TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting - WORKSHOP MINUTES
City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
May 27, 2025
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Bilderain called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance - Eric Menendez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Pastor LeeAnn Clarke, 29 Palms Ministerial Association, gave the Invocation.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Mintz, Ramirez, Scott, Wright, Bilderain.
Closed Session Announcements - Nothing to report.
Changes to the Agenda - Public Comments was moved to the end of the meeting.
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.
1. 2025/2026 Nonprofit Grant Applicant Workshop Presentations.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council open the applicant presentations, actively listen, and engage by asking questions regarding the organization’s programs, services, and funding requests.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS
2. Presentation to the Twentynine Palms High School TASHA Club for Their Participation in the Cash for Trash and Recycling Program.
Mayor Pro Tem Mintz presented checks in the amount of $300 each from Burrtec Waste Management and the City of Twentynine Palms to Amiel Escoba, representing the TASHA Club for their participation in the Cash for Trash and Recycling Program.
3. Presentation by Mr. Shane Moussad, Government Relations Manager Local Public Affairs, Southern California Edison.
Mr. Moussad provided a presentation on power outages and what SCE is responsible for.
4. Grant Funding Agreement Presentation.
Finance Director Ms. Abigail Hernandez (Director Hernandez), provided a presentation on the new grant funding agreement.
No Action was required. This item is for information purposes only.
Karen Harper, Twentynine Palms, asked if the insurance component of the grant agreement applied to the funding they receive from the City for the Juneteenth event, meaning in the future, will the City be deducting money from the total funding for the insurance requirement. Finance Director Hernandez replied no, but this is
City Council - Regular Meeting - WORKSHOP
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something that can be discussed next year as the funding for this year's Juneteenth has already been allocated and distributed to the group hosting the event.
Caitlin Gill, Twentynine Palms, asked about the insurance. She commented on the agreement and the program. She mentioned that support from Staff and the City Council would be beneficial. She feels there are errors in the application as well, referring to a $20,000 grant was awarded to a group/event that doesn't occur in Twentynine Palms.
5. Presentation from Community Events Grant Recipient, Friends of the Twentynine Palms Library, Providing a Report on the Morongo Basin Spell-A-Thon Event.
Ms. Debbie Medina provided a brief overview of their Spell-A-Thon Event.
6. Presentation from Community Events Grant Recipient, Mil-Tree Veteran Project, Providing a Report from "From There to Here: Military and Veteran Expressions" Event.
Ms. Cheryl Montelp, with Mil-Tree, provided a summary and brief video of their Military Event.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilwoman Ramirez commented that she attended the Neighborhood Community Cleanup, organized by Councilmember Scott, the East Valley Regional Steering Committee meeting, she met with a few members of Congress about bringing a VA Rural Healthcare Clinic branch to Twentynine Palms, she met with Lab Corp representatives about bringing a facility here, and she met with small business owners to discuss challenges they are facing. She also mentioned that May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
Councilmember Scott commented that he attended the Starlight Neighborhood Cleanup and the Toastmasters meeting.
He mentioned that he had the opportunity to lay the Memorial wreath at the Cemetery for Memorial Day, and he met with a few constituents and the City Manager.
Councilmember Wright wished everyone celebrating a birthday in May a Happy Birthday, especially a little girl named Bella who turned nine. He mentioned that he attended the JPA meeting in Victorville and the High School Hall of Fame event where Mayor Pro Tem Mintz was inducted into the Hall of Fame, and he attended the Neighborhood Cleanup.
Mayor Pro Tem Mintz mentioned that he attended the last Youth Council meeting, the Basin Transit meeting and he congratulated the High School Baseball team for making it to the Quarter Finals, the Track team had four athletes go to CIF and the boys’ Tennis team had athletes go to CIF.
Mayor Bilderain mentioned that he attended a Personnel Subcommittee meeting, a Budget Subcommittee meeting, the High School Scholarship Awards Night, the High School's Hall of Fame event, the High School Boys Baseball Playoff game, and he thanked volunteers that helped out during the May 17th situation that occurred in the City.
CONSENT CALENDAR
7. Waive the Reading of Ordinance and Approve the Reading by Title Only.
8. Approval of Minutes of the City Council Meeting Held on May 13, 2025.
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9. Appropriation Limit FY 2025-26.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council establish an appropriation limit for Fiscal Year 2025-26 by the adoption of the attached Resolution.
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
10. Ancillary Activities, Businesses, and Entertainment.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council find the Development Code Amendment exempt from CEQA, approving the Resolution of the Development Code Amendment for Chapter 19.101 Ancillary Uses, Commercial Activities, and Entertainment.
Mayor Pro Tem Mintz recused himself from this item and item #11 due to a possible conflict of interest and left the Council Chambers at 7:06 p.m.
Community Development Director Gardner presented the Staff Report.
Susan Peplow expressed her support for most of the recommendations listed in the Staff Report. She commented she had two primary concerns, one which is the requirement for two annual inspections, and the other is the cost.
