RECAP: Twentynine Palms City Council, January 13, 2026
Daniel Mintz returns for his fourth (nonconsecutive) term as Mayor and Octavious Scott steps into his new role as Mayor Pro Tem
During this week’s 90-minute City Council meeting, revised fee-waiver rules for nonprofits were approved, new regulations for ancillary entertainment were advanced, and plans moved forward to secure downtown trash enclosures. Infrastructure updates included bridge projects, sewer improvements, and flood repairs. Public comment about FLOCK traffic cameras did not materialize, but residents spoke up about the fee-waiver policy.
Video of the meeting is available here and our preview can be reviewed here.
Parks and Recreation Manager Haywood Adams provided a six-month update on Parks and Recreation services. The youth flag football league, which serves boys and girls, grew from 112 to 166 participants after adding a new division for ages 13–15. Youth basketball is currently underway, with weekday and Saturday games leading up to the 66th annual tournament in March. New offerings include dance, tumbling, yoga, LEGO science, and a Dungeons & Dragons club. Upcoming programs include tennis, Girls on the Run, and expanded partnerships. The department also received two national grants and released the 2026 program guide.
Consent Calendar: Fee Waivers for Non-profit Groups Are Pulled for Discussion
The Consent Calendar consists of a list of items usually approved with a single vote by the City Council without discussion—that is, unless a Council member or members of the public request that an item be pulled to explore further. The City’s fee-waiver policy was included in the Consent Calendar as were other items (see the City’s agenda here and our reporting on the items here).
In our reporting we noted that the fee-waiver policy still contained language that would create barriers to local nonprofits supported by fiscal sponsors as well as residents exercising their constitutional right to take legal action against the City.1
Late Monday, January 12, a revised agenda for the City Council meeting was released that noted a closed session had been added, with title “CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION, SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION, Government Code § 54956.9 (d)(2), (1 case - Indian Cove Neighbors challenge to facility fee waiver policy).”
Anna Stump spoke in support of revising the fee-waver policy. Stump is involved with Mojaveland and, with Audrey Philpot, brought in the $120,000 Levitt Foundation grant funding three years of free musical performances in Twentynine Palms. She said:
I would like to explain why fiscally sponsored nonprofits are very important to our city….there are multiple reasons why young nonprofits might need a fiscal sponsorship. For example, in the case of the Twentynine Palms Music Committee, this is a temporary volunteer organization, which is only going to exist for as long as the Levitt grant is running. And for us to have spent the money and the time to create a full 501(c)(3) would be very onerous and not really very smart for us to do.
The Basin Wide Foundation has board members in Twentynine Palms and lends a lot of gravitas to our application. The fiscal sponsor provides me with accounting skills and expertise in grant writing. And does it make sense for me to spend money that I could be spending on the public, on families? So I really hope that you will reconsider and allow fiscally sponsored nonprofits to have the two free rentals.
Cindy Bernard spoke on behalf of Indian Cove Neighbors:
The First Amendment prohibits the government from conditioning access to public facilities on whether a group’s viewpoint aligns with the government. The city is not required to designate facilities for public use, but once it does, it cannot then condition access based on viewpoint. Denying fee waivers to citizens because they have sued the city is in effect punishment for exercising the constitutional right to petition the government for redress of grievances.
Just before Council discussion, the City Clerk distributed a printed copy of a revised policy to Council Members and to the Recreation Manager while other business was taking place. She placed a few copies on the table outside of Council chambers. We have scanned the document, and the PDF is here.
Although he didn’t directly address the revised policy that had just been distributed, Mayor Daniel Mintz said:
One of the things that I want to really want to stress about this policy is to give staff direction on when someone can ask for a fee waiver. There is no provision in this says they cannot appeal to the City Council. We put in the provision that it does not cost the nonprofit money [to appeal].
Mayor Mintz did not note that in the new policy, fiscal sponsorships still are not permitted.
City Manager Dr. Stone James elaborated:
One of the things that the city attorney clarified some language, and also the city attorney removed the language in terms of, if a organization is suing the city, there is no longer a prohibition to apply for fee waiver if you are suing the city. I do think something that is important to point out is the fact that irrespective of a lawsuit, that organization can still pay to use the facility.
Although the new policy had not been viewed by the public, Council voted 5-0 to approve it.
City Council Advances Revised Rules for Ancillary Entertainment
Mayor Mintz stepped aside due to a business conflict for two agenda items, with Mayor Pro Tem Octavious Scott managing the meeting. The proposed ancillary activities ordinance aims to clarify special event permits, what counts as live entertainment, and how it can operate without harming neighbors or public safety.
