Residents press council on mold, rentals and storm-damaged roads; council adds code-enforcement discussion to future agenda

Twentynine Palms — Residents used the public-comment period to raise housing-safety concerns, propose rental licensing and request road repairs after an August storm. Councilmembers moved to place a code-enforcement item on a future agenda.

Public commenters described mold, unsafe rental conditions and harassment tied to residential rental properties. One homeowner, Carlos Blanton, said the city should require business licenses for long-term rentals and align fire and building inspections on a two-year cycle. He told the council many affected tenants are seniors, low-income residents or people for whom English is not a first language.

Another resident described severe storm-related erosion on Ocotillo Road that washed out sand and caused property damage. Councilmembers asked staff to obtain the resident’s contact information and review road-maintenance priorities.

Councilmember Ramirez asked that the city consider code-enforcement options similar to ordinances in larger cities to distinguish between tenant-landlord disputes and public-health hazards; council directed staff to place code enforcement and long-term rental licensing on a future agenda for fuller discussion.

City Manager recognized Public Works for storm cleanup and described shelter and animal-shelter programs; the manager noted the city maintains about 150 miles of paved roads and 20 miles of dirt roads and said department staffing and funding remain priorities.