Message from Interim City Manager - Andrew Ezpinoza Jr.
I am excited and humbled to take on the position of Interim City Manager for the City of Barstow. I step into this role fully aware of the responsibility and fully prepared to put in the work needed to move us forward.
In my heart, I consider it a privilege to work for the citizens of Barstow and I genuinely believe in public service at the highest level. My core attitude is that I will never ask more of you than I ask of myself. That is my promise. Without a doubt, our employees are our greatest strength, and every city employee can take to the bank that you have my trust and support.
It’s my goal to inspire, develop, and mentor our city workforce so that everyone is ready to take on the challenges ahead with experience and enthusiasm. To that end, I want to ensure we are creating an environment in the City of Barstow where employees feel fundamentally empowered, respected, and valued -- where everyone feels a part of one team – I call it “our team.” I also care about the taxpayers we serve and the overall health and safety of the City of Barstow we’re entrusted to keep. It’s my top priority to bolster public trust through transparency and accessibility and to continue to pursue the highest level of responsiveness to our community. Together, I am confident we can succeed in sustaining this top priority.
As Chief of Police, I have observed the work culture throughout the city, and I see the collective resolve in all of your faces to get the people’s work done as timely and efficiently as possible. This is a critical component to build on because I know every department’s work is important, and every department makes a difference in the lives of our community members. And that’s why we’re here.
If we openly collaborate and communicate with one another, we can tackle some amazing projects for Barstow and, in my opinion, if we determine to work together, we will not fail.
My first days and months on the job will be dedicated to meeting with employees at every level, being fair and equitable to all, treating team members and our citizens with the respect and dignity they deserve, and providing uninterrupted honest and ethical leadership.
Truth is I can only be successful with your help. Your hard work and dedication to your jobs will be the inspiration I need to lead us higher and further than we’ve ever gone before.
I am indeed fortunate to be in this position because I get to go to work side by side every day with people like you. I am humbled and proud to be part of “our team.” I look forward to talking with you soon.
CITY MANAGER UPDATE JANUARY 2024
CITY CLERKS SERVICES
The first meeting of the year hosted by the League of California Cities was warmly received by the City of Barstow, with Lena Kent from BNSF as the distinguished guest speaker. Lena presented innovative developments on the Barstow International Gateways project, unveiling promising opportunities for the future of our community. The Desert Mountain Division, encompassing cities in Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Mono, and San Bernardino counties, offers a platform for members to exchange ideas, information, and leverage the benefits of collaborative advocacy.
During this month's events, we took part in the Annual Point in Time Count with enthusiasm.
We would like to express our appreciation to all the volunteers, along with the committed Code Enforcement, Police Department, and Public Works teams. Your assistance is invaluable in striving to enhance the city of Barstow.
Adelanto
Apple Valley
Barstow
Big Bear Lake
Bishop
California City
Hesperia
Lancaster
Mammoth Lakes
Needles
Palmdale
Ridgecrest
Twentynine Palms
Victorville
Yucca Valley
The Desert Mountain Division cities
ENVIROMENTAL SERVICES
New Updates:
The City and Burrtec have teamed up with the Living Desert Zoo Gardens to support their desert tortoise conservation program through educational initiatives and outreach. The aim is to heighten awareness and promote behavioral changes. The project involves collaborating with local eateries and food-related establishments to ensure their dumpsters are kept closed, reducing food sources for the large raven population that poses a threat to desert tortoises. We are thrilled to be part of this significant endeavor. For more details, visit coveryourtrash.org.
Upcoming Projects:
Staff members are currently engaged in Organic
Waste Capacity Planning by SB 1383
regulations. These guidelines mandate that the
city, in coordination with the county, evaluate its
existing organic recycling capacity and plan for
potential expansions if required. The city and
Burrtec will assess the current organic waste
recycling capacity and determine the necessary
capacity to handle the estimated organic waste
disposal in Barstow from January 1, 2025, to
December 31, 2034. The data will be shared
with the county in the upcoming months for
their report submission to CalRecycle by August
2024. The report will identify whether our
county has sufficient capacity.
Keep an eye out for the forthcoming Residential
Waste & Recycling Guide, designed to educate
residents about available programs, resources,
and essential billing and service details. This
guide will not only be beneficial for residents
but also for city personnel, real estate
professionals, property owners, and managers.
PLANNING
Comprehensive Update on General Plan
As previously mentioned, the Planning team has been
dedicated to updating the City's comprehensive general
plan, outlining a 25-year planning period from 2023 to
2048. The last revision of our General Plan was in 2015, with a shorter timeframe ending in 2020. Currently, the primary focus has been on the Land Use Element, which is in draft form and will soon be presented to the City
Council, Planning Commission, and community for
feedback. Stay tuned for public outreach events shared in our monthly updates and City communication channels to
stay informed throughout this updating process.
General Plan Update Web Page:
General Plan Update
City of Barstow (barstowca.org)
Barstow BIG
Economic Development Web
Page: Barstow Economic
Development (barstowbig.com)
The IT department is actively engaged in completing Help Desk Work Orders, addressing Media and Audio-Visual requirements, and overseeing Multiple Projects.
