CITY OF BISHOP
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
DECEMBER 8, 2025
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Kong called the meeting of the Bishop City Council to order at 6:04 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 Freundt. 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
Mayor Kong announced that she will allow up to two minutes, not three minutes, of public comments to be made by an individual tonight in order to give time for everyone to be heard due to the large number of people requesting to make a public comment at this meeting.
Public comments were made by:
Michele Dossey spoke in support of the proposed Elms Motel Bridge Housing Project.
Larry Pace, a resident of Bishop and United Methodist Church Board Member and Chair, spoke in support of the Elms Motel Bridge Housing Project.
Aaron Schat, a local resident and business owner, spoke against the Elms Motel Bridge Housing Project.
Virginia Figueroa, a local resident and school board member, spoke in favor of transitional housing.
Cam Smith spoke in support of saving the last two tennis courts located at the Bishop City Park.
Tim Pomykata, a Bishop resident, spoke to his concerns on how to deal with those in the housing program that are not successful; and hopes the Elms Motel Bridge Housing Project consultants Kings View can address his concerns.
Steven Harner, a Bishop resident, spoke to addicts and outreach programs, and spoke against the proposed Elms Motel Bridge Housing Project.
Michele Fitzer, of Options Pregnancy Resources, identified a social media posting made on November 18, 2025 by Council Member Stephen Muchovej that their organization found false, inflammatory, and deeply harmful and asked that Stephen Muchovej publicly retract this statement and asked this Council to reaffirm its commitment to the standards of conduct it has set for itself.
Tracy Mills, a Bishop resident who lives next door to the Wellness Center in Bishop, spoke against the proposed Elms Motel Bridge Housing Project.
Noel Gabriel-Guacheño spoke in support of maintaining and repairing the Bishop Visitor Center, questioned consultant Wood Rogers cost expenditures, and asked for transparency.
Shaleann Cluff, a Bishop resident, spoke against the Elms Motel Bridge Housing Project and the proposed location.
Tony Lewis, a Bishop resident, spoke against the Elms Motel Bridge Housing Project.
Barrie Potter, a Bishop resident, spoke against the proposed location of the Elms Motel Bridge Housing Project and asked the County to find another location.
Masha Bluestein, a Bishop resident, spoke to mental illness, how she feels safe living next to the Progress House, and that the Progress House is a good neighbor and saves lives.
Michele Hartshorn, a Bishop resident, spoke to her concerns in the location of the proposed bridge housing/Elms hotel project; and requested that this project not be placed in a residential setting.
Kevin O'Hara, a Bishop resident who lives directly next to the proposed Elms Motel Bridge Housing Project, spoke against this project and does not agree with the proposed location.
Keith Jackson, a Bishop resident, spoke against the proposed Elms Motel Bridge Housing Project to be placed in any neighborhood in Bishop.
Lynette McIntosh, a local resident, spoke to the rumors she made public comments on regarding the A-frame building at a past City Council meeting; and expressed her concerns relating to the proposed Elms Motel Bridge Housing Project and how it should not be placed in a residential area.
Cindy Henderson expressed her concerns in the proposed location of the Elms Motel Bridge Housing Project and stated that this housing project not be placed in a residential neighborhood with families.
Andrew Clark of Bishop, California, extended his appreciation to the County of Inyo for giving a presentation on this project; and he spoke to his concern on the stated success rate, safety, and to hold more properly public noticed meetings.
Kristina Justice of Nye County, Nevada, spoke in regards to keeping the Chamber of Commerce at its current location and asked the Council to reconsider keeping it at its current location on Main Street.
Halie Vickers, a Bishop resident and nurse at the Rural Health Clinic, spoke in support of transitional bridge housing, however expressed a strong opposition of the proposed residential location.
Mark Harrison, a Bishop resident and an Eastern Sierra Pastor's Association representative, recited a prayer.
Steve Peck, a local resident and former CEO of U.S. Vets which provides housing and services for homeless veterans, spoke in favor of transitional housing.
Gayla Wolf, a local resident, spoke in support of keeping the Chamber of Commerce A-frame building where it is.
Cindy Wahrenbrock, a Bishop resident, spoke in opposition of the location of the proposed Elms Motel Bridge Housing Project; and spoke in support of keeping the A-frame.
Jim Rossini, a Bishop resident, spoke on behalf of several others from the tennis community present tonight to appeal the decision made by the Parks and Recreation Commission relating to changes to the pickleball and tennis courts located at the Bishop City Park; and asked that City Council place this item for discussion on the next City Council meeting agenda.
Henry Canalis, who works in healthcare in San Jose, bought a home next to the proposed Elms Motel Bridge Housing Project location and spoke strongly in opposition of the proposed Elms Motel Bridge Housing Project location.
No further public comments were made.
6)
PRESENTATIONS
6.A)
2025 Employee Service Awards - Council will recognize Bishop Police Department Sergeant Brian Hohenstein for 10 years of service. 2025 Service Awardee - Brian Hohenstein
Council and Police Chief Derr recognized Sergeant Brian Hohenstein for 10 years of service with the Police Department.
6.B)
Bishop Union High School Student Senate Update - Presented by Bishop Union High School Student Representatives.
