If you guys are here this evening and
wish to provide public comment, if you
could please fill out a speaker card if
you haven't already done so.
Welcome and good evening everyone. Today
is Thursday, January 8th, 2026 and the
time is 6 pm. The special meeting of the
following will come to order. The
Victorville City Council and the same
council sitting as the Victorville
Library Board of Trustees. The Southern
California Logistics Airport Authority.
Successor Agency to the Redevelopment
Agency. The city as a housing asset
successor. Joint Powers Finance
Authority and the Victorville Water
District. Madame Clerk, will you kindly
call the role?
>> Council member Godam
» Council member Godam
>> here. Council member Irving,
» here. Council member Irving,
>> present. Council member Mora is absent.
» present. Council member Mora is absent.
Mayor Prom Herman
>> here.
» here.
>> Mayor Bisera
» Mayor Bisera
>> here.
» here.
>> We have quorum.
» We have quorum.
>> Thank you. At this time, will you please
» Thank you. At this time, will you please
stand for invocation or pledge of
allegiance? The invocation tonight will
be led by our pastor Josh Gerbot from
Victorville's First Assembly of God. And
the pledge will be led by Captain
Davenport.
» Thank you. I see you again, mayor.
Let's pray. God, thank you for a
beautiful night. Thank you for our city.
Lord, I think about our city as
established so many years ago. All the
people that are a part of it, the
families, Lord, the kids. I just pray,
God, tonight, Lord, your protection upon
our city, Lord, that your guidance on
our city economically, Lord,
politically, Lord, socially, Lord, that
you would continue to guide us. Lord, I
pray for our city council tonight, for
our mayor, Lord, and the city council
members, Lord, that you'd give them
wisdom tonight, that you would guide
them, Lord, that every decision would be
made uh for your glory. So, pray your
blessings on this evening and on this
meeting and all that's here in the name
of Jesus. Amen.
>> Amen.
» Place your right hand over your heart.
Ready? Begin. I pledge allegiance to the
flag of the United States of America and
to the republic for which it stands. One
nation under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all.
» Thank you, Madame Clerk. Will you
present the agenda and any revisions
there, too?
>> Thank you, Madam Mayor. There are no
» Thank you, Madam Mayor. There are no
revisions to the agenda this evening.
I will call for conflict of interest
from any of my council members. None.
None. We will move on to item one,
written communication. City's position
on the county of Sanino's proposed
comprehensive treatment campus project.
Mr. Medro, would you kindly introduce
this item?
>> Thank you, Madame Mayor, and members of
» Thank you, Madame Mayor, and members of
the council. Uh, this item involves a
resolution memorializing a position of
opposition to a project being undertaken
by the county of Sanernardino upon uh
upon approximately 29 acres of property
owned by it at the southeast corner of
Palmdale and Cobalt Road with Silverado
High School and Cobalt Institute of Math
and Science to the west uh and Laura
Middle School uh to the south. Uh on the
site currently, the county contracts
with the Phoenix House of California to
operate a 66 bed drug and alcohol
treatment facility. Uh the county
recently commenced construction of a
significant expansion as the current
construction project is adding
approximately 144 beds uh which will
provide additional support services
including a youth psychiatric res
residential treatment uh adult and youth
residential substance use disorder
treatment, adult and youth outpatient
substance use disorder treatment,
withdrawal management and outpatient
wellness center services. Uh altogether
the project will increase bed capacity
to 210 which to make this uh scale
relatable is just shy of the region's uh
largest hospital the 213 bed St. Mary's
Hospital uh in Apple Valley. Uh in
addition to what is under construction,
the county has applied for additional
state funding that could further
increase their bed and chair count by 72
for the following services. a
psychiatric health including acute care
crisis intervention and involuntary 5150
holds an adult social rehab uh and 247
crisis stabilization units and a
sobering center. So why are we here? Uh
first I think it's important to
recognize uh that Victorville and thei
and the entire high desert has a need uh
for these supportive services and the
county should be applauded for their
effort to address our community need. Uh
however, considering the approach the
county took to advance this project
forward, uh it's certainly not
reflective of a good governance
approach. I can say that because I've
reviewed enough of a chronology of
events uh to cause me to believe that
the county wasn't entirely forthcoming
uh with the city about its intentions
with this property, ignored our requests
about what planning and public noticing
process it would be following and failed
to answer specific questions raised by
council members at a December 10th, 2025
community forum. Uh interestingly, the
community forum was the first attempt
seen by this city uh staff where uh the
county attempted to do community
outreach uh despite the fact that the
county had already approved its
environmental document on November 4th,
2025 and construction had already
started. Uh with all that said, the
county's preempt authority allows them
to do what they did. However, that does
not make what they did right. Good
governance would have more likely looked
like a formal invitation to affected
public agencies such as the city, such
as the high school district, such as the
residents. It would have in invited
residents in the surrounding areas to
provide input. Uh because none of that
happened, we didn't have an opportunity
to suggest pursuing an alternative
location. We didn't have an opportunity
to determine if the project was going to
fiscally impact the public services
already provided to the city and by this
city. uh we didn't have an opportunity
to truly weigh the pros uh and the cons
of this project. Uh before I conclude,
uh before you tonight is a resolution
officially opposing phase one and phase
two of the project just described to you
uh and that opposition remain intact
until such a time that we are satisfied
that the project has been relocated to a
more suitable location. is also it also
opposes any opposes any uh proposed
countywide sobering center unless and
until potential impacts to our public
services can be uh mitigated and that we
oppose counties related funding efforts
until meaningful public engagement uh
has uh occurred at this time. Madame
Mayor, I do believe Miss Diane Rundles,
assistant CEO for the county, has a
brief presentation and following her is
Mr. Carl Kohl's, the Victor Valley Union
High School District Superintendent.
This item has been authored by your
deputy city manager, uh, Mr. Scott Webb,
both he and I, after the presentations,
we'll remain available for any questions
or comments you might have.
>> Thank you, sir. So, at this time, it's
» Thank you, sir. So, at this time, it's
my understanding that the county would
like to make a presentation regarding
this item.
Good evening, Madame Mayor and members
of council as well as leadership within
the city. My name is Diane Rundles. I'm
assistant executive officer with the
county and I appreciate the opportunity
to speak about this project today.
Our goal today is to clarify the scope
of this project and address any
questions you may have. We look forward
to a thoughtful discussion and
meaningful engagement as we work
together to ensure the needs of
Victorville residents are met.
The St. John of God Healthcare Services
Center has served this region providing
withdrawal management services and
residential treatment since 1985
without disruption to surrounding
neighborhoods and is actively providing
these services today. This history shows
that well-managed facilities can coexist
peacefully and even strengthen
communities. The initial purpose of the
comprehensive treatment campus was to
provide diverse levels of treatment and
care for individuals with with substance
use disorders.
Scope is now expanding to include
diverse levels of treatment for
individuals with mental health concerns,
but the intensity of operations does not
increase. By having added options for
treatment, the campus broadens the
staff's ability to provide more levels
of care. Keeping patients at this lower
level is good for the patients and the
community.
The goal is to enable individuals with
complex behavioral health needs to move
through the continuum of care and
receive all necessary services in one
place and avoiding multiple trips to
local emergency rooms and hospitals or
interactions with law enforcement. This
campus is currently operational with
nine buildings and 66 treatment beds.
[clears throat]
Apologies.
