CITY OF BISHOP
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 22, 2025
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Kong called the meeting of the Bishop City Council to order at 6:02 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 Garcia
Councilmember Schwartz
Mayor Kong
ABSENT:
Councilmember Freundt
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej
OTHERS PRESENT: Pam Foster, 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
Public comments were made by:
Rick Klug, a local resident, offered a prayer for all present.
Jennifer Beaudean, a small business owner in town, requested that the A-Frame Engineering Report, and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) leases and vacant buildings on Main Street be placed on a Council agenda for discussion.
Noel Gabriel Guacheno, a Bishop resident, thanked the Nevada Historic Society and Jenny Kitchens for their research about the Bishop Visitor Center that referenced an article in the Mono Herald and Bridgeport Chronicle on November 26, 1970. Noel Gabriel Guacheno read the short article out loud. It mentioned that Clyde Coons, City of Bishop Building Inspector, was recognized by Chamber of Commerce President Ernest Bonta for Conns' key role in planning and construction of the Bishop Visitors Center and Chamber office. Noel Gabriel Guacheno continued to speak in support of saving the building. A copy of the article read was given to Council for their information.
Richard Hanley, a Bishop resident, spoke to Charlie Kirk and his hatred. Richard Hanley requested that this topic be placed on the Council agenda for their next meeting and open it up to public comment. Richard Hanley then stated that hate is not what we want in our community.
No further public comments were made.
6)
PRESENTATIONS
6.A)
The Bishop Community Garden - Presented by Kerry Lozito Presentation - The Bishop Community Garden
Bishop Community Garden representatives Kerry Lozito and Rosey Howard provided Council with an update on the Bishop Community Garden activities and programs, and how they benefit our community and visitors.
6.B)
Inyo Mono Broadband Consortium (IMBC) Update - Presented by Regional Broadband Coordinator Scott Armstrong Inyo Mono Broadband Consortium Summer Update
Regional Broadband Coordinator Scott Armstrong provided Council with an update on Inyo Mono Broadband Consortium Grant Program Updates, Legacy Grant Project Awards, Long-Term Broadband Expansion Outlook, and Website Updates that include a new speed test, and their impacts to Bishop and our surrounding areas.
6.C)
University of California Cooperative Extension Community Economic Development Workshop Series - Presented by Inyo-Mono UCCE CED Advisor Aaron Wilcher Program Flier - Community Economic Development Workshops Presentation - Community Economic Development Workshops Overview Inyo-Mono University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Community Economic Development Advisor Aaron Wilcher provided Council with information on UCCE's upcoming Community Economic Development Workshops, a pilot program, scheduled to take place in both Bishop and Mammoth Lakes starting October 2, 2025 through November 13, 2025. The goal of this workshop series is to bring together local stakeholders who are interested in helping to shape the future of the Eastern Sierra. 7)
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Verbal 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. Written reports were also provided by the Fire Department and Police Department.
7.A)
Fire Department Report - Fire Chief Bret Russell
Fire Department Report - September 22 2025
7.B)
Police Department Report - Police Chief Nate Derr
Police Department Report - August 2025
8)
BISHOP AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INFORMATION CENTER UPDATE
8.A)
Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Information Center Update Report - September 22, 2025 BACCIC September 22 2025 City Council Report
Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce Board President Robert Sharp reviewed the report prepared by Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Information Center Executive Director Tawni Thomson with Council. 9)
NORTHERN INYO HEALTHCARE DISTRICT QUARTERLY UPDATE REPORT
9.A)
Northern Inyo Healthcare District Quarterly Update Report – September 22, 2025 Northern Inyo Healthcare District Report - September 22, 2025 Northern Inyo Healthcare District Interim Chief Executive Officer Christian Wallis reviewed his report with Council and provided an update on Northern Inyo Healthcare District’s programs and activities. 10)
CONSENT CALENDAR
10.A)
Updated Police Sergeant Job Description
Cover Page
Police Sergeant - Updated Job Description 9 22 2025
10.B)
Updated Police Captain Job Description
Cover Page
Police Captain - Updated Job Description 9 22 2025
10.C)
Tesla Supercharger Agreement – Exercise of First Renewal Term Cover Page
Renewal Letter from Tesla to the City of Bishop, CA
No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Garcia
Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz
Councilmember Garcia made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar.
Motion passed 3-0
Ayes: Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Kong Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Councilmember Freundt, Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej
11)
NEW BUSINESS
11.A)
Introduction of Water and Sewer Rate Structure Design Options Cover Page
Water & Sewer Rate Structure Presentation
Draft Bishop Prop 218 Notice
Public Works Director Gamino reviewed this item with Council and introduced Lechowicz and Tseng Municipal Consultants Alison Lechowicz to review with Council the revised water and sewer rate study that reflects the changes requested at their August 25, 2025 Council Meeting.
Public comments were made by:
James Hoover, spoke to being a renter of a residential property and not a property owner. James Hoover stated that he is currently retired and on a fixed income. It is also his understanding that with the implementation of water meters this will increase his landlords water and sewer costs. James Hoover then stated that this increase will threaten his ability to maintain a level that is consistent with his income.
Gary Colbert, a local landlord, spoke to the proposed increase in water and sewer rates and how this is unsustainable for folks like James Hoover and will run people out of the rental business. Gary Colbert pointed out that there are more people like James Hoover out there, and as a landlord with insurance and electricity costs going up, it is getting harder to keep people in a place. Gary Colbert then stated that the proposed option one does not bother him too much, the proposed option two he can live with over a five-year period, but the proposed option three is out of bounds for him.
Jennifer Beaudean, a small business owner in town, asked for clarification on what happens if 50% of the people disagree with the proposed rates and protest it? Mayor Kong confirmed that if 50% of the people disagree with the proposed rates in writing, then the proposed rates are not implemented.
Rick Klug, a local resident and a pastor of a local church, spoke to the differences in church landscaping and use of irrigation as it relates to the proposed charges. Staff confirmed that the proposed water and sewer charges are based on the square footage of a building and that three churches with multiple acres have been identified for irrigation charges. Rick Klug thanked the consultant for the clarification.
No further public comments were made.
City Attorney Pucci stated that if it is Council's direction to explore what options the City has, in relation to general funds or other funds, to provide relief to rate payers that are going to be challenged by rate increases then staff can provide a full analysis of what those options are to Council.
After a lengthy discussion, Council directed staff to explore funds that may be available to provide relief to rate payers who are challenged by the new rates, to continue moving in the direction we are moving, and examine the different categories in order to bring the Single-Family residential rates down from $45. 12)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Kong, with consensus from Council, asked that City Attorney Pucci report back to Council on the use of the City's General Fund to provide relief to water and sewer rate payers, asked staff to bring back a letter relating to big trucks for Council's consideration to approve, and to place a discussion on the A-Frame on the Council's agenda at the next regularly scheduled meeting. 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 8:41 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, October 27, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. ______________________________________
Karen Kong, Mayor
Attest: ______________________________
Robin Picken, City Clerk