CITY OF BISHOP
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JUNE 23, 2025
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej called the meeting of the Bishop City Council to order at 4:34 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 301 West Line Street, Bishop, California. 2)
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Freundt
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Schwartz
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej
ABSENT:
Mayor Kong
OTHERS PRESENT: Deston Dishion, City Administrator; Robin Picken, City Clerk; and Nora Gamino, Public Works Director 3)
PUBLIC COMMENT PRIOR TO CLOSED SESSION
No public comments were made.
4)
CLOSED SESSION
4.A)
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION pursuant to Government Code § 54957 – Title: Public Works Director
4.B)
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT pursuant to Government Code § 54957 - Title: City Administrator Closed Session began at 4:35 p.m. Closed Session ended at 5:57 p.m. 5)
OPEN SESSION
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej called the open session of the Bishop City Council to order at 6:01 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 301 West Line Street, Bishop, California. 6)
MOMENT OF SILENCE
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej announced a moment of silence.
7)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Freundt. 8)
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Freundt
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Schwartz
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej
ABSENT:
Mayor 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; Anastasiia Budnyk, Principal Planner; and Daniel McElroy, Community Services Manager Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej announced that Item 17.B has been pulled from the agenda. 9)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comments were made by Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce Interim Director David Eichman who invited the Council to join their upcoming events in Mammoth Lakes such as their "Business After Hours" reception, in partnership with the Mammoth Lakes Tourism and Visit California, scheduled for June 24, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center on Highway 203; and the 4th of July parade in Mammoth Lakes which starts at 11:00 a.m. No further public comments were made. 10)
REPORT ON ACTIONS TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION AS REQUIRED BY LAW To report on actions taken in Closed Session as required by law, Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej announced that direction was given to staff. 11)
PRESENTATIONS
11.B)
PRESENTATION - Former Planning Commissioner Hank Truxillo Cover Page
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej invited former Planning Commissioner Hank Truxillo to the lectern and thanked him for his 10 years of service on the Planning Commission. The City Council presented Hank Truxillo with a City Tile in recognition of his service.
Hank Truxillo stated that he resigned with a heavy heart since he had to leave Bishop for another job opportunity and thanked Council for this recognition.
11.A)
PRESENTATION - Former Planning Commissioner Robert Lowthorp Cover Page
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej thanked Robert Lowthorp for his 42 years of service on the Planning Commission and asked that the City Clerk deliver the City Tile to Robert Lowthorp.
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej announced a 10-minute break for everyone to enjoy some cake in recognition of former Planning Commissioners Hank Truxillo and Robert Lowthorp.
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej reconvened the meeting after a 10-minute break. 12)
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Verbal reports from the Fire, Police, Public Works, Community Services, Planning, and Administration Departments were given on each of their department's activities including upcoming and ongoing projects. 13)
BISHOP AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INFORMATION CENTER UPDATE
13.A)
Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Information Center Update Report for May 27, 2025 and June 23, 2025 BACCIC May 27 2025 City Council Report
BACCIC June 23 2025 City Council Report
Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Information Center Executive Director Tawni Thomson reviewed her reports for May and June submitted to Council. Council thanked Tawni Thomson for her report. 14)
PUBLIC HEARING
14.A)
Public Hearing to Assure Compliance with Assembly Bill 2561/Government Code Section 3502.3 regarding Vacancies, Recruitment and Retention Efforts by the City of Bishop.
Cover Page
City Administrator Dishion reviewed this item with Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej opened the public hearing.
No public comments were made.
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej closed the public hearing. No further action was taken. 15)
PUBLIC HEARING AND ACTION
15.A)
ORDINANCE - Public Hearing and First Reading & Introduction of an Ordinance Relating to Density Bonus Cover Page
Public Notice
Ordinance - Chapter 17.14 Density Bonus 2025 06 23
Principal Planner Budnyk reviewed this item with Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej opened the public hearing.
No public comments were made.
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej closed the public hearing.
Council discussed this item further with staff. After staff answered all of Council's questions, a motion was made.
