Last night’s city council meeting in Twentynine Palms was preceded by a planning commission workshop on Project Phoenix. Reporter Heather Clisby was there…
Project Phoenix headlined the planning commission workshop last night as engineering firm, NV5, presented a detailed vision loaded with color graphics and schematic plans for the city’s Cultural and Community Center. After the planning commission weighed in with questions and concerns, members of the public and city council offered feedback. The goal is to finalize plans by early 2019.
The City Council then kicked off its meeting by honoring Lt. Mike Barta for his nearly 30-year career in the San Bernardino County Sheriff Department.
The San Bernardino Council of Governments presented on short-term projects focusing on public safety, jobs, economy, education and housing.
After some back-and-forth discussion, the council unanimously authorized the city manager to move forward on renovation plans for Theatre 29 at a cost of $180,000.
Next, the council heard from Denise Cullum, president of the Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce, regarding its city contract. The Chamber voted to no longer be the organizers of Pioneer Days, the light parade or the car show due to short staffing. The Chamber still wants to run the visitor center, though they requested another staff person for weekend shifts. The council moved and approved the creation of a sub-committee consisting of government and business leaders to discuss shared responsibilities in orchestrating these events.
An extensive and eye-opening code enforcement update from Officer Jim Thornburg garnered praise and applause. The department has focused hard on removing trash and blight; abandoned shacks, burned-out trailers, and absent landlords made Thornburg’s “naughty list.” The department towed 50 abandoned cars just in the last month alone.
