REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
220 EAST MOUNTAIN VIEW STREET
BARSTOW, CA 92311
MARCH 20, 2023
7:00 PM
(HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE)
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Minutes-March 20, 2023
CALL TO ORDER :
MAYOR COURTNEY called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
INVOCATION:
MAYOR PRO TEM NOBLE gave 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-March 20, 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.
COUNCILMEMBER ROSE requested that Item 2 be pulled for discussion.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Barbara Mae Rose, Council Member
SECONDER: Carmen Hernandez, Council Member
AYES: Noble, Kruse, Rose, Courtney, Hernandez
PRESENTATIONS:
None.
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:
1. MINUTES JOINT SPECIAL MEETING - MARCH 3, 2023 AT 6:00 P.M.
Recommended Action:
Approve minutes as presented.
CITY CLERK ANDREA FLORES
- Stated that the motion on Item 8 of the minutes was amended to state that both committee resolutions be reviewed by the committee chair prior to bringing to the Council for approval.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Marilyn Dyer Kruse, Council Member
SECONDER: Carmen Hernandez, Council Member
AYES: Noble, Kruse, Rose, Courtney, Hernandez
CITY COUNCIL:
2. COMMUNITY PROMOTIONAL FUND APPLICATION FROM DOS COSTAS
COMMUNICATIONS
Recommended Action:
Staff is recommending the approval of community promotional fund cash donation in the amount of $1,500 and waiver of fees for the use of Fogelsong Park, tables, chairs and staff time in the amount of $3,227 to Dos Costas Communications, pursuant to the Community Promotional Fund Policy, Section A (Program Guidelines), No. 9.
COUNCILMEMBER ROSE
- Stated the item was pulled for discussion to provide Dos Costas Communications the opportunity to present their application.
Minutes-March 20, 2023
MANNY LOPEZ, DOS COSTAS COMMUNICATIONS
- Stated they have had difficulties with securing sponsorships for the 17th Annual New Mexico Chili Cook-off and Belen Fiestas.
COUNCILMEMBER ROSE
- Asked if the Council could consider donating more towards the event.
MAYOR PRO TEM NOBLE
- Recommended that the City Manager and staff review the request and determine the appropriate amount.
COUNCILMEMBER DYER KRUSE
- Agreed with MAYOR PRO TEM NOBLE and stated that the appropriate policy should be followed when determining a donation amount.
COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ
- Recommended the Council approve Dos Costas Communications' application as presented and then have a discussion at a future meeting on the Community Promotional Fund Policy.
ROLAND ULLOA, DOS COSTAS COMMUNICATIONS
- Stated that they appreciated the donation amount, but the City should fund more of the event since there were funds available in the cannabis fund.
- Requested that the Council table the item for discussion.
MANNY LOPEZ, DOS COSTAS COMMUNICATIONS
- Stated that the City should organize the event.
SPEAKERS
MIKE HERNANDEZ, BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA
- Stated that the current policy was supposed to have an established limit on cash donations.
JOHN WILLIAMS, BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA
- Discussed concerns with the City not providing additional funding for the event.
Motion by COUNCILMEMBER ROSE, seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM NOBLE, and carried 3 to 2, to approve the Community Promotional Fund donation amount of $1,500 and waiver of fees for the use of Fogelsong Park, tables, chairs and staff time in the amount of $3,227 to Dos Costas Communications, and authorize the City Manager to allocate additional funding up to $25,000 and to treat all applicants the same.
DISCUSSION
COUNCILMEMBER DYER KRUSE
- Expressed concerns with treating all applicants equally and establishing policies and procedures for allocation of funds, tracking expenditures and allocation of funds.
COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ
- Discussed concerns with treating applicants equally and providing a gift of public funds.
Minutes-March 20, 2023
RESULT: APPROVED [3 TO 2]
MOVER: Barbara Mae Rose, Council Member
SECONDER: James M. Noble, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Noble, Rose, Courtney
NAYS: Kruse, Hernandez
3. ACCEPTANCE OF THE FY 2022/2023 BOARD OF STATE AND COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS (BSCC) OFFICER WELLNESS AND MENTAL HEALTH GRANT PROGRAM.
Recommended Action:
Authorize staff to accept the sub-recipient award of the FY2022/2023 BSCC Officer Wellness and Mental Health Grant in the amount of $28,000 and authorize the expenditure appropriation in the amount of $28,000 to account number 218.218.218.07.753 for the initial procurement of the listed equipment. Grant reimbursement will be credited to revenue account number 218.615.116.635 upon receipt.
SPEAKERS
TED WEASMA, BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA
- Asked what type of equipment would be purchased with the grant.
POLICE CHIEF ANDREW ESPINOZA, JR.
