Dan Stork has split his report on a wide-ranging Twentynine Palms City Council meeting into three parts. Yesterday: Planning Commission appointments, multiple closed sessions, a disputed easement, and a problematic consulting contract. Today: Suggestions made in the budget forum. Tomorrow: Public prayer comments..
The public budget forum, which was intended as a “listening” exercise, saw several public speakers make cases for City support of their concerns. These included: Upgrades to Veterans’ Park; line-item support of the Community Emergency Response Team; continued support for tourism marketing and the arts; sidewalks and reduced speed limits in the area around the Stater Bros. center and the nearby motels; cleaning up the city through increased code enforcement resources, and removing blight; committing to permanent support of Independence Day fireworks. Council members added their own wishes to the list. Jay Corbin wants $250K to attract new business and improve old; a Welcome Center on the property of the 29! sculpture property, with signage, information kiosks, and free wi-fi; work towards having a public event every week; a dog park; hiking trails; research savings from abolition of the Redevelopment Agency, if any; to put contract services out to bid; to review and analyze the City’s marketing strategy. Dan Mintz added lights at Knotts Sky Park; Luckie Park exercise equipment; Senior Center improvements; cleanup services and trash collection locations to make up for reduced county services; more bike paths. Cora Heiser wants some city support of the fire department. Jim Harris wants to evaluate whether the City is deriving any benefit from the Welcome Center in Yucca Valley, and would like to see paving projects in the Donell Hill area. Joel Klink suggested an amphitheatre for concerts near the planned casino, and signage improvements at Luckie Park and the Senior Center.
