CITY OF BISHOP
City Council Meeting Minutes
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2023
6:00
P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ellis called the meeting of the Bishop City Council to order at 6:09 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 301 West Line Street, Bishop, California.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Muchovej.
3. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Schwartz, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, and Mayor Ellis ABSENT:
Councilmember Kong
ALSO PRESENT:
Deston Dishion, City Administrator
Robin Picken, City Clerk
Russell A. Hildebrand, Deputy City Attorney
Ethan Aukee, Assistant Finance Director
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
Mayor Ellis announced that due to time constraints, Items 6 and 7 will be addressed first prior to addressing Item 4 Public Comment.
6. INTRODUCTION OF POLICE COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR KELSEY ALLRED – Police Chief Standridge will introduce Police Communications Operator Kelsey Allred.
Police Chief Standridge introduced Police Communications Operator Kelsey Allred to Council. Kelsey Allred shared some of her background and past work experience with Council. Council welcomed Kelsey Allred back to Bishop and as a new Communications Operator for the Bishop Police Department.
7. INTRODUCTION AND SWEARING IN OF POLICE OFFICER OSCAR LOPEZ-ESPARZA – Police Chief Standridge will introduce and swear in Police Officer Oscar Lopez-Esparza.
Police Chief Standridge asked Police Officer Oscar Lopez-Esparza to introduce his family to Council and then introduced Police Officer Lopez-Esparza to Council. Police Chief Standridge then swore in Police Officer Lopez-Esparza. Council thanked Police Officer Lopez-Esparza for his hard work at the Academy and congratulated him on his accomplishments. The Council also welcomed Police Officer Lopez-Esparza as an Officer of the Bishop Police Department and wished him much success.
4. 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.
Public Comments Received prior to 4:00 PM 2/13/2023
Public Comments were made by:
Lynette McIntosh spoke in support of invocations and gave a prayer.
Mary Matlick had a business in town for almost 14 years; spoke in support of invocations and gave a prayer.
Leslie Sasuga spoke in support of invocations.
Gayla Wolf spoke in support of invocations.
John Tallon spoke in support of invocations.
Pastor Tony Unger spoke in support of invocations and gave a prayer.
Kelli Brown spoke in support of invocations.
Greg Smith spoke in support of invocations.
Tiffany Lau spoke in support to NOT hold invocations.
Laura Smith asked Council if it is required to state your specific street address when making public comment? Deputy City Attorney Hildebrand answered Laura Smith's question stating that it is not required for a person making a public comment to give their specific street address at which they reside. However, the Council may ask in which city they reside in, but it is not required that they answer.
Laura Smith spoke in support of invocations and asked Council to bring this item back on their agenda so Council can discuss it.
Cami Ellis spoke to the audience to be respectful and considerate to the Council Members when they speak as they all have been to each of you.
No further public comments were made.
Council thanked everyone who attended and made comments.
5. PRESENTATIONS
A.
PRESENTATION OF CITIZEN AWARD – Gaye Mueller
Item 5A
Mayor Ellis reviewed this item and presented Gaye Mueller with the Citizen Award on behalf of the City Council. Gaye Mueller thanked Council for this award. She said she is happy that we are focusing on bringing public art to Bishop and is looking forward to the beautification projects in Bishop.
B.
PRESENTATION OF BEAUTIFICATION AWARD – C5 Studios Community Art Center Item 5B
Councilmember Schwartz reviewed this item and presented C5 Studios with the Beautification Award on behalf of the City Council. Erin Boehme and Naomi Hart Johnson thanked the Council for this award and for their support. They also thanked the community, Sam Walker, and their Board for their support.
8. 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 successful conclusion of their Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) class, the status of their $83,000 grant radio upgrade with special thanks given to Sam Blum and John Nielsen, an update on receiving their new water tender, and announced their Firefighter Appreciation Banquet to be held on March 4th.
B.
Police Chief Richard Standridge
Police Chief Standridge reported to Council on the quality of employees that the Bishop Police Department is hiring, a wellness application and the new City website Police Department page design, $15,000 grant check will be coming in for training, a meeting with Assistant Finance Director Ethan Aukee to go over their budget, and the successful town hall community engagement meeting held on February 9, 2023. Council thanked Chief Standridge for his leadership and for taking steps to making police staff more approachable.
C.
Public Works Director Nora Gamino
Public Works Director Gamino reported to Council on the storm event response, the wastewater treatment plant is still running at a high rate with a 1.6 million gallon capacity and constantly monitoring, video inspections of sewer, work at Sunrise Mobile Home Park, spoke to Well Point Engineering regarding SCADA system upgrade, and completed the Caltrans Engineering training last week.
D.
Community Services Manager Dan McElroy
Community Services Manager McElroy reported to Council on the purchased infill materials for ballfields to be complete this week, replacing ballfield dugout roofs and safety netting at ballfields, an update on their summer programs, pool preparations for the start of their pool season; hiring summer seasonal staff, hiring an aquatics coordinator and a program coordinator, looking for grant funding to replace the front park playground and also looking for grant funding to assist the Community Gardeners, the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting will be held on February 22nd which will include a public outreach on Community Services programs and to receive feedback on the park master plan, hosting their first two laser tag parties in the City Auditorium, and announced that due to staff in training they will have to cancel the scheduled Kids Night Out on February 24th.
E.