- Stated that the grant was for establishing or enhancing officer wellness and mental health programs and not the purchase of equipment.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Marilyn Dyer Kruse, Council Member
SECONDER: Carmen Hernandez, 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:
None.
BUSINESS / ACTION ITEMS:
None.
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
EUGENE BUTTICCI, BARSTOW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
- Discussed the upcoming Community Recognition Awards on March 31, 2023 and the upcoming Barstow International Gateway (BIG) community stakeholder meetings.
Minutes-March 20, 2023
LEONARD WILLIAMS, BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA
- Asked MAYOR COURTNEY to clarify statements regarding the BIG project increasing the population by 160,000.
DOLORES PADILLA, BARSTOW LITTLE LEAGUE PRESIDENT
- Discussed concerns with Measure Q not funding the league’s electric bills. - Also discussed concerns with the field conditions at the Sports Park and the lack of available fields.
LATRINA WALLACE, BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA
- Discussed upcoming events at the Barstow Senior Center.
MIKE HERNANDEZ, BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA
- Asked when the next Rules and Policies Committee, Streets Committee and Measure Q meetings would be held.
- Asked what the status of Measure Q was.
- Asked about the status of the third party investigation results. - Asked what the protocol was if an elected official disrupted the meeting.
JOHN WILLIAMS, BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA
- Discussed concerns with MAYOR COURTNEY trying to remove him from the meeting and using the Police Department for his own personal gain.
PERRY PACK, BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA
- Invited the community to participate in an event at New Life Fellowship on April 1, 2023. - Stated that the community needed to work together to address homelessness particularly among veterans.
MARSHA WEASMA, BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA
- Discussed concerns with the letter from COUNCILMEMBER ROSE's family being circulated.
JIM BROWN, BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA
- Discussed concerns with the Marriott project and MAYOR COURTNEY. - Suggested another lack of confidence vote from the Council.
BILLIE BRAUN, BILLIES KITCHEN
- Invited the community to enjoy Billie’s Kitchen Fish Fry Fridays and smokehouse barbeque on Saturdays.
STAFF REPORTS:
None.
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
COUNCILMEMBER ROSE
- Stated that the next Rules and Policies meeting was March 28, 2023. - Discussed March 8, 2023 Homeward Bound meeting,
MAYOR PRO TEM NOBLE
- Provided an update on the March 20, 2023 Victor Valley Transit Authority meeting.
COUNCILMEMBER DYER KRUSE
- Stated the next Streets Committee meeting was April 5, 2023.
Minutes-March 20, 2023
COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ
- Invited the community to attend Barstow Community College's International Women's History Month event on March 21, 2023.
MAYOR COURTNEY
- No committee reports.
BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL:
COUNCILMEMBER ROSE
- Discussed concerns with MAYOR COURTNEY and his treatment towards her and other women. - Also discussed concerns with MAYOR COURTNEY circulating the letter from her family and slanderous flyer against her.
- Requested a vote of no confidence against MAYOR COURTNEY due to his retaliatory behavior towards her.
- Asked CITY ATTORNEY MATTHEW SUMMERS for status update on the third party investigation.
MAYOR PRO TEM NOBLE
- Stated he looked forward to all of the upcoming community events over the next few weeks. - Asked CITY ATTORNEY MATTHEW SUMMERS for status update on the third party investigation.
CITY ATTORNEY MATTHEW SUMMERS
- Stated that the results of the investigation had been forwarded to the District Attorney's Office and a response had not been received to-date.
- Stated the Council could discuss in closed session at the next Council meeting.
COUNCILMEMBER DYER KRUSE
- Discussed the recent Hidden Mesa Estates grand opening event. - Addressed Barstow Little League's concerns regarding the Sports Park and stated that aside from the City, volunteers traditionally assisted with field maintenance. Also asked Finance staff to address the electric bill issue mentioned during public comments.
COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ
- Stated she attended Dr. Lester's funeral.
- Discussed questions she received regarding the rental agreement and the list of other renters that could not be provided.
- Asked CITY ATTORNEY MATTHEW SUMMERS to find out if relocation assistance could be provided to a resident 3727 West Main Street, #8.
- Requested that staff contact Southwest Gas and help resolve the issue at Hill Side Apartments. - Discussed concerns with the Council and community's treatment of each other.
MAYOR COURTNEY
- Thanked ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER KODY TOMPKINS for his efforts. - Discussed the BIG project and his past support of the Chili Cook Off event. - Also discussed an upcoming event with State Treasurer Fiona Ma on April 1, 2023 and recent events attended including the Hidden Mesa Estates grand opening and Babies So Special Color Run.
Minutes-March 20, 2023
ADJOURNMENT:
By the consensus of the City Council and without objection, the meeting was adjourned at 9:13 PM.
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