TOWN OF YUCCA VALLEY
ANIMAL SHELTER COMMITTEE MEETING
The Mission of the Town of Yucca Valley is to
provide a government that is responsive to its citizens to ensure a safe and secure environment
while maintaining the highest quality of life.
ANIMAL SHELTER COMMITTEE: 5:30 PM
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2025
Yucca Valley Community Center
57090 Twentynine Palms Hwy
Yucca Valley, Ca 92284
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Animal Shelter Committee
Jim Schooler, Chair
Jeff Drozd, Vice Chair
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TOWN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE:
760-369-7207
Public Comments: [email protected]
www.yucca-valley.org
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AGENDA
MEETING OF THE ANIMAL SHELTER COMMITTEE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2025, 5:30 PM
The Town of Yucca Valley complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you require special assistance to attend or participate in this meeting, please call the Town Clerk’s Office at (760) 369-7209 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting
The meeting agenda packet is available for public view in the Town Hall lobby and on the Town’s website at www.yucca-valley.org prior to the meeting. For more information on an agenda item or the agenda process, please contact the Town Clerk’s office at (760) 369-7209 ext. 226.
If you wish to comment on any agenda item or on any subject not on the agenda during public comments, please fill out a request to speak card and give to the Town Clerk/Commission Secretary.
Comment time is limited to 3 minutes.
Where appropriate or deemed necessary, action may be taken on any item listed in the agenda.
OPENING CEREMONIES:
Call to Order
Roll Call
Council Members Abel, Denison, Lombardo, Schooler, and Mayor Drozd Pledge of Allegiance
Approval of Agenda
1. Agenda Approval
Recommendation:
Approve the meeting agenda as prepared.
Consent Agenda
All items listed on the consent agenda are routine matters or formal documents covering previous Town Council instruction. Items are enacted by one motion and a second without separate discussion unless a member of the Town Council or Town Staff requests dialog on a specific item at the beginning of the meeting. Requests for public comment on the consent agenda items should be filed with the Town Clerk.
2. Approval of Meeting Minutes of August 21, 2025
3. Approval of Meeting Minutes for September 16, 2025
Department Reports
4. Animal Shelter Operational Review Status Update
Recommendation:
That the committee receives and files the updated Operational Review Status Report and provides input and direction as desired, and receive an update on development of an operational agreement with local rescue partner(s).
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Public Comments
The Animal Shelter Committee takes this time to consider your comments on items of concern which are not on the agenda. When you are called to speak, please state your name and community of residence. Please limit your comments to 3 minutes or less. Inappropriate behavior which disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of the meeting will result in forfeiture of your public comment privileges. The Animal Shelter Committee is prohibited by State law from taking action or discussing items not on the printed agenda.
Announcements
Upcoming Meeting Schedule: The next regular meeting of the Animal Shelter Committee is scheduled for Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 5:30 PM in the Yucca Valley Community Center Yucca Room.
TOWN OF YUCCA VALLEY
ANIMAL SHELTER COMMITTEE
AUGUST 21, 2025
OPENING CEREMONIES
CALL TO ORDER
Council Member Schooler called the meeting to order at 4:30PM.
ROLL CALL
Present: Drozd, Schooler
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Council Member Schooler
Council Member Schooler provided background on the committee formation and committee guidelines.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Animal Shelter Operating Committee
Town Manager Yakimow presented the staff report opening dialog for general, housekeeping items for the committee.
Council Member Schooler will chair the committee.
Committee Member Drozd explained the Brown Act provisions and a full report will be made to the full Town Council.
Chair Schooler polled the group in attendance for preferred meeting times. The third Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. would work well. The location will be determined based on available meeting space. The meeting will be held in a less formal, workshop style setting.
The name of the committee was decided as Animal Shelter Committee.
Deputy Town Manager Stueckle introduced attending Animal Shelter staff.
2. Public Outreach
Deputy Town Manager Stueckle introduced attending Animal Shelter staff. Deputy Town Clerk Dudra provided an overview of recent social media outreach for available pets and shelter events. Additional media ads have been added into the outreach rotation.
3. Shelter Statistics
Deputy Town Manager Stueckle reviewed recent statistics, including descriptions provided of each of the impound categories. Animal Shelter Staff fielded questions on impounds and feline care.
4. Urgent List and Shelter Capacity
Deputy Town Manager Stueckle provided an update on the process for urgent animals and explained the shelter’s capacity and is currently running with approximately 105-110 animals within 59 runs. Committee Member Drozd inquired about rescue group outreach.
5. & 6. Animal Shelter Operational Review Status Update and Staffing Discussion Town Manager Yakimow provided an update on the operational review status and on interim staffing concerns including the Shelter Manager.
Volunteer applications are available today and will be online for interested individuals aged 16 and older.
The attending public voiced concerns about the proposed veterinarian service provider and inquired about feeding and care routines for special care cases.
Committee Member Drozd reiterated the need for additional staffing and volunteers. Chair Schooler agreed with Drozd.
