The Vallejo City Council has given the green light to a temporary memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians, allowing for the establishment of a preview casino while the tribe's larger resort project awaits federal evaluation.
This interim initiative will feature a preview casino along with tribal offices situated on trust land close to Interstate 80 and Columbus Parkway in Vallejo. Construction of the facility is anticipated to commence in the upcoming months, pending the approval of an encroachment permit, as reported by CBS News.
City officials have stated that staff will continue to assess the potential impacts of the proposed larger casino project, ensuring that Vallejo receives appropriate compensation and mitigation for any effects that may arise.
The tribe's ambitious $700 million casino and resort plan remains in limbo after the federal government revoked its initial approval due to legal challenges from neighboring tribes.
The core of the dispute revolves around assertions from nearby tribal governments claiming that the Scotts Valley tribe lacks ancestral connections to the Vallejo area.
Anthony Roberts, chairman of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, emphasized, “That is ancestral Patwin territory. It has been, it always will be... Our fight from day one has never been to hold the tribe down. It's been to protect the resources that we've safeguarded in our ancestral lands for generations.”
During the public comment period, Andy Mejia, chairman of the Lytton Rancheria, urged the council to postpone any decisions until the federal review is complete. “To do so will simply waste the time and resources of the city when a few months of patience would go a long way. If the city of Vallejo moves forward with the decision, Lytton Rancheria will litigate,” Mejia warned.
The MOU was modified during council discussions to enhance community involvement, stipulating that 15% of job hires must come from Vallejo, and included a commitment to assist in the cleanup of White Slough.
Scotts Valley sought the agreement to define the terms for city services, including water supply, police, and fire support, as development progresses on tribal land.
According to the agreement, the tribe is required to secure an encroachment permit and finance various site necessities. These include round-the-clock onsite security with a dedicated police officer, paid fire mitigation services, monthly commercial water payments, and the installation of FLOCK license plate reader cameras and a security tower camera at the tribe's expense.
Shawn Davis, tribal chairman for Scotts Valley, expressed, “We feel that Vallejo is not just a project site; it is our homeland. This is my home now. We are developing the land with a preview casino to help build stability and opportunity for our families and to provide benefits to the city and Vallejo community.”
The council's decision followed extensive debate and public testimony, with council members Alexander Matias and Tonia Lediju voting against the revised agreement.
“On the merits, I can't vote for this agreement tonight. Part of that is because I don't think that the agreement in its current form is substantially bringing to the city of Vallejo the benefits it could bring, even though it is a temporary agreement,” Matias stated.
Matias also proposed a motion for Scotts Valley to return with a revised proposal in 30 days, which failed, with Lediju being the only member to support it.
“Partnership requires clarity and discipline. I want to say that I acknowledge and respect the sovereignty of the tribe and the right to pursue economic development, and I support the city engaging in partnership… what concerns me about this MOU is whether we should engage, but whether we are doing so in a way that fully protects Vallejo and our residents,” Lediju remarked.
Public testimony included backing from residents and labor representatives who endorsed the interim project. “We are all in support of the MOU. This agreement helps ensure Vallejo will see meaningful benefits from the tribe's preview casino, including support for city services... it is a positive step to making sure this project contributes to our community in a responsible manner,” they stated.