CITY OF BISHOP
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JULY 28, 2025
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Kong called the meeting of the Bishop City Council to order at 5:02 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
Mayor Kong
ABSENT:
None.
OTHERS PRESENT: Deston Dishion, City Administrator; Robin Picken, City Clerk; Dean J. Pucci, City Attorney; Bret Russell, Fire Chief; and Nate Derr, Police Chief 3)
PUBLIC COMMENT PRIOR TO CLOSED SESSION
No public comments were made.
4)
CLOSED SESSION
Closed Session began at 5:04 p.m. Closed Session ended at 6:15 p.m.
4.A)
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION pursuant to Government Code § 54957 – Title: Fire Chief
4.B)
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION pursuant to Government Code § 54957 – Title: Police Chief 5)
OPEN SESSION
Mayor Kong called the open session of the Bishop City Council to order at 6:17 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 301 West Line Street, Bishop, California. 6)
MOMENT OF SILENCE
Mayor Kong announced a moment of silence.
7)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Garcia. 8)
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; Nate Derr, Police Chief; Nora Gamino, Public Works Director; and Dan McElroy, Community Services Manager 9)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comments were made by:
Pastor Tim Homan of the Eastern Sierra Pastoral Association recited a prayer.
Sheryl Kane, a local resident, spoke as an advocate for the grey and red wolf population.
Tyler Beadle, a Bishop resident, expressed his concerns about the Council's secret decisions without public input as it relates to the A-Frame eviction, the exclusion of two Planning Commissioners who reside outside the City limits, and welcomed the newly appointed City Administrator.
Jessica Tex, spoke in support of the Visitor Center, and asked the Council to maintain the Visitor Center A-frame.
Carl Hoelscher, a local resident, spoke in support of keeping the Chamber A-frame.
Doug Talmage, a local resident, spoke in support of keeping the Chamber A-frame.
Noel Gabriel-Guacheno, a local resident, spoke in support of keeping the Chamber A-frame.
Jennifer Beaudean, requested that the Council place the topic of the Chamber of Commerce and the A-frame building on a future meeting agenda so it can be discussed. Jennifer Beaudean also requested that Council address the large cracks on Wye Road and the removal of barricades along Highway 6 on a future Council meeting agenda.
Gayla Wolf, a local resident, spoke in support of saving the Chamber A-frame building and asked that this topic be placed on a future Council meeting agenda to discuss.
Warren Allsup, a local resident, spoke in support of keeping the Chamber A-frame.
Jerry Core, a local resident, spoke in support of saving the Chamber A-frame.
Cari Arnal, a local resident, spoke in support of keeping the Chamber A-frame.
Leslie Sasuga, a local resident, spoke on behalf of Teri Allsup and herself in support of the Bishop Chamber of Commerce and the preservation of the A-frame building.
Joann Lijek, a local resident, spoke in support of keeping the A-frame building and the Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center at their current location, and spoke against the barricades placed along Highway 6.
Aaron Schat, a local resident and business owner, thanked the Chamber of Commerce for their hard work, spoke in support of keeping the Chamber A-frame building where it is, and offered to donate funds to help make repairs. Aaron Schat also asked that Council place the A-frame building on a future City Council agenda for discussion.
Lynette McIntosh, a local resident, spoke in support of saving the Chamber A-frame building, and asked Council to find a better way of informing the public.
John F. Harris, a Bishop resident, spoke in favor of keeping the Chamber of Commerce in the A-frame building where they currently are.
Frank Carr Jr., a Bishop resident, spoke in favor of keeping the two memorials currently located in front of the Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center where they are, front and center, not in the back of the lot.
No further public comments were made. Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej spoke briefly regarding the Council's on-going support for the Chamber and hopes that Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tawni Thomson will acknowledge the same. Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej commented further on the A-frame building's condition and inspection. Mayor Kong thanked everyone for attending and acknowledged that they have been heard. 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 Kong announced that there is no reportable action. 11)
PRESENTATIONS
11.A)
PRESENTATION - Bishop Mule Days Report - Prepared and presented by Bishop Mule Days Celebration Executive Director Donna Bird. 2025 Bishop Mule Days Post Event Report - July 28, 2025 Bishop Mule Days Celebration Executive Director Donna Bird reviewed the 2025 Bishop Mule Days Post Event Report with Council.
After answering all of Council's questions, Council thanked Donna Bird for her report and for all of her work in continuing to bring Mule Days to Bishop. 12)
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, and Administration Departments.
