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Listen To Your News		Wednesday, February 24, 2010		News Archive

COUNTY SUPERVISOR OUTLINES GROWTH COMING TO JOSHUA TREE
Joshua Tree is going to grow soon and significantly, said County 3rd District Supervisor Neil Derry. During Supervisor Derry’s remarks at last week’s Joshua Tree water and land use forum he said "one thing we know – growth is coming". Joshua Basin Water District General Manager Joe Guzzetta added "the county has confirmed that we have 7,500 building lots already approved for building that have no water meters yet." He also clarified, "Joshua Basin water district’s policy is that of being growth neutral. It is up to the citizens and the county land use agency to decide the area’s growth." Noting that Joshua Basin’s main aquifer is dropping one foot in water level annually due to non-sufficient natural recharge. Guzzetta summarized progress on the district’s recharge plan, reporting the district has purchased land and approved environmental impact studies.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL WRANGLES OVER NEW JOB, NO TO MARIJUANA, YES TO PLAZA PLAN
The Twentynine Palms City Council time on a proposed new city staff position before moving on to medical marijuana, a budget report, the historic plaza, and building code changes. Reporter Dan Stork breaks his report into two parts, today the ancillary issues, tomorrow, a review of the city’s budget...
The issue that came in for the greatest attention at the Twentynine Palms City Council meeting was a proposal to create a new city position, for an Economic Development and Redevelopment Specialist. Council member Steve Spear objected to the projected cost of $120,000 per year in salary and benefits, while member Jim Harris criticized the job description, as well as the need for a dedicated professional for the job. The other 3 council members liked the idea of the proposed position, but agreed with Harris to send the description back to staff for further refinement. That long discussion came after a midyear budget report that we’ll inspect more closely in another report. In other business, the prohibition of medical marijuana facilities was finalized by the City Council as part of the consent agenda, with member Steve Spear dissenting. After consultant Frank Spevacek outlined the 5-year Redevelopment Plan, which covers numerous issues running from the Historic Plaza project and affordable housing to the branding and marketing of Twentynine Palms, Council approved the plan. Code changes related to abandoned property and the placement of telecommunications facilities were approved quickly, but another governing the use of cargo containers was sent back to staff, as council felt the provisions were too hard on small businesses. A policy setting conditions on the use of commercial trash bins on residential property was approved. Finally, council climbed onto the bandwagon of organizations requesting that the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 be revised, or suspended in its implementation, as being too costly in the current economic climate.

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RIBBON CUTTING FOR MATTOS-INCE BUILDING IN TWENTYNINE PALMS FRIDAY
The City of Twentynine Palms is inviting the community to a ribbon cutting ceremony and reception on Friday, at 4 p.m., to celebrate the completion of an RDA renovation project on Adobe Road. The Jerry Mattos and Stephanie Ince commercial building complex, home to Steve’s Office Supply, Elektric Beach Tanning, and Williams Insurance, represents the first private-public partnership with the City in many years and is an example of what redevelopment funding was meant to accomplish in revitalizing downtown Twentynine Palms. The project features a new parking lot, upgraded building façade and signage, and desert landscaping using native plants and rocks. The renovation project utilized local contractors and included the work of two local artists, Decorative ceramic tiles for the exterior by Janet Braley and stucco work and a monument sign by Aaron Scott, both of Twentynine Palms. Removal of a blighted structure on the property and replacement of landscaping with drought-resistant material were included in the project. Refreshments will be served following the Friday ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. For more information, call the City of Twentynine Palms at 760-367-6799.

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YUCCA VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION MET, ANOTHER MARATHON NATIVE PLANT DITHERING SESSION
Yet another marathon dithering session for the Yucca Valley Planning Commission last night as they revised the native plant ordinance again! Reporter Tami Roleff was at the session and files this report. After a marathon meeting last night on the Native Plant Ordinance, the Yucca Valley Planning Commission continued its discussion and the public hearing to its next meeting on March 9. Commissioners spent 3 hours discussing—again—whether a native plant expert was necessary to oversee the transplantation of native plants. Commissioner Margo Sturges said that without an expert to supervise developers, you may as well just issue them a chainsaw. Commissioners also discussed—again—the effectiveness of tree spades versus back hoes in transplanting Joshua Trees and other native plants. Several members of the audience told the Commissioners that they have successfully moved Joshua Trees using a back hoe. Tony Culver said that if a back hoe operator takes his time digging up a Joshua Tree, 9 times out of 10 it will make it if it’s healthy when it’s moved. Mike Branning of Unique Garden Center disputed that claim, however, saying that while he’s had a 100 percent success rate moving Joshua Trees with a tree spade, trees moved with a back hoe have a 95 percent failure rate. Many residents were dismayed that the draft ordinance allows developers to mass grade lots under 2.5 acres from lot line to lot line without having to preserve any native plants on the property. The draft version of the Native Plant ordinance does offer incentives to builders to leave a portion of larger lots or projects undisturbed, although Commissioners asked staff to include a definition of "undisturbed" in the revised ordinance it will see at its next meeting. Commissioners also asked staff to include specific objectives in educational programs that developers could take to receive additional incentives for their building projects.

