Yucca Valley Town Council advances towards a farmers’ market in Old Town, expansion of Nature Museum

From a farmers’ market to improvements at the Senior Center, new developments are coming to the Town of Yucca Valley.

Following a review of Town vacancies and the adoption of the Hazard Mitigation Plan, the Yucca Valley Town Council considered improvements to the Hi-Desert Nature Museum. Supervisor Celeste Hilderbrand presented a professional services agreement for the design plans, which include expanding the exterior space and constructing educational and storage buildings. These improvements will allow the museum to create an outdoor reception space and expand the quantity and variety of its programs, including the field trip program with Morongo Unified School District. 

The Council approved the initiative and then considered a Request for Proposals for the operation of a farmers’ market at the newly developed Founders’ Plaza at Old Town. A 2023 survey concluded that a farmers’ market was the most desired community event in Yucca Valley, with 94% of respondents indicating interest. Clayton Rardon presented the RFP, which followed the Town Council’s direction provided at their February 18 meeting. The Town seeks to develop a Certified Farmers’ Market with a 75/25% split between fresh produce vendors and other prepared culinary goods or crafts. The operators would select the best day and time for the market, leveraging input and availability from vendors across Southern California.

Several residents spoke in favor of the event; Allie Irwin encouraged the Council to work with SNAP benefits and to not allow animal-exploitative events at the market, such as petting zoos or camel rides. Rardon explained that the Proposal required good-faith efforts to have a selection of vendors that work with SNAP benefits. The Council authorized the RFP, with the note that food trucks would not count towards vendor spaces, and that there would be no animal entertainment allowed. The PRCC plans to release the RFP on July 1 and award the operating contract this fall.

Following the review of a construction change order for Phase 2 of the Senior Center Modernization Project, the Council considered the amendment to the Employment Agreement of Town Manager Curtis Yakimow. The amendment included a $22,000 salary increase and a five-year extension of his term, to run through June 2030. The Council approved the amendment and all spoke favorably about Yakimow and his service to the Town, as expressed by Council Member Lombardo.

“I approve of so many things that Curtis has brought to our town and emphasized in his tenure here. I think he deserves every bit of it, and I think the Town of Yucca Valley is getting its money’s worth and a lot more.”

Despite it not being on the agenda, the Public Comment period largely consisted of comments regarding Yucca Valley Animal Shelter. Several attendees raised concerns about the next steps following the conclusion of the 90-Day Operational Review. Key points included the lack of updates on the volunteer program, the need for an independent review to follow the Town’s, and the idea of two community members sitting on the sub-committee with Mayor Drodz and Council Member Schooler. Several residents also again raised concerns about Doug Smith’s continued role as Shelter Manager, as noted by Melissa Spurr.

“I know it’s been discussed before, you guys don’t like to hear us mention the shelter manager. In the last meeting, Member Dennison said we should try to move forward and not talk about the past. I don’t see how we can do that with the same shelter manager. It’s been so egregious, his performance.”

Following Public Comment, Deputy Town Manager Shane Stueckle addressed several of the points raised. Notably, the Town was in its first week of training emergency hires at the shelter, and the sub-committee and volunteer programs are expected to begin in August or September. The Town is also working to update its data processes and transparency around intakes.

“We do have a daily inventory; we had 106 dogs at the shelter yesterday. We also are going to be posting our weekly intake and outcome report. It’s very simplified, it doesn’t have all the technical data, but everyone will at least be able to see those numbers on a regular, recurring basis.”