BARSTOW CITY COUNCIL /
BARSTOW FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
220 EAST MOUNTAIN VIEW STREET
BARSTOW, CA 92311
FEBRUARY 21, 2023
7:00 PM
(HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE)
MINUTES
JOINT SPECIAL MEETING
Minutes-February 21, 2023
CALL TO ORDER :
MAYOR COURTNEY called the Joint Special Meeting to order at 7:02 P.M.
INVOCATION:
MAYOR PRO TEM NOBLE led the Invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
COUNCILMEMBER DYER KRUSE led the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL:
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
James M. Noble Mayor Pro Tem Present
Marilyn Dyer Kruse Council Member Present
Barbara Mae Rose Council Member Present
Paul Anthony Courtney Mayor Present
Carmen Hernandez Council Member Present
PARTICIPATION IS INVITED: IF YOU WISH TO BE HEARD ON ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA INCLUDING
ANY ITEM ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR, PLEASE SO INDICATE BY FILLING OUT A SPEAKER REQUEST CARD AND HAND TO THE CITY CLERK. IF SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS ARE REQUIRED, 48 HOURS NOTICE MUST BE GIVEN TO THE CITY CLERK.
CODE OF ETHICS: AS YOUR ELECTED GOVERNING BOARD WE WILL REMEMBER THE "CODE OF ETHICS" THAT WE VOLUNTARILY AND UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. DURING THIS MEETING WE WILL TREAT EACH OTHER AND THE PUBLIC WITH PATIENCE, CIVILITY AND COURTESY. THE DECISIONS
MADE TONIGHT WILL BE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BARSTOW COMMUNITY AND NOT FOR PERSONAL GAIN.
Minutes-February 21, 2023
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA: THIS IS THE TIME FOR MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BOARD TO CALL FOR REARRANGING THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA; ADDING ITEMS TO OR REMOVING ITEMS FROM THE AGENDA; OR REMOVING ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION AND/OR SEPARATE ACTION.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Carmen Hernandez, Council Member
SECONDER: Marilyn Dyer Kruse, Council Member
AYES: Noble, Kruse, Rose, Courtney, Hernandez
PRESENTATIONS:
1. PRESENTATION FROM THE UNITED STATES VETERANS SUPPORT GROUP, INC.
Recommended Action:
Presentation only.
HERMAN WAGNER OF THE UNITED STATES VETERANS SUPPORT GROUP (USVSG) - Presented recognition plaques to MAYOR COURTNEY and COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ recognizing them for their support in helping the USVSG accomplish its goals in providing support for all veterans and families and all other members of the Barstow community that need assistance with their quality of life.
RESULT: PRESENTATION ONLY
CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC COMMENT: THIS IS THE TIME AND PLACE FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE GOVERNING BOARD ON ALL MATTERS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
SPEAKERS ARE ASKED TO LIMIT THEIR COMMENTS ON ALL CONSENT ITEMS TO THREE MINUTES OR LESS. ALL REQUESTS TO SPEAK MUST BE RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE AGENDA ITEM BEING ADDRESSED. IF SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS ARE REQUIRED, 48 HOURS NOTICE MUST BE GIVEN TO THE CITY CLERK.
MINUTES ALL AGENCIES:
2. MINUTES JOINT SPECIAL MEETING - FEBRUARY 6, 2023 AT 7:00 P.M.
Recommended Action:
Approve minutes as presented.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: James M. Noble, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Marilyn Dyer Kruse, Council Member
AYES: Noble, Kruse, Rose, Courtney, Hernandez
CITY COUNCIL:
3. ACCEPTANCE OF THE FY 2020 HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM (HSGP)
AWARD AS A SUB-RECIPIENT THROUGH THE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT, OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES.
