CITY OF BISHOP
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 23, 2024
1) CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Garcia 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 Garcia announced a moment of silence.
3) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Schwartz. 4) ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Ellis
Councilmember Schwartz
Councilmember Muchovej
Mayor Pro Tem Kong
Mayor Garcia
ABSENT:
None.
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; Anastasiia Budnyk, Assistant Planner; Dan McElroy, Community Services Manager; and Jessica Ortiz, Administrative/Accounting Assistant 5) PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comments were made by Cam Lemons, a local resident and pastor, who recited a prayer. No further public comments were made.
6) INTRODUCTION OF POLICE OFFICER WEST -
Police Chief Nate Derr introduced and swore-in newly hired Police Officer Phil West.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Reports from the Fire, Police, Public Works, Community Services, Planning, and Administration Departments were given on each department's activities including upcoming and ongoing projects.
7. A) Fire Department- Fire Chief Russell
September 23, 2024 Page 1
B) Police Department - Police Chief Nate Derr
7. C) Public Works Department - Public Works Director Nora Gamino D) Community Services Department - Community Services Manager Dan McElroy.
E) Planning Department - Assistant Planner Ana Budnyk
7. E) Administration - City Administrator Deston Dishion-
EASTERN SIERRA TRI-COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS QUARTERLY UPDATE
Acting Chief Executive Officer Mike Francesconi provided an update on the fairgrounds.
PRESENTATIONS
BISHOP TOURISM IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BTID) ANNUAL
REPOR - Presented by Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Information Center Executive Director Tawni Thomson.
2023-2024 BTID Annual Report
Executive Director Tawni Thomson presented the BTID annual report findings.
Executive Director Tawni Thomson presented the BTID annual report findings. After answering all of Councils questions, Council thanked Executive Director Tawni Thomson for attending and for reviewing the submitted report with them.
Mayor Garcia announced a five minute recess at 7:54 p.m. Mayor Garcia reconvened the meeting at 7:59 p.m.
10) CONSENT CALENDAR
10.A) Budget Report for the Month of August 2024
Cover Page
Budget Report for the Month of August 2024
10.B) Financial Reports for the Month of August 2024
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Bank Reconciliation Report for August 2024
Combined Cash Report for August 2024
Investment Portfolio Report for August 2024
Warrant Register Report for August 2024
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10.C) Grand Jury Response
ICGJ Final Report - Fire Dist.23-24
CIVIL GRAND JURY REPORT RESPONSE 2024
10.D) Declaration of City-Owned Equipment as Surplus
Cover Page
10.E) Planning Commission Meeting Cancellation Notice
September 24, 2024 - Cancellation Notice
No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Muchovej Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz Councilmember Muchovej made a motion to approve Consent calendar as presented.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Ellis, Councilmember Schwartz, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Kong, Mayor Garcia
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
11) NEW BUSINESS
11.A) Advantages and Disadvantages of the Bishop Paiute Tribe Joining the Bishop Area Wastewater Joint Powers Authority (BAWJPA)
Cover Page
Joint Power Authorities with Tribes as Members
Public Works Director and BAWJPA Administrator Nora Gamino and BAWJPA Assistant Administrator Matt Bullis (attended via Zoom video conference) reviewed this item with Council.
Public comments were made by Walt Pachucki, a local resident, Eastern Sierra Community Service District Board Member and BAWJPA Board Member, who voiced his concern on allowing the Bishop Paiute Tribe to have a seat on the BAWJPA board.
He stated that the Bishop Area Wastewater Joint Powers Authority agreement needs to be rewritten before the Tribe can be added to the Bishop Area Wastewater Joint Power Authority Board. No further public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Ellis Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz Councilmember Ellis made a motion to approve adding the Bishop Paiute Tribe as a signatory member of the Bishop Area Wastewater Joint Powers Authority.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Ellis, Councilmember Schwartz, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Kong, Mayor Garcia
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Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
11.B) Full Preliminary Engineering Report for 2022 Disaster Water Grant Application
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Task Order 2_Bishop USDA PER
Public Works Director Gamino reviewed this item with Council. No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Muchovej Seconded/Mayor Pro Tem Kong Councilmember Muchovej made a motion to approve the Public Works Director to sign a Task Order with Lumos and Associates for the preparation of a full Preliminar -ngineering Report for a grant application with USDA RD (U.S. Department o Agriculture Rural Development) in the not-to-exceed amount of $70,000 and a budget adjustment to the sewer fund as proposed.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Ellis, Councilmember Schwartz, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Kong, Mayor Garcia
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
11.C) Downtown Guidelines - Façade and Materials Color Discussion Cover Page
Downtown Guidelines - Facade and Materials Color
Assistant Planner Budnyk reviewed this item with Council. No public comments were made. After a full discussion, Council directed Assistant Planner Budnyk to reach out to businesses and to provide educational materials for them on the matter.
11.D) U.S. Department of Transportation Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program Letter of Support and Resolution
ESCOG staff report USDOT H2B Reconnecting Communities 2024 08 28 Letter of Support from City of Bishop 2024 09 23
Resolution 2024-XX Reconnecting Communities 2024 09 23
Eastern Sierra Council of Governments Joint Powers Authority Executive Director Elaine Kabala reviewed this item with Council. No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Muchovej Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz September 23, 2024 Page 4
Councilmember Muchovej made a motion to approve the City of Bishop's letter of support for a U.S. Department of Transportation Reconnecting Communities Grant Application and approve a resolution authorizing ESCOG JPA to submit an application for the U.S. Department of Transportation Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Ellis, Councilmember Schwartz, Councilmember Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem Kong, Mayor Garcia
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
12) FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Garcia, with consensus from Council, requested an update on the City's rebranding project.
Mayor Pro Tem Kong, with consensus from Council, requested a meeting with representatives from the Silver Peaks project.
No further requests were made for future agendas items. 13) COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Members reported on meetings and community events that they attended. 14) ADJOURNMENT-
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 9:26 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, October 28, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. sarcia, Mayo
Robin Poken
Attest:
Robin Picken, City Clerk
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