TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting MINUTES
City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
May 14, 2024
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Bilderain called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance - Elisabeth Marshall led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Mary Kay Sherry, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 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. Presentation to the Rotary Club 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 Services and the City of Twentynine Palms to Ms. Liz Meyer, who accepted on behalf of the Rotary Club.
2. Presentation Recognizing Elisabeth Marshall.
Mayor Bilderain presented a Certificate of Recognition to Elisabeth Marshall, who was accepted into the Naval Academy. Miss Marshall then provided the High School update to the City Council.
3. San Bernardino County Fire Department Update.
Assistant Chief Bill Villarino provided an update on the San Bernardino County Fire Department.
4. Proclamation Recognizing May 2024 Mental Health Awareness Month.
Mayor Bilderain read the Proclamation to the audience.
5. Proclamation Recognizing May 2024 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2024.
Mayor Bilderain read the Proclamation and then presented it to Mr. Chuck Uyeda.
6. Proclamation Recognizing May 2024 as California Tourism Month.
Mayor Bilderain read the Proclamation and presented it to Ms. Breanne Dusastre, Marketing Director for the Tourism Business Improvement District
7. Summary on WORKSHOP29 by the Public Arts Advisory Committee.
Ms. Anna Stump, PAAC Chair, provided a summary of the WORKSHOP29 that was recently held at Freedom Plaza.
City Council - Regular Meeting
May 14, 2024
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Scott mentioned that he attended the Desert Rat Convention recently held at the Old Schoolhouse Museum.
Councilmember Wright commented that he attended the National Day of Prayer and the JPA meeting. He wished all the Mother's a Happy late Mother's Day.
Councilmember Mintz mentioned that he attended the MDAQMD meeting, and he will be attending the City-County Conference this week.
Mayor Pro Tem Klink mentioned that he attended the SBCTA meeting and the SCAG General Assembly in Palm Desert.
He congratulated Miss Marshall and he wished her good luck. He wished everyone celebrating a birthday in May Happy Birthday and Happy belated Mother's Day to all the mothers.
Mayor Bilderain congratulated Miss Marshall. He mentioned that he met with some citizens and Staff, he attended the Youth Council meeting, and he attended the National Day of Prayer.
CONSENT CALENDAR
8. Waive the Reading of Ordinance and Approve the Reading by Title Only.
9. Approval of Minutes of the City Council Meeting Held on April 23, 2024.
10. Appropriation Limit FY 2024-25.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council establish an appropriation limit for Fiscal Year 2024-25 by the adoption of the attached Resolution.
11. Approval of Warrant Register Totaling $2,001,856.95.
12. Ordinance No. 316 Repealing Chapter 15.10 of the Municipal Code - Wastewater Services.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve Ordinance No. 316 repealing Ordinance No. 312 Chapter
15.10, Wastewater Services.
13. PAAC grant application - CAC / Creative Youth.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council give direction to the Public Arts Advisory Committee to apply for the Creative Yoh Development grant as administered by the California Arts Council for a total of $25,000.
Councilmember Scott requested item #12 be pulled for discussion.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Scott to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted, minus item #12.
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
May 14, 2024
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION
12. Ordinance No. 316 Repealing Chapter 15.10 of the Municipal Code - Wastewater Services.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve Ordinance No. 316 repealing Ordinance No. 312 Chapter 15.10, Wastewater Services.
City Manager James presented the Staff Report.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Klink to approve Ordinance No. 316 repealing Ordinance No. 312 Chapter 15.10, Wastewater Services.
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
14. Development Code Amendment - Chapter 19.90 Dedications and Improvements - Implementing a Process for Establishing Legal Access and Adopting Development Impact Fees.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council finds the project exempt from CEQA and adopt the Ordinance approving the Development Code Amendment.
Community Development Director Gardner (Director Gardner) presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Bilderain opened the Public Hearing.
Having no requests to speak, Mayor Bilderain closed the Public Hearing.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Councilmember Mintz to find the project exempt from CEQA and adopt Ordinance No. 317 approving the Development Code.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: KLINK, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
15. General Plan Status Report.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council receive and file.
Director Gardner presented the Staff Report.
City Council - Regular Meeting
May 14, 2024
16. 29! Sculpture Location.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council give direction to Staff and to the Public Arts Advisory Committee as to the location of the 29! Sculpture.
Councilmember Mintz abstained from this item due to a possible conflict of interest and left the Council Chambers at 6:42 p.m.
PAAC Chair Anna Stump introduced Committee Member Paul Razo, who presented the Staff Report.
Pat Flanagan, Twentynine Palms, commented that the PAAC is doing a great job. She spoke in favor of moving the sculpture.
Patrick Zuchowicki, Twentynine Palms, spoke in favor of moving the sculpture.
MaryJane Binge, Twentynine Palms, spoke against moving the sculpture.
