[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6536356,"mediaKeyId","3798559-bda637a04828b53aef20586eb48bfbaf","parentId",3798559,"title","City staff outlines timeline for strategic plan, highlights financial stability and infrastructure as top community goals","audioSeconds",387,"startMs",6385000,"endMs",6772000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3798559-bda637a04828b53aef20586eb48bfbaf&start=6385&end=6772","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3798559-bda637a04828b53aef20586eb48bfbaf/thumbnail_6385000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6536356/Twentynine-Palms-City/San-Bernardino-County/California/City-staff-outlines-timeline-for-strategic-plan-highlights-financial-stability-and-infrastructure-as-top-community-goals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536356-789ddbbfe453a3c09d6cfff7ea380332/orig.mp4?Expires=1775055180&Signature=Uw8~CBO4hzmzF1zFDYU41vAmaGQJrsgia6l0LKJOVyOIj~CGJbxwSuWDjxPVe13XmUZkDdKTENil2B9J5w6R4Qr9vfGAq9aIBNoBR7UbiHn6~onP7UvglVs~bi6KSWBciGoMrPGzKX1ewUhpuu0sKrrr~FgXu8JyQbZmkWWjz28JWAZQdTqU1EM3xZS36lrv6FWviJnnulOkGCNpyLbVX6fv6LvwrwNTJzHBPHx94rb7M2pkVE09MDslxodYMnwFjq4FmDmnXPPIHcxJc5WXWxMtuIH4xdLAT6U-YoaDjWRi8zn7-Slq-73VG-EnAmx~divb7Ag3Q0owQK6JA9I~Kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Twentynine Palms, CA","date","2025-06-11T15:26:55Z","article","City staff on June 10 updated the Twentynine Palms City Council on progress toward a five‑year strategic plan, summarizing community engagement results and outlining next steps toward a draft and adoption.

Staff summarized public engagement (an April community workshop, department-level SWOT sessions, an online community survey with 262 respondents and a staff survey) and said common themes emerged: the community prioritized financial stability, preserving the city’s small‑town character, infrastructure improvements and support for local tourism and services.

Why it matters: The strategic plan is intended to produce one‑, three‑ and five‑year goals that will guide budget and policy priorities. Staff said the plan will translate the community’s 20‑year vision into actionable near‑term objectives tied to financing, public infrastructure and services.

Timeline and next steps: Staff said the consultant is finalizing edits and staff will integrate survey themes into goals and objectives. The targeted schedule is to circulate a draft plan for council review by the end of June and pursue plan adoption in July or August, depending on council feedback.

Council comments: Council members thanked staff and the consultant for the engagement work and asked that the plan include specific, time‑bounded steps and funding implications for priority items such as shelter for animals, infrastructure overlays, and economic development measures.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council - Regular Meeting - 10 Jun 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff gave a process update on the five-year strategic plan, reporting community engagement results and a target to present a draft plan for council review by late June with adoption planned for July or August.","taxTitle","Twentynine Palms City, San Bernardino County, California","taxId",70852,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6536360,"Public and presenters urge council to retain community-events grant funding as budget is adopted",722,4434000,5156000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3798559-bda637a04828b53aef20586eb48bfbaf&start=4434&end=5156","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3798559-bda637a04828b53aef20586eb48bfbaf/thumbnail_4434000.jpg","/articles/6536360/Twentynine-Palms-City/San-Bernardino-County/California/Public-and-presenters-urge-council-to-retain-community-events-grant-funding-as-budget-is-adopted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536360-60704a70fd895666ef8d7dc6e907b1ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1775055180&Signature=C8U9CKrY1vdlOFXOP848rrlcPSiZJo5xPz0Bw1zdKQO2GbttVYzLRkXHVOFpre3DlIEJplVNjPAj3FsEtrQQSYlUlYQwNVJpIxmJnXG1o7eBKJXZO~0pTtpdw37R8DbiUOJNjU~MKrKtcw~q0SGfagJyMsxQwKPno40EahmwWs6yAzayKFyKpqi4UaYpmXEHAlBIRCcK1GrVoiEMC6NOeX4W4v2awNF225BaIG9MsP-1GI5z-EocO4p-t0LhzytRK7DbJmR05YoU~Ms8NPeqyrGcHFYEHJ8qIu8lpwk~V6z2iT3HHkgQNHe7C5ibMzxRiB-mGyPU5gro~bGHyEcTbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nonprofit event organizers urged the Twentynine Palms City Council on June 10 to preserve the community events grant pool after staff presented a two‑year general fund budget that staff said would reallocate portions of miscellaneous community-event funding.

