Special Districts - more information

The issue of forming a CSD, or Community Services District, came up at Saturday's community meeting on forming a Paid Call Firefighter program.

Wonder Valley is an unincorporated area under the governance of the County of San Bernardino, and 3rd District Supervisor James Ramos, in particular. The advisory council for Wonder Valley, and the eight other unincorporated communities in Morongo Basin is The Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council, or the MAC. Your MAC representative is me, Teresa Sitz. This is a voluntary position. I filled out an application and was appointed.

Wonder Valley also has a few special districts. We are a CSA - County Service Area 70M for three different services: roads and parks and television. We are also FP 4, or Fire Protection area 4 and that was created for our assessment of $34.10. Right now our property tax and FP 4 assessment are not covering the costs of our fire and emergency services which is why we're working with the County to find a solution. The agency that administers our CSA and disburses the funds is San Bernardino Special Districts. We invited them to visit us and report at the July 2015 Community Meeting. At that time they presented us with the budgets for the roads and parks.

A CSD is a Community Service District. Various people in the community have suggested we look into forming a CSD for fire and emergency services as this would give us direct control, through a five member local board. Morongo Valley has a CSD for their fire and emergency services. Donna Munoz and Gayl Swarat are on that board. Gayl Swarat is also the MAC rep for Morongo Valley.

All local forms of government are formed through LAFCO - Local Agency Formation Commission. They make sure everything is put together correctly and also audit the CSDs to make sure moneys are being spent properly and that CSDs have enough revenue to continue working successfully.

I'm looking in to putting together a meeting about CSDs. In the meantime I found this online booklet at LAFCO about CSDs. It's highly skim-able though I suggest reading the whole thing to get a better sense of what this is all about. Wonder Valley will need many fully informed community members to ask important questions and to help those who don't have the time to do the research, due to work and family demands and other demands on their time, to  better understand what we are facing.

What’s So Special About Special Districts? (Fourth Edition)
Senate Local Government Committee, October 2010

If you're short on time, skip to:

page 13 - advantages and disadvantages of special districts
page 14 - how to form a special district

Check out LAFCO's Publications for more information on special districts and other topics.

By the way, if you've taken the time to read through this I want to tell you how much I appreciate your efforts. I admire the independent spirit of the people in Wonder Valley and understanding how our local government works is an important step in preserving that spirit. Thank you.

Teresa Sitz
MAC Delegate
Wonder Valley

Luncheon with Supervisor James Ramos in Joshua Tree

Third District (us) Supervisor James Ramos met with constituents today at the San Bernardino County Building on White Feather. About 100 people were in attendance and Ramos made his best effort to speak with everyone individually.

Mark Lundquist (above left), Ramos' new field aide and the Chair of the Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council, attended, as well as many members of the MAC, including me (Teresa Sitz, Wonder Valley).

It was a nice event. I apologize that I didn't notify you of it - I only just found out about it yesterday. I have no idea how this one slipped past me. Thanks, Almut Fleck, for the heads up!

MAC Agenda - September 14, 2015

Download the agenda - 09142015
Download the minutes - 08102015

Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council

To Third District Supervisor James C. Ramos

AGENDA

Regular Open Session Meeting – 6:30 P.M. Monday September 14, 2015

Joshua Tree Community Center, 6171 Sunburst Ave., Joshua Tree, CA  92252

1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call: Seat 1: Pioneertown: Vacant; Seat 2: Yucca Mesa, Tom Ziegert; Seat 3: Landers: Richard Lutringer; Seat 4: Joshua Tree, Mark Lundquist; Seat 5: Flamingo Heights, Lib Koenig; Seat 6: Desert Heights: Pat Flanagan; Seat 7: Wonder Valley, Teresa Sitz; Seat 8: Morongo Valley, Gayle Swarat; Seat 9: Copper Mountain Mesa, Mary Helen Tuttle
4. Adoption of Agenda
5. Approval of minutes from August 10, 2015.
6. Call for Public Comment
   At this time, anyone may comment on items not on the agenda that are of interest to the public and within the jurisdiction of the MAC.  The MAC is prohibited by law from taking action on matters not on the agenda.  Comment may be offered on items on the agenda when those items come up for discussion or action.  A limit of 3 comments per item and 3 minutes per comment may be imposed.  In all cases, if you wish to speak, please submit a REGISTRATION CARD to the SECRETARY and proceed to the podium when recognized by the Chair.  Speakers should address the MAC as a whole; comments to individual delegates and/or staff are not appropriate for this venue.
7. Public Safety Reports
   A. County Fire
   B. CHP
   C. Sheriff’s Department
8. PRESENTATIONS
   A. Frazier Haney will present new and exciting events happening at the Mojave Desert Land Trust.
   B. Mark Goodale will present an overview of the Morongo Basin Transit Authority to include a proposed plan to provide transportation to the Joshua Tree National Park.
9. Community Reports
10. Adjournment:

