TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting MINUTES
City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
February 25, 2025
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Bilderain called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance - Ms. Robin Schlosser led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Apostle Melvin Brock, The Sanctuary Church, 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 to our website and clicking on the "Meeting Agendas" link.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS
1. Presentation by the 5th Grade Class at Oasis Elementary School on their Black History Month Project.
Students from the 5th grade class at Oasis Elementary gave a presentation on Black History Month
2. Proclamation Recognizing February 2025 as Black History Month.
Mayor Bilderain read the Proclamation in its entirety and then presented the Proclamation to Oasis Elementary School.
3. Presentation by Dave Thornton, Habitat for Humanity.
Mr. Dave Thornton, Executive Director, and Ms. Tracy Tremblay, Board Member for Habitat for Humanity, provided a Power Point Presentation explaining what Habitat for Humanity is and ways the organization can help members of our community.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Ramirez commented that she attended the East Valley Regional Steering Committee (EVRSC) meeting, she met with the Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club to discuss the possibility of getting a Boys and Girls Club in Twentynine Palms, she attended the Unity Home Fundraiser and Congressman Jay Obernolte's Community Coffee. She hosted a staff appreciation lunch for City employees.
Councilmember Scott mentioned that he led a delegation of our community members to Palm Springs on Martin Luther King Day for a historical and cultural tour of Section 14, he held his first Toastmasters meeting, and the next one is going to be held on March 4th at 6:00 p.m. He also attended a protest in Joshua Tree for the Park Rangers that were recently
City Council - Regular Meeting
February 25, 2025
laid off. He mentioned that he set up a meeting with Congressman Obernolte to discuss what he is doing about these federal cuts.
Councilmember Wright mentioned that he attended the JPA meeting last week, he attended a youth basketball end of season party, and the awards ceremony for youth basketball. He congratulated the students from Oasis Elementary on a great presentation. Mayor Wright commented that he attended the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast.
Mayor Pro Tem Mintz commented that he attended the Mountain/Desert Measure I meeting last week, the MDAQMD meeting and he congratulated the students from Oasis Elementary.
Mayor Bilderain mentioned that he attended the playoff games for the High School girls’ basketball team, he met with some constituents, he congratulated the students from Oasis Elementary, he attended the awards ceremony for youth basketball and the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast.
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 January 28, 2025, and February 11, 2025.
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 - None.
PUBLIC HEARING - None.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
6. Designation of a Delegate and Alternate Delegate for the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Annual Regional Conference and General Assembly.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council select two Councilmembers to serve as Delegate and Alternate Delegate for the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Annual General Assembly.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Councilmember Scott, to designate Councilmember Ramirez as the Delegate and Mayor Pro Tem Mintz as the Alternate.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, MINTZ, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
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February 25, 2025
7. Financial Report - Fiscal Year 2024-25 Mid-Year Budget Update - General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council:
1. Review and approve the proposed General Fund Budget amendments for FY 2024-25.
2. Approve the following interfund transfers for FY 2024-25:
From the General Fund to the Capital Projects Fund
• $1,151 more for the purchase of the Code Enforcement vehicle (Previously allocated $50,000) • $26,000 more for the purchase of the Animal Control vehicle (Previously allocated $105,000) • $35,000 towards the Street Sweeper reserves (up to $120,000 per year). • $200,000 for improvements at the Senior Center.
From the General Fund to the CDBG Fund.
• $6,000 for unreimbursed expenditures associated with the Homekey project.
Finance Director Hernandez-Conde presented the Staff Report.
Eric Menendez commented that the City Council should budget more for the PAAC. He is concerned about businesses downtown.
Robin Schlosser, Reach Out Morongo Basin, spoke in favor of these recommendations wholeheartedly and she thanked the City Council for the consideration of repairs/improvements for the Senior Center.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Councilmember Scott, to approve the proposed General Fund Budget amendments for FY 2024-25.
2. Approve the following interfund transfers for FY 2024-25:
From the General Fund to the Capital Projects Fund.
• $1,151 more for the purchase of the Code Enforcement vehicle (Previously allocated $50,000) • $26,000 more for the purchase of the Animal Control vehicle (Previously allocated $105,000) • $35,000 towards the Street Sweeper reserves (up to $120,000 per year). • $200,000 for improvements at the Senior Center.
From the General Fund to the CDBG Fund.
• $6,000 for unreimbursed expenditures associated with the Homekey project.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, MINTZ, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
8. Financial Report - Fiscal Year 2024-25 Mid-Year Budget Update - Capital Projects Funds and Special Funds.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council review and approve the proposed Capital Projects Fund and Special Funds budget amendments for FY 2024-25.
