RECAP: Twentynine Palms City Council September 10, 2024
Artists show support for open mic nights, TBID's annual budget approval, Youth Council updates, and more...
While many were at home avoiding wildfire smoke or watching the second Presidential debate, the civically engaged denizens of Twentynine Palms filled the City Council chambers on Tuesday night. They were treated to a two and a half hour long meeting where residents and business owners alike heard Council discussion on entertainment permits, the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID), and received updates on a self-help housing project.
Our latest Agenda Preview, released before each City Council meeting, can be read here. Agenda and video of the meeting can be viewed here. Due to the extensive length of the meeting, we are covering major items of interest.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Youth Council Update
Newly appointed Youth Council officers, Chair Isaac Coleman and Secretary Izzy Hargrove, along with fellow Youth Council Member Truman Walsh, presented to City Council for the first time since the Council’s establishment in May. Mayor Steven Bilderain commended the Youth Council’s progress –– talks of establishing a local Youth Council stem back to 2019. Coleman and Walsh delivered updates on the recent work of the Youth Council, which included volunteering at the 29 Palms Senior Center. Chair Isaac Coleman outlined the mission statement:
The Twentynine Palms Youth Council strives to give youth a voice, support the community, and create a bridge between the City and youth for future generations.
Despite being a fledgling governing board and being the first of its kind for Twentynine Palms, the Youth Council’s bylaws set precedent for other local governing bodies by including term limits for officers and stipulations for a social media manager. To date, no other public governing board in Twentynine Palms has term limits. The next Twentynine Palms Youth Council meeting is September 18th.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion proposed by Councilmember Octavious Scott, seconded by Councilmember MacArthur Wright. Approved 5-0. See our agenda preview for details.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
8. Entertainment Permits
What is entertainment defined as, and what qualifies one form of entertainment as ‘live’ over another? Is music from a jukebox the same as music from a karaoke machine? Do business owners need a permit from the City to host a karaoke or open mic night, and if so, how much should that permit cost?
With Councilmember Daniel Mintz recusing due to a conflict of interest, Community Development Director Keith Gardner presented on the topic of entertainment permits, pointing out inconsistencies within the City’s Development Code that need to be clarified. Gardner emphasized that the goal is not to hinder local businesses and highlighted the importance of local, live entertainment, calling current regulations, “too onerous and too expensive”:
So we're asking that the City Council direct us as City Staff to work with the business community, law enforcement, fire protection services, Planning Commission, and any other interested parties to come up with a better definition of live entertainment. What does that actually mean, and to work with interested parties to come up with reasonable policies pertaining to live entertainment and bring them back to the City Council. And we're also recommending, since these fees are currently $2000, $5,000 dollars, that anyone who wants to come in now to get an entertainment permit, that we waive these fees or drastically reduce, but I'm suggesting we waive them for now. So that's our recommendation.
Ironically, discussion on the topic turned into an open mic performance in and of itself, as local bar owners, entertainers, performers, poets, musicians, and artists of various mediums packed the room to speak on the agenda topic.
Susan Peplow had a statement read on her behalf which called for a study session of business owners and interested stakeholders and requested entertainment permits not be a barrier to entry for businesses. Eric Menendez said he supported efforts to clarify the code so long as it was not cost prohibitive to downtown businesses.
Caitlin Gill, local comedian and one of the organizers of To 29 & Beyond, put things into perspective:
Earlier this year, in June, we held a weekend long event — sold out both days, packed crowds, just under 200 people for scale. The cost of permitting that event would have been greater than our headliners were paid, greater than the rent that we paid for the venue, and greater than any single producer received for organizing the event. It just would have been cost prohibitive.
But, the windfall from that event benefitted our community and the businesses located in it. It's not just money — it's reputation, it's prestige, and it's encouraging more people to plan around events that could happen here. So I do hope that the City continues to support the growth of events and businesses in this community, understanding that the scale of this community is beautifully small.
Local musician, record producer and DJ Ted Quinn, who helped spearhead open mic programs at Pappy & Harriet’s, Joshua Tree Saloon, and the Beatnik Lounge, shared how these performances transformed the local music scene over the years, eventually attracting big name artists to the Morongo Basin such as Paul McCartney, Ke$ha, and First Aid Kit:
I don't know how many hundreds of musicians moved to this area, but they're helping the economy. They go to the restaurants, they buy the food, they buy the drinks. They bring their family.
