Yucca Valley Community Update

Community Update

Hello,

Thanks for taking the time to read about the new developments going on in Yucca Valley! Our community is a vibrant, wonderful place to live and work thanks to the contributions of our residents, businesses, and visitors. As always, 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

Town Launches Podcast

The Town of Yucca Valley has launched a new podcast called Yucca Valley – Plugged In hosted by Mayor Jim Schooler.

The podcast covers new commercial projects, upcoming council agendas, events and more. In each episode, the mayor features a special guest to expand on subjects of interest to Yucca Valley residents.

The second episode, entitled Trees and Traditions, features an interview with Wanda Stadum, president and CEO of the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce, who discusses Grubstake Day traditions.

“This is a great opportunity for residents to stay informed and engaged about issues in our community,” said Yucca Valley Town Manager Curtis Yakimow. “Mayor Schooler and the Town Council are stepping outside of the box to reach and communicate with residents in innovative ways to keep them up to date on the latest Town news and events.”

Episodes are available via Podbean, Spotify, Amazon Music and more. To listen, visit yuccavalley.podbean.com .

Mayor Schooler encourages public participation! Submit questions or items of interest for future episodes to commrelations@yucca-valley.org .

Western Joshua Trees

All involvement with the Western Joshua Tree is under the direction of the State of California. Effective October 9, 2020, the Western Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) became a candidate species under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). CESA prohibits the take and possession of any species, or any part or product of a species that is designated by the California Fish and Game Commission as an endangered, threatened, or candidate species. Under a Special Order of the California Fish and Game Commission and approved by the Office of Administrative Law, the Town was authorized to issue "take" permits under certain criteria.

The Town's authority to issue take permits expired on May 9th. The California Fish and Game Commission will meet June 15-16 to determine next steps. The meeting agenda and instructions for joining the meeting virtually can be found here.

Senior Center Update

Did you know that Yucca Valley's Senior Center is undergoing kitchen renovations?

The facility closed on February 22 and is projected to reopen in June.

Until then, some of the recreational activities previously held at the Senior Center have been relocated to Yucca Valley's community center, located at 57090 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284.

A notable aspect of the renovations includes an upgraded kitchen facility, which will modernize and expand the kitchen's operational capacities for the future. Stay tuned for future updates on the center's reopening.

Measure Y Funds Annual Street Improvement Projects

Thanks to Measure Y, the Town is able to perform annual roadway improvement projects, including crack seal and slurry seal.

This summer, portions of the Town will undergo the slurry sealing process. This project entails applying a thin layer of asphalt, or 'seal', to give the roadway a uniform color and texture. It also helps seal the asphalt from moisture to protect it from future damage.

Budget Adoption

The Town of Yucca Valley's Town Council is projected to adopt the Fiscal Year 22-24 Budget at the May 17th Town Council meeting.

According to the California State Auditor’s office, which ranks all of the state’s 482 cities in terms of financial risk, Yucca Valley is in the top 5% for financial health.

Town Beautification Project

Yucca Valley cares about keeping our community clean! The Town Council recently shared updates on upcoming improvements to Town buildings and clean-up efforts for public spaces during their May 3rd meeting.

Keep an eye out for these projects in the upcoming months:

HeMedian maintenance

Code compliance efforts

Shopping cart ordinance review

Building improvement program

Abatement alternatives

Read Item #12 on Staff Report

Summer Music Festival 2022

Enjoy free concerts with family and friends this summer!

Gates open at 6:30 p.m. with concerts running from 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Summer Music Festival Entertainment:

July 4 - Fireworks and concert at Brehm Park,

featuring the Blue Breeze Band

Concerts continue at the YV Community Center

July 16 - The Wrecking Crew (classic rock)

July 23 - Skynyrd & Friends (rock)

July 30 - To be announced

August 6 - The Silverados (country)

August 13 - My Generation (British invasion)

Bring your blanket and enjoy great music!

Spring/Summer '22 Recreation Catalogue is Available!

The Town of Yucca Valley Recreation Department has released the Spring/Summer 2022 Activity and Events Guide, which is available on the City’s website: https://www.yucca-valley.org/guide.

Physical copies were distributed to all Town offices, Hi-Desert Nature Museum, Chamber of Commerce and Welcome Center, the Yucca Valley Branch library, Boys & Girls Club and local businesses. The guide was also inserted in the April 6th edition of the Hi-Desert Star. Physical copies are available at the Yucca Valley Town Hall and Community Center, located at 57090 Twentynine Palms Highway.

The guide includes a comprehensive listing of community services available to Town residents, including the Hi-Desert Nature Museum, the Recreation Department, Facility Rentals, the Senior Center and other Administrative Services.

The Town of Yucca Valley Recreation Department offers a variety of activities and programs to foster the cultural and recreational well-being of the community. These activities provide experiences that enhance the quality of life for all ages, promote health and wellness, increase cultural enrichment and strengthen community pride.

Access and Improvements Coming to Yucca Valley's North Park

Thanks in part to Community Development Block Grant and Measure Y funding, the Town of Yucca Valley will be making much-needed improvements to North Park to provide new access to natural resources and outdoor recreation for generations to come.

North Park sits on 80 acres of land on the Northwest side of Yucca Valley at the end of Fairway Drive with limited accessibility. The Town of Yucca Valley purchased 10 acres of land in order to open access to the park and the Town Council recently authorized the North Park Project.

“Thanks to Measure Y funding, the Town of Yucca Valley continues to make quality-of-life improvements for residents,” says Town Manager Curtis Yakimow. “Reinvesting Measure Y sales tax funds in local, natural resources benefits our residents and indicates the Town’s desire to provide local access to health and wellness opportunities.”