San Bernardino County is committed to ensuring persons with disabilities are provided the resources to participate fully in public meetings.  If you require disability-related modifications or accommodations, including auxiliary aid or services, contact the BOS office at least three business days prior to the meeting.

Municipal Advisory Council AGENDA for August 10, 2015

MAC Agenda, August 10, 2015
https://www.dropbox.com/s/jc7ddf2phqgkbsp/mac_08102015.pdf?dl=0

Everyone is invited and welcome to attend and participate. (This means YOU, Wonder Valley!)

Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council
To Third District Supervisor James C. Ramos
AGENDA
Regular Open Session Meeting – 6:30 P.M. Monday August 10, 2015
Joshua Tree Community Center, 6171 Sunburst Ave., Joshua Tree, CA  92252

A.      Call to Order

B.      Pledge of Allegiance

C.      Roll Call: Seat 1: Pioneertown: Vacant; Seat 2: Yucca Mesa, Vacant; Seat 3: Landers: Richard Lutringer; Seat 4: Joshua Tree, Mark Lundquist; Seat 5: Flamingo Heights, Lib Koenig; Seat 6: Desert Heights: Pat Flanagan; Seat 7: Wonder Valley, Teresa Sitz; Seat 8: Morongo Valley, Gayle Swarat; Seat 9: Copper Mountain Mesa, Mary Helen Tuttle

D.      Adoption of Agenda

E.       Swearing in of new member: Seat 2: Yucca Mesa, Tom Ziegert

F.       Approval of minutes from June 13, 2015.

G.     Call for Public Comment
At this time, anyone may comment on items not on the agenda that are of interest to the public and within the jurisdiction of the MAC.  The MAC is prohibited by law from taking action on matters not on the agenda.  Comment may be offered on items on the agenda when those items come up for discussion or action.  A limit of 3 comments per item and 3 minutes per comment may be imposed.  In all cases, if you wish to speak, please submit a REGISTRATION CARD to the SECRETARY and proceed to the podium when recognized by the Chair.  Speakers should address the MAC as a whole; comments to individual delegates and/or staff are not appropriate for this venue.

H.      Public Safety Reports

1.       County Fire

2.       CHP

3.       Sheriff’s Department

I.        PRESENTATION
Cindy Lopez, B.A., Program Manager, Mental Health Systems, will present information on the Kinship Support Services Programs.

J.        Community, Officer & Committee Reports

K.      Adjournment

San Bernardino County is committed to ensuring persons with disabilities are provided the resources to participate fully in public meetings.  If you require disability-related modifications or accommodations, including auxiliary aid or services, contact the BOS office at least three business days prior to the meeting.

MAC Agenda and Draft Minutes posted

The Wonder Valley Community meets at the Wonder Valley Community Center on July 13 at 9 a.m. with their MAC Delegate, Teresa Sitz.

All nine of the delegates of the Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) meet Monday, July 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Joshua Tree Community Center, 6171 Sunburst Avenue in Joshua Tree. The public is invited and welcome to attend.

MAC Agenda for July 13, 2015: http://bit.ly/07132015MAC
MAC Minutes for June 8, 2015: http://bit.ly/06082015MACMINUTES

