CITY OF BISHOP
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JUNE 12, 2023
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ellis called the meeting of the Bishop City Council to order at 6:03 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 301 West Line Street, Bishop, California.
2. MOMENT OF SILENCE
Mayor Ellis announced a moment of silence.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Kong.
4. 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
Ethan Aukee, Assistant Finance Director
Joe Dell, Fire Chief
Richard Standridge, Police Chief
Nora Gamino, Public Works Director
Dan McElroy, Community Services Manager
June 12, 2023 Page 1
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.
Public comments were made by:
Kelly Larson spoke to a comment made at the past Council Meeting clarifying Christ's identity.
Rick Klug, spoke to the compromise made for a moment of silence, and recited a prayer.
No further public comments were made.
6. PROCLAMATIONS
A. PROCLAMATION - DECLARING JUNE 2023 AS PRIDE MONTH IN THE CITY OF BISHOP – Requested by City Council.
Item 6A
Council read the proclamation.
Public comments were made by:
Tiffany Lau, a resident of West Bishop, who spoke in support of this proclamation and thanked Council.
7. COUNTY OF INYO UPDATE – Presented by Second District Supervisor Jeff Griffiths.
Second District Supervisor Griffiths provided an update on Inyo County business and activities.
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 call statistics, the high water runoff update, a rescue/recovery report, a house fire call, an Emergency Medical Sevices (EMS) update, travel to North Carolina to inspect the new 3,000 gallon water tender being built and expect it to be delivered in July, spoke to this year's Fourth of July fireworks show at the City Park, and announced his resignation stating that July 28, 2023 will be his last day at work.
B. Police Chief Richard Standridge
Police Chief Standridge reported to Council on traffic enforcement by the Police Department and California Highway Patrol, DUI arrests, Communications Operator June 12, 2023 Page 2
Jahn is back in dispatch, update on the new lateral police officer, will pass along the dispatching contract for final approval by City Attorney, Communications Operator Lawrence attended a dispatch conference and brought back vendor evaluations for dispatch, Sergeant Scobie is working on the citizen academy for August with the Inyo County Sheriffs, and that he presented a grant on behalf of the Eastern Sierra Police Officer Association to a Bishop Union High School Student Dalanie Klemm with a $1,000.00 grant. Council thanked Chief Standridge for all the work that he has done for the City.
C. Public Works Director Nora Gamino
Public Works Director Gamino reported to Council on several events relating to a leak discovered this past Friday off of Main Street, and a failed culvert on 3rd Street and South Street which needed to be addressed before the Mule Days Parade and will be working with Los Angeles Department of Water and Power on a long term solution, completed interviews for the on-call as needed civil engineering statement of qualifications contract, working with Finance on the Public Works budget, update on sewer and the Bishop Area Wastewater Authority (BAWA) items, looking at installing flow meters at the sewer plant, spoke to Eastern Sierra Community Service District about smells of drying sludge which should end by the end of the month, update on the Whitney Alley Improvements Project with an open house on June 22, 2023 in the City Council Chambers where the City is seeking input from the public. Comments can also be submitted via the City Website and the Planning Department will be reaching out to adjacent business owners for input and to talk to them directly about the project and the impacts.
D. Community Services Manager Dan McElroy
Community Services Manager McElroy reported to Council on the City Park Pool, Fourth of July activities in the City Park, the status of the Bike Park, announced new staff members at Sunrise Mobile Home Park and at our City facilities and streets, City programs, the next Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting to be held at the City park, and pickleball courts. Council thanked Manager McElroy for the new fountain at the City Park and looked forward to more pies on the Fourth of July.
E. City Administrator Deston Dishion
City Administrator Dishion reported to Council that the City has a new intern, Joelle Perales, working in the Public Works and Planning Departments, the upcoming California High School Rodeo welcome dinner is on June 13, the need to schedule the Council's next lunch meeting with the Bishop Paiute Tribal Council, the next round of the Super NOFA (Notice of Funding Availability) that Visionary is applying for to develop the Silver Peaks project, Coast2Coast will be making a presentation to Council at next their next meeting, and thanked Chief Standridge for what he has done for the City.
