Okay, we're going to start the meeting.
Good evening everyone. We're going to go
ahead and start our meeting. If you
please rise for the pledge of
allegiance.
Mr. T.J. Williams is going to lead us.
» I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
And uh
invocation be by Deacon Nathaniel Foley
from
Set Free Church in Yucca Valley.
>> Good evening.
» Good evening.
Mayor, city council members, fellow
community members, I want to thank you
for welcoming here to do this
invocation.
Let us pray. Father in heaven, Lord of
hosts, we stand before you today men and
women created in your image. You created
us with purpose, a desire to seek, to
build, to grow, to love. You created us
with a thirst that only you can quench,
a hunger that only you can fill, and a
vision only you can accomplish. We ask
for the power of your spirit to go
before us, each one of us, in the
decision we make.
We pray for an anointing on Twentynine
Palms in the surrounding regions. We
pray that we will not just be known for
the military base or the national park
or a back way to Vegas, but for a
community that is filled with grace,
mercy, and compassion.
Loving each other as we do ourselves,
protecting the least of these, restoring
family, encouraging the individual, and
furthering the growth of our city. We
want to thank you, Lord Jesus, for what
you have done so far, and we know you
can do abundantly more than we ask,
think, or imagine.
Help us to think what you would do when
making decisions that affect people.
Help us to stand in faith, loving what
is good, hating what is evil. We pray
for the faith that has died or been
misled or snatched away to be restored.
That we would be a people group that
stand on your principles. We thank you
for the men and women who serve in this
community
in a position of authority. We thank you
for being viewed on demand at the city
of Twentynine Palms website at
www.twentyninepalms.org.
>> You may livestream this meeting by going
» You may livestream this meeting by going
to the website, clicking uh meeting
agenda link. Awards, presentations,
appointments, and proclamations. Trash
for Cash presentation.
Tim, if you could go meet them at the
podium and bring up the Twentynine Palms
High School Impact Host Club. Is anybody
here from
the high school Impact Host Club?
No? Okay.
Anybody here from the Explorer Scouts
Post 509?
I believe there is.
» On behalf of the city of Twentynine
Palms and Burrtec, we would like to
extend our gratification to you guys for
helping to clean up our community and
serving our community.
If you'd like, I'd like to if you got
the phone to let us know where you all
up at.
>> We clean up on the corners of
» We clean up on the corners of
the end of
what's called Lucky Park. We clean up
the entire maybe a mile of the trash
where we
I'm sorry, we
can't remember the street off the top of
our head, but we clean up the desert and
make it look more presentable for our
community and for the desert wildlife.
>> Outstanding. Thank you so much for your
» Outstanding. Thank you so much for your
community service. Let's give them a
round of applause.
And so on on the behalf of the city of
Twentynine Palms and Burrtec, we have
two checks for you guys for your
dedication.
» [applause]
» Okay, we have a couple of proclamations
to to read.
Right over here, yeah.
Good.
Okay.
This is a city of Twentynine Palms
proclamation, Juneteenth Independence
Day 2026. Whereas Juneteenth is known as
Juneteenth Independence Day
Mac Mac
Mac Emancipation Day. Sorry,
Emancipation celebration and Freedom Day
is the oldest known celebration
commemorating the ending of the slavery
in the United States and has been
celebrated by the black community for
over 150 years. And whereas
in for reflection and rejoicing, a time
of assessment, self-improvement, and for
planning the future. And whereas
residents are encouraged to join
together in celebration of freedom
of freedom, family, and community by
embodying a spirit of peace, respect,
brotherly love to honor and salute our
city, our rich cultural legacy, and
diversity.
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the
City Council of the City of Sunny Isles
does hereby proclaim June 19, 2026 as
Juneteenth Independence Day. We call
upon residents to take this opportunity
to learn more about the past, better
understand the experiences that have
shaped the United States, and recognize
observance of the end of the slavery as
part of the history and heritage of the
United States. Dated this 19th day of
June, 2026.
» And this is for you.
» Thank you.
» [applause]
>> Thank you.
I just wanted to say thank you for this
presentation.
>> You know, on behalf of the women of
» You know, on behalf of the women of
Color Global, we thank you.
>> Till next year.
» Till next year.
>> Till next year.
Okay, Mr. Williams, did you come on?
Okay, uh City of Sunny Isles
proclamation, LGBTQ+
Pride Month 2026. Whereas the City of
Sunny Isles is welcome community and an
exceptional place to live, work, and
visit. And whereas the nation is founded
on principle and every individual has
infinite dignity and worth. The City of
Sunny Isles Council The Sunny Isles City
Council calls upon the people of this
municipality to embrace the principle
and work to to eliminate prejudice where
wherever it exists. And whereas while
society is largely and critically
support LGBTQ+
equality, it is essential to acknowledge
that the need for education and
awareness remains vital to end
discrimination and prejudice. And
whereas the City of Sunny Isles
commends the the bravery and courage of
those in the community the LGBTQ plus
community who face adversity and various
forms of violence, continued opposition
and opposition towards LGBTQ plus
peoples make it important for neighbors
to stand up and show solidarity and
support to our LGBTQ plus residents and
the community at large. Now, therefore
be resolved that the city council of the
city of Twentynine Palms is hereby
proclamation June 20, 2026 be the LGBTQ
Pride Month in support of the LGBTQ and
community. We call upon the residents of
Twentynine Palms to recognize the
achievements of the LGBTQ plus community
and celebrate the great diversity of our
community. Dated this 23rd day of June,
2026.
» I would just like to say on behalf of
the LGBTQ plus community, uh thank you
to the city
uh for recognizing Pride Month and also
um for recognizing our contributions to
make society a better place for all.
>> Thank you.
Okay. Um let's see.
Moving on. Uh update of Groundwork Arts
on the city of the mural project of
Freedom Plaza.
Is Sierra here? She's here.
» Good evening, city council members, uh
city staff, and community.
I wanted to give you a brief update on
the
uh
Twentynine Palms tile mural project.
Thank you. Thank you. For Freedom Plaza.
Um
As a reminder, the tile mural project uh
is a permanent ceramic mural at the
civic heart of the city at Freedom
Plaza. It is driven by students and the
community, and it is not made by one
artist, but hundreds of artists, and it
is very much a collaborative um project.
Staff, we don't need to
worry about lead staff, but I did want
to let the council members and the city
um and community know that we have added
additional advisors on
who have been there, done that. So,
Crooked Tree Ceramics in Tucson,
Arizona, um the first slide that we
showed here, they're in Tucson. As you
can see, it's not your traditional tile
murals, square mural square square
tiles. Um they're individually created
and pieced together. Um also, Julie
Bender from San Pedro did a uh entire
block-long tile mural on a retaining
wall. Uh we sought the advice of both of
these artists. There was some concern
about the durability, longevity of the
tile mural, um and that was incredibly
important. So, we have confirmation from
them that we are moving in the right
direction in terms of materials and
installation.
Timeline has been adjusted slightly. Um
we are on track with our youth and
community workshops. Um we've decided
not to rush things too much. We have a
responsibility to commit complete
community workshops by September 30th.
We applied for two grants from the
California Arts Council. Those must be
completed by September 30th. Uh we did
start um our first community workshops
with students this past Monday.
After we've completed the workshops that
are required by the California Arts
Council, we will again take our time
with the mural assembly and also with
the installation, working very closely
with the city.
Uh this is probably my favorite part.
And I'm going to try to speak quickly.
One of the things that was incredibly
important to us is that the community
really truly did participate in
providing information. We did a
community survey. We received 1,563
results.
Uh TK through 12th grade and the
community. Um and these were the themes
that came up, some of which you will be
familiar with. Nature and desert
landscape. Creativity and imagination
was at the top of the list. One of the
things I thought was most important was
this idea of community and belonging. Uh
history and heritage, which a lot of our
oasis of our murals in the city of 29
Palms speak to, but also the growth in
future generations. I think the part
that I was most inspired by, we asked
the question, what do you want people to
feel when you look at this mural? And
the top three resounding responses were
they want people to feel welcome,
inspired, and connected. And that may
seem simple, but right now in this day
and age, I think that that's incredibly
important.
Um the other parts, uh symbols and
imagery, desert animals, desert plants
will incorporate. But one of the things
that came up from the students is
incorporating words, uh words that
reflect 29, words of affirmation, words
that are positive. You may recall from
uh previous presentation, the Hidden
Garden Steps in San Francisco
incorporated stamped words in the tiles.
