CITY OF BISHOP
City Council Meeting Minutes
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 2023
5:30 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ellis called the meeting of the Bishop City Council to order at 5:30 p.m. in the Carl Lind Board Room on the Bishop Union High School Campus located at 301 North Fowler Street in Bishop, California.
2. 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
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 – EXISTING LITIGATION – pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9 Name of Case: The CITY OF BISHOP, a municipal corporation, and the PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, by and through the City Attorney for the City of Bishop, Plaintiffs, v. AARON SCHAT; MARIANNE SCHAT; SCHAT
COMMUNICATIONS, INC.; SHOTGUN, LLC.; WHISKEY SCHAT’S
INC.; inclusive, Defendants. INYO-MONO TITLE COMPANY, INC., Real Parties in Interest. Case No. SICVCV2368971
April 10, 2023 Page 1
Closed Session began at 5:31 p.m. Closed Session ended at 5:58 p.m.
5. OPEN SESSION
Mayor Ellis called the open session of the Bishop City Council to order at 6:02 p.m. in the Carl Lind Board Room on the Bishop Union High School Campus located at 301 North Fowler Street in Bishop, California.
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Schwartz.
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
Anastasiia Budnyk, Assistant Planner
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.
Public comments were made by:
Marilyn McIntyre, a local resident, made comments relating to the City's current litigation and its costs to the Bishop taxpayers.
Ann Strohm, a Bishop resident, thanked Mayor for removing invocation from City Council meetings.
Jeff Griffiths, a Bishop resident, gave an update to Council on Eastern Sierra Foundation's current activities, courses available at Cerro Coso Community College Bishop Campus, and Bishop campus improvements. Everyone was also invited to join this year's graduation ceremonies.
April 10, 2023 Page 2
Warren Allsup, a local resident, read a letter written by a "Jamie Reeds" in support of invocations at City Council meetings and he also agrees with this letter 100 percent.
City Attorney Pucci made comments that the discussion on invocations is scheduled for the May 22, 2023 City Council Meeting.
Lynette McIntosh, a local resident, spoke about City taxes and expressed support of invocations at City Council meetings.
Tiffany Lau, a local resident, spoke in support of removing invocations at City Council meetings and requested a visual timer on the computer monitors like Bishop Unified School District uses.
Sherry Hooper O'Connell, a local resident, of the Salvation Army and spoke as "one church" in support of invocations at City Council Meetings.
Gayla Wolf, a local resident, spoke in support of invocations at City Council Meetings.
Jean Sprague, a Bishop resident, thanked Councilmember Kong for meeting with them to discuss invocations at City Council meetings and spoke in support of ending the custom of invocations at City Council meetings.
No further 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, Mayor Ellis announced that Council has no reportable action at this time.
10. PRESENTATION – CORDICO WELLNESS APPLICATION – Prepared and presented by Police Chief Standridge.
Item 10
Police Chief Standridge reviewed this item with Council.
Public comments were made by:
Lynette MacIntosh, a local resident, asked if clergy was included? Police Chief Standridge confirmed clergy is included, both Pastor Klug and Pastor Evangelist.
A person from the audience, name unannounced, asked about youth intervention and made comments in support of seeing the chaplain component as part of this application.
Lynette MacIntosh, a local resident, asked if the "Citizen Academy" is for adults? Police Chief Standridge confirmed that the "Citizen Academy" will be for adults and that the Police Department will be reaching out in the future for volunteers.
Warren Allsup, a Bishop resident, asked about road work being done on Main April 10, 2023 Page 3
Street/Highway 395 under Caltrans jurisdiction, and made comments related to a truck bypass.
No further public comments were made.
Council thanked Police Chief Standridge for bringing this resource to the City's Police Department employees.
11. COUNTY OF INYO UPDATE – Presented by Second District Supervisor Jeff Griffiths.
Second District Supervisor Griffiths provided an update on Inyo County business and activities.
