TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting MINUTES
City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
February 11, 2025
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Bilderain called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance - Town of Yucca Valley Councilmember Lombardo led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Ms. LeeAnn Clarke gave the Invocation.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Bilderain, Mintz, Ramirez, Scott, Wright.
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 by San Bernardino County DAs Office on Proposition 36.
Mr. Doug Poston, San Bernardino County DAs office provided a Power Point Presentation on Proposition 36.
2. Presentation of Report for Holiday Art Faire (Community Events Grantee) by Ms. Cathy Snodgrass.
Ms. Snodgrass provided a recap of the Holiday Art Faire, sponsored by the Artist Guild, held on November 30, 2024.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Ramirez mentioned that she attended the CalCities Mayors, and new Councilmembers Academy and it was very informative, she participated in the Headquarters Battalion fundraiser, and she said she has received many requests for comment from several media outlets, regarding Molding Hearts.
Councilmember Scott mentioned that he and the Mayor recently hosted Senator Ochoa Bogh at the Senior Center and she had an opportunity to speak with some of our leaders in the community, he is hosting a speaking engagement event at Wing n It on Tuesday, February 18th beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Councilmember Wright mentioned that he didn't attend any events or meetings.
Mayor Pro Tem Mintz commented that he attended the SBCTA meeting in San Bernardino.
Mayor Bilderain wished everyone Happy Valentine's Day this upcoming Friday. He mentioned that he attended a Youth Council meeting recently, he met with Senator Ochoa Bogh, he had the opportunity to kick off the JT55 Bike Ride over the weekend, he had meetings with citizens, and he met with interested people wanting to develop a community garden.
City Council - Regular Meeting
February 11, 2025
Councilmember Ramirez asked everyone to join her in singing Happy Birthday to Councilmember Scott who recently celebrated a birthday.
CONSENT CALENDAR
3. Waive the Reading of Ordinance and Approve the Reading by Title Only.
4. Approval of Minutes of the City Council Meeting Held on January 11, 2025.
5. Approval of Warrant Register Totaling $3,196,915.46.
6. Amendment #4 to Split Rock Avenue Bridge Design Contract.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council:
1. Approve Agreement Amendment #4 for Construction Support Services for the “Split Rock Avenue Bridge Project” with Dokken Engineer for a total contract amount increase of $325,000;
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the attached Amendment #4 document.
7. Acquisition of Water Truck.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the purchase of a 2015 Ford F-750 Water Truck in the amount of $48,393.75.
ACTION: A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Wright, to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, MINTZ, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION
PUBLIC HEARING – None.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
8. Planning Commission Appointments.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council reappoint Commissioner Paahana and Commissioner Krushat to the Planning Commission as recommended by the City Council subcommittee.
Councilmember Scott as a subcommittee member provided the Staff Report and recommendations from Councilmember Ramirez and himself.
Mayor Bilderain commented that an email was received from Mr. Carlos Blandon for the record.
Carlos Blandon, Twentynine Palms, spoke against the recommendation.
Xarene Escander, Twentynine Palms, asked if there are term limits for the Planning Commission.
Councilmember Scott replied no.
City Council - Regular Meeting
February 11, 2025
ACTION: A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Wright, to reappoint Commissioner Paahana and Commissioner Krushat to the Planning Commission as recommended by the City Council subcommittee.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, MINTZ, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
9. Temporary Monthly Funding of Hope Center.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council discuss and potentially vote to provide monthly contributions to Community Learning and Equipping Project, Inc. (CLEP)'s "Feed the Need" program.
City Manager James presented the Staff Report. He then passed the floor to Mr. Sylester Cullum and Pastor Perry Ford, the Sanctuary Church, who provided more information about the CLEP program.
LeeAnn Clarke, Twentynine Palms, spoke in support of the City providing monthly contributions.
Robin Schlosser, Reach Out Morongo Basin, asked how long is "temporary"? What is the plan of action when funding runs out if the church is not able to support this now. She mentioned that she asks because there are several food pantries in our area and maybe we could all come together as one pantry instead of trying to fund multiple organizations.
Alex Garcia, Twentynine Palms, spoke in favor of the Hope Center.
ACTION: A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Scott, to provide monthly contributions in the amount of $2,000 per month to Community Learning and Equipping Project, Inc. (CLEP)'s "Feed the Need" program. This amount will be until the next upcoming Fiscal Year and the amount can be revisited.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, MINTZ, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT
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.
5. A review and discussion of fees as it relates to Site Plan Reviews for ancillary uses.
6. Discussion on abandoned homes in the community.
City Council - Regular Meeting
February 11, 2025
Councilmember Scott asked for a discussion on reorganizing the homeless and housing committee. Councilmember Ramirez seconded the item.
Councilmember Ramirez asked for a discussion on a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club and the City of Twentynine Palms. Councilmember Scott seconded the item.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager James provided the following updates: he acknowledged that after the floods in July of last year, one key priority is our City equipped to properly respond to disasters? As a team, we continue to focus on identifying what our needs are. He mentioned that he is looking into some training courses for Staff. He commented on the upcoming Strategic Planning Workshops, mentioning that the Workshop will take place around March or April and focus on plan development in May and adoption of the plan in June. He commented that he participated in the Natural Disaster exercise held the day before with the First Responders.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Bilderain adjourned the meeting at 7:19 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/Public Information Officer