TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL
City Council - Regular Meeting Minutes
City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
June 23, 2026
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Mintz called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance - T.J. Williams led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation - Deacon Nathan Foley of Set Free Church-Wonder Valley provided the Invocation.
Roll Call - The following Councilmembers were present: Bilderain, Ramirez, Scott, Wright, Mintz.
Closed Session Announcements - None.
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 our website and clicking on the "Meeting Agendas" link.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS
1. Cash for Trash Presentation to Twentynine Palms High School Impact/Host Club and Explorer Scouts Post 509.
Mayor Pro Tem Scott presented checks in the amount of $300 each from Burrtec Waste and Recycling and the City of Twentynine Palms to the Explorer Scouts Post 509. Impact/Host Club was not in attendance.
2. Proclamation Recognizing June 2026 as JUNETEENTH INDEPENDENCE DAY.
Mayor Mintz read the Proclamation and presented it to Ms. Shirley Attington on behalf of Women of Color Global.
3. Proclamation Recognizing June 2026 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
Mayor Mintz read the Proclamation and presented it to T.J. Williams.
4. Update by Groundwork Arts on the City Tile Mural Project at Freedom Plaza.
Ms. Rhonda Coleman provided an update on the Tile Mural, a project that is driven by students and the community. This mural is going up at Freedom Plaza.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED
Councilmember Bilderain commented that he attended the Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony, the Juneteenth Celebration, and three Little League All-Star Games in Banning.
Councilwoman Ramirez mentioned that she attended the Copper Mountain College Foundation Dinner, the Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony, and she met with multiple transitional and temporary housing organizations in the San Bernardino County Office of Homeless Services. She commented that she is co-hosting a Town Hall meeting with Southern California Edison tomorrow at the Luckie Park Activity Center (LPAC). She provided an update on VOCA funding.
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June 23, 2026
Councilmember Wright apologized for not being able to attend the Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony as he was in Oklahoma and he wished his wife Alfreda Happy Birthday.
Mayor Pro Tem Scott commented that he attended a meeting with a company called GrundCo, who is interested in building tiny homes in our community, the Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony, the Juneteenth Celebration at Knott’s Sky Park, and the Marine Officer Comm Course Graduation.
Mayor Mintz mentioned that he attended the Measure I meeting in Victorville, the Kiwanis 43rd Annual Pancake Breakfast, the meeting with GrundCo, the Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony, the Juneteenth Celebration, and the MDAQMD meeting.
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager Cole provided the following updates: renovations in the Council Chambers begins tomorrow and will hopefully be completed by July 14th for the next City Council meeting, he reminded everyone that the City's Cooling Center is located at the Senior Center at 6539 Adobe Road and opens when the heat index reaches 110, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department is hosting a Blood Drive on Thursday, June 25th in the parking lot of the Sheriff's Department from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the Nomination period for interested parties to run for City Council begins July 13th and ends August 6th, the Hemmings Great Race will be stopping in our community on Saturday, June 27th at Luckie Park from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and the annual 4th of July event is Saturday, July 4th at Knott's Sky Park. He gave a shout out to the Code Enforcement team who completed a cleanup effort and removed over 1,000 tires and a large quantity of trash at a property on Sherman Hoyt.
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 June 9, 2026.
7. Hatch Road and Sullivan Road Bike Path Project - Contract Extension.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the request for a one-year extension of awarded contract to HRGreen Pacific for the "Hatch Road and Sullivan Road Bike Path Project” which is set to terminate on June 30, 2026.
8. Sidewalk Improvement Agreement on 5152 Adobe Road (Ace Hardware).
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council authorizes the City Manager, based on the City Engineer's recommendation, to enter into a reimbursement agreement for the installation of sidewalks, curbs and gutters and driveway approaches on the frontage of 5152 Adobe Road.
9. Selection of an Investment Strategy for the Pension Prefunding Side of the City's Section 115 Combo Trust with PARS and Approval of Contributions into this Trust.
RECCOMENDATION: The City Council:
1. Approve the selection of a Balanced-Strategic Blend investment strategy for the Pension Prefunding side of the City's Section 115 Combo Trust administered by Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS);
2. Approve the contributions into the Pension Prefunding side of the City's Section 115 Combo Trust; and
3. Authorize and direct the City Manager to execute the necessary documents to initiate the process of selecting the investment strategy and contributing into the Pension Prefunding side of the City's Section 115 Combo Trust.
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June 23, 2026
10. Acceptance of Work and Notice of Completion for the 2026 Chip Seal Project.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Accept the work completed by Pavement Coating Co. as part of the above-mentioned project for a total contract cost of $308,460.28.
2. Direct the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion for the contract work.
3. Direct the Finance Director to release the retained funds 30 days after the Notice of Completion has been filed, provided no claims are filed against the contractor.
11. Adoption of an Election Resolution Calling and Giving Notice of a General Municipal Election.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council adopt Resolution No. 26-19, a Resolution calling and giving notice of a General Municipal Election on November 3, 2026, for the election of certain officers for Districts 3, 4, and 5 and requesting consolidation of the Municipal Election with the Statewide General Election.