Vicki Waite, chairperson of the Joshua Tree National Park Council for the Arts, told council her organization had historically received city sponsorship for the Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo and that the group applied for $5,000–$5,000 in city support this year. She said the city’s proposed reallocation of $50,000 away from the community events grant pool was a late change that left organizers with no time to pursue alternative sponsors or apply to other granting bodies whose deadlines had already passed.

“At this late date…we feel blindsided,” Waite told the council, asking that the city reconsider the proposed reallocations so events already in planning could proceed.

Jimmy Brower, director of Friends of the Historic Plaza, echoed the concern: he said the $10,000 grant his organization received funded four events and credited the city’s support with increased business for downtown vendors and improved animal-shelter adoption outcomes following event pop-ups.

Why it matters: Staff presenters told council the preliminary budget reallocated some community events funding to other priorities; organizers said signature events are scheduled or in-planning and need predictable city sponsorship. Council adopted the budget as presented but directed staff to revisit allocations for community events and suggested July as the time for that review.

Council and staff context: The city’s preliminary budget documents show a reduced line item for the housing and homeless activity program and a reallocation of $25,000 from community events into nonprofit contributions and other department line items. Staff said community events budget items would be revisited in July during strategic-planning follow-ups and midyear budget adjustments.

Public speakers and requests

- Vicki Waite (Joshua Tree National Park Council for the Arts) requested council reconsider reallocation of the $50,000 community events grant pool, noting application deadlines for other sponsors had passed.
- Jimmy Brower (Friends of the Historic Plaza) requested continued support for small, locally run events, said the grant had been used to host four events and provided event attendance and adoption statistics.
- Other speakers suggested the TBID and PAC might be alternative funding sources but said deadlines and program scopes differ.

What council said: Councilmembers replied that budget approval tonight need not be the final step on allocations and that staff would return with recommendations; they emphasized the budget is a living document and can be adjusted prior to final disbursements.

","During debate and public comment on the city’s two‑year budget, nonprofit organizers urged the council not to reallocate the $50,000 community events grant pool for FY 2025–26 because planned events relied on timely city support; council approved the budget but said allocations would be revisited in July.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6536365,"Twentynine Palms Youth Council reviews inaugural year activities, cites community service and awards",838,1437000,2275000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3798559-bda637a04828b53aef20586eb48bfbaf&start=1437&end=2275","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3798559-bda637a04828b53aef20586eb48bfbaf/thumbnail_1437000.jpg","/articles/6536365/Twentynine-Palms-City/San-Bernardino-County/California/Twentynine-Palms-Youth-Council-reviews-inaugural-year-activities-cites-community-service-and-awards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536365-aeac9d1be05b72e6652cca5b838799e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775055180&Signature=BviCw6QbY-uSvtzx~AjG6vzY7NalfBdKdXuzQ-mMMqMLEnCQkvuF9kIGSaJ16MYnRzmyLbzhA3N~G4xA1hvbFnc59kQtWI4yAVSGXlpk8tve52xUsHN1MMk4Spb05Dcam8jUjD1Sbzs~ddwPokae1on~AKSU6NRXEWdb44dfK5n5FtLEGeJVAM4bvDEz1mXTfKHIRzcavzv6uDWPiVJ7YRtew3rbjHsFi2bkK~c3VZJdElNmYmAkHgIdJgf1uCE-q-Go3B65rMfKuQRtZ0XU4SnqDvVg07Wi3p0ucVywSSnINYhDx6DHGfQwP80F7r6-Ly5QuZBTGWhcIuuuvTpAbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Twentynine Palms Youth Council presented a year‑in‑review to the City Council on June 10, outlining volunteer work, events and civic engagement activities completed during its inaugural term.