So phase one includes 51.4 4 million in
behavioral health continuing
infrastructure program BIUP grant with
outpatient co-occurring facility youth
wellness center for recovery and support
16 bed psychiatric residential treatment
facility a 16 bed adolescent substance
use disorder residential treatment
facility 36 bed adult substance use
disorder residential treatment facility
and an 18 bed withdrawal management
facility that there's also 10.5 million
from our community care expansion grant
dedicated to this project for 52
recovery residents beds. I want to note
that phase one does not include a
sobering center just for clarification.
These services will operate in a secure
gated portion of the campus designed
specifically to provide a safe,
structured and compassionate environment
for adults, youth, and families.
The high desert region accounts for 30%
of all consumers served in the substance
use disorder continuum of care and is
the highest referring region for I'm
going to refer to it as SUD for
substance use disorder. Highest
referring region for SUD services in San
Bernardino County. Substance use has
significant ripple effects. In fiscal
year 2324, Victor Valley Union High
School District reported 251 drugrelated
suspensions, making drugs the second
highest cause for suspension.
Victorville ranked second highest in the
county for EMS overdose incidences with
454 cases in 2425.
A lack of SUD services has broad
implications not only on individual
health but also on families, schools,
public safety, and the community. The
project is an opportunity to expand
these services for treatment capacity
and make them meaningful positive impact
in the high desert community in the
entire region.
I want to touch on campus security and
logistics.
Safety is a top priority for this campus
as it has been throughout the year since
1985. Behavioral health facilities like
this have operated safely in
neighborhoods for decades. Programs are
licensed, accredited, and meet strict
standards of 247 staffing, secure
medication management, and emergency
response protocols.
Programs arrange transportation for
clients upon discharge to reduce impact
on the city.
Students and school staff have no
interaction with individuals from the
campus campus staff 247 for supervision,
care and support.
Security measures. We will have
perimeter fencing and gates to control
any kind of access and on-site trained
security personnel to monitor and
maintain safety.
A community advisory council based on
our lasting community engagement meeting
will be established to uh to address
needs, logistics, security and
programming.
And this would be open to all community
members and we look forward to further
discussion about what that advisory
committee could look like.
Residential treatment
will provide 24-hour short-term care for
withdrawal management and rehabilitation
for substance use disorders overseen by
a medical director or licensed
practitioner for for the healing arts.
We're offering sober living housing for
adults, including those with children.
Requires attendance at recovery or
treatment programs. This includes
education and employment support to help
clients transition to permanent housing
and integrate into the community.
We will provide services to maintain
substance use disorders and co-occurring
mental health issues simultaneously.
This use is integrated treatment pro
approach for better outcomes and improve
quality of life.
All of these services are unlocked in
nature of the facilities.
For the adolescent services, we'll have
a 16 bed facility uh providing
residential and recovery services for
adolescence with substance use
disorders. Admission based on medical
necessity and individual treatment plans
determined by a medical director or
LPHA.
first of its this is the first of its
kind in San Frernardino serving
approximately 170 youth annually
for the adolescent psychiatric
residential treatment facility this is a
16 bed facility inpatient psychiatric
care for adolescence who need more than
outpatient treatment but do not qualify
for psychiatric hospital
stay is 10 days for stabilization and
ongoing care and expected to serve about
500 youth annually
for the wellness center a resource hub
would be located the two facilities
providing recovery services and family
resources to support youth and families.
Access is limited to youth receiving
services at this campus.
We appreciate the opportunity to present
on this project today and reaffirm our
commitment to providing comprehensive
care that supports successful
transitions of every individual that we
serve. Upon entering any of the
treatment programs, each individual
receives a thorough assessment and
personalized treatment plan designed to
connect them with essential community
supports and resources. Our dedicated
case managers and care coordinators play
a critical role in guiding individuals
through this process and um addressing
case management needs and ensuring
smooth transitions of care. This
includes referrals to low intensity
treatment when appropriate as well as
connections to employment opportunities,
food resources, housing, and other vital
community supports.
I do want to make a note right here um
to state that there was discussion about
phase two of this project and I do want
to say uh upon discussion with the
county administrative office and our CEO
Luther Snoke, I do have authority to
share with you tonight that we are
actually going to pull phase two of this
project. So, I wanted to make that known
on the record.
Together, [clears throat] these efforts
reflect our shared goal to provide not
just treatment, but a pathway to
stability and success for every
individual we serve. Thank you for your
time and partnership as we work towards
building stronger, healthier
communities. These commitments align
with the sound the Sanino Countyy's
countywide vision as well advancing the
city's Victorville strategic vision to
build a safer, cleaner, fiscally healthy
Victorville with strong community
connections, solid infrastructure, a
thriving economy, and reduced
homelessness. As we move forward, we
welcome continued collaboration with the
council, city staff, and community
partners to ensure the comprehensive
treatment campus strengthens local
safety, connection, and opportunity. We
do appreciate the opportunity to speak
and forward. We look forward to working
together to deliver measurable outcomes
for the city and families within the
community.
Thank you so much.
Thank you. At this time, I would like to
call up Victor Valley Unified School
District. Mr. Kohl's, if you can come
forward.
Thank you. And uh good evening uh madame
mayor uh city council members, staff uh
and community members. Thank you for the
opportunity to just be able to uh speak
here in front of you tonight. My name is
Carl Kohl's and I serve as the proud
superintendent of schools for the Victor
Valley Union High School District. And
today I am here on behalf of the 11,500
students and over 2,000 staff members
comprising of our teachers, our
counselors, classified employees, and
our management teams regarding the
behavioral health facility expansion
currently under construction off of
Cobalt and Palmdale.
So let me first by uh let me first say
that this situation it's truly in
unforced air and it serves as an example
of the utmost importance of authentic
collaboration amongst public entities
that serve the same people and
communities. The authentic collaboration
it cannot happen in isolation.
I also want to continue to go on the
record as supporting the behavioral
health and substance abuse services in
the high desert and the efforts of the
San Bernino County its elected
officials. the executive team and the
behavioral health department. Our
concern is not whether these services
are needed, it's the location of this
project for our district. Over 4,000
students in nearly 1,000 staff members
attend Silver Alder High School, Laura
Middle School, and Cobalt Institute of
Math and Science every day. As a
district, we have a long list of
concerns, but this is not a study
session. So, I will be brief on a few
significant ones here tonight. Number
one, the only way for me to put this
project into perspective, and we've
heard some today, is to put some context
to it. Currently, there's over 60 beds
available to serve the community who
have drug and alcohol addiction. And we
are in no way opposed to the current
location or the services that are
currently being provided. In fact, the
facility was there before Silver Idol
High School was even built. However,
with the new design, we argue that this
is not a true expansion, but rather a
whole new concept of concept of
services. What has been approved and
authorized by the county of Sanernardino
is 210 beds with a continuum of services
ranging from a detox center, outpatient
services, residential care, psychiatric
care, just to name a few. If at any
point our schools tripled in size, it's
not just a scale issue. It truly changes
the dynamic of teaching and learning and
the safety. St. Mary's, it's been told
today is the largest hospital up in here
in the high desert. And as a hospital
with 213 beds, this facility is going to
rival one of the largest care facilities
in the high desert. Managing a facility
of this size, it comes with multiple
organizational and safety uh measures
that do not belong adjacent to a middle
school and across the street from a
large comprehensive high school.
Additionally, the facility in question,
it sits on 29 acres. To put that in
perspective, Silverado sits on about 50
acres. And then when you add Cobalt to
it, that sits at about 65 acres. Just to
put some context to what 29 acres is.
And the current design and layout are at
the closest points to our schools. They
can't get any closer. We were there
today. We took pictures. The grading,
it's going to border the defense line
with our schools.
