TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting MINUTES
City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
August 13, 2024
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Bilderain called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance - Boy Scout Thomas Elkins led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Pastor Nick Foley, Set Free Church, 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. Pioneer Days Update by the Park and Recreation Department.
Community Events Coordinator Scott Clinkscales and Community Services Director Minatrea provided an update on Pioneer Days events.
2. Monsoonal Storm Situation Summary Report by City Manager James.
City Manager James provided a Power Point presentation on what has taken place after the storms.
3. Recognition of Those Who Assisted the Community During the Monsoonal Storms.
Mayor Bilderain and City Manager James handed out certificates to the volunteers and Staff that helped the community during and after the storms.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Scott mentioned that he had many meetings with constituents, and he had the opportunity to participate in the Team Rubicon workshop.
Councilmember Wright commented that he attended the Summer Youth Theatre program play, and he was amazed at how the young kids remembered their lines and songs they sang. He mentioned that he attended the JPA meeting in Victorville, the Basin Transit meeting and added that Warhawks football is in full swing with the first football scrimmage will be on August 24th and first seasonal game on Saturday, September 7th.
Councilmember Mintz mentioned that he attended the Basin Transit meeting, the Team Rubicon Workshop, and he added that there are earthquakes happening all around California, so we need to be prepared for that as well. He thanked all the volunteers that helped with the storm cleanup.
City Council - Regular Meeting
August 13, 2024
Mayor Pro Tem Klink commented that the meetings he normally attends went dark for the summer, so he didn't attend any meetings. He wished everyone celebrating a birthday in August a Happy Birthday, especially Councilmember Wright, Mayor Bilderain, City Manager James, Public Works Superintendent Stacey and his beautiful wife Tory, his son Matthew, his granddaughter Hannah, and nephew Kyle. He sang Happy Birthday to everyone. He thanked all the volunteers and businesses that helped with the storm cleanup.
Mayor Bilderain mentioned that he toured some homes with Team Rubicon, he helped make breakfast for the team while they were here, he participated in the Local Assistance Center that was being held at the Senior Center, he attended the School Resource Fair aboard the Base, the soft opening for the 29 Beer Company, the Back to School event at the Shop, where they provided school supplies and gave haircuts to the kids getting ready to start school, and he also attended the Back to School event at Wing n It, he met with constituents, and he was present at Twentynine Palms Junior High on the first day of school.
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 July 23, 2024.
6. Approval of Warrant Register Totaling $715,821.21.
7. Split Rock Avenue Bridge Project.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council executed an updated agreement with the County Flood Control District.
8. Development Code Amendment Article 4 Part 1 - Second Reading.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council find the amendment exempt from CEQA and adopt the Ordinance, approving the Development Code Amendment.
9. Development Code Amendment Home Occupation Permits - Second Reading.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council find the project exempt from CEQA and adopt the Ordinance approving the Development Code Amendment.
10. Project Phoenix – Treatment System Improvements.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council:
1. Approve NV5 Engineering’s proposal for construction support services for the “Project Phoenix – Treatment System Improvements” for a not to exceed cost of $44,760.00 plus an additional $500 in reimbursable costs for a total of $45,260.00;
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contract, including any necessary amendments thereto;
3. Reallocate $120,000 from the funds previously committed to the City-wide wastewater and sewer project to the Project Phoenix Treatment System Improvement project for construction support services, tribal monitoring, geotechnical inspections, utility fees and other soft construction costs.
City Council - Regular Meeting
August 13, 2024
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Councilmember Mintz to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted.
Councilmember Mintz abstained from Item #10 due to a possible conflict of interest.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, KLINK, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: MINTZ from Item #10
ABSENT: NONE
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION - None.
PUBLIC HEARING
11. Development Code Amendment Article 4 Part 2.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council find the project exempt from CEQA and adopt the Ordinance approving the Development Code Amendment.
Community Development Director Gardner presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Bilderain opened the Public Hearing.
Susan Peplow spoke regarding the lighting standards recommended. She mentioned that she has some concerns. She asked the City Council to look into these standards further.
Having no other requests to speak, Mayor Bilderain closed the Public Hearing.
After a brief discussion, the City Council voted unanimously to continue this item to a future meeting to allow more research on this item.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
12. 2024-2025 Community Event Grants.
RECOMMENDATION: The Event Ad Hoc Committee is recommending the following events to be funded; $26,050 in total:
1. The Taste of the Des - $2,000
2. Historic Plaza Seasonal Event Series - $10,000
3. 12th Annual Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo - $4,000
4. Holiday Art Faire - $1,950
5. Spring Arts & Crafts Faire - $3,400
6. Morongo Basin Spell-A-Thon - $1,000
7. From There to Here: Military and Veteran Expressions Art Exhibition - $3,700 The Event Ad Hoc Committee is recommending the following reallocations of funding; $12,000 in total:
1. 88th Annual Pioneer Days - $10,000
2. PAAC Community and Youth Arts Grants - $2,000
City Council - Regular Meeting
August 13, 2024
The total amount between event funding and reallocation is $38,050.
