The Yucca Valley Town Council awarded its first Spirit of Yucca Valley award at its meeting last night to Kathy DeRouen, a former English teacher at La Contenta Middle School. Council member Merl Abel presented the award to DeRouen, who now helps students with college applications and scholarships and is a certified UC admissions counselor. The council was then introduced to Corporal Manny Popa, a Sheriff’s deputy who was assigned to the town thanks to the Measure Y tax funds. Managing editor Tami Roleff fills in some of the other items on last night’s agenda…
Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Captain Trevis Newport told the Yucca Valley Town Council at its meeting last night that while violent crime (murder, rape, robbery, and assault) rates in Yucca Valley have increased 23 percent over the last year, that does NOT mean that crime is rampant in the town. Because of the low numbers of crimes in the town, a small increase in the number of violent crimes yields a high percentage. In a similar manner, the number of non-violent crimes (burglary, larceny, grand theft auto), has decreased by 23 percent.
The council heard some good news about the TOT collected. Since the town implemented permit requirements for short-term vacation rentals in 2017, the transient occupancy tax income has more than doubled. This year the TOT is expected to be well over $600,000. And while fewer than 25 percent of the short-term vacation rental homes have registered with the town, if they advertise on Airbnb, the town still receives the taxes. The council may also consider raising its TOT rates; currently it is at 7 percent, the lowest rate in the county.
The council also unanimously approved—with Council members Jeff Drozd and Jim Schooler absent—an ordinance governing the removal, storage, and disposal of personal property—such as tents, tarps, sleeping bags, backpacks, and more—left on town property. Staff explained to council that in order to remove personal property that has been left on town-owned/pubic property, the town needed a regulation prohibiting this activity.
Prior to the start of the meeting, the town council and some of the planning and parks and rec commissioners met at Paradise Park for a ribbon cutting of the renovated park. The park features new lighted basketball courts, a pickle ball court, a paved walking path, shade structure, and a turf field.