12. 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 took the opportunity to thank our dispatchers for their work in assisting the Fire Department. Fire Chief Dell reported to Council on fire call statistics for the month of March, a report on the recent storm response, Office of Emergency Services (OES) participation and activities, report on items the Bishop Fire Department assisted on in regards to sandbags, flooding, missions outside of Bishop, recent support given to Mammoth Fire Department, addressing current record run-off, a report on the brush fire off Wye Road and Highway 6, and an update on the water tender build. After answering all of Council's questions, Council thanked Fire Chief Dell for the report.
B. Police Chief Richard Standridge
Police Chief Standridge reported to Council on assistance given to the Town of Mammoth Lakes Police Department, a report on the 911 system, an update on Police Officer Trainee Lopez doing well, and a report on the repainting of the mural on the side of the Police Department building. After answering all of Council's questions, Council thanked Police Chief Standridge for the report.
C. Public Works Director Nora Gamino
Public Works Director Gamino reported to Council on Public Works Department activities and projects, an upcoming open house to be held in May to discuss the East Line Street Bridge project and proposed detours, the Whitney Alley project, Caltrans Clean California Local Grant Program application, announced that the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Civil Engineering Consulting is due on May 3, 2023, a report on licensing and permitting software, and announced that Public Works Maintenance Worker Casey Stewart was successful in passing the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator G1 Exam. After answering all of Council's questions, Council thanked Public Works Director Gamino for the report.
D. Community Services Manager Dan McElroy
April 10, 2023 Page 4
Community Services Manager McElroy was absent and excused from this meeting.
E. City Administrator Deston Dishion
City Administrator Dishion first reported to Council that the Parks and Recreation staff is struggling to find adult part-time school program leaders that are available to work 25 hours per week. City Administrator Dishion then reported to Council on the current status of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the dangerously high run-off, a report on the Fire Department assessment by Emergency Services Consulting International (ESCI) nearing completion, and an update on the Assistant to the City Administrator position. After answering all of Council's questions, Council thanked City Administrator Dishion for keeping emergency medical services in Bishop and for the report given.
Public comments were made by:
Sam Blum, a Bishop resident, asked City Administrator Dishion to expand on the EMS coverage and where it will be housed. City Administrator Dishion advised Sam Blum that this topic is scheduled for discussion later on the meeting agenda.
Lynette McIntosh, a local resident, requested that Council consider recognizing Judd Symons for the service they provided to our community.
No further public comments were made.
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 13, 2023
Item 13A.1
2. City Council Meeting Minutes – February 27, 2023
Item 13A.2
3. Monthly Budget Reports – February 2023
Item 13A.3
4. Warrant Registers – February 2023
Item 13A.4
5. Combined Cash Report – February 2023
Item 13A.5
April 10, 2023 Page 5
6. Bank Reconciliation Report – February 2023
Item 13A.6
7. Investment Portfolio – February 2023
Item 13A.7
8. City Clerk Job Description
Item 13A.8
9. Personnel/Payroll & Benefits Specialist Job Description Item 13A.9
10. Full-Time Monthly Salary Schedule July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 Item 13A.10
11. Ratify Sunrise Mobile Home Park Real Estate Services Agreement Letter of Extension – March 25, 2023 – March 24, 2024
Item 13A.11
B. FOR INFORMATION/FILING
1. Fire Department Report – January 2023
Item 13B.1
2. Fire Department Report – February 2023
Item 13B.2
3. Police Department Report – March 2023
Item 13B.3
4. Public Works Department Report – March 2023
Item 13B.4
5. Community Services Department Report – March 2023
Item 13B.5
6. Planning Department Report – March 2023
Item 13B.6
7. Administration Department Report – March 2023
April 10, 2023 Page 6
Item 13B.7
8. Planning Commission Meeting Cancellation Notice – March 28, 2023
Item 13B.8
9. Public Works Building Permits Report – March 2023
Item 13B.9
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.
