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Adelanto council keeps current Mojave Desert Air Quality District delegate after heated debate
Summary
Following a contentious exchange and public comment, the Adelanto City Council voted to retain Councilwoman Evans as the city’s delegate to the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District, with Councilwoman Uptegrove remaining alternate.
A sharp debate over representation to the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District culminated on March 12 when the Adelanto City Council voted to retain the existing appointments: Councilwoman Evans as delegate and Councilor Mesa as alternate (the mayor’s motion to alter representation failed to secure a second). A subsequent motion to keep the committee assignments as they were passed by roll call: Evans yes, Mesa yes, Uptegrove yes, Mayor Pro Tem Ramos yes, Mayor Reyes no.
The discussion grew heated as Councilor Mesa questioned whether some delegates consistently represent Adelanto’s interests at regional boards; Mesa said he worries that voting records off the dais could undermine the city’s negotiating position. Councilwoman Evans said she had served as the delegate and would like to remain in the role, defended her record and denied attacking staff, saying she asks direct questions as part of oversight: “I don’t attack anybody. I’ve never attacked anybody, but I am going to ask questions,” Evans said.
Councilwoman Uptegrove and Mayor Pro Tem Ramos argued that each councilmember brings valuable experience and that the city benefits from having qualified representatives who can cultivate partnerships and pursue regional funding. Multiple members of the public called into the meeting to support Councilwoman Evans, describing the proposal to remove her as personal and inappropriate. Caller Ariana Salas said, “Devonna Evans has been the only Democrat I’ve ever voted for. She is for the community… I didn’t hear one good reason she should be removed.”
After public comment, the council attempted competing motions (including proposals to swap the delegate and alternate) before the body approved a motion to keep the appointments unchanged by roll call. The mayor said he raised the conversation to allow the council to consider whether the best representatives are assigned to each board, noting the city’s cannabis industry and local air issues as relevant factors for the Mojave board seat.
The council’s resolution preserves the current delegation and directs staff to continue engaging with regional partners; no disciplinary action or formal removal was taken.
