County, city seek input on community needs, concerns

BARSTOW • As it prepares to seek federal grants to pay for social services, capital improvement projects and housing, the county seeks input from the public and local non-profits. Barstow also seeks public input on the Al Vigil Swim Center so it can seek a $5 million grant to refurbish it.

Both issues will be addressed at a public forum. For residents and service providers that can’t make the meeting, the county asks that they fill out a survey.

The county will put the information into a five year plan required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which funds housing and emergency shelter grants as well as community development block grants. The county’s plan lets HUD know what services residents need and what programs are in place, according to Debbie Kamrani, deputy director of the San Bernardino County Department of Community Development and Housing.

Even though she doesn’t know how different the 2010 to 2015 plan will be from the previous five-year plan, prepared in 2004, Kamrani said she doesn’t expect a larger turnout or a change in peoples’ concerns.

“Most people are interested in affordable housing and needs for seniors,” she said, giving a few examples. “A lot of the needs are typical. It’s a matter of how people rate them now as opposed to how they rated them then.”

According to Jeanette Hayhurst, Barstow’s community services director, regardless of the economic times there are always underlying needs from a community. A community’s voices just get louder during hard economic times, she said.

“I think the needs become greater,” she said, adding that she will be monitoring the forum and information will be shared with City Council and city staff. “Instead of a few families that need assistance you have more families.”

Hayhurst and the city will also gather public input on the Al Vigil Swim Center. According to her, in order for the city to qualify for a $5 million statewide park development grant, it needs to hold five public meetings before March. The city also needs to hire an architect to develop a basic design concept on the refurbished facility.

Even though Hayhurst awaits public comment on the facility, she said people have been clear about not wanting to reopen the facility as a swimming pool. A few ideas for the facility that she has heard include a large venue to hold proms and other parties as well as extra space for classes at the Cora Harper Fitness Center.

“It just sits there,” she said. “I want to pitch this like it’s a new facility.”

The public forum will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Nov. 30, in City Council Chambers at 220 East Mountain View Street. Residential surveys are due no later than Nov. 30. Service provider surveys are due Dec. 18. Surveys are available at www.barstowca.org/NewsDetail.asp?NewsID=235.

Residential surveys can be brought to the forum. Both surveys can be sent to the County of San Bernardino Department of Community Development and Housing, 290 North D Street, Sixth floor, San Bernardino, CA 92415.  

Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4123 or jcejnar@desertdispatch.com