TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting - WORKSHOP MINUTES
City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
May 12, 2026
WORKSHOP SESSION AGENDA
5:15 p.m.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Presentations for
1. 2026/2027 Non-Profit Grant Applicant Workshop Presentations.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council open the applicant presentations and actively engage with presenting organizations by posing questions regarding their programs, services, and funding requests.
REGULAR SESSION AGENDA
6:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Mintz called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance - Kevin Cole led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Ms. Stephanie Ballard provided the Invocation.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Bilderain, Ramirez, Scott, Wright, Mintz.
Closed Session Announcements - None.
Changes to the Agenda - City Manager James announced that item numbers 1 and 10 are being pulled from the agenda and will not be discussed.
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 our website and clicking on the "Meeting Agendas" link.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS
1. Re-Enlist to Life Housing and Veteran Services Overview and Letter of Support Request.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council direct the City Manager to create a letter of support, signed by the Mayor (and/or all supportive City Council members) for the Re-Enlist to Life Veteran Campus. **This item was removed from the agenda.
2. Presentation by the Town of Yucca Valley on their 35th Anniversary.
Mayor Merl Abel, Town of Yucca Valley, announced the Town's 35th Anniversary and provided some highlights on some major community investments since their incorporation.
3. Presentation by the San Bernardino County Fire Department.
City Council - Regular Meeting - WORKSHOP
May 12, 2026
Assistant Fire Chief Bill Villarino provided an update on County Fire.
Carlos Blandon addressed the City Council and Fire Chief Villarino on County Fire.
4. Presentation to Dr. Stone James for his Service to the City of Twentynine Palms.
Mayor Mintz presented a plaque to City Manager James for his service and contributions as City Manager to the City of Twentynine Palms.
Mr. Steve Reyes, Field Representative for Board of Supervisors Dawn Rowe, presented City Manager James a Certificate of Appreciation for his service.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Bilderain wished all the mothers a Happy belated Mother's Day. He mentioned that he attended the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Hi-Orbit Games, the last music series concert at Freedom Plaza held on May 2nd and he had meetings with citizens.
Councilwoman Ramirez mentioned that she attended the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Hi-Orbit Games, the MCCS We Salute You event aboard the Base, a Town Hall meeting with the Sgt. Major of the Marine Corps, she filmed a PSA with Spectrum to help prevent Veterans’ suicide and bring awareness of available resources, the SCAG General Assembly, and an emergency EVRSC meeting.
Councilmember Wright commented that he attended the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Hi-Orbit Games, the National Day of Prayer on May 7th, and the We Salute You event aboard the Base.
Mayor Pro Tem Scott mentioned that Senator Adam Schiff's Field Representative recently came to Twentynine Palms and City Manager James, Community Development Director Gardner and himself took him on a tour of our city, he attended the annual Palm Vista Elementary School Picnic, and the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Hi-Orbit Games.
Mayor Mintz mentioned that he didn't get to attend the tour with the Senator's Field Representative, however, he did have a meeting with him, he attended the We Salute You event aboard the Base, he met with the Re-Enlist for Life representatives, he attended the Hi-Orbit Games Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, the SBCTA meeting, the Youth Council meeting, and the National Day of Prayer. He mentioned that the High School Girls Softball team will be playing in a CIF game this Friday at the High School if anyone would like to support their local girls softball team.
CONSENT CALENDAR
5. Waive the Reading of Ordinance and Approve the Reading by Title Only.
6. Approval of Minutes of the City Council Meeting Held on April 14, 2026, and April 27, 2026.
7. Approval of Warrant Register Totaling $2,483,258.82
8. Updating the Authorized Signers on the City's Bank Accounts.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council adopt Resolution No. 26-10, designating authorized signers on the City Bank Accounts.
City Council - Regular Meeting - WORKSHOP
May 12, 2026
9. Updating Information with the Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF).
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council adopt Resolution No. 26-11, updating the City's authorized officers to order the deposit or withdrawal of funds in the City's LAIF account.
10. Receive, File for Potential Future Staff Action, and Authorize Staff to Pay.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council receive and file both the Q1 2025 Code Enforcement Evaluation Report by Gemini Training Solutions, LLC and the April 21, 2026, Code Enforcement Policies and Procedures Manual by Culper Consulting, LLC., and authorize Staff to issue Culper Consulting, LLC payment in the amount of $9,000.00 for invoice CC-2026-05. The City Council is not implementing the proposed Code Enforcement Manual unless and until a fully reviewed manual is brought back before the City Council at a future date. **This item was removed from the agenda.
ACTION: A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Scott, seconded by Councilmember Wright, to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted, minus item #10.
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.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS - None.
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.
10. Discussion of a possible safe passage with CalTrans around Donnell Hill.
Councilwoman Ramirez requested a discussion on a collaboration with Liberty Military Housing to update our RENA numbers. Mayor Mintz seconded the item. She also requested a Study Session regarding the FLOCK cameras. Mayor Pro Tem Scott seconded the item.
Mayor Pro Tem Scott asked that an expedited item be added to discuss the Cooling Center hours. Councilmember Wright seconded the item.
City Council - Regular Meeting - WORKSHOP
May 12, 2026
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following addressed the City Council:
• Lashara Maea
• LeeAnn Clarke
• Diane Rozendaal
• Elizabeth Rodriguez
• Heather Drake
• Scott Curry
• Robin Schlosser
The following sent a letter or email to be put into the record:
• Jim Thornburg
• Heather H.
• Ivah Drake
• Heather Drake
• Elliott Balsley
• Jess Drake
• Babs, Wonder Valley
• Dana Longuevan
• Ian Ferris
• Carlos Blandon
• Casey Phillips
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager James congratulated Christina Benton on receiving her Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) designation. He then read a speech he created for his last meeting. He thanked the community and everyone that worked with him throughout the two years as City Manager.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Mintz adjourned the meeting at 7:03 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/Public Information Officer