RECAP: Twentynine Palms City Council meeting, November 12, 2025
Affordable housing can gets kicked down the road, City of 29 Palms Visitor Center to remain open, septic tank updates, fee waiver policy tightens up.
Wednesday’s City Council attendees had one thing in common—a shared vision for a better Twentynine Palms. Where they differed was how that vision should get accomplished and the means by which it should happen. A one-word summary for the meeting? Compromise.
Due to a closed session with the City’s legal counsel, the meeting started ten minutes after six with an invocation from Minister Florence Young of Sanctuary Church. It lasted approximately two and a half hours. Coverage of the meeting agenda is available here. Video footage of the meeting is here.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Pro Tem Daniel Mintz presented an award to the Semper Fi softball team for participation in the City’s Cash for Trash program with Burrtec Waste.
Brianna Schultz, a CPA with Rogers, Anderson, Malody, & Scott (RAMS), along with City Finance Director Abigail Hernandez-Conde, presented the City’s annual financial audit report. The City received the highest rating possible for financial excellence.
With public interest in mind, Hernandez-Conde said the City has added the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) to its list of major funds audits, and thanked City staff and department heads for their teamwork.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Approved 5-0; Consent Calendar items included minutes from the last Council meeting, an increase to the sheriff’s contract, and approval of two construction project contracts.
PUBLIC HEARING
11. Adoption of the 2025 California Building Codes Published by the International Code Council.
This routine agenda item was swiftly approved 5-0 following a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Mintz and second from Councilmember Wright.
DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
12. Visit 29 Palms Visitors Center End State
Due to the staffing strain placed on TBID Marketing Director Breanne Dusastre, the City is weighing options for its City of 29 Palms Visitor Center, located at 73484 Twentynine Palms Hwy.
Options outlined by the City Manager Dr. Stone James included shutting down the visitor center altogether, placing it in the front desk area of the Freedom Plaza gymnasium, or purchasing a conex1 box:
There’s a rectangular lot, and the conex box would be placed on the south side of that parking lot. That would be, in essence, parallel with the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center, and it would be between the Visitor Center building and the trash dumpsters. So if someone were to walk up and face the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center, and they look to their right, they would see the stage. If they look to their left, they’d see the conex box.
Hoping to piggyback off of foot traffic from the national park visitor center, which is operated by the Joshua Tree National Park Association (JTNPA), the last option would be a symbolic juxtaposition that would cost more than $150,000 for construction and utility lines.
According to the City Manager’s presentation, the city-operated visitor center only garners about 100 visitors a week whereas the JTNPA visitor center attracts over 4,000 visitors weekly. However the Visit 29 location’s operating hours are sporadic at best due to understaffing.
In light of the City’s Strategic Planning sessions, which prioritized tourism and visitor attractions, comments from the public were in consensus—leave the visitor center open and find the proper staffing to operate it.
Paul Razo—Chair of the Public Arts Advisory Committee, which uses the Visit 29 location for quarterly art exhibitions— spoke to the potential loss:
I just want to say that losing this location would be very saddening as it served for many years as a gallery space for local artists to reach a global audience that may otherwise have never seen their work. As a business owner and stakeholder in the city, it is also concerning to see it close. We’ve made great strides towards tourism efforts this year. Closing our visitor center seems like we’re taking one step forward and two steps back.
Susan Peplow asked:
Where do we want to be in 20 years? Is that putting our visitor center in a closet in a breezeway next to the basketball team? No offense, I’m thinking that’s not exactly the visibility that our city deserves. Our businesses, our restaurants, our tourism, deserve a better highlight. And there’s other ways to unpack the costs, which, by the way, seem to be like a net zero deal.
Peplow also brought up the the location’s use for funneling foot traffic to Corner 62 and other downtown businesses.
Cindy Bernard, editor of Desert Trumpet and artist, noted that the facade at the Visit 29 Palms location was designed by well-known local artist Chuck Caplinger.
Dusastre was present to answer Council questions. Councilmember Ramirez asked about art exhibits and how many pieces are on display at the Visit 29 Visitor Center. Dusastre said the location can host displays of anywhere from 10 to 12 artists or as many as 30 pieces, and that the visitor center also highlights student artwork from local schools.
