CITY OF BISHOP
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JANUARY 13, 2025
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Kong called the meeting of the Bishop City Council to order at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 301 West Line Street, Bishop, California. 2)
MOMENT OF SILENCE
Mayor Kong announced a moment of silence.
3)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Freundt. 4)
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Freundt
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Schwartz
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej
Mayor Kong
ABSENT:
None.
OTHERS PRESENT: Deston Dishion, City Administrator; Robin Picken, City Clerk; Dean J. Pucci, City Attorney; Bret Russell, Fire Chief; Josh Ellsworth, Police Lieutenant; Nora Gamino, Public Works Director; Anastasiia Budnyk, Assistant Planner; and Dan McElroy, Community Services Manager. 5)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comments were made by:
Cam Lemons recited a prayer.
Steve Seats spoke in support of homeless people having a safe place to park in town and the need for more housing.
Jamie Stewart, a Bishop resident, spoke to the need of housing in Bishop.
No further public comments were made.
6)
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.
6.A)
Fire Department Report - Fire Chief Bret Russell
Fire Department Report - December 2024
Fire Department Report - 2024 Calls
Fire Chief Russell reported to Council on three new policies adopted by the Fire Department, announced days to be out of the office, meetings attended, training opportunities, new "ride along" policy, "blue card" certification, driver operator training, implement new officers meeting that will include cooking and providing dinner, ventilation system update, and an update on the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles.
6.B)
Police Department Report - Police Chief Nate Derr
Police Department Report - December 2024
Police Lieutenant Ellsworth reported to Council on the upcoming arrival of two newly leased police vehicles, the promotion of Police Officer Daniel Burton to Police Corporal, and announced that the Police Department recently held interviews to fill their current Communications Operator "Dispatcher" vacancy and is hopeful to fill their last vacancy with a qualified candidate by the end of the month.
6.C)
Public Works Department Report - Public Works Director Nora Gamino Public Works Department Report - December 2024
Public Works Director Gamino reported to Council on the December 17, 2024 Bishop Area Wastewater Authority (BAWA) meeting which resulted in a vote to include the Bishop Paiute Tribe to be a part of their Joint Powers Authority, a consolidated plant update, the continued work on preliminary design and engineering projects, and the report submitted by the Public Works maintenance crew attached to the agenda.
6.D)
Community Services Department Report - Community Services Manager Daniel McElroy Community Services Department Report - December 2024
Community Services Manager McElroy reported to Council on the hiring of a new gymnastics instructor Lou Bank, the expansion of the number of gymnastic classes due to hiring Lou Bank, the current job openings for an Assistant Aquatics Coordinator and for several Lifeguards, the Community Garden, volleyball and camp programs, and the City pool resurfacing project.
6.E)
Planning Department Report - Assistant Planner Ana Budnyk Planning Department Report - December 2024
Assistant Planner Budnyk provided an update to Council on the work she is doing to address the downtown guidelines and beautification project including signage updates.
6.F)
City Administrator Report - City Administrator Deston Dishion City Administrator Report - December 2024
City Administrator Dishion reported to Council on the number of recent meetings he has had with developers to address the housing needs in Bishop, discussions with both federal and state representatives to assist in housing needs, the anticipation of sharing some good news on several projects soon, discussions with the City Pool's Aquatics Coordinator Danica Gomez to find ways to expand pool access to the public this year, scheduled meetings this week with the State's Assemblymember David Tangipa and Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil to look for earmarks, and announced that Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency (ICEMA) responded with a positive review of the proposed Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Request for Proposals (RFP). 7)
COUNTY OF INYO UPDATE
Second District Supervisor Griffiths provided an update on Inyo County business and activities. 8)
PRESENTATIONS
8.A)
Bishop Police Department Citizens Academy
Bishop Police Sergeant David Scobie provided the Council with a presentation on the Community Police Academy held last year. After answering all of Council's questions the Council thanked Sergeant Scobie for his presentation.
