WORKSHOP
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
220 EAST MOUNTAIN VIEW STREET
BARSTOW, CA 92311
APRIL 15, 2026
5:00 PM
(HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE)
MINUTES
WORKSHOP
Minutes-April 15, 2026
CALL TO ORDER - SPECIAL MEETING :
MAYOR SILVA called the special session meeting to order at 5:00 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
COUNCIL MEMBER HERNANDEZ led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL:
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
James M. Noble Mayor Pro Tem Present
Barbara Mae Rose Council Member Present
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-April 15, 2026
AT THE MEETING, OR, IF LESS THAN TWO-THIRDS OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE PRESENT, A UNANIMOUS VOTE OF THOSE MEMBERS PRESENT.
CONSENSUS of the Council to approve the agenda.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Noble, Rose, Williams, Hernandez, Silva
PRESENTATIONS:
1. FY 2026-2027 CIP PRESENTATION
Recommended Action:
Receive and file the presentation on the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and provide direction to staff, as appropriate.
PARKS CAPITAL PROJECTS REQUESTS
FINANCE DIRECTOR SYDNIE HARRIS
- Presented a report submitted to the City Clerk's office.
COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS
- Requested clarification regarding the upgraded bathrooms designed to be vandalism-proof. - Inquired about what is meant by a bathroom remodel.
- Asked why new lights needed to be installed at Foglesong and H Street parks. - Wanted to know if the money from the insurance company for those vandalism incidents has been received.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR CHRIS HELDRETH
- Clarified that it is just terminology used to refer to resistance equipment and is not a description of the current facilities.
- Noted that the restrooms at Lillian Park were upgraded, and the focus is on the H Street soccer fields, which involve installing lighting and building a playground on the corner, along with a concession building and restrooms as part of a long-term plan. - Explained that both parks were vandalized, with all wiring stolen and the switch gear damaged.
MAYOR SILVA
- Mentioned past discussions about refurbishing the Al Vigil Swim Center and requested an update on that initiative.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR CHRIS HELDRETH
- Indicated that the building, made of concrete walls, is structurally sound, and the roof was replaced 10-12 years ago.
- Recalled plans from about 10 years ago to re-purpose the building into a multipurpose gym, with an estimated cost of around $4.5 million at that time. - Noted that while one option is to demolish the building, there are some re-purposing restrictions due to its construction.
CITY MANAGER ROCHELLE CLAYTON
- Suggested conducting a feasibility study to determine the highest and best use of the building, stating that the analysis would not be too costly.
COUNCIL MEMBER ROSE
- Asked why Council Member Williams has not received a response regarding the insurance payment.
- Expressed a desire to see the Al Vigil Swim Center re-purposed with minor updates for youth, stating it would be sad to demolish the building.
Minutes-April 15, 2026
- Inquired about plans for the parking lot at Lillian Park on Adele St. - Asked if the city receives the money from the insurance company, who will be responsible for providing that information.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR CHRIS HELDRETH
- Stated that the plan is to implement a project like what was done at the police department parking lot. He noted that this project was previously scheduled with CDBG funds, but those funds were allocated to the Cora Harper Fitness Center for the HVAC system.
CITY MANAGER ROCHELLE CLAYTON
- Explained that insurance reimbursements typically go to the general fund under miscellaneous reimbursements.
- Mentioned that staff is looking to develop revenue codes so that when reimbursements are received, they can be accurately tracked back to the specific department. - Suggested that if there are questions regarding reimbursements, individuals and the council should contact the finance department.
COUNCIL MEMBER HERNANDEZ
- Noted that she has observed numerous ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) issues and expressed a desire to prioritize addressing these concerns, as they can create liabilities.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR CHRIS HELDRETH
- Stated that when initiating a project in California, there is a required percentage of funding that must be allocated for ADA improvements.
- Clarified that although many projects may not explicitly mention ADA upgrades, they will be built to comply with ADA standards to ensure accessibility.
STREET CAPITAL PROJECTS RESOURCES
FINANCE DIRECTOR SYDNIE HARRIS
- Presented a report submitted to the City Clerk's office.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR CHRIS HELDRETH
- Provided an overview of projects planned for fiscal year 2025-2026. - Clarified that they will implement a five-year plan to facilitate easier accounting and understanding.
COUNCIL MEMBER HERNANDEZ
- Expressed concerns about potential overspending.
OTHER CAPITAL ITEMS NEEDED
FINANCE DIRECTOR SYDNIE HARRIS
- Presented another report submitted to the City Clerk's office.
MAYOR SILVA
- Requested clarification on the purpose of the landscape truck.
PUBLIC WORKS SUPERINTENDENT TOM ALVA
- Explained that the current landscape truck, a 2009 model, needs replacement due to transmission issues. Mentioned that since the city continues to maintain the parks, replacing this vehicle is necessary.
