CITY OF BISHOP
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
NOVEMBER 10, 2025
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Kong called the meeting of the Bishop City Council to order at 6:01 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 Kong.
4)
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; Ethan Aukee, Finance Director; Bret Russell, Fire Chief; Nate Derr, Police Chief; Nora Gamino, Public Works Director; Anastasiia Budnyk, Principal Planner; and Daniel McElroy, Community Services Manager 5)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comments were made by:
Lynette McIntosh, a local resident, spoke to rumors heard, the A-frame's history, and expressed her disappointment that the Council did not take action to save the A-frame.
Noel Gabriel-Guacheno, a Bishop resident, addressed comments made about the Bishop Visitors Center at the last City Council meeting and concluded that the City Council has ignored the wishes of the people they represent.
No further public comments were made.
6)
PRESENTATIONS
6.A)
PRESENTATION - Former Planning Commissioner Andrew Gaidus Cover Page
Mayor Kong introduced this item and presented former Planning Commissioner Andrew Gaidus with a City Tile from the Bishop City Council.
Andrew Gaidus thanked City Staff and the City Council for the opportunity to have served on the Planning Commission and briefly before that on the Water and Sewer Commission and hopes to serve the City and its residents again.
Council thanked Andrew and his wife Celeste for stepping into public service immediately after moving to Bishop, and expressed their appreciation for his service.
At 6:11 p.m. Mayor Kong announced a short five to seven minute break for everyone to enjoy some cake in recognition of Andrew Gaidus' service.
Mayor Kong reconvened the meeting at 6:22 p.m.
6.B)
PRESENTATION - High Sierra Energy Foundation (HSEF) 20th Anniversary Celebration - Presented by HSEF Executive Director Pam Bold.
High Sierra Energy Foundation - Celebrating 20 Years Presentation High Sierra Energy Foundation Executive Director Pam Bold reviewed her presentation with Council.
After answering all of Council's questions, Council thanked Pam Bold for her presentation.
6.C)
PRESENTATION – California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) Projects Update – Presented by Caltrans District 9 Public Information Office Chief Chris Andriessen.
Caltrans D9 Bishop City Council 11-10-25 Presentation
Caltrans District 9 Chief Public Information Officer Chris Andriessen reviewed his presentation with Council.
After answering all of Council's questions, Council thanked Chris Andriessen for his presentation. 7)
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Reports from the Fire, Police, Public Works, Community Services, Planning, and Administration Departments were given on each department’s activities including upcoming and ongoing projects.
7.A)
Fire Department Report - Fire Chief Bret Russell
Fire Department Report - October 2025
Fire Chief Russell reported to Council on Assistant Fire Chief Pat O'Neil's memorial services starting at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 14, 2025 at the First Presbyterian Church, introduced the Fire Explorer program by Hector Martinez, thanked Council for the special joint meeting with the Bishop Rural Fire Protection District today, provided a summary of the structure fire on November 1, 2025, made an inquiry in scheduling a Council Training Night, and reported a total of 35 calls for last month.
7.B)
Police Department Report - Police Chief Nate Derr
Police Department Report - October 2025
Police Chief Derr reported to Council on their department's statistical report, the Police Department's current staffing efforts, staff training and development, and the launching of Sharp Performance Coaching for law enforcement.
7.C)
Public Works Department Report - Public Works Director Nora Gamino Public Works Department Report - October 2025
Public Works Director Gamino reported to Council on the start of their fall sweeping program and announced a new sweeping schedule. Public Works Director Gamino also reminded people not to push their leaves from their yards onto the streets. Public Works Director Gamino also provided Council with an update on the Brookside Water Consolidation Project.
7.D)
Community Services Department Report - Community Services Manager Daniel McElroy Community Services Department Report - October 2025
Community Services Manager McElroy reported to Council on the start of their annual leaf harvest, the start of holiday decorations being hung, the Street of Lights event is scheduled for December 6, 2025, high school soccer will begin on Field 1, and there will be a Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to be held at 6:00 p.m. on November 19, 2025 in the City Council Chambers to discuss items such as striping for our tennis and pickleball courts, appropriate signage for racket sports at our courts, and direction for the court resurfacing project.
7.E)
Planning Department Report - Principal Planner Ana Budnyk Planning Department Report - October 2025
Principal Planner Budnyk reported to Council on her work on making Municipal Code updates, Specific Plan updates, a Design Guideline Ordinance, an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance, and results on the Parking Survey.
