CITY OF BISHOP
City Council Meeting Minutes
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2023
5:15
P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ellis called the meeting of the Bishop City Council to order at 5:20 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 301 West Line Street, Bishop, California.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, and Mayor Ellis ABSENT:
Councilmember Muchovej
ALSO PRESENT:
Deston Dishion, City Administrator
Robin Picken, City Clerk
Dean J. Pucci, City Attorney
Councilmember Muchovej joined the meeting at 5:20 p.m. immediately after roll call was completed.
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.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – INITIATION OF LITIGATION – pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(c): 1 Potential Case Closed Session began at 5:20 p.m. Closed Session ended at 6:04 p.m.
5. OPEN SESSION
Mayor Ellis 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. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Bishop Girl Scout Troop 641 will lead the pledge of allegiance.
The pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Pro Tem Garcia. The Bishop Girl Scout Troop 641 was unable to attend this meeting.
7. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Schwartz, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, and Mayor Ellis ABSENT:
None.
ALSO PRESENT:
Deston Dishion, City Administrator
Robin Picken, City Clerk
Dean J. Pucci, 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
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.
Lynn Greer spoke in support of invocations at City Council Meetings.
Lynette McIntoch spoke in support of invocations at City Council Meetings and to bring back a resolution.
Father Cam Lemons spoke in support of continuing invocations at City Council Meetings.
Tiffany Lau spoke to not continuing to agendize invocations at City Council meetings.
Sam Blum, a resident of Bishop, spoke in support of invocations at City Council Meetings, was very impressed with the Public Works staff for their work on snow removal here in the City of Bishop, and as a citizen of this community he is scared to loose advanced life support emergency medical services in our community.
Alex Yerkes, a resident of Bishop and an owner of a business in Bishop, spoke in support of invocations at City Council meetings.
Laura Smith, a resident of Bishop, spoke in support of invocations at City Council Meetings.
No further public comments were made.
Public Comments Received prior to 3:15 PM 2/27/2023
9. REPORT ON ACTIONS TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION AS REQUIRED BY LAW To report on actions taken in Closed Session as required by law, Mayor Ellis announced that no action was taken, direction was given to staff.
10. INTRODUCTION OF ASSISTANT PLANNER – City Administrator Deston Dishion will introduce Assistant Planner Anastasiia Budnyk to Council.
City Administrator Dishion introduced newly hired Assistant Planner Anastasiia "Ana" Budnyk to Council. Ana Budnyk thanked City Administrator Dishion and Council for her introduction and welcoming her to the City of Bishop. Ana Budnyk expressed her excitement to be a part of our community and to serve it to the best of her knowledge.
11. PROCLAMATIONS
A.
PROCLAMATION – Recognizing the Month of March 2023 as American Red Cross Month requested by American Red Cross of Central California Central Valley Chapter Executive Director Lori Wilson.
Item 11A
Kristina Blum Justice thanked Council for the proclamation recognizing the month of March 2023 as American Red Cross Month and summarized the work American Red Cross volunteers do for us.
Council read and presented the proclamation to Kristina Blum Justice.
12. PRESENTATIONS
A.
EASTERN SIERRA TRANSIT AUTHORITY (ESTA) ANNUAL REPORT – Presented by ESTA Executive Director Phil Moores.
Item 12A
ESTA Executive Director Phil Moores reviewed the annual report he submitted to Council and provided some additional information to Council on ESTA's activities. Council expressed their appreciation for all of the services ESTA provides for the community and thanked Phil Moores for his report.
13. BISHOP AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INFORMATION CENTER UPDATE – Prepared and presented by Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Information Center Executive Director Tawni Thomson.
Item 13
Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Information Center Executive Director Tawni Thomson was unable to attend this meeting. Council reviewed and received this report. No comments were made by Council.