PUBLIC SAFETY
FIRE CHIEF CORY CISNEROS
Minutes-April 15, 2026
- Presented a report submitted to the City Clerk's office.
COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS
- Inquired about the operation of the ambulance service.
FIRE CHIEF CORY CISNEROS
- Explained that there is a cost recovery component for EMS (Emergency Medical Services) and fire recovery services, which staff are working on establishing, which alleviates the financial burden on the community.
MAYOR PRO TEM NOBLE
- Requested to know the priority needs of the Fire Department.
FIRE CHIEF CORY CISNEROS
- Indicated that the top priority is acquiring a ladder truck due to the timeline for returns, followed by the fire station and a Type 1 apparatus.
COUNCIL MEMBER ROSE
- Asked how a remodel of the fire station would impact the facilities. - Inquired whether the ladder truck is semi-tied to the BIG project.
FIRE CHIEF CISNEROS
- Noted that the implications would depend on how those projects are planned, but they could be carried out in phases, emphasizing that the roof is being fixed. - Clarified that the ladder truck will take five years to build and is indeed semi-tied to the BIG project.
COUNCIL MEMBER HERNANDEZ
- Expressed concerns regarding the ambulance aspect of the proposed plan, noting that the city has contracted ambulance services.
- Mentioned that the Fire Department previously collected funds from fire insurance. - Highlighted that in many incidents, both the ambulance and fire services were present at the same location, raising concerns about the duplication of services, and asked about the differences in their roles when both are on the scene.
FIRE CHIEF CORY CISNEROS
- Explained that the Fire Department is obligated to ensure that advanced life support services are delivered to the community. He clarified that the legal responsibility for ambulance transport lies with the private ambulance company.
POLICE CHIEF CHRISTOPHER KIRBY
- Presented a report that was submitted to the City Clerk's office.
MAYOR PRO TEM NOBLE
- Inquired about the current location of training facilities. - Stated that establishing a training facility for the police department should be a priority and asked if the city has a mobile command center.
POLICE CHIEF CHRISTOPHER KIRBY
- Explained that some training is conducted at the sheriff’s academy, but would prefer having actual classrooms.
- Clarified that the Barstow Police Department has not had a mobile command center in over 30 years and has been operating from the trunk of a patrol car during emergencies.
COUNCIL MEMBER ROSE
- Asked how the Police Department will handle emergencies. - Inquired whether they had considered the Al Vigil Swim Center for potential use by the police Minutes-April 15, 2026
department.
- Stated that safety should be a priority for the city.
POLICE CHIEF CHRISTOPHER KIRBY
- Mentioned that the police department will coordinate with other entities during emergencies. - Stated that they had not considered the Al Vigil Swim Center but will explore the possibilities.
MAYOR PRO TEM NOBLE
- Asked for clarification on the storm drain Street Capital Project and questioned the status of funds in those accounts.
- Inquired about how often the storm drains are cleaned.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR CHRIS HELDRETH
- Clarified the storm drain system along Barstow Road and the planned improvements. - Noted that the Laverne Channel is problematic and explained the work being done there and on other storm channels.
COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS
- Asked if there is a possibility of partnering with the Marine Base and Fort Irwin to conduct training exercises.
POLICE CHIEF CHRISTOPHER KIRBY
- Stated that the police department is already in partnership with both the Marine Base and Fort Irwin for conducting training.
FIRE CHIEF CORY CISNEROS
- Mentioned that the Fire Department also utilizes those facilities for training purposes.
COUNCIL MEMBER ROSE
- Expressed happiness about the ongoing partnerships with Fort Irwin and the Marine Base. - Requested more information about the splash pad at the Henderson Pool.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR CHRIS HELDRETH
- Noted that the plan is to convert the kiddie pool, which needs replastering, into a splash pad.
This conversion would be an asset to the community, and since this establishment is secure, this will also enhance security and reduce vandalism.
SPEAKERS
TED WEASMA, BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA
- Expressed concerns regarding the lack of information about the meeting. - Provided suggestions on how to address storm drains.
- Asked how often the Police Department needs to replace its radios. - Expressed disagreement with the need for a tactical vehicle and the remodeling of the police department, while still supporting the police department.
MIKE HERNANDEZ, BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA
- Noted that the city does not have sufficient funds to complete all the suggested improvements.
He pointed out that all items mentioned in the presentation are funded by Measure Q and inquired about the status of the Measure Q funds.
RESULT: PRESENTATION ONLY
Minutes-April 15, 2026
ADJOURNMENT:
By consensus of the City Council, and with no objections, the Special Meeting was adjourned at 6:17 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted: Approved:
_______________________________ _______________________________ Andrea Flores, City Clerk Timothy R. Silva, Mayor
Notice: Signed Minutes are filed with the City Clerk’s office