Twentynine Palms City Council members clash over potential conflict of interest in housing subcommittee

The Twentynine Palms City Council held their bi-monthly meeting on Tuesday night (8/26). 

City Manager Stone James elaborated on the draft review of the 5-year strategic plan. The values he stressed were community pride, willingness to help, long-term sustainability, diversity, hospitality, and access to nature.

During an update on the Council’s meeting with the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition (CVHC) regarding the development of possible housing in Twentynine Palms, Council Member April Ramirez called for Councilman Octavious Scott to recuse himself from the Subcommittee on Affordable Housing:

April Ramirez: “Do we have an alternative for the Homeless and Housing Subcommittee, an alternative council member? I’m deeply conflicted. I received an email a few months back from a constituent that brought to my attention, and I mean, it hasn’t been a secret that Councilman Scott does own property in a CVHC housing development. Do you have a house in a property development that was made by CVHC?”

Octavious Scott: “I have no property from CVHC in the jurisdiction of Twentynine Palms.”

April Ramirez: “I understand, sir. However, the legal advisors from the (California Fair Political Practices Commission) FPPC did say that even if it’s not in our jurisdiction, if it could be seen as a potential conflict of interest where we are going to vote on it, then you should recuse yourself from all of.

Octavious Scott: “I have no financial interest in CVHC, and I will not recuse myself.”

April Ramirez: “The first recommendation was (that) we were supposed to buy the lots for CVHC. Then CVHC said, actually, you don’t really have to buy the lots. We buy the lots ourselves. And then before one of our meetings, you (Octavious Scott) sent an email suggesting that we gift CVHC $125,000 from the general fund. All of this together is where my conflict lays. In the spirit of transparency, it’s just making me really uncomfortable. I would like to make a motion, I guess. I can’t have this subcommittee meeting. I can’t go forward with any of this, knowing this information. Can we get an alternative?”

Council Member and Mayor Steven Bilderain said he would look into the matter further and inform the council of his findings at a later date.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Twentynine Palms City Council commented on the speed and efficiency with which first responders, road crews and neighbors sprang into action during flooding earlier this week. They expressed their sincere thanks to all concerned.