DATE:
December 16, 2025
TO:
Mayor and Council Members
FROM:
Rachel Molina, City Manager
BY:
Melinda Sayre, Deputy City Manager/City Clerk
Jessica Giber, Assistant City Clerk
SUBJECT:
City Council Appointments to Outside Agencies
RECOMMENDED ACTION
It is recommended that the City Council follow past practice and appoint liaisons (both primary and alternate) to various outside agencies for a one-year period to commence in January 2026.
BACKGROUND
Historically, the Council has reviewed the liaison assignments (both primary and alternate) to various outside agencies. The City Council currently has representatives on the following:
Cal Cities – Desert Mountain Division (Bi-monthly, Date and location will vary, no compensation) Cal Cities (League of California Cities) is an association of California city officials who work together to enhance their knowledge and skills, exchange information, and combine resources so that they may influence state policy decisions that affect cities. The Desert Mountain Division Committee participates in policy development and carries out grassroots activities in support of the League’s legislative, regulatory, and ballot measure goals. 2025 Primary/Alternate Representatives: Lee/Ochoa
Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District (MDAQMD) (Monthly, 4th Monday, 10 a.m., $100/meeting compensation, requires Form 700 filing) MDAQMD is a public agency that provides citizens with important information regarding the Mojave Desert’s past and current quality of air. Their mission is to enforce the Clean Air Act and attain and maintain a healthful environment while supporting strong and sustainable economic growth. 2025 Primary/Alternate Representatives: Bennington/Gregg San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) (Monthly, 1st Wednesday, 10:00 a.m., $200/meeting compensation, requires Form 700 filing) SBCTA is the council of governments and transportation planning agency for San Bernardino County responsible for cooperative regional planning and furthering an efficient multi-modal transportation system countywide.
As the County Transportation Commission, SBCTA supports freeway construction projects, regional and local road improvements, train and bus transportation, railroad crossings, call boxes, ridesharing, congestion management efforts and long-term planning studies. SBCTA administers Measure I, the half-cent transportation sales tax approved by county voters in 1989 and reauthorized in 2007. 2025 Primary/Alternate Representatives: Pullen/Bennington San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) Mountain Desert Measure I Committee (Monthly, 3rd Friday, 9:30 a.m., $100/meeting compensation, requires Form 700 filing) The Committee reviews the Measure I Mountain / Desert Region Expenditure Plan and makes policy recommendations to the SBCTA Board. 2025 Primary/Alternate Representatives: Pullen/Bennington San Bernardino County Solid Waste Task Force (Semi-Annual April & October, no compensation) The Task Force carries out responsibilities mandated by the California Integrated Waste Management Act (1989) and makes recommendations to the County on other solid waste related matters. For the last year, the City Manager has designated the alternate representative as a City staff member. 2025 Primary/Alternate Representatives: Staff Appointee/Gregg Victor Valley Economic Development Authority (VVEDA) (Special Meetings as needed, $50/meeting compensation by request, requires Form 700 filing) VVEDA is a joint powers authority, and was established for the purpose of providing economic development in and around the former George Air Force Base. Five jurisdictions oversee the economic development of the area, which include: the cities of Victorville, Hesperia and Adelanto, the Town of Apple Valley and the County of San Bernardino. VVEDA totals approximately 60,000 acres and is administered by the City of Victorville. The unincorporated portion of VVEDA is approximately 16,000 acres. VVEDA is currently in its eighth amendment, in which approximately 30,236 acres are being added. 2025 Primary/Alternate Representatives: Ochoa/Lee
Victor Valley Transit Authority (VVTA) (Monthly, 3rd Monday, 9:30 a.m., $125/meeting compensation, requires Form 700 filing) VVTA operates local fixed-route, county commuter, and ADA complementary paratransit bus services in the Victor Valley area. It has a maintenance facility located in Hesperia. VVTA was established through a Joint Powers Authority in 1991. The JPA includes the five cities of Adelanto, Apple Valley, Barstow, Hesperia and Victorville and the certain unincorporated portions of the County of San Bernardino. 2025 Primary/Alternate Representatives: Lee/Ochoa
Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (VVWRA) (Monthly, 3rd Thursday, 8:30 a.m., $100/meeting compensation, requires Form 700 filing) VVWRA was originally formed by the Mojave Water Agency to help meet the requirements of the federal Clean Water Act and provide wastewater treatment for the growing area. The original treatment plant, with supporting pipelines and infrastructure, began operating in 1981, providing tertiary level treatment for up to 4.5 million gallons per day (MGD). The VVWRA is now a joint powers authority and public agency of the state of California and now treats approximately 14 MGD of wastewater. 2025 Primary/Alternate Representatives: Gregg/Bennington Greater High Desert Chamber of Commerce (Weekly Coffee, Fridays, 7:00 a.m..; Monthly, Luncheon, 3rd Monday, noon, no compensation) The Chamber is an independent organization that represents the interests of business to legislators, provides a variety of services to businesses, and promotes positive community development. The objective is to promote the common economic interest of the businesses serving the Hesperia Community. 2025 Primary/Alternate non-voting liaison: Lee/Gregg
Tri-Agency Committee (Bi-monthly, 1st Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., no compensation) The Tri-Agency Committee is comprised of representatives from the City of Hesperia, Hesperia Recreation and Park District and the Hesperia Unified School District and has been meeting since 1995 to discuss issues relating to the three agencies and the community. No primary or alternate roles. 2025 Co-Representatives: Primary: Gregg/Bennington, Alternate: Ochoa City Council Advisory Committee (Quarterly, 1st Thursday, 6:00 p.m., March, June, Sept., Dec., no compensation) The City Council Advisory Committee is an advisory resource and as directed by the City Council and may review the Capital Improvement Project Plan (CIP) and provides recommendations to the Council regarding the use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and other applicable financing programs. No alternate role. 2025 Liaison (Primary/Alternate): Ochoa/Lee
Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) (Annual Regional Conference and General Assembly May 7-8, 2026 in Palm Desert, CA) SCAG is a Joint Powers Authority and was established as an association of local governments and agencies that voluntarily convene as a forum to address regional issues. The region encompasses six counties (Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura) and 191 cities in an area covering more than 38,000 square miles. SCAG develops long range regional transportation plans, including a sustainable communities strategy, regional transportation improvement programs, regional housing needs allocations and a portion of the South Coast Air Quality Management Plan. 2025 Liaison (Primary): Ochoa
ISSUES/ANALYSIS
Individual City Council appointments are designed to help facilitate a better flow of information between the City Council, various outside agencies and staff. The recommended action follows past practice and allows an opportunity for reassignments as needed.
CITY GOAL SUPPORTED BY THIS ITEM
Organizational Health - Foster a high performing organization that provides opportunities for professional growth.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
ALTERNATIVE(S)
Provide alternative direction to staff.
ATTACHMENTS
2025 Appointment Summary
City of Hesperia STAFF REPORT City of Hesperia STAFF REPORT City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT
City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT
Staff Report to the Mayor and Council
City Council Appointments to Outside Agencies
December 16, 2025