Projects Completed:
Upgraded and implemented Active Directory
Initiated Park and Recreation scheduling software
Projects Currently in Progress:
Cashiering Upgrade
Utility Billing Upgrade
Police Department Renovations
Network Infrastructure Upgrades for FY24 Q3
Upgraded and implemented Asset Management
Major Version Upgrades for Public Safety Suite
Implementing NG911
Upcoming Projects:
Dispatch EMD server replacement
Implementation of Online Permitting / Solar Permitting
IT DEPARTMENT
This month Code Compliance set
some additional time aside in an
attempt to connect with food vendors.
The goal is to educate - that without a
health permit and business license
you are operating illegally and subject
to an administrative fine. Vendors
should seek permission if on private
land; otherwise, they may be
considered trespassing.
CODE COMPLIANCE
Code Enforcement has effectively
notified the property owner of this
deteriorated building that it needs to be
demolished. The structure is currently
an eyesore and poses a safety hazard.
Permits have been obtained, and the
Crews continue with construction of demolition process has commenced! the new bridge and retaining walls.
This includes the pouring of concrete
for the new bridge decks and walls.
Crews will also begin the removal
process of temporary support
structures and steel beams
surrounding the new bridge.
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
POLICE
Director of Public Safety Andrew Espinoza Jr. and department members attended the annual breakfast hosted by the Art and Industrial Women and Men’s Club to honor Martin Luther King Jr.
The Barstow Police Department played at Aztec Stadium on January 20th in the inaugural Aztecs vs. BPD Baseball Game and raised $1,800 for the Aztec Baseball team. Best of luck to them, and looking forward to next year!
Our recruitment team took part in two job fairs to attract new officers and dispatchers to the Barstow Police Department.
Barstow Police Activities League board members served as judges at the Barstow Unified School District’s STEM Fair, fostering connections with the youth in our community.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT
Our Building Department has been diligently reviewing various plans. Here is an overview of the projects currently underway.
CANNABIS
We would like to share an update regarding the Cannabis odor on Lenwood Rd to the residents. Our team is actively addressing the concerns with the businesses and taking essential steps to resolve the problem.
Notices of violation and citations have been issued for odor control problems at cannabis businesses.
Scheduled re-inspections to monitor progress on odor mitigation measures.
Recording complaints for possible license revocation.
For inquiries or feedback, please contact us at 760-255-5145. 860 W Main St—Fire Rehab
222 E Main St—Tenant Improvement
1523 E Main St— Tenant Improvement
2611 Fisher Blvd—New EV Charging Station
Shell—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—Tenant Improvement
Starbucks—1540 E Main St—Building in progress
1307 E Main St—Tenant Improvement
1540 E Main St—Burger King
801 E Mountain View St—Medical office & retaining wall
600 W Main St—Fire Damage Rehab
Several Encroachment Permits throughout the city (Verizon, Spectrum, and SWG) still in progress (paving restoration)
We currently have multiple projects in the Plan Review stage. Some of the projects on the list encompass a range of endeavors like a Tesla EV charging station, fire alarm installations, residential repairs, remodeling, and commercial grading, among others.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Park/Open Spaces
Park staff have come across an increase in homeless individuals occupying public restrooms, leading to the discovery of campfires and homeless waste inside. At times, restrooms need to be closed to address these concerns. The Parks Department has witnessed significant improvements in park turf conditions due to their adherence to Senate Bill 1383.
Street Maintenance Update
Recent street maintenance operations
included storm cleanup in various areas
beyond regular duties. The West Section 7
experienced erosion on its dirt shoulders that
required immediate repair. January saw
multiple storms with heavy rainfall, leading to
the need for pumping retention basins.
Fortunately, the city's drainage system
effectively managed the flow, resulting in
minimal damage.
Furthermore, Street Maintenance has
procured crack sealer and mastic sealer for
pavement preservation activities scheduled to
begin in February.
LEDs were installed at Cora Harper
Building to improve visibility, prevent any
homeless camps and loitering, and
ensure energy efficiency. New parking lot
lights have been order and will schedule
for installation.
Jasper Park's Community Center
Building is currently undergoing
renovations, funded by Measure "Q."
A small amount of Asbestos was
detected in the acoustic ceiling
material and had to be remediated
through an Asbestos Company.
Tasks still to be completed;
• Install exterior and interior LED
Lighting.
• Remove old walls and remodel
restrooms to be ADA Compliant.
• New Stucco to the exterior.
• Alarm System.
Facility Maintenance Update
In April 2023, California introduced the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) Regulation, potentially impacting the city's fleet operations. The ACF initiative focuses on expediting the shift to zeroemission vehicles (ZEVs) in commercial fleets weighing 8,500 lbs GVWR and above. Zach Bevins, Facility Maintenace Supervisor is involved in the Advance Clean Fleet project due to Enterprise's inability to provide the required vehicles until the City of Barstow devises a plan to submit to CARB (California Air Resources Board).
Option 1: Model Year Schedule
Compliance
Starting January 1, 2024, any vehicle over
8,500 lbs. GVWR added to a fleet must be a
ZEV.
Option 2: ZEV Milestones Compliance
1. Must achieve a 100% zero-emission
fleet by the deadline.
2. Targets calculated by group
Fleet Maintenance Update
The Recreation department is currently organizing
some exciting events that you don't want to miss.
Make sure you follow our social media pages for
the latest updates.
PARK & RECREATION