March 28, 2022 Page 1
CITY OF BISHOP
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MARCH 28, 2022
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Schwartz called the meeting of the Bishop City Council to order at 5:03 p.m. via video conference coordinated from the City Council Chambers, 301 West Line Street, Bishop, California.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Muchovej
Mayor Pro Tem Ellis
Mayor Schwartz
ABSENT:
Councilmember Kong
OTHERS PRESENT:
Deston Dishion, Interim City Administrator and Public Works Director Robin Picken, City Clerk
Dean J. Pucci, City Attorney
Jenny Rodricks, Assistant Finance Director
3. PUBLIC COMMENT – NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: This time is set aside to receive public comment on matters agendized for closed session only. When recognized by the Mayor, please state your name, and address for the record and please limit your comments to three minutes. Under California law the City Council is prohibited from generally discussing or taking action on items not included in the agenda; however, the City Council may briefly respond to comments or questions from members of the public. Therefore, the City Council will listen to all public comment but will not generally discuss the matter or take action on it.
No public comments were made.
4. CLOSED SESSION
A. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION pursuant to
Government Code § 54957 – Title: Interim City Administrator Closed Session began at 5:04 p.m. Closed Session ended at 5:48 p.m.
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5. OPEN SESSION
Mayor Schwartz called the open session of the Bishop City Council to order at 6:02 p.m. via video conference coordinated from the City Council Chambers, 301 West Line Street, Bishop, California.
INVOCATION
The invocation was given by Father John Gracey of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Muchovej.
7. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Muchovej
Mayor Pro Tem Ellis
Mayor Schwartz
ABSENT:
Councilmember Kong - Councilmember Kong joined the meeting via video conference at 6:13 p.m.
OTHERS PRESENT:
Deston Dishion, Interim City Administrator and Public Works Director Robin Picken, City Clerk
Dean J. Pucci, City Attorney
Jenny Rodricks, Assistant Finance Director
Joe Dell, Fire Chief
Elaine Kabala, Associate Planner/Economic Development Coordinator Dan McElroy, Community Services Manager
8. PUBLIC COMMENT – NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: This time is set aside to receive public comment on matters not calendared on the agenda. When recognized by the Mayor, please state your name and address for the record and please limit your comments to three minutes. Under California law the City Council is prohibited from generally discussing or taking action on items not included in the agenda; however, the City Council may briefly respond to comments or questions from members of the public. Therefore, the City Council will listen to all public comment but will not generally discuss the matter or take action on it.
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No public comments were made.
9. REPORT ON ACTIONS TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION AS REQUIRED BY LAW To report on actions taken in Closed Session as required by law, City Attorney Pucci announced that Closed Session adjourned at 5:48 p.m. and that City Council gave the City Attorney's office direction to initiate a dialog with Mr. Dishion as to his interest in the position of City Administrator on a permanent basis. City Attorney Pucci further stated that there was nothing further to report out at this time.
10. PROCLAMATIONS
A. PROCLAMATIONS - DECLARING APRIL AS CHILD ABUSE
PREVENTION MONTH AND SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS
MONTH IN THE CITY OF BISHOP – Requested by Wild Iris Executive Director Matias Bernal, MS LPCC and Family Services Program Manager Vanessa Hays.
Item 10A
Council read and presented the proclamation for Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Wild Iris Family Services Program Manager Vanessa Hays thanked Council for the proclamations.
Council thanked Ms. Hays and Wild Iris for their work.
Councilmember Kong joined the meeting via video conference at 6:13 p.m.
11. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & VISTORS BUREAU UPDATE – Executive Director Tawni Thomson.
Item 11
Executive Director Tawni Thomson reviewed her report with Council and provided some additional information to Council on the Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Bureau activities and continued discussions on responsible recreation.
12. DEPARTMENT REPORTS - The following department reports have been submitted for Council review.
A. Fire Chief Joe Dell
Item 12A
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B. Police Chief Richard Standridge
Police Chief Standridge was absent and excused.
Item 12B
C. Community Services Manager Dan McElroy
Item 12C
D. Associate Planner/Economic Development Coordinator Elaine Kabala Item 12D
E. Interim City Administrator and Public Works Director Deston Dishion Item 12E
Council thanked staff for their department reports. Interim City Administrator Dishion announced and confirmed that April 11, 2022 is the date that Council will be meeting live in their Council Chambers. Interim City Administrator Dishion also announced that the trunk line project, which was not in his report, has been completed.
13. CONSENT CALENDAR – NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: All matters under the Consent Calendar are considered routine by the City and will be acted on by one motion.
A. FOR APPROVAL/FILING
1. City Council Meeting Minutes – February 28, 2022
Item 13A.1
2. City Council Special Meeting Minutes – March 9, 2022 Item 13A.2
3. City Council Meeting Minutes – March 14, 2022
Item 13A.3
4. Ratify City of Bishop COVID-19 Prevention Program dated 3/1/2022 Item 13A.4
5. Second Reading and Adoption of a Proposed Ordinance Adding Chapter 13.20 (“Military Equipment Policy”) to Title 13 (“Public Services”) of the City of Bishop Municipal Code Governing the Use of Military Equipment by the Police Department
Item 13A.5
6. A Resolution Making the Legally Required Findings to Continue to Authorize the Conduct of Remote “Telephonic” Meetings During the State of Emergency Item 13A.6
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B. FOR INFORMATION/FILING
1. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Notice – March 23, 2022 Item 13B.1
No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Muchovej Seconded/Councilmember Garcia Councilmember Muchovej made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. Motion passed 5-0.
