Last night’s Twentynine Palms City Council meeting was a festive affair that included big-hearted kids, a canine crime fighter, a pause on sewer plans, a mayoral switch-out, and just a splash of Satan.
In a true cold open, the Twentynine Palms City Council began last night’s meeting with an invocation from a member of the Church of Satan. Not intended literally, the statement expressed support of secular beliefs and against religious inference in city proceedings.
Otherwise, the meeting included a joyous recognition of the Semper Fi Girls Softball Team for their participation in the Cash for Trash and Recycling Program. The girls immediately donated the proceeds ($300) to Morongo Basin Arch and Palms-N-Paws Animal Shelter.
Mayor McArthur Wright recognized Harmony Motel Owner Ash Maharaj for her years of service to the Tourism Business Improvement District. After 27 years with the city, Animal Control Supervisor Rick Boyd was selected as Employee of the Year, and Rev. Nick Foley of Set Free Church was honored with the Mayor’s Recognition Award.
Joshua Tree National Park (JTNP) Superintendent Jane Rogers presented on the state of the park noting it has become a “celebrity park in Southern California.” Among the nation’s 425 park units, JTNP is second only to Bryce Canyon in terms of increased visitation, especially over the last six years. Rogers noted that the park’s proximity to 23 million people and access to information via social media and smartphones has made visitation easy to plan and execute, but harder for staff to manage.
“Right now, we have year-round visitation, and it just blows my mind that people are coming and camping in the summer,” said Rogers. “It doesn’t matter that it’s like 100 degrees in the park; there’s an available campsite, so people come.”
Rogers noted that 2024 projects include changes to the West Entrance – moving the kiosk further in to the park and widening lanes – and repaving the damaged road in Indian Cove campground.
Finance Director Abigail Hernandez-Conde presented the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2022-2023. The General Fund balance has increased by more than $968K so the city is in a strong financial position, and it also sailed through an audit with flying colors.
Mayor Wright’s State of the City highlighted accomplishments such as the opening of the kitchen classroom in the community center, several new businesses, the Luckie Park pool makeover, the trail completion between Split Rock Avenue and Adobe Road, and a full-time sheriff detective dedicated to Twentynine Palms.
Then came the annual changing-of-the-mayor wherein Incoming Mayor Steven Bilderain (District 1) took over for McArthur Wright (District 5), and Joel Klink (District 2) replaced Bilderain as the new Mayor Pro Tem.
“My gratitude extends to my fellow council members and to the expert staff of the city whose professionalism has been instrumental. Thank you, guys,” said Wright.
But the biggest agenda item was, once again, the proposed sewer. Interim City Manager Larry Bowden presented alternative sites for the wastewater treatment plant after outcry about the original location. Several residents addressed the council, most urging them to not accept the $49M state grant and instead commission a United States Geological Survey (USGS) study, take more time to ponder the effects of another bill on the average resident (approximately $250 per-month) and, in the meantime, consider spending funds on septic maintenance. (Total cost of sewer at this point in time would be $70.8M.)
Councilmember Octavious Scott spoke out in favor of delaying urgent action and instead cultivating a long-term plan for the sewer. “We just have to do the study first so we can figure out when we’re expected to have these problems and we can plan,” said Scott. “But we shouldn’t be rushing forward doing these projects – and I’ve said this from Day One – without proper planning.”
The council voted unanimously to not accept the $49M in state funds and instead, investigate the USGS study, and seek grants for a Septic Tank Maintenance Program.
Closing out the meeting, Mayor Bilderain implored attendees to be kinder in 2024. “This year, we had many challenges as a community and as a council. This upcoming year will be no different. We may not always agree and see eye-to-eye on certain topics; however, we will tackle these challenges together and we will respect each other while we’re doing it.”
The newly-installed mayor then issued a specific challenge for 2024: “Hug your family and friends when you see them. Smile and say ‘Hi!’ to someone every day who is new to you. Hold the door open for the person behind you.”
