CITY OF BISHOP
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MAY 12, 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 Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej. 4)
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Schwartz
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej
Mayor Kong
ABSENT:
Councilmember Freundt
OTHERS PRESENT: Deston Dishion, City Administrator; Dean J. Pucci, City Attorney; Bret Russell, Fire Chief; Nate Derr, Police Chief; Nora Gamino, Public Works Director; Anastasiia Budnyk, Principal Planner; Dan McElroy, Community Services Manager; and Jessica Ortiz, Administrative/Accounting Assistant 5)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comments were made by:
Rick Klug, a local resident, recited a prayer.
No further public comments were made.
6)
PROCLAMATIONS
6.A)
Proclamation - Recognizing Mule Days’ Week - May 19-25, 2025 in the City of Bishop - Requested by Bishop Mule Days Celebration Executive Director Donna Bird Proclamation - Mule Days’ Week 2025
The Council read the proclamation recognizing Mule Days' Week out loud and Mayor Kong presented the proclamation to Bishop Mule Days Celebration Executive Director Donna Bird.
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej commended Mule Days' staff on their success. 7)
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Written reports from the Fire, Police, Public Works, Community Services, Planning, and Administration Departments were submitted on each department's activities including upcoming and ongoing projects. Verbal reports were also given by the Fire, Police, Public Works, Community Services, Planning and Administration Departments.
7.A)
Fire Department Report - Fire Chief Bret Russell
Fire Department Report - April 2025
Fire Chief Russell reviewed report including monthly call report (35 calls) with council and airport fire training including a simulation. Presented Fire Captain Jim Reynolds with badge.
7.B)
Police Department Report - Police Chief Nate Derr
Police Department Report - April 2025
Police Chief Derr reviewed his report including strategic planning, culmination of second Police Academy and conclusion ceremony, background completion for incoming lateral dispatcher, Mule Days' preparation and budget wrap up for current fiscal and budget planning for incoming fiscal year.
7.C)
Public Works Department Report - Public Works Director Nora Gamino Public Works Department Report - April 2025
PW Director Gamino reviewed report with council including implementation of procedures for water stem fill and encroachment permits, continuing work on capital projects, and Mule Days' preparation including maintenance and street closures.
7.D)
Community Services Department Report - Community Services Manager Daniel McElroy Community Services Department Report - April 2025
Community Services Manager McElroy reviewed report with Council including Adult Softball league information, recreation programs and availability, completion of Bishop Park Pool Project, announced pool hours and new changes. Reviewed special events including Family Fun day and Foodie Fiesta.
7.E)
Planning Department Report - Principal Planner Ana Budnyk Planning Department Report - April 2025
Principal Planner reviewed report including Silver Peaks project- there will be a meeting May 13th at 6pm at the Small Business Resource Center to discuss the plans for the proposed 60 units, 60% of units will be available to household with a median income or lower, it is expected to be approved by the end of the month.
7.F)
City Administrator Report - City Administrator Deston Dishion City Administrator Report - April 2025
City Administrator Dishion reviewed report with Council including Strategic Planning meeting and the future of the City for the next 5 years, City/ County Liaison meeting happening on May 15th, 2025, announced retirement expected by the end of Summer 2025. 8)
COUNTY OF INYO UPDATE
Second District Supervisor Griffiths provided an update on Inyo County business and activities. 9)
PUBLIC HEARING AND ACTION
9.A)
Public Hearing and First Reading/Introduction of an Ordinance to Adopt the State Fire Marshal’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map Cover Page
Public Hearing Notice - Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map - 05 01 2025 Ordinance - Adopting the State Fire Marshal’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map - 05 12 2025 Fire Chief Russell, City Administrator Dishion, and City Attorney Pucci reviewed this item with Council.
Mayor Kong opened the public hearing.
No public comments were made.
Mayor Kong closed the public hearing.
Council discussed this item, and expressed their displeasure of how the state governor has asked that all cities, specifically the City of Bishop, adopt these maps created without any input form the City Council or City staff. The Council stated that they do not agree with the given map.