Ayes: Councilmembers Kong, Garcia, Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Ellis, and Mayor Schwartz
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
14. PUBLIC HEARING AND ACTION - Public Hearing Procedure. The Mayor will open the public hearing and then: Statement and presentation by staff.
Statement and presentation by members of the public. Questions from the City Council. Call for testimony. Rebuttal to previous testimony by members of the public. Close the public hearing, terminating public testimony. The City Council will deliberate the matter and arrive at a decision.
A. PUBLIC HEARING AND FIRST READING/INTRODUCTION OF A
PROPOSED ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE
CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BISHOP AND THE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE
CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND
THE APPROVAL OF A RELATED RESOLUTION OF INTENTION –
Council to hold a public hearing to hear and consider public input on the proposed ordinance relating to amending the contract between the City of Bishop and the California Public Employees’ Retirement System to provide Section 20434 (Any officers or employees of a fire department employed to perform duties of firefighting, fire prevention, fire training, hazardous materials, emergency medical services, or fire or arson investigation services as “Local Fire Fighters”), approve the first reading and introduction of the proposed ordinance, and approve the related resolution of intention – Administration.
Item 14A
Mayor Schwartz introduced this item. Interim City Administrator Dishion reviewed this item with Council.
Mayor Schwartz opened the public hearing. No public comments were made.
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Motion/Mayor Schwartz Seconded/Mayor Pro Tem Ellis
Mayor Schwartz made a motion to close the public hearing. Motion passed 5-0.
Ayes: Councilmembers Kong, Garcia, Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Ellis, and Mayor Schwartz
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
There was no further discussion by Council.
Motion/Councilmember Muchovej Seconded/Councilmember Garcia Councilmember Muchovej made a motion to approve the first reading and introduction of the proposed ordinance by title only. Motion passed 5-0.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BISHOP, STATE
OF CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT
BETWEEN THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BISHOP AND THE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’
RETIREMENT SYSTEM.
Ayes: Councilmembers Kong, Garcia, Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Ellis, and Mayor Schwartz
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
There was no discussion by Council and no public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Muchovej Seconded/Councilmember Garcia Councilmember Muchovej made a motion to approve the proposed resolution by title only. Motion passed 5-0.
A RESOLUTION OF INTENTION TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO
CONTRACT BETWEEN THE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF BISHOP.
Ayes: Councilmembers Kong, Garcia, Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Ellis, and Mayor Schwartz
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
15. NEW BUSINESS
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A. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A GRANT TO ASSIST INYO MONO
ADVOCATES FOR COMMUNITY ACTION (IMACA) TO ADMINISTER
COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROGRAMS TO RESIDENTS OF BISHOP
AND TAKING AND AUTHORIZING OTHER ACTIONS RELATING
THER TO - Council consideration to approve the proposed resolution providing $25,000 in support funding to IMACA – Administration.
Item 15A
Mayor Schwartz introduced this item. Interim City Administrator Dishion reviewed this item with Council. IMACA Executive Director Kate Morley also joined the meeting via video conference and answer all of Council’s questions relating to their current financial status and their current membership of their Board of Directors.
Public comments were made by Andrew Clark, a resident of Bishop, who submitted his questions to Council in writing asking: “I would like more information on the oversight and accounting at IMACA before any city funds are given to an organization that lacks adequate financial oversight.” “What specifically would the 25,000 be used for?” “Second Comment - When will the council return to in person meetings?” Council spoke to their past and current discussions with IMACA Executive Director Kate Morley and their confidence in granting funds to IMACA. Mayor Schwartz also reiterated that Council is looking forward to meeting in person again in the Council Chambers in April.
No further public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Muchovej Seconded/Councilmember Kong Councilmember Muchovej made a motion to approve the proposed resolution by title only and to nominate Councilmember Garcia to sit on the IMACA Board. Motion passed 5-0.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BISHOP,
STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING A GRANT TO ASSIST
INYO MONO ADVOCATES FOR COMMUNITY ACTION (IMACA) TO
ADMINISTER COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROGRAMS TO RESIDENTS OF
BISHOP AND TAKING AND AUTHORIZING OTHER ACTIONS RELATING
THERE TO
Ayes: Councilmembers Kong, Garcia, Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Ellis, and Mayor Schwartz
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
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City Attorney Pucci recommended that Interim City Administrator work with IMACA Executive Director Morley to find out more on how appointments are made to their board.
IMACA Executive Director Morley thanked Council for the funding and will plan to report out to Council at a future Council meeting on their status. Ms. Morley also announced that she will work with City Staff on their Board application for submission.
B. GENERAL PLAN 2021 ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT – Council to review and accept the General Plan 2021 Annual Progress Report and direct staff to submit the report to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and to the State Department of Housing and Community Development - Planning.
Item 15B
Associate Planner and Economic Development Coordinator Kabala reviewed this item with Council.
No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Muchovej Seconded/Councilmember Garcia Councilmember Muchovej made a motion to accept the General Plan 2021 Annual Progress Report and direct staff to submit the report to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and to the State Department of Housing and Community Development. Motion passed 5-0.
Ayes: Councilmembers Kong, Garcia, Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Ellis, and Mayor Schwartz
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
16. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Muchovej asked that the City submit an application to get a board member on the Inyo Mono Advocates for Community Action (IMACA) Board.
No further requests were made for future agendas items.
17. COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Members reported on meetings and community events that they attended virtually and in-person.
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18. ADJOURNMENT - Monday, April 11, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting in the City Council Chambers.
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:08 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, April 11, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. ____________________________________________________
Karen Schwartz, Mayor
Attest: ______________________________
Robin Picken, City Clerk