Wonder Valley, last weekend. Photo credit: Teresa Sitz

MAC Notes for Wonder Valley, June 8, 2015

MAC* NOTES for Wonder Valley, June 8, 2015

1. Call to order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call:Pioneer Town – Vacant; Yucca Mesa – Elizabeth KARMAN – absent; Landers – Vacant; Joshua Tree – Mark LUNDQUIST – present; Flamingo Heights – Lib KOENIG – present; Desert Heights – Pat FLANAGAN – present; Wonder Valley – Teresa SITZ – present; Morongo Valley – Gayl SWARAT – present; Copper Mountain Mesa – Mary Helen TUTTLE – present.
4. Adoption of the Agenda – unanimous
5. Approval of the Minutes from May 11, 2015 – unanimous
6. Call for Public Comment
   A. Ed Vallerand – status of the Desert Heights Fire Department
   B. Al Marchese – agreement between Joshua Basin Water District and Hi-Desert Medical Center
   C. Thomas Fjallstam– burglaries and ADA lawsuits against small businesses
   D. Tom O’Key – bobcats and public comment at the Board of Supervisors on WEMO
   E. David Ficke – Noah Purifoy at LACMA
   F. Almut Fleck – Diane Feinstein’s desert preservation bill and OHVs
   G. Teresa Sitz – no dumping signs
7. Public Safety Reports
   A. County Fire – John Chamberlain, Division Chief, South Desert
   It’s fire season – open fires are illegal. Call 911 if you see an open fire and a truck will be dispatched. Permits are required for fire pits. Barbecues, like in Webers, are permitted.
   B. CHP – Joan Griffin
   Be prepared with summer driving. Carry water and extra supplies. You don’t want to break down east of Twentynine Palms. (Yep! She actually said that!) She said to call Code Enforcement for dumping, that they have been tracking people down and citing them.
   C. Sheriff’s Department – Captain Mondary. There were 10 burglaries in April and 6 auto thefts. He suggested talking the following steps to reduce burglaries:
   - Keep your doors and windows locked.
   - Leave your lights on at night or use motion detectors.
   - Know your neighbors. Watch out for each other.
   - Start a Neighborhood Watch.
   - Keep detailed notes on anything suspicious – day, time, descriptions,etc.
   - Invest in an alarm.
   - Invest in a security system.
8. Presentation – Drought 101, Marina West, General Manager of the Bighorn Desert View Water Agency, http://www.bdvwa.org/about-us/agency-staff/
   The presentation focused on state mandated water cutbacks for residents and how desert communities and disadvantaged communities, who have already drastically cut back, may be unable to cut back further. A one-size-fits-all approach to water conversation may not yield the biggest water savings.
9. Community, Officer and Committee Reports
   My Wonder Valley Report is posted at:
   http://wondervalleycsa.blogspot.com/2015/06/mac-report-for-wonder-valley-monday.html
10. Adjournment.

* The MAC is the Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council. Nine delegates represent nine unincorporated communities including Copper Mountain Mesa, Desert Heights, Flamingo Heights, Joshua Tree, Landers, Morongo Valley, Pioneertown, Wonder Valley, and Yucca Mesa. The council advises San Berndardino Supervisor James Ramos, 3rd District.

MAC Report for Wonder Valley, Monday, June 8, 2015

I attended the MAC* meeting Monday night and read the following report for Wonder Valley. I'd read it earlier in the day at the Meet 'n' Greet at the Wonder Valley Community Center. - Teresa Sitz

MONTHLY MAC REP REPORT: June 8, 2015

It was a busy month for Wonder Valley.

The new quarterly publication Desert Oracle was featured in the LA Times on May 29. Wonder Valley was mentioned, as well as Joshua Tree.

One May 23rd Wonder Valley hosted a public meeting on the BLM’s WEMO Plan. Pat Flanagan gave her presentation. Thank you, Pat. There were 36 people in attendance. Lots of locals volunteered to put the event together. It was a great opportunity to bring together the old timers, those who have lived here since the 50s and 60s, with the newcomers, those who have only lived here 10 or 20 years.

Memorial Day weekend saw an influx of tourists in Wonder Valley for two exciting events. About 60 people gathered at Iron Age Road for a High Desert Test Sites event: Carmen Argote’s Vast Furniture. There was a lecture and an art exhibit, a potluck and camping.

Later that night artist Diane Best screened three of her movies at the Palms as part of Boxoproject’s Joshua Tree-enial. Around 200 people filled the outdoor patio, under a beautiful starry sky and watched Best’s movies accompanied by Reverend Screaming Fingers, Artemis and Wonder Valley’s own, The Renderers.

On June 6 there was a reception celebrating the 6th anniversary of the Glass Outhouse Gallery. Artists included Janet Cole, Christine Lamb and Olive Tosconi. The Luminators provided music.

A couple of neighbors and I met with Sergeant Millard and Specialist Robert Anderson at the Sheriff’s Department last Monday to address ongoing issues in Wonder Valley. We plan to schedule a public safety meeting soon to start a Neighborhood Watch.

