Message from Andrew Espinoza, Jr., Interim City Manager AUGUST 2024 CITY MANAGER UPDATE
I would like to congratulate our (4) recruits who graduated from this year’s Barstow Police Department Explorer Academy Post 364 Class 29.
We commend their hard work and dedication throughout the program, which has equipped them with valuable skills and knowledge in law enforcement.
The Explorer Academy focused on important topics such as:
Community policing strategies
Emergency response techniques
Physical fitness and teamwork exercises
Leadership development and ethical decision-making
As they step into this new chapter, we encourage our recruits to:
Embrace the values of integrity, respect, and service.
Continue learning and growing within the community.
Foster positive relationships with fellow officers and community members.
We are proud to have them represent the Barstow Police Department and look forward to their contributions to our community!
Andrew Espinoza Jr.
Interim City Manager
Following a thorough selection process, the City of Barstow is pleased to announce the promotion of Battalion Chief Cory Cisneros to Fire Chief of the Barstow Fire Protection District.
Cisneros brings 28 years of dedicated service to the fire industry, having held numerous roles including explorer, paid-call firefighter, apprentice firefighter, paramedic, instructor, Fire Captain, and most recently, Battalion Chief. He has been with the Barstow Fire Protection District for the past year.
We are excited to welcome him as our Fire Chief!
FIRE CHIEF CORY CISNEROS
POLICE
The Barstow Police Department conducted the third
annual Back to School Campaign to welcome back all
BUSD students! The department’s School Resource
Officers were joined by members of BPD to greet
students on their first day back to school, further
reassuring parents and students that we are
committed to safeguarding our children as we look
to kick off an amazing school year!
What an incredible National Night Out!
We would like to thank everyone in the
community who came out to show their
support. We hope you had as much fun
as we did!
We had an amazing time brewing up some
meaningful conversations at Coffee with a
Cop! We would like to thank everyone from
the community who came out to get to know
their Barstow Police Officers.
A special thank you to Starbucks for hosting
and to our partners at BNSF Railway Police for
joining us!
The Barstow Police Department is offering our
citizens a secure bin to dispose of prescription
medication safely.
The bin is located in the lobby of the Police
Department. Illicit drugs, herbal remedies, vitamins,
supplements, cosmetics, empty medical devices,
batteries, sharps, mercury-containing thermometers,
and other personal care products are NOT accepted.
The City of Barstow had the opportunity to partner with EXP Evolution, ensuring that students have equal access to enriching experiences and career opportunities that help them reach their full potential. This program allows students to acquire hands-on experience and build the confidence necessary to excel in their academic pursuits and future professions.
We would like to express our appreciation to Barstow Coldwell Banker, Barstow Police Department, Barstow Fire Protection District, and Desert Ambulance Service for their active involvement in this initiative. To all the participating students, we wish you tremendous success and genuinely hope you have enjoyed and gained valuable insights from this experience.
The 2024 General Election is right around the corner. Make sure you’re ready! Verify your voter status at VoterStatus.sos.ca.gov.
CITY CLERK’S OFFICE
Plan Reviews
· 2567 Commerce Pkwy—1,185 sqft Shell Building
· 2511 W Main St—4,776 sqft Metal Building
· 2809 Lenwood Rd—Cannabis Building T.I.
· 1504 E Main St—Tesla EV Charging Station
· 2790 E Main St—Temporary Modular Storage Units
· 1513 Riverside Dr—Fire Damage Repair
· 1440 W Main St—Fire Alarm
· 1519 Riverside Dr—SFR
· 741 Upton Dr—Garage Conversion to ADU
· 1016 E Main St.—Laundromat Renovation
· 1820 Rimrock Rd—Automated Access Gate
· 2011 Borrego Dr—Building D Fire Damage Repair
· 101 Laverne Ct—4950 sqft Commercial Building
· 624 Montara Rd.—Bath & Laundry Room Addition
· 1310 E Mountain View St—Addition
· 610 Flora St—ADU
· 1890 W Main St—Medical Office T.I.
· 203/207 W Main St—Motel Conversion
· APN 0818-621-14 (Coolwater) - EV Chargers & Canopy
· 2234 Sierra Linda Dr.—1222 sqft SFR
· 301 Montara Rd.—10 Stack Fuel Station
· 301 Montara Rd.—Walmart—T.I.
· 2540 High Point Pkwy.—Industrial Canopy Remodel
· 2824 Lenwood Rd—3122 sqft Shell Building
BUILDING
New Happenings:
·We partnered with the California Product Stewardship Council on a CalRecycle grant application for getting battery boxes into local retail stores so residents have more convenient means of recycling batteries beyond the Household Hazardous Waste Facility. The award may be up to $50,000 and would also fund education and outreach about proper disposal of household hazardous waste.
In the Pipeline:
·Mark your calendars for the next Free Dump Day and Shred Fest, which is scheduled for Saturday, October 19, 2024 from 8am-11am at the City Corp Yard. See the official flyer on our media channels for details.
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
The IT department works diligently
completing help desk work orders, audio /
visual requirements, social media updates,
and a multitude of other various
technology related necessities, while also
managing multiple projects.
