Yesterday, reporter Dan Stork told about a discussion about medical marijuana dispensaries at the Twentynine Palms City Council meeting Tuesday night. In today’s second part, he summarizes what was said about crime and safety, block grants, City Manager selection, and a nature camp…
In a workshop session preceding its regular meeting, the Council heard presentations from area non-profit organizations who have applied for Community Development Block Grants. The groups were: Unity Home, Reach Out Morongo Basin, the Twentynine Palms Youth Club, the Adult Literacy program of the Twentynine Palms branch library, and the Senior Nutritional Program of Family Services. City staffer Randy Councell described the City’s park projects that are also candidates for funds. He noted that in recent years, the city has funded non-profits from the general fund, leaving all CDBG money for capital improvement projects. This eliminates most of the staff overhead generated by the County-administered CDBG program, while still supporting outside non-profits. Council members Dan Mintz and Cora Heiser were chosen to work with staff to produce funding recommendations.
Sheriff’s Captain and City Police Chief Dale Mondary reported declines in both serious and less-serious crime categories from 2013 to 2014, as well as decreases in traffic collisions and the injuries resulting from them.
In a letter read into the record during public comment, former Council member Steve Spear called for an investigation into sign placement and road conditions that he believes materially contributed to recent serious traffic accidents.
Council member Cora Heiser pulled an authorization for a park equipment expenditure from the consent agenda in order to register the sole vote against it.
The Council set up a schedule of three closed sessions of interviews in February to whittle a list of eight applicants for the post of permanent city manager down to a chosen one.
The Council unanimously approved a letter of intent approving the establishment of an educational nature campus. No fiscal commitment goes along with this. It allows the national organization Nature Bridge to seek funding and partnerships for the campus.
