TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council – Regular Meeting with Closed Session MINUTES City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
May 13, 2025
CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
5:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Bilderain called the Closed Session to Order at 5:31 p.m.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Mintz, Scott, Wright, Bilderain. Councilmember Ramirez arrived at 5:47 p.m.
Adjourn to Closed Session - Mayor Bilderain adjourned to Closed Session at 5:33 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
1. CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE §54957 - PUBLIC EMPLOYEES PERFORMANCE EVALUATION, CITY MANAGER.
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 - Mr. Coleman led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Fr. Eliseus Uju, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, gave the Invocation.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Mintz, Ramirez, Scott, Wright, Bilderain.
Closed Session Announcements - Mayor Bilderain said nothing to report.
Changes to the Agenda -Twentynine Palms Artist Guild Presentation added to the agenda.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Bilderain announced 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
2. Presentation to the Youth Council by Senator Rosalice Ochoa Bogh.
DeáJiané McNair, District Representative for Senator Rosalice Ochoa Bogh presented certificates to the Twentynine Palms Youth Council.
City Council - Special Meeting with Closed Session
May 13, 2025
3. Twentynine Palms Artist Guild Spring Arts & Craft Faire.
Cathy Snodgress, Treasurer for the Twentynine Palms Artist Guild, presented an event update and final report.
She said this event was sponsored by the City of Twentynine Palms Grant Program.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Ramirez said that she attended the San Bernardino County Office of Homeless Services roundtable representing our District, Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Conference, the City-County Conference sponsored by the County of San Bernardino, California Cadets Military Ball, and the Salute the Troops MCCS event. She also met with two non-profits that specialize in housing development, and multiple constituents regarding various topics.
Councilmember Scott mentioned that he attended the Historic Plaza Chalk Art Festival, the Morongo Basin Community Coalition Meeting, the National Day of Prayer at Veterans Park, and the Twentynine Palms Park and Recreation International Festival at Freedom Plaza.
Councilmember Wright said that he attended the National Day of Prayer three times (twice at Veterans Park and once at the Gospel Fellowship Church) where he took a photo with Mayor Bilderain. He wished a Happy Birthday to everyone who has a birthday in May, Happy Mother's Day to all mothers, and met with constituents. He said he is looking forward to the War Hawks football season.
Mayor Pro-Tem Mintz commented that he attended Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District (MDAQMD) meeting and reminded everyone about the LEAF program, San Bernardino County Transit Authority (SBCTA) meeting, and the San Bernardino City-County Conference.
Mayor Bilderain wished everyone a Happy Birthday in the month of May and wished all mother's Happy Mother's Day. He mentioned that he attended the Commanding General's Leadership Luncheon aboard the Base, The National Day of Prayer Service, the International Festival, and the Historic Plaza Chalk Festival. He participated in Denim Day which supports sexual abuse awareness month and met with citizens and neighbors.
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 April 22, 2025.
6. 2nd Reading DCA - Chapter 19.02 Authority and Chapter 19.04 The General Plan.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council find the project exempt from CEQA and adopt the Ordinance approving the Development Code Amendment.
7. Annual Contract with San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department for FY 2025 - 26.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the annual contract with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department for Law Enforcement Services in the amount of $5,428,099, plus incidental costs.
8. Approval of Warrant Register Totaling $1,055,432.70.
9. Retirement Plan Investment Advisory Services Agreement.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the service agreement with Sage View to provide retirement plan investment advisory services for the City's Deferred Compensation Program.
City Council - Special Meeting with Closed Session
May 13, 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: MINTZ, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION- None.
PUBLIC HEARING – None.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
10. Presentation of the Preliminary Two-Year General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 & 2026-27.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff is presenting the preliminary two-year General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 & 2026-27 for initial City Council review and direction.
Finance Director Hernandez-Conde provided the Staff Report and Power Point presentation of the two-year General Fund Budget for FY 2025-26 & 2026-27.
Cindy Bernard, Twentynine Palms, questioned the following: when will Strategic Planning be finalized, who put the community survey together and who will conduct the TOT audit.
Mary Jane Binge, Twentynine Palms, asked what is the survey and who sent it out. She inquired how can the community access the survey.
No action required. Receive and file only.
11. Reallocation of Funds to Clean Up Blight.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve reallocating the remaining $30,510 of the Navigation and Resource Center and shower funds to residential, commercial, vacant land, and homeless camp cleanup.
City Manager James presented the Staff Report.
Councilmember Scott suggested that the funds be allocated as follows: $25,000 to PAAC and $25,000 to the Park and Recreation Department for events.
Nick Foley, Twentynine Palms, spoke on behalf of Set Free Church, mention that church volunteers are available and willing to assist with cleaning up property.
Mary Walk, Joshua Tree, commented that she is a therapist in the community and that our homeless could benefit from the showers.
Astrid Johnson, Twentynine Palms, asked if some of the funds could be allocated to help with showers for homeless at Motel 6 once a month. She said that she is still with Morongo Basin Arch and often receives "211" calls from community members throughout the Morongo Basin requesting assistance with rent payments because they have received a "Pay or Quit" and the threat of becoming homeless is an ongoing issue.