Isaac Coleman, identified in the presentation as chairman of the Twentynine Palms Youth Council, led the report and introduced fellow members who summarized the council’s activities: visiting the senior center, volunteering at community food drives, organizing the Youth Olympics (about 300 attendees), participating in community parades and running youth-focused events such as Teen Astronomy Night at the local observatory.

Why it matters: The youth council said its work connected young residents with civic institutions and local nonprofits, provided leadership development and generated community service hours. The council members credited city staff and council for guidance and named Parks and Rec Director Carrie Minitray and advisor Amy Tessier for support.

Highlights from the presentation

- Senior-center visits: Members reported facilitating games, piano performance and social interaction, and said seniors became actively engaged during visits.
- Youth Olympics: The council said approximately 300 people attended activities that included sports, sponsor booths and concessions; sponsors included local businesses and nonprofits.
- Community service and drives: Members helped run a food drive collecting about six grocery carts of food and participated in Toys for Tots distribution.
- Recognition: The youth council received awards and certificates of recognition from California State Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh and from the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.

Council response: Council members thanked the youth council for the presentation and for volunteer service. Mayor and council members offered praise and encouragement and noted the youth group’s potential to continue providing community programming.

","The Youth Council presented a year‑end report on service projects, events and partnerships, and received certificates and recognition from state and county officials.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6536370,"Friends of the Historic Plaza details seasonal events series, says $10,000 community grant supported four events",567,742000,1309000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3798559-bda637a04828b53aef20586eb48bfbaf&start=742&end=1309","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3798559-bda637a04828b53aef20586eb48bfbaf/thumbnail_742000.jpg","/articles/6536370/Twentynine-Palms-City/San-Bernardino-County/California/Friends-of-the-Historic-Plaza-details-seasonal-events-series-says-10000-community-grant-supported-four-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536370-f516b53690008034cec587e690c46d83/orig.mp4?Expires=1775055180&Signature=Ans~qrKsdSHcq~MsHzEDFPQc0MMGECmpgZSlOvP6TXiSFQgGUlAzeJHO4lkqLEPg6WL69mt2YEWhr04X2Tpu-elBsLl0aE9WOj8gdRpqq2-j0k0NWvmkWOyjIKQ--fGCCFsKtwRfwA6Zy09SQhhXT1kuyxyckZqOr90ix~pGKPebPVWxIK50HqYuLa2BiWQQb7AWdXrsqFCXwLSpzacpL10jlQWgjwaQ1eQp-3GYGmo~p~LNMFzmzCPLHaP0Gfes991VtE4DgdJgXHgklpyltIN0WilLBGgoW1HysCxZtUHV~TRqRSCoIY1EDxeyJC4yJ~~Ih~RslHI8gjYwTsBlCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Friends of the Historic Plaza told the Twentynine Palms City Council on June 10 that a $10,000 community events grant funded four signature events in the group’s inaugural year and helped draw local residents and visitors back to the downtown Historic Plaza.

Jimmy Brower, a local business owner and one of four board directors with Friends of the Historic Plaza, told the council the nonprofit used the full $10,000 award to stage a Pioneer Days Classic Car and Motorcycle Show, a Holiday Market, a Chalk Fest and Art Fair, and a backyard barbecue event planned for June 22. Brower said the events combined to bring “approximately around a thousand people” to the car-show weekend, about 500 to the holiday market and roughly 250 to the Chalk Fest and Art Fair.

Why it matters: Brower and other presenters told council that the events generated volunteer engagement, merchant support and ancillary economic activity for downtown businesses and the local animal shelter. Brower said the Holiday Market’s adoptable‑pet pop-up preceded 12 dog adoptions and 10 cat adoptions in the week after the event compared with six dogs and four cats the same week the prior year.

What Brower told the council: Brower said the organization produced event marketing and management in-house, promoted vendors from across the region, and paid vendors’ and performers’ local suppliers. He described planned attractions for the June 22 backyard barbecue — food, a beer garden, live music, family activities and a mechanical bull — and asked the city to continue supporting small local events that drive foot traffic to downtown merchants.