The current ingress and egress point is
going to be off of Cobalt, which is
already a complete mess. I don't know
another word to say, but it's a complete
mess in the morning and in the afternoon
because nearly 4,000 students who ride
buses, they walk or they're dropped off
coming and going to school. Currently,
there's 30 parking spots in the current
facility, and the project design calls
for an additional 250 parking spots. On
December 22nd, during a special uh board
meeting, the district formally opposed
the county's action regarding the site
location through a board action and
direct communication with county with
the county of San Bernardino's
representatives. We did so because the
facility's immediate proximity to three
active school campuses and the
unresolved questions and concerns that
it raises. Those questions and concerns
include student and staff uh student and
staff safety, emergency response
coordination, traffic impacts, uh
operational disruptions, amongst others.
We also know that none of us in this
room can guarantee an outcome, which is
why it is irresponsible to add the
safety concerns to all schools
throughout the United States that we
already currently face on a daily basis.
For example, just last month, a detainee
escaped the Victor Valley Global Medical
Center, forcing Victor Valley High
School to go on a lockdown for hours,
and it required additional police
officers from the indivi until the
individual was detained by law
enforcement. And that medical center is
several blocks from the Victor Valley
High School. Not to mention, the
district does not believe that a
large-scale drug and alcohol
rehabilitation center is an appropriate
backdrop for our students to see every
day.
Schools should be surrounded by parks.
They should be surrounded by communities
and homes. The environment in which
students attend is equally as important
as to the academics, as to the arts, the
activities and and the athletics uh that
schools provide to our students every
day. These are not theoretical issues.
They are practical realities that we
manage daily in our schools. The county
of Sanernardino did not notify the
school district, so we were completely
blindsided until the construction fences
went up.
And although the district recognizes the
Sanino County's autonomy to exempt
itself from the environmental impact
study under the welfare code, nor do
they actually have a legal obligation to
collaborate beforehand. But which begs
the question, what you can do and what
you should do are two very different
things. I have personally met with
several students and staff and not one
of them has expressed a belief that the
location of the facility is appropriate
or responsible. But on the flip side,
One of them have mentioned that it is
not needed in the high desert.
Despite many concerns raised, the
construction activity, it still
continues. That is why the district
fully supports the city in passing a
resolution that is before you tonight.
Similarly, the district is asking the
county to pause until uh to pause
further work at the site and engage in a
more deliberate process with community
input. Specifically, we're asking for
the support of city leadership and the
community at large as we request three
things from the county. First, that a
full study is conducted and meaningful
with meaningful eval evaluative uh
impacts on all of our schools. Second,
that the county consider alternative
locations that can meet service needs
without placing this burden on our
school communities. And third, during
this time, the pause that there be a
structured community input, including
parents, staff, and nearby residents
before decisions are finalized. We're
not here by any means to obstruct the
services or delay care. We're here to
advocate for our students, our staff,
and our families. We believe there is a
path forward that serves the broader
community while protecting our schools.
We believe this requires a pause. It
requires transparency, collaboration,
and true partnership. We appreciate the
city of Victorville's attention to this
issue and your continued advocacy for
responsible planning in our community.
Thank you.
» Thank you.
At this time, we are going to move on to
public comment. I will remind the
public, you'll have three minutes.
You will be respectful to everybody in
here, folks. So, let's keep it forward.
Our
our first speaker is Dr. Elise
Belelfford Selana.
[clears throat]
>> Hello, my name is Dr. Alice Belelfford
» Hello, my name is Dr. Alice Belelfford
Selona and I am a deputy director for
the county of San Bernardino.
[clears throat] Excuse me. I'm here just
to speak to you on a personal level, but
also tie it into the work that we do and
how this campus will be affected. Um,
I'll just say this that I um can tell
you a really quick story. I lost my
sister um 20 years ago to addiction. She
froze to death in a car and died. Her um
she was she was high. She was overdosed
um in the vehicle. And I'll never forget
a story. We lived in Riverside at the
time and we were trying to take her
because they didn't have treatment
centers in the local community. they had
to bust them out to the desert. And when
they um when I went to take her to get
on the bus, I'll never forget the moment
I looked back in the rearview mirror of
my car and I saw her running down the
street. She was scared. She didn't want
to leave the community she knew and
therefore
left and and never was successful in
going to treatment. I too as a member of
Sanino County have lived here most of my
life. I call this home and I'm very
proud to be an employee of the county of
San Bernardino now where I have the
opportunity to oversee programs that can
make differences in people's lives. I
too can tell you that I have had my own
experiences doing really stupid things
like drugs and alcohol getting caught up
in the system and almost failing my life
on multiple occasions. I was lucky
enough to have people that came to me
and said, "You can do better. You are
better. be better. And I said, "Okay,
how? Show me." Because I was super
angry. And I just didn't think that that
was possible. And what ended up
happening is I allowed the help to
happen. And today, I can stand before
you and say, "I'm an executive manager
for the county of San Bernardino. I'm a
high school dropout. I have my doctorate
degree. Today, when they came to help
me, they didn't say to me, Dr.
Belelfford or Alice at the time, we want
to help you, but we don't want to help
you here. we want you to move to the
valley or to some other location where
you won't be seen by people who know
you. They actually said we're going to
do it right here where it's going to
make a difference in the community that
you reside. These treatment centers are
not for people who are forced into
treatment. These are people who want
help. These are not easy programs to
participate in. They have highly
structured environments where they wake
up at 6 in the morning. and they eat
breakfast at 6:30. They're at group by
8:00. They run groups all day long. They
learn how to take responsibility for
their lives. They learn how to be better
contributing citizens. It's not because
of the location that they're at that
makes them better at who they are, but
it is always better to be close to home
because that's the environment that
you're going to thrive in. And I know
many of us walk
>> your time is up.
» your time is up.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
Our next speaker is Moch Blumenstein.
» Good evening, Mayor and Council members.
My name is Michael Blumenstein and I'm
here to speak speak based on personal
experience. I was once a client of a
crisis stabilization unit and during one
of the most difficult moments of my
life, that support helped me feel safe,
respected, and heard. Because of that
experience, I saw firsthand how powerful
these services are, not just in
stabilizing a crisis, but in restoring
hope. I later had the opportunity to
give back by starting as a peer support
worker using my lived experience to help
others navigate their own crisis. Since
then, I've grown into a quality
assurance data clerk role where I now I
now help ensure these programs remain
effective, accountable, and responsive
to community needs. I've seen the impact
of outreach and connecting people to
support before situations escalate. And
I've witnessed how peer support builds
trust and reduce stigma in ways
traditional systems often can't. Crisis
stabilization units outreach and peer
support don't just change outcomes, they
change lives. And I am living proof of
that. Thank you for your time.
>> Our next speaker is Rachel Wish.
Good evening, Madame Mayor, council
members, and staff. My name is Rachel
Wish, and I'm a teacher at Silverado
High School, one of the schools directly
adjacent to the proposed expansion of
the comprehensive treatment campus. And
I'm here tonight to ask you not to
approve this expansion. I want to be
very clear. I support access to these
type of services. Our families, our
students, our community absolutely need
them. And this is not about stigma. It's
about process, transparency, and
location. And right now, all three are
deeply concerning. The decision to move
forward without conducting an impact
study raises serious questions. When a
facility sits directly next to three
schools serving over 4,000 students, the
failure to formally evaluate safety,
traffic, emergency response, campus
supervision, and student well-being is
not a minor oversight. It suggests a
deliberate choice to avoid scrutiny. If
there are other teachers, parents,
students, or community members here
tonight who share these concerns, I
invite you to stand up right now.
