Town of Yucca Valley
Town Council Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2025
Call to Order
Roll Call
Present: Jeff Drozd, Rick Denison, Jim Schooler, Robert Lombardo
Absent: Merl Abel (Excused)
Pledge of Allegiance
Led by Building and Safety Official, Paul Osterman
Invocation
Led by Pastor Daniel Hanna, Crossview Bible Church
Approval of Agenda
1. Agenda Approval
Motion: Approve the meeting agenda as prepared.
Result: Passed (Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0)
Mover: Council Member Rick Denison
Seconder: Mayor Jeff Drozd
Ayes: Jeff Drozd, Rick Denison, Jim Schooler, Robert Lombardo Consent Agenda
Mayor Drozd opened public comments for the consent agenda items. With no members of the public wishing to speak, public comments were closed.
2. Administrative Policy Review
Motion:
Approve this review and summary of the revision of the Town’s Administrative Policies and Procedures.
Result: Passed (Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0)
Mover: Council Member Robert Lombardo
Seconder: Council Member Rick Denison
Ayes: Jeff Drozd, Rick Denison, Jim Schooler, Robert Lombardo
3. Community Center HVAC Replacement Project
Motion:
• Amend the FY2025-26 Special Revenue Fund Budget to allocate $165,000.00 from the Capital Project Reserve Fund 800 for the Community Center HVAC Replacement Project;
• Approve the award of a contract with Honeywell International, in the amount of $149,950.84 to replace HVAC System at Community Center; • Authorize construction, construction contingencies, and inspection costs in the total amount of $165,000.00; and
• Authorize the Mayor, Town Manager, and Town Attorney to execute the agreement, and authorize the Town Manager or designee to expend contingency funds, if necessary, for project completion.
Result: Passed (Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0)
Mover: Council Member Robert Lombardo
Seconder: Council Member Rick Denison
Ayes: Jeff Drozd, Rick Denison, Jim Schooler, Robert Lombardo
4. Senior Center Roof Replacement Project -Town Project No. 8061 Award of Construction Contract
Motion:
• Approve the award of a construction contract with Letner Roofing Company, in the amount of $187,000.00 to construct Senior Center Roof Replacement; • Authorize construction, construction contingencies, and inspection costs in the total amount of $240,000.00; and
• Authorize the Mayor, Town Manager, and Town Attorney to execute the agreement, and authorize the Town Manager to expend contingency funds, if necessary, for project completion.
Result: Passed (Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0)
Mover: Council Member Robert Lombardo
Seconder: Council Member Rick Denison
Ayes: Jeff Drozd, Rick Denison, Jim Schooler, Robert Lombardo
5. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Town of Yucca Valley (Town) and Morongo Unified School District (District) for the School Resource Officer Program Motion:
Approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Yucca Valley and the Morongo Unified School District regarding service relative to the School Resource Officer Program and authorize the Town Manager to sign all necessary documents.
Result: Passed (Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0)
Mover: Council Member Robert Lombardo
Seconder: Council Member Rick Denison
Ayes: Jeff Drozd, Rick Denison, Jim Schooler, Robert Lombardo
6. Rejection of Claim
Motion:
Reject one Claim filed against the Town of Yucca Valley submitted on September 15, 2025, by Charles Albert Gabriels.
Result: Passed (Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0)
Mover: Council Member Robert Lombardo
Seconder: Council Member Rick Denison
Ayes: Jeff Drozd, Rick Denison, Jim Schooler, Robert Lombardo
7. Resolution designating the Planning Commission as the Local Appeals Board and Housing Appeals Board pursuant to the 2022 California Building Code Section 1.8.8 Motion:
Adopt Resolution No. 25-31, designating the Planning Commission as the Local Appeals Board and Housing Appeals Board pursuant to Section 1.8.8 of the 2022 California Building Code
Result: Passed (Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0)
Mover: Council Member Robert Lombardo
Seconder: Council Member Rick Denison
Ayes: Jeff Drozd, Rick Denison, Jim Schooler, Robert Lombardo
8. Authorization to Purchase Replacement Fleet Vehicle/Equipment.
Replacement of Unit #19 and Unit #62
Motion:
1. Amend the FY2025-26 Special Revenue Fund Budget to allocate $100,000.00 for vehicle and equipment replacement from the Capital Project Reserve Fund 800; and
2. Authorize the purchase of one (1) new Hyster® H60A Lift Truck from HysterYale Materials Handling, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $36,394.00 to replace vehicle #62;
3. Authorize the purchase of one (1) new Reelmaster 3100-D lawn mower from Toro in an amount not to exceed $54,064.94 to replace unit #19; and
4. Declare the 1990 Clark GPX20 Forklift unit #62 and the 2005 Toro Reelmaster 3100-D (72" cut) unit #19 as surplus, and approve the sale of the surplus vehicles/equipment, authorizing the Town Manager or designee to sell the vehicle through a public bidding/auction or consignment process or disposition through dismantling services.
