Message from Andrew Espinoza, Jr., Interim City Manager OCTOBER 2024 CITY MANAGER UPDATE
Andrew Espinoza Jr.
Interim City Manager
As we approach the end of the year, a slowdown may be expected. However, October turned out to be an exceptionally busy month for both myself and the team. Be sure to check out my October update, where you can explore all the exciting activities we engaged in.
The City and BNSF Railway held a Community Meeting on October 3rd to provide updates on the important ‘BIG’ project and the developmental enhancements that will influence the city's future.
These initiatives demonstrate the city's dedication to a positive and progressive direction for the entire community.
The City organized a Trunk or Treat event and hosted a haunted house at the Harvey House. We hope you had a chance to join in the fun. Here are some pictures from the events.
POLICE
On Friday, October 4, 2024, at approximately
2:12 P.M., Barstow Police Department's K9
Officer conducted a traffic enforcement stop of
a semi-truck and trailer.
During the traffic stop, the department's K9
Officer deployed his K9 partner, Bailey, to check
for the presence of illegal narcotics. K9 Bailey
alerted on the trailer, indicating that illegal
narcotics were detected.
The K9 Officer searched the trailer and located
155 (approximately 341 lbs.) individually
packaged kilograms of Cocaine.
The driver, Leon Edgar Salinas, a 29-year-old
resident of Mexico, was arrested and booked at
the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s
Department High Desert Detention Center Jail
for H&S 11351-Possession of Cocaine for Sales
and H&S 11352-Transportation of Cocaine. On Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at approximately 3:42 A.M., Barstow Police
Department’s K9 Officer conducted a traffic
enforcement stop of a vehicle
During the traffic stop, the department’s K9
Officer deployed his K9 partner, Bailey to
check for the presence of illegal narcotics. K9
Bailey alerted on the vehicle, indicating that
illegal narcotics were detected.
The K9 Officer searched the vehicle and
located approximately 86,000 Fentanyl pills,
or approximately 20 pounds.
Jesus Casteneda and Daniel Quevodo were
both booked at the San Bernardino County
Sheriff’s Department Jail in Barstow for H&S
11351(a) – Possession of a Controlled
Substance for Sales and H&S 11352 –
Transportation of a Controlled Substance for
Sales.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
B.I.G Community Update Meeting
On October 3rd, the City, in collaboration with BNSF and the consulting firm PlaceWorks, hosted a community update meeting at Barstow Community College. The presentation covered topics such as the Barstow International Gateway (BIG) and provided an overview of the current status of the comprehensive General Plan Update (GPU).
The event saw strong attendance, giving the opportunity to engage with the community regarding our draft Land Use Exhibit and gather valuable feedback. We encourage the public to stay informed and share their thoughts throughout the GPU process.
The presentation on the General Plan Update is available on the City’s General Plan Update webpage, and the entire event was recorded and can be viewed on the City’s YouTube channel. Planning staff eagerly anticipates our next community event and warmly invites everyone to join!
Barstow Fire Protection District
Monthly Update
November 2024
On-Duty Personnel participated Mardi Gras Parade
Pacific Gas and Electric Training: ME366/BC4712 attended Hinkley Sub-Station for Multi-Hazard/Agency Response Conducted Firefigther and Firefighter/Paramedic Testing-Fire Chief Interviews Early November Vector Scheduling Staffing Program: Implementation and Trial Period On-Duty Crews attended numerous Trunk or Treat Events and Harvey Haunted House Captain Miller LODD: Supported Miller Family and District Personnel Supported Barstow Community College Farmer's Market
Fire Safety Presentation at the Barstow Senior Citizen
Attended 25th Annual Main Street Car Show
Monthly Training Hours-571 Recurrent and Medical Training for all personnel Emergency Responses
Public Works Departments
Fleet Maintenance:
• Mechanics are doing preventive maintenance to the crack sealer by changing the “Heat Transfer Oil.” Changing the oil the heat transfer oil every year ensures the safety of the machine and melts the material effective for street crews to start pavement perseveration application.
Fleet Maintenance continues with routine maintenance with city fleet.
Street Maintenance:
• Pavement Preservation (Crack Sealing
and Mastic Sealing) will start in November.
Street crews will address Main St. between
Avenue “L” and Yucca Ave. Logistics planning
with engineering will determine what other
streets will be scheduled. The crack-sealing
machine was sent to Fontana to Crafco,
where it was inspected and repaired to
ensure safe operation.
• Several more locations of buckled
sidewalk repaired were completed. Now
that the weather is colder, caution has to be
exercised due to freezing.
• The removal and replacement of
Reflective Pavement Markers is scheduled
for November.
• Christmas decorations are scheduled to
be placed on street light poles on Main St.,
Barstow Rd. and in front of City Hall.
• Street crews are repairing retention basins for the winter rains. This one is located next to Chili’s Restaurant. Other channels and retention basins are scheduled for the winter months to come. They will be repairing erosion and inspecting drain culverts. Next month Public Works is anticipating delivery of the new loader that caught fire earlier this year. The big loader is the primary equipment to rehab the city’s channels.
Park/Open Spaces:
Park staff will be spraying Pesticides for weed control; this will minimize labor-intensive weed removal.
Trees will be trimmed next week to accommodate for Christmas decorations and the tree ceremony.
Park staff is ramping back watering schedules in landscape areas and parks. Summer was a little longer this year than normal. The weather determines watering schedules to preserve the turf's health. Aeration and mulch are scheduled for November.
Facility Maintenance:
• Cora Harper administrative office flooring and cabinets are completed. Next staff will build office desk, and IT will place computers back on desk. Barstow Glass will be install a • Remodeling has started again at P.D. for
the Sergeants office. The office will gain
more square footage by eliminating a
room. Next upgrade will be the
Interview room/Booking room. Both
rooms will receive new ADA compliant
doors, carpet, and cabinetry.