Also speaking in favor of the local open mic and performance scene was poet Janelle Angels, a.k.a. “Angeles,” Twentynine Palms resident and musician Vadim Altschuler, open mic artist Stacey Solie, and performer Lolly Goodwoman. Social worker, community organizer, and Smashing Muffins lead singer Pauline Pisano spoke to the health benefits of the arts:
I agree with the staff that these fees for our live entertainment spaces should be waived. It is preventative medicine for our communities.
Sharianne Greer spoke in favor of event permit fees being dropped:
I don't want to see any regulations put in the way of the businesses who are trying to make a living as best they can. And if they've come up with open mics or a karaoke night, God bless them. Let them. It's helping everybody.
Veno Nathraj stated he was in favor of the City implementing safety measures but that the permit fees as they currently stand are astronomically high. Local business owner Karen Harper inquired as to whether music she plays on a loudspeaker during events at her business would be subject to a live entertainment permit. Resident Carl Rice, who mentioned being in recovery, attested to the benefit community open mics at local coffee shops have had in his life.
Council discussion on the topic was in line with the Staff Report recommendation. Mayor Pro Tem Joel Klink said he would support a small security fee for businesses to cover costs of police and fire:
We do have to have the fire department, we do have to have the police department if anything happens at your business while you're doing these open mics and everything. So there should be a small security fee, like $100- $250, okay? You have to definitely have the right capacity in there at all times. Don't go over it, because then you're in violation of that permit.
Councilmember Wright agreed with Klink that the current permit fee is too high and encouraged everyone to attend the upcoming Planning Commission meeting. Community Development Director Gardner clarified that these would be one-time fees and businesses would not need to renew them. The Planning Commission will tackle this issue at a workshop during their upcoming meeting September 17th for future Council consideration.
9. Self-Help Housing Project Status Update
City Manager H. Stone James presented an update on the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition’s (CVHC) proposed self-help housing project for the area. Per City Manager James, while the City has not formally committed to any construction with CVHC nor has a formal vote been taken to green light the project, the City is still in talks with the non-profit entity and is currently exploring its options. The Desert Trumpet has been following this affordable housing project discussion, with the most recent project update information linked here.
City Manager James outlined some potential hurdles the City is navigating through in order to see this affordable housing project to fruition. Key takeaways from the presentation:
City Council is requesting Staff direction and guidance on ways other cities have implemented CVHC’s affordable housing program. The non-profit operates successful affordable housing programs in the cities of Coachella, Indio, Mecca, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, La Quinta, and Perris.
Owning a home through the CHVC program entails a long-term commitment from both the City and families. Deed restriction options can entail 15-year, 45-year, and 55-year program commitments. Because of this lengthy commitment and strict program requirements to qualify, City Staff and Council want to ensure the homes are designated for families who actually need this housing and not someone who will turn the house into a profitable vacation rental property down the line. “One of the benefits of home ownership is the intergenerational transfer of wealth,” stated City Manager James.
There may be about $90,000 in public grant funds available for this particular project. The City would have to explore options to cover additional project costs, which would include the purchase of parcels for constructing homes. The City already designated a large sum of affordable housing monies towards a multi-family housing project near City Hall, so whatever remaining funds exist could possibly be used towards CVHC’s affordable housing project.
According to the CVHC, for every 30 applicants to the affordable housing program, one will actually meet the program qualifications. For ten lots, the City can expect to sift through over 300 applications.
Affordable Housing is income-restricted, and qualifying for what constitutes ‘affordable housing’ is based on a formula that takes regional median household income into consideration. Twentynine Palms, with a median household income of just over $50,000, or $25,000 per individual per annum, likely has different income thresholds than regions in the Coachella Valley.1
Speaking in favor of the project from the public were Veno Nathraj, Pauline Pisano, Karen Harper, and Dawn Pritchard (sp). Pritchard delivered a heartfelt statement:
This is a program that should have been here a long time ago. We have people that are out there in the street because of losing their homes. I have lots of girls, and they need to be part of this. We appreciate this program. We want this program. We need this program. Thank you.
10. Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID)
Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) Marketing Director Breanne Dusastre presented the ‘24-’25 Marketing Plan & Budget, first presented to the TBID board at their August 8th meeting. TBID Board Members Heidi Grunt, Ashton Ramsey, and Benjamin Uyeda were present at the Council meeting.
