CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
220 EAST MOUNTAIN VIEW STREET
BARSTOW, CA 92311
JANUARY 20, 2026
5:15 PM
(HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE)
MINUTES
WORKSHOP MEETING
Minutes-January 20, 2026
CALL TO ORDER - WORKSHOP MEETING
MAYOR SILVA called the workshop meeting to order at 5:15 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
COUNCIL MEMBER HERNANDEZ led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL:
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
James M. Noble Mayor Pro Tem Present
Barbara Mae Rose Council Member Absent
John Williams Council Member Present
Carmen Hernandez Council Member Present
Timothy Silva Mayor Present
PARTICIPATION IS INVITED: IF YOU WISH TO BE HEARD ON ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA, PLEASE
SO INDICATE BY FILLING OUT A SPEAKER REQUEST CARD AND HANDING IT TO THE CITY CLERK PRIOR TO THE AGENDA ITEM BEING ADDRESSED. IF SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS ARE REQUIRED, 48 HOURS NOTICE MUST BE GIVEN TO THE CITY CLERK.
CODE OF ETHICS: AS YOUR ELECTED GOVERNING BOARD, WE WILL REMEMBER THE "CODE OF ETHICS" THAT WE VOLUNTARILY AND UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. DURING THIS MEETING WE WILL TREAT EACH OTHER AND THE PUBLIC WITH PATIENCE, CIVILITY, AND COURTESY. THE DECISIONS
MADE TONIGHT WILL BE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BARSTOW COMMUNITY AND NOT FOR PERSONAL GAIN.
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA: THIS IS THE TIME FOR MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BOARD TO CALL FOR REARRANGING THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA; ADDING ITEMS TO OR REMOVING ITEMS FROM THE AGENDA; OR REMOVING ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION AND/OR SEPARATE ACTION. ITEMS MAY ONLY BE ADDED TO THE AGENDA AS ALLOWED BY STATE LAW, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54954.2, SUBDIVISION (B),
ALLOWING EMERGENCY ITEMS TO BE ADDED BY MAJORITY VOTE AND ALLOWING ITEMS THAT AROSE TO THE CITY’S ATTENTION AFTER THE AGENDA POSTING DEADLINE, BUT WHICH REQUIRE
IMMEDIATE ACTION, TO BE ADDED BY A TWO-THIRDS VOTE OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT Minutes-January 20, 2026
AT THE MEETING, OR, IF LESS THAN TWO-THIRDS OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE PRESENT, A UNANIMOUS VOTE OF THOSE MEMBERS PRESENT.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Carmen Hernandez, Council Member
SECONDER: James M. Noble, Mayor Pro Tem
AYES: Noble, Williams, Hernandez, Silva
ABSENT: Rose
PRESENTATIONS:
1. LOCAL MEASURE I TRANSPORTATION SALES TAX REVENUE BOND FINANCING Recommended Action:
Staff recommends the City Council select the preferred financing and direct staff to pursuit the funding option for Capital Improvement funding.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR CHRIS HELDRETH & FINANCE DIRECTOR
SYDNIE HARRIS
- Presented the report submitted to the City Clerk's office.
COUNCIL MEMBER HERNANDEZ
- Expressed concerns about the city accruing more debt.
COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS
- Acknowledged worries about debt but noted that it is difficult to predict costs for the future. He expressed concerns that the expenses for road projects might double or triple later.
CONSULTING CITY ENGINEER BRAD MERRELL
- Encouraged the council to accept the deal, stating that it is the best opportunity available in a long time, and explained the potential savings.
SPEAKERS
MIKE HERNANDEZ, BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA
- Voiced concerns about the $5 million spent on the bridge using Measure I funds that are not being directed back to Measure I.
- Inquired about the allocation of Measure I funds over the last five years, noting that the city received $9.7 million and did not spend any on streets during that time. He wanted clarification on where this money has gone.
- Acknowledged that while this is a good time to address road repairs, he is worried about further debt.
- Mentioned his main concern focused on how Measure I funds were utilized in the past.
MAYOR SILVA
- Moved to continue the meeting past 6:15 PM, stating that if there wasn't enough time for a closed session to take place afterward, they could continue it after the open session. The motion passed with no objections from the council.
- Requested further clarification on the bond rating and its workings.
COUNCIL MEMBER HERNANDEZ
- Expressed concerns regarding the overall financing costs. - Questioned whether the interest rate would remain fixed or change.
SARA BROWN - STIFEL
- Explained that once the bond is sold, the interest rate is fixed.
Minutes-January 20, 2026
- Mentioned that interest rates are expected to decrease over the coming months due to the Federal Reserve's actions.