Eric Menedez, Twentynine Palms, commented that he agrees with Ms. Peplow. He mentioned that he has a concern for the businesses in the downtown area.
ACTION: A unanimous decision was made by the City Council to table this item to the June 10, 2025, City Council meeting.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
11. Preliminary 2-Year Project Phoenix Funds and Sewer Fund Budgets FY 2025-26 & 2026-27.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff is presenting the preliminary Two-Year (Fiscal Year 2025/26 & 2026/27) Budgets for the Project Phoenix Funds and Sewer Fund for initial City Council review and direction.
Finance Director Hernandez presented the Staff Report and PowerPoint Presentation. No action was required for this item.
Eric Menendez spoke regarding Project Phoenix, and he feels that the Plaza is falling into disrepair. He hopes that we can allot funds to repair some things because we need to do a better job at maintaining Freedom Plaza.
Mayor Pro Tem Mintz returned to the Council Chambers at 7:44 p.m.
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12. Preliminary Two-Year Special Revenue Funds Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 & 2026-27.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff is presenting the preliminary Two-year Special Revenue Funds Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 & 2026-27 for initial City Council review and direction.
Finance Director Hernandez presented the Staff Report and PowerPoint Presentation. No action was required for this item.
13. First Amendment to City Manager Employment Agreement.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council adopt the proposed amendment to the City Manager's Employment Agreement.
Mayor Pro Tem Mintz, Personnel Subcommittee member, presented the Staff Report.
Eric Menendez commented that we are lucky to have Dr. James. He has done a great job.
Carlos Blandon, Twentynine Palms, commented on the City paying for unnecessary expenses.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Mintz, to adopt the proposed amendment to the City Manager's Employment Agreement.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: MINTZ, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
1. Discussion on the General Plan Update.
2. Shade structures around Freedom Plaza and a possible art fixture with "Freedom Plaza" announcing the location.
3. Discussion on abandoned homes in the community.
4. Discussion on reorganizing the Homeless and Housing Committee.
5. Discussion on partnering with the Boys and Girls Club.
6. Discussion on reviewing policies for non-profits who receive funding from the City.
7. Discussion of a policy regulating the use of City Attorney resources.
8. Discussion on Reach Out Yucca Valley.
9. Discussion on exploring a partnership with Jamboree for affordable housing.
10. Maintained Roads vs. Non-Maintained Roads
11. Discussion on exploring a partnership with Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services (NPHS) for an owneroccupied rehab program.
Councilmember Ramirez asked that an item be brought back to review and amend Ordinance No. 320, visit 19.32.060 Operating standards referring to businesses running out of homes. Mayor Pro Tem Mintz commented that this should go before the Planning Commission as these are Development Code policies.
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PUBLIC COMMENTS
Marjorie Smith thanked the City of Twentynine Palms for their efforts on May 17th on their first emergency preparedness situation. She encouraged members of the community to get trained in emergency preparedness.
Carlos Blandon, Twentynine Palms, commented that he wanted to warn the City about Wander Hotel, mentioning that they have been littering and not containing the waste from their site. Mr. Blandon was corrected on the name of the hotel.
Reset Hotel.
Susan Peplow commented that Staff did a really good job informing the public about the situation on May 17th. She gave kudos to the Code Enforcement department for the latest postcard delivered to the residents of our community regarding trash, the lighting Ordinance, and RV standards. She reminded everyone to attend the in person TBID meeting this week on Thursday.
Anna Stump, Twentynine Palms, commented on a grant that three members of the community are applying for, the Levitt Foundation grant. She mentioned this is a three-year grant offering $40,000 each year to have events at Freedom Plaza.
Eric Menendez commented about his non-profit organization, JTGCA, mentioning that the two handouts he provided the City Council were blog posts on his site. He commented that he is very disappointed in the City.
Caitlin Gill complimented the City Council and City Staff that engaged in the Youth Council. The Youth Council participated in an event, Teen Astronomy Night, at the Sky's the Limit and were great. She encouraged other business owners to engage in the Youth Council.
Caitlin Lynch, Twentynine Palms, spoke regarding their experience in the business license process. Their biggest concern is the lack of clarity and communication. She mentioned that when policies change, they should be clearly communicated and applied to every business accordingly. She encouraged the City to review the business license process and work towards a more transparent and efficient process.
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager James provided the following updates: the response to the IVF Bombing in Palm Springs, mentioning that he appreciates the recognition of the City's effort to communicate as efficiently as possible. He thanked everyone for their participation in this situation. He thanked Councilmember Scott and all who attended the Saturday Neighborhood Cleanup. He reminded the community that the Strategic Plan Survey is still up for those who would like to participate. Staff is still working on coming up with a maintained road list.
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION - Mayor Bilderain adjourned to Closed Session at 8:30 p.m.
1. CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE §54957 - PUBLIC EMPLOYEES PERFORMANCE EVALUATION, CITY MANAGER.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Bilderain adjourned the meeting at 8:48 p.m. with nothing to report from the Closed Session.
Respectfully submitted,
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May 27, 2025
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/Public Information Officer