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, DECEMBER 18, 2025
Yucca Valley Community Center – Yucca Room
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, DECEMBER 18, 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 Member Drozd and Chair Schooler
Pledge of Allegiance
Approval of Agenda
1. Agenda Approval
Recommendation:
Approve the meeting agenda as prepared.
Department Reports
2. 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).
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.
Staff Reports and Comments
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Announcements
Upcoming Meeting Schedule: The next regular meeting of the Animal Shelter Committee will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2025 at 5:30 PM in the Yucca Valley Community Center Yucca Room.
Item: 2.
Town of Yucca Valley
Animal Shelter Committee Staff Report
To: Animal Shelter Committee
From: Curtis Yakimow, Town Manager
Date: December 15, 2025
Meeting Date: December 18, 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. Dec 18 Update