The Twentynine Palms City Council met last night with a full agenda ranging from budgeting and downtown sewer fees to a presentation on a proposed commercial solar farm. Mayor McArthur Wright opened the busy meeting declaring that May 2023 was “California Tourist Month” and a presentation of checks to the Twentynine Palms High School Interact club and scout troop 229 for community cleanups.
Consent Calendar items purchasing equipment and accepting the raised median project on the highway and the Channel Trail project as complete and continuing the lighting and landscaping assessments passed with no comment.
A public hearing saw City staff present the proposed two-year General Fund Budgets for fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25. The budgets, with totals at about $13.3 million, saw increases to the $5.5 million Law Enforcement contract, adding a detective for about $300k, and staff cost-of-living increases of 4.6%. The budget included holding about $6.5 million in reserves. Of interest was budgeting for a possible 29 Palms branch of the Boys and Girls club. Discussion of event spending included a request to move the 29 Palms sculpture to Freedom Plaza. Councilman Scott called for cutting funding for the annual pride event and funding Juneteenth, saying City funding should be prioritized for “State and Federal Holidays”. Councilman Klink said in lieu of the cemetery cancelling their Memorial Day commemoration the City would step up to honor veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice. The budgets were approved as presented with minor adjustments.
The question of increasing Sewer Fees for the Downtown area was tabled after objections from affected business owners.
The most interest was in a preliminary discussion of a proposed 50 MW commercial solar farm on 175 acres 1/2 mile North of Two-Mile Road East of Lear. While the City has a moratorium on commercial solar, a new state law, AB 205, gives the state the power to override local jurisdictions on permitting renewable energy projects. While public comments mostly objected to the project, most of the council expressed hope that if indeed we have no choice, the City should negotiate to get the maximum benefits from the proposal.
Finally, the City Council voted to eliminate the requirement for liability insurance for Vacation home rentals.
