Minutes of October 28, 2025

Approved January 27, 2026

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

6:00 p.m.

1. Meeting called to order at 6:12 by President Schendel, Director Roeder-German leads Pledge of Allegiance.

2. Directors/Guests present: Director Craig not present, all other Directors present. Guests Kenneth Chapa, and David Spain present.

Guests speak:

Ken Chappa: Assistant City Manager for Barstow is present and addresses the Board. Here to share the signed temporary extension with the City of Barstow for the parks maintenance agreement. The extension is effective 10/27/2025 for 90 days. The City wanted more time to determine if property taxes received offset the costs to the City. They are looking to identify the taxing areas. City’s intent is to continue the service. It is noted that the City pays around $60,000 in water bills a year and $4-5,000 in electrical for both parks. Basically, the City covers the fields of the parks, while the District covers the structures and area.

David Spain: Costs are presented to Board for a billboard type of mural. Board determines that they want the mural on plywood that will be attached to the building and framed in with two by fours. Mr. Spain indicates completion could take two to three months. Motion made by Director Roeder-German to provide $250 for purchase of plywood to Mr. Spain. Second by Director Low. Motion passed unanimously. Treated ¾ inch plywood to be purchased by Mr. Spain who will stop by and pick up a check from Carol.

3. Approval/consent items: Minutes of 9/23/2025, print out of bills/issued checks, and reconciliations report for August, Motion by Director Stradling second by Director Low. Motion carried/items approved, no discussion/opposition.

4. Directors Comments:

Trees on the outside perimeter of H Street Park were trimmed too high. Director Low requests they remain long enough for residents who live next to the park to have privacy. Carol will contact landscapers.

Director Roeder-German makes motion to recess meetings for the remainder of 2025 due to scheduling conflicts of staff and holiday season timing. Second by President Schendel passed unanimously.

5. Old Business/Updates/Follow-up:

Mural --- David Spain present see updates in number two.

Playground equipment –Dinosaur items are still pending. Butterfly and caterpillar have been received.

6. Parks:

a. Barstow Heights Park— Board discusses the perimeter around park which is determined to be one-fifth of a mile. Will explore a path of about three feet wide with a border.

Board surveys fenced area for new playground. Equipment and boulder placement are discussed. placement and boulders for the area.

b. Venner Park— President Schendel is getting bids for cameras. Board wants to explore installing updated exercise equipment.

7. Correspondence: None to review.

8. Office Building and Area: Wiring on top of the office building needs replaced. Carol will contact an electrician. No other updates given.

9. General Manager’s report (attached): Written report submitted to the Board prior to meeting. Topics reviewed. Update on Carol’s upcoming absences from the office. The office will be closed the weeks of November 10th and 17th and reopen on November 25th.

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

Adjournment at 7:22 p.m.

Next Regular Meeting: Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

Submitted by Carol Mauk, General Manager/Secretary/Clerk

Agenda for January 27, 2026 Meeting

Agenda for January 27, 2026 meeting

Regular Meeting Agenda

Tuesday January 27, 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 October 28, 2025

    Financial/reconciliation report (Oct/Nov/Dec)

    Financial Transaction Print-out (last meeting to 1/22)

4. Directors Comments/New Business

    Mitchell -v- City of Barstow, etal

5. Old Business/Updates/Follow-up

     Park Maintenance Agreement w/City of Barstow

    Mural

6. Parks

         a. Barstow Heights

            (1) equipment placement and more

         b. Venner (grant money still available)

            (1) cameras

            (2) exercise equipment

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: February 24, 2026

Office Closure

 

The office will be closed

The week of 

December 22, 2025 

and re-open on

December 30, 2025 

Closed 

January 1, 2026
Thank you

Minutes of September 23, 2025

Approved October 28, 2025

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

6:00 p.m.

1. Meeting called to order at 6:12 by President Schendel, Director Low leads Pledge of Allegiance.

2. Directors/Guests present: All Directors present. Guests Kenneth Chapa, and David Spain present.

Guests speak:

Ken Chappa: Assistant City Manager for Barstow is present and addresses the Board. Here to relay that the City of Barstow would like to extend the existing contract for another five years. Both entities agree that the contract is beneficial for both parties. The current contract has been sent to the City attorneys for review and update. The current contract looks as though there is not much to be changed. City’s goal is to have it approved by the City Council on October 21st and then bring it to the monthly Board meeting on October 28th. One part of the contract that needs clarification is the utilities. That will be investigated with input from both parties.

3. Approval/consent items: Minutes of 8/26/2025, print out of bills/issued checks, and reconciliations report for August, Motion by Director Low second by Director Stradling. Motion carried/items approved, no discussion/opposition.

4. Directors Comments: No additional provided in addition to agenda items discussed.

5. Old Business/Updates/Follow-up:

Mural --- David Spain present and discusses texture of mural wall. Information provided on an alternative to painting on the wall. Online company, Bing Banners, does vinyl banners that are framed and then attached to the wall. Cost could be $2400 or more. Mr. Spain will work up a proposal for the Board for the next meeting.