The absence of an impact study does not
mean that there is no impact. It means
the county chose not to look. As a
teacher on one of these campuses, I can
tell you that schools are not insulated
environments. We manage the arrival and
dismissal congestion, campus security,
lockdown protocols, and emotional
well-being of students every single day.
An expansion of this nature, especially
without coordinated or assess
coordination or assessment, directly
affects our ability to do our jobs and
keep our students safe. Equally
important, this is the wrong location.
Schools are highdensity environments
with minors present for most of the day.
Putting a facility of this nature
immediately adjacent to multiple school
sites without heightened review
disregards best practices and planning
and the student centered
decision-making. There are locations in
the city that make much more sense. What
is most troubling is that school
communities were not meaningfully
consulted early in the process.
Teachers, admin, facility, and districts
should not be finding out after fences
are up and dirt is being moved. That
undermines the trust and damages the
relationship between the county, the
city, and the people who serve the
children every day. You have the
authority and the responsibility to
pause this decision, require a full
impact study and reconsider the
location. This is responsible
governance. I urge you not to improve
the expansion as proposed because our
desert our students deserve thoughtful
planning, transparency, and decisions
that place their safety and well-being
first. Thank you.
» Our next speaker is Ed Marino.
Good evening, guys, staff. Um, I was
just aware of the uh proposition that's
going on. Like I said, I'm literally a
resident. I live about two two and a
half blocks from the proposed location.
I have uh two three kids, two daughters,
and a son. Um, both of my girls uh go to
uh well, they went to Discovery, now
that they're going to SIMS. As a parent,
it's very troubling to hear that they're
planning to do this really close to my
home staff. You know, there there's
there's families around the area. It's
it's just not it's it's not I'm not okay
with it. You know, I'm asking and I'm
pleading you guys to to please stop
this. You know, it's
it's just troubling. You know, I I
literally I I work in Ontario. I left
work. I just found out I was emailed
today that you guys were having this
this uh meeting. I left work to be here
to to basically let you guys know that
that this is not this not okay, you
know, and and I thank you for for
everything you guys are doing. I I hope
and I pray that that God give you guys
wisdom and we as a community stand not
for this, not not we don't our kids
deserve better. You know, that's all I'm
asking. Thank you.
>> Our next speaker is Christian Viscara.
Um, hello. My name is Christian Riscara.
I am a senior at Silverado High School.
I am also a part of my school's ASB
leadership and I'm here on behalf of my
other ASB classmates and the other
student boss, the other student body
that attends my school. First off, I
would like to start off by saying that
the way that this was introduced was
very unprofessional on the county's
behalf. Neither of the school the
schools in the area or the residents
were notified of the treatment facility
when the construction first started.
Many residents and students are still
not aware of this facility being built
so close to our community. I am
knowledgeable that yes, we do need these
kind of programs especially in the high
desert. Although the location of where
is being built is very inappropriate.
The county project stated that there
will be no impact because there is no
demand for new expansions of school
facilities. This is not only false but a
slap to the surrounding community's fa
face. You show no regard or interest in
the safety of the surrounding area. Why
do we need new school facilities to show
concern when there's already school
facilities? Now, there are many risk
factors for the area that it's in. What
if one of these residents just just
flip? How can you guys guarantee that
this person won't leave your open
facility and walk out onto nearby school
grounds? All three schools in the
surrounding area have constant after
school activities and leave our gates
open 24/7. Not only will this affect us
during school hours, but even after. I
am aware that St. John's has been here
for over 30 years with no issues, but
this is not a minor expansion. This is a
major expansion with over two head with
200 beds being built. the chances of a
problem happening majorly increase and
when there is a chance and risk it is
not worth it especially with the
surrounding environment. If this
facility is built will it not only
affect my generation
um other kids siblings, my kids or even
my grandchildren.
Um
so I would like to say that again I am
in support of such treatments being open
for people who need them. But again the
location is very inappropriate. I will
finish off if that if construction if
construction continues, not only will
you continue to hear from the school
board, but the many residents and
thousands of students that are in this
community today. Thank you.
» Our next speaker is Melissa B.
Good evening.
My name is Melissa Buchary
[clears throat] and I am actually a
resident of City of Victorville um since
about four years old. So that's about 32
years.
I am a professional therapist that works
in addiction specialties right in a
healthcare setting. I have worked in
this community in a community aspect for
much of my career before college um
substitute taught before becoming a
therapist. So I've been doing this for
about 11 years and I come to you as a
resident to be able to say I understand
many of the concerns that have been
expressed. I can see them from a lot of
angles. But my encouragement as a
resident who lives within a few miles of
the new facility, which is actually an
expansion, right, of Phoenix House
Services,
this is so needed and we have an
opportunity as voted in by Proposition
One, right? And this is um something
that has been very nerve-wracking for me
to share with you, but I want you to
hear my heart. We can look at
statistics. We can look at all of the
highest needs. I hear them daily. The
calls of heartbreaking family members
and how I can best direct them to
treatment services to get them in. When
they need alcohol detox or withdrawal
management services, they're out of the
area. This can bring jobs. I understand
the schools. I understand everything for
the community. But I urge my leaders,
this is our opportunity to pioneer,
to take leadership. Victorville has
always been innovative
and in a sense where we can set the tone
for okay how do we sit down have
conversations with respect to an
important time frame this is the first
time we have an opportunity with VHIP
but department of healthcare services
has set a timeline for that and that's
very important to be mindful of so I
encourage you to be mindful and um
encouraging to to say hey we have a lot
of partners
How can we come alongside each other and
unify to bring the necessary services
alterations but expediting because there
is a time frame and it is hard to open a
treatment center. Takes about 5 years to
get a medical approval from the state.
So there's a lot of treatment services.
Substance use disorder and mental
services does not discriminate. I see it
in our healthcare setting every day. Our
youth are hurting and they do not get
transferred out out of the area nearest
to us for a higher level of care for
psychiatric services is Colton.
We're done and we send them for
appropriate levels of care. We
understand many of the medical um
necessity stabilization before
appropriate referrals to the coordinated
history system of care for entry. So
concerns in that regard for for
treatment being provided. We should take
a look at the other facilities and how
Phoenix House is operating now where
there isn't many to
I think hinder.
>> Your time is up.
» Your time is up.
>> Please.
» Please.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Our next speaker is Stephanie Landez.
Good evening, members of the board,
city, and community members. My name is
Stephanie Landez, and I am both a parent
of a sophomore at Silverado High School
and the activities director. I have the
help the privilege to help facilitate
and guide 70 high school students within
our associated student body. I am here
tonight to share their voice and their
concerns regarding the development
occurring for the rehab uh center
directly across the street. And while we
understand that the final decisions and
issues actually rest with the county and
not the city, we felt it important to
have their voices heard in a public
forum so that the city is aware of the
Associated Student Body perspective. And
thank you, Christian, for sharing.
I'm here tonight on behalf of more than
2,000 students from Silverado High
School who attend school every day
around this proposed site. I am speaking
for students whose voices were not
meaningful incl meaningfully included in
this decision but who will live with its
consequences. So here is what they have
to say. Let us be clear from the
beginning. Students support behavioral
health and substance abuse treatment. We
understand its importance. Our concern
is not whether the treatment facilities
should exist. It's where they're placing
this one. We walk these streets. We wait
at these crosswalks. We experience
lockdowns. traffic gridlocks and safety
drills, not as policy discussions, but
as interruptions to our learning and our
own sense of safety. Making a
large-scale open treatment facility the
front door to our schools introduces
risks that students can't simply opt out
of. Schools should be places where
students feel safe, welcomed, and proud
where they learn. Instead, this
placement risks creating fear, anxiety,
long-term damage to school climate,
enrollment, and community confidence.
