RECAP: Twentynine Palms City Council Meeting, Tuesday, October 22, 2024
A brisk meeting recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month and moves forward with security doors for Freedom Plaza restrooms
At Tuesday’s meeting, the City Council and City staff assembled wearing matching pink polo shirts in recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness month. In his remarks, Mayor Bilderain said, “this proclamation is for every survivor, every warrior, and for those who did not win the battle. We are going to put our arms around and comfort the families.”
After calling the City Council meeting to order, Mayor Bilderain reported that the Council received legal guidance in a closed session that came before the meeting, but there was nothing more to report.
PROPOSITION 68 AUDIT
Director of Finance and Treasurer Abigail Hernandez-Conde led off the Council meeting by sharing the results of the State’s check on how the City used money from Proposition 68. Passed in 2018, Proposition 68 gave $4.1 billion for projects related to droughts, water parks, the environment, coastal protection, and outdoor spaces.
In April 2020, the City received a $2 million grant from the California Natural Resources Agency to build the Cultural Center and Joshua Tree Visitor Center at Freedom Plaza. This project was finished in June 2022. In January 2021, the City got another $901,850 from Proposition 68 to build the first part of the flood control channel trail between Split Rock Avenue and Adobe Road, which was finished in April.
Ms. Hernandez-Conde said that the California Department of Finance randomly chose to audit the Twentynine Palms projects. The Department looked at the finished work, reviewed finance records, and interviewed staff and contractors. The Department found that the City complied with the grant requirements. Ms. Hernandez-Conde said the process was "intense," with almost daily communication her office and the auditors between April and September this year.
City Manager Stone James commended City staff not only for pursuing the grants but also their meticulous tracking of money spent.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS
The Twentynine Palms High School’s Interact Club received a check from the Cash for Trash recycling program. The Club’s team members picked up 25 bags of trash and several tires between Starbucks and the Jelly Donut. Club President Kieu Huynh said, “we wanted to make sure that everything was nice for Pioneer Days…It was a very fun experience for everyone.”
Robin Schlosser thanked Kurt Schauppner for his work with Reach Out Morongo Basin and acknowledged his work with Theatre 29 and the Desert Trail. On the lighter side, Schlosser said, “we present this award to you for everything you do to keep our quirky community weird.”
Priscilla Mercado of the Inland Empire Special Olympics presented an opportunity for collaboration with the community in their programs for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
CONSENT CALENDAR
The nine-item Consent Calendar of routine items (outlined in our meeting preview) was approved 5-0. There was no public comment.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
City Manager Stone James presented a PowerPoint on the need for improving safety at Freedom Plaza. One issue has come up is the location of the restrooms open to an exterior hallway and even though the restrooms are locked overnight, the hallway has become a gathering spot for undesirable behavior.
The problem was brought to light by the mayor, who coaches a girls' team at the gym. “He has to stop practice to inspect the bathrooms,” said James, “make sure no one’s in the bathroom, and then wait for the girls to use the bathroom before he walks them back into the hall….Parents have to do the same. We staff were very troubled to hear that.”
The staff, led by Craig Stacy and Eli Marshall, researched potential solutions. They concluded that the most effective way to secure the restrooms is to install locking doors at the north and east entrances of the facility, which were part of the original design but omitted for cost reasons. Installing these doors will create a secure indoor hallway for people using the gym and the restrooms. Visitors will need to pass through the gym’s main entrance, checking in with city staff at the front desk, which will help monitor and control access to the bathrooms.
This solution will improve security by preventing unauthorized access to the restrooms and reducing the likelihood of vandalism or illegal activities. The staff has requested that the city manager be authorized to negotiate and execute the necessary purchase orders and contracts to get the doors installed.
In public comment, Eric Menendez spoke in support of the door installation.
Councilmember Octavious Scott expressed concern that the restrooms be open for the farmers market on Saturdays, and City Manager James agreed this was essential. Councilmember Mintz suggested a not to exceed figure of $20,000 for door installation, which was approved by a 5-0 council vote.
