CITY OF BISHOP
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
OCTOBER 27, 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: Pam Foster, City Administrator; Robin Picken, City Clerk; and Dean J. Pucci, City Attorney 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: City Administrator Closed Session began at 5:03 p.m. Closed Session ended at 5:57 p.m. 5)
OPEN SESSION
Mayor Kong called the open session of the Bishop City Council to order at 6:02 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 Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej. 8)
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Freundt
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Schwartz
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej
Mayor Kong
ABSENT:
None.
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 Daniel McElroy, Community Services Manager. 9)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comments were made by:
Cari Arnal, a local resident, spoke to the loss of our young people in our community due to addictions and accidents. Cari Arnal asked that a crisis mental health facility be made available here in Bishop, and a large gym or youth center available to encourage positive activities and jobs for our older youth.
Michele Hartshorn, a Bishop resident, spoke on behalf of herself and all of her neighbors requesting that Council help seek another location for the Bridge Housing Project through the County of Inyo Board of Supervisors. Michele Hartshorn invited just two Council Members, in order to not have a quorum, to join them in a meeting to discuss this topic with them.
Todd Bradlee, a Bishop resident, spoke to the City of Bishop's public right of way and stated that his complaint is that there are some homes that extend their yard all the way to the street making it difficult to walk by without being forced to walk onto the street. Todd Bradley also requested Council adopt a dark sky ordinance for downtown so we can see the sky at night.
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 Kong announced that there is no reportable action. 11)
PRESENTATIONS
11.A)
PRESENTATION - Retirement of City of Bishop Police Captain Joshua Ellsworth Mayor Kong introduced this item and Council made presentations to Joshua "Josh" Ellsworth to honor his nine and a half years of public service with the City. Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej presented Josh Ellsworth with a City Coin, and Mayor Kong presented Josh Ellsworth with a City Tile. Council, Police Chief Derr, and Police Sergeant Hohenstein thanked Josh Ellsworth for his many years of service at the Bishop Police Department.
Mayor Kong then invited everyone to join them for a five to ten minute break to enjoy some cake to celebrate Josh Ellsworth's retirement and years of service with the City.
Mayor Kong reconvened the meeting at 6:32 p.m.
11.B)
PRESENTATION - Bishop Tourism Improvement District (BTID) Annual Report - Presented by Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Information Center Executive Director Tawni Thomson. 2024-2025 BTID Annual Report
Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Information Center Executive Director Tawni Thomson and Chamber Member Julie Faber who oversees marketing and public relations reviewed their BTID annual report with Council. After answering all of Council's questions, the Council thanked Tawni Thomson and Julie Faber for their report.
11.C)
PRESENTATION - Inyo Mono Advocates for Community Action (IMACA) Annual Report - Presented by IMACA Executive Director Kelly Barceloux.
IMACA Executive Director Kelly Barceloux provided Council with an update on IMACA's funding, grants, and activities. After answering all of Council's questions, Council thanked Kelly Barceloux for her annual report. 12)
PROCLAMATIONS
12.A)
PROCLAMATION - Declaring October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Bishop – To be received by Wild Iris/CASA Executive Director Dominic Hays.
Proclamation Wild Iris DVAM 2025 10 27
Council read the proclamation and Mayor Kong presented the signed proclamation to Wild Iris/CASA Executive Director Dominic Hays.
Dominic Hays thanked Council for the proclamation, briefly spoke to the work that Wild Iris and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate program) is doing and the people they serve, and would appreciate any partnership and support from Council. 13)
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.
13.A)
Fire Department Report - Fire Chief Bret Russell
Fire Department Report - September 2025
13.B)
Police Department Report - Police Chief Nate Derr
Police Department Report - September 2025
13.C)
Public Works Department Report - Public Works Director Nora Gamino Public Works Department Report - September 2025
13.D)
Community Services Department Report - Community Services Manager Daniel McElroy Community Services Department Report - September 2025
13.E)
Planning Department Report - Principal Planner Ana Budnyk Planning Department Report - September 2025
13.F)
City Administrator Report - City Administrator Pam Foster City Administrator Report - September 2025 and October 2025 14)
BISHOP AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INFORMATION CENTER UPDATE
14.A)
Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Information Center Update Report - October 27, 2025 BACCIC October 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.
