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The Mission of the Town of Yucca Valley is to provide a government that is responsive to the needs and concerns of its diverse citizenry and ensures a safe and secure environment while maintaining the highest quality of life.
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Town of Yucca Valley Community Update
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Welcome to another edition of the Town of Yucca Valley's Community Update. Whether you are a resident, business owner, visitor or part of our basin family, we are privileged to serve you. As you will see through the information below, there is a lot happening in Yucca Valley. We invite you to stay engaged with your Elected Officials and with Town Staff as new decisions are considered and made with the simple goal of keeping the Town of Yucca Valley as a great place to live, work, and play. As always, we appreciate your participation and feedback at any time. Visit the Town's website for contact and additional information at
www.yucca-valley.org
or feel free to stop by Town Hall to say hello.
Curtis Yakimow - Town Manager
If this newsletter was forwarded to you and you would like to sign up to receive these Community Updates on your own, please click here.
To download a printable version of this email or to view our archive of Community Updates, please click here.
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Town Council Adopts Two-Year Spending Plan
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Happy 25th Birthday to the Town of Yucca Valley!!
2016 represents the Silver Anniversary of the Town of Yucca Valley, with the Town's official incorporation date of November 27, 1991. Since that time, the Town has endured many challenges, including the 1992 Lander's 7.3 magnitude earthquake, the Sawtooth and other various fires, and a number of flood events. In all trials however, the residents of the Town continued to pull together and work toward developing a community that provides a unique and desirable quality of life.
As the Town moves into its next quarter of a century, many challenges remain, including our ongoing streets and roads needs, the pending sewer project, traffic circulation, growing tourist demands, and the commitment to public safety. While the community, Town Council and Town staff understand these needs, it will take our collective efforts to ensure that they are met. Through long-term visioning, planning and efficient use of tax payer dollars, our goal is make the next 25 years of incorporation the most effective ever in keeping the Town of Yucca Valley as a great place to live, work and play!
Join us for a Town Wide Birthday Party on July 16th at 7 PM at the Community Center softball field with music, food and fun, sponsored graciously by Pacific Western Bank and Burrtec Waste and Recycling.
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Community Indicates 70% Support for November 2016 Measures for Yucca Valley Public Safety, Street and Road Improvements, and Sewer Assessment Reduction
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Following up on the Community Outreach and Strategic Planning efforts completed in the Fall of 2015, the Town Council recently began to look at the viability of presenting the Community with the opportunity to determine their preferred level of service for Public Safety and Police, Streets and Road maintenance, and Sewer cost assistance, through a potential sales tax measure or measures on the November 2016 ballot. The Council unanimously agreed to move forward with a formal survey of the Community to accurately understand the Community's priorities and interest in such an approach.
This survey effort has been completed and indicates that over 70% of the Community is supportive of two potential measures that address the Town's Public Safety, Streets and Roads and Sewer Assessment Reduction needs. The Town Council will be holding a public hearing to receive additional community input at their August 2nd Council Meeting, at which time they will determine if the measures will go on the November 2016 ballot for community consideration.
The Town's webpage dedicated to this community effort can be found
here.
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Town Council Adopts Two-Year Spending Plan
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The Town adopted its two year budget on May 17, 2016. The adopted budget covers the periods from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018, and demonstrates the Town's Council's commitment to "Live within its Means." The highest priorities in the General Fund Budget are Public Safety and Infrastructure Maintenance and all other major program and services are budgeted to continue at the existing service levels. The General Fund Budget does not include an increase in Public Safety staff or additional infrastructure funding. Both of these needs are currently underfunded and funding them in the future will be an ongoing challenge for the community.
If you have any questions regarding the newly adopted budget for FY2016-18, please contact Sharon Cisneros, Finance Manager at
scisneros@yucca-valley.org or by calling 760-369-7207. Click on the link below to view the related Budget agenda item (#17).
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Mayor to Hold Regular "Coffee with the Mayor" Meetings
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Coffee with the Mayor will not be held in the month of July. However, if anyone wishes to speak with Mayor Robert "Bob" Leone, please contact the Town Clerk to set up an appointment. Mayor Leone and the entire Town Council encourages the public to stay in contact with their elected officials.
Coffee with the Mayor is usually held on the 4th Wednesday of each month as an informal opportunity to discuss items of interest in the community. Coffee and donuts are served from 8:00AM to 9:00AM in the Mesquite Room at the Town's Community Center Complex. The next meeting will be held on August 24, 2016.
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From the Town Clerk's Office
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Public Meeting Schedule
The Yucca Valley Town Council and the Yucca Valley Planning Commission will not be meeting during the month of July to allow the Council Members and Planning Commissioners the opportunity to spend time with their families. Of course, if an emergency or other pressing need arises, a meeting will be called and publicly noticed. The next scheduled meeting of the Town Council is Tuesday, August 2nd at 6:00 p.m. in the Yucca Valley Community Center Yucca Room.
