Last night, the Twentynine Palms City Council heard updates on Pioneer Days, storm recovery, and Community Event Grants. The city also honored those who assisted others during recent storms.
The Twentynine Palms City Council began last night’s meeting with the unwelcome news that this year’s Pioneer Days will not include a carnival. Recreation Division Manager Kary Minatrea explained that the carnival provider cancelled due to a lack of drivers and laborers, most of whom are working under HB-2 work visas, and must return to their country of origin by October 1. Efforts to re-book another carnival provider were unsuccessful.
“While this development is certainly disappointing, we want to assure you that we are committed to keeping the spirit of Pioneer Days alive. Our team is working diligently to arrange alternative activities that will bring joy and entertainment to our community,” said Minatrea. “We’re exploring options that explore the event’s traditions and offer new and engaging experiences. The disruption may even provide us with an opportunity to reconnect and celebrate in ways reminiscent of the event’s early years.”
City Manager Stone James delivered another recovery report from the July 14 monsoon that walloped the city. James and Mayor Steven Bilderain then presented awards and recognitions to those who helped during and after the damaging storm.
Several residents did provide storm damage updates of their own, including Tom Ingram, who highlighted an unexpected issue that arrived with the storm.
“What we didn’t expect from the surge of water, which came from the other side of Sunnyslope, was that all the sand that came with the water, also contained all the snakes from that piece of land. So we’ve been bombarded with rattlesnakes. We’ve had them in the house. And there’s one that was in the house and we don’t know where it is now, so we’ve been suffering that.”
As for the public hearing on Development Code Amendment Article 4 Part 2 pertaining to lighting, noise, and trash enclosures, there remained lingering questions on the lighting designations, so council tabled the issue until the next meeting.
Council then reviewed recommendations from the Event Ad Hoc Committee (consisting of Councilmembers Daniel Mintz and Octavious Scott) for funding seven events, totaling $26K, through Community Event Grants. Council approved the recommendations as well as the reallocation of $12K for the 88th Annual Pioneer Days and PAAC Community and Youth Arts Grants.
The next meeting of the Twentynine Palms City Council is Tuesday, September 10.