Mayor Pro Tem Mintz and Mayor Bilderain asked about attendance and visitor enjoyment. Dusastre said response is positive but attendance is not always there:
The weekends are really slow, so we did make some adjustments back in January. We reduced the weekday hours slightly and dropped Sunday. We had nobody coming through on Sunday, and that was consistent. You never know what’s going to happen, that’s the beauty of it. A Monday might be wildly busy and then Tuesday just a handful of people—you never know.
Moving the visitor center to a recreation building still does not address the underlying issue—staff availability. Haywood Adams, Recreation Supervisor, said:
The proximity and the location of the Visitor Center makes sense, but there are still some questions in regards to the staffing complexities. Open gym runs 12:30 to 4:30, Monday through Friday. And if you’ve ever been in there when the kids are out of school, there’s a lot of them—especially on Wednesdays, when they’re early release, that gym gets used by these youths every day. So there could be possible noise distractions.
Adams relayed that, similar to the visitor center, the City’s Recreation department is experiencing its own staffing issues:
It might not be the most attractive office or visitor center, but I can understand why we would want to place it there. But that gym needs staffing, whether it’s for medical emergencies, supervision….I would have to staff that place still.
Bilderain said a recent community development conference noted visitor centers are on the rise again. Mintz said he would be open to exploring alternative locations close to the JTPNA visitor center down the line.
Ultimately, Council decided to table the discussion and admitted that there is a need to address staffing shortages. A part-time visitor center staff position for $17.25 an hour remains open.
13. Updates to City Fee Waiver Policy No. 1 and Facility Rental Rules & Regulations.
Haywood Adams presented this topic stating that since the fee waiver policy was updated in May 2024, the City has waived $20,000 in potential facility rental revenue:
When the policy was updated, we knew there would be a financial trade-off. Supporting local organizations means foregoing some revenue, but the question now is what’s the threshold?
City staff requested reducing yearly fee waivers from three days to one, no fiscal sponsorships, a non-refundable deposit fee to address last-minute cancellations, and no waivers to those organizations convicted of crimes against the City or involved in active litigation with the City.
Adams highlighted flaws in the policy’s execution—as is, someone could put a hold on a rental facility six months out and cancel three days before the reserved date with no consequence. For facilities like Freedom Plaza gymnasium, which require thirty-days advanced notice to book, this means the City loses revenue because it cannot rent the facility out to another entity for the same period. Adams claimed:
It’s numerous. It’s across the board with all of our rentals. No one pays, no one submits insurance documents in a timely manner, but we as a staff continue to allow it.
From the public, Jonathan Hume, board member of Desert Trumpet, called the 2 day reduction draconian:
There are all kinds of events nonprofits put on, and I would argue some of these are really civically pretty urgent and important. Cutting that down from three to one per year is really putting a hard cap that I think is going to be to the detriment of the city and that should at least be considered at a minimum having it at two.
Desert Trumpet, a nonprofit, has used the Freedom Plaza gymnasium for community events, including a City Council candidate forum.
Karen Harper, whose nonprofit Women of Color Global 29 has also used the gymnasium, asked if this new fee waiver policy would apply to the organization’s upcoming Black History Month event in February 2026. Council members expressed interest in grandfathering organizations who already had space reserved. Harper said Scott Clinkscales, the City’s Community Events Coordinator, has always assisted her organization in ensuring insurance paperwork is submitted on time.2
Cindy Bernard, speaking on behalf of Indian Cove Neighbors, which is in active litigation with the City over the Ofland Resort development project, and co-sponsored a town hall with the Morongo Basin Conservation Association in June said:
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. A policy then that selectively bars citizens from few waivers just because they criticize the government is not only unlawful but strikes at the core of the First Amendment.
Bernard argued that instead of laying down the hammer on nonprofits, the City should better advertise its rental space availability.
Councilmember Scott said he was open to reducing the fee waiver policy from three to two, and reviewing the policy again in one year.
