TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session MINUTES City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
March 25, 2025
CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
5:15 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Bilderain called the Closed Session to order at 5:15 p.m.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Bilderain, Mintz, Ramirez, Scott, and Wright.
Adjourn to Closed Session - Mayor Bilderain adjourned to Closed Session at 5:20 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
1. CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION §54957 - PUBLIC EMPLOYEES PERFORMANCE EVALUATION, CITY MANAGER.
2. CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION §54956.9 ANTICPATED LITIGATION (1 CASE).
REGULAR SESSION AGENDA
6:00 p.m.
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 - Pastor LeeAnn Clarke, 29 Palms Ministerial Association, provided the Invocation.
Roll Call - the following Councilmembers were present: Bilderain, Mintz, Ramirez, Scott, Wright.
Closed Session Announcements - Nothing to report.
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 the City website and clicking on the "Meeting Agendas" link.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS - None.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Ramirez commented that she attended the California Cadet Corps Drill Competition, the Notorious DIG Volleyball Club Golf Tournament Fundraiser, the East Valley Regional Steering Committee meeting, she was invited to be a special guest at the Heart-to-Heart Palm Springs Appreciation Luncheon, and she attended the Military Spouses' Association Fundraiser event.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
March 25, 2025
Councilmember Scott mentioned that he attended the CalCities Quarterly Desert/Mountain Division meeting, the Youth Council meeting, a fundraiser for Unity Home, the Toastmasters meeting, a cupcake class presented by a community member who is passionate about teaching culinary arts and he attended Congressman Obernolte's office hours here at City Hall.
Councilmember Wright mentioned that he attended the Rotary carnival, the Basketball All-stars Tournament and he will be going to the Redondo Beach Basketball Tournament this upcoming weekend.
Mayor Pro Tem Mintz commented that the Citrus Belt Women's Championship Bowling Tournament was held here over the weekend and it brought in many visitors to the City, he attended the Mountain Desert Measure I meeting, the MDAQMD meeting, the Rotary carnival, the Basketball All-Stars Tournament the Volleyball Club Golf Tournament Fundraiser, the Unity Home Fundraiser and he participated in a Zoom meeting with Morongo Unified School District.
Mayor Bilderain mentioned that he attended a meeting with Councilmember Scott and Mil-Tree to discuss a community garden, he attended the Opening Ceremonies for Little League, the Notorious DIG Volleyball Club Fundraiser, he had meetings with citizens, a personnel subcommittee meeting, and the All-Star Basketball Tournament.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Waive the Reading of Ordinance and Approve the Reading by Title Only.
2. Approval of Minutes of the City Council Meeting Held on March 11, 2025.
3. Approval of Warrant Register Totaling $1,790,045.92.
4. Investment Policy.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council review and approve the City's Investment Policy for FY 2024-25.
5. Material Acquisition for Road Overlay from Blue Diamond Materials.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the purchase of materials for road overlay from Blue Diamond Materials for the purpose of overlaying roads throughout the City in the amount not to exceed $212,000.00.
6. Lease Agreement with Family Service Association of Western Riverside County.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the lease agreement with the Family Services Association (FSA) of Western Riverside County for the property located at 6539 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 and authorize the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to enter into the Lease Agreement including any necessary amendments.
City Manager James commented that there is a word change on Item #9 the FSA Agreement. This can be worked out with the City Attorney.
Eric Menendez commented on the warrant register and TBID. He mentioned that there are no line items or warrant register for TBID and it is hard to see what is going out from TBID.
Robin Schlosser, Twentynine Palms, spoke in favor of item #8 and just wanted to make a correction on the times they are available. It is 8:30 a.m. not 8:00 a.m.
ACTION: A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Wright, to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted, with the amendments to #8.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
March 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
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION - None.
PUBLIC HEARING- None.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
7. North Adobe Commercial Area.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council provide direction to Community Development Staff as to whether the area generally described as east of Adobe Road, northerly of Valle Vista Road, and along Condor Road should be studied for rezoning purposes to allow for light industrial and business park uses.
Community Development Director (Director) Gardner presented the Staff Report.
Carlos Blandon, Twentynine Palms, spoke about the changes to the rezoning purpose, asking what this study is for and for whom.
ACTION: All Councilmembers were in favor by voice vote, to conduct a study.
8. Environmental Impact Report Agreements.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into necessary agreements between applicants, the City, and relevant consultants when Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) are required for private developments.
Community Development Director Gardner presented the Staff Report.
Carlos Blandon, Twentynine Palms, spoke about the process of an EIR.
ACTION: A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Wright, to authorize the City Manager to enter into necessary agreements between applicants, the City, and relevant consultants when an Environmental Impact Report (EIRs) are required for private developments.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, MINTZ, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
9. Approval of the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health Environmental Health Services Street Vending Collaboration Program.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the participation in the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health Environmental Health Services Street Vendor Collaboration Program.
Councilmember Scott commented that he thinks this is a good idea.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
March 25, 2025
Councilmember Ramirez commented that she is also in favor of this.
Eric Menendez spoke in favor of this program.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Councilwoman Ramirez, to approve the participation in the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health Environmental Health Services Street Vendor Collaboration Program.
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. Discussion on the General Plan Update.
2. 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.
3. Shade structures around Freedom Plaza and a possible art fixture with "Freedom Plaza" announcing the location.
4. A review and discussion of fees as it relates to Site Plan Reviews for ancillary uses.
5. Discussion on abandoned homes in the community.
6. Discussion on reorganizing the Homeless and Housing Committee.
7. Discussion on partnering with the Boys and Girls Club.
8. Discussion on reviewing policies for non-profits who receive funding from the City.
9. Discussion of a policy regulating the use of City Attorney resources.
City Manager James mentioned that Staff had previously removed the discussion on funding of portable showers and a navigation center, however, we will be adding it back on.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ben Guzman, Twentynine Palms, spoke on behalf of Reach Out Yucca Valley, mentioning the services they provide.
Susan Peplow spoke regarding the ongoing lack of outreach and communication from the TBID.
Eric Menendez spoke regarding the renewal contract for Civitas that the TBID recently processed. He asked why it was renewed because he feels that Civitas didn't do much the prior year.
Carlos Blandon, Twentynine Palms, wanted to know what the TBID is doing? Where are the fees going? He commented that he has never seen any social media or advertisements from TBID.
Mary Kay Sherry, Twentynine Palms, spoke regarding the TBID, asking how we can improve transparency and outreach with the TBID Board.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
March 25, 2025
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager James provided the following updates: the long-awaited Strategic Planning Workshop is going to be held Friday, April 4th at 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 5th at 10:00 a.m., City Staff had a very productive meeting with the Boys & Girls Club, and City Staff and the City Attorney are working on creating an agreement for non-profit organizations.
Councilmember Scott asked about the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition and the buying of lots. City Manager James mentioned that this item will be on the agenda for the April 22, 2025, City Council meeting.
Mayor Bilderain announced that due to the upcoming Strategic Planning Workshop, the regularly scheduled City Council meeting on April 8th is cancelled. The next meeting will be Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Bilderain adjourned the meeting to the next meeting on April 22, 2025, at 6:51 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/Public Information Officer