Students are also concerned about
messaging. Adolescence are still
developing. School work schools work
intentionally to promote prevention,
healthy choices, and accountability.
Placing a large-scale drug and alcohol
treatment facility adjacent to our
campus risks unintentionally normalizing
substance abuse, not because treatment
is wrong, but because location matters.
At the same time, students believe
strongly that patients in recovery
deserve dignity, privacy, and the best
po possible environment for healing.
Recovery is fra fragile. A densely
populated, hightraic school zone
surrounded by thousands of students does
not support that goal. That location
fails both students and patients.
Traffic is already overwhelming. The
two-lane road serving these schools as
gridlocks for hours every morning and
every afternoon. Thousands of students
walk the corridor daily, many after
sunrise or before before sunrise and
after dark. Their routes can't be
changed. Their schedules cannot be
adjusted. Their safety depends on adult
decisions. Students feel unheard.
Decisions about our safety and learning
environment were made without us at the
table. Please listen to us. We're not
asking for convenience. We're asking for
responsibility, transparency, and
safety. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
Madame Mayor, I do not have any
additional speaker cards.
>> I know some people got here late.
» I know some people got here late.
Anybody else with a speaker card?
» Let's bring them over to our city clerk,
please. His name is Roger
Yinski.
Good evening, mayor, city council. Uh my
name is Roger Yaminsky. I'm the CEO of
Citrus Counseling Services or not
for-profit behavioral health clinic
system. Uh one of our clinics is here in
your town. And um you know, from what
I've heard here, I think of um you know,
something that I'm very familiar with,
which is in the absence of information,
people make up the worst possible
stories. And so I think that you know,
it sounds like um our concerns that the
uh the county could have done a much
better job in terms of uh providing some
information, letting people know about
this project, what the impact is going
to be, etc. Um that being said, from
what we do and what we see and what my
staff experiences,
uh this particular project is something
that's sorely needed in this area. There
are incredible weight lists uh for the
types of services that are going to be
provided by this particular project that
is incredibly needed. Not having this
has um some serious impact on human
lives, especially young people. Uh what
this can do is can do it can prevent um
and treat a lot of things that are going
on with trauma, with substance use,
domestic violence, human trafficking,
etc. So based on that, um I just want to
speak in support of this particular
project. I hope that there's a way that
uh this council and this community can
work together to figure out how to make
it uh go forward and understand, you
know, possibly what the um potential uh
issues are with it and come up with
reasonable ways to mitigate that. Um
it's an incredible opportunity with
these funds that are available that
don't come around very often. Uh and it
would be a terrible thing to lose that
in this community. So, thank you very
much for your time and your
consideration. I appreciate it.
Thank you.
I would like to read a statement.
First of all, I think it's important to
recognize and appreciate the input from
the county, the school district, and
even the staff regarding this matter.
With all that said, I remain surprised
how quickly the county moved on this
project forward when you consider all
that's typically involved to move to
move a project forward. obtaining
funding and obtain the res the requisite
land use approval to construct. This
project has moved at a pace that I have
never seen from the county.
They chose instead of involving our
community to ram this project through,
dump it on the residents of the city of
Victorville and the parents of the high
school district with zero regard for our
concerns.
And we asked, does this mean that the
first district supervisor doesn't care
what happens in Victorville? I don't
think so. I would like to believe that
is not the case. Prior to this action by
the county, I believe the county and the
first district supervisor cared about
this community. But I definitely
questioning now that given the warp
speed that this project has moved.
Finally, I have no doubt about the need
for the services that are being
contemplated by the county with this
project. The problem is location. And
like they say, location, location,
location. The problem is not knowing how
this project will physically impact this
community. I have no doubt that the
county reached out to us like a partner,
we would not be here today and we would
be more focused on a suitable location.
I urge my fellow council members to
adopt the resolution opposed in this
project. And I encourage every resident
of the city of Victorville to reach out
to your first district supervisor, the
board of supervisor of San Marino
County, the Sun newspaper, and express
their concern about this county's wrong
deal.
Now, at this time, we will take
questions from my fellow council
members. We'll start off with Council
Member God.
>> I'm sorry, Madame Mayor. Would you like
» I'm sorry, Madame Mayor. Would you like
me to read the recommendation?
>> That would be good, too. Thank you.
» That would be good, too. Thank you.
>> You're welcome. that the honorable city
» You're welcome. that the honorable city
council adopt resolution number 25
26-00005
thereby formally opposing the county of
San Bernardino's proposed comprehensive
treatment campus expansion in its
current proposed location and
configuration and opposing the award of
state of California behavioral health
continuum infrastructure program funding
for the projects proposed within the
city of Victorville due to the lack of
community engagement and further
directing staff to transmit the city's
position ition to the county board of
supervisors, state legislator,
legislators, and relevant state funding
agencies.
>> Thank you. At this time, we'll start
» Thank you. At this time, we'll start
with questions from council members.
Council member Kodan.
>> Thank you, Madam Mayor. I do have
» Thank you, Madam Mayor. I do have
several questions as this is a very
complex situation. Um my first question,
um in the uh presentation that we
received from the county to start off
the meeting, there was some um
indication that this would be something
that's just for the city of Victorville
or could be taken that it's just going
to be for the city of Victorville, but
it's my understanding that this is a
countywide facility.
Mr. Mer,
>> uh that that's my understanding, but I I
» uh that that's my understanding, but I I
think it might be best to invite a
representative from the county to to
clarify that.
Hello, my name is Jennifer Alcena. I'm
the assistant director for the
department of behavioral health. Um,
what I can tell you is, uh, this this
area has a high need for these services.
So, bringing the services here to this
community would meet the folks where
they're at. So, right now, um, we don't
have the infrastructure to serve this
community, but there is a very large
need here. which we share on the slide.
>> So does that mean that there would be
» So does that mean that there would be
priority given to Victorville residents?
» Um the way our system works is we do a
first come first serve. So the folks are
already calling in for services. Uh so
for this campus if you have someone that
lives here and they're calling in, this
would be the um the the best place for
them.
>> So first come first serve though, just
» So first come first serve though, just
to clarify so I understand that could be
anybody within the county of San
Bernardino.
>> Yes. Okay. And what steps were taken
» Yes. Okay. And what steps were taken
prior to acquisition of the property to
notify residents?
» I think that would be a twofold
question. So I want to make sure that
our assistant director Jennifer answers
the question on the community engagement
piece but also answer the question in
regarding to engagement overall on the
project. Is that is that the request?
Yes. Okay. So, go ahead and Jennifer,
answer that question and then we'll ask
our uh project facilities management
leadership team to come up as well and
answer that question.
>> Thank you.
» For the purposes of the grant
stakeholder engagement piece, we held uh
20 uh different forums um and we had
almost 500 people participate in those.
So, that's the uh for for these uh
facilities
>> and that was prior to acquisition.
» and that was prior to acquisition.
Yes, we are in the acquisition process.
>> In the process of acquisition.
» In the process of acquisition.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Okay. So,
» Okay. So,
phase two would have brought a different
dynamic clearly. Um I know that there's
been a obviously a change in the plan.
So, I have two questions in regard to
that. The St. John of God, the level of
service that was provided, there were no
lockdown. There were no 5150 holds. That
was just residential care and it was
volunteer. Correct.
>> Correct.
» Correct.
>> So phase one, would that involve the
» So phase one, would that involve the
same care level?
