CITY OF BISHOP
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
JULY 24, 2023
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ellis called the meeting of the Bishop City Council to order at 6:02 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 Muchovej.
4. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Kong
Councilmember Muchovej
Mayor Pro Tem Garcia
Mayor Ellis
ABSENT:
Councilmember Schwartz
OTHERS PRESENT:
Deston Dishion, City Administrator
Robin Picken, City Clerk
Dean J. Pucci, City Attorney
Ethan Aukee, Assistant Finance Director
Joe Dell, Fire Chief
Nate Derr, Police Chief
Nora Gamino, Public Works Director
Anastasiia Budnyk, Assistant Planner
Dan McElroy, Community Services Manager
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.
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Public Comments were made by:
Sherry Hooper, a Bishop resident, recited a prayer.
George Aguilera, a Bishop business owner, made comments relating to the Whitney Alley Project that he and other business owners in the area feel that the project is not "business-owner friendly" in removing the parking for that area and expressed his concern of maintenance of this area.
No further public comments were made.
6. INTRODUCTION AND SWEARING IN CEREMONY OF NEWLY HIRED POLICE CHIEF - City Administrator Deston Dishion will introduce Police Chief Nathaniel Derr and Mayor Ellis will perform the swearing in ceremony.
City Administrator Dishion introduced newly hired Police Chief Nathaniel "Nate" Derr to Council and the public. Although Police Chief Derr was officially sworn in on his first day at work on June 19, 2023, Mayor Ellis publicly performed the swearing in ceremony for Police Chief Derr at the meeting.
7. INTRODUCTION OF POLICE OFFICER ROBIN LUDOVICO – Police Chief Derr will introduce Police Officer Robin Ludovico.
Police Chief Derr introduced newly hired Police Officer Robin Ludovico to Council and the public. Council welcomed Officer Ludovico to the City of Bishop.
8. PRESENTATIONS
A. PRESENTATION – SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER UPDATE – Presented by Inyo County Assistant County Administrator Meaghan McCamman.
Item 8A
Inyo County Assistant County Administrator Meaghan McCamman presented Council with an update on the current progress being made to open the Small Business Resource Center in the near future and thanked Council for the opportunity to present this information to them at this meeting.
B. PRESENTATION - EASTERN SIERRA COMPREHENSIVE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (CEDS) – Presented by
Eastern Sierra Council of Governments (ESCOG) Executive Director Elaine Kabala.
Item 8B
Eastern Sierra Council of Governments (ESCOG) Executive Director Elaine Kabala presented information to Council on the Eastern Sierra Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and welcomed all feedback in the next 30 days.
Council provided several comments to Executive Director Kabala in relation to the documents provided and thanked her for the information.
C. PRESENTATION - TRI-COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS POSTER CONTEST - Presented by Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fairgrounds Chief Executive July 24, 2023 Page 2
Officer Jen McGuire.
Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fairgrounds Chief Executive Officer Jen McGuire announced the winners of the Tri-County Fairgrounds Poster Contest. The panel of judges from the Inyo Council for the Arts selected 14 year-old Ulysis Garcia of Bishop as the First Place Winner of the hand-drawn poster, and 17 year-old Cynthia Labellow of Mammoth Lakes as the First Place Winner of the digital poster.
9. EASTERN SIERRA TRI-COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS QUARTERLY UPDATE REPORT – Prepared and presented by Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fairgrounds Chief Executive Officer Jen McGuire.
Item 9
Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fairgrounds Chief Executive Officer Jen McGuire reviewed her report with Council. After answering all of Council's questions, Council thanked Chief Executive Officer McGuire for her report.
10. BISHOP AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INFORMATION CENTER UPDATE REPORT – Prepared and presented by Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Information Center Executive Director Tawni Thomson.
Item 10
Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Information Center Executive Director Tawni Thomson reviewed her report with Council. After addressing all of Council's questions, Council thanked Executive Director Thomson for her report.
11. NORTHERN INYO HOSPITAL QUARTERLY UPDATE REPORT - Prepared and presented by Northern Inyo Hospital Chief Financial Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer Stephen DelRossi.
Item 11
Northern Inyo Hospital Chief Financial Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer Stephen DelRossi reviewed his report with Council. After addressing all of Council's questions, Council thanked Stephen DelRossi for his report.