Um instead of names, we're going to be
using phrases. Um
This is what
got me and I feel super excited about.
The overall idea is this idea, we are
29.
And some of the phrases that came up
were, we are stronger together.
We are grounded.
We are the future. We are limitless. We
are dreamers.
We are innovators. We are resilient.
We are resourceful. We are definitely
resourceful.
Uh Uh, we are persistent. We are
tradition and tomorrow. We are future
leaders. We are full of possibility. Um,
this was for me personally very
inspiring. So, in addition to the
imagery,
um, we will also be incorporating some
of the language from the students in the
community in, um, in the tile mural. Uh,
we I did have show and tell. I don't
know if it's appropriate or not. I have
some sample tiles.
No. Yes.
>> You want to see Sure.
» You want to see Sure.
>> Can I show you sample tiles?
Um,
one of the most important things is that
these tiles are durable.
Just share them. So, we have,
Want to see them?
Color.
Uh, some of the color palette, the clay
body, the glaze.
Okay. Yeah, you want to try and break
it? Go ahead and try to break it.
» Scissors?
Break it, Mr. Mayor.
>> He told She told me to.
» He told She told me to.
Wait, can I use this on it?
Just kidding.
It's one of your pears.
One of my Oh, my prickly pears?
>> [laughter]
» [laughter]
>> Oh, yeah. All the pieces of prickly pear
» Oh, yeah. All the pieces of prickly pear
will go together. Um, there's some more
sculptural pieces.
I wanted to share that with you because
there was some concern that we were
going to do, um, square tiles that kids
just went crazy marking on and they
wouldn't look so great. Um, but we also
wanted the kids to have their own, um,
creativity involved. So, um, this is
These are examples of some of those
pieces.
And we started again we started the clay
tile workshops last Monday in Rowland
Unified School District. Um Talulah was
there today at Oasis working with TK
through sixth graders. Uh TK need
Talulah, do you have that the
Yeah, that.
So, um what we've learned is that TK
have a little bit of trouble cutting
tiles out. So, we had one of our high
school students do some 3D printed
um
basically cookie cutters so they can
have a general shape and then they can
create their own off of that.
We will be doing the future rock
workshops at all elementary schools,
high schools, home groups, patriotic
hall, etc. So, I wanted to share this
with you
um in response to the not square tile
scribbled on. All of these kids are
making their own individual tiles. Um
some are varying in quality. Um this is
an example of a famous painting by
Vermeer, but if you can see carefully,
it's done with buttons and um bubbles
and keychains and detritus. Um but what
makes it amazing is that the color
unifies the overall design. So, that
will essentially be what happens with
the kids' tiles. Like, there might not
be brown bunnies, there might be blue
bunnies and purple bunnies, and they
might be in the sky or the sunset, but
they'll all come together in a unified
image.
Um we will work with um our professional
artists to organize the tiles into
sections. Um we'll mount backer board
and work very carefully with a licensed
contractor. Um we were able to meet with
our city manager Kevin Cole, and we'll
work with him to identify a contractor
to appropriately install um the
installation. Sorry, the tile. Um one of
the
uh big questions was where is it going
to go? The city voted, the community
voted, um and the number one choice was
the National Park Center North Wall. So,
that is to the left of the Visitor
Center door.
The second, very close second, was front
of the stage low wall.
Um
I personally like that cuz it's front
and center, but if any of you have been
at Freedom Plaza, you know that the
skateboarders skate on the edge. And
maybe at some point in the future, once
we get this one um under our belts, we
can consider doing something with that
front wall.
Uh this is again the Visitor Center
wall. It's quite large. It won't be
square. So, it will be in that space in
the center, but it will have an organic
shape so that we can counterbalance the
harshness No.
No uh disrespect, but the harshness of
Freedom Plaza, it's a little bit square,
a little bit cold. Um so, we'll have the
organic um
mural in that space there.
Um I just wanted to say this. This comes
from our community. This comes from our
students. We are 29. We are rooted in
community. We grow through creativity
and connection. We look toward the
future with hope. Um
Thank you very much.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
I am encouraged that I when I first
heard about this, I thought it was just
going to be square tiles with kids
painting on them. Uh the other thing is
I think this is good way a lot of uh
interest because if they can put a bunch
of rocks up on Interstate 15 and make a
road to go over there so people can
watch look at a bunch of rocks, painted
rocks that are stacked up, this is going
to be way better. So, just I mean, that
thing's cool, too, I guess, but anyway,
I think this I think this is going to be
a good good project. Okay. Uh Council
comments, reports, and meetings
attended. Councilmember Bellaran.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
» Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
This past weekend, I was
See if I can order.
I attended the flag-raising ceremony for
Juneteenth at City Hall.
And then participated well, participated
and uh audience member for the
Juneteenth celebration by Women of
Global Color
at Not Sky Park. And what else? Also
attended three All-Star games, returned
nine All-Star teams in banning.
Two out of three of our teams are three
of our four of our teams are making
their way to championship game this
week. So, we'll see if they take some
banners home.
And that's all I got, Mr. Mayor.
>> Thank you. Councilwoman Meraz.
» Thank you. Councilwoman Meraz.
>> I attended the CMC Foundation dinner. I
» I attended the CMC Foundation dinner. I
also attended the Juneteenth flag
raising ceremony. I met with um
Actually met with them various
times, but also met with multiple
transitional and temporary housing
organizations in the San Bernardino
Office of Homeless Services leadership
team.
Um
Basically to discuss what are the next
steps within our
community, but also keeping in mind the
direction that the state is pushing us
with um Prop 36 and also
being mindful of the new funding sources
that are going to come out uh through
the Encampment Resolution Fund, which
will also cover rapid rehousing and wrap
around services for homelessness um in
our community.
I
am hosting a town hall with SoCal Edison
tomorrow 6:00 p.m. It was supposed to be
here, but we um are having to do the
upgrades for SB 707.
Yes, okay. For SB 707, which is um state
mandated. So, the town hall will be
hosted at 74325
Joe Davis here in California. We'll be
talking about um grid reliability,
sustainability, what's in the future um
PSPs, and then a whole bunch of new
programs that they're rolling out that
could really benefit our community
um including being able to swap out uh
some appliances, you know, fridge,
stove, and uh
air conditioners for energy-efficient
ones. And I do have an update um on the
vocal funding. Some people have been
following my efforts. I got into this
because Partners Against Violence, um,
which is a victim advocate organization
that we have here, uh, let me know that
they were
slated our region was slated to receive
a 43% budget cut from the state funding.
Um, so basically the Victims of Crime
Act offers victim advocacy services to
victims of crime such as, uh, sexual
assault, domestic violence, or any other
violent crimes. And, um,
I'm very proud to report that after
significant advocacy from victim service
providers, community leaders, and
legislators, the California State Senate
did approve a one-time $25 million
increase for VOCA funding instead of the
proposed cuts.
Um, I would also like to give a thank
you to Senator Hurtado, Senator Ochoa
Bow, and, um,
all those who help helped champion this
effort and fight for crime victims
across California.
The next part of this is even though
it's been approved, we're not done yet.
Um, this now goes to the governor's
office. So, the governor has to approve
this. Um, there's been some press
conferences that have that have been
held that
say he's still going to cut it
regardless of what the Senate has
proposed and what all of the advocacy
groups are proposing. So,
um, I strongly urge you to reach out, do
your research, and if you can write a
letter to support our
um, Victims of Crime Act funding for
this region. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
Councilmember Wright.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, so, first I
» Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, so, first I
apologize to everyone that I didn't get
to be at the, um,
Juneteenth flag raising all the event. I
had to go to Oklahoma City and
check on the parents and pick my son up
and bring him back, um,
cuz we got to get ready for Walhonding
football, so
had to do all that good stuff, but um
>> do with football, Steve?
» do with football, Steve?
>> [laughter]
» [laughter]
>> Yes. And
» Yes. And
um
I just want to take this time. Our high
school sweetheart's birthday is
tomorrow, so happy birthday, Ms. Alfreda
Wright.
Happy birthday to you.
>> Okay. Mayor Pro Tem Scott.
» Okay. Mayor Pro Tem Scott.
>> Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor. I
» Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor. I
attended a meeting um
with you, of course, um with the company
called Bronco,
um who is wanting to build um
tiny homes in our community. I thought
it was a very fruitful discussion. I
attended the Juneteenth flag raising
ceremony here at City Hall and
participated in the Juneteenth
celebration
um
that was hosted by Women of Color at Dot
Sky Park.
And I also attended the Marine Officer
um Comm Course graduation.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
All right. [sighs]
So, I started out with uh went to the
Victorville for the Mountain Desert uh
Measure I meeting. Our city engineer, he
uh hit them up to uh come up with
another $180,000 from Measure I money
for the bridge that's going across uh
Split Rock, so that was a good thing
because it cuz the development of needed
more. Um went to the Kiwanis 43rd annual
pancake breakfast.
And also was at the meeting uh Mayor Pro
Tem and city manager and the community
development director for the tiny homes.
It was very educational with that.
Interesting. Also attended the
Juneteenth uh flag raising in front and
also at Dot Sky Park for the uh Women of
Global of Global Color.
Um yesterday was the uh Mojave Desert
Air Quality um
Air District um pretty exciting news for
the city of Barstow. They're getting a
$4 billion rail transfer station that's
going to be built It's going to get
ready to get started. Took them 6 years
to get this pushed through.
Um the air quality board there was uh
very instrumental in helping them
getting through the all the sequa and um
environmental stuff through the state.
And they also were the only ones that
have been able to get to the um
governor's pass on the um um 149. So,
it's a it's going to be a really big
project for um for this uh rail. They're
going to have partial diesel, but it's
also going to have some electric. They
don't have the technology yet to do a
totally electric train yet. But it is I
guess they're working on that. It's
They're estimated that they're going to
get 15,000 jobs out of that. Pars Both
part-time and full-time. And these are
not These are union jobs. These aren't
going to These aren't um jobs that just
people They can make a living off doing
this.
And uh the city's going to make a pretty
big windfall. But I did We got a little
bit of education. I'll I'll be brief.
But the stuff used to go off the boat at
in Long Beach, get shipped to the Inland
Empire, get split up at warehouses. What
needed to go back to the coast would get
shipped back on rail to or by the truck
back to LA, get on a train in LA, and
then go back to Barstow, and then out of
the state. Now it's going to go directly
The whole thing will go from rail rail
railroad from Long Beach to Barstow, get
split up, and then go in the directions
it needs to go. It's going to cut
800,000
truck routes out. So, it's going to be
very significant with air quality.
That's why the um
um Mojave Desert Air Quality was so
involved in it because obviously the
more cars you take off the road, the
more pollution there isn't. So, anyway,
that was pretty exciting news for
Barstow. And uh the air quality board
that I'm on was um helped them a lot
over the last 6 years. So, anyway.
Okay, let's move on to consent calendar.
All men
See, I got to I got to highlight it just
like I did this. Now I'll I'll that. I'm
sorry. I apologize, Mr. City Manager.
>> No problem at all.
» No problem at all.
>> the second time we did this, so.
» the second time we did this, so.
>> Uh
» Uh
so, I I have a couple updates.
One I wanted to mention uh
as as Councilmember Ramirez said, we'll
be doing renovations here in the Council
Chambers starting tomorrow and hopefully
have them completed or at least
functionally complete by our July 14th
meeting.
Um what that means is in this coming
month our Planning Commission meetings
are probably going to be canceled and
maybe a few other meetings. I'm not sure
about
Tbid and
the
public
arts advisory
um council. So, um but
we'll be making those announcements as
as they come up.
Uh
secondly, I wanted to remind everybody
or let everybody know that
here in Twentynine Palms our cooling
center is the senior center.
It's at 6539 Adobe Road.
Um we
don't always open it, but when the heat
index gets up to 110° we'll be opening
the cooling center. Now, that doesn't
mean it has to be 110° outside. What it
means is it could be
you know, 98, but with the humidity
could take it up to 110 index.
Um that is lower than what we've done in
the past. In the In the past we've had
115°
heat index where we open that, but we'll
open it and it'll stay open until it
gets cooler.
Um and we'll use, just for everybody's
information, we'll use the weather
information from the National Weather
Service to to make those determinations.
So,
your phone may say say something
different, but we're using the National
Weather Service, so.
Um
Thirdly, I'd like to inform everybody
that um
on Thursday, June 25th, the San
Bernardino County Sheriff's Department
is is a blood drive and that's at the
sheriff the sheriff's
um
station out in Joshua Tree.
Uh 63665
Twentynine Palms Highway in Joshua Tree.
So, um
come on out and donate blood. It's
always needed.
Uh at great 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Thank you.
Uh
fourthly, I will make the announcement
that the nomination period for anyone
wanting to run for City Council begins
on July 13th and ends on August 6th.
If you're interested, please call uh the
City Hall and make an appointment with
our City Clerk Cindy Viascas
and she'll get you set up with the
procedure and all the nomination
requirements and campaign rules and
fundraising rules. And she'll uh set you
up with with all that. So, but you need
to call make an appointment with her.
It ends on August 6th, which is uh it's
actually a Thursday, uh but the uh
uh
we'll be submitting everything to the
registrar of voters after that.
Um fifth,
I I would like to uh announce that the
Great Race is coming to Twentynine
Palms.
And uh what that is,
um it's called the Hemmings Great Race
presented by Coker Tires. It's a 9-day
classic car rally that spends uh spans
more than 2,300 mi and features 120 of
the world's finest antique automobiles.
It's hosted um the event is uses a new
route each year and features 17 hosted
city stops along the way, including a
hosted stop in Twentynine Palms.
Is this Saturday, June 27th,
um from 11:00 to 3:00 uh 11:30 to 3:00,
I think. Um
uh for 2026, the Great Race is
celebrating the 100th anniversary of the
Mother Road with a Route 66 themed event
that starts in Springfield, Illinois on
Saturday, June 20th and ends in Pasadena
on Sunday, June 28th with many historic
towns and attractions along the way.
So, that's down in Luckie Park from
11:30 to 3:00. And they have food
vendors and family-friendly activities
going on. And you get you can get up and
see the cars
up close as they come in. So, it's a be
a great family event. Um if you they're
they're currently seeking volunteers. If
you want to get involved in something,
you can call the
Park and Recreation Department at
760-367-7562
extension 1025.
And they'll
they'll set you up on if you want to
volunteer for that.
And uh
right on the heels of that, we have the
4th of July. The city of Twentynine
Palms Park and Recreation Department
invites residents and visitors to ring
in Independence Day at a free 4th of
July celebration on Saturday, July 4th,
2026 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Knott
Sky Park.
Uh in honor of the 250th anniversary of
the United States of America, the
Kiwanis Club of Twentynine Palms will
share a special reading of the
Declaration of Independence, which will
be pretty cool.
Um the evening offers family
family-friendly fun
capped off by a fireworks show.
Fireworks viewing party is the show
lights up the sky over nearby Tortoise
Rock Casino.
Um there'll be some water slides and a
photo booth and some other food vendors
and stuff out there. Be a fun time. So,
everybody should come out to Knott Sky
Park for the 4th of July.
Um and finally, one more thing I wanted
to give a shout-out to our code
enforcement team.
They completed a cleanup of a
a house in the
Sherman Hoyt property. And they removed
over 1,000 tires out of that property
and um and several tons of trash. So, um
I mean, it's something they've been
working on for a while. These things
take a while, but I just want to give
shout out to them cuz it was a great
cleanup.
That's all I have.
>> Thank you. Any questions for the city
» Thank you. Any questions for the city
manager?
>> Okay, I see none.
» Okay, I see none.
>> Ma'am, did you have a uh comment
» Ma'am, did you have a uh comment
request? Bring it up Cindy real
No worries.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
Consent calendar, all matters listed in
the consent calendar to be considered
routine by the city council and will be
enacted by one motion from the form
listed. Any form may be removed from the
consent calendar and considered
separately by the city council.
The public will be given an opportunity
to comment on consent calendar items
prior to the city council action. Does
anybody want any items pulled from the
consent calendar? It looks like we got
one.
Okay. See I don't Okay. All right, so
I'm going to open this to the public. I
have one slip for item number seven.
Uh Carlos?
Landon?
» Hi, Carlos Landon.
