The Mitzelfelt Memo is a periodic electronic newsletter from the office of Brad Mitzelfelt, First District Supervisor for the
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| In This Issue... | November 25, 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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County Assumes Ownership of Victor Valley Museum & Art Gallery Supervisors Extend Illegal Immigrant Inmate Screening Program County, Adelanto to Operate Joint Sheriff’s Station Mitzelfelt, Concerned by BrightSource Mega Solar Project Impacts, Calls for Full Review County Purchases Public Safety Equipment Mitzelfelt, Phelan Friends of Library Donate $30,000 for New Books Supervisors Fund Memorial for Sheriff’s Volunteers County Transfers Park Funds to Phelan Piñon Hills CSD County Distributes Share of "Bed Tax" Dollars to Local Communities Wrightwood Winter Traffic Taskforce Develops Strategic Plan Museum Program for High Desert Students Receives Funding
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County Assumes Ownership of Victor Valley Museum & Art Gallery
In a move that assures the continued operation of a High Desert cultural and educational institution, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on November 3 accepted ownership of the Victor Valley Museum and Art Gallery in Apple Valley. "I want to commend all of the volunteers, cities and local businesses who have built the Victor Valley Museum and Art Gallery into a vibrant and important institution in the Victor Valley during the past three decades," said First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, who asked the Board to support his proposal to assume ownership of the museum. "In the current economic climate, it became impossible for the museum to meet its obligations, and I was relieved when they approached me and offered to convey the museum to County ownership." The Victor Valley Museum had its origins in 1976 when local memorabilia and artifacts were gathered and displayed in various public buildings in the High Desert for the nation’s bicentennial celebration. Several individuals and community service groups expanded on this grass-roots effort and in 1987, Jess Ranch granted approximately four acres to the newly formed Victor Valley Museum Association. By 1993, the Association had constructed the 13,080-square-foot Victor Valley Museum in the Town of Apple Valley. With a decline in fundraising revenues, the museum faced the possibility of closing its doors. In July, members of the Victor Valley Museum Association approached Supervisor Mitzelfelt with a proposal to convey the museum to the County. The memorabilia and artifacts will be catalogued and the building renovated. New displays and exhibits will be developed along with new outreach and educational programs in order to bring the museum up to the accreditation standards attained by the County’s existing museum. The museum will be partially closed during that process, but the public will still have access to meeting rooms. The one-time cost to make needed improvements to the museum is estimated at $192,953, and includes costs for staff, services and supplies, operating expenses and payment of liens, escrows and outstanding loans. The County has received commitments from many financial supporters of the museum to continue their support. Contributions from businesses, residents and local government, including $15,000 from the Town of Apple Valley, along with fees for facility use and educational programs, will be used by the museum to meet ongoing operational costs, with the County contributing additional funds if necessary. Supervisors Extend Illegal Immigrant Inmate Screening Program The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on November 3 extended its agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to screen inmates in County jails for immigration violations. Due to the success of the program, the County desires to continue the program for at least three more years. "Our partnership with federal immigration officials has been an example of how working cooperatively can improve public safety by using our limited resources more efficiently," said Supervisor Mitzelfelt, who received national recognition earlier this year for expanding the program throughout the County. "Our program has resulted in the identification and deportation of thousands of illegal immigrants in our jails." On September 20, 2005, Supervisors approved the current agreement with ICE. Upon approval of that agreement, Supervisors also established a team of nine Sheriff’s Custody Specialists to perform immigration screenings of jail inmates. Those specialists attended training conducted by ICE in which they were instructed how to properly identify criminal illegal aliens in the County’s corrections system. Under the program, upon disposition of the criminal case involving a person identified as an illegal alien, the Sheriff’s Department turns the individual over to ICE for possible prosecution on federal immigration violations and/or deportation to their country of origin. During 2008, 2,359 immigration holds were placed on inmates in the County jail system. So far this year, 2,742 detainers have been placed. Another benefit to the program is that it better informs the County of costs incurred for housing immigration offenders. Because immigration offenses are federal crimes, costs for incarcerating offenders can be eligible for federal reimbursement. The County received reimbursements totaling $2,244,462 for fiscal year 2008. The County housed immigration offenders for a total of 263,708 inmate days, which was estimated to cost $15,822,480. County, Adelanto to