TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting MINUTES
City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
May 28, 2024
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Bilderain called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance - Thomas Elkins, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Pastor LeeAnn Clarke, Twentynine Palms Ministerial Association, gave the Invocation.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Bilderain, Klink, Mintz, Scott, Wright.
Closed Session Announcements - None.
Changes to the Agenda - Mayor Bilderain announced that item #12 will be removed from the agenda this evening.
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 Twentynine Palms High School Baseball Team and TASHA 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 the Twentynine Palms High School Boys Baseball Team and TASHA for their Participation in the Cash for Trash and Recycling Program
2. Swearing in of Members of the Youth Council.
Ms. Amy Tessier, Recreation Program Supervisor, introduced the students selected to serve on the Youth Commission. City Clerk Villescas then swore in the students.
3. Presentation to Twentynine Palms High School for their Partnership in International Festival.
Scott Clinkscales, Community Events Coordinator, provided a presentation on the recent International Festival held at Freedom Plaza with students from Twentynine Palms High School. He then presented the students with a donation and introduced Ms. Brianna Dandurand, Public Arts Advisory Committee (PAAC) Workshop29 Mentee, who presented a community art piece to the students.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Scott mentioned that he attended the vigil for GySgt. McDonald, the placing of the Memorial wreath at the Twentynine Palms Cemetery, and the Memorial Day Ceremony at Freedom Plaza.
Councilmember Wright commented that he attended the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, the Basin Transit meeting, and the Memorial Day Ceremony at Freedom Plaza.
City Council - Regular Meeting
May 28, 2024
Councilmember Mintz commented that he attended the City-County Conference, the High School Senior Scholarship night, the Basin Transit meeting, and the Memorial Day Ceremony at Freedom Plaza. He reminded everyone about the MDAQMD program where you can turn in old gas-powered lawnmowers or hedgers and they will give you a battery powered one for free.
Mayor Pro Tem Klink mentioned that he attended the City-County Conference and the Memorial Day Ceremony at Freedom Plaza. He thanked Park and Recreation and the Cemetery District for putting on a very somber event. He also thanked all the businesses that donated wreaths. He mentioned he attended the placing of the Memorial wreath at the cemetery.
Mayor Bilderain congratulated the new Youth Council. He mentioned that he attended the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, the placing of the Memorial wreath at the cemetery, the Memorial Day Ceremony at Freedom Plaza, and he thanked the Park and Recreation staff and the cemetery staff for all they did to make the ceremony a success.
CONSENT CALENDAR
4. Waive the Reading of Ordinance and Approve the Reading by Title Only.
5. Approval of Minutes of the City Council Meeting Held on May 14, 2024.
6. Adopt Resolution No. 24-07 Opposing Initiative 21-0042A1, The Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council adopted Resolution 24-07, opposing State Ballot Initiative 21-0042A1, the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act.
7. Acceptance of Work and Notice of Completion for the Renovations to Luckie Park Basketball Court Resurfacing Project.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the following:
1. Accept the CDBG Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Renovations to Luckie Park basketball court resurfacing project as completed for a total cost of $74,500.00
2. Direct the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion for the contract work.
3. Direct the Finance Director to release the remaining funds $9,500.00 (30) days after the filing of the Notice of Completion provided no claims are filed against the contractor.
8. Twentynine Palms Lighting and Landscaping Assessment District #1, Engineer’s Annual Report, and Levy of Assessment for FY 2024-2025.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No.24-08, (A Resolution of the City Council of the City Twentynine Palms Directing the Filing of the Annual Report for the Twentynine Palms Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District No. 1);
2. Receive and approve the Engineer's Report as filed or as amended;
3. Adopt Resolution No.24-09, (A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Twentynine Palms Declaring its intention to order improvements, and to levy and collect assessments pursuant to the Lighting and Landscaping Act of 1972 for Fiscal Year 2023-2024).
