Trash in the Parks

There has been an increase in trash in the parks. Please use the trash cans provided, they are regularly emptied. If it's the weekend and the cans around the parks are full, please use the dumpsters. If you see someone purposely or negligently trashing the parks, please take action. Call the authorities, take pictures, something to help stop this from happening. Your involvement is appreciated.

Minutes of May 19, 2026

 Minutes of May 19, 2026 (approved June 23, 2026)

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

6:00 p.m.

1. Meeting called to order at 6:14 by President Schendel, Director Low leads Pledge of Allegiance.

2. Directors/Guests present: Director Craig not present, all other Directors present.

3. Approval/consent items: Minutes of 4/28/2026, print out of bills/issued checks, March, and April financials. Motion by Director Low second by Director Stradling. Motion carried/items approved, no discussion/opposition.

4. Directors Comments/New Business:

Director Roeder-German mentions mural ideas and presents alternatives more cost effective to the Board, after discussion and reviewing current status with the Park Maintenance Agreement with the City of Barstow, and realizing that park maintenance costs could increase significantly, Board agrees to alternative options. Letter will be sent to Ms. Laraman-Brockhurst.

Director Low indicates trees on park border are just about back to where they should be and should not be trimmed any shorter.

President Schendel indicates he may have a new option for cameras/surveillance options for both parks. Additional “No Soliciting” signs were hung by Director Stradling inside the park fence of the H Street parking lot. These were to specifically address the unauthorized vendors who have been setting up in the afternoons/early evenings. However, they continue to ignore the posting. They have been spoken to more than two times by President Schendel. Further action to be explored. The only vendor that has Board permission to be on the premises is the people who set up in the mornings and comply with Board issued guideline to them. Playground equipment on order will most likely be installed by fence company.

Director Stradling confirms canopies are on the list for the new play area and suggests that more/better lighting be installed for the basketball court.

5. Pending Business/Updates/Follow-up:

        Park Maintenance Agreement--- No updates. City is asking for a list of planned projects with costs, timeline, and completion dates. President Schendel will work on something for them.

        Mural --- See notes above.

        Park Rules sign installation – Director Stradling will oversee this task.

6. Parks: Directors

a. Barstow Heights Park— Tai Chi is going great. Director Roeder-German mentions some kids in the park on Monday trashing areas of the park. Notices will be posted on District’s social media and website.

b. Venner Park— Exercise equipment discussed. Board will review website links.

i. Cameras—Discussion held, Ring, other options, and installation by High Desert Alarm to be evaluated. Placement to be determined.

ii. Exercise equipment—Available area to be measured.

7. Correspondence: Reviewed by Board. Notice from SDRMA provided to Board of need for current building valuation. President Schendel will investigate some kind of appraisal.

8. Office Building and Area: No action taken.

9. General Manager’s report (attached): Report reviewed. Annual budget is due soon and is usually done at the May meeting. Other issues have needed priority this last month. Carol will prepare the worksheet and send out to the Board for review, updates, and approval at the June meeting.

10. Executive Session/Personnel GC54957.1: Not required.

Adjournment at 7:14 p.m.

Next Regular Meeting: Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

Submitted by Carol Mauk, General Manager/Secretary/Clerk

Agenda for June 23, 2026 Meeting

Regular Meeting Agenda

Tuesday June 23, 2026 - 6:00 p.m.

Meeting Facilitator: President Schendel

Directors: G. Low, R. Stradling, B. Roeder-German, R. Craig

1. Call to order and Flag Salute

2. Roll call/Acknowledgment of guests/public comments/questions

3. Items for Approval

        Minutes of May 19, 2026

        Financial/reconciliation report (May)

        Financial Transaction Print-out (last meeting to 6/18)

4. Directors Comments/New Business

5. Pending Business/Updates/Follow-up

        Park Maintenance Agreement w/City of Barstow – update

        Mural status

        Park Rules sign installation

6. Parks-- Restrooms upgrade for both parks

    a. Barstow Heights

    b. Venner

         (1) cameras/exercise equipment/lighting

7. Correspondence

8. Office Building and Area

9. General Manager’s Report

10. Budget workshop

11. Exec Session – Litigation GC54956.99(A)/Personnel GC54957.1

Next Meeting Date: July 28, 2026

Fireworks

Use of fireworks affecting your home, pets, or property?  The use of fireworks is strictly regulated in the Barstow and surrounding areas.  (See consequences below)

If you have information regarding illegal fireworks activity in the Barstow Heights area, you can contact this office.  All information will be kept confidential.

Penalties for Illegal Use/Possession of Fireworks

Unincorporated County Areas

Possession and use of all fireworks (including State-approved "Safe and Sane" ones) are strictly illegal in all unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County.

• First Offense: Up to $1,250 fine.  $1,000 to $1,250 for a first offense and escalating up to $10,000 for subsequent violations or large-scale possession. Additionally, property owners can be held liable and fined if illegal fireworks are discharged on their property.

In the city of Barstow, possessing or discharging illegal fireworks (those that explode, shoot into the air, or leave the ground) can result in a steep administrative fine of $1,000 per violation.

