TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council – Regular Meeting MINUTES
City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
February 24, 2026
REGULAR SESSION AGENDA
6:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Mintz called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance – Anna Stump led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation – Pastor Michelle Ronia, Oasis Community Church, gave the Invocation.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Bilderain, Ramirez, Scott, Wright, Mintz.
Changes to the Agenda - None
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 the City website and clicking on the "Meeting Agendas" link.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS
1. Presentation to the Twentynine Palms High School Volleyball 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 Management and the City of Twentynine Palms to the High School Volleyball team for their participation in the Cash for Trash and Recycling Program.
2. Public Works Department Update.
Public Works Superintendent Stacey provided an update on the Public Works Department.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Bilderain reported that he attended meetings with citizens regarding concerns about homeless, economic growth and children’s safety within the City.
Councilwoman Ramirez mentioned that she attended the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, the San Bernardino County Office of Homeless Services East Desert Regional Steering Committee meeting. She mentioned that the City has been invited to help organize and serve as a host for the San Bernardino County Office of Homeless Services Homeless and Housing Summit, and $95,000 in grant funding has been secured for permanent housing through Inland Housing Solutions.
Applications are available for residents in our region that are at risk of becoming homeless.
City Council - Special Meeting
February 24, 2026
Councilmember Wright commented that he attended the Parks and Recreation Youth Basketball games and the Farmers Market on Saturday, he was excited to see that it was well attended. He had the opportunity to film some social media videos with Basin Transit. He said that he attended the Mayors Prayer’s Breakfast, met with constituents, and had his photo taken with the Mayor.
Mayor Pro Tem Scott mentioned that he attended a fundraiser event benefiting 29 Palms N Paws at the Booth House, and the event was well attended. He thanked 29 Palms N Paws Staff and our local businesses for stepping up. He commented that he attended the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast.
Mayor Mintz commented that he parked cars at the Sky’s the Limit event. He said that he attended the Mountain Desert Measure I meeting, the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District (MDAQMD) meeting and the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast.
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 February 10, 2026.
5. Adopt Resolution No. 26-04 Approving the Updated Retention Schedule. *Resolution will be provided prior to meeting*
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council adopt a Resolution approving the 2026 updates to the current Retention Schedule. *
The following spoke on items on the Consent Calendar:
• Heather Drake spoke on item #5.
ACTION: A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Scott, seconded by Councilmember Wright, to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, MINTZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION- None.
PUBLIC HEARING – None.
City Council - Special Meeting
February 24, 2026
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
6. Financial Report - Fiscal Year 2025-26 General Fund Mid-Year Budget Update.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council:
1. Approve Resolution 26-05 adopting the proposed General Fund Budget amendments for FY 2025-26.
2. Approve the following interfund transfers for FY 2025-26 from the General Fund to the Capital Projects Fund.
• $100,300 for the community survey and consulting services for the sales tax measure. • $68,000 for the unfunded portion of the Elm Property Improvements. • $10,000 for flood monitoring equipment/cameras.
• $5,000 for fixtures needed for the new Animal Control truck.
Finance Director Hernandez-Conde provided the Staff Report and Power Point presentation.
Mayor Mintz clarified that the COPS fund is for restricted funds from the federal government, not from the City’s budget.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Councilwoman Ramirez, to approve Resolution No. 26-05 adopting the proposed General Fund Budget amendments for FY 2025-26 and approve the following interfund transfers for FY 2025-26 from the General Fund to the Capital Projects fund. • $100,300 for the community survey and consulting services for the sales tax measure. • $68,000 for the unfunded portion of the Elm Property Improvements. • $10,000 for flood monitoring equipment/cameras.
• $5,000 for fixtures needed for the new Animal Control truck.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: RAMIREZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, BILDERAIN, MINTZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
7. Financial Report – Fiscal Year 2025-26 Mid-Year Budget Update-Capital Projects Funds and Special Revenue Funds.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council:
1. Approve Resolution No. 26-06 adopting the proposed Capital Projects Fund and Special Revenue Funds budget amendments for FY 2025-26.
2. Approve the following interfund transfers for FY 2025-26 to the Capital Projects Funds from the General Fund.
• $100,300 for the community survey and consulting services for the sales tax measure. • $68,000 for the unfunded portion of the Elm Property Improvements. • $10,000 for flood monitoring equipment/cameras.
• $5,000 for fixtures needed for the new Animal Control truck.
Finance Director Hernandez-Conde provided the Staff Report and Power Point presentation.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Councilwoman Ramirez, to approve Resolution No. 26-06 adopting the proposed Capital Projects Funds and Special Revenue Funds and approve the following interfund transfers for FY 2025-26 to the Capital Projects Funds from the General Fund.
City Council - Special Meeting
February 24, 2026
8. 9.
• $100,300 for the community survey and consulting services for the sales tax measure. • $68,000 for the unfunded portion of the Elm Property Improvements. • $10,000 for flood monitoring equipment/cameras.
