CITY OF BISHOP
City Council Meeting Minutes
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2022
6:00
P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER – 6:00 P.M. Monday, September 26, 2022 Mayor Schwartz called the meeting of the Bishop City Council to order at 6:01 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 301 West Line Street, Bishop, California.
2. INVOCATION
The invocation was given by Father Cam Lemons of the St. Timothy’s Anglican Church.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Kong.
4. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Ellis, and Mayor Schwartz ABSENT:
None.
ALSO PRESENT:
OTHERS PRESENT:
Deston Dishion, City Administrator
Robin Picken, City Clerk
Dean J. Pucci, City Attorney
Joe Dell, Fire Chief
Richard Standridge, Police Chief
Nora Gamino, Public Works Director
Elaine Kabala, Associate Planner/Economic Development Coordinator Dan McElroy, Community Services Manager
5. 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.
No public comments were made.
6. PROCLAMATIONS
A.
PROCLAMATION - DECLARING OCTOBER 2022 AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH IN BISHOP – Requested by Wild Iris Interim Executive Director Vanessa Hays.
Item 6A
Council read the proclamation declaring October 2022 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Bishop. The proclamation was received by Wild Iris Family Services Program Manager Annette Apalatea.
7. PRESENTATIONS
A.
BISHOP TOURISM IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BTID) ANNUAL REPORT – Presented by Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Tawni Thomson.
Item 7A
PRESENTATION - by Executive Director Tawni Thomson
A presentation was made by Tawni Thomson and Julie Faber. Council thanked both Tawni Thomson and Julie Faber for their presentation on the Bishop Tourism Improvement District Annual Report.
8. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & VISTORS BUREAU UPDATE – Executive Director Tawni Thomson.
Item 8
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.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Updates on department activities will be given by the Department Heads and/or their staff.
Reports from the Fire, Police, Community Services, Planning, and Administration Departments were given on each department’s activities including upcoming and ongoing projects.
A.
Fire Chief Joe Dell
Fire Chief Dell reported to Council on nine recent fires, OES weather standby, resiliency for EMS, an EMS Class agreement, a report on the Fire Prevention Officer's work with the public and with staff, the Destruction Derby, the 9/11 stair climb, a leadership conference, and current Fire Department policies that are being reviewed.
B.
Police Chief Richard Standridge
Police Chief Standridge reported to Council on the recent Dual Sports banquet, Shop with a Cop, meetings attended with Lieutenant Ellsworth addressing mental health in our area, successful POST and CLETS audits, Police Department Booth at the Tri-County Fair, an update on Alena Dondero's position as Police Service Technician, the California Indian Day Walk and Parade where both Councilmember Muchovej and Chief Standridge helped judge floats and Police Officer Cody Lawson and Police Chief Standridge drove in a Bishop Police Department Patrol Car in the parade, the recent installation of a new TV monitor in the Bishop Police Department lobby that is now operational, conversations with Taser to look at current contacts, Active Shooter Trainings, and invited Council to join him at a range night to familiarize them with the Police Department weapons.
C.
Community Services Manager Dan McElroy
Community Services Manager McElroy reported to Council on recent park activities, Friday Night Market, Car Show with Owens Valley Cruzers at the rear of the City Park, Saturday, October 1, 2022, Amigos is holding a 30-Year Anniversary celebration on Academy Street, AYSO and City League soccer games, pool closed on Friday, September 30, 2022, a programs update, California Greening Grant with the Community Garden, "Trunk or Treat" at the Fairgrounds will have a new name that will be announced soon, a MLB Grant to assist in infield renovations for Fields 1, 2, 3 and 4, and looking at electric carts to replace two carts that run on gasoline.
D.
Associate Planner/Economic Development Coordinator Elaine Kabala Associate Planner and Economic Development Coordinator Kabala reported to Council on the Annual Eastern Sierra Capital Summit on October 7, 2022 at 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon at Cerro Coso Community College in Bishop, the Planning Commission will be considering the two cannabis retailers development agreements at their meeting on September 27, 2022 and then to Council pending approval by the Planning Commission, documents to be codified for the Mixed-Use Overlay and the Specific Plan for consideration by the Planning Commission for adoption prior to bringing to Council, and an update on enforcement efforts related to the new signage ordinance.
E.
City Administrator Deston Dishion
City Administrator Dishion reported to Council on Administration and Public Works Departments activities. City Administrator Dishion reported on a meeting with Cal Recycle regarding recycling cardboard, a meeting with Caltrans to start the Warren and Lagoon Safe Paths to Schools earmark project, an update on the East Line Street Bridge design, an update on filling the Assistant Finance Director position and looking at getting accounting assistance for the City in the interim, update on request for property from LADWP, a meeting with new Inyo County Administrative Officer Nate Greenberg, and received an invitation to join a strategic planning meeting with Inyo County relating to the Bishop Airport.
