CITY OF BISHOP
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MARCH 11, 2024
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Garcia called the meeting of the Bishop City Council to order at 5:01 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 301 West Line Street, Bishop, California. 2)
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Ellis
Councilmember Schwartz
Mayor Garcia
ABSENT:
Councilmember Muchovej
Mayor Pro Tem Kong
OTHERS PRESENT:
Deston Dishion, City Administrator
Robin Picken, City Clerk
Dean J. Pucci, City Attorney
Jessica Ortiz, Administrative/Accounting Assistant
Councilmember Muchovej joined Closed Session at 5:07 p.m. 3)
PUBLIC COMMENT PRIOR TO CLOSED SESSION
No public comments were made.
4)
CLOSED SESSION
4.A)
Conference with Legal Counsel - Initiation of Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(c): (2 Cases) Closed Session began at 5:02 p.m. Closed Session ended at 5:48 p.m.
Councilmember Muchovej joined Closed Session at 5:07 p.m. 5)
OPEN SESSION
Mayor Garcia called the open session of the Bishop City Council to order at 6:02 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 301 West Line Street, Bishop, California. 6)
MOMENT OF SILENCE
Mayor Garcia announced a moment of silence.
7)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Garcia.
8)
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Ellis
Councilmember Schwartz
Councilmember Muchovej
Mayor Garcia
ABSENT:
Mayor Pro Tem Kong
OTHERS PRESENT:
Deston Dishion, City Administrator;
Robin Picken, City Clerk;
Dean J. Pucci, City Attorney;
Bret Russell, Fire Chief;
Nate Derr, Police Chief;
Nora Gamino, Public Works Director;
Dan McElroy, Community Services Manager; and
Jessica Ortiz, Administrative/Accounting Assistant
9)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comments were made by:
Eddie Davis recited a prayer.
No further public comments were made.
10)
REPORT ON ACTIONS TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION AS REQUIRED BY LAW Mayor Garcia reported there was no action taken.
11)
PRESENTATIONS
11.A)
Update on Community Mural-Public Art – Presented by C5 Studios Co-Directors Erin Dews and Naomi Hart Johnson.
Co-Directors Dews and Johnson provided Council with an update on the mural located on Warren Street. Funding was made possible by a grant from a California Art organization based in Kern County. Various murals aim to initiate diverse perspectives to the community. About 50 different artists participated in mural, youngest is a 3rd grader and ages range to much older. A new mural on Warren Street for the Police Department is also in the works. Murals hope to provide a positive outlook for community. They welcomed the public to stop by and see progress, generally 10 am/ 11am - Sundown all week long. Anticipating mural be completed by May, when grant ends. 12)
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Reports from the Fire, Police, Public Works, Community Services, and Administration Departments were given on each department’s activities including upcoming and ongoing projects.
12.A)
Fire Department Report - Fire Chief Bret Russell
Fire Department Report - February 2024
12.B)
Police Department - Police Chief Nate Derr
Police Department Report - February 2024
12.C)
Public Works Department - Public Works Director Nora Gamino Public Works Department Report - February 2024
12.D)
Community Services Department - Community Services Manager Dan McElroy Community Services Department Report - February 2024
Addition of events by dept. Support to Blake Jones derby, Foodie F
12.E)
Planning Department - Assistant Planner Ana Budnyk
Planning Department Report - February 2024
12.F)
Administration - City Administrator Deston Dishion
City Administrator Report - February 2024
13)
CONSENT CALENDAR
13.A)
A Resolution Authorizing Application to, and Receipt of, Prohousing Incentive Program Funds.
Cover Page
RESOLUTION - APPLICATION TO FOR AND RECEIPT OF PROHOUSING INCENTIVE PROGRAM FUNDS
13.B)
General Plan 2023 Annual Progress Report
Cover Page
General Plan 2023 Annual Progress Report
2023-housing-element-annual-progress-report
13.C)
Building Permits Issued Report
February 2024 - Building Permit Issued Report
No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Muchovej
Seconded/Councilmember Ellis
Councilmember Muchovej made a motion to approve the consent calendar as presented.
Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Ellis, Councilmember Schwartz, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Garcia Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Kong
14)
NEW BUSINESS
14.A)
Parks and Recreation Commission - Appoint one commissioner to fill a scheduled vacancy on the Parks and Recreation Commission with a term ending on May 13, 2024.
Cover Page
Letter requesting reappointment C.Underhill 2024 03 04.pdf Attach B_A-3 COMM APPOINTMENTS - COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL.pdf Community Services Manager McElroy reviewed this item with Council.
No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Ellis
Seconded/Councilmember Muchovej
Councilmember Ellis made a motion to approve and reappoint Cheryl Underhill to the Parks and Recreation Commission with a term ending on May 13, 2028.
Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Ellis, Councilmember Schwartz, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Garcia Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Kong
14.B)
Adoption of the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the East Line Street Bridge Replacement Project Cover Page
Resolution No. 2024-(xx) MND E. Line Bridge 2024 03 11
Response to Comments Memo
Appendix A - Comment Letters
Appendix B - Revised MMRP
Notice of Determination
Public Works Director Gamino reviewed this item with Council.
Public comment made by:
Michele Hartshorn, a Bishop resident expressed concern for water drainage and believes the impact would be significant should the street and bridge be leveled up during construction. Michele Hartshorn is curious if funds for draining have been allocated to address drainage issues that may arise from new construction and would like to be part of the design process.
No further public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Schwartz
Seconded/Councilmember Muchovej
Councilmember Schwartz made a motion to approve a resolution to approve and adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the East Line Street Bridge Replacement Project and authorize the Public Works Director to sign the Notice of Determination.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BISHOP, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND APPROVING A MITIGATION MONITORING PROGRAM.
Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Ellis, Councilmember Schwartz, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Garcia Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Kong
14.C)
Resolution - City Fees and Charges Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Cover Page
Notice of Public Hearing
Staff Memorandums on Potential Changes
Proposed Resolution Amending and Restating Certain Fees and Charges City Clerk Picken reviewed this item with Council.
No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Schwartz
Seconded/Councilmember Ellis
Councilmember Schwartz made a motion to approve the resolution amending and restating certain fees and charges for city services.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BISHOP, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AMENDING AND RESTATING CERTAIN FEES AND CHARGES FOR CITY SERVICES Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Ellis, Councilmember Schwartz, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Garcia Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Kong
15)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Muchovej asked to bring back a discussion on extending dates for pool season at their next meeting.
No further requests for future agenda items were made.
16)
COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Members reported on meetings and community events that they attended. 17)
ADJOURNMENT
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:03 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, April 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting in the City Council Chambers. ______________________________________
Jose Garcia, Mayor
Attest: ______________________________
Robin Picken, City Clerk