12. 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!
13. Senate Bill 707 (SB707) Introduction of Policies Related to Brown Act Changes.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council:
1). Receive and file information on SB707; and
2). Review, discuss and provide recommendations to Staff on the new policies. Draft policies will be distributed prior to the City Council meeting.
Carlos Blandon addressed the City Council on item #7.
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.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
14. Proposed Budget Revisions for Special Revenue Funds, Capital Projects Funds, and Successor Agency Fund for Fiscal Year 2026-27.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the following:
1. Resolution No. 26-20, adopting the budget revisions for the Special Revenue Funds (excluding Project Phoenix Funds), Capital Projects Funds, and Successor Agency Fund for FY 2026-27.
2. Interfund transfers for FY 2026-27 are as follows:
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June 23, 2026
$10,000 from the Gas Tax Fund to the General Fund for Admin fees. $20,000 from the Measure I Fund to the General Fund for Admin fees. $27,040 from the Successor Agency Fund to the General Fund for Admin fees.
3. Changes to the FY 2025-26 budget for the following funds:
Amendments to the General Capital Projects Fund
Establishment and adoption of the new Elm Avenue Project Fund and related budget.
Finance Director Hernandez provided the Staff Report and PowerPoint Presentation.
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 Councilwoman Ramirez, to approve Resolution No. 26-20, adopting the budget revisions for the Special Revenue Funds (excluding Project Phoenix Funds), Capital Projects Funds, and Successor Agency Fund for FY 2026-27 and Interfund transfers for FY 2026-27 as follows:
$10,000 from the Gas Tax Fund to the General Fund for Admin fees. $20,000 from the Measure I Fund to the General Fund for Admin fees. $27,040 from the Successor Agency Fund to the General Fund for Admin fees; and Changes to the FY 2025-26 budget for the following funds:
Amendments to the General Capital Projects Fund
Establishment and adoption of the new Elm Avenue Project Fund and related budget.
The above motion was carried by the following:
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: BILDERAIN, RAMIREZ, SCOTT, WRIGHT, MINTZ
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
15. Proposed Budget Revisions for Project Phoenix Funds and Enterprise Fund for Fiscal Year 2026-27 RECOMMENDATION: The City Council approve the following:
1. Resolution No. 26-21, approving the budget revisions for the Project Phoenix Funds and Enterprise Fund for FY 2026-27;
2. Interfund transfers from the General Fund to the Sewer Fund for FY 2026-27 as follows:
$70,000 to subsidize the operating costs of this fund. $25,000 for a sewer rate study
Mayor Mintz recused himself from this item due to a conflict of interest and left the Council Chambers at 6:54 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Scott presided over this item.
Finance Director Hernandez presented the Staff Report and PowerPoint Presentation.
Mayor Pro Tem Scott opened the Public Hearing.
Having no requests to speak, Mayor Pro Tem closed the Public Hearing.
City Council - Regular Meeting
June 23, 2026
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Councilmember Bilderain, to approve Resolution No. 26-21, approving the budget revisions for the Project Phoenix Funds and Enterprise Fund for FY2026-27 and Interfund transfers from the General Fund to the Sewer Fund for FY2026-27 as follows:
$70,000 to subsidize the operating cost of this fund
$25,000 for a sewer rate study.
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 6:59p.m.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
16. Update on a Local Sales Tax Ballot Measure for the November 3, 2026, General Election.
RECOMMENATION: The City Council receive this update 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.
City Manager Cole provided the Staff Report.
The following addressed the City Council:
Mary Alice Ansley
Carlos Blandon
This item was for the City Council to receive and file. No vote was necessary.
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 use of City funds for grants and the potential reallocation of housing and homeless funds to grants.
5. Discussion on the next steps of reallocating $1.3 million for housing.
6. Discussion of Code Enforcement and compliance with Proposition 36 and find a pathway to meeting the new guidance issued by Governor Gavin Newson.
7. Discussion about annexing parcels: APN 0634-05-124 and 0634-05-109, also known as Set Free Ranch.
8. Discussion of a possible safe passage with CalTrans around Donnell Hill.
9. Discussion on a collaboration with Liberty Military Housing to update our RHNA numbers.
10. Study Session regarding the FLOCK cameras.
11. 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.
City Manager Cole provided an update on some of the items on this list. Staff is working on item #1, he is working on creating an administrative policy for item #2, he is hoping to bring something to the City Council in late August, early September on item #3, items 4,5, and 6 are tied together and have to do with homeless and housing and further discussion will continue, item #7 has been discussed with legal and both Staff and the City Attorney are looking for the options we
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have, regarding item #8, CalTrans has done some road work on the south side and also the north side of Donnell Hill, for item #10 information was disbursed to the City Council on the Flock cameras and this will be brought back to the City Council, item #11, we will be looking into this to make sure the City's Municipal Code is consistent with the State.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following addressed the City Council:
Carlos Blandon
Tanya Maddox
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Mintz adjourned the meeting at 7:26 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Villescas, CMC
City Clerk/Public Information Officer