The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Commission will hold a special meeting on Monday, July 18th at 4:00 p.m. in the Yucca Valley Community Center. The public is welcome to attend. Public meeting agendas and links to live Town Council meeting video can be found on the
Town's website.
Upcoming Election Information
Calling all Town Council Candidates! Two seats on the Yucca Valley Town Council will be up for election at the November 8, 2016 General Election. These seats are currently being held by Robert Lombardo and George Huntington. Any registered voters within the Town of Yucca Valley jurisdiction interested in running for Town Council will have the opportunity to "pull" nomination papers beginning on Monday, July 18th. If interested, please contact the
Town Clerk,
to set up an appointment. The last day to file nomination papers is Friday, August 12th.
Yucca Valley is a general law city governed by a five-member Town Council. Elected officials represent the voters of Yucca Valley, serving staggered, four year terms. Yucca Valley registered voters interested in running for a seat on the Town Council, can find additional information on the Town's
election webpage .
Not yet registered or would like to make changes to your current voter information? The California Secretary of State has established a safe, easy to use
online option.
For those individuals looking for a non-electronic option, voter registration cards are available at Town Hall during normal business hours.
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Community Services Department- Upcoming Events and Activities
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Kids Experience Art at the "Framed: Step into Art" Exhibit
Now showing at the Hi-Desert Nature Museum!
This engaging exhibit transports visitors to a world where paintings leap off the canvas and invite children inside the art experience! As visitors play and move through the exhibit, they are invited to ride a giant chicken, set up camp in the Canadian Rockies, and prepare dinner for hungry farmers. The exhibit environments are accompanied by information about each artist, and provide prompts that encourage visual thinking.
Framed: Step into Art provides opportunities for children and adults to spend time with five paintings - from iconic to contemporary - and learn about art appreciation. Admission is free. The museum is open Thursday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is located at the Yucca Valley Community Center Complex at 57116 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284. For more information, visit the Museum's
website or call (760) 369-7212.
"Step Into Art" Family Fun Day on July 30th Features Themed Games and Activities
Spend an eventful day at the Community Center where staff from the Hi-Desert Nature Museum and Recreation Department will host an art-filled Family Fun Day, Saturday, August 1st from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Enjoy themed crafts, face painting, a bounce house and more! For more information visit the
Museum's website. All ages are welcome and admission is free.
Hi-Desert Nature Museum Brown Bag Lunch Lecture - July 21, 2016
The Rocks Speak: Understanding Indigenous Science and Technology
This lively one hour interactive presentation is an introduction to indigenous philosophy presented by Culture Bearer and Author, A.G. Vasquez, MA. The program offers an unconventional take on the relationship between native peoples and modern scientific practices, the background behind the use of plants, stones and ritual objects in healing and the use of real world empirical observation by indigenous cultures. A.G. Vasquez is the founder of Casa de Culturas in Joshua Tree, creator of the Living on the Dime project and author of 'Mexican Americans In Redlands'. Currently, Vasquez is engaged in a multiple city indigenous cultural heritage tour, Kokopelli Spirit Journey. He holds degrees in U.S. and Latin American History and resides in Joshua Tree. Bring your lunch, bring your friends, or just bring yourself to our Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series once a month. Speakers will present topics of special interest for high desert residents. The lectures start at 12:00 p.m. Admission is $ 5 - Free for Members - beverages will be served.
Summer Music Festival Opens July 9th
The Town of Yucca Valley is pleased to announce the band line up for its popular
Summer Music Festival. The Saturday evening concert series has become a favorite summer weekend activity for residents of the Morongo Basin and surrounding areas. The festival will be held July 9 through August 13 at the Yucca Valley Community Center ball field, 57090 Twentynine Palms Highway, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; gates open at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to bring a blanket and lawn chair and enjoy the show. All ages are welcome to attend and admission is free.
This year the series will feature a special Birthday Bash event on July 16th in celebration of the Town's 25th Anniversary. Gates will open early at 6:00 p.m. to allow quests to enjoy cake and refreshments, giveaways and a Kids' Zone fun area.
The schedule of entertainment includes the following:
- July 9 - The Band Fresh (Top 40 dance/Latin)
- July 16 - Desert Sol (Funk) Town Birthday Bash!
- July 23 - Boxcar 7 (Soul/R&B/Swing)
- July 30 - Upstream (Reggae/Soca)
- August 6 - The Garth Guy Live! (Country Western)
- August 13 - The Answer (Classic Rock)
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The Town of Yucca Valley is also accepting applications for food vendors for the Music Festival. Interested vendors can obtain a vendor application at the Yucca Valley Community Center from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
For more information, call the Town of Yucca Valley Community Services Department at (760) 369-7211, Monday - Thursday 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. or contact by
email.
