide hot meals for the unhoused.
Ms. Holmes, Twentynine Palms, commented that it was great to hear that the Park and Recreation Department is creating programs for high school students. She mentioned that she had the opportunity to work at the High School last summer and many of these students do not have somewhere to go after their classes. Could we create something like a Boys and Girls Club for these students.
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
Interim City Manager Bowden provided the following updates: the City has received the new radar signs and they will be installed soon, Public Works is looking to purchase new flashing flood signs with California Intergovernmental Risk Authority (CIRA) funds, Congressman Jay Obernolte took the FY 2022-23 grant funds totaling 1.95 million dollars back onto the floor and was able to get these funds reappropriated to us for the USGS Study, and we also got approved for another one million dollars for FY2023-2024.
Councilmember Wright asked how a road classifies for a traffic study. Interim City Manager Bowden informed him that we have many traffic studies on our roads, and they could discuss one on one.
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION - Mayor Bilderain and the City Council adjourned to Closed Session at 7:30 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
1. CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957 (B) (1) PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT - CITY MANAGER.
The City Council returned to open session at 8:15 with nothing to report.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Bilderain adjourned the meeting at 8:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/Public Information Officer