14. 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 – PROPOSED RESOLUTION AMENDING AND
RESTATING CERTAIN FEES AND CHARGES FOR CITY SERVICES -
A public hearing will be held to hear and consider public input on the proposed resolution amending and restating certain fees and charges for City Services – Administration.
Item 14A
April 10, 2023 Page 7
City Clerk Picken reviewed this item with Council.
Mayor Ellis opened the public hearing.
No public comments were made.
Mayor Ellis closed the public hearing.
Council spoke in support of the proposed fees and charges and thanked staff for their work on this item.
15. NEW BUSINESS
A. FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023 MID-YEAR BUDGET REPORTS - Council consideration to accept the mid-year budget adjustments as presented in the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Mid-Year Budget Reports – Finance.
Item 15A
Assistant Finance Director Aukee reviewed this item with Council.
Public comments were made by:
A person, name unannounced, made comments relating to keeping an eye on the City's investments as it relates to the Chinese government and can have an effect on City retirements.
No further public comments were made.
After Assistant Finance Director Aukee answered all of Council's questions, Council thanked Assistant Finance Director Aukee for the reports presented.
Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, seconded by Councilmember Kong to approve and accept the mid-year budget adjustments as presented in the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Mid-Year Budget Reports.
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.
April 10, 2023 Page 8
Motion passed 5-0.
B. PROPOSED LEASING OF SYMONS AMBULANCE FACILITY –
Council consideration to approve a six-month lease of the Symons! Ambulance Facilities in the amount of $24,000 without Bishop Rural Fire! Protection District support or in the amount of $12,000 with Bishop! Rural Fire Protection District support – Administration.
Item 15B
City Administrator Dishion reviewed this item with Council.
Public comments were made by:
Sam Blum, a Bishop resident, spoke to the legality to subsidize a! company. City Attorney Pucci provided clarification that this lease! agreement is not a subsidy, the lease agreement rights are between the! City of Bishop and Coast2Coast.
Warren Allsup, a local resident, asked what will happen after the six! months? Staff responded by letting Warren Allsup know that! Coast2Coast will establish their own location and that Coast2Coast has! expressed their expectation to continue to serve our area.
Sam Blum, a Bishop resident, asked what is the minimum that! Coast2Coast will stay here in our area? City Administrator Dishion! advised Sam Blum that the agreement is for three months at a time and! based on discussions with Coast2Coast, City Administrator Dishion! believes that Coast2Coast is making every effort to provide these! services to our area for years to come.
Warren Allsup, a local resident, asked if one unit will be available? City! Administrator Dishion advised that there are two units available.
No further public comments were made.
Moved by: Councilmember Muchovej, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem! Garcia to approve an expenditure for a six-month lease of the Symons! Ambulance Facilities in the amount of up to $24,000.
AYES:
Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Schwartz, Councilmember! Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Mayor Ellis
NOES:
None
ABSENTS:
None
ABSTAINS:
None
RECUSALS:
April 10, 2023 Page 9
None
SUMMARY:
5 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains; 0 Absent.
Motion passed 5-0.
16. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Schwartz, with consensus from Council, requested that Council present a City Tile to Judd Symons at a future meeting.
Councilmember Kong, with consensus from Council, requested that a report with maps be given by a representative from Los Angeles Department of Water and Power on the current state of high snowmelt and water run-off and the effects to local access of public lands and waterways.
Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, with consensus from Council, requested that a report be given by a Mule Days representative on the upcoming Mule Days in Bishop.
No further requests were made for future agendas items.
17. COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Members reported on committee meetings and announced upcoming community events.
18. ADJOURNMENT Monday, April 24, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting in the City Council Chambers
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:24 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, April 24, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
______________________________________
Jim Ellis, Mayor
Attest: ______________________________
Robin Picken, City Clerk
April 10, 2023 Page 10