7.F)
City Administrator Report - City Administrator Pam Foster City Administrator Report - October 2025
City Administrator Foster reported to Council on the relocation of the tree lighting to Talmage Park this year, announced this year's Christmas parade and Night of Lights event, reported on improvements made to several facilities located at the City Park under the supervision of Parks Supervisor Cleland, the revitalization of the City's logo project with local artist Keri Davis, reported on several meetings with Inyo County Health and Human Services Director Anna Scott to discuss Emergency Medical Services (EMS) with the hope that the County will have their RFP out in the next week or so, and to discuss the Elms Motel Bridge Housing Project with a presentation scheduled for Council's December 8, 2025 meeting. City Administrator Foster also reported on meetings and conversations with the Bishop Rural Fire Protection District, a meeting with the Bishop Union High School Student Senate, and reported that representatives of the Student Senate will be attending the Council meeting on December 8, 2025 to share what things they are doing. 8)
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Kong announced that Item 8.H - Capital Equipment Replacement - Public Works Utility Truck is being pulled from the Consent Calendar.
8.A)
City Council Meeting Minutes
Minutes 2025 08 11
Minutes 2025 08 25
Minutes 2025 09 08
Minutes 2025 09 09 - Special Meeting
Minutes 2025 09 22
Minutes 2025 10 27
8.B)
Cancellation of November 24, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Cover Page
8.C)
September 2025 Budget Report
September 2025 Budget Report
8.D)
September 2025 Financial Reports
September 2025 Bank Reconciliation Report
September 2025 Combined Cash Report
September 2025 Investment Portfolio Report
September 2025 Warrant Register Report
8.E)
Proposition 4 Calculations Report, Gann Appropriations Limit Cover Page
City of Bishop Proposition 4 Calculations for June 30, 2025
8.F)
Final Reports from the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Grant in Support Program Cover Page
Bishop Area Climber’s Coalition Final Report
Bishop Little League Final Report
Bishop Museum and Historical Society Final Report
C5 Final Report
Calvary Baptist Church Final Report
Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center Final Report
Eastern Sierra Land Trust Final Report
Eastside Student Center Final Report (1)
Eastside Student Center Final Report (2)
Friends of the Inyo Final Report
Playhouse 395 Final Report
Sacred Rok Final Report
Sierra Roller Hockey League Final Report
8.G)
Approval to Purchase Vehicle for Parking Enforcement Officer – Not to Exceed $50,000 Cover Page
Toyota of Clovis Retail Pricing
Capistrano Valley Toyota Retail Pricing
Perry Motors Retail Pricing
8.H)
Capital Equipment Replacement - Public Works Utility Truck Cover Page
Bid Analysis
Capital Ford Quote
Diamond Ford Quote
Enterprise Quote
No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Schwartz
Seconded/Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej
Councilmember Schwartz made a motion to approve the consent calendar without Item 8.H Capital Equipment Replacement - Public Works Utility Truck.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Freundt, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej, Mayor Kong Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
9)
NEW BUSINESS
9.A)
Workshop #3: Presentation and Discussion on the Key Findings from the Regional Housing Needs Study.
Cover Page
Housing Needs Study Workshop 3 - Bishop
Principal Planner Budnyk reviewed this item with Council and introduced Aaron Nousaine of BAE Urban Economics.
Aaron Nousaine provided Council with a presentation on the City's housing needs study for the Eastern Sierra.
After answering all of Council's questions, Council thanked Aaron Nousaine for his presentation.
9.B)
2024-2025 Audited Financial Statements
Cover Page
Audited Financial Statements for Fiscal Year 2024-2025
Finance Director’s Report for Fiscal Year 2024-2025
Finance Director Aukee reviewed this item with Council.
After answering all of Council's questions, Council thanked Finance Director Aukee for all of his work.
No public comments were made.
Motion/Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej
Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej made a motion to approve and accept the City of Bishop's audited financial statements for fiscal year 2024-2025.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Freundt, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej, Mayor Kong Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
9.C)
ORDINANCE - First Reading and Introduction of an Ordinance Relating to Establishing an Industrial Waste Discharge Permit Program Cover Page
Ordinance - Relating to Establishing an Industrial Waste Discharge Permit Program Public Works Director Gamino reviewed this item with Council.
No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Schwartz
Seconded/Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Schwartz made a motion to approve the first reading and introduction of the proposed ordinance adding Chapter 13.14 to the Bishop Municipal Code to establish an Industrial Waste Discharge Permit (WDP) Program 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, Adding Chapter 13.14 Relating to Water and Sewer Service Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Freundt, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej, Mayor Kong Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
10)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Kong asked for a report on where we are with the Silver Peaks project. Principal Planner Budnyk stated that the City made it to the finals and we will hear more this month.
No further requests were made for future agendas items. 11)
COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Members reported on meetings and community events that they attended. 12)
ADJOURNMENT
The Mayor announced that there will be no quorum and no meeting on Monday, November 24, 2025.
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:49 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, December 8, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. ______________________________________
Karen Kong, Mayor
Attest: ______________________________
Robin Picken, City Clerk