TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session MINUTES City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
June 9, 2026
CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
5:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Mintz called the Closed Session at 5:30p.m.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Bilderain, Ramirez, Scott, Mintz. Wright recused himself from Closed Session due to a possible conflict of interest.
Adjourn to Closed Session - Mayor Mintz adjourned to Close Session at 5:31 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
Anticipated Litigation, Significant Exposure to Litigation, Gov. Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) (1 case).
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 - C.J. Horn led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Pastor LeeAnn Clarke, 29 Palms Ministerial Association, provided the Invocation.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Bilderain, Ramirez, Scott, Wright, Mintz.
Closed Session Announcements - Mayor Mintz made the following motion which was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Scott and approved on a vote of 4-0 (with Councilmember Wright abstaining from participation due to a potential conflict of interest): That the City not take formal action to pursue collection of the amount of $31,982.08 due to the City by Morongo Basin ARCH related to its former agreement related to the City's Elm Avenue property.
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
Presentation by the Public Arts Advisory Committee (PAAC).
Sara Lyons, PAAC Chair, presented the Arts Advocate of the Year Award to Ms. Anna Stump, for her contributions to local art and culture.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
June 9, 2026
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Bilderain mentioned that he attended the Quarterly Pelican Dinner, the High School Graduation and the Junior High Promotion Ceremony.
Councilwoman Ramirez mentioned that she attended the Pelican Dinner, CalCities' City Leaders Summit, the Morongo Unified School District's (MUSD) Summer Meal Kickoff, she met with a military spouse and her husband to advocate through Congress for completion of her immigration status, and she attended a webinar on Care, Community, Resilience, and Advocacy through the Department of Justice.
Councilmember Wright commented that he attended the Amazon check presentation in Indio benefiting FIND Regional Food Bank in support of our Summer Hunger Relief efforts, he attended the JPA meeting, and he had the opportunity to attend the Celebration of Life for Ms. Marjorie Smith. He mentioned he also attended the Basin Transit meeting and the Twentynine Palms High School Graduation, the Junior High Promotion Ceremony, and the Twentynine Palms Elementary Pre-K graduation. He mentioned that he did a Farmer's Market tour, in Palm Springs, Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms and he feels that our Farmer's Market is the best by far. He attended the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new kitchen at Twentynine Palms Junior High and the MUSD's Summer Lunch Program Kickoff. He wished his wife Alfreda a Happy Birthday.
Mayor Pro Tem Scott mentioned that he attended the Pelican Club Dinner, the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new kitchen at Twentynine Palms Junior High, the Junior High Promotion Ceremony, the MUSD Summer Meal Program Kickoff and he met with constituents.
Mayor Mintz commented that he attended the High School Graduation, the Basin Transit meeting, the MDAQMD meeting in Victorville, the MUSD's Summer Meal Program Kickoff and the Copper Mountain College graduation.
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager Cole provided the following updates: Swim lessons and Summer Day Camp have kicked off, June 6th was "Adopt a Pet Day" and our local Palms n Paws Animal Shelter participated by offering free adoptions for pets in our shelter. He mentioned that five (5) dogs and five (5) cats were adopted that day. The Public Works Department is finishing up the Chip Seal project along Utah Trail and Condor Road, and the Planning Department, through our City Engineer, has applied for an active Transportation project grant, which will help finish some of our sidewalks from the High School down past Oasis Elementary. He provided an update on a few Future Council Initiated Items, particularly AB1383.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Waive the Reading of Ordinance and Approve the Reading by Title Only.
Approval of Minutes of the City Council Meeting Held on May 26, 2026.
Approval of Warrant Register Totaling $2,424,428.26.
Second Reading of Ordinance No. 328, which would Increase City Council Monthly Compensation to $700.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council hold a second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 328 entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TWENTYNINE PALMS,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AN INCREASE IN COMPENSATION FOR MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO TAKE EFFECT AFTER THE NOVEMBER 2026 MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND AMENDING TWENTYNINE PALMS MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 2.04.020 ACCORDINGLY.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
June 9, 2026
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!.
Approval of Three-Year Granicus Subscription and Services Agreement for the Visit 29 Palms TBID.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council:
1. Approve the three-year Granicus Subscription and Services agreement for the Visit 29 Palms TBID.
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to fully execute the agreement.
Emergency Repair of the Well at Luckie Park.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the emergency expenditures to Chambers Choice Drilling in the amount of $28,231.00 for the repair of the Luckie Park's southeast well.
Adopt Fiscal Year 2026-27 SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) Project List Resolution.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council adopt Resolution No. 26-17 identifying the project(s) to be funded with SB1 RMRA funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Scott, 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
Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Placement of Solid Waste Handling Service Charges on the County Property Tax Roll, and Approving a Related Agreement with the County.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council adopt Resolution 26-17, authorizing inclusion of charges for solid waste services on the County tax rolls and approve a related agreement with the County for doing so.
Mayor Mintz opened the Public Hearing.
Having no requests to speak, Mayor Mintz closed the Public Hearing.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Councilmember Bilderain, to adopt Resolution 26-17, authorizing inclusion of charges for solid waste services on the County tax rolls and approve a related agreement with the County for doing so.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
June 9, 2026
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, MINTZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
Support for Co-sponsored California Public Records Act Bill - AB1821.
City Manager will present this item.
City Manager Cole presented the item which relates to the Public Records Act. He provided information to the City Council and asked the City Council to provide direction.
Cindy Bernard addressed the City Council about this item.
ACTION: A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Scott, seconded by Councilmember Wright, to direct the City Manager to draft a letter of support for this item on behalf of the City Council.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, MINTZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
Receive Report Outlining Polling Results, Review Ballot Measure Language and Resolution, and Other Considerations Related to a Local Sales Tax Ballot Measure.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council receive this report on community engagement and public opinion research on a potential 1% sales tax measure for the City of Twentynine Palms and provide direction for returning for legislative action on June 23, 2026.
City Manager Cole presented the Staff Report, providing results and information from a recent survey that was sent out to the community. He then passed the floor to representatives from Clifford Moss, a leading California strategic communications firm, specializing in election consulting, political strategy, and public communications services. A timeline to put this tax measure on the November ballot was also provided.
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.
City Council - Regular Meeting with Closed Session
June 9, 2026
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.
11. Discussion on a collaboration with Liberty Military Housing to update our RHNA numbers.
12. Study Session regarding FLOCK cameras.
13. Expedited item to discuss the Cooling Center hours.
14. Review and revision to Municipal Code 5.08 related to Cannabis uses to bring the City up to par with new legislation and State Law.
Mayor Pro Tem Scott asked to remove item #6 as he has already discussed this with the City Manager and there is already a policy in place that the City Manager will manage. City Manager Cole mentioned that items 13, as this can be administered internally, and item #4 will also be removed as we can move forward with our current policy and address any changes in holidays authorized by the President when that happens.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following addressed the City Council:
Chris Carraher
Beth Sheffield
Paul Nugent
Stacey Solie
Cindy Bernard
LeeAnn Clarke
The following sent in a Public Comment via email:
Heather Huguenor
BreeAnna Sullivan
Mayor Mintz announced that the City Council will go dark for the July 14, 2026, meeting and the August 11, 2026.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Mintz adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/Public Information Officer