Regarding fiscally sponsored organizations, City Manager James said the policy was in response to a for-profit entity operating under a nonprofit based in Los Angeles using a facility fee waiver to host a for-profit event. Locally based organizations, or groups hosting events that are beneficial to the local community, would still be allowed to apply.
City Attorney Patrick Muñoz added:
Nobody’s entitled to a fee waiver. I mean, the City Council could refuse to give anybody a fee waiver and could pick and choose when they want to give fee waivers.
Councilmembers were in consensus that an appeal process through Council should be available for fee waiver denials, and that reducing the days from three to two would be the best solution for now.
Motion to approve with amendments made by Mayor Pro Tem Mintz, seconded by Councilmember Wright; approved 5-0.
14. Discussion Item— Septic System Communications
Twentynine Palms Water District General Manager Matthew Shragge presented on septic tank systems.
In anticipation of an upcoming USGS study, the City and District are working to improve resident education on septic tank upkeep. With hopes of forming a citywide septic system maintenance plan down the line, Shragge said:
The district is encouraging the City to add information to the website, community events on septic system health, add information to the City’s newsletter, and also monthly new consent calendar items for your guys’ monthly meetings. The district will commit to spreading the word on septic tank health on the district’s website, on our water quality topics such as the Consumer Confidence Report, providing links to the salt nutrient management plan, and providing sections in the district’s quarterly newsletter.
Councilmember Ramirez mentioned that the Water District was praised at a recent Cal Cities conference she attended.
15. Subcommittee for the Animal Shelter Design Project
Mayor Pro Tem Mintz and Councilmember Wright were appointed to the animal shelter subcommittee. They will provide input to the project manager on construction and design for a new animal shelter building slated for the south end of Adobe Road.
One public commenter addressed Council on money concerns for the project, which will cost over $20 million to construct.
Motion was approved 5-0.
16. Affordable Housing Updates
These updates formed a grab-bag of housing issues, underscoring the City’s lack of a coherent housing policy and the subcommittee’s ongoing issues (which Desert Trumpet covered here). From conflict-of-interest clarification to abandoned projects, state-mandated processes, and emerging aging-in-place proposals, the updates revealed fragmented efforts rather than a unified strategy to address local housing needs.
City Manager Stone James introduced this discussion:
So tonight’s agenda item provides the City Council and community a general update on some of the actions that have taken place from an affordable housing standpoint.
In response to a conflict of interest concern raised by Councilmember Ramirez towards Councilmember Scott — citing a family home owned by Scott in Riverside County, built in the 1990s with help from the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition, and his ongoing championing of the group — Mayor Bilderain read a letter sent to City Attorney Patrick Muñoz on November 4, 2025 from the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC):
Given that Councilmember Scott owns a home that was gifted to him by his mother, who obtained the home with financial and other assistance from a nonprofit organization, the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition (“CVHC”) in the 1990s, may Councilmember Scott participate in decisions related to the City Council’s possible participation in housing related projects with CVHC, which might potentially include Council decisions to provide land or funds to CVHC to support its programs?
In layman’s terms, the FPPC determined that with regard to Councilmember Octavious Scott and the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition, no conflict of interest exists.
In an update, City Manager H. Stone James confirmed that Milestone Housing Group is no longer interested in construction of an affordable housing project immediately west of City Hall.
City Attorney Patrick Muñoz said that because this project involves affordable housing funds, due to the State’s Surplus Land Act, the City would need to follow that legislation’s process to find another developer, rather than just posting a traditional RFP on the City website.
According to the California Department of Housing And Community Development, the Surplus Land Act was created to “make locally owned public land that is no longer needed for government purposes available for building affordable homes.”3
Another discussion centered around the potential for an aging-in-place program recently introduced by Councilmember Ramirez through discussions with Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services, Inc. (NPHS), an affordable housing 501(c)(3). NPHS specializes in a home modification program that adapts houses to make them easier to live in as people age.
Robin Schlosser, Director of Reach Out Morongo Basin, has experience executing these construction programs through County grant funding and was at the meeting to share her expertise.
Schlosser spoke of the importance these programs have for aging community members. Seniors often have to move out of their homes as they get older because living at home becomes a safety or medical risk.
