Twentynine Palms Council reallocates $30,510 to blight and homeless‑camp cleanup after debate over shower trailer proposal

The Twentynine Palms City Council voted 4–1 on May 20 to reallocate $30,510 that had been set aside for a community resource center and a mobile shower to support city code enforcement cleanup of blighted residential and commercial properties, vacant land and abandoned homeless encampments.

Council discussion and public comment revealed a split over whether the funds should be used immediately for cleanup or held to support mobile‑shower and outreach plans developed by ReachOut Yucca Valley and the Morongo Basin Community Coalition. Council member Scott cast the lone no vote; Councilwoman Ramirez, Council member Wright, Mayor Pro Tem Mintz and Mayor Bilderink voted in favor.

City staff told the council the $30,510 represents the remaining balance of two earlier allocations. In February 2023 the council had allocated $32,010 for a community resource center and $15,000 for a mobile shower. Earlier this year the council moved $10,000 of those funds to CLEP Feed the Need (a local nonprofit) to support food distribution (the council committed about $2,000 per month to offset operations), approved a…