>> Um, a couple of these are step down
» Um, a couple of these are step down
levels of care. None of them are locked
facilities.
>> Okay. So, would we be increasing the
» Okay. So, would we be increasing the
level of care from what St. John of God
was offering?
>> No, it would be the same level of care.
» No, it would be the same level of care.
Right now, we only serve adults. So this
would be expanding that level of care
but also to serve a youth.
>> So it would be expanding the bed count.
» So it would be expanding the bed count.
Correct.
>> Correct.
» Correct.
>> Okay. What what guarantee or what
» Okay. What what guarantee or what
assurance would we have that the county
wouldn't later on decide we do want to
do phase two?
» Thank you council member Goden. So to
answer your question regarding phase
two, there's a purpose for me putting
that on the record today to to state
publicly that we are we will be pulling
that application. That being said, we
have not yet pulled the application. And
the reason being is we do have an
opportunity as many have mentioned with
these resources from the state to have
some conversations with the city
regarding those those resources that are
needed to see if maybe we can repurpose
that application and maybe find another
location where that those types of
services can uh be committed for the
city because we do understand that it is
still a need, maybe just not the best
location, but the county's commitment is
to pull that application for that
facility.
Okay. Uh, one last question for you. On
the map that you provided in the um,
presentation, the existing campus was
not included in the exterior fencing.
>> I'm sorry, say that again. On the map
» I'm sorry, say that again. On the map
that you provided in your presentation,
the existing campus that's there
already, not including the expansion, it
you show a new exterior fence being
constructed around the new construction,
but not the existing campus. So there
wouldn't be any protective or security
fencing that would encompass the entire
campus is my question.
>> Yes, there would be fencing um
» Yes, there would be fencing um
encompassing the entire campus. It will
be a locked gated facility.
>> Okay. So this map just isn't proper
» Okay. So this map just isn't proper
representation of the actual security
fencing.
>> Yeah, I believe it's temporary fencing.
» Yeah, I believe it's temporary fencing.
I I may need to call on our project
facilities management team to discuss
that as far as the construction versus
the final phase on the fencing. But I
believe we have some temporary fencing
now and then we will have permanent
fencing when the project is completed.
But I do also want to note that some of
those conversations can be conversations
that can be had with the city as far as
the preference and the school district
as well with their input as far as the
preference as to what that looks like
aesthetically. Um I'd like to ask our
leadership from project facilities
management though to touch on that
further if that would be okay.
>> Yes, please. Thank you very much.
[clears throat]
>> Good evening, honorable
» Good evening, honorable
representatives from Victorville. Uh my
name is Don Day. I'm represent our
design, construction, and facilities
management. And um I can point to uh the
site map that was shown earlier in the
presentation. Uh and I can confirm that
the new facility that's being built does
have a 10-foot uh protective gate around
it. The existing campus uh is not
intended to have the existing fencing
Ed. Um, however, it does have existing
fencing around it right now. Um, but as
we've discussed as a county, we're here
to have discussions with the city and
and you have discussion with the city
about our current design and if there
are any feedback that the city has, we
would surely love to sit down and have a
conversation with you about any other
elements that you might be interested in
seeing.
>> And what does that current fencing look
» And what does that current fencing look
like around the existing campus? It's a
chain link fencing around the current
campus right now and I guess I would
call it a rod iron decorative steel
fencing is what's being proposed for the
new facility.
>> Okay.
And so just to clarify one last
question, the the phase one would
include a total bed count of 210. Is
that correct?
Yes, that is correct.
» Yes. Okay, that is correct. [laughter]
Thank you very much. Thank you, Madam
Mayor. That's all I have.
>> Thank you, Council Member Irving.
» Thank you, Council Member Irving.
>> Thank you, Madame Mayor. Um, first of
» Thank you, Madame Mayor. Um, first of
all, I want to say that I in no way want
to create an adversarial environment uh
between the city of Victorville, our
community at large, and the department
of behavioral health. However, my
concerns um my concerns center on
accountability.
Um, as I look on the on on the audience
and I see a very what I presume to be a
very seasoned group of public
administrators, can someone give me the
rationale as to why
the department of uh behavioral health
did not engage with the city of
Victorville and the school district uh
in the fashion that we so deserved.
That's my first question. Secondly, at
your public forum, I asked for some very
specific data because I knew or I
believe that a night like this would
come and I so much wanted to be in
support. But as you know, without data,
data drives uh decisions. Without data,
when I get phone calls from parents that
are angry about the proposed proximity
of your comprehensive facil treatment
center to schools, what am I to say? you
you left me in the dark and I want some
answers about your accountability
and Miss Rles Rundles you can you
answer.
Thank you very much. Um I would like to
say first of all we agree with you in
the sense of the level of community
engagement that is warranted for a
project like this. I think we fell short
and I'm going to speak to that and I
spoke to that in our community
engagement meeting. As far as following
all legal requirements and notices, the
county did do so. We did follow all all
of our legal requirements and noticing
and were happy to provide any
information in regards to what that
looked like and and the history on that.
Uh but I do I do want to acknowledge
that I I believe that the community
deserved more engagement on this
project. Absolutely 100%. And uh we're
here to say we want to make this right
uh with the community with the city. We
respect the city very much. This is a
very important project and uh we have
the best of intentions as far as the
services for the community for the city
but uh I think we could do a lot more
and having engagement with the city
engagement with the school district and
having discussions around this project.
>> Thank you. I appreciate your comments.
» Thank you. I appreciate your comments.
For me, I guess as a policy maker, the
question is does the public good
outweigh the proposed proximity the the
um incumbrance that you will put on the
community? I've been concerned about
cost because you're going to deal with
some of the most traumatized individuals
at this particular site. Correct.
Probably within the county. And to me
that just to me trauma it it equates to
public safety. I've heard the word
safety resonate throughout the the
chamber tonight. And I couldn't agree
more. But to say I'm sorry that we
didn't do a good job. It still doesn't
provide the rationale as to why not. For
me, I'm wondering whether or not because
you have pre preemptive authority, you
don't have you did not have a legal
requirement to do so. Thereby, you
didn't. I hope that you did not show
blatant disregard for the city of
Victorville and this leadership because
as I look over the comprehensive
timeline that was provided,
it looks like about a year and a half
ago to two years ago, you decided you
weren't going to engage with the city of
Victorville in the fashion that I think
that you should have. Well, I I would
love to sit down and have some
discussion regarding the chronology of
noticing it, etc. But I do acknowledge
once again, I want to say to you that I
think we did not do uh the best of
partnership on this project to say the
least. Um I think we absolutely owe that
to the city and the school district to
have a better partnership on this
project. Um no doubt. Um I do want to
say that we haven't had safety concerns.
There's very very minimal safety
concerns that have existed on the
current campus. um our law enforcement,
you know, we work closely with them.
We've had looked at statistics on the
the uh any kind of safety calls for that
campus and it's very been very
dimminimous. Um they've shared with us,
the sheriff's office has shared with us
um that they've gotten very few calls
and and most calls that they've received
are from other business entities, not
not necessarily this campus. It's been
pretty um pretty quiet. I mean, given
it's been there since 1985 and we're
just some of us are just realizing it's
it's there. Well, I appreciate your
comments. I'm very disappointed.
>> Yes, I understand.
» Yes, I understand.
>> Thank you. And I would I would have
» Thank you. And I would I would have
thought that you would have done more to
engage with the city and the school
district about um a project of this
nature. Thank you so much.
>> That we acknowledge that. Thank you very
» That we acknowledge that. Thank you very
much.