Public Comment was made by:
Jeff Griffiths, Inyo County Second District Supervisor, stated that an inquiry was made for State response area that falls under Cal Fire responsibility, and Inyo County has made comments at workshops that were held throughout the state. Supervisor Griffiths expressed his concern on the effects of these maps to people's insurance coverages and advised that we continue to advocate on the insurance front.
Jon Klusmire, a local resident, made comments related to the seriousness of these maps since there are fines and/or legal consequences attached to these maps.
No further public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Garcia
Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz
Councilmember Garcia made a motion to approve Council conducting a public hearing and approve the first reading and introduction of an ordinance designating Fire Hazard Severity Zones within the City of Bishop in accordance with Government Code section 51179, incorporating the Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) Map issued by the State Fire Marshal entitled “City of Bishop – Inyo County Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zones as Identified by the State Fire Marshal March 24, 2025” by title only, and directed staff to draft a letter to state representatives and State Fire Marshall requesting for local consideration for map designations in the future.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BISHOP, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES MAP AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej, Mayor Kong Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Councilmember Freundt
10)
CONSENT CALENDAR
10.A)
March 2025 Budget Report
March 2025 Budget Report
10.B)
March 2025 Financial Reports
March 2025 Bank Reconciliation Report
March 2025 Combined Cash Report
March 2025 Investment Portfolio Report
March 2025 Warrant Register Report
10.C)
Police Department Budget Adjustment Request
Cover Page
10.D)
Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance to Amend Section 2.24.020 of the Bishop Code of Ordinances, Relating to the Planning Commission Cover Page
Ordinance - Relating to the Planning Commission
10.E)
Fuel Services Vendor Agreement - Letter of Extension.
Cover Page
Fuel Services Extension Letter 2025
Rick Klug, a local resident, made a comment regarding input from residents outside of city limits being taken into consideration during council meetings. He expressed his appreciation for City Council.
Motion/Councilmember Schwartz
Seconded/Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Schwartz made a motion to approve the consent calendar.
Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej, Mayor Kong Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Councilmember Freundt
11)
NEW BUSINESS
11.A)
First Reading and Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Title 13 of the Bishop Municipal Code – Water and Sewer Service Regulations Cover Page
Ordinance No. XXX Update to Title 13 Water and Sewer Ordinance 2025 05 12 Public Works Director Gamino 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 the first reading and introduction of the proposed Ordinance amending Title 13 of the City of Bishop Code of Ordinances relating to water and sewer service regulations, by title only.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BISHOP, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 13 OF THE CITY OF BISHOP CODE OF ORDINANCES, RELATING TO WATER AND SEWER SERVICE Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej, Mayor Kong Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Councilmember Freundt
11.B)
Agreement with LADWP and Consultant Task Orders for Environmental and Transportation Review – Bishop Training Facility and Construction Yard Project Cover Page
Agreement with LADWP_Training Facility
COB TO for Transportation Study Peer Review
Helix_Peer review of the Initial Study
Bishop Training Facility and Construction Yard
Principal Planner Budnyk reviewed this item with Council. No public comments were made.
Motion/Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej
Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej made a motion to approve the Agreement for Payment of Costs between the City of Bishop and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) for environmental review related to the proposed Bishop Training Facility and Construction Yard Project, authorize staff to execute Task Orders with HELIX Environmental Planning, Inc. and Eastern Sierra Engineering (ESE) for peer review services as outlined, and authorize City staff to pressure LADWP into committing to releasing the other parcels within City limits that are moving to that area.
Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej, Mayor Kong Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Councilmember Freundt
11.C)
Planning Commission - City Council Screening Committee Appointments Cover Page
Public Notice_Planning Commission Vacancy
City Administrator Dishion reviewed this item with Council. No public comments were made.
After a thorough discussion by Council, Council came to a consensus to have both Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej and Councilmember Garcia appointed to the screening committee to fill the scheduled vacancy on the Planning Commission. 12)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Garcia, with consensus from Council, requested that City staff report on regulations related to E-Bikes on City streets.
Councilmember Muchovej, with consensus from Council, requested that there be a policy for reappointment of City commissioners.
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 7:32 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. ______________________________________
Karen Kong, Mayor
Attest: ______________________________
Robin Picken, City Clerk