Projects Currently in work:
Police Department Renovations – Ongoing
FY25 Network Infrastructure Upgrades -
Ongoing
EAM Upgrade and implementation WWTP
Projects Upcoming:
Streaming and Agenda Meeting Software
upgrade
EPL Implementation
ERP Implementation
I.T. DEPARTMENT
CODE COMPLIANCE
Before & After—1300 Block Carmen: The entire yard was cluttered with inoperable vehicles, personal outdoor storage items, and trash/debris. However, due to a change in circumstances, the property has been thoroughly cleaned.
If you have an active business license but have moved to a new location, you will need to obtain a new business license. Please contact Community Development to fill out a new application and arrange for an inspection.
Initially, there were two structures, but now there is only one! Continuous vandalism, which ultimately resulted in a fire, prompted the landowner to remove the damaged building. This occurred in the 1600 block of Riverside Drive.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Ongoing recruitment efforts for Firefighters and Firefighter/Paramedics Promotion of three Chief Officers and one Fire Captain, with remaining vacancies set to be filled in FY24/25-Q2
Multiple vegetation fires necessitating additional support from CALOES Region 6-North Cooperators for suppression and district coverage
Succession training: Completed a refresher and preparatory workshop for Fire Engineers
Measure Q: Installed and put into service the Bauer Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Fill Station
Numerous facility repairs and projects successfully completed Fire investigations and arson: Barstow PD apprehended and arrested an arson suspect accused of igniting several fires within district boundaries Ongoing communications and coordination regarding alternative recruitment strategies
Conducted recruitment for Fire Engineers
Community engagement activities: Bowties for Books and National Night Out Total monthly training hours: 513
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Parks/Open Spaces
Thank you to the community.
A resident living near the Tennis Courts at
Dana Park heard some commotion coming
from the courts. She observed some
individuals vandalizing the circuit breaker box
to steal the wiring. The police department
was alerted, leading to the arrest of two
suspects. The estimated damage is around
$10,000.00 or more, and this figure will rise
as repairs for the lights are needed.
Summer maintenance is
essential for park staff as
temperatures soar into the
triple digits. They have been
actively removing weeds and
applying herbicide.
WASTE WATER DEPARTMENT
We processed 73 million gallons of wastewater.
Our staff successfully completed 324 dig alert tickets.
We cleaned 1,654 feet of sewer pipe.
Additionally, we conducted CCTV inspections over 4,400 feet.
In August, the department welcomed two new OITs. Andrew Essex and Michael Marquez have already proven to be highly productive members of the team.
FINANCE
The street crew is set to welcome a new dump truck, acquired from Valew, a truck manufacturer located in Adelanto, California. This new vehicle will take the place of unit 8602, which is currently experiencing transmission issues.
Street Maintenance
The Streets department has been presented with a chance to repair multiple sidewalks.
Continuing with the removal of deceased animals from public areas, we have also addressed issues such as covering graffiti, repairing potholes, and handling CRM requests.
The yellow school crosswalks have been completed, and the residual storm cleanup has been finalized. Additionally, weeds have been removed and treated with spray.
FINANCE
Facility Maintenance is finalizing a few remaining tasks at the Police Department, marking the completion of the P.D. remodel. The Jasper Park Community building is also on track for completion. The relocation of restroom plumbing has been successfully finished, paving the way for new ADA-compliant restrooms.
Craig's journey with the City of
Barstow began as a part-time casual
worker, eventually leading to his
promotion in facility maintenance. His
remarkable 14-year commitment to
the City stands out. One of his lesserknown talents is his musical ability; he graciously played a few songs for us
on his final day. We wish him all the
best in his future endeavors.
Congratulations, Craig Dannebaum on your Retirement!
Facility Maintenance Update
Fleet Maintenance
The City of Barstow has acquired a new Animal Control vehicle, taking on a vital role in ensuring the safety of both animals and the community. The Fleet Maintenance team has thoroughly inspected the vehicle to confirm it is road-worthy and safe. Additional lighting will be added to enhance the safety of the animal officer.
Repairs made to the vehicle include:
Replacement of front and rear brakes, including rotors
Various suspension components
Driveshaft support bearing
Motor and transmission mounts
Oil change and transmission service
Spark plugs and filters
An animal compartment carrier will feature a new cooler to ensure the health and safety of animals during transport. This includes a new pump for the water tank system, along with a system for cleaning the rear compartments after a dog has been transported.
For nighttime operations, lighting will be installed to assist with after-dark responses, and amber strobe lights will be added for enhanced visibility, ensuring the safety and protection of the employee.
City decals are scheduled to be installed later this month.
Fleet Maintenance has identified that Medic Squad 309 is experiencing excessive blow-by.
Although the vehicle's mileage is low for such issues, the blow-by is occurring due to the high number of operational hours. The Fire Chief has been informed about the potential need for an engine replacement for this unit.
We invite you to attend the upcoming Community Update Meeting on October 3, 2024 from 6 to 8 PM at the Barstow Community College Performing Arts Center. The evening will feature a status update on the progress of the comprehensive General Plan update, along with updates from BNSF concerning the Barstow International Gateway (BIG) proposal, and much more. We look forward to seeing you there! General Plan Update