Listen here:
Led by Twentynine Palms City Manager Frank Luckino, the biennial Strategic Planning Meetings took place this week in council chambers at City Hall. Held on Tuesday and Wednesday, 3:00 – 8:00 p.m., the informal brainstorming sessions were open to the public and featured guest speakers.
After 10 hours of brainstorming and in-depth discussions, eight prime categories emerged:
- Quality of Living
- Housing
- Facilities
- Policy
- Infrastructure
- Finance
- Public Safety
- Economic Development
At the conclusion of the Wednesday session, all councilmembers were given ‘votes’ to determine the highest priorities within these categories. In no particular order, the top issues that emerged are:
- Art/Music Events
- Expansion of Theatre 29
- Housing/Community Development Committee to address homelessness
- New Animal Shelter
- FEMA Emergency Plan
- IT Upgrades (city-wide)
- Ballfield Lights
- Hiring a detective to help alleviate case loads
- Taxes
- Loans
Financing was discussed as the sustainability of the desired projects would need to be funded. Some options discussed include obtaining loans, raising the sales tax, sales of non-taxable bonds, and/or raising the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT.)
Additional issues discussed included solar installation at Freedom Plaza, improved signage, expansion of healthcare facilities, parking, and the (still closed) fire station on Lear Avenue.
