Victorville council approves housing contracts, school-crossing beacons, security and veterinary contracts; grants city manager 5% raise

The Victorville City Council on Sept. 2 approved a slate of contracts, budget amendments and personnel actions including two rapid‑rehousing agreements funded by the state Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF‑3), a budget amendment to install rectangular rapid flashing beacons at nine school crosswalks using Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) and Measure I funds, an unarmed security guard contract, a professional services agreement and ratification of prior veterinary expenditures, and a 5% salary increase for the city manager.

The actions were taken during a regularly scheduled council meeting that included one public commenter, Carla Cisneros, who urged increased police patrols or stronger security for neighborhood community mailboxes following repeated break‑ins. "These crimes have put citizens at risk of mail theft, financial fraud, and identity theft," Cisneros said during public comment.

City staff framed the agenda items as routine contract awards and program implementations. For the rapid rehousing contracts, City Housing staff said the awards implement a portion of an ERF‑3 grant the city received. "This item was brought to your attention…after having first been awarded back in November 2024," a staff presenter said, explaining the city’s solicitation and recommended awards. Heather Barber, the city’s human resources officer, summarized procurement criteria for a separate service contract: "The criteria that they use was methodology of service, past performance, understanding the scope of services, professional qualifications, and, of course, the cost."

Votes at a glance

- Consent calendar (Items 1–6): motion by Councilmember Jones, second by Councilmember Irving; roll call vote recorded as Godin yes; Irving yes; Jones aye; Mayor Pro Tem Herriman yes; Mayor Becerra yes. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Item 7 — Award consultant professional services provider agreements to deliver rapid rehousing services using ERF‑3 funds: approve agreement with Family Assistance Program for a 24‑month term not to exceed $959,920, and approve agreement with Victor Valley Family Resource Center for a 24‑month term not to exceed $200,000; authorize non‑substantive changes as agreed by the city manager and city attorney. Motion to adopt staff recommendation; first by Councilmember Godin, second by Councilmember Irving. Roll call: Godin yes; Irving yes; Jones aye; Herriman yes; Mayor Becerra yes. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Item 8 — Budget amendment for rectangular rapid flashing beacons at nine school crosswalks: adopt Resolution No. 25‑066 to amend FY 2025‑26 budget, appropriating $149,310 from the state HSIP grant and $465,000 from Measure I for the rectangular rapid flashing beacons project. Motion to adopt staff recommendation; first by Councilmember Jones, second by Councilmember Irving. Roll call: Godin yes; Irving yes; Jones aye; Herriman yes; Mayor Becerra yes. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Item 9 — Award general services provider agreement for unarmed security guard services: award to American Global Security Inc., amount not to exceed $324,355 for project JM25‑128. Motion to adopt staff recommendation; first by Councilmember Jones, second by Councilmember Godin. Roll call: Godin yes; Irving yes; Jones aye; Herriman yes; Mayor Becerra yes. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Item 10 — Ratify veterinary expenditures and approve professional services agreement: ratify $257,184.86 in veterinary services expenditures for FY 2024‑25 provided by Dr. Joseph Velasco, DBA Providential Services Inc., and approve a professional services agreement for FY 2025‑26 in the amount of $265,000 for veterinary services for the city’s animal services division. Motion to adopt staff recommendation; first by Councilmember Godin, second by Councilmember Jones. Roll call: Godin yes; Irving yes; Jones aye; Herriman yes; Mayor Becerra yes. Outcome: approved (unanimous). City staff noted the contract includes pricing for feline surgeries and that the city employs a registered veterinary technician on site; Councilmember Irving said she is "looking forward to launching the TNR" (trap‑neuter‑release) work for cats.

- Item 11 — City manager salary adjustment: motion to increase the city manager’s salary by 5% above his current base; first by Mayor Becerra, second by Councilmember Irving. Roll call: Godin yes; Irving yes; Jones aye; Herriman yes; Mayor Becerra yes. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Item 12 — Celebrate California’s 175th anniversary and related recognition: Council directed staff to illuminate City Hall in California’s colors (blue and gold), evaluate feasible recognition activities and investigate becoming a Clean California city; motion carried unanimously after an amendment to include social media promotion was accepted. Motion by Councilmember Irving, second by Councilmember Jones. Roll call: Godin yes; Irving yes; Jones aye; Herriman yes; Mayor Becerra yes. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Item 14 — Upcoming‑items requests: council approved a staff report to initiate consideration of appointing a representative to the Planning Commission to fill a vacancy; separately the council directed staff to prepare options to fill an anticipated City Council vacancy created by Councilmember Jones’ resignation. The appointment request passed unanimously; the direction to prepare vacancy‑filling options passed with Councilmember Jones voting no (yes 4, no 1).

Why it matters

The ERF‑3 rapid‑rehousing awards steer roughly $1.16 million of ERF‑3 funds toward rental subsidies, security deposits and landlord incentives in designated ERF‑3 areas — an immediate local deployment of state homelessness mitigation funds. The HSIP and Measure I amendment couples state safety grant funding with local Measure I funds to add pedestrian safety infrastructure near schools. The security contract and the veterinary services agreement respond to ongoing operational needs for public safety at city facilities and for the city‑operated animal adoption center; the veterinary item also regularizes prior emergency‑period expenditures.

What’s next

Staff will finalize agreements and implement the projects and services as approved; the council asked staff to return with feasible steps for the California anniversary recognition and to prepare options for filling the council vacancy. The city manager and department leads were directed to proceed under the terms approved by council and to process any ministerial or non‑substantive contract edits through the city manager and city attorney, as authorized.

Sources and attribution

The account above is based on presentations, the clerk’s roll call and staff recommendations read into the public record at the Victorville City Council meeting on Sept. 2, 2025. Carla Cisneros spoke during public comment. Staff presenters included the city’s housing and engineering staff, Human Resources Officer Heather Barber and Code Enforcement Officer George Duran. No external findings or outside reporting were added.