Listen here:
In a closed session just prior to the Twentynine Palms City Council meeting, the council agreed to have the city join other municipalities across the nation to engage in a national opioids settlement.
SoCalGas Public Affairs Manager Deborah McGarry addressed the council regarding concerns of high gas bills. While she expects monthly bills to drop significantly from January, she reminded the council that “SoCalGas does not set prices, they are determined by national and regional markets.”
Community Events Coordinator Scott Clinkscales then presented an idea for the Healthy Cities Campaign Grant which is $30,000 going toward a Fitness Court at Knott’s Sky Park. The city would be required to come up with another $175,000 to complete the project. The council voted to advance the concept but to explore other locations and conduct price comparison.
The council easily voted to support Assembly Bill 1708 to address a problem created by Prop. 47 which recategorized some nonviolent offenses as misdemeanors, rather than felonies. Prop. 47 increased the dollar amount a person can steal without going to jail, from $450 to $950, and removed the repeat offender classification. San Bernardino County Sheriff Captain Robert Warrick noted that this distinction has created a problem state-wide, and locally, offenders steal alcohol while using calculators to make sure the theft is a misdemeanor with only a citation and no jail time. “Often the stores, like Stater Bros., don’t even bother calling us,” Warrick said, “It is a waste of time for everyone and very frustrating for retailers.”
Next, the council nominated Councilmember Octavious Scott to represent the city on the East Valley Regional Steering Committee which is part of the San Bernardino County Interagency Council on Homelessness and serves as a
local extension of the San Bernardino Counties Homeless Provider Network.
The council approved a so-called ‘termination process’ for the Water Districts Fire Fighter PERS Safety Plan. The city will set up an internal loan to assist with the plan.
Finally, the council again reviewed the Public Arts Advisory Committee (PAAC) Mission Statement. After some voiced concerns about overreach, the council edited the statement, removed an option for an alternate member, and clarified the PAAC be an “advisory” body only.
