ON THE AGENDA: Twentynine Palms City Council, September 24, 2024
TBID Reauthorization and More!
Sliding into fall, the City of Twentynine Palms will hold their regularly scheduled City Council meeting this coming Tuesday, September 24, at 6:00 p.m., at 6136 Adobe Road. The 73-page agenda packet can be found here.
At their last meeting on September 10, the Council discussed entertainment permits, approved the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) 2024-2025 marketing plan and budget, and received updates on a self-help housing project.
PUBLIC COMMENT
You can comment on agenda items and issues important to you at every City Council meeting. Comments on agenda items take place during discussion of that item, while comments on non-agenda items take place near the end of the meeting. The Brown Act prevents Council from commenting on non-agenda items. To comment, just pick up a green or gold form at the entry desk, fill it out, and hand it to the Clerk, who usually sits just in front of the Council bench toward the right.
Here's the list of Council email addresses to write if you can't get to the meeting — be sure to email them prior to 2:00 p.m. on the date of the meeting so they have time to read your email prior to discussion. You can also copy the clerk at cvillescas@29palms.org and ask that your letter be made part of the public record.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Item 5. Presentation by Morongo Unified School District on Measure C
The Morongo Unified School District is placing Measure C, an $88.3 million general obligation bond measure, on the November 2024 ballot to fund upgrades across local schools. This proposed bond would modernize outdated classrooms, replace aging portable buildings, and make comprehensive improvements to school facilities. To pass, 55% would have to vote in favor. The meeting agenda packet links to a touching one-minute promotional video for Measure C.
Item 6. Presentation by Parks and Recreation on the Million Coaches Challenge Grant that was received from the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA).
This NRPA training promises to “ensure all people interacting with youth have essential skills to promote relationship building, leadership and teamwork, cultural humility, conflict resolution, unconscious bias, and building understanding.”
Item 7. Pioneer Days Update by Community Services Director Minatrea.
CONSENT CALENDAR
The Consent Calendar consists of routine items usually approved with a single vote. The public is given a chance to make public comment on these items prior to the Council motion. Again, fill out a comment form if you wish to address any of the items on this meeting’s Consent Calendar. For this meeting the calendar consists of:
Emergency Repair of Signal Light Wiring Adobe Road and Indian Trail. During the July 14 flood emergency repairs were performed on this signal, but the contractor advised that the wiring needs replacement at a cost of $26,627.60.
Resolution to Adopt the Amended and Updated Conflict of Interest Code for the City of Twentynine Palms, Pursuant to the Political Reform Act of 1974. This ordinance specifies various City job titles. In this minor revision, three new job titles would replace three outdated job titles.
PUBLIC HEARING
Item 11. Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID)
At their last meeting, on September 10, the Council voted unanimously to approve the TBID's 2024-2025 marketing plan and budget. But each year, for the TBID to continue, the Council must also reauthorize it.
As you may recall, last year's TBID reauthorization was anything but routine. At Council's September 12, 2023 meeting the vote to reauthorize TBID failed, following a poll of STR and hotel owners showing that many were disgruntled with the 1.5% TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) — despite the fact this tax is paid by guests, not owners. But six days later at a special meeting, Council reversed themselves, voting unanimously to reauthorize the TBID for another year, after hearing promises that the TBID would reorganize and improve its performance and accountability going forward.
Has TBID reformed in the last year? There are now two fresh faces on the board since Council confirmed new appointees Ashton Ramsey in January and Ben Uyeda in August, but there has yet to be any significant reorganization.
Council discussion and its vote on reauthorization will be an interesting gauge of how satisfied or dissatisfied Council, along with hotel and STR owners as well as residents, is with the gradual pace of TBID improvement.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
Unusually, there are no action items for this meeting.
FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
1. Revisit allocated funds for the portable showers and Navigation Center.
2. Discussion on the General Plan Update.
3. Discussion surrounding (i) costs to maintain dirt roads verses paved roads; (ii) what is a City maintained dirt road, a non-maintained dirt road, a road that has been accepted by the City, a road that is private and not accepted by the City; (iii) the City's ability and liability associated with the City periodically maintaining non-maintained roads; and (iv) ways residents can bring non-maintained and non-accepted dirt roads to paved rural-road standards ready for acceptance into the City's accepted-and-maintained road list.
4. Improve the safety and security of Freedom Plaza by providing Council a recommendation to secure Freedom Plaza's outdoor bathroom hallway.
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