Last night’s Twentynine Palms City Council meeting began 30 minutes late as council returned from three closed door sessions focused on the performance evaluation for City Manager Stone James and two un-specified legal matters.
The Twentynine Palms City Council covered much ground last night starting with a slew of proclamations. All councilmembers wore black ‘break the SILENCE’ t-shirts in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Following a state mandate, council directed staff to file the Housing Element Annual Progress report; 989 more residential units must be built by 2029 for the city to meet the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) goals. Council then quickly approved a status update on the city’s General Plan, another state requirement.
Council then swiftly approved amending the development code to avoid inconsistencies with state law pertaining to Planning Commission terms.
Proposed amendments to Mobile Home Parks and Special Occupancy Parks development code exposed enough concerns among residents that council took no action and chose to study the matter further.
“This seems like a monumentally terrible idea. Imagine living here for the peace and quiet and waking up one morning and finding that Burning Man has moved in to the parcel next door,” said resident John Talley-Jones.
Council confirmed the $2,500 price tag of cleaning up an abandoned car wash at 6045 Adobe Road. The property owner, Steven M. Velasquez, must now reimburse the city within 10 days or face a Special Assessment.
Council approved a contract amendment (a five percent fee increase) for Charles Abbott Associates, a firm that provides contract services that includes the city engineer, the city building official, and building inspectors.
In what felt like a tense tug-of-war, council revisited the idea of the Self-Build Housing Project. With plans to partner with the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition (CVHC), it would entail the city purchasing ten lots in one neighborhood and then selling the lots to ten families who qualify for the construction of new homes. Numerous residents urged the council to move forward on the plan while City Attorney Patrick Munoz cited several “red flags” on the project. Councilmember Daniel Mintz also voiced concern that the CVHC had not supplied adequate information to the council. Councilmember Octavious Scott took umbrage with the council’s hesitation, expressing frustration that an idea he had personally brought forth was consistently stalled. Ultimately, Mayor Steven Bilderain focused on an idea from resident and business owner, Karen Harper, who suggested an event that draws local prospective home owners who may qualify for the program.
Lynette Ramirez, CEO of the Ready4Reading Book Club, requested $5,000 for a backpack event next fall. The backpacks will include hygiene products, school supplies and books. Council granted the request.
Glen Harris, co-president of the Joshua Tree No-Kill Animal Shelter, made a plaintive donation request for their upcoming Woof Walk on May 3 at Essig Park in Yucca Valley. Council approved a $1500 donation at the Best in Show level.
Council approved sending a letter of opposition against AB 647 which would require cities to allow up to eight housing units on lots with an existing single-family home, or in an area zoned for eight units or less, without any environmental review or public input.
In public comments, several residents spoke out against an incident in Luckie Park on April 3 where an autistic boy was handcuffed and children as young as two were confronted with assault weapons by law enforcement. A call had been placed concerning someone wielding a knife and residents state that the response was overzealous and dangerous with no questions asked of the adults present.