• $5,000 for fixtures needed for the new Animal Control truck.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: SCOTT, WRIGHT, BILDERAIN, RAMIREZ, MINTZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
Financial Report - Fiscal Year 2025-26 Mid-Year Budget Update - Project Phoenix Funds and Enterprise Sewer Fund.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff is recommending the following actions:
1. The City Council approve Resolution No. 26-07 adopting the Project Phoenix Funds and Enterprise Sewer Fund budget amendments for FY 2025-26.
2. The City Council approve the $80K transfer from the General Fund to the Sewer Fund for Utility connections needed to operate the Project Phoenix Package Treatment Plant.
Mayor Mintz recused himself and left the Council Chambers at 6:44pm Finance Director Hernandez-Conde provided the Staff Report and Power Point presentation.
Councilwoman Ramirez asked if the business loan program was only for businesses close to the package treatment plant?
Councilmember Scott clarified that the business loan program was only for the exterior of businesses. He stated that initially the business loan program was only offered to businesses in close proximity to the package treatment plant, but the City later extended to businesses as far as Cienega Avenue.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Councilmember Bilderain, to approve Resolution No. 26-07 adopting the Project Phoenix Funds and Enterprise Sewer Funds budget amendments for FY 2025-26 and approve the $80K transfer from the General Fund to the Sewer Fund for Utility connections needed to operate the Project Phoenix Package Treatment Plant.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: WRIGHT, BILDERAIN, RAMIREZ, SCOTT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: MINTZ
ABSENT: NONE
Mayor Mintz returned to the Council Chambers at 6:51pm
Youth-Driven Tile Mural Project within Freedom Plaza.
RECOMMENDATION: Tonight’s agenda item is an opportunity to discuss a potential youth-driven tile mural project to be placed within the Freedom Plaza project.
Mayor Mintz recused himself and left the Council Chambers at 6:51pm.
Director of Groundwork Arts Rhonda Coleman presented the Tile Mural Project within Freedom Plaza.
City Council - Special Meeting
February 24, 2026
Councilmember Bilderain asked if there is a theme for the project. He also asked about the project location, the back of the stage vs. the front of the stage.
Councilwoman Ramirez shared that her daughter recently came home with a painted tile. She also expressed concern about children getting ice cream or popsicles on the mural. She is in favor of having an Instagram- able something because it falls in line with our vision and she asked Staff if the benches in location option three (3) could be relocated.
Mayor Pro Tem Scott stated that he likes the National Park Visitor Center wall for the project location. He asked how is this location in terms of texture.
The following spoke on item #9:
• LeeAnn Clarke
• Paul Razo
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilwoman Ramirez, seconded by Councilmember Wright, to allocate $15,000.00 that is in the Public Arts Fund to the Groundworks Art project.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, RAMIREZ, WRIGHT, SCOTT
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: MINTZ
ABSENT: NONE
Mayor Mintz returned to the Council Chambers at 7:19pm.
FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
1. Shade Structures around Freedom Plaza and a possible art fixture with “Freedom Plaza” announcing the location.
2. Discussion of a policy regulating the use of City Attorney resources.
3. Discussion on creating a “Recognized Neighborhood Program.”
4. Discussion on the new Federal holidays to coincide with the City’s holiday schedule.
5. Discussion on the use of City funds for grants and the potential reallocation of housing and homeless funds to grants.
Councilwoman Ramirez added that she would like a discussion item to evaluate potential amendments to chapter 11.36 Municipal Code concerning the retail sale of products containing Kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7OH).
Councilmember Wright seconded the item.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individual(s) addressed the City Council:
• Heather Drake
• Victor Lewis
• John Talley Jones
• Jeff Johnson
• Heather Huguenor
• Gretchen Grunt
• Pauline Pisano
• LeeAnn Clarke
City Council - Special Meeting
February 24, 2026
• Booker Harrap
• Elliott Basley
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager James provided the following updates: the City is currently improving parks, specifically a $98,000.00 Parking Lot Improvement project at Luckie Park, City Staff are also working to obtain additional Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for ADA improvements in and around courtyards and playgrounds, the Warhawks youth football program is now practicing and playing at Twentynine Palms Junior High School. He also announced the following upcoming events: Mojave Trails National Monument 10-year anniversary celebration (February 28, 2026, 11am – 2pm at the Twentynine Palms Visitor Center), Unity Home is hosting a Casino Night fundraiser (February 28, 2026), and the Twentynine Palms, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) will be celebrating their seventy-fifth anniversary of the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Base. He also shared that Southern California Edison (SCE) is upgrading circuit breakers in downtown Twentynine Palms to improve power stability and in late 2026 SCE will be replacing seventy (70) electric poles along the Morongo Grade.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Mintz adjourned the meeting at 7:56 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Christina Benton
Deputy City Clerk