TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session MINUTES City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
October 22, 2024
CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
5:15 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Bilderain called the Closed Session to order at 5:17 p.m.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Klink, Mintz, Scott, Wright, Bilderain.
Adjourn to Closed Session - Mayor Bilderain adjourned to Closed Session at 5:18 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION: Significant Exposure to Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(2).
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 - Paul Razo led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Suzy Dick, 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 - Mayor Bilderain announced that there was no reportable action.
Changes to the Agenda - A Proclamation recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month will be read by Mayor Bilderain.
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 the City website and clicking on the "Meeting Agendas" link.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS
1. Presentation to the Interact 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 the City of Twentynine Palms and Burrtec Waste and Recycling to the Interact Club for their participation in the Cash for Trash and Recycling Program.
2. Presentation to Kurt Schauppner by Reach Out Morongo Basin upon his Retirement.
Ms. Robin Schlosser, Executive Director of Reach Out Morongo Basin presented Kurt Schauppner with a memorable clock and Ms. Joan Pitt, Boardmember, presented Mr. Schauppner with a plaque for his service to Reach Out Morongo Basin.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
October 22, 2024
3. Presentation by Inland Empire Special Olympics.
Ms. Priscilla Mercado provided a presentation about the Inland Empire Special Olympics and a partnership opportunity with the City of Twentynine Palms
4. Presentation of Prop 68 Performance Audit Results.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council Receive and File the Prop 68 Audit Report.
Finance Director Abigail Hernandez Conde presented the Audit Report.
This is a receive and file item.
5. Proclamation Recognizing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Mayor Bilderain read the Proclamation in its entirety. The Proclamation was given to Mayor Pro Tem Klink to give to his wife Tory, who works at the Mammography Clinic at the hospital so that she can hang it up in their clinic.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Scott mentioned that he attended Pioneer Days, the Car Show at Historic Plaza and he thanked City Staff for putting everything together. He commented that he attended a couple of meetings with constituents and City Staff.
Councilmember Wright commented that he attended the Sunrise Service on Sunday but was unable to attend any of the Pioneer Days festivities due to the Warhawks games that were held at the same time. He wished his youngest son Dray and his daughter a Happy Birthday. He announced that on Saturday, November 2nd, the Warhawks will play Yucca Valley at Felix Field on Base.
Councilmember Mintz commented that he had a City meeting, he attended the Pioneer Days Parade and the festivities at Freedom Plaza, the Pet Parade at Luckie Park, and the CalCities Annual Conference in Long Beach.
Mayor Pro Tem Klink wished everyone celebrating a birthday in October a Happy Birthday. He commented that he also attended the Annual Conference in Long Beach, and he participated in the Pioneer Days Parade.
Mayor Bilderain commented that he met with organizations and citizens, he attended the Annual Conference in Long Beach, the Frontier Fest, the Wild West Hoe Down, the Pioneer Days Parade, the Hoop Shoot Contest, the Car Show, and the Pet Parade. He thanked City Staff for all their hard work.
CONSENT CALENDAR
6. Waive the Reading of Ordinance and Approve the Reading by Title Only.
7. Approval of Minutes of the City Council Meeting Held on September 10, 2024.
8. Treasurer's Report - FY 2024-25 Quarter 1.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council receive and approve the Treasurer's Report for the 1st Quarter of Fiscal Year 2024-25.
9. Approval of Warrant Register Totaling $2,434,923.94.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
October 22, 2024
10. Purchase of a New Code Enforcement Vehicle.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the City Council authorize:
1. City Staff to purchase a new Chevrolet 1500 Silverado four door crew cab 4-wheel drive vehicle for the Code Enforcement division of the Community Development Department in the amount not to exceed $55,000 from Jessup Auto Plaza, in accordance with the quote provided, and
2. To increase the budget for the purchase of this vehicle from $50,000 to $55,000 in the General Capital Projects Fund.
11. Accept the High Crash Unsignalized Intersections Project.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council:
1. Accept the High Crash Unsignalized Intersections Project as completed for a total cost of $370,144.24;
2. Direct the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion for the contract work;
3. Direct the Finance Director to release retained funds 30 days after the filing of the Notice of Completion, provided no claims are filed against the contractor.