Playground equipment – Delivery of latest items expected in October. Dinosaur items are still pending.

6. Parks:

a. Barstow Heights Park— No updates or situations to discuss.

b. Venner Park— Frontier will be hooking up Internet next week.

7. Correspondence: Reviewed by President Schendel. No action taken.

8. Office Building and Area: Flags need replaced. Carol will order new ones. No other updates to share.

9. General Manager’s report (attached): Written report submitted to the Board prior to meeting. Topics reviewed. Two companies have been contacted about the cost of signs for both parks. Board asks Carol to contact HdL Company for tax assessment review and cost. Update on Carol’s upcoming absences from the office. Possibility of going dark for meetings in November and December. Situation will be reviewed at the October meeting.

10. Executive Session/Personnel GC54957.1: Not required. Review of General Manager discussed in open session. Motion by Director Craig to increase General Manager pay to $29 per hour, second by Director Low. Motion carried, no opposition. Increase approved and retroactive to first pay period of July 2025.

Adjournment at 7:31 p.m.

Next Regular Meeting: Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

Submitted by Carol Mauk, General Manager/Secretary/Clerk

Agenda for October 28, 2025 Meeting

Agenda for October 28, 2025 Meeting

Regular Meeting Agenda

Tuesday October 28, 2025 - 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 September 23, 2025

Financial/reconciliation report (September)

Financial Transaction Print-out (last meeting to 10/23)

4. Directors Comments

5. Old Business/Updates/Follow-up

Mural

6. Parks

    a. Barstow Heights

         (1) equipment placement and more

    b. Venner

         (1) cameras

        (2) exercise equipment

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: ???

Office Closure

 

The office will be closed

On Thursday, October 9, 2025

and re-open on

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Thank you

Minutes of August 26 2025

Approved September 23, 2025

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

6:00 p.m.

        1. Meeting called to order at 6:06 by President Schendel, Director Low leads Pledge of Allegiance.

        2. Directors/Guests present: Director Craig not present, all other directors present. Guests Lucas Crank, Luke Basulto and Arthur Basulto present.

Guests speak:

Lucas Crank: Regarding contract renewal with BHCSD and City. City of Barstow is currently understaffed and having difficulty keeping up with the parks and other responsibilities. Officials have asked Mr. Crank to inquire as to whether the District can/would discontinue contract with the City. Currently there is no funding for full-time staff. Basic maintenance for the parks is 10-12 hours per week. Board takes matter under advisement and will investigate issues. Mr. Crank is asked to return to next month’s meeting for updates.

Luke and Arthur Basulto: Mr. L. Basulto addresses Board regarding the Soda Mountain Solar Project that is being proposed near the Zzyzx exit on BLM land adjacent to the Mojave National Preserve. The project was previously approved in 2016 but was abandoned due to opposition from various organizations because of the major impacts it would have on the desert lands. The current project owner is seeking support from local communities for the implementation and operation of the solar plant. Information and materials are provided to the Board for review. Several local agencies are opposing project, and the Directors are also urged to oppose it as well. A local informational meeting is being held on August 29, 2025, and parties are urged to attend. Motion by Director Roeder-German to oppose project, second by Director Low. Board unanimously approves opposition to the project with a vote of 4-0 (Director Craig not present) to oppose the Soda Mountain Solar Project. Letter in opposition will be prepared and sent to relevant agencies.

Also discussed is the non-profit “Saving Slowpoke” (savingslowpoke.org

) and their mission to educate the community on what the desert landscape in our area has to offer. Directors discuss use of District’s undeveloped property to aid in the mission. Further research and information to follow.

        3. Approval/consent items: Minutes of 7/22/2025, print out of bills/issued checks, and reconciliations report for July, Motion by Director Stradling second by Director Roeder-German. Motion carried/items approved, no discussion/opposition.

        4. Old Business/Updates/Follow-up:

Mural --- Only update. Wall has been painted for the background.

New Septic --- Installed timely and project is complete.

Playground equipment – Delivery of latest items expected in October.

        5. Parks:

a. Barstow Heights Park— Big rock(s) suggested for placement near proposed dinosaur bones structure and creating petroglyphs on them.

b. Venner Park— No updates or information shared.

        6. Correspondence: Reviewed by President Schendel. No action taken.

        7. Office Building and Area: Carol still needs to check with Reyes to see about maintaining the office area landscape once a month. No other updates to share.

        8. General Manager’s report (attached): Written report submitted to the Board prior to meeting. Topics reviewed. Carol needs information from the City on the repair of the water leak before proceeding with paperwork.

        9. Directors’ Comments (New Business/Ideas/Discussion): No additional comments offered by Directors.

        10. Executive Session/Personnel GC54957.1: Not required. Review of General Manager deferred to September meeting (when all Directors are present).

Adjournment at 7:50 p.m.

Next Regular Meeting: Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

Submitted by Carol Mauk, General Manager/Secretary/Clerk