10. 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 – September 12, 2022
Item 10A.1
2. Granicus Agreement – One-Year Extension 11/12/2022-11/11/2023 Item 10A.2
3. Postage Machine Lease and Service Agreement with JMP Office Technologies Item 10A.3
4. A Resolution Approving a Program of Work to be Known as the “ESCOG: Community Economic Resiliency Fund Pilot Program” Item 10A.4
5. A Resolution Making a Determination of Industrial Disability of an Employee Item 10A.5
B.
FOR INFORMATION/FILING
1. Public Works Building Permits Report – August 2022
Item 10B.1
2. Planning Department Report – September 2022
Item 10B.2
3. Planning Commission Meeting Agenda – September 27, 2022 Item 10B.3
No public comments were made.
Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Ellis, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to approve the Consent Calendar with the one minor correction requested to the Planning Commission agenda.
AYES:
Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Ellis, Mayor Schwartz NOES:
None
ABSENTS:
None
ABSTAINS:
None
RECUSALS:
None
SUMMARY:
5 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains; 0 Absent.
Motion passed 5-0.
11. NEW BUSINESS
A.
AWARD BID FOR CITY PARK FRONT RESTROOM REHABILITATION PROJECT – Council consideration to award the Front Restroom Rehabilitation Project contract to Masala Construction, authorize the execution of the construction contract with Masala Construction, and authorize the expenditure in a not-to-exceed amount of $34,100.00 including 10% contingency – Community Services.
Item 11A
Community Services Manager McElroy reviewed this item with Council.
No public comments were made.
Moved by: Councilmember Muchovej, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to approve to award the Front Restroom Rehabilitation Project contract to Masala Construction, authorize the execution of the construction contract with Masala Construction, and authorize the expenditure in a not-to-exceed amount of $34,100.00 including 10% contingency.
AYES:
Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Ellis, Mayor Schwartz NOES:
None
ABSENTS:
None
ABSTAINS:
None
RECUSALS:
None
SUMMARY:
5 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains; 0 Absent.
Motion passed 5-0.
B.
AMEND CONTRACT TO INCREASE CONTRACT AMOUNT FOR HORACE ALBRIGHT PARK PATH PROJECT - Council consideration to amend the Horace Albright Park Path Project construction contract to Clair Concrete Inc. in the amount of $94,601.25 and to authorize the expenditure in a not-to-exceed amount of $104,061.38 including 10% contingency – Administration/Public Works.
Item 11B
City Administrator Dishion reviewed this item with Council.
Public comments were made by:
Jeff Griffiths, a resident of Bishop, asked to clarify the amount of work being done on the sidewalks next to community center. No further public comments were made.
Moved by: Councilmember Muchovej, seconded by Councilmember Kong to approve to amend the Horace Albright Park Path Project construction contract to Clair Concrete Inc. in the amount of $94,601.25 and to authorize the expenditure in a not-to-exceed amount of $104,061.38 including 10% contingency.
AYES:
Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Ellis, Mayor Schwartz NOES:
None
ABSENTS:
None
ABSTAINS:
None
RECUSALS:
None
SUMMARY:
5 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains; 0 Absent.
Motion passed 5-0.
C.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT – Council consideration to approve the proposed Public Works Director Employment Agreement – Administration.
Item 11C
City Administrator Dishion reviewed this item with Council.
Council welcomed Nora Gamino to the City of Bishop. Nora Gamino thanked Council and briefly introduced herself.
No public comments were made.
Moved by: Councilmember Muchovej, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to approve the appointment of Nora Gamino as the Public Works Director and authorize Mayor Schwartz to execute the Employment Agreement.
AYES:
Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Ellis, Mayor Schwartz NOES:
None
ABSENTS:
None
ABSTAINS:
None
RECUSALS:
None
SUMMARY:
5 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains; 0 Absent.
Motion passed 5-0.
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Schwartz asked City Clerk Picken to assist Police Chief Standridge in making arrangements for a range day or night with Council.
Councilmember Muchovej asked newly appointed Public Works Director Gamino to bring back a list of priority projects to Council in a few months.
Councilmember Kong and Mayor Pro Tem Ellis asked staff to arrange for a follow-up strategic planning meeting in the beginning of the new year.
Councilmember Garcia asked staff to look into a City employee identification card.
No further requests were made for future agendas items.
13. COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Members reported on meetings and community events that they attended.
14. ADJOURNMENT Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting in the City Council Chambers.
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:43 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. ______________________________________
Karen Schwartz, Mayor
Attest: ______________________________
Robin Picken, City Clerk