Result: Passed (Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0)
Mover: Council Member Robert Lombardo
Seconder: Council Member Rick Denison
Ayes: Jeff Drozd, Rick Denison, Jim Schooler, Robert Lombardo
9. Building & Safety Contract Services; Charles Abbott Associates, Inc., Modifying Contract Termination Language
Motion:
Approve the amendment to the contract with Charles Abbott Associates, Inc., for Building & Safety Services, modifying contract termination language, for the period through June 30, 2028.
Result: Passed (Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0)
Mover: Council Member Robert Lombardo
Seconder: Council Member Rick Denison
Ayes: Denison, Drozd, Lombardo, Schooler
Item Moved From Consent
10. First Amendment Provision and Protection Policy
Mayor Drozd pulled the item from the consent agenda for discussion.
Deputy Town Manager Luckino presented the staff report, providing background to the item relating to First Amendment provisions at Town events.
Town Attorney Jex provided legal information relating to the item, noting a balance between the First Amendment freedom and public's safety.
Mayor Drozd public comments.
The following commented in opposition of the proposed policy.
Debra Savitt, Yucca Valley
Melissa Spurr, Joshua Tree
Susan Walls, Joshua Tree
Greg Herring, Pioneertown
Cheryl Contopulos, Yucca Valley
Leah Aguanyo, No City of Residence Given
Sondra Hamelin, Yucca Valley
Jeffrey Raffensperger, Joshua Tree
Lynn May Rivas, Yucca Valley
Teresa Harris, Yucca Valley
Allie Irwin, Joshua Tree
James, Porter, Yucca Valley
Linda Root, Yucca Valley
Danielle Wallis, Yucca Valley
Matthew Case, Yucca Valley
Victor Lewis, Joshua Tree
Eric Menendez, Twentynine Palms
Natasha Francis, Yucca Valley
Pat Wallis, Yucca Valley
Meg Madison, Yucca Valley
Candy Moulten, Yucca Valley
Hashem Bajua, Yucca Valley
With no other members of the public wishing to speak, Mayor Drozd closed public comments.
Council Member Denison commented on past public comment practices and noted peaceful protests will not be shut down.
Council Member Schooler explained that the policy is not to limit free speech but to protect the integrity of Town events.
Council Member Lombardo expressed he wants the film festival to go smoothly.
Mayor Drozd stated he appreciates all the comments and explained the policy is for all events, not just the film festival.
Mayor Drozd moved to approve the recommendation. The motion died for a lack of a second.
Motion:
Table the item to a future meeting.
Result: (Yes 3, No 1, Abstained 0)
Mover: Council Member Robert Lombardo
Seconder: Council Member Jim Schooler
Ayes: Denison, Lombardo, Schooler
Nays: Drozd
Public Hearings
11. Ordinance Adoption- 2025 Building and Safety Codes
Paul Osterman presented the staff report, providing an overview of the updated building codes.
Mayor Drozd opened the public hearing with no members of the public wishing to speak, the pubic hearing was closed.
Council Member Lombardo inquired if any of the new building code requirements could significantly affect building costs.
Council Member Denison commented on the benefits of up-to-date building codes.
Motion:
Adopt Ordinance 332, amending Title 8 of the Town of Yucca Valley Municipal Code by the addition of Chapter 8.02.115, and 8.02.125 amending Chapters 8.02.010,
8.02.020, 8.02.030, 8.02.040, 8.02.050, 8.02.060, 8.02.070, 8.02.080, 8.02.090,
8.02.110, AND 8.02.120, adopting as modified the 2025 Edition of the California Building Code Models 1, 2 including the Appendix and Standards, the 2025 Edition of the California Electrical Code, the 2025 Edition of the California Plumbing Code, the 2025 Edition of the California Mechanical Code, the 2025 Edition of the Green Building Code, the 2025 Edition of the California Residential Code, the 2025 Edition California Energy Code, the 2025 Edition of the California Fire Code, The 2025 Edition of the California Wildland Urban Interface Code, and adopting other regulations relating to building requirements.