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NEW AMBOY FIRE STATION WILL TAKE LOAD OFF WONDER VALLEY
The County Board of Supervisors accepted the donation of two acres in Amboy yesterday to be used as a site for a new fire station. "Getting fire stations built in remote desert areas where response times can exceed an hour has been a priority of mine since taking office," said First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt. A fire station in Amboy would provide coverage on the heavily traveled Interstate 40 corridor, where there are no fire stations along the 150-mile stretch between Barstow and Needles. Response times in the Amboy area are a minimum of 1 hour 15 minutes. Fire crews that serve Amboy and I-40 must come from as far away as Wonder Valley, Needles, and even Baker, approximately two hours away on Interstate 15. A fire station in the Amboy area could provide emergency services to Amboy and along the I-40 corridor, shortening emergency response times by 30 to 45 minutes.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS WATER DISCUSSES WATER AND FIRE BUSINESS TONIGHT
The Twentynine Palms water board meets tonight in a meeting covering both water and fire business. Managing Editor Karl Gardner has details...
A change order for the Twentynine Palms Fluoride Removal Wastewater Disposal project is first up at on the docket, at this evening’s Twentynine Palms Water District board meeting, being held at district offices on Hatch Road starting at 6. Next up the board will discuss a Demonstration Garden Project, hear management reports, then go into a closed session to conference with legal council on anticipated litigation. Reconvening for Fire Department business, the board will consider amending the budget and appropriate funds for fire station improvements, and here reports from the Fire Chief and finance manager.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS CHAMBER WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBER
The Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce has announced the appointment of Twentynine Palms businesswoman Margaret Chaffer to its board of directors. Chaffer was confirmed by a unanimous vote to fill an open term. Chaffer is a principal with the Chaffer/Bloomfield Farmer’s Insurance office. Chaffer said "It would be so easy to just sit behind my desk and either watch or be complacent about our business community. Becoming a proactive community leader will give me an opportunity to focus my energy toward contributing to a positive impact on the overall business environment in our community. I am confident that as business owners we can do so much more working as a team than we can as individuals. I want to be a part of that team!" Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rob Fleck welcomed Chaffer, saying, "We are delighted to have a person of Maggie’s depth of business experience and high level of professionalism to help us guide the Chamber as we continue to revitalize and prepare for the future. For additional information about the Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce, call Executive Director Rob Fleck at 760-367-3445.

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WRITING AND PUBLISHING IN COLLEGE ROUND TABLE TONIGHT
Copper Mountain College will host a roundtable meeting tonight for budding authors. Reporter Tami Roleff has the invitation... Writing is hard work, but getting published is even harder. The Copper Mountain College Foundation is sponsoring a round table on writing and publishing tonight at 6:00 in Bruce’s Coyote Kitchen on the college campus. Writers who hope to get published one day will not want to miss this event. Round table participants will include Richard Sanchez, Byran Malessa, Les Rogers, Mari Collier, and Harry Cauley, all who have looked at publishing from various perspectives. The authors will be available after the round table session to answer questions.

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PETTING Z00 IN TWENTYNINE PALMS FOR 10 DAYS STARTING TOMORROW
The Twentynine Palms Park and Recreation Department has partnered with Hedrick's Petting Zoo, to bring an "up-close," educational program about exotic animals to the community. The Petting Zoo will be located behind the Community Services Building, 74325 Joe Davis Drive starting tomorrow through March 7th. The animals will be ready for visitors from 10 am to dark each day. Over 50 exotic animals such as a baby Zebra, Camels, Goats, Emus, American Bison and more will be featured. Admission is just $1.00 per person. Military and Law Enforcement admission is FREE with valid I.D. As a special part of the program, the Palms and Paws Animal Shelter will be at the site on Saturday, February 27th and Saturday March 6th from 10 am to 1pm with animals that are available for adoption. For additional information call 760-367-7562.

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HI-DESERT WATER DISTRICT IN SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING TONIGHT
The Hi-Desert Water Board will met in a special strategic planning session, including sewers, tonight. Managing Editor Karl Gardner has more. The Hi-Desert Water District Board of Directors meet in special session this evening to conduct a Strategic Planning Workshop. Being held at district offices 55439 Twentynine Palms Highway starting at 6, the board will review, discuss and provide direction on the 9 strategic goals for the district, ranging from the Sewage Treatment, water resource management, disaster preparedness to administrative management, and plan implementation.

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