Slow Pitch Adult Softball
Enjoy summer evenings by joining one of four
adult slow pitch softball leagues offered by the Town of Yucca Valley. Teams will play an average of ten games followed by playoffs and a championship game; league play begins the week of August 1, 2016 and runs through mid-October. Teams may choose from men's league, ladies league and two coed leagues. Games will be played once a week at the Community Center with Ladies League on Monday; Coed Leagues on Tuesday or Thursday; and Men's League on Wednesday. In addition to the recreation level Traditional Coed League, the Town offers a Casual Coed division for teams that prefer a "decaf" level of play. Casual Coed is well-suited for newcomers as well as corporate or family teams that want to play for fun and exercise. Registration for the program is $400 per team; a $200 deposit is required at registration with the balance due on July 21st. Team rosters are not required until the first game. Sponsored teams may display a dugout banner during their games. First place teams receive a League Champion trophy and player t-shirts; a second place trophy is awarded to the runner up. Umpire fees, scorekeeping, balls, lights and field preparation are all included.
Registration for adult softball is available through July 19, 2016 at 5:00 p.m., or when divisions are full. All interested teams can
register online or in person at the Yucca Valley Community Center from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. For Town of Yucca Valley sports information, forms, schedules and league standings,
click here or contact the Town of Yucca Valley Community Services Department at 369-7211.
Town of Yucca Valley Aquatics Program
Registration is now underway for children's Learn-to-Swim Classes. Swim lessons are held in the mornings at a cost of $45 per session. A session is eight lessons over the course of two weeks, Monday through Thursday. Five class levels are offered from parent/baby classes to advanced swim techniques. Registration for swim lessons is available
online or in person at the Yucca Valley Community Center Monday through Thursday from 12:00 pm to 5:00 p.m.
Click here For more Aquatics registration info.
Additional Water Fun and Fitness programs will also be offered regularly throughout the summer season. These drop-in style programs do not require registration and admission fees are paid at the door upon entry. Drop-in programs include Recreational Fun Swim, Lap Swimming and Water Aerobics. For aquatics program and registration information or to view the Town of Yucca Valley Spring/Summer Activities Guide, visit the
Town's website.
For more information contact the Community Services Office at 760 369-7211, Monday through Thursday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Town of Yucca Valley conducts the summer Aquatics program Monday through Friday at the community pool located at Yucca Valley High School. The pool will be open through August 12, 2016.
H-2-OH! Program Features Kids' Water Play at the Community Center
On select days this summer the Town of Yucca Valley Recreation Department transforms the north lawn of the Community Center into a mini water park for little ones. Children are 10 years and under can enjoy slip-n-slides, splash in wading pools and water playlands, and run in sprinklers. The popular program takes place alternating Fridays on June 17, July 1, July 15, July 29, and August 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. All participants must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The program is provided free to the public.
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Yucca Valley Animal Shelter and Animal Care and Control
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Adopt A Pet
On Saturday, July 23, 2016 the Yucca Valley Animal Shelter, in a partnership with NBC4, Telemundo 52, VCA, and Petco, will be participating in the "Clear the Shelters" nation-wide adoption day event. Last year, in the Southern California region, this event helped more than 2,500 animals find new forever homes.
For this event, the cost of adoptions has been lowered to only $20, excluding any required licensing fees, for shelter animals. The adoption fee includes the first set of vaccinations, spaying / neutering, and a free medical examination.
Please join us at the animal shelter for this wonderful adoption event. The Yucca Valley Animal Shelter is open Tuesday - Saturday from 12PM to 5PM. If you are interested in adopting, this will be a great opportunity.
If you wish to show your support for our shelter pets, donations of blankets, towels, collars, leashes, and pet food are always gratefully accepted. Monetary donations are also gratefully accepted and used to help our special needs animals and sponsored adoptions.
The Animal Shelter is located at 4755 Malin Way, just off of Skyline Ranch Road. The shelter is open Tuesday - Saturday from 12:00PM to 5:00PM. The shelter can be reached at 760-365-3111.
View the shelter's adoptable pets on
Petfinder.com
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Graffiti activities tend to increase during the summer months, and graffiti has recently been sighted in Town business and residential locations. The photos below are locations where the graffiti has been removed. Graffiti removal is costly to our businesses and residents.
Illegal Dumping is not only a violation of local regulations, but creates safety issues and is unsightly. Below is an example of recent illegal dumping onto a vacant lot.
