REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
November 18, 2025
FROM
TERRY W. THOMPSON, Director, Real Estate Services Department
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works-Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to License Agreement with EarthScope Consortium Inc., Inc., for Geological Monitoring Equipment in Victorville
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Find that approval of Amendment No. 1 to License Agreement No. 20-952 with EarthScope Consortium Inc., for the non-exclusive use of 1,600 square feet of County land, is an exempt project under the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, Section 15301 - Existing Facilities (Class 1).
2. Approve Amendment No. 1 to License Agreement No. 20-952 with EarthScope Consortium Inc., to:
a. Approve the assignment to EarthScope Consortium, Inc., from UNAVCO, Inc.
b. Extend the term of the License Agreement for the period of December 1, 2025, through November 30, 2030, by exercising a five-year option, following a permitted two-month holdover, from October 1, 2025, through November 30, 2025, at no cost.
c. Update standard License agreement language, for non-exclusive use of 1,600 square feet of County-owned land located at 12397 Sycamore Street in Victorville (Assessor’s Parcel Number 3071-551-04-0000).
d. Continue operation and maintenance of one earthquake monitoring station.
3. Direct the Real Estate Services Department to file the Notice of Exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
(Presenter: Terry W. Thompson, Director, 387-5000)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item does not require the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). Amendment No. 1 (Amendment) to License Agreement No. 20-952 (License) is non-financial in nature. Administrative costs will be reimbursed by the Department of Public Works Transportation (DPW-T) (6650002000).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The recommended action will amend the existing License through the use of an available option to extend the License term with EarthScope from December 1, 2025, through November 30, 2030, following a permitted two-month holdover period, for the continued use of 1,600 square feet of County-owned land at 12397 Sycamore Street in Victorville, Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) 3071-551-04-0000 (Property), for the operation of geological monitoring equipment. In lieu of rent, the installed equipment will provide valuable geological data available to the public to help better understand the processes controlling volcanoes and earthquakes.
On September 29, 2020 (Item No. 52), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the no fee License with UNAVCO to operate and maintain one earthquake monitoring station located at 12397 Sycamore Street in Victorville to provide data for the United States Department of the Interior and Geological Survey (USGS), contribution in lieu of monetary fees. The original term of the License was for a period from October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2025.
Approval of this Amendment is recommended to approve the assignment from UNAVCO, Inc. to EarthScope, and extend the term of the License for the period of December 1, 2025, through November 30, 2030, through the use of an available five-year option. Extending the term of the License will allow EarthScope to continue to provide valuable geological data for public use. All other terms and conditions of the License remain the same.
The project to approve the License was reviewed pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and determined to be categorically exempt under Section 15301 - Existing Facilities (Class 1) because the proposed License is to secure property to operate within the existing structure with negligible or no expansion of existing use. Accordingly, no further action is required under CEQA.
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Summary of License Terms |
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Licensee: |
EarthScope Consortium, Inc., (formerly UNAVCO, Inc.) |
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James Downing, Esq., Senior Contracts and Permitting Manager |
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Location: |
12397 Sycamore Street in Victorville (APN 3071-551-04-0000) |
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Size: |
Approximately 1,600 square feet |
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Term: |
December 1, 2025, through November 30, 2030 |
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Options: |
Two remaining five-year options |
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Rent: |
None |
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Annual Increases: |
None |
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Improvement Costs: |
None |
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Custodial: |
None |
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Maintenance: |
None |
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Utilities: |
None |
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Insurance: |
The Certificate of Liability Insurance, as required by the License, is on file with the Real Estate Services Department |
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Holdover: |
Upon expiration of the term, if permitted by Licensor, the License shall continue on a month-to-month basis under the same terms and conditions in effect at the time of expiration |
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Right to Terminate: |
90-days written notice |
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Parking: |
None |
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest and John Tubbs II, Deputies County Counsel, 387-5455), on October 24, 2025; Public Works (Noel Castillo, Director, 387-7916) on October 17, 2025; Purchasing (Ariel Gill, Supervising Buyer, 387-2070) on October 16, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Kathleen Gonzalez, 387-8083, and Eduardo Mora, 387-4376, Administrative Analysts) on October 29, 2025.
(CM: 840-266-0977)