Development News for Barstow, California

Barstow Council Meeting Features Public Scrutiny on Governance, Transparency, and Project Impacts

During the Barstow City Council meeting, several public comments addressed concerns regarding city governance, transparency, and the conduct of council members. Jim Brown and E.T. Snell criticized Rochelle Clayton's contract and performance, alleging corruption and unprofessional behavior. E.T. Snell also accused Councilman John Tex Williams of racism and manipulative tactics, demanding a polygraph test regarding alleged kickbacks. Gilbert Asa expressed frustration with alleged lying and lack of transparency, questioning Councilmember Barbara Rose and Councilmember Tex Williams. Vanessa Pack highlighted the Barstow Action Committee's work and proposed a community pride initiative. Perry Peck called for better management of funds and listening to community ideas. Dina Martel raised concerns about the enforceability of air quality agreements with BNSF, stating they offer no guaranteed protections for Barstow residents. Paula Peterson urged better enforcement of fireworks laws due to repeated offenders and fire hazards. John Harris Jr. criticized the city's management of funds for the homeless and the introduction of a homeless czar, suggesting the House of Bread program would be more effective. Sherry Bailey questioned the effectiveness of proposed mitigations for a large project, specifically concerning sound walls and asphalt, and asked about the voting schedule for certifying the project. Jim Brown returned to address alleged harassment by Gilbert Asa, stating he had spoken with the police chief. The council also addressed questions regarding the format of reports, the cost and process of acquiring vehicles, and the timeline for developing a vehicle leasing policy.

Barstow City Council Renews Military Equipment Policy and Appoints Fire District Prosecutor

The Barstow City Council reviewed and approved the city's military equipment annual report and renewed the ordinance approving the city's military equipment policy, as required by California Government Code Sections 7070-7075. The renewal of the ordinance was determined to be exempt from CEQA review. Additionally, the council formally appointed the law firm DePierre, Rosenblitt, and Litvak, LLP, as the Barstow Fire Protection District's criminal prosecutor and code enforcement civil counsel by adopting BFPD resolution 77-2026 and approving the attached agreement. This appointment extends prosecutorial services to the fire district, which geographically extends beyond city limits, and will handle criminal misdemeanor violations, citations, and administrative citations under the code, providing prosecutorial advice to the chief and assisting in case workups. Examples of potential use cases include enforcement of fireworks violations.

Barstow Council Approves $18.5 Million for Street Rehabilitation and Authorizes Fleet Lease Expansion

The Barstow City Council approved the allocation of $18,553,367 for the fiscal year 2025-26 street rehabilitation project. The funding will be sourced from various streams, including $12,249,093 from street financing secured by Measure I, up to $1.5 million from the County of San Bernardino for eligible expenditures on Rimrock Road, and $4,314,274 from Measure I Regional. Additionally, $490,000 from Transportation Development Act funding will cover a portion of bike lanes on Rimrock Road. The project includes rehabilitation of several streets, with alternate bids for others. The council also authorized an increase to the city's master equity lease agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management, allowing for the lease of 62 vehicles (50 current + 12 additional) with an annual expenditure cap of approximately $1 million. This authorization is to secure necessary vehicle replacements and expansions while a comprehensive vehicle leasing policy and replacement plan are developed.