Public Comments
General questions and public comments were received.
Adjournment
Chair Schooler adjourned the meeting at 6:06 PM and announced the next meeting is scheduled for September 18th at 5:30 PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Lesley Copeland, CMC
Town Clerk
Item: 3.
Town of Yucca Valley
Animal Shelter Committee Staff Report
To: Animal Shelter Committee
From:
Date: November 17, 2025
Meeting Date: November 20, 2025
Subject: Approval of Meeting Minutes for September 16, 2025 Recommendation:
Prior Review:
Discussion:
Alternatives
Fiscal Impact:
Attachments
1. 09-16-25 Animal Shelter Committee Meeting Minutes
Town of Yucca Valley
Animal Shelter Committee Meeting Minutes
September 18, 2025
Call to Order
Roll Call
Present: Jeff Drozd, Jim Schooler
Absent:
Pledge of Allegiance
Led by Chair Schooler
Approval of Agenda
1. Agenda Approval
Motion:
Approve the meeting agenda as prepared.
Result: Passed (Yes 2, No 0, Abstained 0)
Mover: Committee Member Jeff Drozd
Seconder: Chair Jim Schooler
Department Reports
2. Animal Care and Control Staffing Update
Deputy Town Manager Stueckle provided an update on Shelter staffing and the recruitment schedule for the Animal Care and Control Manager.
Public comments were received, including inquiries on staff supervision and a request for additional staffing.
3. Yucca Valley Veterinarian Services Update
Deputy Town Manager Stueckle provided an update on the review of the RFP for veterinarian services at the Shelter.
During public comments, a suggestion was made to have more than one vet to provide services and an inquiry on current vet services.
4. Operational Review Status Update
Deputy Town Manager Stueckle provided an update on the current Shelter
Operational Review.
Chair Schooler inquired about the number of frequent flyers or returners.
Public comments were received, including the suggestion to provide timely information to be shared on intakes, strays and rescue lists and an inquiry on • Critical to update the community on recent intakes, strays, and rescue lists in a timely manner. Comments were received regarding the current meeting format and would like to see more open dialog. Additional comments were received on general shelter operations and staffing.
Deputy Town Manager Stueckle addressed public questions and comments.
Glen Harris, Morongo Basin Humane Society spoke, noting the understanding how exhausting crisis mode can be and explained the relationship the Joshua Tree Shelter has with the Yucca Valley Shelter.
Public Comments
Public comments were received inquiring about the status of the volunteer program and a foster program. Concern was expressed for the long-term "residents" at the shelter and requested additional budgeting to boost animal services.
Deputy Town Manager Stueckle provided an update on the progress and changes implemented through the shelter review process and explained the budgeting process with the Town Council and San Bernardino County.
Chair Schooler offered one-on-one meetings with anyone that would like additional dialog.
Announcements
The next Animal Shelter Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 16, 2025.
With no further business, Chair Schooler adjourned the meeting at 7:11 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lesley Copeland, CMC
Town Clerk
Item: 4.
Town of Yucca Valley
Animal Shelter Committee Staff Report
To: Animal Shelter Committee
From: Curtis Yakimow, Town Manager
Date: November 12, 2025
Meeting Date: November 20, 2025
Subject: Animal Shelter Operational Review Status Update Recommendation:
That the committee receives and files the updated Operational Review Status Report and provides input and direction as desired, and receive an update on development of an operational agreement with local rescue partner(s).
Prior Review:
Discussion:
The Town Council directed Town management to conduct an Operational Review of shelter operations, policies, and practices, and return to the Town Council within 90 days.
Focused operational reviews can be helpful to confirm or correct statistics, affirm or clarify operational practices, evaluate procedures for consistency with industry best practices, consider modifications that may improve desired outcomes, and provide communication and transparency to the public.
The Town Council accepted the Operational Review and associated recommendations on June 3, 2025 and directed staff to continue or begin the implementation of the various recommended actions. Staff has been working on the recommendations and Town staff will present an update for the Town Council at the November 4 Town Council meeting. Additional information and data review will be included in the review. For this Animal Shelter Committee review, additional updates have been made to the matrix eliminating duplication and other form edits for streamlining and clarity.
Public shelters will often engage in formal operational agreements with various partners to assist in meeting shelter objectives. Examples of such agreements may include a financial structure that will allow for the placement of animals with a rescue group to facilitate and encourage greater live release rates. While the Town has reached out to numerous rescue
groups, participation of such groups has been limited, and operational agreements may assist those efforts.
Finally, animal shelter operations are ongoing and daily activities. A report and subsequent updates given at a single point in time will not be sufficient for long-term policy and practice change. While specific recommendations are presented, meeting the Town Council’s established performance factors will be a marathon, not a sprint. Successful implementation will require Town Council commitment, public engagement, professional collaboration, financial commitments, public education, and staff accountability.
Alternatives
None recommended.
Fiscal Impact:
None with this item.
Attachments
1. Nov 20 Update