We had a Meet and Greet this morning and 14 neighbors attended. We are digitizing photographs of Wonder Valley in the 1970s for an online community photo album.

I also had postcards printed publicizing the Wonder Valley website. They’re available at the front.

Thank you.

* The MAC is the Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council. Nine delegates represent nine unincorporated communities including Copper Mountain Mesa, Desert Heights, Flamingo Heights, Joshua Tree, Landers, Morongo Valley, Pioneertown, Wonder Valley, and Yucca Mesa. The council advises San Berndardino Supervisor James Ramos, 3rd District.

MAC Meeting - Monday, May 11, 2015

Hello, Wonder Valley!

I went to my second MAC (Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council) meeting last night and picked up my business cards - thanks, Gayl!  What follows is my take on the meeting – UNOFFICIAL in every way, and I invite correction for anything I got wrong.

Review the meeting for yourself, on YouTube on Bob Stepheson's channel.

Call to order: 6:30 p.m. by Chair Mark Lundquist

Roll Call: 5 members present = quorum. Mark LUNDQUIST, Joshua Tree; Lib KOENIG, Flamingo Heights; Pat FLANAGAN, Desert Heights; Teresa SITZ, Wonder Valley; Mary Helen TUTTLE, Copper Mountain MesaAdoption of the Agenda and Approval of Minutes from April 13, 2015

Public Comment:
David FICK: spoke on Dollar General in Joshua Tree, that they have filed a notice to prepare an EIR. The comment period is open from May 8 through June 9. Asked that the MAC prepare a resolution to vote on for the June 8 meeting. Issues attached to the Dollar General have to do with traffic, the Joshua Tree Plan, and urban decay. If one is overturned they’ll all be overturned.

Donna LANDRY: Suspects that money is at the root of the BLM’s WEMO Plan and suggested that we “follow the money.”

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS
COUNTY FIRE
Mike SNOW, Batallion Chief of San Bernardino spoke. He was married on March 27 so has been away. He said that in April there were 242 responses: 6 fires, 105 medical aid, 22 calls of service (cats in trees type of stuff), 39 good intent investigations (like smoke scares), 4 false alarms and 1 miscellaneous (undetermined).  He said we are in the vegetative fire season and suggested we maintain a 30’ vegetative clearance around our properties in the flats, more on the hillsides.

CHP
Joan GRIFFIN said that tomorrow is the first day of the nationwide “Click it or ticket” campaign regarding seatbelt compliance. A first ticket for not wearing a seatbelt is $142 for an adult and $445 for a child. The Age Well drivers course is taking place. Seniors 55 and over can sign up for the free course. There is no driving test. Some insurance companies may offer a reduction in rates for those who take the course.

SB SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
Captain Dale MONDARY is being hired by Desert Hot Springs. His last day here is June 12. He will be at the next MAC meeting. No word yet on who is taking his place.
Almut FLECK asked about the arrest of Pastor Stephen Burns who was recently charged with terrorist threat.
MONDARY could not comment on the ongoing investigation.
Teresa SITZ (I) asked about the charge of “terrorist threat,” that I associated the term “terrorist” with terrorism and wondered how the term became associated with “threat” which is a crime as it is.
MONDARY said it originated with the legislature and that it had been problematic. Minorities had been beaten in jail when others incarcerated learned they’d been charged with “terroristic threat.” He believes it may have since been changed to “criminal threat” and will look into making sure they are using the correct term.

ACTION ITEM – Approved unanimously.

MAC Resolution 013, May 11, 2015
https://www.dropbox.com/s/pz6sg7nbyjb3zjj/mac013_resolution.pdf?dl=0

COMMUNITY, OFFICER and COMMITTEE REPORTS
Teresa SITZ, Wonder Valley The Wonder Valley Well Owners Association met on Sunday, May 3 with 28 people in attendance. Clarence Chambers, president, spoke on the state of wells in our area, water levels remaining unchanged. He advised people to secure a small generator, pump and tank so they would have access to their water in the event of an electrical outage.

The neighbors then moved to the topic of community safety. I was able to speak on efforts to arrange a meeting with the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department who have agreed to come address various issues including dumping, crime, Citizens on Patrol and setting up a Neighborhood Watch.

Kip’s Hi-Desert Book Club met Monday, May 4^th at my house and many of our Wonder Valley neighbors attended.

We had a Meet and Greet this morning at the Community Center with 7 people attending. Many issues were discussed.