Operate Joint Sheriff’s Station The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on November 17 approved a plan to operate a joint Sheriff’s facility with the City of Adelanto, which will consolidate administrative operations and save Adelanto more than $400,000 per year. "This is another example of how jurisdictions can work cooperatively to improve efficiency, reduce costs and improve service to the public," said Supervisor Mitzelfelt. "This will also provide our patrol deputies with a more spacious facility and free up room at the Victor Valley station in Victorville to expand operations there." Adelanto’s police services are provided by the Sheriff’s Department under a contract with the City at a cost of $4.5 million per year. It is currently a stand-alone operation, meaning all personnel at the Adelanto station serve only Adelanto. This action reduces Adelanto’s contract costs by $413,430 by eliminating a captain, a lieutenant, two sergeants and a secretary. Patrol deputies now assigned to the Victor Valley station will move to the Adelanto station at 11613 Bartlett Avenue. One set of administrative staff will oversee operations for both operations in the City and in the unincorporated areas around the Victor Valley. The 35 patrol, detective and administrative personnel moving to Adelanto will have 13,000 square feet to work in, compared to 5,000 square feet at the Victorville location. The Sheriff’s desert dispatch center will remain in Victorville and will now be able to expand. "Adelanto views this as a positive move because of the mutual benefit," said Adelanto City Manager Jim Hart. "The County saves money because it doesn’t need a new facility. The City saves money because of the joint administration, and this allows for a greater level of police service in the area." There will be an estimated $20,000 in expenditures by the County for minor upgrades to the Adelanto station, including some new carpet, changes to signage, parking lot improvements and additional lockers. Mitzelfelt, Concerned by BrightSource Mega Solar Project Impacts, Calls for Full Review The highest ranking local elected official representing the area of the proposed BrightSource Ivanpah solar project on November 13 said the mega project's environmental impacts as proposed are too great, and that its proponents should adhere to established standards of environmental scrutiny for large-scale developments. "Huge developments that level ecologically sensitive public lands must not be allowed an alternative review process that's distorted by the political agenda du jour," said Supervisor Mitzelfelt, who represents most of the Mojave Desert. "This project is planned on land that the BLM, along with a local coalition of industry and environmental groups, long ago identified as habitat for protected species," Mitzelfelt said. "This solar project in its current configuration could compromise nearly twenty years of efforts to protect habitat and appropriately grow Desert communities." Mitzelfelt, representing San Bernardino County's huge First District, said regulators will hold the habitat loss associated with the BrightSource project against other projects – including renewable energy projects in less environmentally sensitive areas closer to California labor markets – without providing offsetting economic benefits to San Bernardino County. He added that there are many renewable-energy projects he expects to support, including some solar, pending full environmental reviews. "This project would create jobs for mostly Las Vegas and electricity for mostly San Francisco at the expense of Southern California’s Mojave Desert," Mitzelfelt said. News media are reporting that the project is being "fast-tracked" through environmental reviews and that it will rely on union labor from California sources up to 200 miles away. That is as opposed to the more realistic scenario that envisions the jobs going to the Las Vegas job market, which is little more than an hour’s drive away. Mitzelfelt observed that large projects, including highways, power plants and a military base expansion in the area, typically have faced multi-agency reviews that have stretched for five years up to 20 years. "You can't be responsible here while cutting every corner," said Mitzelfelt, who added that he considers the Ivanpah project's impacts on habitat, water resources and scenic vistas "significant, unmitigatable and not worth the environmental price." County Purchases Public Safety Equipment The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on November 3 approved the purchase of several vehicles to improve safety in desert communities. "These purchases of vehicles and equipment will enable our County, including the Fire and Sheriff’s departments, to better serve our desert communities," said Supervisor Mitzelfelt. At the request of Supervisor Mitzelfelt, the Board agreed to purchase two firefighting water tenders. The Peterbilt water tenders will be purchased at a cost of $32,500 each, using federal Community Development Block Grant funds. One will be stationed at Fire Station No. 322, serving the community of Adelanto and one will be located at Fire Station No. 119, serving the community of Wonder Valley. The Board also accepted a grant from the California Department of Boating and Waterways in the amount of $80,000 for the purchase of one fiberglass patrol boat to be used on the Colorado River. The Sheriff’s Department will use $25,000 from its asset forfeiture fund to cover the balance of the $105,000 boat, which will replace a 25-year-old boat now in use. The Sheriff’s Marine Enforcement Unit at the Colorado River Station is responsible for patrolling one of the