TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting MINUTES
City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
April 23, 2024
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Bilderain called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance - Ms. Susan Peplow led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Pastor Amy Miranda, First Assembly of God Church gave the Invocation.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Klink, Scott, Wright, Bilderain. Councilmember Mintz had an excused absence.
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. Presentation to Twentynine Palms Interact for their Participation in the Cash for Trash and Recycling Program.
Mayor Pro Tem Klink presented checks in the amount of $300 each from the City of Twentynine Palms and Burrtec Waste and Recycling Services to Twentynine Palms Interact Club.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Scott mentioned that he had meetings with constituents, and he attended the International Festival at Freedom Plaza over the weekend.
Councilmember Wright commented that he did not attend any meetings, however, he was busy with travel basketball. He reminded everyone that the weather is starting to get warm and drink plenty of water.
Mayor Pro Tem Klink mentioned that he did not attend any meetings, he is getting ready for his trip to Hawaii, and he wished everyone a great week.
Mayor Bilderain commented that he had meetings with Staff, some outside organizations and he attended the Ribbon Cutting for Desert Hardware and the International Fest.
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 March 26, 2024, and April 9, 2024.
4. Treasurer's Report - FY 2023-24 Quarter 3.
City Council - Regular Meeting
April 23, 2024
Recommendation: The City Council receive and approve the Treasurer's Report for the 3rd Quarter of Fiscal Year 2023-24.
5. Updating the Authorized Signers on the City's Bank Accounts.
Recommendation: The City Council adopt Resolution No. 24-03, designating authorized signers on the City Bank Accounts.
6. Updating Information with the Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF).
Recommendation: The City Council adopt Resolution No. 24-04, updating the City's authorized officers to order the deposit or withdrawal of funds in the City's LAIF account.
7. Design Contract for the City-Wide Channel Trail Project.
Recommendation: The City Council award the design contract to Sherwood Design Engineers for $495,000, and authorize a 10% contingency for potential change orders, for the City-Wide Channel Trail Project subject to “Approval as to Form” by the City Attorney, and “Approval as to Content” by the Interim City Manager.
8. SBCTA Resolution for City-Wide Channel Trail Class I Bike Path Project.
Recommendation: The City Council adopt:
Resolution 24-05, "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Twentynine Palms, California, Authorizing Submittal of a Claim to the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority for Transportation Development Act Article 3 Funds for the City-Wide Channel Trail Class 1 Bike Path Project".
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Klink to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: KLINK, SCOTT, WRIGHT, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MINTZ
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION - None.
PUBLIC HEARING
9. Request to Vacate a Portion of Foothill Drive on Parcel Map 20360.
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Conduct the Public Hearing, consider public comment, and determine whether or not to vacate Foothill Drive located along the southern boundary of Parcel Map 20360.
2. Adopt Resolution 24-06 “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Twentynine Palms, California, vacating of Foothill Drive from the easterly boundary of Bullion Avenue to the westerly boundary of Split Rock Avenue shown on Parcel Map 20360, according to Streets and Highways Code Sections 8320-8325”.
3. Instruct the City Clerk to cause the Resolution vacating the easement to be recorded in the office of the County Recorder of the County of San Bernardino, pursuant to Section 8325 of the Streets and Highways Code.
ACTION: A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Klink, seconded by Councilmember Wright to Adopt Resolution 24-06 “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Twentynine Palms, California, vacating of Foothill Drive from the easterly boundary of Bullion Avenue to the westerly boundary of Split Rock Avenue shown on Parcel Map 20360, according to Streets and Highways Code Sections 8320-8325”.
City Council - Regular Meeting
April 23, 2024
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: KLINK, SCOTT, WRIGHT, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MINTZ
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
10. Community Events Grants.
Recommendation: The Events Ad Hoc Committee is recommending the following events to be funded; $20,000 in total:
1. Dine 29 Food Festival + Restaurant Week - $1,500;
2. Distance Duet - Free Public Choral Performances - $18,500 Community Events Coordinator Clinkscales presented the Staff Report.
Mary Jane Binge, Twentynine Palms, asked for more explanation on the Restaurant Week event put on by Black Cactus.
Mayor Bilderain mentioned that the proprietor of Ground Squirrel indicated that many restaurants weren't notified, and they should have the opportunity to do so.
After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Klink, seconded by Councilmember Wright to award the $18,500 to Distance Duet and hold off on the Dine 29 Festival and Restaurant Week until more information can be provided.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: KLINK, WRIGHT, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: SCOTT
ABSENT: MINTZ
11. Facility Rental Fee Waiver Policy Update.
Recommendation: The City Council update the City's policy on waiving fees for City facility rentals.
Recreation Division Manager (Division Manager) Minatrea presented the Staff Report.
Cindy Bernard, Twentynine Palms, suggested the cap for free rental of city facilities should be three days and not two.
Susan Peplow, Joshua Tree, mentioned that the City is already subsidizing fees for these facilities in regard to electricity, staff time, etc. She feels that a one-day waiver seems like plenty.
After a brief discussion, the City Council chose to table this item to the next meeting in order for Division Manager Minatrea to put together some numbers and add the recommendations they suggested for a decision.
12. Flooded LED Illuminated Bluetooth Activated Permanent Mounted Warning Signs.
Recommendation: The City Council:
1. Authorize the purchase of 20 Flashing LED Flooded Signs in the amount of $57,551.55;
2. Authorize the Interim City Manager to execute all documents necessary to complete the project and accept CIRA GRANT funds for project reimbursement.
City Council - Regular Meeting
April 23, 2024
Interim City Manager Bowden presented the Staff Report.
Cindy Bernard, Twentynine Palms, mentioned that there has never been a sign put up in Indian Cove. She asked if the City could consider putting one of these signs up at Rattlesnake Canyon Wash in Indian Cove.
ACTION: A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Klink, seconded by Councilmember Wright to authorize the purchase of 20 Flashing LED Flooded Signs in the amount of $57,551.55; and authorize the Interim City Manager to execute all documents necessary to complete the project and accept CIRA GRANT funds for project reimbursement.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: KLINK, SCOTT, WRIGHT, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: MINTZ
FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
1. Discussion of moving the 29! sign.
2. General Plan Review.
3. Revisit funds that were allocated for the portable showers and Navigation Center.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
May Jane Binge, Twentynine Palms, thanked Interim City Manager Bowden for an outstanding job and mentioned he is going to be missed.
Cindy Bernard, Twentynine Palms, seconded what Ms. Binge said. She commented that in previous meetings, Boy Scout Thomas Elkins had brought up the idea of a Youth Council and nothing has been done. Mayor Bilderain mentioned that the Youth Council has been created, a press release went out that day and it is in the works.
Susan Peplow, Joshua Tree, thanked Interim City Manager Bowden, City Clerk Villescas, and all the Staff that helped in the last six months to get the transition of a new City Manager in place. She also suggested that now that there are more events taking place at Freedom Plaza, is there a way to put up some sort of mechanism to hang up banners.
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
Interim City Manager Bowden mentioned that a sign hanging method was discussed today for Freedom Plaza, there are a lot of good players here at the City and he is very appreciative of everyone that chipped in and helped him. He thanked the City Council and Staff for everything.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Bilderain adjourned the meeting in memory of Paul Smith at 6:59 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/Public Information Officer