Recommended Action:
Authorize staff to accept the sub-recipient award of the FY2020 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) in the amount of $24,452 and authorize the expenditure appropriation in the amount of $24,452 to account number 217.217.217.07.729 for the initial procurement of the listed equipment. Grant reimbursement will be credited to revenue account number 217.615.116.652 Minutes-February 21, 2023
upon receipt.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: James M. Noble, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Marilyn Dyer Kruse, Council Member
AYES: Noble, Kruse, Rose, Courtney, Hernandez
4. COMMUNITY PROMOTIONAL FUND APPLICATION FROM ON THE RISE, INC. - CALEB'S
COLOR RUN
Recommended Action:
Approve Community Promotional Fund donation in the amount of $2,000 for waiver of fees for use of the Robert A. Sessions Memorial Sports Park.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: James M. Noble, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Marilyn Dyer Kruse, Council Member
AYES: Noble, Kruse, Rose, Courtney, Hernandez
5. COMMUNITY PROMOTIONAL FUND APPLICATION FROM THE BARSTOW CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE
Recommended Action:
Approve Community Promotional Fund donation in the amount of $2,000 for waiver of fees for the use of the Cora Harper Center.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: James M. Noble, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Marilyn Dyer Kruse, Council Member
AYES: Noble, Kruse, Rose, Courtney, Hernandez
6. COMMUNITY PROMOTIONAL FUND APPLICATION FROM BARSTOW COMMUNITY COALITION/DESERT SANCTUARY INC.
Recommended Action:
Approve Community Promotional Fund in-kind donation in the amount of $2,000 for waiver of fees for use of the Cora Harper Center.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: James M. Noble, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Marilyn Dyer Kruse, Council Member
AYES: Noble, Kruse, Rose, Courtney, Hernandez
DISCUSSION / ACTION ON DEFERRED ITEMS: (ITEMS PREVIOUSLY TABLED OR PULLED FROM
CONSENT CALENDAR BY COUNCIL WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE GOVERNING BOARD AT THIS TIME).
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
7. CONSIDERATION OF DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH MILESTONE HOUSING GROUP, LLC
Recommended Action:
The City Council adopt a resolution terminating the development agreement with Milestone Housing Group (attached as Exhibit C) and direct staff to take further steps to terminate the Minutes-February 21, 2023
development agreement.
If the development agreement is terminated, then the City plans to assess its options for how to best use the site.
Exhibit A - Development Agreement with Milestone Housing Group, LLC Exhibit B - February 21, 2023 Notice of Termination
Exhibit C - Resolution Terminating Development Agreement with Milestone Housing Group, LLC Exhibit D - Resolution No. 5040-2021
Exhibit E - Email from Marcus Griffin, Principal and CFO of Milestone Housing Group, LLC
CITY ATTORNEY MATTHEW SUMMERS
- Presented the staff report as filed with the City Clerk. - Stated that staff was recommending that the City Council adopt a resolution terminating the development agreement the City had entered into with Milestone Housing Group, LLC for failure to comply with the terms of the development agreement.
- Stated that another agreement would go to the Council for approval should another developer be selected.
MAYOR COURTNEY OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:21 P.M.
NO PUBLIC COMMENTS
MAYOR COURTNEY OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:22 P.M.
CITY CLERK ANDREA FLORES
- Stated that one letter was received by the City which was provided to the Council and would be added to the record.
COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ
- Stated that the questions in the written correspondence received from ANTHONY ANDERSON were addressed by CITY ATTORNEY SUMMERS.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Carmen Hernandez, Council Member
SECONDER: James M. Noble, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Noble, Kruse, Rose, Courtney, Hernandez
BUSINESS / ACTION ITEMS:
BFPD/CITY COUNCIL:
8. FISCAL YEAR 2022/23 MID-YEAR BUDGET STATUS REPORT & PROPOSED BUDGET
ADJUSTMENTS
Recommended Action:
1. Staff recommends that the City Council / Fire Board approve the budget adjustments and related transfers within the Budget Adjustments contained within the "Exhibit A” as discussed herein.
2. Staff recommends that the City Council / Fire Board approve the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), Capital Equipment, and Special Revenue budget adjustments and carryforwards, and related transfers in conjunction with the aforementioned budget adjustments and carryforward budgets, contained in "Exhibit B" of this staff report.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES MANAGER HEIDY RILEY
- Presented the staff report as filed with the City Clerk. - Provided an overview of General Fund revenues and expenditures along with an overview of the Measure Q and Barstow Fire Protection District funds.