Mayor Ellis announced a short break in the meeting to enjoy cake and to thank Police Chief Standridge for his service.
The Council started their break at 6:42 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 6:59 p.m.
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.
June 12, 2023 Page 3
A. FOR APPROVAL/FILING
1. Monthly Budget Reports – April 2023
Item 9A.1
2. Warrant Registers – April 2023
Item 9A.2
3. Combined Cash Report – April 2023
Item 9A.3
4. Bank Reconciliation Report – April 2023
Item 9A.4
5. Investment Portfolio – April 2023
Item 9A.5
6. Audit Engagement Letter with Larry Bain dated May 25, 2023 Item 9A.6
7. Resolution - Establishing the Appropriations Limit Pursuant to Article XIIIB of the California Constitution (Proposition 4) Item 9A.7
8. Budget Adjustment Request – Unemployment Insurance
Increase
Item 9A.8
9. Budget Adjustment Request – Planning, Part-Time Wages Item 9A.9
10. Budget Adjustment Request - C.O.P.S. Grant Fourth Quarter Budget Adjustment
Item 9A.10
11. Purchase Digital Audio Logger from Capture Technologies not to exceed $49,646.04
Item 9A.11
12. Agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for the purchase of body worn cameras over five years not to exceed $114,883.05 and approve the funds to be paid through C.O.P.S. Grant funding June 12, 2023 Page 4
Motion/Councilmember Muchovej Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz Item 9A.12
13. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System Upgrade
Item 9A.13
14. Tree Maintenance Agreement Extension Letter for July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024
Item 9A.14
15. Request to Waive Pool Fees on July 4, 2023
Item 9A.15
B. FOR INFORMATION/FILING
1. Public Works Department Report – May 2023
Item 9B.1
2. Community Services Department Report – May 2023
Item 9B.2
3. Planning Department Report – May 2023
Item 9B.3
4. Administration Department Report – May 2023
Item 9B.4
5. Public Works Building Permits Report – May 2023
Item 9B.5
6. Planning Commission Meeting Cancellation Notice – May 23, 2023
Item 9B.6
No public comments were made.
Councilmember Muchovej made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as presented.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Schwartz, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Mayor Ellis
Noes: None
Abstain: None
June 12, 2023 Page 5
Motion/Councilmember Muchovej Seconded/Mayor Pro Tem Garcia Motion/Mayor Pro Tem Garcia Seconded/Councilmember Kong
Absent: None
Motion passed 5-0.
10. NEW BUSINESS
A. FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 BUDGET ADOPTION – Council
consideration to adopt the proposed City of Bishop Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 – Finance.
Item 10A
City Administrator Dishion introduced this item to Council.
Assistant Finance Director Aukee reviewed this item with Council and addressed all of Council's questions and comments.
Council thanked Assistant Finance Director Aukee and all department heads for their work on the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget.
No public comments were made.
Councilmember Muchovej made a motion to approve and adopt the proposed City of Bishop Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Schwartz, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Mayor Ellis
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion passed 5-0.
B. CHIEF OF POLICE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT – Council
consideration to approve the proposed Chief of Police Employment Agreement – Administration.
Item 10B
City Administrator Dishion reviewed this item with Council. Council all spoke in support of this item.
No public comments were made.
Mayor Pro Tem Garcia made a motion to approve the proposed Police Chief Employment Agreement, authorize Mayor Ellis to execute the proposed Police Chief Employment Agreement and appoint Nate Derr as Police Chief.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Schwartz, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Mayor Ellis
June 12, 2023 Page 6
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion passed 5-0.
11. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Kong asked staff to follow up on the report on the fire siren and the testing of its noise level that was requested at the March 1, 2023 City Council Special Joint Meeting with the Bishop Fire Protection District Board of Commissioners.
No further requests were made for future agendas items.
12. COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Members reported on committee meetings and announced upcoming community events.
13. ADJOURNMENT Monday, June 26, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting in the City Council Chambers
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, June 26, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. ______________________________________
Jim Ellis, Mayor
Attest: ______________________________
Robin Picken, City Clerk
June 12, 2023 Page 7