Here are the public comments not read aloud during the Feb. 16 Barstow City Council meeting
Victorville Daily Press
During the Feb. 16 Barstow City Council meeting, which was held via Zoom, 18 public comments went unheard by those watching online when they were not read into the record.
City Attorney Matthew Summers announced on Jan. 19 when 29 public comments went unheard that comments would not be read aloud into the record during meetings, saying state law does not require emailed public comments to be read aloud.
“Rather, the requirement is that the emails be provided to the Council and that has been done,” said Summers, who did not cite the referenced state law.
Barstow s council majority aims for more control with different form of government
New members vote in favor of allowing themselves to hire, fire some staff
Victorville Daily Press
The city of Barstow could soon be running under an alternative form of government wherein the City Council would have more control over the hiring and firing of personnel, specifically department heads.
The City Council voted 3-2 during Tuesday’s meeting to direct City Attorney Matthew Summers to draft an ordinance that would transition the city from a traditional council-city manager type of government to one run by a city administrator.
Under the city administrator form, the City Council can determine the administrator’s powers and duties and “may decide which employees are to be hired, disciplined, and terminated.” The City Council can also determine which employees would be under sole control of the administrator, according to a staff report.
Facing a looming deficit, Apple Valley seeks members for budget advisory committee
Victorville Daily Press
Two months after announcing budget-related cuts to services and staffing following the defeat of Measure O on the Nov. 3 ballot, Apple Valley officials are looking to increase community involvement in the town’s budgeting process.
The Town Council voted last week to create a Citizen’s Budget Advisory Committee that will provide input in the review and recommendation process for Apple Valley’s annual budget, which faces a looming revenue deficit estimated at $4.5 million.
The 15-member committee will include Apple Valley’s five Town Council members and ten community members who will be appointed at a rate of two per councilor. Each community member must reside within Apple Valley or within its sphere of influence, town officials said in a statement.
Facing a looming deficit, Apple Valley seeks members for budget advisory committee [Daily Press, Victorville, Calif.]
Jan. 18 Two months after announcing budget-related cuts to services and staffing following the defeat of Measure O on the Nov. 3 ballot, Apple Valley officials are looking to increase community involvement in the town’s budgeting process.
The Town Council voted last week to create a Citizen’s Budget Advisory Committee that will provide input in the review and recommendation process for Apple Valley’s annual budget, which faces a looming revenue deficit estimated at $4.5 million.
The 15-member committee will include Apple Valley’s five Town Council members and ten community members who will be appointed at a rate of two per councilor. Each community member must reside within Apple Valley or within its sphere of influence, town officials said in a statement.
Barstow City Manager Nikki Salas placed on paid administrative leave
Assistant City Manager Cindy Prothro, Barstow s second-in-command, retires
Victorville Daily Press
Barstow’s top administrative official is on paid administrative leave, a little more than a month after three new council members were sworn in at the end of last year.
City Manager Nikki Salas who was hired by the city in 2019 was placed on leave as of Jan. 8, city spokesperson Amanda Hernandez said in an email.
Salas did not respond to a message seeking comment on Thursday.
During closed session on Monday, the City Council appointed Barstow Police Chief Albert Ramirez as manager pro tem. The city’s municipal code states that this position is served during “any temporary absence or disability of the city manager.”