Public comment that evening amplified that request: Several nonprofit leaders, including a representative of the Joshua Tree National Park Council for the Arts, told council they had planned around the city’s prior approach to sponsoring community events and said late reallocations of the community events grant fund would make it difficult for long-standing events to execute. Vicki Waite, chair of the Joshua Tree National Park Council for the Arts, said the city had historically been a sponsor of the Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo and that the expo had previously appeared as a line item in the city budget; she asked council to reconsider reallocating the $50,000 community events grant fund for FY 2025–26 because organizers already had applied or timed other funding requests to local deadlines.

Council response and next steps: Council members acknowledged the concern and noted the adopted budget is a living document. Staff and council said allocations for community events would be revisited in July when additional strategic planning and grant funding discussions are scheduled. Councilmembers also encouraged organizations to pursue other local funding sources (TBID and PAC) where applicable.

Data and clarifications from the presentation

- Grant and budget: Friends of the Historic Plaza reported it received a $10,000 Community Events Grant for four events and said the funds were used or committed.
- Attendance and participation: Pioneer Days car-show attendance ~1,000 (45 car entries, 147 voter ballots); Holiday Market ~500 attendees; Chalk Fest ~250 attendees; volunteers reported: 12 volunteers for events; 1,000 carnival game plays and 170 pumpkins distributed during the car show event.
- Geographic draw: Brower reported ~70% of participants were from Twentynine Palms, 22% from Yucca Valley and 8% from Joshua Tree (participants breakdown reported in presentation).

Quotes: “Needless to say, we used every penny of it or are about to and I'm very proud of the work this organization has done for the residents of Twentynine Palms,” said Jimmy Brower, one of the nonprofit’s directors.

Why council is watching: City staff told the council the proposed two‑year budget would reallocate some community events funding and that final allocations would be set after additional planning discussions. Several speakers asked council to preserve or re-route funds in time for events that are already in planning or that depend on the city’s sponsorship calendar.

","Friends of the Historic Plaza described year-one programming funded by a $10,000 community events grant, reported attendance and participation figures and asked council to support continuation of such grants amid proposed budget reallocations.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6536375,"Council approves bilingual stipend, fee schedule and multiple budgets; one abstention on sewer subsidy",482,5930000,6412000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3798559-bda637a04828b53aef20586eb48bfbaf&start=5930&end=6412","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3798559-bda637a04828b53aef20586eb48bfbaf/thumbnail_5930000.jpg","/articles/6536375/Twentynine-Palms-City/San-Bernardino-County/California/Council-approves-bilingual-stipend-fee-schedule-and-multiple-budgets-one-abstention-on-sewer-subsidy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536375-5857a7b5702c92e9f1d80cde03b2a51b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775055180&Signature=m~6adEC1QO1kccSDcq~Xi8yOuz5OGR9RaigydWZYWihW1YiuJyy4WCwPL8hfilfVLjrXdU8YuEFnuQG3MdVHuY1fgRpvANJNbFgUV5BqiAvb6X31mcY6jQ~0nSF6ykTAG4x0RXgxggEdpNQz~sNg8poIpNIgzyS8DMc3U-oYAOjSyLQrwS4ClCubAL2rFTIwCTDyzSJ72DVd3S2xhwq5zWYjRVMXtmmOQnTW7hhpltCcxJpcEgMhbIwoWfC2-2cIQvyCYfKX0xDu~w8n5DgQxtFCl9yfwnDw3UDfesvo5AbU7UxUl-cSsifO7XV2CIWMLRcNF8icC6rRStn6C7USag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Twentynine Palms City Council on June 10 approved a set of personnel, fee and budget measures, including a $20-per-month bilingual pay stipend, adoption of a revised master fee schedule and adoption of two-year general and special-funds budgets. A separate Project Phoenix sewer fund subsidy passed with one councilmember abstaining.

The actions taken affect employee pay, municipal fees and the city’s operating and capital spending plans for fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27. Council members voted unanimously on the bilingual stipend, the master fee schedule and the general and special funds budgets. The Project Phoenix sewer subsidy passed 4–0–1 with one abstention.

