Morongo Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Patricio Vargas introduced the work he and his staff are initiating, including programs to aid High school students to make the next step to college enrollment, training students to take action in the community, and introducing technical training courses. Caring for the safety of students, the MUSD is setting aside funds for a security officer and resource officers, upgrading locking systems on doors, installing surveillance cameras, and installing tinted bulletproof windows in all schools. Dr. Vargas emphasized the focus on educational excellence, combating the digital divide, innovation, updated and modernized facilities, and a strong coalition of communities.
The Yucca Valley Town Council approved the award of Design Services to Spohn Ranch, Inc. for $49,900 to provide construction documents, including plans, specifications, and cost estimates for a Skate park. They also agreed to Councilman Merl Abel’s suggestion to consider expanding the design portion of the Skate Park Improvements Project to add a safe and well-designed skate park to the existing park instead of tearing down what is already there to build something new. The Council agreed and accepted the recommendation of the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Commission for the expenditure of $177,952 from Per Capita Funding to the Community Center Skate Park Improvement Project.
Nice Dream Ices’ appealed to eliminate the requirement for off-site improvements, which include highway widening for a change of use project. Community input on social media had produced a petition to stop Highway 62 widening. Deputy Manager Shane Stueckle said there was false information and the Town must keep the public informed. Town Staff presented a lengthy presentation of the facts concerning the highway and why it is deemed necessary for the safety of residents and visitors. The Community present advocated for eliminating the charges for change-of-use projects. After much discussion, all members of the Council agreed to direct the Planning Commission, at their October 10 meeting, to forward a recommendation to the Town Council for consideration of amending the Yucca Valley Development Code and eliminating the requirement for construction of off-site improvements for change of use projects. Taking an idea from Desert Hot Springs, the Council suggested not requiring off-site improvements of existing buildings if the existing improvements are adequate for the proposed use.
The County Sheriff’s Department introduced the Council to the Morongo Basin Station K9 program, Lieutenant Al Huff, Canine handler Gabriel Jasso, and a two-year-old Bloodhound named Keva. The Council approved an amendment to the contract with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department for a revised amount of $6,342,758 to help fund the K9 Program and provide locally based search capabilities.
The Council reviewed and approved the Professional Services Agreement with Tripepi Smith and received a presentation by CERA’s (California Intergovernmental Risk Authority) General Manager, Amy Northam. Lastly, the Council reviewed and approved an agreement with Southern California Edison (SCE) to replace existing street lights with light-emitting Diode (LED) Street Lights, Town Wide. For the lights, 100,000 dollars will be paid to Edison over 20 years with no interest. Town Staff will also meet with Edison to discuss shades and bulbs for the new lights to ensure they maintain dark skies requirements.
The Town Council also approved the proposed contract between the Town and San Bernardino County for the American Rescue Plan Act, providing $998,000.00 in Coronavirus Local Relief Fund dollars for the Town’s Senior Center Modernization project Phase 1. The Council approved.
In future items, Councilman Merl Abel suggested the Town explore town-sponsored Night events such as farmers markets.
