The Brotherhood Crusade
I recently had the opportunity to attend an event hosted by the Brotherhood Crusade in Los Angeles, where I witnessed firsthand the organization's efforts to help underprivileged youth.
Their program is one that could undoubtedly benefit Barstow.
For more than 50 years, the Brotherhood Crusade has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for low-income, underserved, underrepresented, and disenfranchised individuals in South Los Angeles. The organization believes that communities can be safe, inclusive, and culturally relevant, free from health disparities, disenfranchisement, and poverty-associated adverse public health conditions.
The Brotherhood Crusade's mission is to remove obstacles that prevent individuals from pursuing success and provide opportunities for a better quality of life. They accomplish this through promoting personal, social, and economic growth, facilitating academic success, increasing financial literacy, building community agencies and institutions, and improving health and wellness. The organization strives to empower individuals to create a better future for themselves and their communities.
CITY MANAGER UPDATE
OCTOBER 2023
We are working on partnering up
with The Brotherhood Crusade to
introduce their influential efforts to
Barstow. By working together, our
vision is to empower the younger
generation within our community.
We believe that the collaboration
with The Brotherhood Crusade will
play a crucial role in making this goal
a reality.
CODE COMPLIANCE
Understanding the Reasons Behind Long-Term Vacancies
Have you ever wondered why certain vacant houses remain unoccupied for extended periods of time? Neglected property maintenance and overgrown vegetation are just some of the telltale signs. There are several potential reasons for this, including the passing of the landowner, lack of kin to manage the property, or it may need to be returned to the mortgage company. In some cases, it may be subject to a property tax sale. If there is no estate plan and the children agree, the house must go through probate before it can be sold or transferred to the next responsible party. Unfortunately, this process can take years to complete.
Did you know?
Maintaining Fencing in Compliance with BMC 6.28.030 (1) h Q: Are you in violation of the code if your fencing is damaged or missing boards, leaning, or falling over?
A: Yes, you are. To avoid any legal issues, please ensure that any damaged fencing is repaired or removed promptly.
Note that obtaining a permit is required for cinder block fencing.
We submitted an application for the CalRecycle SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant for assistance with programs related to organics recycling and food waste reduction. The tentative date for funding recommendations is March 2024.
The Winter Waste & Recycling Newsletters are out in the November utility bills and are also posted on the city website. Check it out for holiday information including the Christmas tree recycling program.
We are working on establishing a year-round compost giveaway site where residents can go to load their own compost material to be used in their home gardens and plants. More information to come!
We are continuing our partnership with EcoHero to do educational performances at local elementary schools to teach them about the importance of recycling, organics recycling, and food waste reduction. The EcoHero team has begun reaching out directly to school sites to schedule performances throughout this school year.
New Happenings
In the Pipeline
CANNABIS DIVISION
POLICE
The PINK patch is back! Throughout the month of October, members of the Barstow Police Department wore pink patches on their uniforms in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The department held Coffee with a Cop at Dutch Bro’s Coffee. We had a great time engaging with the community!
Thanks to Kiwanis of Barstow’s generous donation of various hygiene products; School Resource Officer Gatti, Officer Miranda and Officer Rodriguez were able to handout 50 hygiene bags to students at Barstow Junior High School.
The department hosted a Business Outreach Meeting in the Western Beat. Sergeant Barrientos, Detective Willis and Officer Miranda gave a presentation on shopping mall safety tips and methods to prevent shoplifting. It was a great way for us to share information for the upcoming holiday season at businesses in the Lenwood area.
We participated in the City of Barstow’s Annual Trunk or Treat event. We had an amazing time seeing everyone dressed up and having fun!
Our IT department is working hard to manage a variety of projects, including completing Help Desk Work Orders and addressing media and Audio-Visual needs. Here's a sneak peek of what they have achieved so far, and what they are currently working on:
Projects Completed:
FY24 Q1 Network Infrastructure Upgrades
Anticipated Project Completion November:
Fire Station Alerting Project Implementation
Projects Currently in work:
Network Infrastructure Upgrade – Ongoing
Active Directory – Server upgrade and implementation
Email archiving implementation - system configuration - nearing completion Projects Upcoming:
Asset Management Upgrade and implementation
Dispatch EMD server replacement
On-Line Permitting / Solar Permitting implementation
WWTP Wi-Fi – Ongoing
IT DEPARTMENT
2567 Commerce Pkwy—Starbucks TI
600 W Main St—Fire Damage Report
860 W Main St—Hotel Fire Rehab
2596 Mercantile Way Bldg 22—Fire sprinklers
2011 Borrego Dr—Laundry Room and Office Fire Rehab
2567 Commerce Pkwy—1,185 sqft Shell Building
2511 W Main St—4,776 sqft Metal Building
1040 May Ln—Eight Unit Apartment Complex
1820 Rimrock Rd—SCE Charging Station
2809 Lenwood Rd—Cannabis Dispensary TI
1504 E Main St—Tesla EV Charging Station
1523 E Main St—Commercial TI—IHOP Restaurant
301 Pioneer St—Mercy Air—Modular & Helipad
1504 E Main St—Tesla Signage
1504 E Main St—Tesla Solar Canopy
2710 Lenwood Rd—Hampton inn TI—Revision #1
BUILDING DEPARTMENT
Our Building Department has been hard at work with numerous plan reviews. Here's a list of the projects that are currently in progress.
