Moving money around was the theme of last night’s Twentynine Palms City Council meeting. After presenting a Cash For Trash check to a local wildlife rehab facility, Feathers ‘N Fur, the council acknowledged the work of Reach Out Morongo Basin. The council then heard a presentation by former mayor, Karmolette O’Gilvie, and the staff of Reach Out, a national social services organization with an office in Yucca Valley and a pending location in Twentynine Palms.
Councilmember Joel Klink announced that there is no more road access from Amboy to Kelbaker Road, a heavily trafficked route to Las Vegas. In speaking with Supervisor Dawn Rowe, Klink learned that CalTrans discovered that the pilings under Bridge 70 on National Trails Highway are 50 percent degraded and must be repaired immediately. Until further notice, drivers should gas up and find alternate Vegas routes, such as Highway 62 to Highway 95.
City Finance Director Abigail Hernandez-Conde then presented mid-year budget updates on various funds to the council. First up, audit results on expended federal funds for Fiscal Year 2023-2024. (An audit is required if the amount exceeds $750,000.) During that time, the city spent $4.8M on Community Development Block Grants, roads, water, and emergency services.
Hernandez-Conde then reported on the status of the city’s General Fund which includes revenue mostly from property taxes, vehicle/license fees, Transient Occupancy Taxes and sales tax. Noting a $5K surplus, she stated the fund is operating reserves at 74 percent, a healthy number. She noted that the budget is performing well, cash and reserves are strong, revenue and expenditures are within expectations, and she expects the remaining fiscal year budget to be balanced.
She warned the council that sales tax revenues were expected to decrease in the coming months as folks pull back on dining, shopping and travel due to increased costs. Council approved the budget and an $8K transfer from the General Fund to Traffic Safety Fund to close it out.
Hernandez-Conde then moved on to Capital Projects Funds and Special Funds.
Council approved budget amendments for both funds and the reallocation of leftover funds to projects with outstanding balances such as IT equipment for Luckie Park pool, Luckie Park ballfield light poles, and project management costs for the Hatch/Sullivan bike path. The city has $250K remaining from the Luckie Park pool rehab which can be applied to other unfinished projects. Councilmember Joel Klink took that opportunity to remind council that the city’s animal shelter sorely needs an upgrade.
Next, Hernandez-Conde looked at Project Phoenix Funds and the related Enterprise Fund which exists solely for the downtown sewer treatment plant. (Interim City Manager Larry Bowden stated that the six-month project should break ground in April.) The city has $354K left over from Project Phoenix and council will discuss how to reallocate those funds in future meetings.
Community Events Coordinator Scott Clinkscales addressed the council regarding two Community Events Grants. The $10K requested for the 29 Palms Art Gallery Gala Dinner was questioned by at least one resident who wondered why money was needed for a fundraiser. Kathy Miller, president of the gallery, clarified that the money was needed to address structural issues that the building suffered during recent storms. Council approved the funding as well as $5K for ongoing programs at Sky’s The Limit Observatory & Nature Center.
During the meeting’s public comments, several concerned residents stated their opposition to a proposed resort in the Indian Cove neighborhood by the Ofland/Yonder development group. There is, in fact, a community meeting with the developer scheduled for this evening at 5:30 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 6501 Elk Trail in Twentynine Palms.
CORRECTION, March 7, 2023: A previous version of this story misidentified the closed bridge on National Trails Highway as Bridge 77.