Minutes-February 21, 2023
- Stated that the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget did not include the 8% increase in salaries that the Council approved in November 2022.
COUNCILMEMBER ROSE
- Asked for clarification on why the Measure Q expenditures were trending higher.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES MANAGER HEIDY RILEY
- Stated that increased Measure Q expenditures were due to salary increases approved in November 2022.
SPEAKERS
MIKE HERNANDEZ
- Asked what the balance of Measure Q funds was.
- Asked if 20% of Measure Q funds were set aside in reserves per policy. - Asked if Measure Q salary increases were only for Measure Q funded positions.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Carmen Hernandez, Council Member
SECONDER: Marilyn Dyer Kruse, Council Member
AYES: Noble, Kruse, Rose, Courtney, Hernandez
CITY COUNCIL:
9. APPOINTMENT OF MEASURE Q RESIDENT OVERSIGHT COMMISSIONERS - AT-LARGE, DISTRICTS 3, 4
Recommended Action:
City Council appoint the following individuals to the Resident Oversight Commission:
District 3 Ben Rosenberg
District 4 Marsha Weasma
At-Large Martha O’Brien
CITY MANAGER WILLIE HOPKINS, JR.
- Presented the staff report as filed with the City Clerk. - Stated that the Council had made the following recommendations:
District 3 Ben Rosenberg
District 4 Marsha Weasma
At-Large Martha O’Brien
COUNCILMEMBER ROSE
- Stated that she was glad to see the Measure Q Resident Overnight Commission (ROC) fully staffed and thanked all who applied and volunteered to serve.
SPEAKERS
ET SNELL, NEWBERRY SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
- Asked when a City Treasurer would be hired to monitor Measure Q funds.
JOHN WILLIAMS, BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA
- Asked why the Council was approving all three appointments with one vote instead of separately as done previously.
- Discussed concerns with being singled out by the Council when he previously applied to the ROC.
Minutes-February 21, 2023
COUNCILMEMBER DYER KRUSE
- Stated she recommended Ms. Weasma due to her experience with serving on the Barstow Unified School District Oversight Committee.
COUNCILMEMBER ROSE
- Stated she recommended Mr. Rosenberg due to his experience serving on the Barstow Unified School District Board of Trustees and his experience with budgets and financial statements.
MAYOR COURTNEY
- Stated he recommended Martha O'Brien due to her commitment to the Barstow community.
Motion by COUNCILMEMBER ROSE, seconded by COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ, and unanimously carried to approve the appointments by district.
DISTRICT 3
Motion by COUNCIMEMBER ROSE, seconded by COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ, and unanimously carried to appoint Ben Rosenberg as the District 3 representative.
DISTRICT 4
Motion by COUNCIMEMBER ROSE, seconded by COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ, and unanimously carried to appoint Marsha Weasma as the District 4 representative.
AT-LARGE
Motion by COUNCIMEMBER ROSE, seconded by COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ, and unanimously carried to appoint Martha O'Brien as the At-Large representative.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Barbara Mae Rose, Council Member
SECONDER: Carmen Hernandez, Council Member
AYES: Noble, Kruse, Rose, Courtney, Hernandez
GENERAL, NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT: THIS IS THE TIME AND PLACE FOR THE GENERAL
PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE GOVERNING BOARD ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA AND WITHIN THE CITY’S JURISDICTION. SPEAKERS ARE ASKED TO LIMIT THEIR COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES OR LESS. ALL REQUESTS TO SPEAK MUST BE RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE AGENDA ITEM BEING ADDRESSED. IF SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS ARE REQUIRED, 48 HOURS NOTICE MUST BE GIVEN TO THE CITY CLERK.
SPEAKERS
PASTOR WASHINGTON CHURCH
- Discussed concerns with how the Council and community treated one another.
EUGENE BUTTICCI, BARSTOW AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
- Discussed the upcoming Community Recognition Awards on March 31, 2023. - Also provided an update on the recent Taste of Bayou event and stated that the February Economic Development Committee meeting was cancelled.
