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Last night, the Twentynine Palms City Council meeting began with a discussion on Phase 4 of the Project Phoenix wastewater plan, which involves the construction of a packaged wastewater treatment plant utilizing an existing septic tank. While designed to service 18 downtown businesses, plus the city’s community center, visitor center, and a future hotel, several issues were brought forth, namely, environmental concerns, lack of consultation with the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and no word on hotel construction plans. The council opted to table the issue until the next council meeting to gather information and review Phase 1.
The council then discussed the waiving of rental fees for an upcoming Sanctuary Church event at the community center. In the March 12 council meeting, it was decided to waive the rental fee for the costliest day (Sunday), and asked staff to determine staffing costs for the remaining two days, which are Thursday, April 25th and Friday, April 26th, a cost of $245.77. Resident Susan Peplow warned the council to “tread lightly on waiving fees” considering that 120 non-profits (including ministries) had already hosted free events at the center. “Consider not just labor costs but wear and tear on the facilities,” said Peplow. “This might be a slippery slope moving forward.” Though the council stuck with their original decision to charge the church just for the labor costs, they agreed to revisit the policy at an upcoming meeting.
Community Development Director Keith Gardner provided an update on the Business Loan Improvement Program, designed to inspire downtown businesses to update and beautify their storefronts. (The program was later expanded to include all commercial properties within the city.) Each applicant receives a $40,000 loan per property (a 50/50 match) with a program total of $350,000. Gardner stated that the program has received 12 applications, with $172,730.74 disbursed to seven applicants thus far.
With a solid endorsement from Interim City Manager Larry Bowden, the council approved the $8,865 increase in membership dues with San Bernardino Council of Governments (SCBOG). The SCBOG, which includes 24 communities, has helped the city obtain over $2M in funding for issues such as transit, greenhouse gas emissions, and housing. “They are a benefit to us,” said Bowden.
And after months of searching, the council officially hired H. Stone James as the new City Manager. After the council unanimously approved the hire (Councilmember Daniel Mintz was absent but had expressed support), all in attendance broke into applause.
James and his family (wife, Laura, and daughter, Sierra) will be moving to Twentynine Palms to begin his new job starting April 29. (James was most recently the Economic Development Director for Cathedral City in Riverside County.) At the close of the meeting, James (who had had covid a week prior and was wearing a mask following health protocols) addressed the council and all present: “I look forward to really being a part of the community. Also, meeting with the community, and understanding the community, seeing the community through their eyes to better hone how I contribute to your success and how I contribute to the staff’s success. So, I just wanted to say thank you very much for this profound opportunity. I can’t tell you how excited I am.”
