TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL: PART 1 OF 3, $2 MILLION FOR THE STATE

The Twentynine Palms City Council had a long and varied meeting Tuesday night. Dan Stork has broken his report into three parts. Today: Giving $2 million to the state, hello to Homer Croy, minor ordinance changes, City Clerk pay, and Planning Commission terms. Later: the Development Code update status, potential liability on a dirt road right of way, and a budget workshop…
City attorney Patrick Muñoz reported out of closed session that the Twentynine Palms City Council voted to turn over $2 million worth of cash-in-hand of Redevelopment Agency funds to the state. The vote approving the handover goes with a protest to the state, and passed 4-1, with Jim Harris dissenting. The City is going forward with litigation against the state Department of Finance over the RDA bond proceeds. Mayor Joel Klink introduced Interim City Manager Homer Croy to the public. Without discussion, the Council voted to allow the Development Director to extend the time periods of tentative tract maps. In another quick vote, it voted to allow a single council member to initiate appeal of planning commission decision, over-ruling Planning Commission recommendation that majority be required.
The City Clerk was given a pay increase, 4-1 Jim Harris dissenting. The city attorney agreed that the personnel manual needs clarification with respect to rules affecting at-will employees, such as city clerk. Council sets Planning Commissioner terms to end at end of February, and requires commissioners seeking re-appointment to formally re-apply.