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 reported to Council on receiving their new water tender, and announced the upcoming Destruction Derby at the Tri-County Fairgrounds on September 3rd.
B. Police Chief Nate Derr
Police Chief Derr reported to Council on newly hired Police Officer Robin Ludovico, working on securing more officers and communications operators, completed audit in evidence with Evidence Technician Dondero, purchased tasers and body cameras, updating social media Facebook and Instagram accounts, and working on public outreach, revitalizing the National Night Out scheduled for October 3rd, and other July 24, 2023 Page 3
outreach efforts at the schools and the community. Chief Derr also announced work with Community Services Manager McElroy to upgrade security at the parks in our community, and work with Public Works Director Gamino to research and address parking situations in town and how to mitigate our parking constraints within our city.
C. Public Works Director Nora Gamino
Public Works Director Gamino reported to Council on the Brookside Consolidation Feasibility Report that addresses that community's connection to the City's water system, an update on the infrastructure failure at the sewer plant, wastewater update on the high-flows the city has been experiencing, a temporary flow study, Bishop Area Wastewater Authority (BAWA) meeting update, and reported on staff's continuing education courses that have been completed and that Director Gamino attended the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA) Public Works Academy.
D. Community Services Manager Dan McElroy
Community Services Manager McElroy reported to Council on the City pool which will be closing on August 13 with a possible extension just for swim team, an update on the Bike Park Pilot Project and their volunteers, an update on department staffing, preparing for the start of the City's After School Program, gymnastics, and adult soccer, and announced softball league playoffs.
E. Assistant Planner Ana Budnyk
Assistant Planner Budnyk updated Council on the Whitney Alley Project and announced that staff will be hosting three meetings this week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 3:00 PM at City Hall to address concerns with the proposed project.
F. City Administrator Deston Dishion
City Administrator Dishion reported to Council on the current situation of emergency medical services (EMS) in Bishop, Fire Chief Dell's last day is Friday, July 28th, the process of hiring a new Fire Chief, and explained that the Brookside consolidation of water was initiated in order to address how to get water to smaller water systems due to the lack of hydrants in the surrounding areas of Bishop. After addressing all of Council's questions, Council thanked City Administrator Dishion for his report.
The Mayor then announced that this would be Fire Chief Dell's last Council meeting and invited everyone to take a 10-minute break to enjoy chocolate cake with Fire Chief Dell and to wish him well in his future endeavors.
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 Special Meeting Minutes – June 6, 2023
Item 13A.1
2. City Council Meeting Minutes – June 12, 2023
July 24, 2023 Page 4
Item 13A.2
3. City Council Special Meeting Minutes – June 21, 2023 Item 13A.3
4. City Council Meeting Minutes – June 26, 2023
Item 13A.4
5. Monthly Budget Reports – June 2023
Item 13A.5
6. Warrant Registers – June 2023
Item 13A.6
7. Combined Cash Report – June 2023
Item 13A..7
8. Bank Reconciliation Report – June 2023
Item 13A.8
9. Investment Portfolio – June 2023
Item 13A.9
10. Part-Time Employees Wage Scale – July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024
Item 13A.10
11. Monthly Salary Schedule – July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 Item 13A.11
12. Adopt City Council Standards and Procedures Manual
Item 13A.12
13. 2023 Destruction Derby Agreement
Item 13A.13
14. Ratify Eastern Sierra Sustainable Recreation Partnership (ESSRP) Memorandum of Understanding
Item 13A.14
B. FOR INFORMATION/FILING
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Motion/Councilmember Kong Seconded/Mayor Pro Tem Garcia
1. Police Department Report – June 2023
Item 13B.1
2. Public Works Department Report – June 2023
Item 13B.2
3. Community Services Department Report – June 2023
Item 13B.3
4. Planning Department Report – June 2023
Item 13B.4
5. Administration Department Report – June 2023
Item 13B.5
6. Public Works Building Permits Report – June 2023
Item 13B.6
7. Planning Commission Meeting Cancellation Notice – June 27, 2023
Item 13B.7
8. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Cancellation Notice – June 28, 2023
Item 13B.8
9. Parks and Recreation Commission Special Meeting – June 28, 2023
Item 13B.9
10. Alcoholic Beverage License Application for 647-649 N. Main Street, Bishop, California 93514-2425 (Owner: SOUTHERN
GLAZER’S WINE AND SPIRITS, LLC)
Item 13B.10
No public comments were made.
