TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting MINUTES
City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
January 13, 2026
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Mintz called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance - Anna Stump led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Pastor Amy Miranda, First Assembly of God Church, gave the Invocation.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Bilderain, Ramirez, Scott, Wright, Mintz.
Closed Session Announcements - There was nothing to report.
Changes to the Agenda - Mayor Mintz mentioned that item # 15 will be moved up to follow the Public Hearing due to his conflict of interest with this item and the Public Hearing item and his need to recuse himself for these two items.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Mintz 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 to the Twentynine Palms High School Softball Team and the Twentynine Palms High School Basketball Team for their Participation in the Cash for Trash and Recycling Program.
Mayor Pro Tem Scott presented checks in the amount of $300 each from Burrtec Waste and Recycling Services and the City of Twentynine Palms to the Twentynine Palms High School Basketball and Softball Teams for their participation in the Cash for Trash and Recycling Program.
2. Park and Recreation Department Update.
Recreation Division Manager Adams provided an update on the Park and Recreation Department.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Bilderain commented that he attended the General's Holiday Reception, the Toys for 29 Toy Giveaway, the Historical Plaza Holiday Stroll, he attended meetings with some potential business owners, and he participated in a couple of other toy giveaways.
Councilwoman Ramirez mentioned that she attended the General's Holiday Reception, she participated in a toy giveaway that was hosted by America's Choice Real Estate, Ground Zero and herself, she participated in a speaking engagement to help highlight the need for donations to domestic violence shelters during the holiday season.
Councilmember Wright mentioned that he attended the Toys for 29 Giveaway, but he had to leave early to go to flag football practice. He mentioned that the Warhawks football team had an opportunity to participate and play a
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scrimmage football game at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, playing against a team from Barstow. After their game, they were able to stay and watch the Chargers v. Texans football game.
Mayor Pro Tem Scott commented that he attended the General's Holiday Reception, the Toys for 29 Toy Giveaway, the Holiday Stroll at Historic Plaza and the Light Parade.
Mayor Mintz mentioned that he attended the Tree Lighting and Light Parade, the Mountain/Desert Measure I meeting, SBCTA meeting, he participated in the Shop with a Cop event in Yucca Valley, the Toys for 29 Giveaway and the General's Holiday Reception. He also stopped by the "Rock Rumble" event recently held here.
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 November 12, 2025, and December 9, 2025.
5. Approval of Warrant Register Totaling $3,380,301.06.
6. Single Audit Report on Federal Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council receive and file.
7. Memorandum of Understanding for School Resource Officers Program.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council review and approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Morongo Unified School District for the School Resource Officer Program.
8. Approval of the CEQA Cost Estimate for the Desert Knoll Avenue Tract Map Project.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council accept the cost estimate to conduct a Mitigated Negative Declaration.
9. Updates to City Fee Waiver Policy No. 1.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council adopt the amended policy for waiving fees for facility rentals, as discussed and directed during the November 12, 2025, City Council meeting.
10. Twentynine Palms Farmer's Market and No Parking Signs in Farmer's Market Area within Freedom Plaza.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council adopt the attached Resolution prohibiting public parking and authorizing the removal of vehicles parked within Farmer's Market area within the Freedom Plaza complex between the hours of 4:00 am and 3:00 p.m. each Saturday.
11. Importance of Periodic Septic System Inspection and Maintenance.
RECOMMENDATION: Tonight's agenda item communicates the importance of periodic septic system inspection and maintenance to ensure (i) your septic system is operating correctly, and (ii) the septic system is not polluting our community's ground water.
Mayor Mintz announced that item #9 is being pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Councilmember Bilderain, to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar as submitted.
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The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, MINTZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
Item # 9 was removed from Consent to be discussed.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION
12. Updates to City Fee Waiver Policy No. 1.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council adopt the amended policy for waiving fees for facility rentals, as discussed and directed during the November 12, 2025, City Council meeting.
Anna Stump, Twentynine Palms, spoke in opposition of the verbiage in the policy relating to fiscally sponsored non-profits.
Cindy Bernard, Twentynine Palms, spoke on behalf of Indian Cove Neighbors, in opposition of conditions in the policy relating to fee waivers.
After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Councilwoman Ramirez, seconded by Councilmember Wright to adopt the amended policy, with revisions from the City Attorney, for waiving fees for facility rentals, as discussed and directed during the November 12, 2025, City Council meeting.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, MINTZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
Mayor Mintz announced that he must recuse himself from the next two items due to a possible conflict of interest and left the Council Chambers at 6:32 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING
13. Introduction of an Ordinance Creating Chapter 19.101 of the Development Code pertaining to Ancillary Activities.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council find the Development Code Amendment exempt from CEQA, conduct the first reading for this Ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT 25-00003, ESTABLISHING REGULATIONS FOR ANCILLARY ACTIVITIES, BUSINESSES, AND ENTERTAINMENT.