9. Resolution Amending Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Measure I Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the following:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 24-11, amending the Measure I Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan for FY 2023-24, and
2. Approve the budget amendments for the Major Local Highway Program Fund and the Measure I Fund for FY 2023-24 to include the City-wide Channel Trail Class I project.
City Council - Regular Meeting
May 28, 2024
10. DCA - Chapter 19.90 Dedications and Improvements - Second Reading.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council finds the project exempt from CEQA and adopts the Ordinance approving the Development Code Amendment.
11. Approved City Fee Waiver Policy for Facility Rentals.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approves the updated policy for waiving fees for facility rentals.
12. Purchase of a new Code Enforcement Vehicle.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council authorize City Staff to purchase a new vehicle for the Code Enforcement division of the Community Development Department.
13. Annual Contract with San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department for FY 2024-25.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the annual contract with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department for Law Enforcement Services in the amount of $5,460,725 plus incidental expenses.
Ms. Cindy Bernard asked that item #11 be pulled for discussion.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Wright to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted, minus item #11.
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
14. Approved City Fee Waiver Policy for Facility Rentals.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approves the updated policy for waiving fees for facility rentals.
Recreation Division Manager Minatrea provided the Staff Report.
Cindy Bernard, Twentynine Palms, suggested a change to one of the items on the policy.
Susan Peplow, spoke against the 3-day fee waiver for non-profit organizations. She asked the City Council to reconsider changing this part of the policy to 1-day.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Wright to approve the Fee Waiver Policy for Facility Rentals.
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 28, 2024
PUBLIC HEARING
15. Proposed Budget Revisions for the General Fund for Fiscal Year 2024-25.
RECOMMENDATION: City Council approve the following:
1. Resolution No. 24-10, approving and adopting the General Fund budget revisions for FY 2024-25, including the following:
a. Budget Revisions (Annual Spending Plan);
b. Employee Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) of 4.3%; and c. Wage Schedule for FY 2024-25.
2. FY 2024-25 Inter-Fund Transfers:
a. $410,000 from the General Fund to the General Capital Projects Fund for capital projects including $250K for the new Animal Shelter project, $160K for self-funding of the fund, and $10K for additional funding needed to acquire the Code Enforcement vehicle.
Finance Director Hernandez-Conde presented the Staff Report.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Wright to approve Resolution No. 24-10, approving and adopting the General Fund budget revisions for FY 2024-25, including the following:
a. Budget Revisions (Annual Spending Plan).
b. Employee Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) of 4.3%; and c. Wage Schedule for FY 2024-25.
FY 2024-25 Inter-Fund Transfers:
a. $410,000 from the General Fund to the General Capital Projects Fund for capital projects including $250K for the new Animal Shelter project, $160K for self-funding of the fund, and $10K for additional funding needed to acquire the Code Enforcement vehicle and $35,000 for a street sweeper as indicated in Director Hernandez-Conde's PowerPoint Presentation.
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
16. Community Events Grants.
RECOMMENDATION: The Events Ad Hoc Committee is recommending the following event to be funded; $20,000 in total:
1. Dine 29 Food Festival + Restaurant Week - $1,500.
Community Events Coordinator Clinkscales presented the Staff Report. He turned the floor to the coordinator of Dine 29 Food Festival, Terence Lattimer, who provided more information about the event.
After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Councilmember Scott to fund this event for $9500, as opposed to the original amount requested. There was no second motion because the different amount was not discussed in the subcommittee meeting. Councilmember Mintz commented that he doesn't think the open meeting is the place to discuss this. He feels that the subcommittee should discuss this in a separate meeting with the applicant and bring the suggested amount back. Councilmember Wright agreed with Councilmember Mintz.
City Council - Regular Meeting
May 28, 2024
ACTION: A motion was made by Mayor Bilderain, seconded by Councilmember Wright to approve the Dine 29 Food Festival + Restaurant Week for the original amount requested of $1,500. and then the subcommittee can meet again and discuss the additional amount and bring it back to the next City Council meeting.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: KLINK, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
17. Sub Committee Recommendations for Contributions to Non-Profit Agencies.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approves the subcommittee's suggested contributions to non-profit organizations.