8.B)
Northern Inyo Hospital Quarterly Update Report
Bishop City Council Update from NIHD 2025 01 13
A report of Northern Inyo Healthcare District’s current programs, finances, and activities was presented to Council by Northern Inyo Hospital Chief Executive Officer Stephen DelRossi. After answering all of Council's questions, the Council thanked Chief Executive Officer DelRossi for his report.
8.C)
Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fairgrounds Quarterly Update Report Interim Fairgrounds Manager Mike Francesconi provided an update on the Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fairgrounds activities. After answering all of Council's questions, the Council thanked Manager Francesconi for his report.
A report of Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fairgrounds' current programs, finances, and activities was presented to Council by Interim Fairgrounds Manager Mike Francesconi.
8.D)
Inyo Mono Broadband Consortium (IMBC) Update
Council received a presentation from Regional Broadband Coordinator Scott Armstrong on IMBC regional broadband activities. After answering all of Council's questions, the Council thanked Coordinator Armstrong for his presentation.
8.E)
Silver Peaks Project Update
Council received a presentation from Visionary Home Builders of California, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Carol Ornelas and Eastern Sierra Community Housing Executive Director Patricia Robertson. After answering all of Council's questions, the Council thanked Chief Executive Officer Ornelas for her presentation and Executive Director Robertson for her additional comments. Council also recognized Eastern Sierra Community Housing Board of Directors Vice-President Tom Hodges for attending in support of this project.
Council directed staff to bring the proposed Memorandum of Understanding between the City and Visionary Home Builders of California for their review and consideration at a future meeting. 9)
CONSENT CALENDAR
9.A)
City Council Meeting Minutes
Minutes 2024 11 12
Minutes 2024 11 25
9.B)
November 2024 Budget Report
November 2024 Budget Report
9.C)
November 2024 Financial Reports
November 2024 Bank Reconciliation Report
November 2024 Combined Cash Report
November 2024 Investment Portfolio Report
November 2024 Warrant Register Report
9.D)
Resolution - 2025 CalRecycle Payment Programs
Cover Page
2025 Cal Recycle Resolution
9.E)
Building Permits Issued Report
Permit Issued Report - December 2024
9.F)
Parks and Recreation Commission Special Meeting Agenda - November 6, 2024 Parks and Recreation Commission Special Meeting Agenda - 11/6/2024
9.G)
Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Cancellations
Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Cancellation Notice - November 27, 2024 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Cancellation Notice - December 25, 2024 No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Schwartz
Seconded/Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Schwartz made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as presented.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Freundt, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej, Mayor Kong Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
10)
NEW BUSINESS
10.A)
Regional Housing Needs Assessment Memorandum of Understanding Cover Page
Cost Sharing MOU Regional Needs Assessment
Draft Contract with BAE
SMR 2025 Schedule of Fees
BAE_EasternSierraHousingNeedsAssessment_Proposal
Assistant Planner Budnyk reviewed this item with Council. No public comments were made.
Motion/Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej
Seconded/Councilmember Garcia
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej made a motion to approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Regional Housing Needs Assessment for an amount not to exceed $54,089.00.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Freundt, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej, Mayor Kong Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
10.B)
Discussion Regarding the Formation of Parking Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) for City of Bishop Parking Demand and Land Use Study.
Cover Page
Assistant Planner Ana Budnyk and City Administrator Dishion reviewed this item with Council. After a discussion by Council, the Council provided staff with their recommendations on the composition of the PTAC. The Council liked the proposed composition of the PTAC with one change to replace some members with more community minded members instead of a majority of business minded members. Councilmember Schwartz, Councilmember Garcia, and Mayor Kong all expressed their willingness to participate as the one designated Council member on the PTAC for staff's consideration. 11)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
No requests for future agenda items were made by Council. 12)
COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Members reported on meetings and community events that they attended. 13)
ADJOURNMENT
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 9:04 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, January 27, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. ______________________________________
Karen Kong, Mayor
Attest: ______________________________
Robin Picken, City Clerk