TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting MINUTES
City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
August 26, 2025
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Bilderain called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance - Ms. Robin Schlosser led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Rev. Casey Orndorf, The Assembly of God Church Twentynine Palms, gave the Invocation.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Mintz, Ramirez, Scott, Wright, Bilderain.
Closed Session Announcements - None.
Changes to the Agenda - Councilmember Scott asked that item #14 be removed because the subcommittee has not met.
Mayor Bilderain mentioned that the item is for informational purposes only.
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 of a Proclamation to Ms. Kathy Dubar for her contributions to the Alex Roth Memorial Food Pantry.
Mayor Bilderain read the Proclamation and presented it to Ms. Kathy Dunbar.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Scott commented that he attended two subcommittee meetings regarding the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition (CVHC), he attended the Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway hosted by Ready 4 Reading Book Club and Wing N It and met with several constituents regarding flooding.
Councilmember Wright mentioned that he attended the Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway hosted by Ready 4 Reading Book Club and Wing N It, the JPA meeting, Stater Brothers Grand Reopening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, the Casino Shuttle Ribbon Cutting, Momo G's Pet Daycare Ribbon Cutting, the "Shop with a Cop" Event, and reminded everyone that Warhawks Football has started and encouraged everyone to come out and watch the first game on September 13th. He wished Mayor Bilderain a belated Happy Birthday.
Mayor Bilderain wished Councilmember Wright a Happy belated Birthday also as his birthday is on the same day as the Mayor's.
Mayor Pro Tem Mintz thanked the Staff for all their hard work the day prior with the storm, he attended the Stater Brothers Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, the Ceremony for Wing N It for winning Business of the Year, the Basin Transit meeting, the Mountain/Desert Measure I meeting, the "Shop with a Cop" Event, he helped park cars at Sky's the Limit, and he attended an MDAQMD meeting.
Councilwoman Ramirez mentioned that she attended the Stater Brothers Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, the 29 Palms Band of Mission Indians shuttle service Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, the Hope Center Back to School Giveaway, she met with
City Council - Regular Meeting
August 26, 2025
Congressman Obernolte about bringing more services to veterans, she attended the East Valley Regional Steering Committee meeting, she attended two meetings with the Housing and Homeless Subcommittee, a TBID subcommittee meeting, a meeting with the City Manager and a representative from the Boys and Girls Club, she had a meeting with NPHS, a meeting with a developer. She mentioned that she met with Mrs. Trish Smith, wife of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and she met with the Wellness Equity Alliance, and she met with multiple constituents.
Mayor Bilderain commented that he attended the Stater Brothers Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, the Back to School Bash aboard the Base, TBID Oversight Committee meeting, Casino Shuttle Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, the Sanctuary Church Back to School Giveaway event, Shop with a Cop, he met with Congressman Obernolte, and he had meetings with constituents.
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Waive the Reading of Ordinances and Approve Reading by Title Only.
City Clerk Villescas read the Titles of the three Ordinances presented.
3. Approval of Minutes of the City Council Meeting Held on June 24, 2025, and July 22, 2025.
4. Approval of Warrant Register Totaling $1,263,133.61.
5. Treasurer's Report - FY 2024-25 Quarter 4.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council receive and approve the Treasurer's Report for the 4th Quarter of Fiscal Year 2024-25.
6. Adoption of an Ordinance Amending the Municipal Code to Add Chapter 1.06, City Seal.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council adopt an Ordinance, adopting an amendment to the Municipal Code, adding Chapter 1.06, City Seal.
7. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 322 (Approving Development Code Amendment 25-00004) and Ordinance 323 (Approving Rezoning 25-000001).
RECOMMENDATION: Due to non-substantive formatting changes, rather than adopt Ordinances 322 and 323, the City Council hold a new first reading and re-introduce both Ordinances and hold a second reading and adopt the Ordinances at a later date.
8. Innovative Federal Strategies (IFS) Fee Increase.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a two-year contract with Innovative Federal Strategies (IFS) for $4,300 monthly or $53,100 annually for year 1 and $4,515 monthly or $55,680 annually in year 2.
9. CEQA Consultant Selection.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council receive information on the selection of CEQA consultants for future projects, and provide direction.
ACTION: A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Wright, to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted.
City Council - Regular Meeting
August 26, 2025
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. Subcommittee Recommendations for Contributions to Non-Profit Organizations.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the subcommittee's suggested contributions to non-profit organizations.
Community Events Coordinator Scott Clinkscales provided the Staff Report.
ACTION: A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Wright, to approve the Subcommittee's suggested contributions to non-profit organizations.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: MINTZ, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
11. Approach to Updating the General Plan.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council receive the information and provide Staff direction accordingly.
City Manager James presented the Staff Report and then passed the floor to Community Development Director Gardner who provided options for an approach to updating the General Plan.