busiest recreation waterways in the nation. The Colorado River waterway, including Lake Havasu, has approximately 17 million visitors per year on the 90 miles of waterway within the County’s jurisdiction. The Sheriff’s Colorado River Station operates and maintains the necessary equipment and personnel at the Colorado River to provide enforcement of boating regulations, assistance to boaters in distress, and to conduct search, rescue and recovery operations. In a separate action, the Board agreed to purchase a street sweeper for Community Service Area 64, which serves the community of Spring Valley Lake, at a cost of $110,323. Mitzelfelt, Phelan Friends of Library Donate $30,000 for New Books At the request Supervisor Mitzelfelt, the Board of Supervisors on November 17 approved a $15,000 allocation of funds for the purchase of additional books for the Phelan Memorial Library, which is being combined with a $15,000 donation from Phelan Friends of the Library. "Phelan Memorial Library has quickly distinguished itself as a center of community activity," said Supervisor Mitzelfelt. "These additional books will serve to meet the needs of the thousands of patrons who visit the library each month." Phelan Memorial Library serves as the first stand-alone public library in the area. Previously, San Bernardino County provided library services at a 5,000 square-foot shared facility located at Serrano High School. During the moving process County Library staff conducted an audit of their book circulation and determined that the book selection would have to be expanded due to projected increases in demand. Phelan Friends of the Library immediately started a fundraising campaign for the new books and Supervisor Mitzelfelt committed to match any funds raised by the group, up to $25,000, for a potential total of $50,000. Fundraising continues and Supervisor Mitzelfelt is optimistic that another major donation can be made in the near future. "I would like to thank and commend Phelan Friends of the Library for raising $15,000 and donating it for additional books," said Mitzelfelt. "Their ability to raise such a substantial amount of money is a testament to what hard work and community involvement can do." The combined $30,000 is anticipated to be sufficient to purchase an additional 2,000 new books for the library. Approximately 8,000 people visited Phelan memorial Library in October alone, and an additional 400 library cards were issued, bringing the total to more than 1,300 since it opened in August. The computer stations are in constant use. Staff levels have been increased and the library is open 48 hours per week instead of 27 hours per week when it was located at Serrano High School. Supervisors Fund Memorial for Sheriff’s Volunteers To recognize Sheriff’s volunteers who give their lives in the line of duty, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors recently contributed $3,000 for a permanent memorial to be located in the Sheriff’s headquarters. "We have a dedicated group of citizens who donate their time to protect the public through various volunteer units in the Sheriff’s Department, from Search and Rescue to Citizens on Patrol to reserve deputies," said Supervisor Mitzelfelt. "They often go into dangerous situations and sadly, two of our Search and Rescue volunteers were killed in recent years. This memorial will serve to remind County residents of the sacrifices our volunteers make on their behalf." The Sheriff’s Department has more than 2,000 volunteers in various programs who contribute 500,000 hours each year. In July 2004, two members of the San Gorgonio Search and Rescue Team were participating in the search for a lost teenage hiker in Joshua Tree National Park. Philip Calvert, 58, of Mentone, and Scott Johnston, 30, of Redlands died when a drunken driver crossed the center line on Highway 62 and crashed into their vehicle head-on. The memorial will be black granite, 4 feet by 6 feet, with bronze features, including a volunteer badge. The names of Calvert and Johnston will be etched on the plaque and, should any other volunteers make the ultimate sacrifice, their names will be added as well. The Inland Empire Search and Rescue Council joined the Sheriff’s Volunteer Forces unit to create the Citizen Volunteer Memorial Committee, which decided on the design and location for the memorial and worked on fundraising for the past two years. The group raised $5,000. The contribution by the Board of Supervisors allows the purchase of the memorial to go forward. "On behalf of all 2,000 volunteers in San Bernardino County, I would like to thank the Board of Supervisors for their contribution," said Dave Nicolet, director of the Inland Empire Search and Rescue Council. The group hopes to dedicate the memorial early next year. "I’m proud the Board of Supervisors is supporting this effort to honor these two brave men and any other volunteers who may fall in the line of duty," Supervisor Mitzelfelt said. County Transfers Park Funds to Phelan Piñon Hills CSD The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on November 3 transferred $600,000 in state park funds to the Phelan Piñon Hills Community Services District, which will enable the CSD to buy park land and expand an existing park. "The Phelan Piñon Hills CSD was established to give power over the creation and expansion of parks to the local citizens," said Supervisor Mitzelfelt, who represents the area. "It’s exciting that these funds can be used to buy land for future parks that will improve the quality of life of residents of Phelan and Piñon Hills." The funds were made available from the Proposition 40 parks and recreation bond program, approved by state