12.A)
Fire Department Report - Fire Chief Bret Russell
Fire Department Report - June 2025
12.B)
Police Department Report - Police Chief Nate Derr
Police Department Report - June 2025
12.C)
Public Works Department Report - Public Works Director Nora Gamino Public Works Department Report - June 2025
12.D)
Community Services Department Report - Community Services Manager Daniel McElroy Community Services Department Report - June 2025
12.E)
Planning Department - Principal Planner Ana Budnyk
Planning Department Report-June 2025
12.F)
City Administrator Report - City Administrator Deston Dishion City Administrator Report - June 2025
13)
BISHOP AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INFORMATION CENTER UPDATE
13.A)
Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Information Center Update Report - July 28, 2025 BACCIC July 28 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. 14)
EASTERN SIERRA TRI-COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS QUARTERLY UPDATE REPORT Interim Fairgrounds Manager Mike Francesconi reported on the Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fairgrounds activities, finances, and events to Council. Council thanked Mike Francesconi for his report. 15)
CONSENT CALENDAR
15.A)
June 2025 Budget Report
June 2025 Budget Report
15.B)
June 2025 Financial Reports
June 2025 Bank Reconciliation Report
June 2025 Combined Cash Report
June 2025 Investment Portfolio Report
June 2025 Warrant Register Report
15.C)
Authorization to Establish an Investment Account with J.P. Morgan Chase for the Purpose of Investing in U.S. Treasury Obligations Cover Page
1-3 Year Treasury Ladder Fact Sheet
Customized Bond Portfolios Pitchbook
15.D)
Sales Tax on Flock Camera System
Cover Page
15.E)
Proposed Guidelines for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Grant in Support Program Cover Page
Grant in Support Information Packet FY 2025-2026
15.F)
City Council Meeting Minutes
Minutes 2025 06 09
Minutes 2025 06 23
Minutes 2025 06 30 - Special Meeting
15.G)
Full-Time Salary Schedule - July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026 2025-2026 Full-Time Salary Schedule
15.H)
ORDINANCE - Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Relating to Density Bonus Cover Page
Ordinance - Chapter 17.14 Density Bonus 2025 06 23
Handout - GC 65915-65918
15.I)
2025 Destruction Derby Agreement with the Tri-County Fairgrounds Cover Page
Bishop Fire Department Destruction Derby Agreement 2025
15.J)
Parks and Recreation Commission Meetings
Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Cancellation Notice - June 25, 2025 Parks and Recreation Commission Special Meeting Agenda - June 25, 2025 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Cancellation Notice - July 23, 2025
15.K)
Planning Commission Meetings
Planning Commission Meeting Cancellation Notice - June 24, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting Cancellation Notice - July 29, 2025 No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Schwartz
Seconded/Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej
Councilmember Schwartz made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Freundt, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej, Mayor Kong Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
16)
NEW BUSINESS
16.A)
Council Consideration of City Administrator Appointment and Employment Agreement with Pamela Foster Cover Page
Proposed City Administrator Employment Agreement
Public Comments
City Attorney Dean Pucci reviewed this item with Council. No public comments were made.
The Mayor introduced Pamela Foster, who was present at the meeting. Pamela Foster thanked the Council for the opportunity, and expressed her excitement to help provide benefits to the community; and to work with the City Council.
Motion/Councilmember Garcia
Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz
Councilmember Garcia made a motion to approve the appointment of Pamela Foster as City Administrator and authorize Mayor Kong to execute the proposed City Administrator Employment Agreement.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Freundt, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej, Mayor Kong Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
16.B)
ORDINANCE - First Reading and Introduction of an Ordinance Adding Chapter 6-4, Article 5 to the Bishop Municipal Code Regulating Electric Mobility Devices Cover Page
E Mobility Device Ordinance
Police Chief Derr reviewed this item with Council.
Council deliberated this item and asked staff to provide clarification on definitions and to be consistent in the layout of the proposed ordinance.
Public comments were made by:
Dustin Delgiudice, a local business owner, asked Council to also consider how municipalities plan to deal with electric mobility devices for rent.
Sheryl Kane, a local resident, spoke to the dangers of being hit by an electric mobility device.
Doug Talmage, a local resident, spoke to his concern about night time visibility of electric mobility devices.
No further public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Garcia
Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz
Councilmember Garcia made a motion to approve the first reading and introduction of the proposed ordinance relating to regulating electric mobility devices by title only with Council's requested changes.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BISHOP, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 10, VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, OF THE BISHOP MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD CHAPTER 10.53 REGULATING ELECTRIC MOBILITY DEVICES Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Freundt, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej, Mayor Kong Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
16.C)
Annual League of California Cities/Cal Cities Conference - Attendance and Confirmation of Voting Delegate and Alternate(s) Cover Page
2025 Voting Delegate and General Assembly Meeting Information City Clerk Picken reviewed this item with Council. No public comments were made. The Council discussed this item and directed staff to confirm that only the December 9, 2024 appointed voting delegates, Councilmember Garcia - Voting Delegate and Mayor Kong - Alternate Voting Delegate, will be attending the 2025 Annual League of California Cities Conference and to make the appropriate registrations and travel arrangements.
16.D)
Discussion for Possible Contract with the Bishop Rural Fire Protection District to Provide Fire Services in the District.
Cover Page
Bishop Rural and City of Bishop JPA
City Administrator Dishion reviewed this item with Council.
City Administrator Dishion invited Bishop Rural Fire Protection District Board of Commissioners Chair Mike Holland to speak on this topic. Mike Holland gave an overview of the District's past history to where we are today.
No public comments were made.
Council deliberated this item and directed staff to review the current agreement, and arrange a joint meeting between the City Council and the Bishop Rural Fire Protection District Board of Commissioners in order to come to up with suggestions and solutions on how to manage the Fire Department and to bring the agreed upon solutions to the appropriate representatives on the Inyo County Board of Supervisors. 17)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej, with consensus from Council, asked for an inventory of the City's properties and buildings in their current state at a future meeting. No further requests were made for future agendas items. 18)
COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Members reported on meetings and community events that they attended. 19)
ADJOURNMENT
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 9:23 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, August 11, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting in the City Council Chambers. ______________________________________
Karen Kong, Mayor
Attest: ______________________________
Robin Picken, City Clerk