TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting MINUTES
City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
September 23, 2025
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Bilderain called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance - Mr. Jesse Montes led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Minister Lee Risper, 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 our website and clicking on the "Meeting Agendas" link.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS
1. Proclamation in Honor of Hunger Action Month.
Mayor Bilderain read the Proclamation in its entirety and then presented the Proclamation to Ms. Debbie Espinosa with Find Food Bank.
2. San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) - Measure I Update.
Mr. Louis Vidaure, Legislative Analyst for SBCTA provided a PowerPoint Presentation on Measure I and the use of Measure I funds.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Scott mentioned that he met with various constituents, he attended the shower event that was hosted by Reach Out Yucca Valley, and the Hispanic Heritage event at Freedom Plaza.
Councilmember Wright commented that he attended the Charlie Kirk Vigil on Sunday, the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, and he has been busy with Warhawks Football.
Councilmember Ramirez mentioned that she attended Hispanic Heritage Month, the State of the County Address, the Warhawks Pep Rally, the EVRSC meeting and she met with members of the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel nation and their leadership. She also met with thirteen constituents regarding concerns about living conditions that landlords rent out. She reminded everyone that September is also National Suicide Prevention Month.
Mayor Pro Tem Mintz commented that he attended the Hispanic Heritage event at Freedom Plaza, the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, the SBCTA meeting, the Warhawks Pep Rally and he helped park cars at Sky's the Limit Observatory.
City Council - Regular Meeting
September 23, 2025
Mayor Bilderain mentioned he attended the Warhawks Pep Rally, the MMC event aboard the Base, the American Heritage Girls' 9-11 Ceremony, the Hispanic Heritage event at Freedom Plaza, the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, an Elk's Lodge event, and he had meetings with constituents and business owners.
CONSENT CALENDAR
3. Waive the Reading of Ordinance and Approve the Reading by Title Only.
4. Approval of Minutes of the City Council Meeting Held on September 9, 2025.
5. Adoption of an Ordinance, Amending Chapter 2.01, Titled “City Manager,” of the Municipal Code Changing Responsibility for Supervisory Authority Over the City Clerk from the City Council to the City Manager.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council adopt an Ordinance, amending Chapter 2.01 of the Municipal Code, placing supervisory authority over the City Clerk with the City Manager.
City Clerk Villescas introduced and read the title of the Ordinance.
Carlos Blandon, Twentynine Palms, spoke in favor of item #5.
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
6. Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) Reauthorization for 2025-26 Fiscal Year.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council hold a Public Hearing to adopt Resolution No. 25-20 confirming the levy of TBID assessments.
Mayor Bilderain opened the Public Hearing.
Veno Nathraj, Twentynine Palms, spoke regarding the marketing protocol for TBID and asked how it is determined who gets marketing for their businesses. He asked the TBID subcommittee to rethink approving this and take the time to research what the process is because he feels that he is not as well as other businesses are not getting what certain businesses are getting in terms of marketing.
Mayor Bilderain closed the Public Hearing.
ACTION: A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Wright, to adopt Resolution No. 25-20, confirming the levy of TBID assessments.
City Council - Regular Meeting
September 23, 2025
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: MINTZ, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
7. Historic Plaza Conditional Use Permit.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council receive the information and provide Staff direction accordingly.
City Manager James introduced the item and then passed the floor to Community Development Director Gardner, (Director Gardner), who presented the Staff Report.
Jimmy Brower, Twentynine Palms, urged the City Council to allow Historic Plaza to become a more utilized venue for community events.
Carlos Blandon, Twentynine Palms, spoke in favor of this item.
The consensus of the City Council was to send this back to the Planning Commission to work out the details to waive the fees.
8. Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) Category C Waiver Request.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council Authorize the Mayor to Sign and Provide the Marine Corps a Letter of Support for a Category C Waiver.
City Manager James presented the Staff Report and then passed the floor to Mr. Jesse Montes, Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS), who provided more information about the Category C Waiver.
Carlos Blandon, Twentynine Palms, spoke in favor of the Category C Waiver.
Robin Schlosser, Twentynine Palms, commented that she was concerned that if this was approved, this is going to affect businesses out in town.
Mayor Bilderain announced that the City Council also received a letter of support for the waiver from Rediscover
29. ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Scott, seconded by Councilmember Ramirez, to authorize the Mayor to sign and provide the Marine Corps with a letter of support for a Category C waiver.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: MINTZ, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, BILDERAIN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
City Council - Regular Meeting
September 23, 2025
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".
Councilmember Scott asked when the maintained vs. non-maintained roads item was coming to the City Council. Director Gardner replied that he is hoping to have it next month.
Councilmember Ramirez requested a discussion on the role that possibly Code Enforcement could play in Landlord/Tenant issues within the City. The item died due to lack of a second.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Carlos Blandon, Twentynine Palms, spoke in favor of the public health issue ordinance. He commented that the City needs to address the Short-Term Rental issues, requiring them to have a business license.
Sani Nassif, Twentynine Palms, spoke regarding flood damage on Ocotillo Road.
Audrey Philpot, Twentynine Palms, provided an update on the Levitt grant that the Twentynine Palms Music Series Committee applied for.
LeeAnn Clarke, Twentynine Palms, on behalf of Action Council 29 and the 29 Palms Ministerial Association, provided updates on both organizations. She thanked those City Councilmembers and Staff that attended the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast.
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager James thanked the Public Works Staff for working very diligently, working overtime to clear the roads from the August 25th storm and the September 18th storm. He mentioned that he is hosting a barbecue this Friday afternoon for the Animal Shelter and all the volunteers that help out at the shelter, he acknowledged Ms. Philpot and Ms. Stump, with the Music Series Committee for all their hard work. He thanked all those that helped with the Hispanic Heritage event that was recently held.
Mayor Bilderain reminded everyone that Pioneer Days is around the corner. He announced that a Celebration of Life will be held for former Finance Director Ron Peck this Saturday at Little Church of the Desert at 11:00 a.m.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Bilderain adjourned the meeting in memory of Ron Peck at 7:23 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/Public Information Officer