Recreation Program Manager Minatrea presented the Staff Report.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Scott to approve the subcommittee's suggested contributions to non-profit organizations, minus the contribution to the San Bernardino County Library and bring back the revised amount to go to Unity Home to the next meeting, once Staff has been able to research possible additional funding to Unity Home.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: KLINK, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
18. Consideration of Partnership with Women of Color Global (WOCG in Connection with proposed Grant Application.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council receive the report and provide direction on how to proceed.
Ms. Carrie Williams and Ms. Karen Harper, WOCG, presented the Staff Report.
Joseph Candelaria, Twentynine Palms, mentioned that he has worked with WOCG a few times and they a great organization. He feels that what they are doing is spearheading where Twentynine Palms should go and if the City can get behind them, this would be a great opportunity.
Mayor Bilderain commented that the City Council is in favor of this project; however, they cannot make a decision to partner with WOCG until all research has been met. He commented that the City Council is going to find a way to say yes to this, however, staff needs to look into how this can be budgeted after the grant funds have been exhausted.
Councilmember Scott made a motion to give direction to staff to be able to negotiate and work on this grant.
Mayor Bilderain seconded the motion.
City Attorney Muñoz asked Councilmember Scott for clarification on his motion as this grant is pretty complicated.
City Council - Regular Meeting
May 28, 2024
Councilmember Scott commented that things have changed since WOCG first came to the City Council with this proposal. Initially, WOCG wanted to take the lead in submitting the application, but now, they would like the City to take the lead and WOCG would partner with the City.
The City Attorney explained that the City Manager is fairly new, and this grant is going to be a lot of work. He suggested that before the City Council makes a motion to direct staff to work on this grant, they should get the time to research everything that is involved before giving them direction to do it.
City Manager Stone suggested to the City Council that City staff engage in a grant writer in order to give the City an estimation of how long and what this process will take.
Councilmember Scott revised his motion to indicate that the City Council direct staff to look into the feasibility of this project and the time commitment involved. Mayor Bilderain seconded the motion.
Finance Director Hernandez-Conde, commented that she agrees with the City Attorney in that it takes up a lot of time to work on a Federal Grant and there are many factors to consider.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: KLINK, MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
1. Revisit funds that were allocated for the portable showers and Navigation Center.
2. Councilmember Mintz added an item. He asked that the City Council revisit grant funds for Dine 29 Food Festival + Restaurant Week. Councilmember Wright seconded the item.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
LeeAnn Clarke, Twentynine Palms, spoke on behalf of the Twentynine Palms Ministerial Association, thanking Mayor Bilderain and City Manager James for attending the Prayer Breakfast, as well as Councilmember Wright. She thanked the City of Twentynine Palms for the beautiful Memorial Day Ceremony.
Susan Peplow, spoke regarding the Public Comment period and the removal of written comments sent to be read into the record.
April Ramirez, Twentynine Palms, spoke regarding a Federal Grant submitted by the City of Twentynine Palms on July 17, 2020. She mentioned that as she was reviewing it, she found many inconsistencies.
Cindy Bernard, Twentynine Palms, commented that she seconds Ms. Peplow's statement for a policy on Public Comment.
She mentioned that the TBID has been successful in using a group of community members to review their grants and she would like to ask the City Council to consider creating a panel of community members to review and consult with the City on this proposed grant.
Mayor Bilderain mentioned that the City received an email from Veno Nathraj for Public Comment about some property issues he is having. He commented that the City Council and City Manager have received and read his comments.
City Council - Regular Meeting
May 28, 2024
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager James commented that he is looking forward to working with the various groups and potentially analyzing the ability to pursue this grant.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Bilderain adjourned the meeting in memory of GySgt. Robert McDonald.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk