CITY OF BISHOP
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MAY 8, 2023
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ellis called the meeting of the Bishop City Council to order at 5:32 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
Mayor Ellis
ABSENT:
Councilmember Muchovej - Councilmember Muchovej joined the meeting at 5:33 p.m.
OTHERS PRESENT:
Deston Dishion, City Administrator
Robin Picken, City Clerk
Dean J. Pucci, City Attorney
Richard Standridge, Police Chief
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
Councilmember Muchovej joined the meeting at 5:33 p.m.
4. CLOSED SESSION
A. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT pursuant to Government Code § 54957 – Title: Police Chief
May 8, 2023 Page 1
Closed Session began at 5:33 p.m. Closed Session ended at 5:53 p.m.
5. OPEN SESSION
Mayor Ellis called the open session of the Bishop City Council to order at 6:01 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 301 West Line Street, Bishop, California.
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Pro Tem Garcia.
7. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Kong
Councilmember Schwartz
Councilmember Muchovej
Mayor Pro Tem Garcia
Mayor Ellis
ABSENT:
None.
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
Dan McElroy, Community Services Manager
8. PRESENTATION – LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND POWER 2023 RUNOFF UPDATE – Presented by Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) Deputy Manager of Aqueduct Operations Adam Perez updated Council on the current work being done by LADWP to address the current and expected high runoff in our region. After addressing all of Council's questions, Council thanked Adam Perez for the presentation and report.
Item 8 - Presentation
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 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 May 8, 2023 Page 2
Council will listen to all public comment but will not generally discuss the matter or take action on it.
Public Comments received prior to 2 PM on May 8, 2023 not on agenda Public Comments were made by:
Kelly Larson, a local resident, recited a verse from the Bible.
Karen Whinnery, a local resident, recited a prayer.
Gale Scobie stated that she is present to support invocations at City Council meetings.
Tony Unger, Pastor of the First Southern Baptist Church in Bishop, recited a prayer.
Jennifer Beaudean gave a prayer.
Lynette McIntosh, a local resident, spoke about ministry and gave a prayer.
Josh Nicholson, a local resident, spoke to a rumor relating to people being dropped off in our area from Southern Calfiornia and quoted a recent podcast post by a U.S.
Veteran, Shawn Ryan, related to finding Christ.
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 Ellis announced that direction was given to staff.
11. 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 11
Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Information Center Executive Director Tawni Thomson reviewed her report submitted to Council. Council thanked Tawni Thomson for her report.
12. COUNTY OF INYO UPDATE – Presented by Second District Supervisor Jeff Griffiths.
Second District Supervisor Griffiths provided an update on Inyo County business and activities.
13. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Updates on department activities will be given by the Department Heads and/or their staff.
May 8, 2023 Page 3
A. Fire Chief Joe Dell
Fire Chief Dell reported to Council on flooding preparation, an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) update working with Coast2Coast, an update on the current opening for a Deputy Fire Chief and clarified that this position is to supplement Assistant Fire Chief Pat O'Neil's position, an update on the new water tender expected to arrive by July, and scheduled driver operator training for the Bishop Fire Department.
B. Police Chief Richard Standridge
Police Chief Standridge reported to Council on filling a vacant Police Officer position, that June 23rd will be his last day as the Bishop Police Chief and that he accepted the Police Chief position in the City of Tehachapi, and announced that the new patrol cars are out and hope everyone likes them.
C. Public Works Director Nora Gamino
Public Works Director Gamino reported to Council on the California Department of Transportation Clean California Grant to help supplement the design costs for the Whitney Alley project, a pavement preservation plan, and the East Line Street Bridge Replacement Project workshop to be held next Wednesday, May 17, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers.
D. Community Services Manager Dan McElroy
Community Services Manager McElroy reported to Council that the City pool is now open for lap swim and swim team; people can register their children for swim lessons next week online; announced that the City in partnership with the Friends of the Eastern Sierra Community Gardens were successful in their application for funds through the California Urban Greening Grant; provided an update on recent hires for City programs; reported on clean up work going on at the City park; and getting ready for Mule Days.
E. City Administrator Deston Dishion
City Administrator Dishion thanked LADWP and Park crews for the recent work done at the City park in clearing the waterways there, recognized and thanked Jason Villa from Coast2Coast for their ambulatory and emergency medical services being provided to Bishop, provided an update on the City's budget process with the approval of the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget scheduled for Council's June 12th meeting, and an update on work with Mono County, Town of Mammoth Lakes, and Inyo County to work on having an agreement in place to address future emergencies should they arise.
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. City Council Special Meeting Minutes (Joint meeting with the Bishop Rural Fire Protection District Board of Commissioners) – March 1, 2023
May 8, 2023 Page 4
Item 14A.1
2. City Council Meeting Minutes – March 13, 2023
Item 14A.2
3. Monthly Budget Reports – March 2023
Item 14A.3
4. Warrant Registers – March 2023
Item 14A.4
5. Combined Cash Report – March 2023
Item 14A.5
6. Bank Reconciliation Report – March 2023
Item 14A.6
7. Investment Portfolio – March 2023
Item 14A.7
8. Ratify the Commercial Lease Agreement with West Line Properties
Item 14A.8
9. Ratify the Commercial Sublease Agreement with Coast2Coast Public Safety
Item 14A.9
10. Fire Department Vehicle Insurance Change Budget Adjustment Request
Item 14A.10
11. California Department of Transportation Delegated Maintenance Agreement 2021-08-20
Item 14A.11
12. California Department of Transportation Delegated Maintenance Agreement 09-22-102
Item 14A.12
B. FOR INFORMATION/FILING
May 8, 2023 Page 5
Motion/Mayor Pro Tem Garcia Seconded/Councilmember Muchovej
1. Fire Department Report – March 2023
Item 14B.1
2. Police Department Report – April 2023
Item 14B.2
3. Public Works Department Report – April 2023
Item 14B.3
4. Community Services Department Report – April 2023
Item 14B.4
5. Planning Department Report – April 2023
Item 14B.5
6. Administration Department Report – April 2023
Item 14B.6
7. City Council Meeting Cancellation Notice – April 24, 2023 Item 14B.7
8. Planning Commission Meeting Cancellation Notice – April 25, 2023
Item 14B.8
9. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Cancellation Notice – April 26, 2023
Item 14B.9
10. Public Works Building Permits Report – April 2023
Item 14B.10
No public comments were made.
Mayor Pro Tem Garcia made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar.
Ayes: Councilmembers Kong, Schwartz, Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Mayor Ellis
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
May 8, 2023 Page 6
Motion passed 5-0.
15. NEW BUSINESS
A. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON
INVOCATION/WELCOMING MESSAGE AT CITY COUNCIL
MEETINGS - Council to discuss and take possible action on invocation/welcoming message at City Council meetings – City Council.
Item 15A
Item 15A - Public Comments received prior to 2 PM on May 8, 2023 Mayor Ellis reviewed this item with everyone and shared his notes along with a clip from a popular movie, "The American President," that expressed his thoughts on this topic.
Public comments were made by:
Kelli Brown spoke in support of bringing back invocations at City Council Meetings.
Tiffany Lau, a local resident, spoke against having invocations at City Council Meetings.
Karen Whinnery spoke in support of invocations at City Council Meetings. Proposed on Agenda: #2 Invocation and #3 Welcoming Message.
Lynette McIntosh spoke in support of invocations at City Council Meetings. Lynette McIntosh also supported Karen Whinnery's idea - first invocation and then welcoming message.
Patricia Schlichting spoke against invocations at City Council Meetings and thanked Council for discontinuing invocations at Council Meetings. Patricia Schlichting spoke to an organization that does an "Inspiration" instead of an invocation.
Janie Reeves recited a prayer for guidance and supported Karen Whinnery's idea.
Michelle Mulligan spoke in support of invocations at City Council Meetings.
Jennifer Beaudean spoke in support of invocations at City Council Meetings.
Mary Baker thanked Mayor Ellis for his comments tonight. Spoke against invocations at City Council Meetings.
Jean Sprague spoke against invocations at City Council Meetings.
Wayne Crogsdale spoke in support of invocations at City Council Meetings.
Gayla Wolf, a Bishop resident, spoke in support of invocations at City Council Meetings.
Sherry O'Connell spoke in support of prayer.
Teresa Blum, a Bishop resident, spoke in support of invocations at City Council meetings.
May 8, 2023 Page 7
Bernadette Johnson spoke against invocations at City Council Meetings and suggested a moment of silence.
Erik Leitch spoke against invocations at City Council Meetings and made comments in support of people expressing their personal beliefs at public comment.
Peter Thomson spoke to voting "no" on continuing invocations at City Council Meetings and to continue to seek a solution.
Gary Whinnery spoke in support of Karen Whinnery's suggestion.
A person introduced as "Page," whose mother is Jennifer Beaudean, spoke to finding the Bible.
A person named introduced as "Carrie," a Bishop resident, spoke in support of our children in crisis and requested that invocations at City Council Meetings be reinstated.
Leslie Sasuga, a Bishop resident, spoke in support of invocations at City Council Meetings.
No further public comments were made.
Mayor Ellis announced that Council will take a five minute break and reconvene the meeting.
Mayor Ellis reconvened the meeting at 8:13 p.m.
The City Council thanked the public for their comments and for their participation. After each member of the City Council spoke to their position on this matter, the following motion was made.
Motion/Councilmember Muchovej Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz Councilmember Muchovej made a motion to have a policy of a moment of silence at the beginning of each Council meeting.
Ayes: Councilmembers Kong, Schwartz, Muchovej, Mayor Ellis Noes: Mayor Pro Tem Garcia
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion passed 4-1.
Mayor Ellis thanked everyone for their participation and for Council's discussion.
16. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Muchovej asked the other members of the City Council if they would agree to a discussion on a few proposed changes to the City's Short-Term Rental Ordinance. After a brief discussion of Councilmember Muchovej's proposed changes, Council came to a consensus to discuss this issue at a future meeting.
May 8, 2023 Page 8
No further requests were made for future agendas items.
17. COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Members reported on meetings and community events that they attended.
18. ADJOURNMENT
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 9:18 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, May 22, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. ______________________________________
Jim Ellis, Mayor
Attest: ______________________________
Robin Picken, City Clerk
May 8, 2023 Page 9