The Yucca Valley Town Council meeting began with a Memorial resolution in honor of the late Robert Leone, former council member and mayor of the Town of Yucca Valley, who passed on July 27. Field Representative Mayor Octavius Scott from the office of Senator Shannon Grove presented the memorial to his wife, Betty Leone.
The Council then held two public hearings on Development Code amendments. The first hearing concerned mobile food vendors and food vending vehicles. After the Town Council first raised the issue in May, the Planning Commission discussed provisions at several recent meetings. The amendment establishes regulations and specifies permits for vendors on private property, in the public right of way, at food truck events, and in town parks. The second hearing concerned several minor code adjustments in compliance with state changes that make it easier for residents to access certain housing resources, including residential care, emergency transitional housing, or workforce housing. The amendment provides consistency between the 2014 General Plan Update and the 2022 updated Housing and Safety Elements.
The Council passed resolutions for both hearings without issue, with Council Member Rick Dennison commending Town Staff for the work on the mobile food vending regulations.
“I’ve followed this for quite a while and been in discussions. It’s clean and tidy; I think it’s a great starting point for us. I appreciate all the work and that this was driven by community input. To the Council, the Planning Commission, and I thank the public too for steering us to this point.”
The Town Council then received the Public Works Annual Report for the 2023 through 2024 fiscal year. The report was presented by representatives from the Town’s street, parks maintenance, and facilities maintenance divisions, each with unique duties and responsibilities that help the Town run smoothly. This was followed by a presentation on the Council’sResolution of Support for Measures Y and Z. Both half-cent tax measures were enacted by voters in 2016 and are up for reauthorization this November. Measure Z funds have reduced the sewer assessment project by over 50 percent for residents, and Measure Y funds are dedicated to various public safety, infrastructure, and quality of life improvements for the community.
Captain Robert Warrick from the Sheriff’s Department noted that Measure Y funds allowed the department to hire a second detective, which has provided significant help to the department in solving felonious crimes. The Council all spoke favorably about Measures Y and Z and their impact on the community, as noted by Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Drodz.
“Measure Y and Z both collected more money than was estimated. It is amazing that 50% or more of the tax is paid by out-of-towners because there are so many people visiting Yucca Valley or Joshua Tree. There is a common thread with Measure Y and Z all throughout our community.”