Although not on the agenda, Councilmember Scott raised the issue of fee schedules for site-plan reviews for barbershops and other businesses. Councilmember Mintz responded that such questions would first need to go to the Planning Commission before the Council could discuss them. Councilmember Klink, who is leaving the City Council, brought up an increase in compensation for the Council, which City Manager James said would appear on the November 12 City Council agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT
In public comment, Eric Menendez raised concerns about the grant process for the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) during a city council meeting. He noted that the board meetings are not videotaped, and audio recordings are also unavailable, making it difficult for the public to access information. The meeting minutes, taken by the TBID executive director, lack sufficient detail, and Menendez suggested having another city staff member take minutes for better accuracy.
He also expressed concerns about the grant distribution process, mentioning that the TBID has already given away $200,000 in grants and is preparing to distribute another $100,000. He questioned whether enough time has been given to evaluate the impact of past grants on tourism and visitor numbers. Additionally, he pointed out that the committee is currently down one member and has a very short window to assess applications before making decisions on November 7.
Menendez urged the council to consider delaying the next round of grants to ensure the money is used effectively. He praised the parks department for their successful events but emphasized the need for greater accountability in the TBID grant process to ensure tourism tax revenue is spent wisely.
LeeAnn Clarke, Secretary of the 29 Palms Ministerial Association, expressed gratitude for the city and Parks and Recreation staff, specifically mentioning Kary and Scott, for their efforts during Pioneer Days. She praised the event's publicity and appreciated the thoughtful research behind the logo and car show flyer, which honored the tradition of Pioneer Days while connecting it to the present.
Clarke also mentioned the success of the sunrise service, which had 25 attendees and raised $300 for ARCH, with a check presentation planned for next month.
She also promoted the upcoming 2024 Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast on November 19 at the First Assembly of God Church, requesting attendees bring an unwrapped toy for the Set Free Church’s toy drive. Additionally, she announced the community Thanksgiving service on November 24 at Freedom Plaza, with the 29 Palms Community Pantry benefiting from the offering.
Marjorie Smith, Morongo Basin COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster) chair, San Bernardino County VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster), and the American Red Cross, requested city council support to build a network of community organizations ready to respond to disasters. Highlighting the July 14 flood, she emphasized the need for a coordinated volunteer network. While praising the city's public safety efforts, she urged the council to organize a meeting with local leaders, pastors, and service organizations to reinforce the importance of disaster preparedness.
To ensure effectiveness, Smith proposed that COAD should be part of the city's emergency plan, with regularly updated contact information for quick activation during disasters. She emphasized that organized leadership would allow the Incident Command to communicate directly with organization heads, ensuring tasks are managed efficiently during emergencies.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Stone James thanked Marjorie Smith for the emergency preparedness guide distributed by the San Bernardino County Department of Emergency Services, which outlines a 21-week plan by the Red Cross to help residents prepare for disasters by, for example, building up necessary supplies. James emphasized the importance of self-reliance during emergencies, as government resources focus on restoring essential infrastructure. Residents should ideally prepare to be self-sufficient for at least ten days in the event of a crisis.
James also commended the recent Pioneer Days celebration, organized by city staff, for its well-executed events and diverse programming. He and his family were particularly impressed with the Historic Plaza car show, which was organized by Public Arts Advisory Committee member and City Council candidate Paul Razo in collaboration with Friends of the Historic Plaza: “we were floored with its quality of and the thoroughness—especially for a first-time event.”
Finally, James highlighted the Sheriff’s Department's recent swift response in apprehending a suspect involved in a home invasion, emphasizing the community’s appreciation for their efficient law enforcement services. “At about 130 this morning,” he said, “a woman called and said her house had been broken into and there was someone in her bed. He flees…and ultimately, due to the diligence of the sheriff's department and quickly getting on scene, quickly gathering evidence, quickly setting up a containment this person is already in custody.”
With this note, the City Council meeting adjourned. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 12.
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Hi Desert Trumpet,
May the Rotary 29 Club use the photo of the Interact kids from your newsletter, plus your caption, for our website? Of course, crediting the DT... Thanks.
All gratitude to all volunteers and fundraisers. Can anyone tell me what programs Molding Hearts raises money for?