Message from Andrew Espinoza, Jr., Interim City Manager JULY 2024 CITY MANAGER UPDATE
July marks the beginning of our fiscal year, and I wish to thank the team for their dedication in ensuring the smooth operation of the city. During July, we celebrated various notable events, including the 27th annual 4th of July fireworks display in Barstow. A huge thank you to all participants! We hope you enjoyed the music, children's activities, vibrant beer garden, and the stunning fireworks. What a wonderful start to the holiday celebrations! A special shoutout to all those who participated in the 4k Freedom run this year, and congratulations to the winners! We are already looking forward to next year's event!
Andrew Espinoza Jr.
Interim City Manager
On July 10, 2024 – Barstow city officials and local dignitaries gathered on the morning of July 10 to symbolically walk over the historic North First Avenue Bridge. This act signified a transition from the old to the new, as the city prepares for the upcoming grand opening of a modern bridge, with plans in place to demolish the old structure. Here are the key points surrounding this significant event:
The construction of the new bridge commenced in January 2023, following the announcement by BNSF Railway to establish the largest railway hub in the western United States in Barstow.
The North First Avenue Bridge, originally built in 1930 and modified in 1943, has been a longstanding thoroughfare but no longer meets the necessary standards for the city's evolving railway industry.
The new bridge, funded through multiple sources including federal and state programs, will feature modern elements such as concrete construction, wider pedestrian walkways, designated bicycle lanes, and a viewing point for the railroad.
The forthcoming Barstow International Gateway (BIG) project by BNSF Railway, with an investment exceeding $1.5 billion, aims to create an advanced rail facility for efficient freight transport between ports and inland destinations.
POLICE
Members of the department attended
Barstow Youth Sports Coalition’s Youth
Fun Day! A special thank you to all the
vendors who made the day
unforgettable!
We are proud to share moments that our Explorers experienced during their week-long training at this year’s Explorer Post #364 Academy.
They received over 50 hours of law enforcement training. This training included history of law enforcement, ethics, Constitutional rights, vehicle stops, and pedestrian checks. Throughout the academy, these explorers also learned the value of teamwork, leadership, and how to overcome challenges.
It's back to school time in Barstow! Let’s work together to keep the children in our community safe! Slow down in school zones, put down your phones and watch out for students, crossing guards and stopped school buses.
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
New Happenings:
·The 2023 Electronic Annual Report was submitted to CalRecycle ahead of the August 1 deadline. The City continues to maintain compliance with the State’s waste disposal and recycling mandates.
·Burrtec will be taking over street sweeping services effective September 1, 2024, ensuring the community is receiving the highest quality service.
In the Pipeline:
·Community Cleanup Day is being planned for Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 8am10am at the Robert Sessions Memorial Sportspark. Volunteers are needed! If interested, contact 760.255.5126.
4 new Recreation Leaders joined the team. Welcome Sienna Lacy, Priscilla Cuellar, Alyssa Sanchez, and Randal Bales Jr.!
The window at the main entrance of the SportsParks was replaced.
RECREATION
Kiddie soccer registration will be announced in the next few weeks - keep an eye for the official flyer.
An adult soccer league for both men and women in in the works. · 2809 Lenwood Rd—Cannabis Building T.I.
· 1504 E Main St—Tesla EV Charging Station
· 1016 E Main St.—Laundromat Renovation
· 101 Laverne Ave—4950 sqft Commercial Building
· 1890 W Main St—Medical Office T.I.
· 203/207 W Main St—Motel Conversion
· APN 0818-621-14 (Coolwater) - EV Chargers & Canopy
· 301 Montara Rd.—10 Stack Fuel Station
· 301 Montara Rd.—Walmart—T.I.
As staff continues to work through the ongoing General Plan Update we will be revising the current Environmental Justice Element. A story-map has been created and published to the Planning Department webpage providing an overview of what environmental justice is, why it applies to our community, and strategies for updating the element.
