TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session MINUTES City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
April 27, 2026
CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
5:15 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Mintz called the Closed Session to order at 5:15 p.m.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Bilderain, Ramirez, Scott, Wright, Mintz.
Adjourn to Closed Session - Mayor Mintz adjourned to Closed Session at 5:17 p.m.
Councilwoman Ramirez abstained from the Closed Session due to a possible conflict of interest.
CLOSED SESSION
1. Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 – PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT: Title - City Manager.
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 - Larry Bowden led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Pastor Amy Miranda, First Assembly of God Church, provided the Invocation.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Bilderain, Ramirez, Scott, Wright, Mintz.
Closed Session Announcements - Mayor Mintz announced that there was nothing to report at this time. This will be discussed during item number 9.
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 by Reach Out Yucca Valley on OH7/Kratum.
Ms. Carrie Kish provided the City Council with a PowerPoint presentation.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Bilderain mentioned that he attended a budget subcommittee meeting, a personnel meeting, and a meeting for a potential veteran's services program in our area.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
April 27, 2026
Councilwoman Ramirez commented that she attended the CalCities’ Leadership Summit, several meetings with Partners Against Violence and meetings with many community members.
Councilmember Wright mentioned that he attended a meeting to discuss a veteran's services program, the Youth Council Olympics, where he participated by sitting in the dunk tank, along with other Councilmembers, and he mentioned he is gearing up for Warhawks football that begins in July.
Mayor Pro Tem Scott commented that he attended the Youth Olympics and participated by sitting in the dunk tank, he attended the Morongo Unified School District Board meeting, a meeting with a group called Re Enlist to Life, who wants to create a Veterans village just outside our city limits, and he attended the Partners Against Violence Press Conference where he presented a proclamation to the organization.
Mayor Mintz mentioned that he attended an MDAQMD meeting, the Desert Mountain meeting in Victorville, and he will be meeting with the Re-Enlist to Life group on Tuesday.
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Waive the Reading of Ordinance and Approve the Reading by Title Only.
3. Approval of Minutes of City Council Meetings Held on March 23, 2026, and April 9, 2026.
4. Award Construction Contract for the 2026 Chip Seal Project.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council:
1. Review and approve the Plans, Specifications and Engineer's Estimate for the 2026 Chip Seal Project.
2. Award a contract for the 2026 Chip Seal Project to Pavement Coatings, Co., in the amount of $296,879.05 and authorize a Ten Percent (10%) Contingency in the amount of $29,688.00, for a total amount of $326,567.05.
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to enter into the Contract including any necessary amendments.
5. Information on the Importance of Periodic Septic System Maintenance.
RECOMMENDATION: The purpose of this agenda item is to make the public aware of the vital need to periodically inspect and maintain your septic system. Proper maintenance will help protect the City's water supply and may help residents avoid expensive repairs. The EPA recommends having a professional inspect your system at least every three years and pump out the system every three to five years. Do your part to protect our water supply!
6. Treasurer's Report - FY 2025-26 Quarter 3.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Councilmember Bilderain, 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.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
April 27, 2026
PUBLIC HEARING- NONE
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
7. Preliminary Review of the 2026-27 General Fund Budget Revisions.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council:
1. Review and provide direction on the proposed General Fund budget revisions for Fiscal Year 2026-27.
2. Approve the additional transfers shown below in the amount of $65,000 for Fiscal Year 2025-26 from the General Fund to the Capital Projects Fund:
$40,000 for project management costs associated with the Luckie Park Parking Lot improvement project.
$25,000 for community outreach materials (e.g., printing, postage, advertisement, etc.,) for the sales tax measure initiative.
Finance Director Hernandez provided the Staff Report and PowerPoint presentation.
The following addressed the City Council:
Robin Schlosser, Reach Out Morongo Basin
Cindy Bernard
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Bilderain, seconded by Councilmember Wright, to approve the additional transfers shown below in the amount of $65,000 for Fiscal Year 2025-26 from the General Fund to the Capital Projects Fund:
$40,000 for project management costs associated with the Luckie Park Parking Lot improvement project.
$25,000 for community outreach materials (e.g., printing, postage, advertisement, etc.,) for the sales tax measure initiative.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, MINTZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
8. Waiver of Requirement of Traffic Impact Assessment for Administrative Use Permit.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council provide direction to Staff as to whether to waive the requirement Traffic Impact Assessment for Administrative Use Permit No. 25-000004 (The District).
Community Development Director Gardner (Director Gardner) provided the Staff Report and diagrams.
Applicant Veno Nathraj provided additional information.
The following addressed the City Council on this item:
Scott Curry, Twentynine Palms
Lynette Ramirez, Twentynine Palms
Larry Bowden, Twentynine Palms
LeeAnn Clarke, Twentynine Palms
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
April 27, 2026
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilwoman Ramirez, seconded by Councilmember Bilderain, to waive the requirement Traffic Impact Assessment for Administrative Use Permit No. 25-000004 (The District).
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, MINTZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
9. Appointment of City Manager and Approval of Related Employment Agreement. Staff Report and related documents were provided at the beginning of the meeting.
Councilwoman Ramirez abstained from this item due to a possible conflict of interest and left the Council Chambers at 7:10 p.m.
Mayor Mintz presented the Staff Report.
The following addressed the City Council on this item:
LeeAnn Clarke, Twentynine Palms
Anna Stump, Twentynine Palms
Robin Schlosser, Twentynine Palms
Carrie Kish, Twentynine Palms
ACTION: A motion was made by Mayor Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Wright, to appoint Mr. Kevin Cole to the City Manager position.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, SCOTT, WRIGHT, MINTZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: RAMIREZ
ABSENT: NONE
Councilwoman Ramirez returned to the Council Chambers at 7:19 p.m.
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.
6. Discussion on creating guidelines for the use of City Hall meeting rooms by elected and appointed officials for official city business.
7. Discussion on the next steps of reallocating $1.3 million for housing.
8. Discussion of Code Enforcement and compliance with Proposition 36 and find a pathway to meeting the new guidance issued by Governor Gavin Newson.
9. Discussion about annexing parcels: APN 0634-05-124 and 0634-05-109, also known as Set Free Ranch.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
April 27, 2026
Mayor Pro Tem Scott requested an item to discuss Re Enlist to Life and their request for a letter of support.
Councilwoman Ramirez seconded the item.
Councilmember Bilderain asked for a discussion with CalTrans for a possible safe passageway around Donnell Hill.
Councilmember Wright seconded the item.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following provided public comment:
Lynette Ramirez, Twentynine Palms
Heather Drake, Twentynine Palms
LeeAnn Clarke, Twentynine Palms
Beth Williams, Twentynine Palms
Heather H. Twentynine Palms
Elliott Balsley, Twentynine Palms
Scott Curry, Twentynine Palms
Carrie Kish, Twentynine Palms
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager James provided the following updates: he mentioned Marjorie Smith, who recently passed away, he reminded everyone about the online survey, and he commented that the shade structures item will be discussed at the next meeting, as well as City Attorney resources and Federal holidays. Other items that will be presented at the next meeting will be creating a policy manual for the Code Enforcement Department and research has begun to find out the process to annex parcels known as Set Free Ranch, and there will be a presentation by Reenlist to Life. He spoke about the FLOCK cameras and two cases that were solved due to the FLOCK cameras. City Manager James thanked the community, saying it has been an honor to work with everyone and commented that he is looking forward to working with Mr. Cole before his departure.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Mintz adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/Public Information Officer