Councilmember Scott commented that he really appreciated everyone's comments, the PAAC's role is to advise the City Council about art and he feels it would do our city justice if it were at Freedom Plaza.
Councilmember Wright commented that the artist, Chuck Caplinger, gave him an informational class on sculpture and with this information, he feels that it should be moved to Freedom Plaza.
Mayor Pro Tem Klink commented that he is for keeping the sculpture where it is, possibly angle it so that it is better seen. He also mentioned that he felt a huge parking lot isn't needed, just make it ADA compliant.
Mayor Bilderain commented that he loves the sculpture, he has taken family photos there and he looks at that sign as ours, not a tourist attraction, like our murals, that are all over the City and people who come here drive all around town to see the murals. He mentioned that the 29 sign is about the people and the people who live here love the sign where it is. He commented he would love to see something new at Freedom Plaza. Yes, we could restore it, but not move it.
Paul Razo, PAAC member, if the City is willing to restore and make the area ADA compliant, that would be good too.
Robin Schlosser, Twentynine Palms, is in favor of keeping the sign where it is.
Anna Stump, PAAC Chair, commented that the $92,000 for the parking lot is for a six-car parking lot and that amount doesn't include ADA accessibility or road improvements so it is going to be quite an expensive project.
Jonathan Hume, Desert Heights, commented that both sides are right, and he feels that if someone spoke to the artist, he would be willing to create another one for Freedom Plaza.
Patrick Zuchowicki, Twentynine Palms, commented that he feels it is important to welcome visitors coming in not as they are leaving. He believes that this sculpture should be a welcome sign not a goodbye sign.
Pat Flanagan, Twentynine Palms, mentioned that she spoke to Chuck Caplinger and he would be willing to create another sign and provided a sketch of a new sign that Mr. Caplinger drew.
Mary Jane Binge, Twentynine Palms, commented that she agrees with Ms. Flanagan, as she was on the mural committee when the group was Art in Public Places and there should be art at Freedom Plaza, such as a Water Fountain or something similar.
City Council - Regular Meeting
May 14, 2024
After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Councilmember Scott, seconded by Councilmember Wright to allow the PAAC to move forward with the restoration of the sign and move the sculpture to Freedom Plaza.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: SCOTT, WRIGHT
NOES: KLINK, BILDERAIN
ABSTAIN: MINTZ
ABSENT: NONE
The vote failed. A second motion was made to vote on the two items separately.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Scott, seconded by Wright, to move forward with the restoration and the planning process of Donnell Hill for the sign.
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 7:16 p.m.
17. City Fee Waiver Policy.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the updated fee waiver policy.
Recreation Division Manager Minatrea provided the proposed revisions to the Fee Waiver Policy.
Jonathan Hume, Desert Heights, speaking on behalf of The Desert Trumpet, suggested some modifications to the revisions.
After a lengthy discussion, a motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Klink to approve Staff's recommendations for the Fee Waiver Policy and allow a three-day cap with no rental credit.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: KLINK, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
18. Public Arts Advisory Appointment.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council appoint Xarene Eskander as a standing member of the Public Arts Advisory Committee (PAAC).
Director Gardner introduced Ms. Anna Stump, PAAC Chair, who recommended to the City Council on behalf of PAAC, Ms. Xarene Eskander as a standing member of the PAAC. She then introduced Ms. Eskander, who introduced herself to the City Council and provided a brief biography of herself.
City Council - Regular Meeting
May 14, 2024
ACTION: A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Klink, seconded by Councilmember Wright, to appoint Xarene Eskander as a standing member of the Public Arts Advisory Committee.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: KLINK, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
19. Preliminary 2024-25 Budget Revisions for the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council review and provide direction on the preliminary FY 2024-25 budget revisions for the General Fund.
Finance Director Hernandez-Conde provided the Staff Report and Power Point presentation of the budget revisions for the General Fund.
Received and filed.
FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
1. Revisit funds that were allocated for the portable showers and Navigation Center.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager Stone commented that it is wonderful to be a part of this community and it has been a great experience so far. He mentioned that he has spent the last two weeks getting to know Staff and has found Staff hardworking, dedicated, and individuals with high integrity. He mentioned that he hopes that he can bring to the City Council's awareness and the community's awareness, is the volume and the quality of the work being performed. He looks forward to working with the various Commissions and Boards, mentioning that he had the opportunity to attend lunch last week that was hosted by the TBID at the 29 Palms Inn. This lunch hosted international tourists and journalists. He mentioned he is looking forward to working with the City Council and to continue to work on identifying and addressing some of the concerns that have been raised and addressing those goals that were brought up at the last Strategic Planning Session. Lastly, he mentioned that a Councilmember brought a Resolution Opposing the Taxpayer Protection and Accountability Act so we will bring it to the City Council at our next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Bilderain adjourned the meeting at 7:56 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/Public Information Officer