Residents raise mailbox vandalism, commercial vehicles on neighborhood streets and water-reclamation fees during public comment

Several residents used the public-comment period at the Oct. 21 Victorville City Council meeting to bring up quality-of-life concerns, including repeated mailbox vandalism, commercial vehicles and recreational vehicles on neighborhood streets and flat water-reclamation fees for unused houses.

Mailbox vandalism and mail delivery: two residents told the council their neighborhood cluster mailboxes had been vandalized multiple times in recent months. Lauren h said her mailbox cluster was hit twice in six months and described long waits at the post office to retrieve mail when boxes are disabled. “When I go into the post office, there’s always at least 20 to 40 people in line...it’s really thrown everything off,” she said. Another resident, John Schoenberger, recounted six-month delays for repairs after previous vandalism and asked whether the city could offer a free P.O. box or other interim solutions while the U.S. Postal Service investigates. City staff recorded contact information and said they would follow up.

Commercial trucks and recreational vehicles: Terry Creek said commercial trucks, dump trucks and recreational vehicles are using posted 25 mph, no-commercial-vehicle streets on Victorville’s north side, causing road damage and safety concerns. The speaker asked the city to investigate permits and enforcement; the mayor asked for contact information so staff could follow up.

Water-reclamation flat fees: Michael Ramos told the council he left town for family reasons and kept utilities shut off but continues to be charged a fixed water-reclamation fee while not using water. Ramos said he believes fees should be proportional to usage and referenced Proposition 218 in arguing the fee is unjust when there is no usage. The clerk said staff would be in contact to discuss billing and account options.

Old Town events and interim activation: Diane Hudgins expressed support for Old Town revitalization but urged interim activation measures such as farmers markets, food trucks and craft fairs to draw people back to downtown as long-term redevelopment continues.

Other comments: one speaker used the public-comment period to sharply criticize outgoing Councilmember Deborah Jones. The presiding officer ended that speaker’s time when the allowed three minutes expired. Several speakers also offered congratulations and personal remarks to Councilmember Jones during the presentations portion of the meeting; those ceremonial remarks were not part of the public-comment docket.

City response and follow-up: for each public commenter the clerk asked for contact details and staff said they would follow up. No formal policy actions were taken during the meeting on these issues.