Council voted to increase bilingual pay for employees who meet the city’s proficiency criteria by $20 per month. Councilmember Ramirez made the motion; the roll call recorded Councilmember Scott, Councilmember Wright, Councilwoman Ramirez, Mayor Pro Tem Mintz and Mayor Bilderink collectively voting “Aye” on the motion to adopt the stipend increase.

Council also adopted an updated master fee schedule that adjusts a range of user charges and development-related fees by CPI and other indexes; the staff report cited a 2.5% CPI adjustment for most fees and a 2.78% change for certain development impact fees tied to construction cost indices. The council adopted the fee schedule by roll call vote.

The council approved the two-year general fund budget for FY 2025–26 and FY 2026–27 (resolution cited in the meeting transcript with inconsistent numbering; see provenance). The approved plan projects modest surpluses ($137,000 in year one, $4,000 in year two), continues contract costs for law enforcement as the single largest operating expense, and includes recommended transfers: $160,000 to the Capital Projects Fund and $25,000 set aside toward a future street sweeper acquisition (up to $120,000). The approved employee cost-of-living adjustment is 2.5%.

Separately, the council adopted the Special Revenue Funds budget and approved administrative transfers of $10,000 from the gas tax fund and $10,000 from the Measure I fund to the General Fund, plus a $26,000 transfer from the Successor Agency fund to the General Fund.

The Project Phoenix/Sewer Fund budget and related actions were approved with a separate motion to transfer $70,000 from the General Fund to the Sewer Fund to subsidize operating expenses for FY 2025–26. One councilmember abstained from that vote and was recorded as excused due to a personal conflict.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Increase bilingual stipend by $20 per month for qualifying bilingual employees. Mover: Councilmember Ramirez. Vote: 5–0. Outcome: Approved.
- Motion: Adopt Master Fee Schedule for FY 2025–26 (CPI and index adjustments; certain fees rounded for public convenience). Mover: (staff motion recorded). Vote: 5–0. Outcome: Approved.
- Motion: Adopt General Fund budget for FY 2025–26 and FY 2026–27, COLA 2.5%, wage and classification schedule, and inner-fund transfers including $160,000 to Capital Projects and $25,000 toward street sweeper reserves. Mover: Councilmember (motion read by Mayor/Mayor Pro Tem). Vote: 5–0. Outcome: Approved.
- Motion: Adopt Special Revenue Funds budget for FY 2025–26 and FY 2026–27 and approve admin transfers: $10,000 gas tax → General Fund; $10,000 Measure I → General Fund; $26,000 Successor Agency → General Fund. Mover: Councilmember (motion recorded). Vote: 5–0. Outcome: Approved.
- Motion: Adopt Project Phoenix / Sewer Fund budget for FY 2025–26 and FY 2026–27 and approve inner-fund transfer $70,000 General Fund → Sewer Fund to subsidize operating expenses for FY 2025–26. Mover: Councilmember (motion recorded). Vote: 4–0–1 (one abstention). Outcome: Approved.

Why it matters: The decisions commit the city to specific staffing and service-cost choices (bilingual stipend, COLA), lock in revised user fees and set operating and capital spending priorities for the next two fiscal years, including net transfers to support capital projects and a downtown sewer/treatment project (Project Phoenix). The subsidized sewer operations and growing law-enforcement contract costs were identified in staff presentations as areas requiring continued monitoring.

What happens next: Staff will implement the pay adjustment and fee schedule changes and proceed with the budgeted transfers and projects. Council discussed revisiting allocations for community event grants and other line items during forthcoming budget and strategic-planning meetings.

","At its June 10 meeting, the Twentynine Palms City Council approved a $20-per-month bilingual stipend, adopted a revised master fee schedule and passed two multi‑year budgets and related fund transfers; the Project Phoenix (sewer) subsidy passed with one abstention.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City staff outlines timeline for strategic plan, highlights financial stability and infrastructure as top community goals

Public and presenters urge council to retain community-events grant funding as budget is adopted

Twentynine Palms Youth Council reviews inaugural year activities, cites community service and awards

Friends of the Historic Plaza details seasonal events series, says $10,000 community grant supported four events

Council approves bilingual stipend, fee schedule and multiple budgets; one abstention on sewer subsidy