Finance Director Hernandez-Conde presented the Staff Report.
ACTION: A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Wright, to approve the proposed Capital Projects Fund and Special Funds budget amendments for FY 2024-25.
City Council - Regular Meeting
February 25, 2025
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, MINTZ, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
9. Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center Lease.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council authorize the City Manager and City Attorney to amend or rewrite the February 8, 2022, lease between the National Park Service and the City of Twentynine Palms to allow the Joshua Tree National Park Association to assume or otherwise become responsible for all lease obligations needed to ensure Freedom Plaza's Joshua Tree National Park Cultural Center remains operational in the event the National Park Service is forced to suspend visitor center operations. All other lease provisions would substantially remain the same.
Mayor Pro Tem Mintz recused himself from this item due to a possible conflict of interest and left the Council Chambers at 7:19 p.m.
City Manager James presented the Staff Report.
Eric Menedez commented that he believes the Joshua Tree National Park Association (JTNPA) does a great job. How does the Park service work? Will Park Rangers still be there? He commented that JTNPA should work more closely with tourism.
John Talley-Jones, Twentynine Palms, commented that this is a really good idea and hopes that the Park Service is supportive of this.
Cindy Bernard, Twentynine Palms, reiterated how important the National Park is to our city. She commented that she is in support of this.
Councilmember Scott also reiterated how important the National Park Service is.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Councilmember Scott, to authorize the City Manager and City Attorney to amend or rewrite the February 8, 2022, lease between the National Park Service and the City of Twentynine Palms to allow the Joshua Tree National Park Association to assume or otherwise become responsible for all lease obligations needed to ensure Freedom Plaza's Joshua Tree National Park Cultural Center remains operational in the event the National Park Service is forced to suspend visitor center operations. All other lease provisions would substantially remain the same.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: MINTZ
ABSENT: NONE
Mayor Pro Tem Mintz returned to the Council Chambers at 7:31 p.m.
City Council - Regular Meeting
February 25, 2025
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.
7. Discussion on reorganizing the Homeless and Housing Committee.
8. Discussion on partnering with the Boys and Girls Club.
Councilmember Scott added that he would like a discussion on reviewing policies for non-profits who receive funding from the City. Mayor Bilderain seconded the item.
Councilmember Ramirez added that she would like to visit a policy issue on how to use City Attorney resources.
Councilmember Wright seconded the item.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Joseph Candelaria, Twentynine Palms, commented on the "Coffee" recently held by Congressman Jay Obernolte and now he is asking what the City Council is going to do about gainful employment. He also spoke about the economy in the city.
Janelle Angeles, Twentynine Palms, spoke in favor of additional funding for the PAAC.
Cindy Bernard, Twentynine Palms, spoke regarding the attorney fees mentioned by Councilmember Ramirez and vetting non-profits. She also mentioned that attorney fees are also involved when Councilmembers and Staff make undue allegations against people and public information requests not being completed due to lack of obtaining the information from Councilmembers and Staff.
Nicolas Graver, Twentynine Palms, spoke about the National Park and its importance. He stressed that the City Council should make their voices be heard and asked them to attend the protest on Saturday.
LeeAnn Clarke, spoke on behalf of the Ministerial Association, thanking Mayor Bilderain, Councilmember Wright, and City Manager James for attending the Prayer Breakfast that morning. She thanked City Manager James for hosting a Pastoral Leaders for a meeting next week to discuss Emergency Preparedness with Ms. Marjorie Smith and the Red Cross.
City Council - Regular Meeting
February 25, 2025
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager James asked Captain Warrick to address a concern the City Council had regarding the traffic lights. Captain Warrick explained flashing red lights, blinking yellow lights and when these lights should be treated as a stop sign.
City Manager James provided the following updates: Public Works will be going throughout the City and inspecting traffic signals, the doors at Freedom Plaza by the restrooms have been installed and he thanked the City Council for investing to protect our youth, on March 5th at 8:00 a.m. the City will be hosting a Disaster Response meeting, he has been working on getting CERT classes going again, and the water truck that Public Works requested was inspected by Superintendent Stacey and found that the truck had some issues so he is going back out to market and continue looking for a water truck.
Mayor Bilderain asked the City Clerk to set up a meeting with the Personnel Subcommittee and Human Resources and asked for a Closed Session for March 11th after the regular City Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Bilderain adjourned the meeting at 8:01 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/PIO