>> Thank you,
» Mr. Mayor Prom. Before I continue, I'm
going to read a statement from Council
Member Mo for not being able to attend
tonight. To my mayor and fellow city
council members, I'm truly sorry I can't
participate in person tonight. I had a
pre-arranged vacation that conflicts
with tonight's meeting. However, I want
to share with you this statement to be
read into the meeting record so that you
and the community are aware of my views
on this subject. I would like to support
staff's recommendation for Sanita
County's comprehensive treatment campus
project, which opposes the current
location and configuration. Although
behavioral health and facilities that
can support our community are important,
I am happy to see that the county
investing in this type of facilities in
our community. I do not believe the
location is the best interest of our
students and our community. This
location is right next door to schools
and practice fields which I believe
creates unnecessary risks. As a mother
of students who practice at Laura Middle
School, I see firsthand the concerns of
the community. I believe it is our
responsibility and duty to protect the
citizens especially children in our
cities. That was from council member Mo.
Mayor Pam Haramman.
Okay. Um I I'll start with some of my
questions have already been asked.
Um
but I'm a blunt person so I'm just going
to get blunt. Why did you take the path
that you did? Especially when you stand
here and tell us that you've failed.
» I do want to share with you um
the requirement. So, what I think may
have led to some of this lack of
communication or or really thorough
communication, if you will, um, and
engaging and having conversations about
this project has to do with timelines.
Um, we have a state agreement that has
an extremely rigorous timeline on this
project. And I think with the pressure
of the state's timeline to meet our
construction deadlines and the costs
that could be incurred with delays on
this project, I think that that caused a
level of pressure and stress on the
staff to perform and to manage this
project as efficiently and as
effectively as possible, which I think
may have led to a bit of a oversight as
to other critical parts of this
conversation that needed to occur.
Um, I hope you know I know that this is
a frustrating process, but I think
that's the best I can do in answering
your question right now.
>> Um, why was it not an option to uh not
» Um, why was it not an option to uh not
use the grant and reapply for it once
you had a plan in place? We went through
this in the city of Victorville.
We had a was it I believe a home key
grant for our wellness center and we
were we were awarded that grant and our
city staff went over and beyond and
decided we could not do the project in
the the timeline that the the granter uh
demanded and we gave we we waited and I
just why was that avenue not visited? by
your staff or or I don't know if it all
sits on your shoulders. Maybe it does.
But who whoever is the decision maker?
You guys are professionals. I I you know
I I have the utmost respect for the
county. I really do. Especially my my uh
county supervisor Cook and his staff. I
don't really know you guys. That that's
a political thing. I I get it. But I I I
I
can taste incompetency is the taste I'm
getting.
>> So um as far as any um ex expediting of
» So um as far as any um ex expediting of
this project,
it came once the grant was actually um
provided to us. So we had already been
receiving in receipt of the grant um I
believe in 2023.
That's correct. Yes. So um you know the
the need to expedite the the grant came
from the timing in which we got we
actually received the award and then
were a you know the timing that they we
were given from the state to actually
execute and and complete the project. So
at that point we had already been given
the grant uh funding. So there wasn't
really an opportunity for us to say
we're not going to receive those funds.
we were way past that point and I think
at that point once the grant funds were
received that is the point in which I
think some of this expediting processing
that might have taken place that did not
include enough comprehensive discussion
would you agree with me then that you
you were not prepared for the grant
because
what I'm talking about is being prepared
for it you had to you had to apply for
it
>> yes
» yes
I mean, I I just
I don't understand why nobody about
things until the grant was awarded.
>> I really can't speak to that to be
» I really can't speak to that to be
honest with you other than the fact that
um there was, you know, we'd have to
really discuss all the engagement that
took place, the steps that took place in
this process to really help understand
the context of the situation and how
those notifications took place.
I don't believe that the county did
anything that was outside of the legal
parameters in in executing this this
application and moving forward and
executing this project. I think what
needed more time and and Jennifer
Alcena, our assistant director, alluded
to the amount of community engagements
that took place on the side of uh
behavioral health, but what I think
needed more time and investment was our
relationship with the city and our
relationship with the school district on
this project.
Um, Madame Mayor, C, could I get another
minute?
» If you were to uh
look back and and and start from the
beginning, where where where and let's
say you knew that the community and this
wasn't going to work there. Where where
where did you guys look at another
location or did you just stay focused on
one?
>> I will let Jennifer Alcena comment
» I will let Jennifer Alcena comment
because I don't want to uh speak out of
turn, but I believe there were a number
of sites uh reviewed. Jennifer, could
you please
» before I uh answer that question, I do
want to say that previous rounds of the
grants were targeted to uh specific
populations or were uh quote unquote
launch ready, meaning you had the shovel
in the ground. Um so at the time of this
is this is round five that we were
awarded. For round three, that was a
launch ready grant. We did not own the
property. A big um component of being
competitive for that round is you had
secured property and we were still in
the acquisition phase at that point.
Round
>> what year?
» what year?
>> Uh what was that?
» Uh what was that?
>> What year?
» What year?
>> Um probably the previous year maybe
» Um probably the previous year maybe
2022.
Uh early early on I can go back and look
at the dates but the next round round
four was for adolescent services.
>> Okay. You're you're veering off. You're
» Okay. You're you're veering off. You're
you're you're floating away. I I I want
to know why you guys didn't have you say
you had multiple locations and you came
to the decision that this was the best
location because I I I find that
decision
incompetent.
>> I see.
» I see.
>> Um well, I didn't get to that to that
» Um well, I didn't get to that to that
point. Okay. So, I'm answering your
previous question about um uh why didn't
we apply for different uh rounds of
these grants. Uh so round three was a
launch ready grant and we did not own
the property. Round four was uh targeted
to youth services. So they had to be
youth only facilities. We did consider
applying for round four and we knew we
were not ready to apply for that grant
and we would wait for round five which
is the grant that we applied for. Um so
these timelines are very aggressive.
It's a lot to do in a very short amount
of time. Um we did hear uh some
rumblings um around the state that the
round six may or may not happen and it
ultimately did not happen. Um and uh
that was the terms of the of the grant.
Now to answer your other question when
we were looking at the acquisition um
for this parcel it was previously owned
by St. John of God and they own 10 other
properties. We visited all of these
properties. It would have been more
costly to renovate these other
properties. I think our outpatient was
over 100 years old, that building that
we were operating in. Um, so buying this
property had the uh potential to do new
construction where the other properties
did not have that opportunity.
» Okay. Thank you.
>> I'm going to touch on something. Come
» I'm going to touch on something. Come
back. I'm going to touch on something
you just said that these other
properties didn't have the position to
do it. You bought this property [snorts]
for $2 million back in 2021. From that
point forward, you guys are asking for
grants. You guys are asking for money.
And we are emailing you asking, "What do
you plan on doing?" And on one email, we
have, "Oh, nothing. Nothing. We're not
doing anything with the property." We
send another email. We hear crickets.
When somebody hides something from you,
it's no good. And this is what this is.
This is a shellgate. This is hidden.
This is what this reads to me. You guys
are picking on our city. And I'm going
to call it picking on because you say
that drugs are the highest second
offense for suspensions annually in 2023
2024 Victor Valley Union High School
District. 251 drugrelated suspensions.
Sir, how many students do we have in
Victor Valley Senior School District?
10,000. And 251 kids may have gotten
caught with a Tylenol, a vape. When you
say drugrelated, it could be anything
from a Tylenol to a an asthma spray.
