The Morongo Valley Community Services District board of directors discussed several topics at last night’s special meeting, including reopening Covington Park. After extensive discussion, the board voted unanimously to reopen the park and the CSD offices to the public, but only after hand sanitizer dispensers required by the CDC can be purchased and installed. Reporter Andrew Dieleman has more from the meeting…
At last night’s meeting, the board also voted unanimously to pay more than $27,000 in back pay to district Director of Operations and Fire Chief Gary Yearsley. After a closed-session meeting where the discussion took place, Vice President Christina Brook reported that the $27,711.25 (less one partial payment already made to Yearsley by the district) would be paid to Yearsley for additional services rendered, including unified command services during the 2020 Apple fire, an unspecified medical situation, and unpaid duty-officer coverage.
The board also discussed a possible Brown Act violation that occurred when a portion of the board’s February 17 closed-session meeting was broadcast to the public. After detailed discussion on the district’s options and recommendations from legal counsel, the board voted 4-1 (Director Johnny Tolbert voting no) to review the possible evidence of a Brown Act violation and turn over all documentation to the district attorney for an investigation and a final determination.