14. 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 amount of work that the American Red Cross does for our community, thanked Kristina Blum Justice for her participation on the American Red Cross, and thanked the American Red Cross team for their invaluable services. Fire Chief Dell reported on the many incidents during the recent storm, reported on the five fatalities due to a recent aircraft mishap, an update on the upcoming visit by Fire Department consultant ESCI next week, and announced the installation of new red roll-up doors at Fire Station One.
B.
Police Chief Richard Standridge
Police Chief Standridge reported to Council on the number of response calls being received due to the weather, his appreciation to the Public Works Department for all of their work out on the streets, Police Officer Oscar Lopez-Esparza is doing well, an update on the arrival of new police vehicles, organizing the evidence room, and no major traffic accidents to report.
C.
Public Works Director Nora Gamino
Public Works Director Gamino reported to Council on her appreciation and acknowledgement of all the good work that the Public Works crew is doing for the City and for our community, the regular routine maintenance work being done, the work being done on the remodel of the Executive Conference Room (ECR) for staff offices, and a meeting she attended with Caltrans' landscape architect. Council asked that Public Works Director Gamino share their appreciation with the Public Works Department staff for all of their work. After addressing all of Council's questions relating to the City's water, sewer, streets, and sidewalks the Council thanked Public Works Director Gamino for her report.
D.
Community Services Manager Dan McElroy
Community Services Manager McElroy reported to Council on the receipt of city park cameras, down limbs and crushed pine trees due to snow load in the City Park, the current status of our City Park ballfields, Little League activities, parks and recreation staff recruitment, highlights from the February 22, 2023 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting, and the start of softball, gymnastics, and youth tennis programs. Community Services Manager McElroy also announced that staff is getting ready to assist in the upcoming Blake Jones Fishing Derby. Council thanked staff for clearing trees and debris.
E.
Associate Planner/Economic Development Coordinator Elaine Kabala Associate Planner and Economic Development Coordinator Kabala reported to Council on welcoming newly hired Assistant Planner Ana Budnyk to the Planning Department and introducing her to the programs and activities in the Planning Department. Associate Planner and Economic Development Coordinator Kabala took this opportunity to thank Council for allowing her to work for the City be on the Planning Department staff and announced her new responsibilities as Executive Director for Eastern Sierra Council of Governments (ESCOG). Associate Planner and Economic Development Coordinator Kabala ended her report by advising Council of continued signage enforcement activities.
F.
City Administrator Deston Dishion
City Administrator Dishion reported to Council on the scheduled City Council and Bishop Rural Fire Protection District joint meeting to be held on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, an update on the Planning Department, the scheduling of a strategic planning meeting as requested by Council with City staff in the first week in May, and announced that the Bike Park group is working on acquiring insurance to move forward with their project.
15. 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. Monthly Budget Reports – January 2023
Item 15A.1
2. Warrant Registers – January 2023
Item 15A.2
3. Combined Cash Report – January 2023
Item 15A.3
4. Bank Reconciliation Report – January 2023
Item 15A.4
5. Investment Portfolio – January 2023
Item 15A.5
6. A Resolution Authorizing Destruction of Certain Citywide Records Item 15A.6
7. Sale of Bishop City Council Chamber Seating
Item 15A.7
B.
FOR INFORMATION/FILING
1. Planning Commission Meeting Cancellation Notice – February 28, 2023 Item 15B.1
2. Public Works Building Permits Report – January 2023
Item 15B.2
After staff answered all of Council's questions on Items 15A.6 and 15A.7, the Mayor asked for any public comments. No public comments were made.
Moved by: Councilmember Muchovej, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Garcia to approve the Consent Calendar as presented.
AYES:
Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Schwartz, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Mayor Ellis NOES:
None
ABSENTS:
None
ABSTAINS:
None
RECUSALS:
None
SUMMARY:
5 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains; 0 Absent.
Motion passed 5-0.
16. PUBLIC HEARING AND ACTION
A.
