CITY MANAGER UPDATE
NOVEMBER 2023
The City of Barstow took a giant step towards positive change by engaging with the brilliant minds of Barstow High School students!
It's always exciting when different groups come together to collaborate and make positive changes in their community. By engaging with the bright minds of Barstow High School students, the City of Barstow is taking a bold step towards a better future. The session facilitated by EXP - The Opportunity Engine and in partnership with Barstow Unified School District was a great opportunity to gather valuable insights and ideas from the next generation of leaders. It's heartening to see young people taking an active role in shaping the future of their community. We look forward to seeing the outcomes of this collaboration and the positive impact it will have on Barstow. Together, we can build a brighter tomorrow!
CODE COMPLIANCE
Code Challenges and the Homeless
The challenges that code enforcement faces when dealing with the homeless are complex and multifaceted. One such prominent issue is the increase in abandoned trash barrels found in parkways, alleys, easements, and vacant parcels. This problem has grown to the point where entire alleys, which serve as access roads for entire blocks, are lined with collections of abandoned waste. As a result, bulk items are being disposed of randomly along these routes, leading to numerous complaints from residents. Furthermore, vacant landowners are also experiencing ongoing complaints as encampments are built on their properties, which generate a significant amount of waste that the landowners are responsible for cleaning up.
New Happenings
From December 26 through January 9, residents can place their live Christmas trees at the curb on their regular service day and Burrtec will collect them to be mulched. Please remove lights, decorations, stands, and nails prior to setting your tree out for collection. Any trees larger than 6 feet must be cut in half.
Burrtec will collect excess holiday trash and recyclables at single family residences for a oneweek period after Christmas Day. Please place excess bags next to the appropriate barrels to be picked up on their regular service day.
There will be no collection services on Christmas Day (Monday, December 25th). Since the holiday falls on a weekday, collection for the remainder of the week will be delayed by one day.
Victor Valley Compost is offering free Christmas tree mulch to residents on a first come, first served basis from late December through the end of January or while supplies last. Location is 17188 E Abby Lane Victorville, CA 92394 - Hours are Monday through Friday 8am-5pm closed weekends.
In the Pipeline
Educational presentations about organics recycling are scheduled for Henderson Elementary, Skyline North Elementary, Lenwood Elementary, and Barstow Fine Arts Academy in early 2024.
We are submitting an application for the FY 23-24 Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction City/County Payment Program to receive approximately $6,500 for projects that support the reduction of single use beverage containers, encourage recycling of those containers, and help fund community cleanup events.
Beginning January 1, 2024 pursuant to SB 1383 regulations, the city must begin enforcement action against any generators who are not in compliance. Only a few multi-family accounts remain without organics recycling service or an approved waiver; however, Burrtec and city staff are conducting follow-ups to help ensure these customers are provided the opportunity to come into compliance before the end of the year and avoid possible violations or administrative citation.
ENVIROMENTAL SERVICES
PLANNING
General Plan Comprehensive Update
The Planning staff has been focusing on the Land Use Element of the City's General Plan in recent months, and the draft is expected to be finalized by January. The purpose of Land Use is to determine Barstow's long-term development goals and objectives, while adhering to state land use and environmental quality regulations.
The Land Use document includes map(s) that indicate various land use designations and categories. It also outlines the purpose of each category, allowable levels of density, and overall projected development.
Land Use can be used as a tool to improve public health, boost the local economy, and devise strategies to minimize infrastructure expenses.
The draft Land Use Element will be presented to the City's Planning Commission and City Council, and the public will have an opportunity to review and provide feedback during this process.
Traffic Signal Improvement Along Main Street and Barstow Road. Specification are being completed and will be out to solicit bids.
Mojave River Valley Museum Roofing Project -CDBG. Documents were submitted to CDBG for approval to award. After CDBG approval, the project will be presented to City Council for Award of Contract.
ADA barrier and Concrete Project. Staff received the CDBG approval on September 21, 2023, to move to the plans and specification phase of the project. 2023 Pavement Preservation Project. Staff is currently finalizing the plans and specification for the project.
Desert Manna Roof Repair Project - CDBG. Applicant is determining if they will proceed with the Maintenance and Operation agreement.
Mountain View Memorial Park - ADA Restroom Rehabilitation Project. An agreement between San Bernardino County (SBC) and City of Barstow related to The American Rescue Plan Act and the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund was presented and approved at the November 20, 2023, City Council meeting.
Emergency Generator at Fire Station 363. The emergency generator replacement project is near completion. A tentative start-up of the generator is schedule for this month.
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
First Avenue Bridge over Mojave River. The project is
moving to the Plans, Specification and Estimate phase
(PS&E).
Rimrock Road and Barstow Road Traffic Signal
Improvements. A Caltran’s encroachment permit was
submitted April 6, 2023, to Caltrans for approval.
FINANCE
The City of Barstow has appointed Sydnie
Harris as its new Finance Director.
