High Desert Perspective

Posted By Ron Littlefield on March 25, 2009

SAN BERNARDINO – The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors today approved a preliminary step that ultimately will secure $433,000 in federal funds for several construction projects and service programs for First District communities.

The projects include construction and repairs at parks and senior center facilities, street, drainage and sidewalk improvements and the purchase of playground equipment, in addition to funding services for youth, families, homeless people, legal aid, crisis pregnancy, mental health counseling, domestic violence, literacy education and senior nutrition and transportation.

“The proposed projects will provide funding for important projects in our communities and will go a long way to augment available funding given the current economic situation,” said Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, who represents the High Desert area. “Securing these funds will ensure that facilities and vital services continue to be provided to our residents to help support and strengthen our communities.”

The federal funds are from the Community Development Block Grant program. The County’s application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is for an estimated total of $11,160,000 for projects that will be implemented countywide. The First District’s portion of the funds is $433,000. The process to secure the funding allows time for public input to the proposed plan and once approved, grant funding will become available to the County after July 1, 2009, when the required grant agreements are signed and HUD releases the funds.

First District communities that will benefit from projects and services provided by the funding are Adelanto, Barstow, Big River, El Mirage, Hinkley, Lucerne Valley, Needles, Oro Grande, Phelan, Pinion Hills, Searles Valley, Twentynine Palms, Victor Valley and Wrightwood.

In other actions the Supervisors approved an important roof renovation project for Calico Ghost Town and a restroom improvement project for Midway Park in Lucerne Valley.

Below is a list of projects that have been recommended for funding by Supervisor Mitzelfelt and received initial approval by the Board of Supervisors today:

Some First District Construction Projects:
Curb/Gutter/Drainage Improvements – Adelanto – $25,000
Construction of a Skate Park at Richardson Park – Adelanto – $7,000
Playground Equipment – Hinkley -  $75,000
Electric Meter Installation for Lighting Pioneer Park – Lucerne Valley – $11,000
Improvements at Midway Park Equestrian Area – Lucerne Valley -  $23,000
Purchase of Water Rights for Irrigation and Fire Flow – Lucerne Valley – $19,000
Additional Funding for Sidewalk Replacement – Needles -  $6,000
Irrigation System Improvements at Senior Center – Newberry Springs – $45,000
Security Bars and Windows for Community Center – Oro Grande – $35,000

Some First District Public Service Projects:
Transitional Housing Services – Barstow -  $2,500
Family Mental Health Counseling – Barstow – $2,500
Community Cleanup and Juvenile Diversion – Barstow -  $2,500
Domestic Violence Shelter Services – Barstow -  $2,500
Literacy Education at Barstow Branch Library -  $2,500
Daycare Services to Seniors with Alzheimer’s – Barstow – $2,500
Provide Educational Enrichment Program to Youth – Barstow – $3,400
Nutritional Services at Senior Center – Big River – $5,000
High Desert Homeless Shelter Services – Victor Valley – $5,000
Domestic Violence Shelter Services – Victor Valley – $5,000
Legal Aid Services to Low/Mod Income Persons – Countywide – $7,500
Crisis Pregnancy Services – Barstow – $2,500
At-Risk Youth Tutoring, G.E.D. and Employment Training – Barstow – $2,500
Nutrition Services at the Victor Valley Senior Center – Victor Valley – $5,000
Senior Nutrition Services at Senior Center – Hinkley – $5,000
Nutrition Services at Senior Center – Lucerne Valley – $8,000
Senior and Handicapped Transportation – Twentynine Palms – $7,500
Senior Citizens Transportation Services – Needles – $1,000
Youth Drug Prevention and Intervention – Needles – $5,000
Senior Nutrition – Phelan Area Communities – $48,000
Senior Citizen Outreach and Transportation Services – Searles Valley – $34,000
Literacy Education at Branch Library – Twentynine Palms – $2,500
Family Services for At-Risk Pregnant Teens – Victor Valley – $10,000
Domestic Violence Outreach Services – Victor Valley – $5,000

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