TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting MINUTES
City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
September 24, 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 - John Cole 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, 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. Introduction of Park and Recreation's Newest Employee, Xavier Wilhite.
Community Services Director Minatrea (Director Minatrea) introduced Xavier Wilhite.
2. Presentation to Pete Newman upon his retirement from the Food Pantry.
Mayor Pro Tem Klink presented a Proclamation from the City to Mr. Pete Newman for his service as a volunteer for various organizations.
3. Presentation to Members of the Molding Hearts Group for Their Assistance with the Storm Cleanup.
Mayor Bilderain presented certificates to members of the Molding Hearts Group for their assistance in the storm cleanup.
4. Proclamation Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month.
Mayor Bilderain read the Proclamation in its entirety and presented it to Miss Odi Marmolejo, a student with the Hispanic Club at Twentynine Palms High School and to Dr. Patricio Vargas, Morongo Unified School District Superintendent.
City Council - Regular Meeting
September 24, 2024
5. Presentation by Morongo Unified School District on Measure C.
The Morongo Unified School District is placing a General Obligation bond measure on the November 2024 ballot to fund vital upgrades across local schools. This proposed bond aims to raise the necessary resources for modernizing outdated classrooms, replacing aging portable buildings, and making comprehensive improvements to school facilities, ensuring a safer and more effective learning environment for students.
Dr. Patricio Vargas, Mr. David Daniels, and Boardmember Christopher Claire provided information about Measure C, a measure that will be on the November ballot.
6. Presentation by Park and Recreation on the Million Coaches Challenge Grant that was received from the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA).
Recreation Program Supervisor Amy Tessier gave a presentation on this grant that the Parks and Recreation Department received.
7. Pioneer Days Update by Community Services Director Minatrea.
Director Minatrea provided an update to the City Council on the upcoming Pioneer Days festivities.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Scott mentioned that he attended Taste of the Des/Dine in 29 event over the weekend, he thanked the Park and Recreation Staff and Mr. Ivan Davis for putting on the event.
Councilmember Wright mentioned that he attended the Dine in 29 event, the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, a committee meeting for Basin Transit, he welcomed Xavier to City Staff, and he attended the Warhawks football games in Big Bear over the weekend. He mentioned that his son Dray played great with three touchdowns and a pick 6.
Councilmember Mintz commented that he attended the Candidate's Forum at Freedom Plaza over the weekend, and the MDAQMD meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Klink mentioned that he also attended the Candidate's Forum, and the Desert/Mountain Division Measure I Transit Meeting.
Mayor Bilderain congratulated and thanked Mr. Newman for all his volunteer work in the community, he welcomed Xavier "X" to the team, he attended CMC Job Fair and gave the opening remarks, the Taste of the Des, and attended meetings with constituents and the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast.
CONSENT CALENDAR
8. Waive the Reading of Ordinance and Approve the Reading by Title Only.
9. Emergency Repair of Signal Light Wiring Adobe Road and Indian Trail.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the emergency repair of wiring for the Adobe Road and Indian Trail signal light.
City Council - Regular Meeting
September 24, 2024
10. Resolution to Adopt the Amended and Updated Conflict of Interest Code for the City of Twentynine Palms, Pursuant to the Political Reform Act of 1974.
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution No. 24-21 pursuant to the Political Reform Act of 1974.
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
11. Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID).
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council hold a Public Hearing to adopt Resolution No. 24-22, confirming the levy of assessments.
Marketing Director Dusastre presented the Staff Report.
Eric Menendez, Joshua Tree Gateway Alliance, praised Ms. Dusastre for all her hard work.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Councilmember Scott, to adopt Resolution No. 24-22, confirming the levy of assessments.
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 - None.
FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
1. Revisit allocated funds for the portable showers and Navigation Center.
2. Discussion on the General Plan Update.
3. Discussion surrounding (i) costs to maintain dirt roads verses paved roads; (ii) what is a City maintained dirt road, a non-maintained dirt road, a road that has been accepted by the City, a road that is private and not accepted by the City; (iii) the City's ability and liability associated with the City periodically maintaining non-maintained roads, and (iv) ways residents can bring non-maintained and non-accepted dirt roads to paved-rural-road standards ready for acceptance into the City's accepted-and-maintained road list.
4. Improve the safety and security of Freedom Plaza by providing the Council with a recommendation to secure Freedom Plaza's outdoor bathroom hallway.
City Council - Regular Meeting
September 24, 2024
Councilmember Scott requested a discussion about shade structures around Freedom Plaza, particularly in the area where the art is displayed and some sort of sign indicating that that is Freedom Plaza. Councilmember Wright seconded the item.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
LeeAnn Clark, Twentynine Palms, thanked City Councilmembers and City Staff that attended the Prayer Breakfast that morning, she reminded everyone that the final Mayor's Prayer Breakfast for 2024 will be held Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at First Assembly of God Church at 7:00 a.m., the Ministerial Association will provide a Sunrise Service on Sunday, October 20th in conjunction with Pioneer Days, the Community Thanksgiving Service will be held on Sunday, November 24th at Freedom Plaza gym.
Veno Nathraj, Twentynine Palms, asked the Mayor to do right in our City and suggested that we give the Airbnbs $1,000 from the TOT funds collected, to get their Airbnb’s in compliance. He commented that one of the requirements to be on the TBID Board is that you must be a paying stakeholder and Mr. Ben Uyeda, who owns Reset Hotel, is not a stakeholder as his hotel is still under construction. He commented that Mr. Uyeda may not even have a business license, and he has not contributed a dollar to the TBID so a recall should be conducted.
Peter Lang, Twentynine Palms, urged the City Council to maintain the existing ban on solar farms.
Suzanne Lyons, spoke regarding the concerns on the proposed solar farms. She spoke against the farms.
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager James provided the following updates: Staff is working on the 2022/23 EPA funding which was originally allocated towards the sewer system and hoping to use these funds towards the USGS Water Quality Study that we need for the sewer system, he and Staff are also working on ways to safeguard the kids when they are at Freedom Plaza, the Luckie Park lighting project has been a little bit behind schedule but hoping that this project is completed by October 31, he commented that he was very impressed with Public Works and the IT Manager who have been working on getting our City better prepared in a disaster. They are in the process of purchasing a water tank on a trailer, with federal funding, in the event that the community needs water during a disaster.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Bilderain adjourned the meeting at 7:14 p.m. in memory of Vonda Stanley.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/PIO