CITY OF BISHOP
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JANUARY 27, 2025
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Kong 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 Kong announced a moment of silence.
3)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Schwartz. 4)
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Freundt
Councilmember Schwartz
Mayor Kong
ABSENT:
Councilmember Garcia
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej
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; and Dan McElroy, Community Services Manager 5)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Rick Klug, a local resident, recited a prayer.
6)
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Reports from the Fire, Police, Public Works, Community Services, and Administration Departments were given on each of their department's activities including upcoming and ongoing projects.
Fire Chief Russell reported to Council on the Fire Scope Task Force meeting he attended last week; Water Tender 14 was at the Eaton Fire and is back, Engine 3 was staffed and deployed to the Boarder 2 Fire and should be back in the next couple of days, working on a full-scale exercise at the Bishop Airport on April 19, 2025, reviewed the amount of time and commitment that is involved in being a volunteer firefighter, and thanked the members of the Bishop Volunteer Fire Department and the businesses that allow them to volunteer.
Police Chief Derr reported to Council on the Police Department statistical report submitted at Council's last meeting, Communications Operator "Dispatcher" recruitment update, finished their department Mid-Year Budget review with Finance Director Aukee, an update on the Flock camera system discussed at the strategic planning meeting, and announced an award of just under $50,000 for new hand-held radios which he plans to report on further to Council at their next meeting. Police Chief Derr answered questions from Councilmember Freundt on how long it takes for a new "dispatcher" to be up and running on own, and answered questions from Mayor Kong relating to alert updates to the public on social media.
Public Works Director Gamino provided updates to Council on the Field 6 Enhancement Project in collaboration with the Community Services Department, a submission for Disaster Funds Simple PER that was developed to get grant funding from USDA Rural Funds for cast-in-place pipelining of $4.7 million for sewer improvements, and the City's consolidated wastewater treatment plant planning and design application with the State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB) for the revolving fund. The City made it onto the SWRCB fundable project list and is out for public comment for 30 days, and is programed now for $3.7 million but may be reduced to $2.5 million. Public Works Director Gamino addressed Council's questions and advised everyone on how to locate the information on the SWRCB's website for those who are interested in providing public comments on this project.
Community Services Manager McElroy provided Council with an update on City programs, the City Pool resurfacing project, the repainting of the City Park's rear pavilion, edging and preparation work for softball season, Little League installation of light poles for Field 3, and an update on the Community Garden Enhancement project.
City Administrator Dishion reported to Council on the Silver Peaks application with the deadline pushed from March to May, a meeting with Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Aqueduct Manager Adam Perez who reported that they are working on a policy to address commercial leases, Emergency Medical Services Request For Proposals came back from Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency (
ICEMA) and has been forwarded to the State for final approval, meetings held in the past several weeks with the Office of State Senator Alvarado-Gil, and the Office of State Assembly Member Tangipa, and the Office of U.S. Senator Padilla, and a meeting with someone who would like to produce the "Friday Night Markets" going forward and will be submitting a proposal. City Administrator Dishion answered questions from Council on the new sign on the Ascent storefront. 7)
BISHOP AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INFORMATION CENTER UPDATE -
7.A)
Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Information Center Update Report - January 27, 2025 BACCIC January 27 2025 City Council Report
Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Information Center Executive Director Tawni Thomson reviewed her report submitted to Council. Council thanked Tawni Thomson for her report. 8)
PUBLIC HEARING
8.A)
Public Hearing – City Fees and Charges for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Cover Page
Notice of Public Hearing
PW/BLDG Department Staff Memorandum on Proposed Changes Proposed Resolution Amending and Restating Certain Fees and Charges City Clerk Picken reviewed this item with Council.
The Mayor opened the public hearing. There were no public comments made.
City Administrator answered a question raised by Councilmember Schwartz on business license charges relating to the reported number of employees a business has. No further comments or questions were made by Council.
The Mayor closed the public hearing.
A motion was made by Mayor Kong to approve the proposed resolution amending and restating certain fees and charges for City services. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Schwartz. Motion passed 3-0.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BISHOP, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AMENDING AND RESTATING CERTAIN FEES AND CHARGES FOR CITY SERVICES Ayes: Councilmembers Freundt, Schwartz, and Mayor Kong
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Councilmember Garcia, and Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej 9)
CONSENT CALENDAR
9.A)
City Council Meeting Minutes
Minutes 2024 12 05 Special Meeting with BRFPD
Minutes 2024 12 09
City Council Meeting - Cancellation Notice 2024 12 23
9.B)
December 2024 Budget Report
Cover Page
December 2024 Budget Report
9.C)
December 2024 Financial Reports
Cover Page
December 2024 Bank Reconciliation Report
December 2024 Combined Cash Report
December 2024 Investment Portfolio Report
December 2024 Warrant Register Report
9.D)
Planning Commission Meeting Cancellation Notice
December 24, 2024 - Cancellation Notice
No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Schwartz
Seconded/Councilmember Freundt
Councilmember Schwartz made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar.
Motion passed 3-0
Ayes: Councilmember Freundt, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Kong Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Councilmember Garcia, Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej
10)
NEW BUSINESS
10.A)
Parks and Recreation Commission - City Council Screening Committee Appointments Cover Page
Community Services Manager McElroy reviewed this item with Council.
After a short discussion, Councilmember Freundt and Councilmember Schwartz both volunteered to be on the screening committee.
No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Freundt
Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz
Councilmember Freundt made a motion to approve the two council members, Councilmember Freundt and Councilmember Schwartz, appointed by the Mayor to sit on the screening committee to fill the current Parks and Recreation Commission vacancy with a term ending on October 28, 2027.
Motion passed 3-0
Ayes: Councilmember Freundt, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Kong Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Councilmember Garcia, Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej
City Attorney Pucci asked Council to consider going back to Item 8 - Public Hearing on the agenda to consider approving the adoption of the proposed resolution related to fees and charges.
Councilmember Schwartz made a motion to reopen Item 8 Public Hearing on the agenda. The motion was seconded by City Councilmember Freundt.
All voted in favor; None opposed.
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 6:50 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, February 10, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. ______________________________________
Karen Kong, Mayor
Attest: ______________________________
Robin Picken, City Clerk