15)
EASTERN SIERRA TRI-COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS QUARTERLY UPDATE REPORT Interim Fairgrounds Manager Mike
Francesconi
reported on the Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fairgrounds activities, post event wrap-ups, future plans, and shared a handout on their preliminary financials. After Mike Francesconi addressed all of Council's questions, Council thanked Mike Francesconi for his report. 16)
CONSENT CALENDAR
16.A)
City Council Regular Meeting Cancellation Notice
October 13 2025 Regular Meeting - Cancellation Notice
16.B)
August 2025 Budget Report
August 2025 Budget Report
16.C)
August 2025 Financial Reports
August 2025 Bank Reconciliation Report
August 2025 Combined Cash Report
August 2025 Investment Portfolio Report
August 2025 Warrant Register Report
16.D)
Administration Budget Adjustment Request
Cover Page
16.E)
2024-25 Grant in Support Reimbursement Claims Made
Cover Page
16.F)
Granicus Agreement – Three-Year Extension 11/12/2025-11/11/2028 Cover Page
Granicus Agreement 2018-2021
Granicus Proposed Agreement for 11 12 2025 - 11 11 2028
16.G)
New Part Time Parking Enforcement Officer Job Description Parking Enforcement Officer PT
EFA- Parking enforcement
16.H)
Full-time Engineering Technician I/II/III Job Description FT Public Works Engineering Technician I_ II_III
16.I)
Full-Time and Part-Time Salary Schedules - July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026 2025-2026 Part Time Salary Schedule - Parking Enforcement Officer Update 2025-2026 Full Time Salary Schedule-Captain Administrative correction, Engineering Tech I addition
16.J)
S. Warren Street Improvement Project Budget Adjustment Request Cover Page
16.K)
Approval of Task Orders 25-TO-05 (HELIX Environmental Planning) and 25-TO-07 (Lumos & Associates) and Related Budget Adjustment for the East Line Street Bridge Replacement Project Cover Page
25-TO-05 HELIX - Bridge Permitting
25-TO-07 Lumos - Bridge ROW Support
16.L)
Declaration of City-Owned Equipment as Surplus
Cover Page
16.M)
Consideration of Request from Coalition Against Bigger Trucks (CABT) for Letter Opposing Increases in Truck Size and Weight Cover Page
CABT Draft Letter
16.N)
Parks and Recreation Commission Meetings
Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Cancellation Notice - October 22, 2025
16.O)
Planning Commission Meetings
Planning Commission Meeting Cancellation Notice - October 28, 2025 Public Comments were made by:
Michele Hartshorn, a Bishop resident, spoke in regards to Item 16.K - Approval of Task Orders 25-TO-05 (HELIX Environmental Planning) and 25-TO-07 (Lumos & Associates) and Related Budget Adjustment for the East Line Street Bridge Replacement Project. Michele Hartshorn requested that the City address the poor drainage system at the East Line Street Bridge Project area with a culvert or providing proper drainage infrastructure, reconsider the placement of a median on the bridge, and consider placing a speed bump to slow traffic down on the bridge instead with adequate lighting and a flashing speed bump ahead sign prior to commencing work on this project. Michele Hartshorn also asked that since her parcel number was listed on this staff report for a road right of way, she would like to be part of that decision.
No further public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Garcia
Seconded/Councilmember Freundt
Councilmember Garcia 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
17)
NEW BUSINESS
17.A)
Adoption of the 2025–2030 Water and Sewer Capital Improvement Plans Cover Page
Water Projects CIP
Sewer Projects CIP
Public Works Director Gamino reviewed this item with Council.
After answering all of Council's questions, Director Gamino recommended that Council consider approving the Water and Sewer Capital Improvement Plans as presented.
Public comments were made by:
Michele Hartshorn, a Bishop resident, asked for clarification that once water meters are implemented, will consumers start getting a separate water bill and sewer bill? Will consumer payments go towards maintenance and repairs or will some of the funds go towards maintenance and repairs and part of it goes to the General Fund? Does the City have a reserve in place? After Council and staff answered all of Michele Hartshorn's questions, Council recommended viewing the past council meetings which address the water and sewer rate study for more information.
Motion/Councilmember Schwartz
Seconded/Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej
Councilmember Schwartz made a motion to approve the 2025–2030 Water and Sewer Capital Improvement Plans as presented.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Freundt, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej, Mayor Kong Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
17.B)
A-Frame Building (Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center) - Structural Integrity and Site Considerations Cover Page
A Frame Structural Conditions Report
City Administrator Foster reviewed this item with Council Public comments were made by:
Leslie Sasuga, spoke in support of keeping and fixing the A-frame building.
Joyce Walker, a Bishop resident, spoke in support of keeping the A-frame building where it is. Joyce Walker stated the A-frame building is good for the community.
Gayla Wolf, a local resident, spoke in support of keeping the A-frame building where it is. Gayla Wolf stated the A-frame building is historical.
Jennifer Beaudean, a small business owner in town, spoke to the engineering report, questioned the use of Wood Rodgers for the report, and stated that the Chamber's new location will not suit them due to its poor number of parking spaces and the location's lack of community interaction.
Lynette McIntosh, a local resident, spoke in support of saving the A-frame building and to keep it where it is. Lynette McIntosh also mentioned the lack of maintenance of the building, and asked that Council contact Carl Hoescher to get the name of the local engineer mentioned in past public comments.
Noel Gabriel-Guacheno, a Bishop resident, thanked Council for placing the Bishop Visitor Center on the agenda and for looking into cost estimates for repairs. Noel Gabriel-Guacheno then spoke to keeping the Bishop Visitor Center in good repair at its current location.
After much deliberation by Council, Council directed staff to start the process to go to bid for the demolition of the entire structure located at 690 North Main Street. 18)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej, with consensus from Council, asked staff to invite Bridge Housing to come and present their project at a future meeting, to invite the Bishop Union High School Senate to provide a quarterly report to Council and to schedule a special joint meeting with the City Council at the high school once a year, and to revisit the City's curfew law.
Mayor Kong, with consensus from Council, asked staff to invite Wild Iris to a future meeting in order for them to talk about the services they offer, and to share what is new or any other information.
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 adjourned the meeting at 9:28 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, November 10, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. ______________________________________
Karen Kong, Mayor
Attest: ______________________________
Robin Picken, City Clerk