Improvements like converting door knobs into handles for seniors with arthritis, providing wheelchair ramp modifications, handicap accessible shower remodels, and other home upgrades are some ways to mitigate unsafe environments and fall risks. Schlosser said:
The scope of this can be very broad, but it’s absolutely life changing. In the last four years, we have probably assisted close to 350 homeowners throughout the Morongo Basin with the funding that we received from the County of San Bernardino. We’ve done about 75 to 100 houses within 29 Palms. I can tell you that the need is still there, and it is growing.
Mintz questioned if the County grant program had a matching funds requirement, which Schlosser said it did not. Ultimately Council was in consensus that staff would explore the surplus Lands Act process and potential funding options for aging-in-place services.
17. Holiday Closure
City buildings will be closed to the public from December 23 to January 5. Essential city services such as animal control and code enforcement will remain open while other services will remain accessible through the City website.
FUTURE COUNCIL-INITIATED ITEMS
None
PUBLIC COMMENT
Cindy Bernard spoke regarding a parcel at 73709 Twentynine Palms Highway, at the Adobe Road intersection near Rocky’s Pizza. Previously a Texaco gas station and most recently a used car lot, the owner is seeking an exception to the Downtown Specific Plan to install a smog check station. Bernard reported on potential hazardous waste at the property, and was advocating for the waste to be mitigated so the parcel can better serve the City’s goals for downtown.
Joseph Carder addressed Council on food insecurity and recent food pantry impacts:
We recognize that this is a symptom of a larger problem. If we had been hit by an earthquake, there would be no questions asked, the distribution of food and water would be our top priority. What’s hit us instead is an invisible, slow motion economic disaster. It started with Covid, was made worse by inflation, and now we have tariffs and wars. It’s not your fault the federal government is teetering around like a drunken fool. Even with Congress back online, who knows what’s coming for us next? But it’s all of our problems as a community, because it’s happening to our community all together.
Paul Razo, on behalf of Friends of the Historic Plaza, thanked Council for sponsoring the well-attended 2nd Annual Pioneer Days Classic Car & Motorcycle Show as part of the City’s Pioneer Days weekend. Razo also praised the City’s Parks and Recreation division and Scott Clinkscales for the Halloween festivities at Freedom Plaza. Mojave Moon Apothecary, co-owned by Razo and his partner Heather Basile, was a sponsor of the “Trunk or Treat.”
Carmen Cabrera relayed concerns about a blighted parcel on Roundup Road that has become host to a pack of coyotes, vermin, snakes, and overgrown brush, stating that code enforcement has not been helpful in addressing the issue.
Jenn De Falco, with Acts of Kindness, spoke on supporting food pantries in light of upcoming holidays, saying the community needs to get back to basics:
I realized with the shutdown and now some people have gotten their EBT, things look a little bit better. We have many community members that are not on EBT that utilize these food pantries and need help.
Astrid Johnson echoed Carder and De Falco. With urgency in tone, Johnson asked Council if they can divert funds from their homeless budget to give funds to four local food pantries:
I saw on Facebook what was going on with the Sanctuary [Church], with the long lines. I think one day was 250 [people] and then much more the next day. So we do have food insecurity out here, and I’m concerned that our pantries now are getting really depleted because of what happened.
City Manager Update
Manager James opened his report by wishing all active and former service members a happy Veteran’s Day, which the City celebrated on November 11 at Freedom Plaza. James commended Patrick Zuchowicki and Françoise Lazard, organizers of the 29 Palms Book Festival, which attracted more than 800 attendees last weekend.
Regarding food insecurity and local food pantry statuses, James said:
I requested our Finance Director to just do some quick math—look back five years on what the city has spent towards helping relieve or address food insecurity, and if we go back five years, the city has spent $338,632 on programs that directly provide food to folks who are food insecure.
The next City Council meeting will take place December 9 at City Hall at 6 pm, 6136 Adobe Road.
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A popular building material in the desert, the conex box is simply a variation on a cargo container.
Similarly, Desert Trumpet and Indian Cove Neighbors confirmed they also submitted their insurance and other rental paperwork on time despite the claim made by Haywood.