Code Compliance issued correctable citations for weed abatement and requested that properties be brought up to compliance within a certain time frame. Each home owner was very responsive. To prevent receiving a correctable citation, keep your property and vacant lots free of all weeds, junk and windblown debris
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Parks Division News, Repairs and Improvements
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Brehm I Park (formerly Youth Sports Park) irrigation systems were in need of repairs. The equipment, after years of great operation, was repaired to provide efficient controlled watering to the plants and turf areas.
The Unity Home property was in need of yard clean-up. The clean-up prevents rodents, snakes and other undesirable wildlife near the home. Plus preventing a fire hazard due to the dry brush.
Yucca Valley High School Interact Club Donates Trees!
The YVHS Interact Club recently donated four-24" box trees to Essig Park. Interact Club members participated in the planting process. Thank you to the YVHS Interact Club for your voluntary service to the Town of Yucca Valley!
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Streets Division News, Repairs and Improvements
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The Town of Yucca Valley is testing a new product application of mastic with strengthening aggregate in several of street crack failures. A ten inch wide crack at Hillcrest Drive near Lomita Lane was selected as a test site. We utilized a portable transfer cart with installation of the mastic product. The final stage is the crack is leveled and sealed. Performance of the test material will be monitored over the winter months in order to gauge material effectiveness.
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Capital Improvement Projects
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Paradise Park Improvements
The Town received a state grant award in the amount of $168,700 for improvements to Paradise Park, and the Town Council recently allocated $91,460 in Community Development Block Grant funds to the Paradise Park for upgrades.
Status:
Construction is 99% complete. Electrical and lighting systems are being finalized. Backboards and nets are installed on the Basketball courts.
SR62 Traffic Control Synchronization Project (Phase II):
The project consist of synchronization of 10 traffic signals on SR62, including the intersections of Sage Avenue, Dumosa Avenue, SR247, Airway, Warren Vista, Balsa, Hilton, Avalon, Home Depot, and Yucca Mesa/La Contenta.
Status:
The engineer design phase is 100% complete.
2016-17 Town Wide Slurry Seal:
Annual Town Wide Slurry/Cape Slurry Project consists of installation of slurry/cape seal, hot mix asphalt repairs and replace street striping, markings and legends on designated streets and the Park & Ride Parking lot.
Status:
The pre-construction meeting with the contractor was completed, and work is scheduled to begin in July, 2016.
Jacobs Park Tennis Court Resurfacing Project:
Work consists of repair and resurfacing of two (2) tennis courts on existing concrete pads.
Status:
Work is scheduled to start on July 20, 2016, and to be completed within approximately three days.
Hi Desert Water District- Capital Replacement Project:
The HDWD capital replacement project will be concentrating on areas within the Phase 1 area of the upcoming sewer project. This will allow for underground work to be completed prior to final paving of these streets.
Status:
District facilities at both permit locations are operational. Final trench pavement repairs are underway.
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Private Land Development Activity
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Sage Estates:
The project consists of building a 107 single family residents on the southeast corner of Sage Avenue and Golden Bee.
Status:
Grading is continuing. Slope protection along the flood control channel is nearing completion, including collection boxes and drains from onsite streets. Construction of retaining walls is also continuing in various areas of the project.
Zarakov Parcel Map 19655:
Parcel Map 19655 is a request to subdivide approximately 1.25 acres into two parcels. The project is located on the southwest corner of 29-Palms Highway and Palm Ave.
Status:
The final map is moving through the Plan Check process and will be scheduled for Town Council action at the completion of that process
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Xalis-Little Italy:
The Planning Commission approved Land Use Compliance Review-01-15 on September 8, 2015 to rehabilitate an existing 2,591 square foot restaurant located at the southwest corner of 29-Palms Hwy. and Kickapoo Trail.
Status:
The remodel of the building exterior is almost complete. A permit for grading and parking lot improvements has been issued and work is underway.
Yucca Valley Retail Building:
Parcel Map 19644 approved and recorded on 11/9/2015 to subdivide a 1.89 acre parcel into two commercial parcels. Parcel 2-retail building is approximately .986 acre located on the south side of SR62, approximately 0.25 east of Avalon Ave, and immediately west of the Marshalls/Petco commercial retail establishments.
Status:
The building exterior is nearing completion. Work is underway on the septic system and onsite storm drain facilities, and tenant improvement permits are anticipated to be issued for two of the five spaces within the next 30 days or less
Steak n Shake Restaurant
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Parcel Map 19644 recorded on November 9, 2015 subdividing a 1.89 acre parcel into two commercial parcels. Steak n' Shake is a planned 3,200 square foot restaurant, and also includes parking and landscaping. The building site is located immediately west of the Marshalls/Petco commercial retail establishments, to the front of the Home Depot Center.
Status:
Grading plans are currently being reviewed for this project. Building plans are in the plan check process.
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57090 Twentynine Palms Hwy
Yucca Valley, CA 92284
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