At last night’s meeting, the Town received the End-of-Term Report from the Yucca Valley Youth Commission. Some of the events the Commission successfully held were a Teen Tech help event for Seniors, an April Teen Splash Day, and a May Middle School Forum. The Youth Commission also hosted a Spring Dance to celebrate senior citizens.
The Dance took place at the Community Center and featured refreshments, a dessert bar, dancing to live music and door prizes.
Deputy Town Manager Shane Stueckle explored the history of freestanding signage and mascots for commercial development projects. Statues and mascots currently are identified as signage within the Town’s sign codes and are regulated. As in the current case of Black Bear Diner, the Bears are prohibited by the current regulations. The Council unanimously decided that the question of signage and mascots would go through a reexamination process by the Planning Commission and be open to public input.
The Town’s Facilities Masterplan Document in 2007 identified that the public buildings needed to provide efficient services to the community, and the Town required more space. The Council approved construction plans and specifications for the new Town Services Consolidation and Public Meeting Space Project. The project will consolidate Town Services into the existing Town business district by redesigning the currently used space, adding 1,700 square feet, and incorporating the old library. The Town engaged the services of Gillis and Panichapan Architects Inc. to assist in evaluating a concept plan and creating a preliminary design plan. The Council also suggested that the Town explore Solar possibilities. Town Manager Stueckle said the Town would look at the cost and the availability of additional funding. Currently, the entire project with contingencies is estimated at 9.2 million.
The Council also received and filed the Animal Care and Control Presentation and Report. The shelter has returned to pre-covid numbers, and they are observing two trends, animals being returned to the shelter and an increase in the puppy population. Besides encouraging the public to adopt a pet, the shelter is also asking for blankets and towels and looking for donations.
In other business, the Essig Park Project will begin on June 19, and the dog park will be closed for about three months to allow the new grass to seed. Additionally, the Western Joshua Tree Trailer bill had significant changes and was returned to the Senate.
The outcome is still unknown.