Um
I I approve the Hatch Road and Sullivan
Road bike path project for contracting
section. Over the past months, I joined
a rapidly growing bicycle community
called the Basin Bike Path. This local
organization is run by Eric Liner. Great
guy. Uh and I also had the opportunity
to meet an emerging uh high desert
bicycle shop called the Gypsy Cycle. Uh
this this indicates a significant demand
for cycling in the high desert area.
However, we are concerned about the
unsafe roads and sandy river paths that
hinder a healthy and safe in cycling
experience.
Therefore, securing funding and approval
for a more cycling infrastructure will
greatly benefit the city of Twentynine
Palms. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
Okay. I have no [clears throat] other
slips. Bring it back to council.
Looking for a motion.
» I move to consent calendar.
>> Second.
» Second.
>> I have a motion and a second. Any
» I have a motion and a second. Any
further discussion? Seeing none. Roll
call vote, please.
>> Councilwoman Ramirez?
» Councilwoman Ramirez?
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Councilmember Wright?
» Councilmember Wright?
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Councilmember Buildering?
» Councilmember Buildering?
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Mayor pro tem Scott
» Mayor pro tem Scott
Mayor Mints.
>> Okay, no items were removed. So we got
» Okay, no items were removed. So we got
public hearing number 14 proposed budget
revisions for the special revenue funds
of capital project funds and successor
agency fund for the fiscal year 2026-27
and this does not include project
Phoenix funds.
I'll be good.
>> Thank you. Good evening Mr. Mayor
» Thank you. Good evening Mr. Mayor
council members members of this
community.
Let me test it first.
Okay, perfect.
Okay, so tonight I'll be presenting the
budget revisions to the special revenue
funds capital project funds and
successor agency fund for fiscal year
26-27.
And to give you a little bit of a
context I would like to start by
providing
an overview of the city's fund
structure.
And
in government accounting a fund is
defined as a fiscal and accounting
entity with a self-balancing set of
accounts
segregated for the purpose of carrying
on a specific activities or complying
with special regulations, restrictions
or limitations. The city has a total of
18 funds which fall under one of
the categories listed on this table.
The city has one general fund which is
the city's chief operating fund and the
budget revisions to that but to that
fund were approved on May 26th of this
year.
In terms of special revenue funds this
funds are established by city council or
other agencies to collect money that
must be used for specific project or
purposes.
This funds provide an extra level of
accountability and transparency to
taxpayers and or ratepayers that their
tax dollars will go towards an intended
purpose.
In terms of capital project funds this
funds account for financial uh,
resources used to um, used for the
acquisition of major um,
capital facilities and other capital
related projects other than those
financed in the proprietary fund types.
Uh, proprietary funds are used by
government entities to account for
activities that are similar to business
type uh, type activities. These funds
are used when government provides
services to public or other government
agencies on a cost reimbursement basis.
Proprietary funds are categorized into
two main types, enterprise funds or
internal service funds.
And uh, fiduciary fiduciary funds
account for resources that are held in a
trustee or agency capacity for others
and cannot be used to support the city's
own programs.
Fiduciary funds account for are are
categorized into four types, pension and
other post-employment benefit trust
funds, investment trust funds, private
purpose trust funds, and custodial
funds.
Um, this chart shows all of the funds
that uh, the city has. As I mentioned,
we have one general fund. Uh, we do have
um, 10 special revenue funds which
include the CDBG fund, uh, the newly um,
added Elm Avenue project fund, um, gas
tax fund, um, measure I fund, um, and
other funds as listed on that table. We
also have uh, five capital project
funds, one enterprise fund, and one
private purpose trust fund.
Um,
for
um,
today's presentation will be focusing on
the special revenue funds and capital
project funds with exclusion of project
fund
Project Phoenix funds and the sewer
fund.
Um,
let's see.
The number of city funds that um,
the city manages on a given year
varies depending on funding availability
or um,
changes in regulations as was the case
with Article 8 funding
which was terminated back in fiscal year
21-22 when the state redirected those
funds to transit agencies instead of
municipalities.
A total 14.2 million dollars in
expenditures and transfers out has been
budgeted for fiscal year 26-27
of which 11.4 million dollars will be
funded with revenues and transfers in
received through the special revenue
funds and capital project funds.
There are no budget revisions to the
successor agency fund.
So for the revenues and transfers in
sources received through this funds that
I just mentioned we have tax revenue
grants fees and other revenue like
like
interest revenue and also transfers in
from the general fund.
Some of the tax revenue sources that we
get are from the road maintenance and
rehabilitation account program
the gas tax and measure I funding as I
mentioned we'll receive a total of
2.2 million dollars in fiscal year 26-27
and the funding for those um
and the sources for those funds are very
restrictive. We cannot use them for
other projects that have not been
previously approved by either SBCTA or
the funding agency.
And this is just the history for the gas
tax and the RMRA funding over a period
of nine years
for fiscal year 26-27 RMRA funding is
projected to increase by 6% and gas tax
is projected to increase by only 2%. So
not not a lot not a big increase there.
Um for RMRA funds, we
submitted
the request for funding for fiscal year
2026-2027.
Uh and we our project and the list um of
streets provided here was approved. And
so this is the list of projects that
list of roads that we have to overlay in
the upcoming fiscal year.
Uh for major capital project funds, we
have a total about $13.3 million
and that includes street projects,
parks, safety,
uh and other projects.
A total of about $1.2 million will be
used to overlay streets within the city.
$854,000
for street repairs and maintenance
projects. Uh $501,000 for the SR62
street improvement phase 2B project.
$150,000
for street improvements throughout the
city and $90,000 for curb, gutter, and
sidewalk projects.
In terms of
parks projects, we have two main ones,
which is the CDY Channel Trail and
that's $477,000
and that's just for the design. We
haven't received the approval of funding
for the construction phase. Um and
$341,000
for like park improvements through the
CDBG program.
And in terms of safety projects, we have
two main ones, the Split Rock Bridge,
which will be funded with grants from
SBCTA and Caltrans.
And that's projected at $4.2 million.
That's just the construction phase and
project management cost. Uh and then the
Hatch Sullivan bike path, which is
estimated at $3.7 million.
For other projects, we have the uh
design for the new animal shelter uh for
$589,000
and also $178,000
and for the animal control building
upgrades.
Um those fundings have been approved in
prior years, but we haven't utilized all
the funding, so we continue to carry
over those funds until the project gets
completed. Um we are projecting or
proposing uh $226,000
for re-roof um of city owned buildings
and $196,000 for improvements at the
senior center.
So, the recommendation for tonight, we
have three. Uh
Uh and the recommendation is for city
council to approve the resolution
adopting the budget revisions for the
special revenue funds, capital project
funds, and the successor agency fund
for fiscal year '26-'27 and approve the
interfund transfers for that same year.
Um $10,000 from the gas tax fund to the
general fund,
$28,000 from the Measure I fund to the
general fund, and $27,040
from the successor agency fund to the
general fund. And those are just to
cover administrative costs associated
with managing that those funds. Um the
other change um is in terms of the
'25-'26 budget, there were a couple of
adjustments that needed to be made for
that budget um that were not known at
the time I brought the mid-year budget
adjustment back in February of this
year. So, we have uh few adjustments to
the general capital projects fund, and
um we are also establishing uh the Elm
Avenue project fund in fiscal year
'25-'26 and its corresponding budget.
And I'm open for any questions.
>> Okay. Anybody have any questions?
» Okay. Anybody have any questions?
I do have one question about the Elm
project. Um I The other ones we Do you
have an administrative fee? So, after
you establish that is in the budget,
you'll do an administrative fee for
that?
>> Um I'm I'm allocating
» Um I'm I'm allocating
uh 10% of uh staff time um to that fund
because we are going to spend time, you
know, collecting
>> I Yeah, I didn't see the line item.
» I Yeah, I didn't see the line item.
>> I'm not doing it as a transfer, but more
» I'm not doing it as a transfer, but more
like a direct allocation of city staff
time.
>> And that'll be in the own budget. Okay.
» And that'll be in the own budget. Okay.
>> Great.
» Great.
Okay.
Please wait.
Okay. So, any other questions for staff?
>> Um yes, Mr. Mayor. Um I noticed that
» Um yes, Mr. Mayor. Um I noticed that
there was a and there um the capital
projects fund, there was $45,000
allocated for city hall structure.
