Our Morongo Basin will figure prominently at tomorrow’s 10 a.m. meeting of County Supervisors in San Bernardino. First off, with barely a month on the job, Fire Chief Dan Munsey of Yucca Valley will take on an expanded position, that of County Fire Warden. The title will give him the full powers of a peace office—a designation that is not currently included under the Fire Chief position. Reporter Mike Lipsitz is here to tell us what else is on tomorrow’s agenda…
In other business, supervisors are expected to adopt a mitigated negative declaration for the Sunburst Avenue bike route project from Highway 62 about two miles north to Calle Los Amigos. The bike lanes will provide increased pedestrian and cyclist safety for students and residents in the area and to the new Joshua Tree Elementary School. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines require that an environmental document be prepared, circulated for public review and comment, and adopted by the board of supervisors prior to the board’s approval of the project. By adopting the mitigated negative declaration pursuant to CEQA, the board is finding that the project will not have a significant effect on the environment after implementation of the mitigation measures. The purpose of the document is to disclose and incorporate mitigation measures to avoid any potentially significant effects to the environment resulting from the project. Satisfaction of the CEQA requirements will allow the department to apply for the environmental permits needed for construction. The project consists of rehabilitating the existing bike path located along the east side of Sunburst Avenue from State Route 62 to Oleander Avenue (approximately 0.5 miles); constructing a new bike lane on the east side of Sunburst Avenue from termination of the existing bike path north to Calle Los Amigos (approximately 1.5 miles); and constructing a new bike lane on the west side of Sunburst Avenue from State Route 62 to Calle Los Amigos (approximately 2 miles).
Construction activities consist of earthwork, including minor excavation and grading; paving with asphalt concrete; installation of signage; and painting of pavement striping and pavement markings
Also, supervisors are also expected award a $320,760 construction contract for the 605 acres of mostly undisturbed land known as the Desert View Conservation Area south of Highway 62 in Joshua Tree. The Project provides for a designated parking area, restroom, and informational kiosks.
Then turning to Pioneertown water, supervisors will likely approve a $221,020 amendment to the contract with Sukut Construction and extend the completion date to April 30, 2020.
Tomorrow’s meeting will also stream live to the first-floor teleconferencing room at the County Government Center in Joshua Tree where public comment may be made via video link.