Correct. If a child has an asthma spray
and it is not a doctor written behind
it, that child is suspended for for use
of his asthma spray for a drugrelated
offense. Correct. Okay. So when you're
picking on our schools, it drugreated
suspension. 270 calls for service for
our related to public public
intoxication
for the desert. We have 500,000 people
that live in the desert. And not all of
them are addicted to alcohol and drugs.
Some of them are just stupid and go out
partying and then they drive home drunk.
We have a higher fatal injury crashes
from 2022. Why? Because everybody moved
from down the hill and think because
we're country bumpkin and it's the
desert, you can drive 80 miles an hour
down Armagosa and Bear Valley. We have
the most high desert. We have overdose
incidents as the second highest. We have
the second largest homeless population.
Will the homeless people be able to be
dropped off and say no insurance, no
benefits, no nothing? You treat them for
free like Victor Valley Hospital, St.
Mary's, and Desert Valley Hospital has
to do. No. No. Yes, we do. Okay. But
where are you going to send them
afterwards? Back on the street because
they're homeless to begin with. You
mentioned, oh, we're going to be
partners and send them to our wellness
center. Uh-uh. That's our wellness
So, your people that are homeless and
you guys are bringing in and treating
now they're fine. Now, you want them at
our homeless center. Then you say that
you didn't know. We emailed you guys on
many, many occasions and we got nothing.
We got no we're not doing anything. And
yet days later we can prove by public
record you guys applied for grants and
still nothing.
>> Your time is up.
» Your time is up.
>> I'm going to take one minute. You make
» I'm going to take one minute. You make
the mention of 20 additional for you 20
forums. You consider forums a meeting.
So you had 20 meetings.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> In Victorville.
» In Victorville.
>> Um
» Um
>> I may be blind but I I think I would
» I may be blind but I I think I would
have heard of one.
My granddaughter wanted me to ask you
this question. Why isn't this boot in
Ranch Cookamonga? Maybe because their
homes cost two and three million
dollars. Why not Fontana? Why not
Rialto? Why not somewhere down the hill?
Because they would have said no. And
their tax dollars are higher than ours
for Sanino County.
So why pick on us? That's all I have.
Thank you.
At this time, I'll invite a motion to
adopt staff's recommendation.
» Motion to adopt. Go ahead. Go ahead.
Mayor Pro.
>> Uh motion to approve uh item one. Uh as
» Uh motion to approve uh item one. Uh as
to
26005.
Is that good, Jen?
>> Would that be to approve staff's
» Would that be to approve staff's
recommendation as presented on the
agenda to adopt resolution number
26-005?
>> Yes. My apologies. I I I'm not the
» Yes. My apologies. I I I'm not the
correct.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Second.
» Second.
>> I have a first by council me by Mayor
» I have a first by council me by Mayor
Pam Herman and a second by council
member Irving. Council me Mayor Pam
Haramman. Comments on the pending
motion.
>> Um yeah. Um so I I just I I'm going to
» Um yeah. Um so I I just I I'm going to
speak to the audience. Um, so, uh, I I
got I got voted in by my constituents
and I I have, uh, since attending the
forum,
it's been a couple weeks ago now. Um, I
have talked to many people and I'm here
to represent the people and
overwhelmingly
99
say.5%
were against this. Uh the people that
had kids attending the Victor Valley
Union High School District were 100%
against it. And I represent the people
of Victorville.
So I have all the compassion in the
world. I I could do the same thing
everyone else did and say I my brother
year younger than me went through it
all. Also took him 15 years to get
clean. He ended up with the Salvation
Army actually in Santa Monica to clean
himself up. But so the compassion is
here. But this look I agree it needs to
be in Victorville because we are the hub
of the high desert and there's a half a
million people up here. But we're 74
square miles and there's even county
property that areas in Victorville that
we haven't annexed. So there's that, you
know,
there's plenty of area that I just feel
like the staff, the county staff, uh,
just just failed. And, um, like I said,
I I'm comparing that with with my staff.
It
we are we have got it together. We have
some of the greatest people running this
city. And when they couldn't do
something with that grant, they declined
it and went back to get it when we were
prepared. You got to be prepared. If you
want grants, you got to be prepared. I
will also say I think the state screwed
up also because they should have had
some oversight. They they should have
maybe asked more questions to the county
on your preparedness to spend the money.
So I I you know I know it's a very
complex thing but like I said my
constituents are against this against
this. I represent the people of
Victorville and so that's that's that's
where I'm at.
>> Council member Irving.
» Council member Irving.
>> Thank you Madame Mayor. I echo the
» Thank you Madame Mayor. I echo the
sentiments of my colleague Mayor Pro Tim
Haramman. I too represent the community,
the citizens of Victorville, and most
that I've spoken to are against this
project because of the proximity. I also
heard the the words or the sentiments of
the educational community. I'm a
teacher, so I understand the hard work
that we put forth in trying to protect
our children. They're young.
This could be a distraction, and we're
trying to keep them on on the path to
success. But I also understand that
there's a need for this this kind of
facility in the district. So I'm hopeful
that there is a pathway moving forward.
I would uh encourage the public
administrators in the audience from the
department of behavioral health to
engage and collaborate with the
stakeholders of this community. I do
think that there is an outcome that will
be favorable for all. And so I encourage
you to continue to to reach out to the
city and to the school district so that
we can help find a different location
because I think we all agree we all
agree that these services are needed. So
thank you very much.
» Councilwoman God. Thank you Madame
Mayor. I too am uh also in support of
these services within our city. uh it's
something that's highly needed and we
certainly don't want to underscore part
of our population um because of another.
At the same time, I think it's really
important that the county doesn't use
the city and the residents as a
scapegoat.
We all are in agreement. I believe that
this is a needed a needed facility, a
needed treatment. But I also am a mom
and I also am hearing the residents and
the concern of the teachers and the
educators. We have to protect our
children. We have to protect their
minds. And we have to protect them
physically. And I agree that we need
these services, but I also am in
disagreement with where these services
would be provided in the proximity of
our schools and campuses and our
children. I also realize that the county
has preemptive authority. They can go
ahead with this project whether we like
it or not. But I do think it's important
that we state our case and we take our
position. We uh you know want to hear
what the county has to say and I agree
with uh what the mayor stated that had
communication been offered we would have
gladly accepted we would have loved to
partner with the county to come to the
right answer because there is a right
answer and I believe that we can come
together and my hopes is is that by
taking this stance that the county will
listen that we will be able to go back
to the drawing board and that we will be
be able to make a decision that benefits
all. So, with that being said, I hope
that um I hope that our comments tonight
will be heard. Thank you, Madam Mayor.
>> Thank you. My com my comments go along
» Thank you. My com my comments go along
with Councilman God. They can move
forward on this, folks. Silverado, let's
see what 4,000 letters to our first
district supervisor look like. Laores,
same thing. Sims, same thing. Let's
start writing letters, folks, because if
they continue this and the first child
that gets hurt, because it can't happen,
I will be standing there. So, please get
your schools, get your get the residents
in the area. Let's start writing letters
and it's just to say, "Hi, please stop
the project." That's it. Put it in an
envelope, put it in the mail because
they can move forward with this. Thank
you, Madam Clerk. Will you take the
vote, please?
>> Council member Goian. Yes. Council
» Council member Goian. Yes. Council
member Irving.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Mayor Prom Haramman.
» Mayor Prom Haramman.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Mayor Bisera.
» Mayor Bisera.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Motion passes with Council Member Mora
» Motion passes with Council Member Mora
being absent.
>> We've now taken action to approve
» We've now taken action to approve
resolution 260005
as stated in the agenda.
And at 7:20, this meeting is adjourned.