SPEAKERS
MIKE HERNANDEZ, BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA
- Asked if there is a debt service fund and inquired about the duration and total cost to the city regarding this process.
- Wanted to know if the costs would be deducted from the principal amount or if they would need to be paid upfront.
- Asked if reserve funds needed to be held and if the interest is joint. - Inquired about any penalties if the city decides not to proceed.
SARA BROWN - STIFEL
- Clarified that there is a service reserve required for this type of bond, which is funded through a debt service reserve surety policy, effectively an insurance policy where a small premium is paid for the reserve fund when needed.
- Mentioned that this can be funded with cash, but the intended approach is through the debt service reserve surety policy.
- Noted that project funds become available immediately upon closing of the transaction, and the city can request these funds as needed to reimburse and pay for contracts while the remaining proceeds sit with the trustee, accruing interest.
- Stated that most fees are contingent on successful closing, with only the bond rating being noncontingent. - Estimated that the process takes about four months after all approvals and preparation of documents but can be expedited if necessary.
DISCUSSION
MAYOR SILVA
- Explained that while the city is considering taking on debt, there is already infrastructure debt owed to the public. He emphasized the need for safe infrastructure, stating that current tax revenue is insufficient to meet these needs. Even with borrowing, it wouldn't provide enough resources, which would affect decisions on which roads could be reconstructed and which would need to be delayed.
- Expressed the view that roads requiring reconstruction represent a liability and that it is the city's obligation to provide the safest roads possible for the public.
COUNCIL MEMBER HERNANDEZ
- Agreed with the mayor on the liability and expressed a desire to know the actual costs involved. - Asked how much shorter the timeframe would be if the process were expedited.
SARA BROWN - STIFEL
- Clarified that if the city borrows the maximum amount, the total debt service would be approximately $17.1 million, which includes about $4 to $4.5 million in interest costs already built into the bond size, estimated about $100,000 in processing fees. - Mentioned that the quickest timeframe to finalize the process would be about four months, with the interest rate able to be locked in within three to three and a half months.
MAYOR PRO TEM NOBLE
- Requested clarification on interest rates and the implications of locking in a rate if it decreases during the process.
SARA BROWN - STIFEL
- Explained that if the interest rate decreases, the city would have two options: either generate additional proceeds or reduce the bond amount. She noted that there would be no penalties for Minutes-January 20, 2026
opting to downsize the bond.
COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS
- Inquired about how many roads are currently in the slurry stage and how long it would take for those roads to reach complete repair.
- Expressed concerns regarding the poor condition of the roads and emphasized the need for action to address this issue and its future impact on road conditions.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR CHRIS HELDRETH
- Referenced page 5 of the presentation, detailing the current condition of citywide streets. - Mentioned that maintaining a street in fair condition is easier compared to one in poor condition, which would require tearing down and rebuilding.
MAYOR PRO TEM NOBLE
- Stated that the council needs to determine how they will address this issue and whether they will take steps to resolve it.
- Asked what is causing the current costs.
- Inquired if the necessary materials could be purchased and stored for future use.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR CHRIS HELDRETH
- Clarified that material costs are significantly lower now, and the contractor is willing to undertake the work as they are not very busy.
- Unfortunately, he noted that this material cannot be stored for future use. - Recommended proceeding with repairs now to take advantage of the lower costs.
COUNCIL MEMBER HERNANDEZ
- Asked how long the current bid is valid.
- Inquired about what staff considers an appropriate budget for maintenance.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR CHRIS HELDRETH
- Stated that the bid is typically valid for 60 days and expressed a desire to return in February for an award.
- Mentioned that the contractor estimates it will take 7-8 months to complete the project. - Noted that staff believes they have a better strategy moving forward, thanks to the payment management program.
- Suggested a fair budget for street maintenance projects is approximately $750,000 per year to improve the Pavement Condition Index (PCI).
COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS
- Discussed state regulations addressing the reduction of oil that cities can use on asphalt for environmental purposes, which is one of the reasons roads are deteriorating more quickly than before.
COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS moved to proceed with OPTION 1: to secure a bond for financing in the amount of $13,267,000, and the motion was seconded by MAYOR PRO TEM NOBLE, with no objections.
RESULT: COMPLETED
Minutes-January 20, 2026
ADJOURNMENT:
By consensus of the City Council and without any objections, the Joint Special Meeting was adjourned at 6:55 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted: Approved:
_______________________________ _______________________________ Andrea Flores, City Clerk Timothy R. Silva, Mayor
Notice: Signed Minutes are filed with the City Clerk’s office