The community-wide survey conducted between April—July 2023 gained 211 responses and 59% (125) respondents indicated their interest in addressing environmental justice issues in Barstow. Out of 12 options to advance EJ objectives, the top three selected were:
Improve access to healthy food by fostering options like farmers markets Improve pedestrian and bicycle access to parks and open spaces Obtain funding to upgrade public facilities in underserved areas The story-map can be accessed here, Environmental Justice (arcgis.com) for further details. We encourage the community to review and stay in the know as the Environmental Justice element update progresses.
PLANNING
BUILDING
CODE COMPLIANCE
When a house remains unoccupied for an extended period, it could be due to the lender's inaction, especially if the landowner has passed away or is unreachable. It took nearly two years to resolve this situation!
Here's a question for you!
Q: Is it a violation of the BMC to leave your trash cans in the street? A: YES! Trash cans are to be removed after they are tipped and stored behind the set-back of the home. BMC 6.20.570
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Barstow Fire District crews responded to multiple California Master Mutual Aid fires throughout San Bernardino and Riverside Counties supporting CAL OES and requesting Cooperators
Recieved and deployed Zoll Auto Pulse (Fire Station 366) and Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) on every fronline apparatus
Conducted Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the Fire Battalion Chief Recruitment Succession Training-4 Firefighters completed Californina State Fire Training Driver/Operator Curriclum
On Duty Personnnel participated in the Inaugral Drive over the First Street Bridge ME361 was able to participate in the Barstow Youth Fun Day Staffed and Deployed extra Staffing to assist in Independence Day activities Storm Reponses (July 12-14)-124
Holiday Responses (Indepence Day 4pm-Midnight)-40
Monthly Emergency Responses-814
Monthly Training Hours-502
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Parks/Open Spaces
The staff has been applying herbicides and pesticides along fence lines, block walls, playgrounds, and all other hard surfaces in the parks to reduce the need for weedeating, allowing employees to focus on other tasks. Notable recent activities include repainting the football goalpost at Pitcher Park for the 2024 Barstow Youth Football season and relocating an Air Hockey table donated by the community to the PALS Center at the Dana Park Building.
Routine maintenance tasks involve restroom cleaning, emptying trash cans in parks, playground inspections, irrigation repairs, and graffiti removal. Henderson Pool is being well maintained to accommodate the community during the hot summer months.
Unfortunately, a rainstorm on July 12, 2024, led to significant damage in various parks:
Dana Park: Several trees were knocked over.
Sturnacle: Some trees were uprooted, and the chain-link fence was affected. "K" Street Park: A tree branch broke off, damaging a picnic table.
Jasper Park: Multiple tree branches were broken.
Harvey House, a Mesquite tree fell in the landscape area.
All the damaged trees have been
cleared away, and repairs for the
chain-link fence are set to take
place soon.
FINANCE
The team has finished painting yellow crosswalks at 43 locations in preparation for the start of the 2024 school year. Additionally, they are replacing buckled sidewalks, addressing graffiti, fixing potholes, managing CRMs, handling deceased animals, and supporting emergency services as required. Jason has been tasked with installing the rollup door at Lillian Park Snack Bar. Future renovations will focus on epoxy floors, the HVAC system, and acquiring a new ice machine.
Street Maintenance
July 12, 2024, also caused havoc for the street crews. Mud and debris flooded the roads, causing motorists to find alternate routes until the roads were cleared. It took several weeks for the complete cleanup.
Facility Maintenance Update
Fleet Maintenance
The remodeling project at the Police Department is nearing completion as the staff adds the final touches. The dispatch center is now fully functional, thanks to the combined efforts of IT, San Bernardino County, and the 911 phone system. Moreover, the ballistic glass in the Police Department lobby has been tinted to improve both employee safety and privacy.
Fleet staff continues with routine maintenance
and two projects;
Project 1)
· Retrofit a police unit into a K-9 unit, it will be
sent down to West Coast Lights and Customs
to install a K-9 cage. This unit will receive
some additional decals for the identification of
a K-9 unit. Tint was place on the windows to
keep the dog cool.
Project 2)
· The city has purchased a used Animal Control vehicle to assist with our new program in our community.
Staff will place new decals on the vehicle to identify it as an Animal Control Unit for the City of Barstow.
This will provide safe transportation for stray animals and deceased animals.