Harris will lead the Finance Department,
manage the City's finances, budget initiatives
and strategic goals, and create and explain City
financial programs, policies, and services. Harris
has experience in governmental accounting,
municipal operations, and establishing and
maintaining effective working relationships with
internal and external clients. She previously
served as Director of Finance for the Town of
Apple Valley and Deputy Director of Finance for
the City of San Bernadino, where she managed
fiscal recovery post-bankruptcy. She also served
as Interim Chief for Human Services Auditing for
the County of San Bernadino. Harris holds a
Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a
Master of Science in Accounting degree with a
concentration in Finance, with honors.
·Whitson & Thompson graduated Fire Academy and are now back on regular schedule. ·Barstow Fire District helped serve Thanksgiving meals to the Senior Citizens. ·Fire Chief drove around all day on Thanksgiving, handing out Turkey dinners. ·Static Display at the Tanger Outlets during Black Friday. ·Robledo and Veneri passed their 6-month testing.
·Conditional job offers were given to 2 Firefighter Paramedics. ·Conducted Captain promotional exams.
·Assisted the surrounding communities with numerous structure fires. ·The Father of Firefighter /Paramedic Hamdan passed this month we send his family warm thoughts & prayers.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
POLICE
The department held Lunch with a Cop in partnership with Barstow High School’s EXP Industry Coaching Program. Sergeant Tom Lewis and Sergeant Barrientos gave the student’s information and guidelines to help ensure safe and appropriate interactions with law enforcement officers.
The Barstow Police Activities League hosted its first Quartermania event. It was a successful fundraiser event that helped benefit the annual Christmas Cops & Kids Program!
Members of the department squared off against the Aztec Varsity Boys Basketball Team in the annual exhibition match at Barstow High School. This year the Barstow Police Management and Police Officers Associations were able to donate $500 to the team for their season.
The department held a police officer written exam.
We celebrated National Law Enforcement Records and Support Personnel Day. We would like to take a moment to recognize our amazing Police Records Department for all of their hard work and dedication to the department!
The IT department continues working completing Help Desk Work Orders, handling Media and Audio Visual needs, while also managing Multiple Projects.
Projects Completed:
Fire Station Alerting Implementation
Projects Currently in work:
Police Department Renovations
Network Infrastructure Upgrade – Ongoing
Active Directory – Server upgrade and implementation
FY24 Q2 Network Infrastructure Upgrades
Projects Upcoming:
Asset Management Upgrade and implementation
Dispatch EMD server replacement
On-Line Permitting / Solar Permitting implementation
WWTP Wi-Fi – Ongoing
IT DEPARTMENT
Marriot Inn— was open for business on the week of 10.23.23 222 E Main St—Tenant improvement
1523 E Main St— Commercial Tenant improvement
2611 Fisher Blvd—New EV Charging Station
490 Armory Rd—Building Structure & Fuel Tanks
224 W Main St—Demolition still in progress
110 Coolwater Ln—New EV Charging Station
Hampton Inn—2710 Lenwood Rd—Commercial Tenant improvement ·Starbucks—1540 E Main St—Building in progress
1307 E Main St—Commercial Tenant improvement
1540 E Main St—Burger King
801 E Mountain View St—Medical Office & Retaining wall
1440 W Main St—Remodel
600 W Main St—Fire Damage Rehab
Several Encroachment Permits throughout the city (Verizon, Spectrum, and SWG) still in progress (paving restoration).
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.
PARK & RECREATION
Josie Baker, a dedicated community
advocate, has been appointed as the
Recreation Activity Coordinator at
Barstow's Parks and Recreation
Department.
A native of Barstow, she has previously worked as
a preschool teacher and as a Recreation Activity
Coordinator for the Town of Apple Valley's Parks
and Recreation Department. She is passionate
about enhancing community life and has a goal
to provide new opportunities for the Barstow
community. In her new role, she will oversee all
park and recreation activities, direct and evaluate
various recreation programs, and manage
budgets while collaborating with other city
departments and external agencies.
In preparation for winter, measures have been taken to ensure the park's infrastructure is protected by winterizing the backflows to prevent freezing. Adjustments have been made to the watering schedules and aerations have been conducted on the turf to maintain a healthy root system. The application of compost mulch will ensure the best possible outcome for the park come springtime.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Park/Open Spaces
Challenges Facing the Park
Unfortunately, the park is still grappling with issues of graffiti and homeless camping in the restrooms.
Street Maintenance Updates
Our dedicated Street Maintenance team is actively working on several projects to improve our community's infrastructure. This includes graffiti removal, pothole repairs, and adding pavement reflectors to our streets. In addition, they took on the critical task of demolishing the cinder block enclosure at Fire Station 366 for the new generator. The old structure did not meet the minimum maintenance standards due to its size, so it was necessary to build a new one.
Furthermore, the team had to move the ADA ramp to the side to make room for the new enclosure.
Streets also assisted in the Demo of P.D and the remodeling of the new lobby and offices. In the pictures below is staff installing the ballistic paneling.
Facility Maintenance
The Cooling Tower at the Harvey House has been shut down so that the HVAC system filters can be replaced.
Our staff is currently renovating P.D. to make some improvements, which include:
Relocating HVAC vents
Adding electrical outlets
Updating I.T. connections
Installing new doors
Installing ballistic glass in the lobby area
Replacing floor tiles.
Fleet Maintenance:
Our fleet staff has been working tirelessly to maintain all city vehicles and equipment, and we appreciate their dedication and hard work.