Although the Twentynine Palms City Council was down to three members at its June 23 meeting (with members Cora Heiser and John Cole away with excused absences), the meeting was not short on topics. Reporter Dan Stork broke his report into two parts. Today: A Joshua Tree National Park presentation, non-profit allocations, and the marketing consultant contract…
Joshua Tree National Park Superintendent Presents State of the Park
Joshua Tree National Park Superintendent David Smith said that this year’s visitor count is on track to hit two million, 25 percent above last year’s record 1.6 million. He talked about plans for adding campsites, and wished for more RV facilities in the Morongo Basin. Expansion plans for the park headquarters in Twentynine Palms remain blocked by archaeological considerations, leading Smith to propose an inter-agency visitor center in town.
Non-profit Allocations
Responding to a plea by Reach Out Morongo Basin Executive Director Robin Schlosser about the cost of medical transportation services, the council funded that organization at 100 percent of its request, and followed staff recommendation in funding the other four non-profits who had applied, at 75 percent of their request.
| Organization | Request | Allocation |
| Reach Out Morongo Basin | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| MB Unity Home | $10,000 | $7,500 |
| 29 Palms Youth Club | $15,000 | $11,250 |
| Twentynine Palms Library | $10,000 | $7,500 |
| Family Services Association | $10,000 | $7,500 |
| Total | $60,000 | $48,750 |
The Council had previously allocated $45,000 for this purpose. City Manager Luckino said he would find someplace from which to move the additional $3,750.
Marketing Consultant Agreement
The Council renewed Vickie Waite’s contract as marketing consultant for the City as $20 per hour, to a maximum of $24,000 for a year.