Result: (Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0)
Mover: Council Member Rick Denison
Seconder: Council Member Robert Lombardo
Ayes: Jeff Drozd, Jim Schooler
Department Reports
12. Building & Safety Annual Presentation/Report
Building Official Paul Osterman provided an annual report for building and safety activity for the fistcal year 2024-25.
Mayor Drozd opened public comments.
Building Official Osterman fielded questions from the public.
With no other members of the public wishing to speak, Mayor Drozd closed public comments.
Council Member Denison commented on the fabulous response times that the building and safety staff are providing.
Council Member Schooler thanked Osterman and staff for the great customer service being provided.
Received and Filed.
13. Animal Shelter Operational Review Status Update
Town Manager Yakimow provided a status update on the operational review for the Yucca Valley Animal Shelter.
Mayor Drozd opened public comments.
The following commented on the current operations at the shelter.
Eric Menendez, Twentynine Palms
Christie Carter, No city of residence given
Greg Gendron, Yucca Valley
Melissa Spurr, Joshua Tree
Cheryl Contopulos, Yucca Valley
Sondra Hamelin, Yucca Valley
Allie Irwin, Joshua Tree
Jennifer Howell, Landers
James Porter, Yucca Valley
Christine Bostrom, Yucca Valley
Susan Herring, Pioneertown
Candy Moulton, Yucca Valley
Susan Walls, Joshua Tree
Diana Persinger, Yucca Valley
Council Member Denison inquired for clarification on activity from rescue groups and would like to formalize a partnership with the Morongo Basin Humane Society.
Council Member Lombardo requested clarification on the status of the volunteer program at the shelter.
Council Member Schooler inquired about the anticipated increase in the shelter's budget and if the County would provide assistance with the additional costs. Schooler also asked about the frequency of the Town's spay and neuter clinics and noted that spay and neutering outreach is key for the overpopulation problems.
Mayor Drozd expressed much anticipation of getting the additional staffing up and running at the shelter and inquired on the vet visit schedule. Mayor Drozd gave much earned kudos to the shelter staff.
14. Public Safety Contract Amendment
Finance Manager Gumbish presented the staff report for the contract amendment with San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department for public safety services.
Mayor Drozd opened public comments. With no members of the public wishing to speak, public comments were closed.
Council Member Schooler complemented the public safety team provided by San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
Council Member Denison agreed with Council Member Schooler's comments and thanked Captain Warrick for leading the local team.
Council Member Lombardo commented on the safe community thanks to a responsive Sheriff's Department.
Mayor Drozd spoke about local sheriff's activity and expressed appreciation of the local public safety team.
Motion:
- Approve an amendment for fiscal year 2025-26 to the contract with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department in the amount of $6,909,216 and authorize the Town Manager or Mayor to sign on behalf of the Town. - Amend the FY2025-26 General Fund Budget and Measure Y Special Revenue Fund Budget as identified in Exhibit A.
Result: Passed (Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0)
Mover: Council Member Robert Lombardo
Seconder: Council Member Rick Denison
Ayes: Jeff Drozd, Rick Denison, Jim Schooler, Robert Lombardo
15. Land Development Update
Associate Planner Jerome presented a land use development update to the Town Council.
Mayor Drozd opened public comments. With no members of the public wishing to speak, public comments were closed.
Council Member Schooler inquired on the Farmers' Market event in the Old Town area.
Council Member Lombardo commented favorably on the amount of project activity happening in Yucca Valley.
Council Member Denison expressed it is nice to see Nice Dreams moving along.
Received and Filed.
Public Comments
Mayor Drozd opened public comments for items not on the agenda.
Eric Menendez, Twentynine Palms spoke of needed services for the local unhoused community.
Pilar Crossman, Yucca Valley commented on the proposed monument sign.
With no other members of the public wishing to speak, Mayor Drozd closed public comments.
Staff Reports and Comments
Community Services Manager Earnest provided an after report for the recent Spooktacular event and provided information on this week's film festival event. The Town will be hosting a Veterans' Day Breakfast event on November 11th.
Mayor and Council Member Reports and Comments
Council Member Lombardo complimented the Planning staff and Building and Safety staff for their assistance to the community on all of the private projects moving foward.
Announcements
With no further business, Mayor Drozd adjourned the meeting at 8:17 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lesley Copeland, CMC
Town Clerk