Um
at one point, I believe we had a
discussion that maybe is are we talking
about the front of city hall?
>> Yeah, we haven't really received
» Yeah, we haven't really received
direction as to what we want to do with
those funds. I mean, I'm I'm putting it
there because the
project hasn't been completed and we
still have the funds. So, if you decide
to in the future reallocate those funds,
you can
uh and we'll just change the description
or reallocate those funds to a different
account, but it's definitely there. Um
but if the city hall structure is not
something that city council wants to do,
we can definitely have that discussion
and make
>> change the what we're going to do with
» change the what we're going to do with
the money.
>> But we do we we don't want to do it,
» But we do we we don't want to do it,
right?
>> We have we haven't decided that. We
» We have we haven't decided that. We
That's the whole It's been in limbo.
>> All right.
» All right.
>> We we stopped it from going any further
» We we stopped it from going any further
like a year ago, maybe 2 years ago, and
we just haven't dis- hasn't been brought
up since.
>> Thank you very much, Abigail.
» Thank you very much, Abigail.
>> No problem.
» No problem.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
Okay, now I'm going to open the public
hearing,
and do I have any slips for the public
hearing for this item on the agenda?
Okay. You Ma'am, you had a question, but
you didn't put a slip in. Do you have a
question?
>> I had a slip, but I just I didn't know
» I had a slip, but I just I didn't know
who this person is, and I was just
curious, but they told me you're the
city treasurer.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
Finance director, yes, ma'am. Okay. I
didn't mean to cut you off, but I have
to do it in order. Okay. Thank you.
Okay. So, we got um no slips and nobody
coming up, so we're going to close the
public hearing and come back to this
council discussion.
>> When do we get to
» When do we get to
Sorry, interrupting again.
When do So, I put in one of those green
slips, when do I get to ask questions?
>> When the item comes up.
» When the item comes up.
>> Yeah, what is the item?
» Yeah, what is the item?
>> Number 16.
» Number 16.
>> When item 16 comes up.
» When item 16 comes up.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> We'll call you then.
» We'll call you then.
>> All right.
» All right.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
Do we have questions for Abigail?
>> I have a
» I have a
a couple and then I'll
Ms. Abigail,
when I'm looking at your presentation,
which was a great presentation, by the
way. Um
I notice a lot of our projects are being
funded through Measure I funding.
>> Um
» Um
not the project, the actual construction
phase, but the project management. So,
things that um like for example, we hire
a consultant and currently we have
Charles Abbott and Associates doing a
lot of the project management. So, like
Richard Patterson, right? So, he's
spending time on these projects like
Split Rock Bridge.
But, for grants, um you only get a
certain percentage for project
management costs. So,
we have to um find other sources to be
able to fund to be able to fund that the
cost, because otherwise it will come out
of um the general fund money.
>> So, is it safe to say that Measure I
» So, is it safe to say that Measure I
funding is not a long-term
sustainability, financially sustainable
solution for all the projects that we
want?
>> Well, Measure I funding is very
» Well, Measure I funding is very
restrictive. Um so, if the funding is
not available, then we have to find
other sources. I I do have to say that
recently um
the city manager brought, I don't know
if it was presented as a consent item,
but
measure a representative from SBCTA
requested a letter of support for
measure I funding to be extended because
um
the current
funding is available through um 2040.
And the city council approved um a
letter of uh support to increase the
uh funding availability. I can't
remember for how many more years. So
>> no, they want to make it a sunset. The
» no, they want to make it a sunset. The
SBCTA wants to make it a sunset measure.
It's to be on the November ballot. Make
it sunset. And the if it's they if the
voters vote that in, then it'll just be
unless somebody puts it back on the
ballot to to end it. So in other words,
right now what the way the funding
works, we uh SBCTA has they'll do major
big projects like hundreds of million
dollar projects and they'll get bonds
for those and so they have to plan for
them like years ahead. So when if the
funding ends in 2040, they have to stop
planning for this stuff and then so
that's why they want to make it a sunset
because every time they put this on the
ballot, it it passes by 80%. Because the
money it stays in San Bernardino County
and it is it is get gets spent um very
well. I mean, they there's
it's um it's it's a well well well-run
organization.
>> So I would
» So I would
>> I have I have faith in them. I guess
» I have I have faith in them. I guess
what what I'm saying is measure I is not
a secure funding that we can count on
forever and ever and it will not
>> None of the fundings from the special
» None of the fundings from the special
revenue funds are secure.
>> Are secure funding?
» Are secure funding?
>> No, none of them are. A clear example
» No, none of them are. A clear example
that I mentioned was the Article 8
funding. So Article 8 funding used to
fund about 50% of public works salaries
and benefits. When that funding went
away was um fiscal year 21-22.
Um the state reallocated the Article 8
funding um to transit agencies. So what
the city had to do is absorb the funding
of the salaries and benefits, you know,
that 50% essentially. So,
none of the special revenue funds or the
capital project funds
funds are secure. Like, there's no
you know, in perpetuity funding, if you
will.
>> Got you. Okay. I'm going to hold off on
» Got you. Okay. I'm going to hold off on
my other one. Go ahead, Matt.
Then I have one more question. I was
trying to figure out how to word this.
Um
around slide three or four, you said a
very specific
statement, which was completion of these
projects depends on funding
availability.
We've seen
I've seen that through the state,
sometimes projects that we think should
be done like that, um take 12 to 15
years to be done.
And if this was, you know, if let's just
say for example, using Measure I, let's
say the voters don't vote for it this
time, and it does close in 2040.
And our project isn't going to be
complete. That's 15 years. Let's say we
need more time, or something goes wrong,
or the state pushes in new mandates,
right?
Where does that money come from?
To complete the projects if we don't
have it.
>> Well, it depends, you know, we have
» Well, it depends, you know, we have
other funding sources. It's There's a
lot of what ifs in that in that
question, but
I mean, worst case scenario, it'll come
out of the general fund, or the city
council can decide to abandon that
project. I mean, it's happened in the
past, where for example, the the city's
waste water project, it was
believe the funding original funding
sources that was promised to the city
was over 159
million dollars, then when the state you
know, when it was all said and done, the
funding was like cut down to 50 million
dollars. So, city council recognized
that there was no way
that the city could continue to fund
that project. So, yes, the up to the
design phase, the costs were funded by
the grants.
Then we just decided to abandon the
project and there's nothing wrong with
with that. I mean, it's just, you know,
we move on until we get more funding um
available. But, that doesn't mean that
when you start project you have to
finish it if you don't have funding.
It's just not fiscally responsible to do
so.
>> Correct.
» Correct.
>> It I would add to that that it doesn't
» It I would add to that that it doesn't
even have to be something catastrophic
that that stops the funding, but simply
the rising cost of these projects um
affects how much project we can get. So,
you know, for we're talking about some
road projects and that kind of stuff
here.
Price of oil goes up, which we're all
seeing right now.
$6 a gallon for gasoline, well, that
affects the price of asphalt. And so, um
as these prices go up, these funding
mechanisms generally don't.
» So, in in your professional opinion,
what do you think needs to happen
in order to make sure that we don't have
to abandon projects? Cuz I'm not going
to start something and not finish it.
Um what would you say financially is the
most
sustainable option long-term?
>> Well, it just depends. It's It's You
» Well, it just depends. It's It's You
really have to treat each project on a
case-by-case basis. I can't answer
something like that.
It has to be very project-specific, but
again, abandoning the project is one
option, and then the other is um looking
for additional funding sources, grants,
you know.
Those are mainly the the two options.
>> Potentially the
» Potentially the
the tax measure that we're going to talk
about, item 16.
>> Thank you, sir.
» Okay, nobody else? I'll look for motion.
>> What number?
Okay, I'll make a motion that we approve
resolution number 2620 adopting the
budget revision for special revenue
funds
um excluding Project Phoenix funds,
capital project funds, and successor
agency fund for fiscal year 2627.
Also interfund transfer for fiscal year
2627
for 10,000
from the gas tax fund to the general
fund for admin fees, 20,000 from the
measure I fund to the general fund for
admin fees, 27,040
dollars for
from the successor agency fund to the
general fund for admin fees,
and changes to the fiscal year 2526
budget for the following funds
amendments
to the general capital fund project fund
and establishment and adoption of the
new Elm Avenue project fund and related
budget.