This item was receive and file.
12. Draft Five-Year Strategic Plan.
RECOMMENDATION: This item is for review and discussion.
City Manager James presented the Staff Report and Power Point presentation.
Eric Menendez, Twentynine Palms, spoke regarding the items highlighted in the presentation. He does feel that health needs to be a priority, as does tourism and community outreach and engagement.
This item was only for review.
City Council - Regular Meeting
August 26, 2025
13. Longevity Pay One-time Bonus.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council authorize the City Manager to provide a one-time Milestone Catch Up Payment as defined in this Staff Report.
City Manager James presented the Staff Report.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Councilmember Scott, to authorize the City Manager to provide a one-time Milestone Catch Up Payment as defined in this Staff Report.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: MINTZ, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
14. Affordable Housing Update.
RECOMMENDATION: This is an informational item and an opportunity for City Council discussion and potential direction.
City Manager James provided the Staff Report. He then passed the floor to the Housing and Homeless Subcommittee, consisting of Councilmember Scott and Councilwoman Ramirez.
Councilmember Scott commented that he had no update to provide.
Councilwoman Ramirez asked some questions as to the protocol and being on the Subcommittee. Mayor Pro Tem Mintz provided input on the process of being on the Subcommittee.
Eric Menendez, Twentynine Palms, commented that he thinks it is great that we are discussing homelessness.
He mentioned a couple of other meetings/roundtable discussions taking place that are to discuss homelessness that will be beneficial for the Subcommittee to attend.
A brief discussion was held regarding homelessness, Coachella Valley Housing Coalition (CVHC), the possibility of a Conflict of Interest amongst one of the City Councilmembers by Councilwoman Ramirez. She asked if there was alternative Councilmember that can work with her on the Subcommittee, as she feels she cannot go forward with the Subcommittee knowing the information that she knows about the Councilmember. Mayor Bilderain mentioned that it can be added as a Future Council Initiated Item.
There was further discussion about homelessness and the various entities that have been contacted to possibly work with the City.
FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
1. Shade structures around Freedom Plaza and a possible art fixture with "Freedom Plaza" announcing the location.
2. Discussion on partnering with the Boys and Girls Club.
3. Discussion on exploring a partnership with Jamboree for affordable housing.
4. Discussion of a policy regulating the use of City Attorney resources.
5. Maintained Roads vs. Non-Maintained Roads.
6. Discussion on creating a "Recognized Neighborhood Program".
7. Discussion on developers and the City using the same CEQA consultant for a project.
Councilwoman Ramirez asked to have the Housing and Homeless Subcommittee restructured. Due to lack of a "Second", the item was not added. Mayor Bilderain commented that he would consult with the City Attorney on this item.
City Council - Regular Meeting
August 26, 2025
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Anna Stump, Twentynine Palms, provided an update on the Levitt Grant that a group of volunteers applied for to benefit our City.
Christopher Stevenson, Twentynine Palms, spoke regarding the recent storms and the damage that was caused to his neighborhood.
Tanja Maddox and Berenice Corona, Twentynine Palms, spoke regarding the homeless. She commented that she is excited to hear about what is to come in the future; however, we need to help the homeless now.
Cindy Bernard, Twentynine Palms, suggested if there could be an etiquette subcommittee within the City Council as these meetings are getting out of hand, mentioning that in the last seven months, there has been an uptick in divisiveness with the City Council. She commented that there have been out of context accusations are being made by Council and the City Manager and this has to stop.
LeeAnn Clarke, Twentynine Palms, spoke on behalf of the Ministerial Association, thanking the City and Marjorie Smith with San Bernardino County VOAD and COAD for putting on the recent Red Cross Shelter Training. She mentioned that the next Mayor's Prayer Breakfast is being held, Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at Rasta Rita Cantina and on August 29, 2025, there will be mobile showers at Alamo Laundry from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager James provided the following update: he mentioned that the Sheriff's Department has a team that goes out every sixty days to contact individuals and try to help them get into homes. They also have a team that goes out weekly to check on the unhoused and offer them resources, he recently attended a meeting with Ms. Lashara May, who works with the Wellness Equity Alliance, a Coachella Valley based organization that is expanding to this area, providing health care services in the field. He commented that the City has approximately 2,000 sandbags to give out if anyone needs them and he encouraged the community to protect their property. Lastly, he mentioned that the City was awarded from EPA $1 million dollars to assist with the USGS Study. He commented that in terms of Future Initiated Council Agenda Items, Staff continues to work on the Boys and Girls Club item and the Maintained v. Non-Maintained Roads. He mentioned that in connection with the Marine Corps Base, the City continues to collaborate with the Base and is currently working on a Category C waiver which would allow the community to go aboard the Base and use their services.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Bilderain adjourned the meeting at 7:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/Public Information Officer