Community Events Coordinator Clinkscales presented the Staff Report.
Susan Peplow commented that she is in support of all of the recommendations, and she is excited for what's being presented for the upcoming year. She suggests that the City Council use some of the funds to contract an events coordinator that can not only help with the City's events but also the TBID events and PAAC.
Veno Nathraj, Twentynine Palms, asked where the grant funds come from and if the funds are coming from TBID? Councilmember Mintz replied that these funds are allocated from the City's funds.
Patrick Wallace, representing Mil-Tree, thanked the City Council for the opportunity to obtain funds to help the community.
Charles McHenry, representing 29 Palms Artist Guild, thanked the City Council for this opportunity to obtain funds for their event.
Anna Stump, representing the PAAC, clarified their budget. She mentioned that a great amount of their budget goes to arts and culture, and to the youth.
ACTION: A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Klink, seconded by Councilmember Wright to fund the following events:
1. The Taste of the Des - $2,000
2. Historic Plaza Seasonal Event Series - $10,000
3. 12th Annual Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo - $4,000
4. Holiday Art Faire - $1,950
5. Spring Arts & Crafts Faire - $3,400
6. Morongo Basin Spell-A-Thon - $1,000
7. From There to Here: Military and Veteran Expressions Art Exhibition - $3,700 The Event Ad Hoc Committee is recommending the following reallocations of funding; $12,000 in total:
1. 88th Annual Pioneer Days - $10,000
2. PAAC Community and Youth Arts Grants - $2,000
The total amount between event funding and reallocation is $38,050.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, KLINK, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
1. Revisit allocated funds for the portable showers and Navigation Center.
2. Discussion of the General Plan Update.
Mayor Bilderain asked the City Manager if a study could be conducted on the cost to maintain non-maintained roads.
Mayor Pro Tem Klink seconded the item and added that Staff look into what is the legal liability of providing a service to those non-maintained roads.
Councilmember Scott asked for an update on the lots for the self-help construction program.
City Council - Regular Meeting
August 13, 2024
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Nicole Parks, Yucca Valley, thanked the City Council and the community for all their help with the storm damage. She mentioned that prior to the storm, her road was already a haggard road and then after the storm, it has corroded pretty bad. She mentioned that there are some critical safety concerns as she has someone in her home that has serious medical needs and the care provider has almost gotten stuck a few times since the storm as have many others to include contractors, UPS and the ambulance would too if they got called out to their area.
Bejamin Alley, Twentynine Palms, spoke regarding the sign that is up at Indian Cove and the engagement from the public and Code Enforcement. He also mentioned the issue of homelessness that needs to be addressed.
Eugene Dearstine, Twentynine Palms, spoke about his road that is impassable. He mentioned that many service trucks and private vehicles have gotten stuck on his road and he's just trying to find a way to get his road fixed.
Douglas Walters, Twentynine Palms, spoke about codes that require cities and counties to maintain roads when it comes to flooding as it relates to the General Plan. He commented that there are plenty of codes that address this.
Susan Peplow, spoke regarding TBID and asked the City Council to really review the Marketing Plan prior to the City Council meeting and hopefully you all can see where it can be tweaked instead of regurgitating the items and once again suggested that the City Council get someone to start coordinating events and account for where this money is going.
Eric Menendez, Twentynine Palms, spoke regarding TBID and he thanked everyone that helped with the storm.
Veno Nathraj, Twentynine Palms, thanked the Mayor Pro Tem for his service and mentioned that his decision not to run again is a very good decision and in the best interest of our community. He mentioned that Councilmembers should not be in office more than two terms. He also commented that he made numerous calls to the new City Manager and received no call back.
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager James provided the following update: The Active Transportation Grant that our Community Development Department worked on was submitted on July 16th and we will keep the Council updated, the Animal Shelter's preliminary design is still being worked on and should hopefully be completed by the fourth quarter of this year, 29 Beer Company had their soft opening recently and as Mayor Bilderain mentioned they have excellent food, the Community Development Department has been working on a number of things to include a permitting process for live entertainment in restaurants, a cleanup of the Code. He commented that Community Development Director Gardner has been doing a great job of being proactive. City Manager James commented that Mr. Veno Nathraj has his personal cell number and can call him anytime. He thanked the Mayor for all of the time and energy that he had put into the storm event.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Bilderain adjourned the meeting to September 10th at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/Public Information Officer