TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting - WORKSHOP MINUTES
City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
June 24, 2025
1. E-Group Solar project update and workshop on Community Benefit Package RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council receive an update on the E-Group Solar project and provide feedback on the draft Community Benefit Package.
REGULAR SESSION AGENDA
6:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Bilderain called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance - Mary Jane Binge led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Pastor Jauron James, The Sanctuary Church, provided the Invocation.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Bilderain, Mintz, Ramirez, Scott. Wright had an excused absence.
Closed Session Announcements - None.
Changes to the Agenda - City Manager James announced that the Consent Calendar would be moved up to right after "Announcements.”
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 Robin Schlosser with Reach Out Morongo Basin on the Services They Provide.
Ms. Schlosser provided a Power Point presentation and overview of the services they provide.
2. Presentation by Mr. Jesse Ibarra, Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services (NPHS) on Additional Housing Options. Mr. Ibarra provided his presentation via Microsoft Teams.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Council-woman Ramirez commented that she attended the Karma Shay's Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, the Juneteenth Celebration, the Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony at City Hall, the TBID meeting and she had meetings with local nonprofits, and NPHS.
Councilmember Scott mentioned that he attended the Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony at City Hall, the Juneteenth Celebration, Karma Shay's Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and the Community Shower Event at Wing n It, the Flag Day event, and he rode the mechanical bull at the Historic Plaza BBQ event.
City Council - Regular Meeting - WORKSHOP
June 24, 2025
Mayor Pro Tem Mintz commented that he attended both Juneteenth celebrations, the SBCTA meeting, Mountain/Desert Division meeting, the MDAQMD meeting and he helped park cars at the Sky's the Limit event over the weekend.
Mayor Bilderain mentioned that he attended the Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony, the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Karma Shays clothing, meetings with citizens, All-Star games for his girls' softball team and the BBQ at Historic Plaza.
CONSENT CALENDAR
3. Waive the Reading of Ordinance and Approve the Reading by Title Only.
4. Accept the Cholla Avenue Widening Project.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council:
1. Accept the Accept the Cholla Avenue Widening Project as completed for a total cost of $448,258.68.
2. Direct the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion for the contract work.
3. Direct the Finance Director to release retained funds 30 days after the filing of the Notice of Completion, provided no claims are filed against the contractor.
5. Reapproval of Lease Agreement with Family Service Association.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council reapprove the lease agreement with Family Services Association (FSA) 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.
6. Adoption of Measure I Five-Year Plan for Fiscal Years 2025-2026 through 2029-2030.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council adopt Resolution No. 25-13 approving the Measure I Five-Year Plan for Fiscal Years 2025-2026 through 2029-2030.
7. Adoption of Resolutions (1) Approving Inclusion Of Costs Associated With Compliance With Procurement Obligations In Maximum Rates That May Be Charged For Solid Waste Handling Services, and (2) Authorizing The Placement Of Solid Waste Handling Service Charges On The County Property Tax Roll and approving a related agreement with the County.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council adopt Resolution 25-14 approving inclusion of State mandated procurement costs in the maximum rates Burrtec may charge customers for solid waste handling services; and, adopt Resolution 25-15 authorizing inclusion of charges for solid waste services on the County tax rolls, and approve a related agreement with the County for doing so.
Eric Menendez spoke in favor of item #8.
ACTION: A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Mintz, seconded by Councilwoman Ramirez to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: MINTZ, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: WRIGHT
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION - None.
PUBLIC HEARING – None.
City Council - Regular Meeting - WORKSHOP
June 24, 2025
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
8. Tourism Business Improvement District City Council Subcommittee.
RECOMMENDATION: Establish a City Council subcommittee to help lead and support the City's Tourism Business Improvement District Board and Staff.
City Manager James presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Pro Tem Mintz asked if this subcommittee that is being established will be working with the TBID or leading TBID? City Manager James replied working with.
Mary Jane Binge, Twentynine Palms, commented on the issue that stakeholders are supposed to be notified of things that are happening, and she has yet to receive any notifications. She also inquired about the actuality of what is happening with TBID, what are the guidelines, what should stakeholders look for, etc. She commented that the City really needs to look at the Marketing Director's job and get her some help.
Veno Nathraj, Twentynine Palms, commented that he has other hotels in other cities that have a TBID, so when the City decided to create the TBID, he was a huge advocate for this to happen, however, he is very disappointed in how our TBID is being run. He commented that he feels the TBID needs a major overhaul.
George Mulopulos, Twentynine Palms, spoke in favor of establishing a City Council subcommittee for TBID.
Cindy Bernard, Twentynine Palms, spoke in favor of establishing a City Council subcommittee.
Eric Menendez commented that he wanted to correct Kurt Schaupnner's newspaper article which states that he is not an anti TBID critic, because that is incorrect. He commented he wants what's best for the City.
Susan Peplow, spoke in favor of having a City Council subcommittee.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Scott, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Mintz to establish a City Council subcommittee for TBID consisting of Councilwoman Ramirez and Mayor Bilderain.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: MINTZ, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: WRIGHT
9. Housing and Homeless Committee Reorganization.
RECOMMENDATION: Reconsider how the housing and homeless committee is currently structured and make any changes the Council deems appropriate.
City Manager James presented the Staff Report.
Councilmember Scott recommended that a Subcommittee of two Councilmembers be created.
Cindy Bernard, Twentynine Palms, commented that the previous committee was a great opportunity for community engagement. She encouraged the City Council to consider a committee that is a little more autonomous.
Eric Menendez commented that this is an important topic.
City Council - Regular Meeting - WORKSHOP
June 24, 2025
After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Scott to create a subcommittee consisting of Councilmember Ramirez and Councilmember Scott.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: MINTZ, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: WRIGHT
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 reorganizing the Homeless and Housing Committee.
4. Discussion on partnering with the Boys and Girls Club.
5. Discussion of a policy regulating the use of City Attorney resources.
6. Discussion on exploring a partnership with Jamboree for affordable housing.
7. Maintained Roads vs. Non-Maintained Roads.
8. Discussion on exploring a partnership with Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services (NPHS) for an owneroccupied rehab program.
Councilmember Scott requested a discussion on a Recognized Neighborhood Program. Mayor Bilderain seconded the item.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Eric Menendez provided a handout and spoke regarding Conflicts of Interest.
Cindy Bernard, Twentynine Palms, further elaborated a little more on the recognized neighborhood program.
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager James provided the following updates; he attended the Historic Plaza Barbecue event and was very impressed with the fun and creativity, he mentioned that he received a copy of the draft strategic plan late last night and distributed it to Management Staff to review and add any comments or suggestions, then he will gather all items provided in the community survey. He commented that he is hoping to bring this to the City Council at the July 22nd meeting, and he announced that the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition (CVHC) will conduct a workshop on July 12, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the proposed housing project for the City. He mentioned that Senator Ochoa Bogh's office will conduct an "Open House" in our area on August 21st from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Mayor Bilderain announced the Fourth of July event on Friday, July 4th at Knotts Sky Park and there will be no meeting on July 8, 2025. The next meeting will be held on July 22nd.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Bilderain adjourned the meeting at 8:04 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/Public Information Officer