The Neighbors of Wonder Valley will meet on Saturday, May 23, at 11:00 a.m. for a presentation on the WEMO Plan given by Pat Flanagan. Everyone is invited and welcome to attend. I am distressed to see a new ORV route adjacent to my own property, fronting 10 acres of pristine BLM desert with intact desert pavement. The BLM is unwilling to answer questions regarding this route. I urge everyone to write and send their letters before June 4^th.

Issues of crime, dumping, access to social services, road safety and access to representatives top the list of community concerns.

My own goal is to raise the profile of Wonder Valley. I am blessed to have met many of my neighbors and find them to be some of the finest people I have met anywhere. We have world-class musicians, artists, academics, engineers, and fine retired folks living in our area. They embody the pioneer spirit of independence and interdependence, resilience and creativity that formed this area into a community so many decades ago. I count myself very fortunate to live in Wonder Valley.

I’m also happy to see that WV attendance at this meeting has doubled – thank you almut and donna for attending.

Thank you.

ADJOURN 7:30 p.m.

MAC Meeting, Monday, May 11, 2015

Dear Neighbors,

You are all cordially invited and welcome 

to attend and participate in the

Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council Meeting

Monday May 11, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.

Joshua Tree Community Center

6171 Sunburst Avenue, Joshua Tree, California, 92252

Documents for the meeting are attached below.
MAC Agenda, May 11, 2015
MAC Resolution 013, May 11, 2015, addressing the BLM WEMO Plan
MAC Resolution 013, Attachment, May 11, 2015
MAC Draft Minutes, April 13, 2015

The Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council Meeting represents the unincorporated communities of Wonder Valley, Joshua Tree, Landers, Pioneertown, Yucca Mesa, Flamingo Heights, Desert Heights, Morongo Valley, and Copper Mountain Mesa, reporting to San Bernardino County Supervisor James Ramos, District 3.

Upcoming Community Events

Upcoming Events

Monday, May 11, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Meet and Greet with MAC Delegate Teresa Sitz
Wonder Valley Community Center
80526 Amboy Road, Wonder Valley, 92277

Saturday, May 23, 11:00 a.m.
WEMO (WEst MOjave) Plan
a presentation with MAC delegate Pat Flanagan
Questions and answers to follow.
Wonder Valley Community Center
80526 Amboy Road, Wonder Valley, 92277

Please see:
BLM West Mojave Plan - IMPORTANT, please review
http://wondervalleycsa.blogspot.com/2015/04/blm-west-mojave-plan-important-please.html

New OHV Routes in Wonder Valley - ADJACENT to Private Land
http://wondervalleycsa.blogspot.com/2015/04/new-ohv-routes-in-wonder-valley.html

Everyone is invited and welcome to attend and participate in these events.

I'm still working with the Sheriff's Department to arrange a meeting to discuss the formation of a Neighborhood Watch and other issues.

MAC Meeting - March 9, 2015

MAC Meeting, March 9, 2015

Hello, Wonder Valley!

I went to my first MAC (Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council) meeting last night and was sworn in as your representative.  What follows is my take on the meeting – UNOFFICIAL in every way, and I invite correction for anything I got wrong.

If you’d like to review the meeting for yourself, it’s on YouTube at:

In attendance were Elizabeth KARMAN (Yucca Mesa); Mark LUNDQUIST (Joshua Tree, who served as Chair); Pat FLANAGAN (Desert Heights); Gayl SWARAT (Morongo Valley); Mary Helen TUTTLE (Copper Mountain Mesa); Lib KOENIG (Flamingo Heights); Teresa SITZ (Wonder Valley). Two seats, Pioneertown and Landers, remain vacant.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Bob KARMAN, Yucca Mesa, spoke about the mission and goals of the MAC
Tom O’KEY, Joshua Tree, spoke about Earth Hour on March 28 – turn out your lights from 8:30-9:30 p.m. and graffiti in the Park.
David FICK, Joshua Tree, spoke about unfinished projects on which Mike LIPSITZ had been working.
Greg GILBERT advocated for a bicycle path along Highway 62.
Gary BENEDICT commented on how dangerous driving on Highway 62 can be and advocated for bicycle lanes.
Deb BOLLINGER, Morongo BasinConservation Association, urged everyone to destroy Sahara mustard, an invasive non-native plant, growing anywhere they see it.

