There was robust and active public attendance at last night’s Yucca Valley Town Council meeting.
It began with a presentation by Douglas McAllister, Vice President of External Affairs of Frontier Communications, who updated the Council on their progress toward building and introducing fiber optics to the Morongo Basin. McAllister was informed of problems that were reported at the construction site. McAllister said they would be taken care of immediately.
Councilmen Jeff Drozd asked the Council to pull item 15 to replace flag day with Memorial Day on the consent agenda. Drozd felt that both days should be observed, staff agreed, and the Council approved the motion.
Myra Kennedy from Yucca Valley, representing the residents who use Essig Park, recounted the current concerns about the concrete sidewalks in the small dog park. Kennedy and other residents voiced their concerns for the safety of the dogs who run near the fence and chase the larger dogs. The current plans include enlarging the small dog park but keeping the sidewalk the same. Councilmen Merl Abel spoke of the assets of the park redesign. Deputy Manager Shane Stueckle said the Town Staff will continue to monitor the park. The Council approved the change order with contractors IMR, Inc.
The Town Council voted to approve the list of four contractors bidding on the Aquatic and Recreation Center project. The construction bid award is projected for November, and project completion is slated for late 2025. Deputy Town Manager Shane Stueckle said the biggest concern is supply chain issues, and it will be the first issue to confront the contractor when the bid is awarded.
The Council also voted to extend the contract with auditors Rogers, Anderson, Malody & Scott, LLP, extending the existing agreement for an additional three-year period commencing with the fiscal year 2023-24 for a total contract amount of $165,350.
The Town Council approved the Town Wide Beautification program to replace 1,237 signs from Safeway Sign Company.
Lastly, on the agenda was a recommendation that the Town Council receives the Staff report and provides direction for Special Events and larger gatherings in single-family residential zones. Stueckle presented the research, and a discussion with residents input ensued. Issues considered were, how many events would be allowed in a given period, restrictions on hours of events, who is the appropriate approval authority, and whether there would be monitoring of trash, parking, and noise. Resident Jim Bask spoke to the Council about the problem with short-term rentals and events creating increased traffic and speeding on unmaintained dirt roads and encouraged the prohibition of special events. Karen Post, a resident of Los Angeles and a STRV owner, said if the property is big enough and owners follow all the rules, they should be allowed to have low-impact events. Steven Weir, STVR property owner, spoke to the event requirements and hoped the Council would consider letting events in residential areas. Julie Rosen, a Yucca Valley resident, also supports low-impact wellness events and asked the Council to consider a discussion on what the events would look like and how they would be regulated.
Councilman Drozd believes family events should be allowed with regulations. Councilman Merl Abel said an important point made was “if done correctly” and was encouraged that this discussion was happening. Councilmen Abel also said if it is a large event, it should require a permit. Councilmen Jim Schooler said the Town runs on tourism, and events are a big part of tourism. He added that family events of 20 to 30 people should be ok without a permit and would favor some regulations. Councilman Schooler emphasized the diversity of parcels in Yucca Valley and encouraged accommodating the differences. Mayor Pro Tem Robert Lombardo was concerned with multi-day events and suggested the Planning Commission investigate how it is done in other towns and work to make it happen here. Lombardo also suggested penalties for owners not complying with the rules should be severe. The Council asked for more input from the Public, and the discussion will also go to the Planning Commission.
In additional public comment, Erin Campbell Alverez, a Landers resident and Goat Mountain Co. art gallery owner in Yucca Valley said they have a Cow mascot. The Cow is a piece of art and temporary, but the Town has recently asked them to take it down. Didier Chevalier, the caretaker of a Yucca Valley property, has a fallen Joshua Tree limb that can’t be removed. He requested the Council determine what could be done.
The meeting ended at 8:30.
