Victorville City Council approves housing contracts, safety projects, security and veterinary agreements; raises city manager pay

Sept. 2, 2025 — The Victorville City Council on Tuesday approved a package of contracts and budget changes that city staff said will expand rapid rehousing services, add pedestrian safety devices at school crosswalks, formalize veterinary support for the city’s animal adoption center, replace unarmed security services at city facilities and increase the city manager’s salary by 5 percent.

The actions move grant-funded housing supports and safety projects into procurement and implementation phases while codifying ongoing services the city relied on during the prior fiscal year. Council members voted unanimously on nearly every measure; one staff-request item to study options for filling a council vacancy passed with Councilwoman Jones voting no.

City staff described the most substantial items as: approval of two consultant agreements for rapid rehousing funded from the state Encampment Resolution Fund round 3 (ERF 3); a budget amendment to add rapid flashing beacons at nine school crosswalks combining a Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant and Measure I funds; award of an unarmed security guard services contract; ratification of prior veterinary expenditures and approval of a one-year veterinary services agreement; and a 5% salary increase for the city manager. All motions and vote tallies are recorded below.

Rapid rehousing contracts (ERF 3): The council approved consultant professional services agreements to deliver rapid rehousing in ERF 3-designated areas. The city announced it had been awarded $6,400,000 from the state in November 2024 for ERF 3; staff allocated about $2,300,000 of that award to rapid rehousing work. The council approved a 24-month agreement with Family Assistance Program not to exceed $959,920 and a 24-month agreement with Victor Valley Family Resource Center not to exceed $200,000. Motion: adopt staff recommendation (moved by Councilwoman Godin; seconded by Councilwoman Irving). Vote: Godin—Yes; Irving—Yes; Jones—Aye; Mayor Pro Tem Herriman—Yes; Mayor Becerra—Yes. Outcome: approved.

Budget amendment for school crosswalk beacons: The council adopted Resolution No. 25-066 to amend the FY2025–26 budget, appropriating $149,310 in HSIP revenue/expenditures and $465,000 in Measure I revenue/expenditures for installation of rectangular rapid flashing beacons at nine school crosswalk locations. Staff noted some sites require ADA-related improvements that will be funded from Measure I. Motion: adopt staff recommendation (moved by Councilwoman Jones; seconded by Councilwoman Irving). Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

Unarmed security services contract: After a public solicitation that produced 17 bidders, the council awarded a general services provider agreement to American Global Security Inc. in an amount not to exceed $324,355 for project JM25-128 to provide unarmed security guard services at city facilities. Staff said the award was made based on evaluation criteria including methodology, past performance, qualifications and cost (not strictly lowest bid). Motion: adopt staff recommendation (moved by Councilman Jones; seconded by Councilman Godin). Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

Veterinary services ratification and new agreement: The council ratified prior veterinary expenditures for fiscal year 2024–25 in the amount of $257,184.86 for services provided by Dr. Joseph Velasco, doing business as Providential Services Inc., and approved a professional services agreement in the amount of $265,000 for veterinary services for FY2025–26 (project CC25-024). Staff described the agreement as formalizing an existing relationship the city relied on while constructing and opening the city’s animal adoption center. The contract includes pricing for feline procedures, and staff said a registered veterinary technician on-site will handle many routine tasks in coordination with the veterinarian. Motion: adopt staff recommendation (moved by Councilman Godin; seconded by Councilman Jones). Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

Consent calendar and other routine approvals: The council approved consent calendar items 1–6 on a single motion (moved by Councilman Jones; seconded by Councilwoman Irving). Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

City manager salary adjustment: The council approved a 5 percent salary increase for City Manager Keith Metzler, described on the record as 5 percent above his current salary (not the prior contract figure). The motion was moved by Mayor Becerra and seconded by Councilwoman Irving. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

Recognition and events for California’s statehood anniversary; “Clean California” inquiry: The council voted to recognize California’s 175th anniversary and to illuminate City Hall in the state colors (blue and gold). The council also directed staff to evaluate recommendations from the state for possible local activities — including social media promotion and consideration of the state’s “Clean California” initiative — and report back on feasibility. Motion: recognize the anniversary and direct staff to evaluate recommendations (moved by Councilwoman Irving; seconded by Councilwoman Jones; amendment to include social media by Councilmember Godin). Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

Upcoming-agenda directions and appointments: The council directed staff to bring forward an item to appoint a recreation representative to the Planning Commission following the announced resignation of Commissioner Kurt (motion passed unanimously). The council also directed staff to return at the earliest availability with options related to the reported resignation of Councilwoman Jones and methods to fill the vacancy; that second motion passed with Councilwoman Jones voting no. Motion: refer to staff for options and timing (moved by Mayor Becerra; seconded by Councilwoman Irving). Vote: Godin—Yes; Irving—Yes; Jones—No; Herriman—Yes; Becerra—Yes. Outcome: referral approved.

Closed session and administrative reports: The council recessed to closed session earlier for real property negotiations under California Government Code section 54956.8; City Attorney Taguchi reported there was no reportable action from closed session. City Manager Keith Metzler provided staff reports noting Phase 2 of the citywide pavement preservation project has begun and reminded the public of a Halloween-themed community cleanup day on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.

Votes at a glance (motions and tallies): - Consent calendar (Items 1–6): Mover: Jones; Second: Irving; Vote: unanimous; Outcome: approved. - Item 7 (ERF 3 rapid rehousing agreements: Family Assistance Program $959,920; Victor Valley Family Resource Center $200,000): Mover: Godin; Second: Irving; Vote: unanimous; Outcome: approved. - Item 8 (Resolution 25-066 budget amendment: $149,310 HSIP; $465,000 Measure I): Mover: Jones; Second: Irving; Vote: unanimous; Outcome: adopted. - Item 9 (Unarmed security services to American Global Security Inc, not to exceed $324,355, JM25-128): Mover: Jones; Second: Godin; Vote: unanimous; Outcome: approved. - Item 10 (Veterinary services ratification $257,184.86; new PSA $265,000 with Dr. Joseph Velasco, Providential Services Inc): Mover: Godin; Second: Jones; Vote: unanimous; Outcome: ratified and approved. - Item 11 (City manager salary increase 5%): Mover: Mayor Becerra; Second: Irving; Vote: unanimous; Outcome: approved. - Item 12 (Recognize California’s 175th anniversary; illuminate City Hall blue and gold; evaluate Clean California and social media): Mover: Irving; Second: Jones; Amendment: include social media (Godin); Vote: unanimous; Outcome: approved. - Planning Commission appointment referral: Mover: Becerra; Second: Irving; Vote: unanimous; Outcome: referral approved. - Council vacancy options referral: Mover: Becerra; Second: Irving; Vote: Godin—Yes; Irving—Yes; Jones—No; Herriman—Yes; Becerra—Yes; Outcome: referral approved.

What council did not do: City Attorney Taguchi reported no reportable closed-session action concerning real property negotiations under Government Code section 54956.8.

Ending: Staff will return with implementation details and contract documents for the awarded agreements; several items are grant-funded and contingent on the terms of those grants and standard contract execution steps.