PUBLIC HEARING AND FIRST READING/INTRODUCTION OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE ADDING TITLE 16.20.110 (H) REMOVING THE REQUIREMENT FOR APPROVAL OF THE COUNTY SURVEYOR AND DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS FOR FINAL MAPS – Council consideration to approve the first reading and introduction of the proposed ordinance adding Title 16.20.110 (H) removing the requirement for approval of the county surveyor and director of public works for final maps - Planning.
Item 16A
Associate Planner and Economic Development Coordinator Kabala reviewed this item with Council.
Mayor Ellis opened the public hearing.
No public comments were made.
Mayor Ellis closed the public hearing.
After a brief discussion by Council, the following motion was made.
Moved by: Councilmember Muchovej, seconded by Councilmember Schwartz to approve the first reading and introduction of an ordinance Amending Title 16 Removing the Requirement for Processing and Approval of the County Surveyor and County Director of Public Works for Final Maps and delegating such duties to the City Surveyor by title only.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BISHOP, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 16, OF THE CITY OF BISHOP MUNICIPAL CODE REMOVING THE REQUIREMENT FOR PROCESSING AND APPROVAL OF THE COUNTY SURVEYOR AND COUNTY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS FOR FINAL MAPS AND DELEGATING SUCH DUTIES TO THE CITY SURVEYOR AYES:
Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Schwartz, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Mayor Ellis NOES:
None
ABSENTS:
None
ABSTAINS:
None
RECUSALS:
None
SUMMARY:
5 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains; 0 Absent.
Motion passed 5-0.
17. NEW BUSINESS
A.
FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022 AUDITED FINANCIALS - Council to review and accept the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Audited Financial Statements – Finance.
Item 17A
Assistant Finance Director Aukee reviewed this item with Council.
No public comments were made.
After a discussion by Council, the following motion was made.
Moved by: Councilmember Schwartz, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Garcia to approve and accept the Audited Financial Statements for Fiscal Year 2021-2022.
AYES:
Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Schwartz, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Mayor Ellis NOES:
None
ABSENTS:
None
ABSTAINS:
None
RECUSALS:
None
SUMMARY:
5 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains; 0 Absent.
Motion passed 5-0.
B.
PROPOSITON 4 CALCULATIONS REPORT – Council consideration to accept the City of Bishop Proposition 4 Calculations Report June 30, 2022 – Finance.
Item 17B
Assistant Finance Director Aukee reviewed this item with Council.
Public comments were made by Lynn Greer, who thanked Council for making an excellent choice in hiring Ethan Aukee as the City's Assistant Finance Director. No further public comments were made.
Moved by: Councilmember Schwartz, seconded by Councilmember Muchovej to approve and accept the City of Bishop Proposition 4 Calculations Report June 30, 2022 as presented.
AYES:
Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Schwartz, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Mayor Ellis NOES:
None
ABSENTS:
None
ABSTAINS:
None
RECUSALS:
None
SUMMARY:
5 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains; 0 Absent.
Motion passed 5-0.
18. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Schwartz asked to bring back a discussion on creating more youth sports to be made available to middle school aged children and teenagers who are not part of a competitive team and to reach out to Inyo County on acquiring more park space such as Millpond for such sport activities. There was consensus from Council to bring this topic back for discussion at their City and County Liaison Meeting.
Councilmember Kong suggested that the upcoming Strategic Planning meeting be scheduled in two parts to allow City staff to just attend the portion of the meeting they need to be a part of.
Councilmember Muchovej suggested that City staff bring forward any changes to state policies that they would like to see addressed.
Mayor Ellis asked to have a discussion on creating a legislative platform for the City of Bishop at a future meeting. There was consensus by the Council to place this discussion on a future meeting agenda.
No further requests were made for future agendas items.
19. COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Members reported on meetings and community events that they attended.
20. ADJOURNMENT Monday, March 13, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting in the City Council Chambers.
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:38 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, March 13, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. ______________________________________
Jim Ellis, Mayor
Attest: ______________________________
Robin Picken, City Clerk