12. Animal Shelter Gate Replacement and New Freestanding Kennels.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council authorize payment to Gator Kennels in the amount of $64,390.00 for the purchase of 61 new gates, 14 freestanding kennels with gates and the hardware components necessary for installation. Approve the payment of Use tax to the State of CA.
13. Accept the Safe Route to School- Infrastructure Implementation Project ATPSB1L-5448(010).
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council:
1. Accept the “Safe Routes to School- Infrastructure Implementation Project" as completed for a total cost of $1,072,989.60;
2. Direct the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion for the contract work.
3. Direct the Finance Director to release retained funds 30 days after the filing of the Notice of Completion, provided no claims are filed against the contractor.
14. Submission of the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year CDBG Grant Application.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the submission of the CDBG Grant Application for Phase 2 of the parking lot rehabilitation project located at 74362 Joe Davis Drive. The project will complete the (non-ADA portion) of the parking area.
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: MINTZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, KLINK, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION - None.
PUBLIC HEARING- None.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
October 22, 2024
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
15. Securing Freedom Plaza Bathrooms.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute the contract and purchase order necessary to install two metal doors at a cost not to exceed $11,000.
City Manager James presented the Staff Report and Power Point Presentation.
Eric Menendez commented that he supports the installation of metal doors.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Wright to negotiate and execute the contract and purchase order necessary to install two metal doors. Councilmember Mintz changed the amount to $20,000, instead of $11,000.
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 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. Shade structures around Freedom Plaza and a possible art fixture with "Freedom Plaza" announcing the location.
Councilmember Scott added an item. He would like a review and discussion of fees as it relates to Site Plan Reviews for Barber Shops in existing buildings. Councilmember Mintz seconded the item.
Mayor Pro Tem Klink would like to discuss an increase in the City Council Compensation before the December meeting.
Councilmember Scott seconded the item.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Eric Menendez commented on two concerns with TBID. He had a concern about TBID meetings not being recorded as well as the PAAC. His other concern is the grants that are given out and the lack of a monitoring system on the funds going out and are the events being adequately produced to those that are given the funds.
LeeAnn Clarke, Twentynine Palms Ministerial Association, commented on the success of the City as well as the Parks and Recreation team with the Pioneer Days festivities. She also mentioned that the Sunrise Service raised $300 for Morongo Basin Arch and they will present that check to them next month, the final Mayor's Prayer Breakfast for 2024 will be on Tuesday, November 19th at 7:00 a.m. at First Assembly of God Church, and their final event for 2024 will be the Community Thanksgiving Service which will be November 24th at Freedom Plaza.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
October 22, 2024
Marjorie Smith, on behalf of Morongo Basin COAD, VOAD, and the American Red Cross, requested the support of the City Council in building a network of community organizations to volunteer in disasters such as the one we had back in July, there is a need for volunteers. She mentioned that she brought brochures with information for the City Council to look over.
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager James provided the following updates: he thanked Marjorie Smith for everything she does for the community and mentioned that she brought some informational materials for anyone who would like this information, he praised everyone for an amazing Pioneer Days event this past weekend, he complimented the Car Show at Historic Plaza sponsored by "Friends of the Historic Plaza", he thanked the Ministerial Association for a wonderful Sunrise Service during Pioneer Days weekend and he acknowledged the Sheriff's Department for a quick apprehension of a suspect who broke into someone's home in the early hours of that morning.
Mayor Pro Tem Klink reminded everyone that Tuesday, November 5th is Election Day and encouraged everyone to go out and vote.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Bilderain adjourned the meeting in honor of all the breast cancer warriors and survivors at 7:11 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/PIO