Dusastre highlighted media opportunities in the last fiscal year which included local spotlights in the New York Times, SFGate, and Travel & Leisure and discussed advertising opportunities at Palm Springs International Airport. Ramsey highlighted the recent events grants and sponsorship program funded by TBID, which included the Freedom Daze event on July 4th weekend.
Comments from the public included a statement submitted by Susan Peplow, and podium comments from Eric Menendez, Caitlin Gill, and Veno Nathraj.
Stating that he operates hotels in other cities that have TBIDs, Hotelier Veno Nathraj critiqued the Twentynine Palms TBID’s performance.
“My occupancy is less than 50%… This TBID needs to come up with a plan as to how you're going to increase occupancy. And I think as council members, you all need to make sure that their performance is measured.
Fellow hotelier and the newest appointed TBID board member Uyeda responded to Nathraj’s remarks.
Now we can quibble about whether or not the progress is what we feel is justified relative to the budget. That's fair, but it's categorically false to say that there hasn't been any [progress] unless you want to do an audit of the numbers themselves. So what I would sort of say is — having talked to some local business owners in the very short time I've been a part of this — is that, yes, we do want accountability. That's really, really important, but we want to be specific, not just throw it as a broad cudgel across all things.
In a letter read by Eric Menendez, homeowner and property manager Susan Peplow then echoed sentiments from ghosts of TBID’s past:
“While many things have changed over the past year, sadly, much has remained the same. The marketing plan continues to outline changes but there's a lack of vision or execution or any plan to resolve said issues. The budget reflects an increase greater than CPI for staff. Meanwhile, it is not bringing in much needed social media assistance and an event coordinator to maximize the effectiveness of the marketing plan itself. The TBID budget focuses at great expense on fam tours and out-of-area markets, yet fails to advertise in the known markets of Southern California with print advertisements and ongoing marketing of events.2
Peplow also mentioned that the TBID does not promote enough in local markets, such as that of Joshua Tree Voice, and instead prioritizes advertisements and outreach in international and non-local markets. Menendez, healthcare worker and owner of the Desert Beacon, emphasized the importance of marketing to the immediate region.
We have Joshua Tree which is the heart, we have Twentynine Palms which are the lungs, and I've chosen Yucca Valley to be the kidneys— we can't function without all three.
Menendez relayed plans for a booth at Palm Springs Village Fest starting September 19th, and talked of conducting a regional tourism study with local academics, “Our goal is to get tourists up here to the whole valley, to the whole Morongo Basin.”
Caitlin Gill said the TBID was instrumental to the recent To 29 & Beyond event, which received crucial grant funding from the events grants and sponsorship program, and thanked Breanne Dusastre for her efforts.
A motion to approve the marketing plan and budget was proposed by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Councilmember Klink. Approved 5-0. Now that the budget has been approved, Council will hold a public hearing at their September 24th meeting to officially green light the TBID’s annual re-authorization.
FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
Mayor Bilderain requested that City Staff look into cordoning restrooms near the Freedom Plaza gymnasium due to safety concerns. No other future agenda items were requested at this time.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
In general public comment, Natalie Zuk promoted the Desert Trumpet’s upcoming City Council Candidate Forum this Saturday September 14th at 3PM in Freedom Plaza, Robin Schlosser commended the 29 Palms Community Food Pantry for receiving the 2024 non-profit of the year award at the Basin Wide Foundation annual awards event, and Veno Nathraj made additional comments on the TBID.
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
City Manager James thanked Keith Gardner for his efforts in navigating the entertainment permits topic. James then provided updates on a United States Geological Survey assessment to study nitrate infiltration in the local water table. James stated the cost would be approximately $5 million dollars to conduct a five-year study and that the City is currently in talks with the Environmental Protection Agency to release public grant funds to conduct the study.
Finally, James concluded the meeting by highlighting the local Warhawks Youth Football Team and providing contact information for their head coach for anyone interested in getting their kids involved in future football games— Warhawks Head Coach Charcato Scipio can be reached at 442-370-0584.
The next Twentynine Palms City Council meeting will take place at the City Hall September 24th at 6PM, 6136 Adobe Road.
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“Fam tours,” or familiarization tours, are a form of marketing tool the current 29 Palms TBID participates in which includes funded promotional tours of the area to travel agents, journalists, and other tourism marketing agencies. These tours often include generous stipends that cover food, lodging costs, and other travel related expenses for participants.
Lots of information at this meeting! Thanks for this thorough recap.