Associate Planner/Economic Development Coordinator Elaine Kabala Associate Planner and Economic Coordinator Kabala reported to Council on the Employer Housing Survey, announced that the Silver Peaks Affordable Housing (on Spruce and Mac Iver) project developer Visionary Homebuilders did not receive their funding from the State of California Housing and Community Development, and an update on the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Plan which is in partnership with Inyo Co, Mono Co, Town of Mammoth Lakes, City of Bishop, Alpine County, and the Eastern Sierra Council of Governments (ESCOG).
F.
City Administrator Deston Dishion
City Administrator Dishion reported to Council on the Cal Cities City Managers Conference last week where they discussed the Surplus Land Act which is stopping progress in providing workforce housing, an update on Emergency Medical Services (EMS), State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil requested that he and Mayor Ellis testify in Sacramento on their request for a bill to not tax emergency vehicle items, ready to schedule a meeting with the Fire Department consultant once council approves the agreement, and after the March 13th City Council meeting we will have the Council Chambers remodeled.
9. 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 – January 9, 2023
Item 9A.1
2. City Council Meeting Minutes – January 23, 2023
Item 9A.2
3. Monthly Budget Reports – December 2022
Item 9A.3
4. Warrant Registers – December 2022
Item 9A.4
5. Combined Cash Report – December 2022
Item 9A.5
6. Bank Reconciliation Report – December 2022
Item 9A.6
7. Investment Portfolio – December 2022
Item 9A.7
B.
FOR INFORMATION/FILING
1. Police Department Report – January 2023
Item 9B.1
2. Public Works Department Report – January 2023
Item 9B.2
3. Community Services Department Report – January 2023
Item 9B.3
4. Planning Department Report – January 2023
Item 9B.4
5. Administration Department Report – January 2023
Item 9B.5
6. Planning Commission Meeting Cancellation Notice – January 24, 2023 Item 9B.6
7. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Notice – January 25, 2023 Item 9B.7
No public comments were made.
Moved by: Councilmember Muchovej, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Garcia to approve the Consent Calendar as presented.
AYES:
Councilmember Schwartz, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Mayor Ellis NOES:
None
ABSENTS:
Councilmember Kong
ABSTAINS:
None
RECUSALS:
None
SUMMARY:
4 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains; 1 Absent.
Motion passed 4-0.
10. NEW BUSINESS
A.
FIRE DEPARTMENT AGENCY EVALUATION - Council consideration to approve the funding of the Agency Evaluation not to exceed $35,334.00, to be evenly split by the City of Bishop and the Bishop Rural Fire Protection District at $17,667.00 each – Fire.
Item 10A
Fire Chief Dell reviewed this item with Council and confirmed that the Bishop Rural Fire Protection District approved their portion of the requested funding. After addressing all of Council's questions, no public comments were made.
Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, seconded by Councilmember Schwartz to approve the funding of the Agency Evaluation not to exceed $35,334.00, to be evenly split by the City of Bishop and the Bishop Rural Fire Protection District at $17,667.00 each.
AYES:
Councilmember Schwartz, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Mayor Ellis NOES:
None
ABSENTS:
Councilmember Kong
ABSTAINS:
None
RECUSALS:
None
SUMMARY:
4 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains; 1 Absent.
Motion passed 4-0.
B.
FIRE DEPARTMENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – Council consideration to approve the implementation of the Lexipol Policy and Procedure Manual for the Bishop Fire Department – Fire.
Item 10B
Fire Chief Dell reviewed this item with Council and confirmed that the policies and procedures will be effective March 1, 2023. All Volunteers will be given an exact deadline in the next six months to acknowledge they received and understand the attached policies and procedures. After answering all of Council's questions, no public comments were made.
Moved by: Councilmember Muchovej, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Garcia to approve the implementation of the Lexipol Policy and Procedure Manual for the Bishop Fire Department.
AYES:
Councilmember Schwartz, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Mayor Ellis NOES:
None
ABSENTS:
Councilmember Kong
ABSTAINS:
None
RECUSALS:
None
SUMMARY:
4 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains; 1 Absent.
Motion passed 4-0.
C.
APPROVE DESIGN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE DOWNTOWN BISHOP PARKWAYS GREEN ALLEY DESIGN – Council consideration to approve an expenditure in the amount of $100,000 for design professional services agreement for the Downtown Bishop Parkways Green Alley Design, Whitney Alley with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. and an additional authorization to expend a not-to-exceed amount of $110,000.00 which includes a 10% contingency – Public Works.
Item 10C
Public Works Director Gamino reviewed this item with Council.
Public comments were made by:
Gayla Wolf, who spoke in favor of this project.
No further public comments were made.
After staff addressed all of Council's questions, the following motion was made.
Moved by: Councilmember Muchovej, seconded by Councilmember Schwartz to approve the contract with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. for the Downtown Bishop Parkways Green Alley Design, Whitney Alley in the amount of $49,897.10 with a ten percent contingency and authorize the City Administrator to expend up to $50,102.90 with a ten percent contingency for the construction documents with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc.
AYES:
Councilmember Schwartz, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Mayor Ellis NOES:
None
ABSENTS:
Councilmember Kong
ABSTAINS:
None
RECUSALS:
None
SUMMARY:
4 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains; 1 Absent.
Motion passed 4-0.
11. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Pro Tem Garcia asked staff to bring back a discussion on introductions to their City Council meetings. There was not a full consensus by Council to move forward on this request. No further requests were made for future agendas items.
12. COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Members reported on meetings and community events that they attended.
13. ADJOURNMENT Monday, February 27, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting in the City Council Chambers The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:18 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, February 27, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. ______________________________________
Jim Ellis, Mayor
Attest: ______________________________
Robin Picken, City Clerk