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Residents urge council oversight of TBID, question Civitas contract and Visit29 performance
Summary
Multiple public commenters told the Twentynine Palms City Council they lack information about the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID), criticized a proposed Civitas contract for $24,960 and urged council oversight of TBID marketing and communications.
Several members of the public used the March 11 public-comment period to press the City Council for greater oversight of the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) and to question recent marketing spending and governance.
Aileen Leslie, who identified herself as a stakeholder and property owner, told the council the TBID board is seeking to change its oversight cycle to a five-year review under a "94 law" rather than the current annual review and that the board had approved a Civitas contract for $24,960 — an amount she said falls below the $25,000 threshold that would require council approval.
"Under the 25,000 that triggers council approval," Leslie said, arguing stakeholders have not been provided analytics or proof that marketing efforts increased tourism and that stakeholders' public comments at a recent meeting were uniformly opposed to the change in oversight.
Another commenter, who identified herself as a stakeholder and property owner, said Visit29’s online listings and event links were inaccurate or missing and that stakeholders had not received timely communications from the TBID. She called for the council to review grants, marketing and communications over the past 12–24 months and to hold the TBID board accountable for outreach to stakeholders.
A third commenter urged the council to consider a basin-wide tourism study and to coordinate with neighboring towns rather than repeating a local study by the same consultant. One public speaker, identifying himself as a local hotel stakeholder, criticized the TBID chair and called for a recall of the board chair, arguing that some board members who benefit from lodging operations present a conflict.
Speakers requested more transparency about TBID expenditures, frequent reporting to stakeholders and that the council examine whether current TBID arrangements and recent Civitas engagement deliver measurable results. The council did not take action during the public-comment period; the concerns were raised for council consideration.