Barstow is one of the few High Desert cities where state-approved "Safe and Sane" fireworks are permitted. However, strict regulations and separate fines apply to their use:

• Illegal Fireworks: Fines for possessing or lighting non-compliant fireworks (like firecrackers, bottle rockets, or Roman candles) are $1,000.
• Safe and Sane Fireworks Fines: Inappropriate use or discharging outside of approved dates/times can still incur a $500 fine.
• Minors & Supervision: Minors under 18 must be directly supervised by an adult when lighting Safe and Sane fireworks. Unsupervised use or allowing children under 12 to handle fireworks can lead to citations.

Minutes of April 28, 2026

Approved May 19, 2026

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

6:00 p.m.

1. Meeting called to order at 6:09 by President Schendel, Director Craig leads Pledge of Allegiance.

2. Directors/Guests present: All other Directors present., Guest Jane Laraman-Brockhurst present.

Guests speak:

Jane Laraman-Brockhurst: Present and discusses mural for H St. Park. She has brought a preliminary rendering from one of the artists who works with Main Street Murals. She would like a list of animals for the image and anything else to be included. Completion in September. Installation of finished image would be done by the district. Image will be on four sheets of plywood for a total measurement of sixteen feet wide by eight feet tall. Cost will be $30 per square foot, with supplies approximately $500. Motion by Director Roeder-German to move forward, second by Director Craig, motion carried, no opposition.

3. Approval/consent items: Minutes of 3/24/2026, print out of bills/issued checks, January, and February financials. Motion by Director Stradling second by Director Craig. Motion carried/items approved, no discussion/opposition.

4. Directors Comments/New Business:

Director Roeder-German lists items to be considered for improvement in the parks. Items mentioned, lights for the basketball court, artificial grass, toy equipment, artificial rocks for climbing, and solar lights upon mural completion. Also noted is compensation for the instructor who provides a free class for the community on Monday evenings, which generates use of the park. Motion is made to set compensation amount of $160 per month, second by Director Craig, motion passed unanimously.

Director Craig comments briefly on the lawsuit involving the district.

Director Stradling will be getting three to four large rocks for landscape purposes for new area. Petroglyph representation will be displayed on them.

5. Old Business/Updates/Follow-up:

Park Maintenance Agreement--- Board discusses agreement and proposals by City and District. Board agrees that at this time any major financial changes would affect projects currently in progress. Carol will draft an email to send to Ken Chapa and submit it to Board for approval.

Mural --- Project to go forward. All are looking forward to the completed project.

6. Parks: Directors

a. Barstow Heights Park— Dinosaur equipment has been ordered and will arrive in five to twelve weeks. Board would like another “tire worm” in the new play area. Bathroom toilets need to be evaluated (Carol will contact Lucas Crank).

b. Venner Park— Director Roeder-German suggests that improvements to park be listed and get started and be funded with remaining balance of state grant money available under the project “Venner Park improvements.”

i. Cameras—Discussion held, Ring, other options, and installation by High Desert Alarm to be evaluated. Placement to be determined.

ii. Exercise equipment—Available area to be measured.

7. Correspondence: Reviewed by Board and no action taken.

8. Office Building and Area: Carol will contact Reyes landscaping to touch up and straighten some of the office area landscaping. Also, will inquire about grass removal in some areas of both parks.

9. General Manager’s report (attached): Report reviewed. Carol added that she will be moving out of state, most likely before the end of the year and wanted to notify the Board as soon as possible after the decision was made. She will keep them informed as things progress. At Carol’s request, the Board agrees to move the May general meeting up to May 19th.

10. Executive Session/Personnel GC54957.1: Not required.

Adjournment at 7:45 p.m.

Next Regular Meeting: Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. (one week early at request of Carol)

Submitted by Carol Mauk, General Manager/Secretary/Clerk

Office Closure

 

The office will be closed

May 21, 2026 and May 26-28, 2026

 

 

and re-open on

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Thank you

 

Agenda for May 19, 2026 Meeting

Agenda for May 19, 2026

Regular Meeting Agenda

Tuesday May 19, 2026 - 6:00 p.m.

Meeting Facilitator: President Schendel

Directors: G. Low, R. Stradling, B. Roeder-German, R. Craig

1. Call to order and Flag Salute

2. Roll call/Acknowledgment of guests/public comments/questions

3. Items for Approval

Minutes of April 28, 2026

Financial/reconciliation report (Mar/Apr)

Financial Transaction Print-out (last meeting to 5/19)

4. Directors Comments/New Business

5. Pending Business/Updates/Follow-up

Park Maintenance Agreement w/City of Barstow – update

Mural status

Park Rules sign installation

6. Parks

    a. Barstow Heights

     b. Venner (grant money, $73692, still available)

        (1) cameras/exercise equipment/lighting

7. Correspondence

8. Office Building and Area

9. General Manager’s Report

10. Exec Session – Litigation GC54956.99(A)/Personnel GC54957.1

Next Meeting Date: June 23, 2026

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