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Okay, I have a motion and a second. Any
» Okay, I have a motion and a second. Any
further discussion?
>> Can I ask I read all that?
» Can I ask I read all that?
>> Roll call vote, please.
» Roll call vote, please.
>> Councilmember Wright?
» Councilmember Wright?
>> I.
» I.
>> Councilmember Beltran?
» Councilmember Beltran?
>> I.
» I.
>> Councilwoman Ramirez?
» Councilwoman Ramirez?
>> I.
» I.
>> Mayor pro tem Scott?
» Mayor pro tem Scott?
>> I.
» I.
>> Mayor Mints?
» Mayor Mints?
>> I.
» I.
>> Approved 5-0.
» Approved 5-0.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
Uh item number 15 is Pearl budget for
revised Project Phoenix funds and
enterprise fund for the fiscal year
2026-27 and I'll be abstaining from this
and I'll be leaving the room.
Mayor pro tem Scott?
» Ready? Okay.
Well, hello again. Um so moving on to
the Project Phoenix funds and the
enterprise fund, um this presentation is
not too long. Um there's not much
activity going on in this funds, but um
just to provide an overview, the Project
Phoenix funds account for the activities
associated with the city's downtown
revitalization project. And the sewer
fund
was created to account to account for
the cost of providing sewer services to
a limited number of businesses within
the Freedom Plaza, as well as activities
associated with the Project Phoenix
package treatment plant.
Um in terms of the Project Phoenix
funds, as of today we have $204,000
left from the $2.3 million previously
committed for this project. And then
there's also $1.1
million from the housing bond proceeds,
which uh this funds can only be be spent
for affordable housing activities.
And some of the projects that remain
open for Project Phoenix, we have the
business loan program for the storefront
improvement
um program, public art, street
furniture, site improvements, and
facility fixtures. And if you recall at
the beginning of this year, City Council
approved the reallocation of the $15,000
um funds for the public art. There's the
tile mural that was just presented
today. And $18,000
of that project will be funded by a
grant from the City Council um
from California Arts Council.
In terms of the sewer fund, we have a
couple of big projects that we're
working on right now. We have the USGS
study, and then we also have the package
treatment plant. Um for the USGS study,
it's going to be a 5-year study, and we
currently have $1.9 million
uh stack stack one and stack two, and
also $200,000 contribution from um the
29 Palms uh Water District. We do have
an um
uh this project is underfunded by almost
$99,000, but the city will be working
closely with the 29 Palms uh Water
District and also USGS to find uh or to
implement cost-cutting measures to make
sure that um we either eliminate or
reduce this uh shortfall.
And like I said, this is not a big
presentation, but I am um requesting um
the approval of the resolution to adopt
the budget revisions for the Project
Phoenix Funds and Enterprise Fund for
fiscal year '26-'27 as well as the inner
fund transfers for the general fund and
the sewer fund for fiscal year '26-'27
uh which includes $70,000 to subsidize
the um sewer fund and $25,000 for a
sewer fee study.
>> Okay, let's open up public hearing.
Any discussion?
Any green slips?
Okay, bring it back up here.
Close public hearing.
Okay, roll um roll call. I mean a
motion. Looking for a motion.
>> I make a motion.
» I make a motion.
I make a motion that we approve
resolution number 26-21.
>> All right, got it right. Approving the
» All right, got it right. Approving the
budget revision for Project Phoenix
Funds and Enterprise Fund for fiscal
year '26-'27
and inner fund transfer from the general
fund to the sewer fund for fiscal year
'26-'27
for 70,000 to subsidize the operating
costs of this fund and 25,000 for a
sewer rate study.
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Okay, roll call.
» Councilwoman Ramirez.
>> I.
» I.
>> Council member Wright.
» Council member Wright.
>> I.
» I.
>> Councilman Billing.
» Councilman Billing.
>> I.
» I.
>> Mayor Pro Tem Scott.
» Mayor Pro Tem Scott.
>> I.
» I.
>> Mayor Mintz abstains.
» Well, Mayor Mintz is coming back up. I
just want to make a quick comment that
USGS study is proceeding. I had a
meeting with the USGS as well as our
local water district and they're making
progress on it. And that study hopefully
for the public is going to help inform
us as to when if ever we are going to
need a a sewer system. And I think that
that's
going to be money well spent for this
community.
» Thank you.
Okay, discussion potential action items.
Number 16, update to the local sales tax
ballot measure for November 3rd, 2026
general election.
Mr. City Manager.
» Yeah, we want to bring this item forward
again. We had had discussion at the last
city council meeting and
I I want to give the public every
opportunity to participate in this in
this conversation.
There seemed to be maybe some confusion
surrounding this and and I just want the
public to understand that this is the
council is putting this on the ballot
for the voter to decide whether this is
something that is good for Twentynine
Palms. And I think it's important to
note that that the council isn't
imposing this
this potential tax. The the citizens
will vote on that.
You know, we had earlier discussions
about
potential project shortfalls. Certainly
our general service levels that we
provide of roads,
parks, animal [snorts] control, public
safety are all concerns where the
where where costs are going up and our
revenues are staying flat. And try as we
might, we're we're trying to increase
our revenues at at every opportunity.
But that's that's challenging also. And
so
we're we're trying to be as frugal as we
can in providing city services, but this
sales tax measure
will will go a long way towards helping
us provide the services that the quality
of life services that people expect of a
city.
There was polling that was done that
that
suggested that some of the main areas
that um
are important to people are public
safety, of course, sheriff's contract.
Um
our animal control. We currently have an
an aging building that is
>> [snorts]
» [snorts]
>> dare I say uh
» dare I say uh
falling down around their ears and we're
going to have to do something about it.
Um
up to and including if possible, you
know, building a new one. Um and then
we we always are in
in the hunt to be able to maintain roads
in the community and we just talked
about some of those special funds that
help fund roads. Um those those numbers
are not going up, but our streets
continue to take a beating here and both
with our um flooding issues and just the
nature of
roads in this um extreme climates.
One of the things that
I point out when we talk about roads, we
also are talking about flood control and
that in our community, a lot of our um
flood control channels end up being the
roads. We try to direct the water onto
the road to get it to the flood control
the ultimate flood control channel. So
um you know, when we when we talked
about roads, we're also So, talking
about our
flood control and drainage here.
Um
and um
and then of course
we had a gentleman talk about our
you know
another area of quality of life and
that's our parks and the implementation
of biking trails and hiking trails here
and it's certainly something that we we
would like to provide the citizens
citizenry
with quality facilities in those areas
too. So, these are these are the areas
where
um that that pulled high but I believe
and I'll let you
talk about this but I believe that
they're also areas that the council
consider very important
and they're those are the places where
this money would be spent.
» Well, yes well speaking of grants and
bike paths and walking paths the one we
have along the drainage ditch right down
from city hall here. You know, we were
when you get asked for those grants they
the the people with the grant money they
expect you to put some some money into
the to the race also and we have to put
money up. I I don't I don't recall now
it was I think it was at least $100,000
but they put up another 100,000 or 200
some thousand dollars but we have to put
up some money to get these grants
sometimes. So, it's just not free money
all the time. Sometimes it's most of it
is but 90% of the time we have to put in
a percentage of the of the project. Like
that bridge project we had to put in
money for that
but obviously the federal government
paid for most of it.
But it's
but those are the kind of things if we
don't put money into ourselves as a
community then people are like well, you
know, maybe they don't want it so bad.
So,
>> Additionally, additionally when it comes
» Additionally, additionally when it comes
to grants
we as a staff have to manage those
grants. So, there's always a cost to
getting that money. Um and and lots of
it's good money for specific uses but it
does it does cost
in in the way of staff time, sometimes
property, those kinds of things. So, um
there's always some kind of cost.
>> We voted on, you know, using
» We voted on, you know, using
administrator money just in our budget
just on tonight, so.
Anybody got more comments for the city
staff before we go to the public?
>> Yeah, yes, sir, Mr. Mayor. Um
» Yeah, yes, sir, Mr. Mayor. Um
Um thank you, Mr. City Manager. I
appreciate uh
you know, that um
you know, explaining how the tax system
is going to work and that it goes on the
ballot. Um I just want to add to um
we have a lot of visitors that come to
our city and, you know, a lot of my
constituents, they do have I don't want
to say a lot, but I've I've I've talked
to, you know, many constituents who you
know, they they're concerned about a 1%
tax and
um we understand that um
there's a lot of I mean, there's a lot
of services that we need in the city and
a lot of infrastructure um that that
needs to be maintained um and repaired.