City Development Director Keith Gardner said:
You need to know the maximum occupancy. You may not exceed your parking or occupancy. You may not violate City's noise or lighting, and it may not be an adult-oriented business. No increases in calls for emergency or law enforcement services. So we're not going to limit the type of entertainment or the time of day.
Fees were scaled back to $250 for the permit ($500 had been proposed) to match standard business license costs, easing the burden on small operators.
A one-year transition period would help businesses come into compliance, with escalating penalties only for repeat violations. Public comment raised concerns about enforcement and favoritism, but the Council moved the ordinance forward.
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Downtown Trash Enclosures
The meeting turned to Council authorizing the City staff to obtain bids for upgraded trash enclosures around Freedom Plaza. Although framed as a way to protect wildlife, it quickly became apparent that the issue had more to do with dumping by nearby residents and unhoused encampments around dumpsters for the City and local businesses.
City Manager James explained that three main trash sites near Smoketree and Tamarisk avenues are partially enclosed or completely open, allowing trash to spread through downtown and create health risks. Garbage has blown into public spaces, and city crews spend extra time cleaning up the mess.
More troubling, speakers described drug paraphernalia left behind, and business owners feeling unsafe when taking out trash, especially at night. Councilmember Ramirez sought to clarify who bore the cost of cleaning up the trash. Cora Palomino, who owns the Virginians, shared that she often pays out of pocket to clean up the dumping.
The proposed solution is straightforward: fully enclose existing trash areas and build a new secured enclosure. These locked, roofed structures would protect businesses, reduce public health risks, and improve downtown’s appearance. Council authorized staff to seek bids, marking a step toward cleaner, safer shared spaces.
Council Committee Assignments
Mayor Mintz led the discussion of committee assignments, which largely remained the same, although Councilmember Ramirez suggested that there was no need for a Housing and Homeless subcommittee:
I realized that all of us, in our own different capacities and with our own different strengths, do work and focus on housing and homeless. For example, when Councilmember Bilderain and I went to California League of Cities, we both attended different housing education sessions. He and I have worked before with the DA law enforcement figuring out prop 36 and the legislative aspect of homelessness. Councilmember Wright will probably be very humble and never tell you he and his family does a lot for our unhoused community out of their own pocket. Myself, Council Member Scott, also have our own aspects.
Mayor Mintz pointed out that there were state grants that will soon be awarded and that the subcommittee is still necessary.
Future Council-Initiated Items
This item become unexpectedly lively when Councilmember McArthur Wright proposed adopting the changes the current administration has made to federal holidays. Councilmember Ramirez also proposed a future discussion about reallocating the $25,000 budgeted for homeless and housing funds to cover grant-writing efforts. “We could get a better return on investment if we did that.” City Manager James agreed that this would be a “force multiplier” and after some discussion, Mayor Mintz reminded Council and Staff that the consideration needed to be taken up as a future agenda item.
Public Comment
Pastor LeeAnn Clarke, secretary of the 29 Palms Ministerial Association, invited city residents to attend the annual Martin Luther King Jr. March and Prayer Bowl, which starts at 8 am from the Little Church in the Desert and ends at the Palms Baptist Church. Speakers will include Pastor McArthur Wright of the 29 Palms Ministerial Association, Mayor Mintz, and City Manager James. The City is funding sack lunches.
City Manager’s Report
City Manager James reported that downtown infrastructure improvements are moving forward, including installation of a package treatment plant and a future FOG (fats, oils, and grease) program to protect the sewer system and preserve long-term water resources.
At the animal shelter, new, durable gates have been installed using cost-effective materials, improving safety for animals and usability for staff and visitors, with more short-term improvements underway.
He urged residents are to complete a community survey regarding a potential future sales tax. A few residents received the survey via text several weeks ago; in theory, “high-propensity” voters should all be seeing it soon.
Major infrastructure news included the long-awaited Split Rock Bridge project, with construction beginning soon and expected to take one year. Repairs are also advancing for flood damage near Highway 62. City Manager James also said,
Our goal is to have a presentation on maintaining roads that is targeted for January 27 that is going to be an important discussion. And it's so important, we don't want to rush it.
Plans are in place to talk about shade structures at Freedom Plaza as well as a recognized neighborhood program.
NOTE: Desert Trumpet staff members Cindy Bernard, Kat Talley-Jones, and Heidi Heard live in the Indian Cove neighborhood, adjacent to this proposed development project, and are on the organizing committees of Indian Cove Neighbors and Say No to Ofland. Read our policy for covering Ofland here.
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For background on the fee-waiver policy see our reports on the May 24, 2024, City Council meeting and the November 12, 2025, meeting.