Last night’s meeting of the Twentynine Palms City Council featured presentations from non-profits, a public hearing around redistricting, a land purchase for Pioneer Park, and a whole lot of numbers. Reporter Heather Clisby was there…
About 45 minutes prior to the official meeting, the Twentynine Palm City Council heard presentations from several local non-profits, each given three minutes to make their request for a share of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.
The non-profit agencies requesting CDBG funds include the Twentynine Palms Branch Library (requesting $10,000 for an Adult Literacy Program), Reach Out Morongo Basin (requesting $20,500), the 29 Palms Community Food Pantry (requesting $10,000), Mil-Tree Veteran Project (requesting $7,000 for yoga and songwriting classes), Morongo Basin Unity Home (requesting $10,000), and Family Service Association, which did not present, but is requesting $10,000. The council will review each request and make decisions in time.
With the heat of summer looming, the council reviewed plans for new shade structures in the city. The council requested additional artist renderings for shade installations at the entrance to City Hall but readily approved the 20’x20’ shade installation for Luckie Park, which would cover the bleachers and protect spectators from fly balls.
Unfortunately, the city did not win grant money from Prop. 68 to develop Pioneer Park. However, the council approved a land purchase for the development of the park in the amount of $211,800. Pioneer Park has been listed in the city’s General Plan and Parks and Recreation Master Plan for over 20 years.
The council hosted the third public hearing on the issue of redistricting. Led by City Attorney Patrick Munoz and Consultant Todd Tatum from the National Demographics Corporation, the presentation reviewed legal requirements for the process, the unique challenges presented by the Marine base, and three proposed draft maps to consider. Another map that included seven districts instead of five, was submitted by a citizen committee but deemed legally unfeasible.
The fourth and final public hearing on redistricting will be held on March 8 and the deadline for final map selection is April 17. For more info about redistricting, visit draw29palms.org.
City Manager Frank Luckino presented an overall picture of financial health with the Mid-Year Financial Report. Bottom line, the city has a balanced budget with reserves and is on track for the remainder of the fiscal year.
The next meeting of the Twentynine Palms City Council is on February 22.