Sahara mustard looks very much like the plant pictured here and competes with our beautiful native spring wild flowers. A single plant may produce thousands of seeds. If the plant you pull has seed pods, dispose of it in a sealed black plastic trash bag.

If you’d like to make a comment or ask a question you are welcome to come to the next meeting, Monday, April 13, 2015 at 6:30 p.m., or you can send your comment or question to me at teresa.sitz@gmail.com and I’ll share your concern or try to get your question answered.


REPORTS
California Highway Patrol
Lieutenant Eric ROBLES cautioned the audience about inattentive driving, obeying the speed limit and wearing seat belts.

Sheriff’s Department
Captain Dale MONDRAY spoke of Sheriff McMahon’s 4-year plan.
Almut FLECK, Wonder Valley, asked about the priority of sheriff’s calls.
Captain MONDRAY said the highest priority is emergencies, crimes in progress and major traffic accidents. The second priority is recent calls, crimes not in progress. The third priority is for crimes against vacation properties and identity theft. The fourth priority is non-emergency – telephone harassment, loud music, barking dogs, and we later learned – off-road vehicle violations.

PRESENTATIONS

Haissam YAHYA presented on the CALTRANS Highway 62 continuous left turn lane project. I will post links to materials that he brought with him when his department sends them to me. The project does not extend into Wonder Valley. I asked if the project would require power poles to be moved (no), if shoulders would be paved (yes), and if it were possible to include bicycle lanes in the project (no – bike lanes are a city mandate, not Cal Trans).

Sergeant Rick MILLARD, San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, presented on off-road vehicle (ORV) safety. The department applies for and receives a grant each year for ORV safety and enforcement.  There are 6 trained deputies, 3 – XL 650 dirt bikes, a Chevy Tahoe and a Dodge pickup. The officers travel in pairs.

Last year the SBSD had 433 contacts with ORV riders, gave 37 warnings, and wrote 10 citations.

ORV calls are “cold crimes,” against property and are priority 4, though he said that they will always come check them out. It’s important to record as much information as possible – describe the vehicle, the rider and the direction they were going. They also work proactively in known hot spots.

It is against the law to ride without a helmet, to carry passengers, to ride at night without lights, to ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or for any child under the age of 16 to ride on an ORV.

It’s important to post NO TRESPASSING signs on your property. It’s also important to REPORT any crime, especially in areas which are not often patrolled. Wonder Valley got a shout out for reporting the most ORV violations which has caused the SBSD to focus most of their attention here.

To report ORV violations call the NON-emergency line at the Sheriff’s Department at: (760) 366-3781 or (760) 245-4211. You are also encouraged to report to Code Enforcement and to the BLM.

ACTION ITEM
The MAC unanimously passed a motion approving a resolution against the BOWMAN SOLAR PROJECT in Landers. The SB Board of Supervisors will meet on this issue on May 5. You may attend and comment at this meeting via video conference at the Bob Burke Government Center, 63665 Twentynine Palms Highway, in Joshua Tree.

COMMUNITY, OFFICER and COMMITTEE REPORTS
Teresa SITZ, Wonder Valley, I reported that I had created this blog and was very happy to be on the council and to serve the people of Wonder Valley.
Elizabeth KRAMER reported on solar projects and asked that we agendize an item forbidding new solar and wind projects in the area.
Lib KOENIG, Flamingo Heights, also newly sworn in, said she was happy to serve the community.
Mark LUNDQUIST, Joshua Tree, reported that the project is requesting 9.8 million gallons of water for the project and this is probably an underestimation.
Gayle SWARAT, Morongo Valley, is working with the community to raise funds for a new fire engine.
Mary Helen TUTTLE, Copper Mountain Mesa, reported on the homeless count – 150, stating that there are likely more that did not want to be counted.
Pat FLANAGAN, Desert Heights, gave a report on ORV deaths. Last year 62 children died, 25,000 were injured and went to the emergency room.

Morongo Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC)

Wonder Valley CSA 70 (Community Service Area) is an unincorporated rural community in San Bernardino County, CA. It is about 10 miles east of Twentynine Palms. Technically it is a road district consisting of about 180 miles of road.

James Ramos is the County Supervisor for District 3 - our district.

The Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) advises County Supervisor Ramos on issues in the unincorporated communities in the Basin. Teresa Sitz is the MAC delegate for Wonder Valley.

Read about the "Big MAC" in the Hi-Desert Star: Basin-wide advisory council takes oath of office