April 11, 2022 Page 1
CITY OF BISHOP
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
APRIL 11, 2022
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Schwartz called the meeting of the Bishop City Council to order at 5:03 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 301 West Line Street, Bishop, California.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Kong
Councilmember Garcia
Mayor Pro Tem Ellis
Mayor Schwartz
ABSENT:
Councilmember Muchovej – Councilmember Muchovej joined the meeting for Closed Session at 5:13 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
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 APPOINTMENT pursuant to Government Code § 54957 - Title: City Administrator.
B. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS pursuant to
Government Code § 54957.6 – Agency designated representative:
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Interim City Administrator Deston Dishion. Employee organizations:
Bishop Employees Association, Bishop Police Officers Association, Mid-Management Group, Management Group.
Closed Session began at 5:03 p.m. Closed Session ended at 6:03 p.m.
Councilmember Muchovej joined Closed Session at 5:13 p.m.
5. OPEN SESSION – 6:00 P.M. Monday, April 11, 2022
Mayor Schwartz called the open session of the Bishop City Council to order at 6:07 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 301 West Line Street, Bishop, California.
6. INVOCATION
The invocation was given by Pastor Eddie Davis of the Church of the Nazarene.
7. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Pro Tem Ellis.
8. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Kong
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Muchovej
Mayor Pro Tem Ellis
Mayor Schwartz
ABSENT:
None
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
Richard Standridge, Police Chief
Elaine Kabala, Associate Planner/Economic Development Coordinator Dan McElroy, Community Services Manager
9. 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
April 11, 2022 Page 3
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.
Public Comments were made by:
Jane Askin, a local resident, expressed her concerns about the fire danger risk in our area due to another drought year. Jane Askin requested that City Council consider banning the sale and discharge of fireworks in our area and that she plans to approach the Inyo County Board of Supervisors with the same request.
No further public comments were made.
10. REPORT ON ACTIONS TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION AS REQUIRED BY LAW To report on actions taken in Closed Session as required by law, Mayor Schwartz announced that direction was given to staff.
11. BISHOP UNION HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATED STUDENT BODY UPDATE – Presented by Bishop Union High School Associated Student Body Freshmen Class President Karen Rivas.
Bishop Union High School Student Senate Associate Student Body (ASB) Representative Karen Rivas (currently a Sophomore) provided Council with a handout highlighting several Bishop Union High School's Student Senate activities and programs. Council thanked Karen Rivas for her report.
Bishop Union High School ASB Report - April 11, 2022
12. COUNTY OF INYO UPDATE REPORT – Prepared and presented by Second District Supervisor Jeff Griffiths.
Item 12
Second District Supervisor Griffiths reviewed his report on Inyo County’s information and activities with Council.
13. DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Updates on department activities will be given by the Department Heads and/or their staff.
A. Fire Chief Joe Dell
Fire Chief Dell reported to Council on the recent high wind activity and the damage it has caused in our area with many lines and trees currently down, the number of calls
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and responses made, and updates relating to disallowing campfires to be announced by the Bureau of Land Management and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
B. Police Chief Richard Standridge
Police Chief Standridge reported to Council on Autism Awareness Month and the sale of Bishop Police patches in honor of Autism Awareness Month, Dispatch Appreciation Week, Bishop Police dispatch statistics, and an update on the Police Department staffing.
C. Community Services Manager Dan McElroy
Community Services Manager McElroy reported to Council on a list of activities at the City Park, recent trainings for staff on preventing harassment and for contract management, preparing the City Pool for its opening and the installation of a new fence, registration for sports groups via Sportsites software, a new unit delivered at Sunrise Mobile Home Park, Earth Day at the park, open registration on Fish Camp, Summer Camp registration is full with a waiting list, and looking at a very busy summer.
D. Associate Planner/Economic Development Coordinator Elaine Kabala Associate Planner and Economic Development Coordinator Kabala reported to Council on current planning applications, moving forward with HdL on their work to review the cannabis applications, received a comment letter from the Housing and Community Development on the City’s Housing Element, and there has been a brief pause in the CEQA process for the Downtown Specific Plan with updates being made for the public review draft to be made available soon.
E. Interim City Administrator and Public Works Director Deston Dishion Interim City Administrator and Public Works Director Dishion reported to Council on Public Works projects, an update to the City fees and charges effective July 1, 2022, spoke to Enterprise Rent-A-Car to rent spaces in the parking lot across City Hall, the status on the Silver Peaks project with Mammoth Lakes Housing, actively in negotiations with employee associations, updating personnel rules with assistance from Jones and Mayer, and participating in meetings with Inyo County on addressing broadband items.
14. 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. Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) Grant Memorandum of Understanding Item 14A.1
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2. Ratify Amendments to Memorandum of Understanding between City of Bishop and the Bishop Employees Association, Mid-Management, and Bishop Police Officers Association – March 2022
Item 14A.2
B. FOR INFORMATION/FILING
1. Public Works Building Permits Report – March 2022
Item 14B.1
2. Planning Commission Meeting Agenda – March 29, 2022
Item 14B.2
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
15. PUBLIC HEARINGS 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 THE FIRST RE ADING/INTRODUCTION OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE ADDING TITLE 17, CHAPTER 85
ENTITLED “SIGNAGE,” AMENDING SECTION 17.76.100 – SIGNS – COMMERCIAL, AND AMENDING SECTION 17.62.100 – SIGN –
Council to hold a public hearing to hear and consider public input on the proposed ordinance relating to signage regulation for all commercial districts and to consider approving the first reading and introduction of the proposed ordinance – Planning.