City Council - Special Meeting with Closed Session
May 13, 2025
Susan Davis, Twentynine Palms, shared that she is a member of the Morongo Basin Community Coalition (MBCC) and will be presenting their plan for shower services in the future. She requested that the City Council wait until they hear the MBCC presentation before making a decision.
Carrie Kish, Joshua Tree, said that she is an employee of Reach Out Yucca Valley and Morongo Basin Community Coalition. They are working at putting together a plan for healthy cities' initiative and they recently signed an MOU with Community Action Partnership to provide a shower trailer for a minimum of once month and secured funding for the surrounding logistics with the trailer. However additional funding could assist with offering a more dynamic program. They are hoping to present at the next Council meeting and humbly ask that the City Council wait on making a decision.
Daniel Castillo, Yucca Valley, spoke on behalf of Reach Out Yucca Valley, mentioning that he is the program director for the shower project in the community.
Janet Johnston, Joshua Tree, Boardmember of the East Desert Regional Sterring Committee, recommended that the City Council table this item, so they can hear Reach Out Yucca Valley's presentation.
Maryssa Mullens, Twentynine Palms, said that she is with Reach Out Yucca Valley and spoke as a member of the Morongo Basin Coalition. She shared about the positive difference their previous shower event made for participants and humbly asked the City Council table this item until they hear the Reach Out Yucca Valley presentation.
Cindy Bernard, Twentynine Palms, echoed all prior comments and asked for the item to be tabled.
Jenn DeFalco, Twentynine Palms, said on May 4, 2025, she took seventeen unhoused individuals to Motel 6 for a shower, clean clothes, a hot meal, and a snack bag. One shower per month is not enough for someone to maintain a job, and a better solution is needed.
Carlos Blandon, Twentynine Palms, mentioned that in regard to facilities / housing for the unhoused, we already have them and questioned why don't the churches open their doors to help anymore. He said we need to stop the reoccurring abatements, people coming back after we clean them up and fund Code Enforcement so we can stop being reactive and start being proactive.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Scott to table this item. The motion died due to lack of second.
A motion was made by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Mintz, that the City Council approve reallocating the remaining $30,510 of the Navigation and Resource Center and shower funds to residential, commercial, vacant land, and homeless camp cleanup.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: MINTZ, RAMIREZ, WRIGHT, BILDERAIN
NOES: SCOTT
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
12. City Manager Contract Amendment.
Link to this Staff Report to be provided prior to consideration of the item.
This item was pulled and tabled to the next City Council meeting.
City Council - Special Meeting with Closed Session
May 13, 2025
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.
13. 10.Revisit allocated funds for the portable showers and Navigation Center.
Councilmember Scott added that he would like a discussion / action item regarding Reach Out Yucca Valley presentation.
Mayor Bilderain seconded the item.
Councilmember Ramirez added that she would like to explore a partnership with Jamboree for affordable housing.
Councilmember Wright seconded the item.
Councilmember Ramirez added that she would like to explore a partnership with Neighborhood Partnership Housing Servies (NPHS) for an owner-occupied rehab program. Councilmember Scott seconded the item.
Mayor Pro Tem Mintz commented that item number 10 can now be removed due to action taken on the item at tonight's meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Carlos Blandon, Twentynine Palms, spoke about a recent incident that occurred at Freedom Plaza involving a squatter in a brown van harassing people. He encouraged the City Council to join the Governor in setting up an Ordinance to take back our streets. Mayor Bilderain acknowledged that the City Council received his email regarding this incident.
Cindy Bernard, Twentynine Palms, commented that the Community Survey is not on IG, Facebook and was not on the last email blast. She said there is a huge amount of trash along Highway 62, and this is the first thing visitors see and asked if we can encourage residents to bag their trash prior to placing it into the Burrtec bins.
Jenn DelFaco, Twentynine Palms, stated that she wanted to remind the Council to please understand that there are over 200 unhoused individuals in Twentynine Palms and a small fraction of them that spend time at Four Corners and behind Stater Bros. that do a lot of the damage and inconsistences you speak about. The HAPP grant is broken into many brackets, and a small amount of this money goes to help the unhoused on the streets.
Diane Garten, Twentynine Palms, requested that the City remove the seven large sand dunes from Samarkand Road and one sand dune on Calle Todd Road. She said sand has been on the road since the July 2024 flooding and is dangerous for vehicle travel.
A public comment was received via email by the City Clerk to be read into the record regarding City Council conduct during their meetings.
City Council - Special Meeting with Closed Session
May 13, 2025
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager James provided the following update: the Strategic Plan Community Survey along with other strategic plan documents that were generated during the planning sessions can be accessed from the City website. He acknowledged an enjoyable event at the Historic Plaza, the Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival and the Animal Foster Program has been rekindled, thanks to Michelle, Dom, and the wonderful team at 29 Palms N Paws Animal Shelter. He mentioned the Twentynine Palms Park and Recreation Department is hosting an Emergency Preparedness Event at Freedom Plaza on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 9:00am.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Bilderain adjourned the meeting at 7:56 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Christina Benton
Deputy City Clerk