TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting MINUTES
City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
September 9, 2025
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Bilderain called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance - Mr. Lee Risper led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Apostle Jamie Brock, The Sanctuary Church, gave the Invocation.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present - Mintz, Ramirez, Scott, Wright, Bilderain.
Closed Session Announcements - None.
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 to our website and clicking on the "Meeting Agendas" link.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS
1. Proclamation Recognizing September 2025 as Hispanic Heritage Month.
Mayor Bilderain read the Proclamation in its entirety and presented it to the Amaros, local business owners and members of the Hispanic Ministry at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilwoman Ramirez commented that she met with many constituents regarding the recent rainstorms and she also met with a few community leaders that are eager to bring a Boys and Girls Club to our community.
Councilmember Scott mentioned that he attended the Morongo Basin Solutions meeting and the 29 Palms Music Group Mixer the night prior, which was well attended. He mentioned that he is very appreciative of everyone that has volunteered to make this possible.
Councilmember Wright commented that he met with some constituents about the recent flooding but most of his time has been spent with the Warhawks Football program. Their first game is this Saturday at the High School and encouraged everyone to come out and support the kids. He mentioned that tomorrow (Wednesday, September 10th) he will be celebrating 40 years of marriage with his high school sweetheart Alfreda.
Mayor Pro Tem Mintz commented that he attended the Rediscover 29 meeting, the Retirement Ceremony for Sgt. Major Melteson, he had lunch at the Senior Center, and he attended the SBCTA meeting.
Mayor Bilderain wished everyone celebrating a birthday in September a Happy Birthday, especially his son Jaden. He mentioned that he attended the Sgt. Major's Retirement, the 29 Palms Music group Mixer, and he had many meetings with constituents also regarding the rainstorm.
City Council - Regular Meeting
September 9, 2025
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Waive the Reading of Ordinance and Approve the Reading by Title Only.
3. Approval of Warrant Register Totaling $1,178,499.89.
4. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 322 (approving Development Code Amendment 25-00004) and Ordinance 323 (approving Rezoning 25-000001).
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council hold a second reading and adopt two Ordinances entitled:
ORDINANCE 322:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT 25-00004, ESTABLISHING THE OPEN-SPACE
CONSERVATION ZONE (OS-C)
ORDINANCE 323:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE CITY’S ZONING MAP, APPROVING REZONING 25-000001 AND REZONING ASSESSOR’S PARCEL NUMBER NO. 0614-121-15 FROM SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL, ESTATE DENSITY (RS-E) TO COMMERCIAL TOURIST (CT) AND OPEN SPACE-CONSERVATION (OS-C).
5. Second Reading and 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.
6. Change Orders 1 and 2 for the Commercial Solar Project Environmental Impact Report.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve, and authorize the City Manager to sign, the two change orders from Terra Nova Planning & Research for the Commercial Solar Project Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
7. Public Works Staff Support for World Off Road Championship Series (WORCS) Racing Event October 31 - November 2, 2025.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve Public Works Department support for the WORCS Racing Event scheduled for October 31, 2025, through November 2, 2025, with the understanding that all associated labor and fuel costs will be covered by the event organizers.
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
City Council - Regular Meeting
September 9, 2025
8. Designation of Delegate for the Annual CalCities Conference.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council designate a Delegate and Alternate Delegate for the CalCities' Annual Conference.
ACTION: By a unanimous voice vote, all Council members voted to have Mayor Pro Tem Mintz be the Delegate and Councilwoman Ramirez be the alternate Delegate for the Annual Conference.
9. Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) Reauthorization for 2025-26 Fiscal Year.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council:
1. Approve the TBID's Annual Report and Marketing Plan & Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026;
2. Adopt Resolution No. 25-19 confirming the intention to levy an assessment for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
Director of Marketing for TBID Breanne Dusastre (Director Dusastre) presented the Staff Report.
ACTION: A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Wright, to:
1. Approve the TBID's Annual Report and Marketing Plan & Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026;
2. Adopt Resolution No. 25-19 confirming the intention to levy an assessment for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
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. 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".
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Caitlin Gill, Twentynine Palms, thanked the City Council for your support of the TBID and she complimented members of the City Council and the City Manager for taking interest in Rediscover 29. On a personal level, she reminded everyone that part of the pillars of our tourism growth is astronomy, and our dark skies are vitally important for this community.
MJ Fiocco, Twentynine Palms, asked about item #6 under the Future Council Initiated Items list, saying that this item was not discussed and wanted to know what a "Recognized Neighborhood Program" was. Mayor Bilderain explained that it isn't an item that has been brought up yet to discuss.
Nicole Crossleytownsend, Twentynine Palms, spoke regarding some telephone poles that have been installed in her area, which has caused some change in the terrain from the digging. This affects the flow of the water when it storms, and she is afraid that her home is going to be damaged from the storms. She commented that she just wanted to come on record stating this for future rainstorms.
Christopher Bickford, Twentynine Palms, urged the City Council to bring a veterans art center in our area as well as a VA Hospital. Mayor Bilderain commented he should get in touch with Mil-Tree out of Joshua Tree, a veteran-based non-profit organization.
City Council - Regular Meeting
September 9, 2025
Audrey Philpot, Twentynine Palms, reported on the results thus far on the public voting campaign for the Levitt grant. She mentioned that the City of Twentynine Palms is now #19 out of 100 cities.
LeeAnn Clarke, Action Council 29, commented that she received a call from a gentleman from a task force that is involved with a campaign to protect public land, in particular the Chuckwalla National Monument. She mentioned that this group is interested in putting up a mural in our community to bring attention to the protection of our National Monuments, so she has contacted the PAAC to see if we will be able to do this by the deadline of September 28th. She mentioned that the "Great Race" will be coming back through our community and are excited to see this come back.
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager James thanked the community for coming together during the recent storms. He mentioned that he saw a greater cohesion amongst the community and our first responders. He commented that he was able to realize during this recent storm the opportunity on the city's behalf to improve education and communication to the community. He pointed out to everyone that the way Public Works prioritizes clearing roads is based on speed, the higher the speed, the sooner that road is going to be cleared. He mentioned that Staff is also analyzing the cost of road construction. He announced the annual Fall Community Cleanup to be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025. He complimented Rediscover 29, mentioning what an impressive group we have, indicating that they went from 2 members two years ago to 70 members as of today.
Councilwoman Ramirez announced the Hispanic Heritage Celebration this Saturday, September 13th at Freedom Plaza from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Bilderain adjourned the meeting at 7:01 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/Public Information Officer