ET SNELL, NEWBERRY SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
- Thanked DETECTIVE DAY and the Barstow Police Department for their efforts with the recent arrest of a sex offender.
Minutes-February 21, 2023
- Discussed concerns with CITY TREASURER MICHAEL LEWIS and COUNCILMEMBER ROSE.
MIKE HERNANDEZ, BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA
- Recommended that MAYOR PRO TEM NOBLE and COUNCILMEMBER ROSE serve as representatives on the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Committee once reinstated. - Discussed concerns with Measure Q and the lack of accountability along with streets maintenance.
MANNY LOPEZ, DOS COSTAS COMMUNICATIONS
- Invited the community to attend the 17th Annual New Mexico Chili Cook-Off and Belen Festival on April 1, 2023.
- Also discussed the possibility of helping the Parks and Recreation Department host an Easter egg hunt.
JIM BROWN, BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA
- Discussed the circulation of the letter from Barbara Rose's family and stated that the letter was not grounds for a recall.
- Also discussed concerns with the Street Committee and commended POLICE CHIEF ANDREW ESPINOZA, JR.
STAFF REPORTS:
None.
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
COUNCILMEMBER ROSE
- Stated that the next Rules and Policies Committee meeting was February 28, 2023 and Homeward Bound was March 8, 2023.
- Expressed support for serving on the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Commission once reestablished.
MAYOR PRO TEM NOBLE
- Provided an update on the February 21, 2023 Victor Valley Transit Authority meeting. Also noted that the City presented a recognition plaque to outgoing Executive Director Kevin Kane. - Stated the next Military Affairs meeting was March 14, 2023.
COUNCILMEMBER DYER KRUSE
- Discussed the February 9, 2023 Solid Waste JPA Board Meeting. - Stated that a Streets Committee meeting would be held March 1, 2023.
COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ
- Provided updates on the Desert Mountain Division meeting on February 17, 2023, which included an update on the Brightline high speed rail project.
- Also stated that the next Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District Board meeting was February 27, 2023 and that a March Streets Committee meeting was needed.
MAYOR COURTNEY
- Discussed the recent San Bernardino County Transportation Authority Mountain Desert Committee meeting and League of California Cities Desert Mountain Division meeting.
BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL:
COUNCILMEMBER ROSE
- Asked what the status was of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Committee.
Minutes-February 21, 2023
CITY MANAGER WILLIE HOPKINS, JR.
- Stated that the committee was still active, but recommended that members of the parks and recreation community serve instead of the Council.
COUNCILMEMBER ROSE
- Asked what the status of filling the Finance Director position was.
CITY MANAGER WILLIE HOPKINS, JR.
- Stated that there were many Finance Director vacancies throughout California and filling the position in Barstow had been a challenge.
- Stated that a nationwide search would be conducted.
COUNCILMEMBER ROSE
- Requested a Council goal-setting workshop. COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ) seconded. - Requested a Measure Q workshop for Council Members and new Commission members.
COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ seconded.
CITY MANAGER WILLIE HOPKINS, JR.
- Stated that both workshops could be scheduled.
- Recommended that the Council update the Measure Q spending plan prior to hosting a workshop.
MAYOR PRO TEM NOBLE
- Thanked the veterans for their service to the community. - Also thanked all public safety staff for their service.
COUNCILMEMBER DYER KRUSE
- Discussed recent Reimagine Barstow workshop.
- Encouraged the community to attend the Senate Bill 1100 workshop on February 23, 2023.
COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ
- Asked what the status was of purchasing a pitching machine for the Sports Park.
CITY MANAGER WILLIE HOPKINS, JR.
- Stated that staff had ordered the machines and would update the Council on the anticipated delivery date.
MAYOR COURTNEY
- No comments.
ADJOURNMENT:
By the consensus of the City Council and without objection, the meeting was adjourned at 8:47 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted: Approved:
_______________________________ _______________________________ Andrea Flores, City Clerk Paul Anthony Courtney, Dr. B.A. Mayor Notice: Signed Minutes are filed with the City Clerk’s office