voters in 2002. The County in 2005 originally received nearly $3.6 million under one part of the bond program and had set aside $600,000 for park projects in the Phelan and Piñon Hills area. With the creation of the CSD in 2008, which included authority over parks and recreation, the County began a process to transfer the state grant funds to the CSD. The CSD plans to use the money to buy an 80-acre parcel on Sheep Creek Road and a separate 55-acre acre parcel on Johnson Road for future development as parks. Some funds will also be used to expand the existing park in Piñon Hills. County Distributes Share of “Bed Tax” Dollars to Local Communities The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on November 3 distributed $260,000 to chambers of commerce in unincorporated communities to promote tourism and recreation, including nearly $30,000 to High Desert chambers. "Our mountain and desert communities have numerous cultural and recreational destinations that are known throughout the world," said Supervisor Mitzelfelt. "These funds will help the chambers in their efforts in attracting tourists who bring much-needed economic activity to the region." The funding, which comes from transient occupancy taxes collected from hotels, motels and other lodging facilities, is distributed on a formula based on the revenues generated in the chambers’ service areas. Each entity will develop a scope of work describing their tourism campaign and how the funds will be spent. At the end of the fiscal year, the entities will be required to provide a follow-up report describing the results of their tourism program. Additionally, when it is applicable, the County will require that each entity coordinate its tourism program with other local tourism agencies and chambers of commerce to ensure consistent marketing and branding messages, fostering regional cooperation, increasing economies of scale and better leveraging transient occupancy tax dollars when developing their marketing plans. The First District chambers receiving funding are:
Wrightwood Winter Traffic Taskforce Develops Strategic Plan A taskforce created to address winter traffic problems in the Wrightwood area recently held its final planning meeting before the beginning of the winter season. The group made several recommendations for improving traffic flow in and out of the winter resort community. "I would like to thank everyone involved in this effort, including the agencies, local businesses and residents," said Supervisor Mitzelfelt, who represents the area and who worked with Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich to lead the coalition’s efforts. "Wrightwood, with its beautiful mountain setting, is an ideal location for recreation, especially during the winter. However, this must be balanced with the need to ensure a smooth flow of visitors in and out of town. Last year, the taskforce’s recommendations improved traffic flow, and I’m hopeful that we can continue that trend." The taskforce was formed last year after local businesses and residents voiced concerns to the offices of Supervisors Mitzelfelt and Antonovich regarding severe traffic congestion, parking issues and overcrowding that occurred last winter. The Supervisors’ offices responded jointly by forming a working group of government agencies, community groups and local business people and residents to develop solutions to the concerns. Members of the group include several federal, state and county agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, California Highway Patrol, CalTrans, several county agencies from both Los Angeles and San Bernardino County, including the Sheriff’s Department, Public Works, the Fire Department, and the Office of Emergency Services. Several local community groups also participated, including the Wrightwood Communications Group, Disaster Preparedness Group, CERT Team, Property Owners Association, and Fire Safe Council as well members of the Chamber of Commerce and representatives from Mountain High Ski Resort. Some recommendations discussed by the group include: - Improving signage along SR-2 and using existing changeable message signs to inform the public of traffic congestion or alternate routes. - Intensifying traffic enforcement efforts during peak periods, possibly including chain and towing enforcement. - Improving public information efforts, including the use of the local AM 1610 radio station. Museum Program for High Desert Students Receives Funding The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on November 17 accepted grant funding that will allow the County museum to provide educational and outreach programs to High Desert schools. "This funding will allow the museum to reach our High Desert young people with interesting programs that will get them excited about science and the natural world," said Supervisor Mitzelfelt. "I would like to thank the San Bernardino County Museum Association and The Community Foundation for this generous gift." The Board agreed to accept $8,100 from the Museum Association for programs at 20 to 30 schools in the High Desert, reaching 200 to 300 students at each location. The programs are entitled, “Call of the Sea” and “All About Bugs.” Up to 6,000 students and residents are expected to be served by the educational programs. The funding originated with The Community Foundation, a non-profit charity founded in 1941, which serves San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Based on the previous success of the County Museum’s High Desert educational outreach, the Foundation once again decided to fund the programs through the Museum Association. |
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