The improvements will include the construction of a paved parking area with 12 spots, two of which will be ADA accessible, designating trailhead access and the provision of an on-site family-use public restroom.

The project is expected to have a construction window of 60 days. Yucca Valley residents and visitors alike will enjoy improved access and amenities to North Park, just in time for Summer 2022.

Memorial Day Weekend: Grubstake Days

Yucca Valley has celebrated Grubstake Days since 1951 as a way to appreciate the western desert and its culture. This year’s events will take place over Memorial Day Weekend starting Thursday, May 26 through Monday, May 30. Check out the full schedule at grubstakedays.com.

On Sunday, May 29, Join the Recreation Department for the 31st Annual Grubstakes 10K, 5K Run and 2K Health Walk! The race starts at 8:00 a.m. sharp at the Yucca Valley High School Football Stadium.

Changes to Trash Collection to Roll Out Soon for Town of Yucca Valley

Changes to trash collection will roll out in the near future for Yucca Valley residents as the Town and its trash hauler, Burrtec, work to meet new state requirements laid out in SB1383 to reduce the amount of organic materials in landfills.

Burrtec will gradually roll out new carts that meet state color-coding requirements. Instead of the burgundy and gray carts residents currently use to separate trash and recycling, the new carts will be the required green, blue and gray colors. The green cart will be used for organic materials (once the Town’s organics program is implemented), the blue cart will be used for traditional recycling, and the new gray cart will be used for trash (items that are not organic or recyclable).

Green Container - Organics: Food waste, yard waste, green waste, other organic materials (these carts will not be distributed until the Town’s organics program is implemented)
Blue Container - Recyclables: Bottles, cans, and plastic, paper and cardboard.
Gray Container (with trash label) - Trash: Limited to waste that is not organic or recyclable.

The new containers will slowly roll out in the coming years. Effective now, those who start a new service with Burrtec or those who request a replacement cart for damages will receive the new cart system. Further implementation will include the addition of the green carts being distributed to all residents once the Town’s organic program is implemented. Meanwhile, current Burrtec customers with burgundy and gray carts will continue to use them as usual until the carts are eventually swapped out.

All new carts will have labels that explicitly state which cart should be used for trash, recycling and organics. Residents with the old gray cart will still use it for recycling, and those with the new gray cart will use it for trash. The Town of Yucca Valley asks residents to always use the cart labeling system as their guide.

For more information regarding the State’s new organics recycling law, visit: https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/slcp

Connect With Us

Upcoming Town Council Meetings

May 17, 6:00 p.m.

June 7, 6:00 p.m.

June 24, 6:00 p.m.

Meetings take place in the Yucca Room

YV Community Center,

57090 Twentynine Palms Highway (SR 62)

Please see the Meeting Calendar for updates, minutes and agenda details.

Can’t attend in person? It’s easy to view Council Meetings via video stream, or on your own schedule.

View Upcoming Agendas

New Town Webpage Dedicated to Organics Recycling

The Town of Yucca Valley is launching a new webpage with information and resources related to state-mandated organics recycling. Keep an eye out on our social media pages for more information soon!

Coffee with the Mayor

The Town of Yucca Valley has launched a meet and greet with Mayor Jim Schooler in the style of a casual coffee chat. Join us at Roost Café at Hawks Landing Golf Course on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 8 AM. Residents are encouraged to ask questions regarding the evening's council agenda or other items of concern. Light refreshments will be served.

To learn more about Mayor Schooler,

click here.

Little League Pedestrian Improvement Project

The project is located on Little League Drive between Sage Avenue to Palm Avenue. The Project consists of constructing curb and gutter, sidewalk, handicap ramps, driveways, and signing and striping. The majority of the work will occur on the south side of the roadway. Portions of the road already have curb and gutter so no widening will occur in those locations; however, curb ramps at the intersections may need to be installed/retrofitted. The overall project length is approximately 2,600 feet.

For more information, click here.

Onaga Trail Pedestrian Improvement Project

The Town has been awarded grant funds through the Active Transportation Program (ATP). The project is located on Onaga Trail between Acoma Trail and approximately Grand Avenue. It is divided in two segments from Acoma Trail to Church Street and from Church Street to Grand Avenue. Both segments would have full width pavement, curb and gutter, handicap ramps, and sidewalk on both sides of Onaga Trail. This would result in sidewalks on both sides of Onaga Trail, between Sage Avenue and Acoma Trail.

For more information, click here.

Hi-Desert Nature Museum

Wed – Sat

10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Upcoming Exhibit:

Attack of the Bloodsuckers

May 21 - Sep 4, 2022

Examine the what, why, when and how of mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, leeches and other parasites. Feel for heat—bloodsuckers need a hot meal!

Contact the Museum

(760) 369-7212

57090 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284

Swim Lessons

Registration for swim lessons opens on June 6 at 12:00 p.m.

Click here for the aquatics brochure to learn about class descriptions and required skills.

Yucca Valley Animal Shelter

Your next best friend may only be a visit to the animal shelter away.

Download our Mobile App!

Stay up to date on all the happenings in Town of Yucca Valley by downloading our mobile app!

Click here for the Apple Store

Click here for

Google Play

Yucca Valley Branch Library

Closed on Fridays and Sundays.

Mondays:

Little Artist (0-5 years)

11:30 a.m.

Tuesdays:

Storytime

11:30 a.m.

Adult Book Club

3:30 p.m.

Wednesdays:

Discover Art

11:30 a.m.

Basic Internet

2:00 p.m.

Thursdays:

Kids on the Move (0-5 years)

11:30 a.m.

Saturdays:

Family Paint Night

2:00 p.m.

The next Friends of the Library meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 25 at 3:00 p.m.

Contact the library (760) 228-3244

57271 29 Palms Hwy

Yucca Valley, CA 92284

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