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Ongoing Construction on North First Avenue Bridge over BNSF Construction of the North First Avenue Bridge over BNSF is scheduled to continue throughout October. The current phase of construction involves building forms and installing rebar for deck frame.
Our staff has been working tirelessly to keep our parks clean and functional, despite the heavy demands of cleaning restrooms from homeless occupancy, graffiti removal, sprinkler repair, mowing turf, sports field striping, weed abatement, shrub trimming, and playground inspections.
In the upcoming month, the staff will be focused on preparing the parks for the winter months ahead. This will involve insulating backflows, spreading mulch, aerating sports fields, and thatching several parks to ensure that they are in top condition.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Park/Open Spaces
The Street Department has been working with the Engineering Department to assess streets for this winter's Pavement Preservation Project. Materials are being estimated to place the order.
Graffiti and potholes are being scheduled on a daily basis.
The Generator Enclosure Project at Fire Station 366 on W. Main St. is started. We will be demoing the east wall and removing the footing to increase the size of the enclosure to accommodate the new generator.
10-23-2023-Edison had a scheduled electrical outage for the intersection of Barstow Rd. & Mountain View. Street Maintenance placed temporary “A” Frame barricades with red flashing beacons for a 4-Way STOP.
Trunk or Treat was a success. It was a good turnout for the community, and the Street Department set Traffic Control in place for the community's safety.
Winter Storm Drain Maintenance and Channel is in the process. This eliminates any and all trash from entering the Mohave River bottom.
Street Maintenance removed unnecessary equipment from the interior walls of the Animal Rescue and prepped for Facility Maintenance Renovations.
Street Maintenance also responded to down power line at Lillian & Ann St. Public Works protect the area with traffic devices and directed school students around the hazard.
Streets were also closed Main St. for the 2023 USA Main St. Car Show.
Stiles Animal Removal has been added to the City of Barstow vendors list for the animal cremation processing.
Street Department continues the removal of dead animals from the Right-of-Way and within our community.
Combination of Public Works staff worked the 2023 Mardi Gra Parade by assembling Traffic Control and Detour Routes.
Street Maintenance
Facility Maintenance
The Jasper Park Community Center is currently undergoing renovations led by the maintenance team. This exciting project aims to revitalize both the interior and exterior of the building for everyone to enjoy. Among the proposed improvements are a new roof, exterior stucco, exterior LED lighting, and upgraded restrooms that meet ADA standards.
In addition to these renovations, Facility Maintenance has replaced the damaged plywood, painted the building, and removed unused electrical outlets to accommodate the animals.
Facility Maintenance has installed an electrical outlet for the washer and dryer at the Animal Rescue (Burrtec building).
Exterior Lighting was upgraded to LED for the security of Dana Park building.
TO Ruben Davila for passing his Class “B” License. Obtaining this license is a huge benefit to the department.
Josh Adams and Ruben Davila attend California Fire Mechanic’s Training Academy in Riverside, Ca.
Fleet continues with Interval Services, Service Repairs, and Unscheduled Repairs.
Fleet Maintenance:
“CONGRATULATIONS”
1. Haunted House:
In October, our Recreation Department hosted a two-day haunted house event, and I'm pleased to report that it was an outstanding success. We managed to generate over $1,200.00 in revenue through this event. The hard work and creativity of our team paid off, and it was heartening to see the community come together to support our efforts. The funds raised will be reinvested into our programs and facilities to better serve the residents of Barstow.
2. Trunk or Treat Event:
We were actively involved in the City of Barstow's Trunk or Treat event, and it proved to be another triumphant community gathering. Our team went all out with festive decorations and engaging activities, attracting a significant turnout. It was a delightful experience to see children and families enjoying a safe and fun Halloween celebration.
3. Youth Programs:
Our youth programs, including Judo, Karate, and after-school activities, continue to engage young residents, providing them with opportunities for physical activity, skill development, and social interaction. The success of these programs can be attributed to the dedication and hard work of our coaches and staff.
4. Community Outreach:
We remain committed to active engagement with the community. Our social media platforms, newsletters, and surveys help us collect valuable feedback and gain insights into the community's needs and preferences. We are also exploring the possibility of incorporating virtual programs to make our offerings more accessible.
5. Upcoming Projects:
Harvey House Christmas (Holiday) Event, We are excited to announce our upcoming Harvey House Christmas event, which promises to be a memorable holiday celebration. The event will feature beautifully decorated surroundings, holiday-themed activities, and opportunities for the community to come together in the spirit of the season. We are working diligently to make this event a festive and heartwarming experience for our residents.
6. Staff Recognition:
I would like to take this moment to recognize the outstanding dedication and hard work of our employee, Emma Yates. Her commitment and creativity were instrumental in the success of our recent haunted house event. Emma invested an exceptional amount of time and effort in creating captivating artwork for the event, contributing significantly to its overall appeal. Her passion and tireless commitment are truly commendable, and we are fortunate to have her as a valuable member of our Parks and Recreation team. Thank you, Emma, for your amazing contributions!
PARK & RECREATION