Um but a lot of the visitors that come
to this city um they're also going to be
paying into that tax. Um they're driving
on our roads, um they stop at the gas
station, they grab some food, they get
some gas. Um and I think that's
important, especially
um in the in the economy that we live in
right now where we have a lot of people
who are online shopping. Um and
unfortunately, um smaller cities like
Twentynine Palms, we don't really get
that revenue from online shopping. So,
this is one opportunity for us to
increase those revenues. And so, um
again, it's not the city council or the
city that's imposing that tax. Um this
is for the voters to decide. And um I
trust the voters.
>> Okay. Anybody else before we go to
» Okay. Anybody else before we go to
public comment?
>> Hey, one more thing I'd say uh Mr.
» Hey, one more thing I'd say uh Mr.
Mayor, if I can. Um the city has a a
long history of um
>> [snorts]
» [snorts]
>> doing a lot with what we are able to
» doing a lot with what we are able to
what we are able to collect. I we've
always been financially uh responsible
when it comes to managing um our
funding. Um
year after year we get awards for our um
financial record keeping and and those
kinds of things, but we've always been
prudent um when it comes to using the
funds that we that we are able to
secure. So,
um I I wouldn't expect that that would
change with this um and I want to assure
the public that it won't change um if if
this uh additional money comes to the
city, we will continue to be prudent
with it and do the things that we need
to do um for these quality of life uh
issues.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
Okay, we're going to open this to get
public comment.
Okay.
Um Mary Alice,
do you have a slip?
» I'm not exactly sure how this all works,
so I apologize for if you think I've
been um
interrupting cuz I didn't know.
>> It's fine. You're fine.
» It's fine. You're fine.
>> So, like everybody else I got one of
» So, like everybody else I got one of
these. Oh, greetings to all you
officials
and
fellow citizens.
I got one of these.
And I read it and I'm okay with a 1% tax
increase cuz we really need the help
here. However,
in reading this possible ballot
question,
it's very vague
and you have services such as. So, does
that mean in 5 years I can say, "We need
to add a service a spa service." And
it's so it's to me, it is I'm
questioning that it is not
how it is written and I know I'm sure
the city has some high-priced lawyers
that can write this that are not so
vague. So, you have such as maintaining
these things, which I'm all for
maintaining.
And providing approximately,
that is not a definite number. Again,
somewhere somebody smart in the future
is going to start taking more money from
the citizens
that is supposed to be ended by voters.
But that again, are they going to keep
running it on? Who's going to make those
elections? And then in rereading it and
listening to everybody speaking, um
so it says basic necessities like
groceries and prescription medications
are not going to be taxed. So what is
going to be taxed?
» Whoever can answer that.
>> I'm I'm happy to answer those questions.
» I'm I'm happy to answer those questions.
I I don't know if we want to do that,
but uh so one of the things that won't
change is the the percentage. And one of
the reasons that it says approximately
is because that is based on how much is
spent here in Twentynine Palms. Sir um
goods like um hard goods like which you
get uh hammers and and and nails at the
hardware store, those kinds of things.
The um
pretty much everything including um
gasoline.
Uh everything that isn't groceries and
and medicine generally has it it will
will this will apply to.
>> And will it also be added to property
» And will it also be added to property
taxes?
>> No, property taxes is separate uh is a
» No, property taxes is separate uh is a
separate uh
a type of tax.
>> All right, thank you.
» All right, thank you.
>> Um and and you your other question was
» Um and and you your other question was
um
>> Oh, um
» Oh, um
the who's got what's going to be taxed?
And that the the question, the way it's
written, is very vague. And I was
wondering if the whoever writes it and
puts it on the ballot, if they could be
more specific so it's not such as
maintaining 911 response, but it would
say in Okay, um
except for for grammar, including these
items. Thank you.
>> No, thank you for the questions and and
» No, thank you for the questions and and
those are great questions.
Right now,
there are two different types of tax
that we can't that we have the option of
of passing. Some that are specific. This
tax that is generated, if it's a a
specific tax, you know, has to be used
for that specific thing.
What we're proposing here is a
a general levy tax that could be used
across the board for city services.
It says such as in that in that flyer
because these are the things that the
public identified as high priorities for
the public. So, these are the things
that we that we can
we need to continue to maintain. We need
to continue to maintain a high level of
public safety. We need to continue a
high level of road service. And and so,
those are the things such as. Now,
um when
on July 14th is when we're going to be
voting on the resolution um to put this
on the ballot.
And um
we'll have a specific resolution that
kind of spells out um in in more
specific language than what you have in
that brochure. So, I I encourage you to
come
um and and and see that resolution and
um it it may
you know, speak to what your what your
concern is.
» Well, after they're done.
Oh, yes. Go ahead. I'll I'll write it on
your slip.
» I was more focused ready on the other
subjects than in this one. Um yeah, I
support the 1% tax cuz as we mentioned,
our proud people at code enforcement
Code enforcement is economic development
and they take they need money and
support from the city and city council
because it takes money to go after these
blighted properties. It's just not you
can go up to them and give them a little
slide and then it gets resolved. You
have to fight them sometimes in court
because some of these landlords are very
very they uh not responsible to their
solidarities of the common good. Thank
you.
>> Thank you. Okay, anybody else?
» Thank you. Okay, anybody else?
Okay, I'm going to bring it back to the
council.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Pardon?
» Pardon?
Well,
she wants
>> You're welcome to have more
» You're welcome to have more
>> Council discussion.
» This comment is um
for just a little bit more clarification
to Miss Miss Alice.
I had a hard time with the word
approximately, too. And in one of my
discussions with the previous city
manager, he explained to me that one of
the reasons that we have to use the word
approximately is because our economy has
um
such a
a big
Um not big. Such a large amount of
visitors annually, and that number is
expected to fluctuate. So, that's why um
that's one of the other reasons that he
explained to me that we had to use the
word approximately because
it's also going to depend um
very It's going to depend and vary based
off of um our tourism numbers, as well.
» And the only comment I'm going to make
about uh
if if you look at the track record of
the the city council all the way back
from 1987, the
ballots budgets have been balanced even
in hard times 2008 was tough times. Um
there's always been reserves. The
reserves is at you know, I've always
there's always been a a priority to make
sure there was a percentage of the
revenue that's comes into the city is
put in reserves. So, if you just if
everyone just goes back and you can go
back to the entire and you'll see how
fiscally sound this city has been. So,
if you're kind of worried about that,
then you know, hopefully that helps um
with with some of your comments as far
as or some of your thoughts as how we're
going to spend this money cuz again,
it's it's a small when it comes to city
government to me
with we throw the number $2 million out
there, but it as you can see in some of
our our items that the $2 million is is
going to just be you know, help us. It's
not going to be something we can just
start throwing
wild parties. I don't know how to
explain it. And besides with Abigail
around, we don't do that kind of stuff.
So
anyway, anybody else? This is a receive
and file. So
Okay.
>> I I I would say one more thing that uh
» I I I would say one more thing that uh
um
not only have we always you know had a
balanced budget, but um
certainly um
every year we have public hearings when
it comes to discussing our budget and we
always encourage the public to come and
talk to us about priorities that they uh
either see that we are meeting or not
meeting. Um so we always encourage the
public and want the public to come and
speak. So
um in terms of how we spend this money,
the public is always involved in those
discussions and and I'm sure if there's
specific projects that come along, we'll
have public hearings to be able to um
hear the specific concerns on those
items um specifically, but uh certainly
when it comes to our budget, we always
encourage the public to come and and
participate in those discussions. Um
you know, as as a as a means to for the
council to hear hey, these are these are
our priorities and this is where we'd
like to see us spend the money. So
>> Okay. All right, we'll just receive and
» Okay. All right, we'll just receive and
file.
Okay, future uh council initiated items.
Anything anybody need to add anything?
Anybody want to take anything off?
Okay.
>> I I would
» I I would
>> I
» I
>> I'm sorry.
» I'm sorry.
>> That's all right.
» That's all right.