Item 15A
Mayor Schwartz opened the public hearing.
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Associate Planner Kabala reviewed this item with Council and made notes to address all of Council’s concerns with the proposed ordinance.
Public comments were made by:
Cindy Menke, of Mammoth Sign Company in Bishop, made comments in support of the new signage ordinance.
No further public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Muchovej Seconded/Mayor Pro Tem Ellis Councilmember Muchovej 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
Council made further comments to address blinking signs and to limit the number of blinking signs.
Motion/Mayor Pro Tem Ellis Seconded/Councilmember Muchovej Mayor Pro Tem Ellis made a motion to approve the first reading and introduction of the proposed ordinance by title only with the directed changes given to staff. Motion passed 5-0.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BISHOP, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 85 (“SIGNAGE”) TO TITLE 17 (“ZONING”) AND AMENDING SECTIONS 17.76.110 (“SIGNS – COMMERCIAL”), AND 17.62.100 (“SIGN”) OF TITLE 17 (“ZONING”) OF THE BISHOP MUNICIPAL CODE Ayes: Councilmembers Kong, Garcia, Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Ellis, and Mayor Schwartz
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
B. PUBLIC HEARING AND THE FIRST READING/INTRODUCTION OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE MODIFYING TITLE 17, CHAPTER 17.75
(ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY
DWELLING UNITS) OF TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE BISHOP
MUNICIPAL CODE - Council to hold a public hearing to hear and consider public input on the proposed ordinance relating to allowable heights of accessory dwelling units in residential districts and to
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consider approving the first reading and introduction of the proposed ordinance – Planning.
Item 15B
Mayor Schwartz opened the public hearing.
Associate Planner Kabala reviewed this item with Council.
No public comments were made.
Motion/Mayor Pro Tem Ellis Seconded/Councilmember Muchovej Mayor Pro Tem Ellis 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
No additional comments were made by Council.
Motion/Councilmember Garcia Seconded/Councilmember Kong Councilmember Garcia 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, MODIFYING SECTION 17.75.040 (ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS – DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS) OF CHAPTER 17.75 (ACCESSORY
DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS) OF
TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE BISHOP MUNICIPAL CODE
Ayes: Councilmembers Kong, Garcia, Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Ellis, and Mayor Schwartz
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
16. NEW BUSINESS
A. CITY OF BISHOP PART-TIME EMPLOYEES WAGE SCALE FOR
JULY 1, 2022 – JUNE 30, 2023 – Council consideration to approve the proposed City of Bishop Part-Time Employees Wage Scale effective July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 – Administration.
Item 16A
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Interim City Administrator Dishion reviewed this item with Council.
Councilmember Garcia proposed that any job on the Part-Time Employees Wage Scale that has been increased to $16.00 per hour effective July 1, 2022 should be increased to $18.00 per hour to be competitive with the private market. After further discussion, Council came to a consensus to make effective July 1, 2022: 1. Increase all jobs listed on the proposed Part-Time Wage Scale that have been increased to $16.00 per hour to $18.00 per hour; 2. All jobs listed on the proposed Part-Time Wage Scale that have been increased to $18.00 per hour, that includes step increases, may go up one dollar at each step with the maximum of $20.00 per hour at the third step; and 3. The Public Works Intern hourly wage reflected on the proposed Part-Time Wage Scale should be increased from $17.00 per hour to $18.00 per hour.
No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Muchovej Seconded/Councilmember Kong Councilmember Muchovej made a motion to approve the proposed City of Bishop PartTime Employees Wage Scale effective July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 with the changes directed by Council. Motion passed 5-0.
Ayes: Councilmembers Kong, Garcia, Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Ellis, and Mayor Schwartz
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
B. APPOINTMENT OF CITY ADMINISTRATOR – Council to consider appointment of permanent City Administrator and authorize execution of City Administrator Employment Agreement with Deston Dishion – City Attorney.
Item 16B
City Attorney Pucci reviewed this item with Council.
Council made comments in support of appointing Deston Dishion as the City Administrator.
No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Garcia Seconded/Councilmember Muchovej Councilmember Garcia made a motion to appointment Deston Dishion as City Administrator and authorize Mayor Schwartz to execute the proposed City Administrator Employment Agreement. Motion passed 5-0.
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Ayes: Councilmembers Kong, Garcia, Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Ellis, and Mayor Schwartz
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
17. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Pro Tem Ellis asked staff to arrange a presentation or report from Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) on the changes being made to their street lighting in the City of Bishop.
Councilmember Muchovej asked that staff bring back a discussion on temporary sign provisions in the next four to six months.
Councilmember Garcia announced that a presentation on broadband in Bishop will be forthcoming at an upcoming meeting. City Administrator Dishion also agreed to come back to Council with any relevant reports from his meetings with the County of Inyo on the subject of broadband for the City of Bishop.
No further requests were made for future agendas items.
18. COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Members reported on meetings and community events that they attended virtually and in-person.
19. ADJOURNMENT - Monday, April 25, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting in the City Council Chambers.
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:08 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, April 25, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. ____________________________________________________
Karen Schwartz, Mayor
Attest: ______________________________
Robin Picken, City Clerk