Councilmember Kong made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as presented.
Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Mayor Ellis
July 24, 2023 Page 6
Motion/Councilmember Muchovej Seconded/Mayor Pro Tem Garcia Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Councilmember Schwartz
14. NEW BUSINESS
A. ORDINANCE - FIRST READING AND INTRODUCTION OF AN
ORDINANCE ADDING CHAPTER 8.07 OF THE CITY OF BISHOP
CODE OF ORDINANCES, RELATING TO VACANT BUILDING AND
STOREFRONT NUISANCES – Council consideration to approve the first reading and introduction of the proposed ordinance adding Chapter
8.07 of the City of Bishop Code of Ordinances relating to vacant building and storefront nuisances - Planning.
Item 14A
Assistant Planner Budnyk reviewed this item with Council. Council spoke in support of this ordinance.
Public comment was made by:
Elaine Kabala, a local resident, spoke generally in support of this ordinance to address the chronic vacant building issues in downtown Bishop. However, Elaine Kabala asked, for Council's consideration, whether or not the ordinance includes a provision that the building is required to state if it is for rent or for sale, along with contact information that they will put on the building?
City Attorney Pucci replied that he would look into whether or not this is something that can be legally added or not.
No further public comments were made.
Councilmember Muchovej made a motion to approve the first reading and introduction of an ordinance adding Chapter 8.07 of the City of Bishop Code of Ordinances relating to vacant building and storefront nuisances by title only.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BISHOP, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 8.07 OF THE CITY OF BISHOP CODE OF
ORDINANCES, RELATING TO VACANT BUILDING AND STOREFRONT
NUISANCES
Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Mayor Ellis
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Councilmember Schwartz
B. GUIDELINES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 GRANT IN SUPPORT PROGRAM - Council consideration to approve the proposed Grant in Support Information Packet Fiscal Year 2023-2024 – Finance.
Item 14B
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Motion/Councilmember Muchovej Seconded/Mayor Pro Tem Garcia Motion/Mayor Pro Tem Garcia Seconded/Councilmember Kong Assistant Finance Director Aukee reviewed this item with Council.
No public comments were made.
Councilmember Muchovej made a motion to approve the proposed Grant in Support Information Packet for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Mayor Ellis
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Councilmember Schwartz
C. RESOLUTION – A RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE LOCAL
CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE - Council consideration to approve and adopt the proposed resolution pertaining to the local Conflict of Interest Code and repealing Resolution No. 2022-27 and Resolution No. 2018-18 – Administration.
Item 14C
City Clerk Picken reviewed this item with Council.
No public comments were made.
Mayor Pro Tem Garcia made a motion to approve and adopt the proposed resolution pertaining to the local Conflict of Interest Code and repealing Resolution No. 2022-27 and Resolution No. 2018-18 by title only.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BISHOP, STATE OF
CALIFORNIA, PERTAINING TO THE LOCAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE AND REPEALING RESOLUTION NO. 2022-27 AND RESOLUTION NO. 2018-18, THE CITY’S PREVIOUS CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODES
Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Mayor Ellis
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Councilmember Schwartz
D. SET INTERVIEW COMMITTEE FOR PLANNING COMMISSION
APPOINTMENT- Council consideration to appoint two Council members to serve on the interview committee to fill one scheduled vacancy on the Planning Commission – Administration.
Item 14D
City Clerk Picken reviewed this item with Council.
July 24, 2023 Page 8
No public comments were made.
After a short discussion by Council, Mayor and Council appointed Karen Kong and Karen Schwartz to serve on the Planning Commissioner interview committee.
15. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Kong asked staff to share with Council the written reports provided by each Grant in Support awardee starting next year and going forward. No further requests were made for future agendas items.
16. COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Members reported on meetings and community events that they attended.
17. ADJOURNMENT
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:51 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, August 14, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. ______________________________________
Jim Ellis, Mayor
Attest: ______________________________
Robin Picken, City Clerk
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