>> But uh there's a couple things I'd like
» But uh there's a couple things I'd like
to give you some updates on on these
particular things um because I know
they've been on here for a little while
and um I you're some of you are probably
wondering where we are on on some of it.
Um
in my time here I've been able to um do
a little research on on some of these
things. Others others uh not as much,
but I kind of just want to go down the
list.
We're currently working on the shade
structures to see what will fit and what
we potentially might have funding for.
We're looking for grant funding for such
things because as we just talked about
we don't have a lot of general fund
money to put towards this, but we're
looking for some grant funding to be
able to come up with some shade
structures.
In the desert shade is is a valuable
resource.
Um
discussion of policy regulating the city
attorney's resources. This is
an administrative policy that I'm that
I'm going to institute across across the
board. If there's
employees and and particularly counsel
that feels like we need some um
uh
city attorney resource um you know, I
want you to come to me first. Certainly
city staff has been instructed to do so.
Right now we have city attorney working
in many areas um
that it's it's a pretty heavy lift
when you talk about
um
projects that we need to have the city
attorney weigh in on policy
like the 707 that we
policy that was brought forward. Um
certainly code enforcement often times
we need
legal advice on. So there's across the
city we're trying to be again as as
prudent as possible with the
resources that we have. But this is an
administrative policy that I'll I'll be
watching.
Um
discussion of creating a recognized
neighborhood program.
I've had numerous conversations both
with planning code enforcement
and and other areas of the city.
I'd like to bring something um, back to
the to the council um, in in late
August, early September regarding this
particular item.
Um, perhaps with a uh, to have a
discussion, have some ideas about what
we can do there.
Um, the next uh, couple items uh, four,
five, and six are all kind of tied in
together. They have um,
it it has to do with um,
uh, homeless and housing um, and again
um,
uh, proposition 36 ties into that um,
because we have
um, many
uh,
folks that are deemed homeless um,
but that um,
that don't want housing. And so um,
and and we'll have continue to have
further discussions on on these items.
Um,
discussion about annexing parcels um,
uh, these parcels on here also known as
the Set Free Ranch. Um, we we have had
some discussion with legal about what
we're what we are and aren't able to do
with that. Um, again um,
this there's agencies that weigh in on
this in including our local agency
formation
um, group which is uh, deemed LAFCO.
They uh, tell us um, and so um, we're
we're trying to explore what options we
have with this um, but because these two
particular parcels um, are not
contiguous with the with the city
boundaries, it's difficult to
really impossible according to LAFCO to
annex what what they would call an
island. So that means we have to go to
other property um,
that is contiguous with the with the
city boundary.
And so we're we're we're we're seeing
what our options are there.
Um,
the discussion of po- possible safe
passage with Caltrans around Donnell
Hill. We'll tell you that Caltrans did
some work on the south side of that hill
to clear a path um to to be able to walk
across.
There is also a um a dirt path on the
north side
um that is um is is graded and um people
are able to walk there.
Having said all that, I would still
encourage the public not to be on that
road at night.
Um it it is a it's a it's a dangerous
situation and um
if you are, please use the path uh to
the north side of the road cuz you're
off the actual road.
Um
I I
disperse some information to the council
regarding um the flock cameras. Um I'd
like y'all to take a look at that. We
will be bringing this forward at a at a
future time.
I know uh
Councilmember Scott or
um Mayor Pro Tem Scott is uh having a a
uh
a town hall um meeting on this uh topic,
but uh we'll all we'll bring this back
onto the council.
Um
And then we're looking into um with that
last item, looking into make sure our
municipal code is in line with the
state.
Um and so I'll bring you back an update
on that. So that
kind of gives you a little bit update on
all these things. Um some of them, if
it's all right with you, I'll uh I'll
I'll take off this list, but the ones we
are going to bring back, I'll leave on
that.
» Okay.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> All right. Public comment.
This is the time for the public to
address the city council on issues
within the jurisdiction of the city
council that are not on this agenda. All
comments directed to the city council
shall not consist of any personal
attacks. Members of the public are
expected to maintain a professional
courteous decorum during their comments.
This is a time limitation of 3 minutes
per person. If you have not already done
so, please fill out the name address
slips and give them to the city clerk.
The
Council is prohibited by state law from
taking action on discussion items not
included on the print agenda. Public
comments on agenda items will will be
deferred until consideration of the item
on the agenda. And I have one slip here
from Carlos.
» [clears throat]
>> Hi, Carlos Blind.
» Hi, Carlos Blind.
Something I learned from reading the
Pope Leo's Magnificat Humanitatis
encyclical of his pontiff. In the past,
it was largely up to the state to guide
and direct innovation. Today, however,
the main
drivers of development development are
private, often transnational parties
that are endowed with resources and
capacity to intervene that surpasses
those of many governments.
Most people are watching and waiting
observing from afar and merely hoping
for the best. For this reason, the
crucial question confronts our
conscience and can no longer can no
longer can no longer be avoided. Where
are we going to where go towards what
goal do we wish to orient ourselves?
What direction should we choose as
people and as a human community? The
narrative of the book of Nehemiah
shows the city of shows how the city is
reborn not through the initiative of one
man, but through the shared
responsibility of all. Men, women,
priests, artisans, head of households,
and young people all play a part. It is
often where
It is off often It is found where
freedom and responsibility are
intertwined with mutual care and true
solidarity, and where progress is
measured by the dignity of each person
and the good of all peoples. Building a
world in which everyone can flourish
requires shared responsibility and
courage. No one can singly and only bear
the weight of the challenge of the world
is facing. Just no one is Just as no one
is weak as they cannot play their part.
For individuals and nations alike,
development is both a Development is
both a duty and a right. Minimum
conditions are required for enabling
every person and people to flourish in
in accord with their dignity without
keeping kept in a state of dependence or
excluded from access to necessary goods.
With that said, we have many private
entities in this town who are squatting
on prime real estate. I'm just not
talking about the slumlords owners and
those long-term rentals. I'm also
talking about those so-called business
folks in this town who love the
spotlight but don't enjoy the work.
Every For example, they enjoy squatting
on prime real estate to either hinder
competition or to set up
false fake shell LLCs where they report
their supposed losses. This includes SB
29 with their new admin HR suite. The
shame on High Desert Retail for being
part of their scheme. I guess they're
lucky that their salon owner owns those
three units. These units are never open
to serve the community. For example, how
are we going to shop local and bring
revenue to our city? Um For example,
reset hotel reset hotel reset hotel loan
is still using residential lands as
service commercial. But you won't
enforce the same policies as same
policies as you hinder many other
developers on rezoning. I keep hearing
about the need for housing but you let
them do anything on that land except
build homes. Back to private. Where
Where is the solidarity for the common
good? Where is the magnifica
humanitatis?
We need code code enforcement's teeth
and council support. If not, this town
is doomed and will always be a
cul-de-sac for the slum for the High
Desert because the city has a taken over
mentality rather than leaving things
better than you found them. This
includes doing things that don't have
ROI or return on investment as some
businesses say. Or the story of
Nehemiah, let's build this wall
together.
>> Okay, thank you
» Okay, thank you
Tanja Maddox.
Oh, I think she left. I think that that
was the captain said she left. So, I
don't think she's here. Miss Maddox,
you're not here, right? Okay.
Okay, I have no other slips.
Um so, that's it for the public comment.
Okay, so yes, now we are having a
meeting. We announced that we weren't
having a meeting on July 14th but now we
are going to have a meeting at July 14th
because we have to talk about the um
uh tax measure. Um I did I meant to ask
you what during future general items are
we supposed to put this policy 22 on
there? Is that for this the new 707?
Is that just something
>> No, no, no. We we took you adopted it in
» No, no, no. We we took you adopted it in
the uh consent.
>> Oh, in their consent. Okay. Okay. I just
» Oh, in their consent. Okay. Okay. I just
wanted to to know if we hopefully the
public reads. Please read this. There
are some restrictions on when you can uh
submit your uh forms.
So. There is There is copies in the
back. So, please pick those up
especially the folks that um use it a
lot.
>> Once we have the technology installed,
» Once we have the technology installed,
we'll certainly um
let the public know again, "Hey, this is
how you go about um
logging in, you know, and and that kind
of stuff." Once we have it installed,
make sure it works the way that we hope
that it will.
>> Okay. Okay. Great. All right. We are in
» Okay. Okay. Great. All right. We are in
adjournment then.
All right.