TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session MINUTES City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
October 14, 2025
CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
5:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Bilderain called the Closed Session to order at 5:31 p.m.
Roll Call The following Councilmembers were present: Mintz, Ramirez, Scott, Wright, Bilderain.
Adjourn to Closed Session - Mayor Bilderain adjourned to Closed Session at 5:32 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
1. ANTICIPATED LITIGATION, SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION, Government Code § 54956.9 (d)(2), (1 case)
REGULAR SESSION AGENDA
6:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Bilderain called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance - Mr. Matt Shragge led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Mary Kay Sherry, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gave the Invocation.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Mintz, Ramirez, Scott, Wright, Bilderain.
Closed Session Announcements - Mayor Bilderain announced that there was nothing to report from the Closed Session.
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 the City website and clicking on the "Meeting Agendas" link.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS
2. Proclamation Recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Mayor Bilderain read the Proclamation in its entirety and presented the proclamation to Ms. Mary Kay Sherry, breast cancer survivor.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Scott commented that he attended a Roundtable Discussion on Housing and Homelessness, and it was well attended, the Community Health Resource Fair at Freedom Plaza, the Navy's 250th Birthday Celebration at the VFW and the steak and lobster lunch aboard the Base.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
October 14, 2025
Councilmember Wright mentioned that he attended the Navy's steak and lobster lunch aboard the Basin Transit meeting and he wished his son Drayson and daughter Marianna a Happy Birthday. He commented that he has been keeping busy with Warhawks Football.
Councilwoman Ramirez mentioned that she attended the SCE Summit Workshop, the CalCities' Annual Conference, she met with Staff from the San Bernardino County District Attorney's office, and she also met with the San Bernardino County Office of Homeless Services.
Mayor Pro Tem Mintz commented that he attended the Basin Transit meeting, the SBCTA meeting and the CalCities' Annual Conference.
Mayor Bilderain wished a Happy 250th Birthday to the Navy. He attended the Navy steak and lobster lunch, the Copper Mountain College Job Fair, where he gave the welcoming remarks, the ASYMCA Service Member of the Quarter Luncheon where he presented certificates to the awardees, the Pelican Club Dinner, and a Finance Subcommittee meeting. He mentioned he also met with citizens.
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 August 26, 2025.
5. Second Reading 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.
6. Annual Development Impact Fee Report for FY 2024-25.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council receive and file the City's Annual Development Impact Fee report for FY 2024-25 pursuant to Government Code Section 66000, et. al.
7. United States Geological Survey (USGS) Study.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary agreements to engage the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct a five-year USGS hydrological and hadrochemical Study in the amount of $2,236,842.
8. Finding of Convenience and Necessity for 71243 Twentynine Palms Highway.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve Resolution 25-21 approving a finding of Public Convenience and Necessity in accordance with the Alcohol Beverage Control regulations.
9. Approval of Warrant Register Totaling $1,401,228.93.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Scott, 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
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
October 14, 2025
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION - None.
PUBLIC HEARING- None.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
10. Preserving City Services and Preliminary Research on a 2026 Tax Measure.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council authorize the City Manager to work with the City Attorney's office to negotiate and execute a professional services agreement with Probolsky Research in the amount of $22,500.00.
Authorize the City Manager work with the City Attorney's office to negotiate and execute a professional services agreement with Lew Edwards Group in the amount of $74,750.00. Authorize the City Manager to allocate up to $25,000 in community outreach and education.
City Manager James presented the Staff Report and PowerPoint presentation.
Councilmember Scott commented that he is a little hesitant to spend that money to pay for another survey and we should conduct a special tax measure, not a general tax measure.
Mayor Pro Tem Mintz mentioned that he attended a session on tax measures at the Annual Conference, which provided great information. He commented that the reality is that we need to educate the public about this measure.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Mintz, to authorize the City Manager to work with the City Attorney's office to negotiate and execute a professional services agreement with Probolsky Research in the amount of $22,500.00, to negotiate a professional services agreement with Clifford Moss in the amount of $74,500 contingent on the results of the survey, and authorize the City Manager to allocate up to $25,000 in community outreach and education.
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 - None.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
October 14, 2025
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager James commented that Staff is working on the Future agenda items list. Mayor Pro Tem Mintz asked for an update on permits issued for single family dwelling units in the City. Director Gardner replied that we have a total of 39 dwelling unit permits.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Bilderain adjourned the meeting in memory of Lesley Thornburg at 6:57 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/Public Information Officer