Motion/Councilmember Schwartz
Seconded/Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Schwartz made a motion to approve the first reading and introduction of a proposed ordinance adding a new Chapter 17.14 - Density Bonus to the City of Bishop Municipal Code by title only.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BISHOP, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 17.14 DENSITY BONUS TO THE CITY OF BISHOP CODE OF ORDINANCES Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Freundt, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Mayor Kong
16)
CONSENT CALENDAR
16.A)
May 2025 Budget Report
Cover Page
May 2025 Budget Report
16.B)
May 2025 Financial Reports
Cover Page
May 2025 Bank Reconciliation Report
May 2025 Combined Cash Report
May 2025 Investment Portfolio Report
May 2025 Warrant Register Report
16.C)
End of Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget Adjustment Request
Cover Page
End of FY 2024-25 Budget Adjustment
16.D)
RESOLUTION: Establish the FY 2025-26 Appropriations Limit Pursuant to Article XIIIB of the California Constitution (Proposition 4) Cover Page
Reso No. 2025-(xx) Establishing Appropriations Limit FY 2025-26
16.E)
City Council Meeting Minutes
Minutes 2025 05 08 - Special Meeting
Minutes 2025 05 12 - Regular Meeting
City Council Meeting Cancellation Notice - 2025 05 27
16.F)
Full-time Fire Engineer Job Description and Job Function Analysis FT Fire Engineer Job Description
Fire Engineer JDEFA
16.G)
Updated Job Description for Police Lieutenant
Cover Page
FT Police Captain
Captain JDEFA
16.H)
Building Inspector / Code Enforcement Job Description
Cover Page
Building Inspector / Code Enforcement Officer Job Description
16.I)
Engineering Technician II/III Job Description
Cover Page
Public Works Engineering Technician II_III Job Description
16.J)
Salary Schedules - July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026
2025-2026 Full Time Salary Schedule
2025-2026 Part Time Salary Schedule
City Council & Treasurer - 2025-2026
16.K)
IT Services Agreement Extension Letter for July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026 IT Support Services Agreement - Approved by City Council 2023 06 26 CBT IT Support Services Agreement Extension Letter 07 01 2025 - 06 30 2026
16.L)
Tree Trimming and Removal Services Agreement between the City of Bishop and West Coast Arborists Inc.
Cover Page
Professional Services Agreement between City of Bishop and West Coast Arborists Inc. (002).pdf WCA Bishop Tree Trimming and Removal Services Proposal.pdf
16.M)
Agreement for Pest Control Services between the City of Bishop and Dewey Pest Control Cover Page
Professional Services Agreement between the City of Bishop and Dewey Pest Control .pdf Pest control RFP.pdf
Dewey Pest Proposal 2025.pdf
No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Garcia
Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz
Councilmember Garcia made a motion to approve the consent calendar.
Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Freundt, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Mayor Kong
17)
NEW BUSINESS
17.A)
Policy for Selecting Council Members to serve on Commissions and Committees.
Cover Page
City Administrator Dishion reviewed this item with Council.
Council deliberated this item and directed staff to bring back a policy based on their discussions for Council's consideration to approve.
No public comments were made.
17.B)
Council to consider Reappointment of Planning Commissioner Lew or conduct Interviews.
Cover Page
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej announced at the beginning of the meeting that this item has been pulled from the agenda. 18)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Garcia, with consensus from Council, asked staff to invite a representative from the Mule Days Committee to provide Council with an update on this year's Mule Days event and their plans for the future.
Councilmember Schwartz, with consensus from Council, asked to bring back a discussion on adopting California's joint strategy for sustainable outdoor recreation and wildfire resilience.
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej acknowledged that staff will be addressing the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power public land sales.
No further requests were made for future agendas items. 19)
COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Members reported on meetings and community events that they attended. 20)
ADJOURNMENT
The Mayor Pro Tem adjourned the meeting at 7:32 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, July 28, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. ______________________________________
Stephen Muchovej, Mayor Pro Tem
Attest: ______________________________
Robin Picken, City Clerk