Community Development Director Gardner (Director Gardner) presented the Staff Report.
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Mayor Pro Tem Scott opened the Public Hearing.
Carlos Blandon, Twentynine Palms, spoke regarding the verbiage in the Ordinance.
Having no other requests to speak, Mayor Pro Tem Scott closed the Public Hearing.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Councilmember Bilderain to find the Development Code exempt from CEQA, and conduct the first reading for this Ordinance.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: MINTZ
ABSENT: NONE
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
14. Protecting Environmental and Wildlife Health Around Freedom Plaza.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council authorize City Staff to obtain bids to enclose the two partial trash enclosures within the Freedom Plaza development and to obtain bids to construct a fully enclosed trash enclosure within the City-owned parking lot located on the west side of Tamarisk Ave. south of Echo Nails.
City Manager James presented the Staff Report.
Cora Palomino, on behalf of the Virginian, spoke in favor of the trash enclosures.
Carlos Blandon, Twentynine Palms, spoke in favor of the trash enclosures.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Councilmember Bilderain to authorize City Staff to obtain bids to enclose the two partial trash enclosures within the Freedom Plaza development and to obtain bids to construct a fully enclosed trash enclosure within the City-owned parking lot located on the west side of Tamarisk Ave. south of Echo Nails.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: MINTZ
ABSENT: NONE
Mayor Mintz returned to the Council Chambers at 6:55 p.m.
15. City Council Regional Organizational Assignments.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council review Council assignments for Regional Organizations and make appointments as appropriate.
Mayor Mintz went over the Organizational Assignments and asked if there were any changes Councilmembers would like to make. The following changes were made: CalCities Desert/Mountain Division representatives would be Councilwoman Ramirez as the Representative and Mayor Pro Tem
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Scott as the alternate. Personnel Committee will now be Mayor Mintz and Mayor Pro Tem Scott. The Animal Shelter Subcommittee will be added to include Mayor Mintz and Councilmember Wright.
Councilwoman Ramirez brought up the Housing and Homeless Subcommittee and commented that she thinks that we do not need this subcommittee because each individual Councilmember seems to be working with the homeless in some form or manner. Councilmember Scott mentioned that there are issues that the subcommittee could discuss as a group to bring forward suggestions to the rest of the City Council.
Councilmember Bilderain suggested removing the word “homeless” in the subcommittee and just make it the Housing Subcommittee. All Councilmembers were in favor of the proposed changes.
16. Designation of a Delegate and Alternate Delegate for the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Annual Regional Conference and General Assembly.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council select two Councilmembers to serve as Delegate and Alternate Delegate for the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Annual General Assembly.
Mayor Mintz asked for volunteers to serve as Delegate and Alternate. Councilwoman Ramirez asked if she could be the Delegate, Councilmember Bilderain asked to be the Alternate. All Councilmembers were in favor.
FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
1. Discussion on maintained roads. Anticipated Council review January 27, 2026.
2. Shade structures around Freedom Plaza and a possible art fixture with "Freedom Plaza" announcing the location.
3. Discussion on partnering with the Boys and Girls Club.
4. Discussion of a policy regulating the use of City Attorney resources.
5. Parking in Residential Areas.
6. Discussion on creating a "Recognized Neighborhood Program".
Councilmember Wright added a discussion on the new Federal holidays to coincide with the City's holiday schedule.
Mayor Mintz seconded the item.
Councilwoman Ramirez added a discussion on the use of City funds for grants and the potential reallocation of housing and homeless funds to grants and ultimately the uses within grants. Councilmember Scott seconded the item.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individual(s) addressed the City Council:
• LeeAnn Clarke (29 Palms Ministerial Association)
• Carlos Blandon
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager James provided the following updates: the MLK Prayer Bowl is Monday, January 19th, the package treatment plant installation is moving along, City Staff will be coming forward with a FOG (fats, oil, grease) program for the downtown area, gates were recently installed at the animal shelter, a community survey, as it relates to a potential sales tax, has gone out to our residents and encourages everyone to complete the survey, the Split Rock Bridge project is underway, with construction beginning January 20, 2026, the bridge by Stater Bros. on Highway 62 is getting repaired with the contractor currently obtaining permits to begin the repair, the maintained roads item is
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scheduled to be on the next agenda and Staff is currently working on the Recognized Neighborhood Program item that is on the future agenda items list.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Mintz adjourned the meeting in memory of Pat Welch at 7:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/Public Information Officer