Bishop Union High School Student Senate Representatives Cuinn Greene and Amaya Hays provided Council with information on Student Senate events, projects, and a recent mental health survey taken by high school students. The Student Senate representatives also shared a list of items that the student's would like to see Council's support in bringing more youth activities and facilities to our community.
6.C)
A Presentation on the Elms Motel Bridge Housing Project - Presented by County of Inyo Health and Human Services Director Anna Scott, and Artemisa Valdez, Beverly Raine, and Marilyn Sliney from Kings View.
Presentation - Elms Motel Bridge Housing Project
Council received a presentation from County of Inyo Health and Human Services Director Anna Scott, and from Kings View (Elms Motel Bridge Housing Project Consultants) Artemisa Valdez, Beverly Raine, and Marilyn Sliney.
Inyo County Chief Probation Officer Jeff Thomson provided a statement in support of the Bridge Housing Project stating that the people are already here, are currently our neighbors, and follow the rules.
Inyo County Board of Supervisor Jeff Griffiths provided a statement that clarified that the City of Bishop has always been invited to participate in the Continuum of Care meetings hosted by the County of Inyo for over 10 years now; and that there has never been an exclusion of city representatives to participate in these meetings.
After Anna Scott and Kings View consultants answered all of Council's questions, the Council expressed their concerns relating to this project and asked that they look at other locations for this project. 7)
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
7.A)
Fire Department Report - Fire Chief Bret Russell
Fire Department Report - November 2025
7.B)
Police Department Report - Police Chief Nate Derr
Police Department Report - November 2025
7.C)
Public Works Department Report - Public Works Director Nora Gamino Public Works Department Report - November 2025
7.D)
Community Services Department Report - Community Services Manager Daniel McElroy Community Services Department Report - November 2025
7.E)
Planning Department Report - Principal Planner Ana Budnyk Planning Department Report - November 2025
7.F)
City Administrator Report - City Administrator Pam Foster City Administrator Report - November 2025
Written reports from the Fire, Police, Public Works, Community Services, Planning, and Administration Departments were provided to Council as part of their agenda packet. There were no further questions regarding their submitted reports from Council.
Mayor Kong announced that the Council will take a brief five minute break and will reconvene at 8:42 p.m.
Mayor Kong reconvened the meeting at 8:44 p.m.
8)
COUNTY OF INYO UPDATE
Second District Supervisor Griffiths provided an update on Inyo County's Special Elections on Proposition 50, the search for a County Administrative Officer, and other County business and activities. 9)
CONSENT CALENDAR
9.A)
October 2025 Budget Report
October 2025 Budget Report
9.B)
October 2025 Financial Reports
October 2025 Bank Reconciliation Report
October 2025 Combined Cash Report
October 2025 Investment Portfolio Report
October 2025 Warrant Register Report
9.C)
2026 City of Bishop City Council, Planning Commission, and Parks and Recreation Commission Meetings 2026 COUNCIL & COMMISSION MEETINGS
9.D)
ORDINANCE - Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Relating to Establishing an Industrial Waste Discharge Program Cover Page
Ordinance No. XXX Update to Title 13 Water and Sewer Ordinance
9.E)
Capital Equipment Replacement - Public Works Utility Truck Cover Page
Bid Analysis
Capital Ford Quote
Enterprise Quote
Diamond Ford Quote
9.F)
Task Order 25-TO-08 Field 6 and Budget Adjustment - Community Services Department Cover Page
25-TO-08 Wood Rodgers - Field 6 Design
9.G)
Task Order 25-TO-09 Park Master Plan and Budget Adjustment - Community Services Cover Page
25-TO-09 Parks Master Plan
9.H)
Grant Closeout – CDBG CV1-0083 (City of Bishop / Bishop Fire Department PPE Storage Project) Cover Page
LMA Documentation - Bishop CV1-00083
Combined Closeout Package fillable_508
9.I)
Professional Service Agreement Between the City of Bishop and Inyo Council for the Arts Cover Page
Professional Service Agreement Between the City of Bishop and Inyo Council for the Arts No public comments were made.
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej made comments to clarify to the public what it means to do a Parks Master Plan.
Motion/Councilmember Schwartz
Seconded/Councilmember Garcia
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
Mayor Kong announced that both Pete Watercott and Sharon Freilich of Inyo Council for the Arts (ICA) were unable to stay for this part of the meeting and expressed their appreciation for the Council's consideration to approve their current agreement on the Consent Calendar and wanted to thank Council for their past and future support. 10)
PUBLIC HEARING AND ACTION
10.A)
Public Hearing and Adoption of a Resolution Establishing Fees and Charges for Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permits Cover Page
Resolution - WDP Fees
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING - WDP FEES AND CHARGES
Mayor Kong introduced this item and opened the public hearing. No public comments were made. Mayor Kong closed the public hearing.
Public Works Director Gamino reviewed this item with Council.
Motion/Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej
Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej made a motion to adopt the proposed resolution establishing fees and charges associated with administering the Industrial Waste Discharge Program pursuant to Bishop Municipal Code Chapter 13.14 by title only.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BISHOP, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING FEES AND CHARGES FOR INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER DISCHARGE PERMITS Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Freundt, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej, Mayor Kong Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
11)
NEW BUSINESS
11.A)
ORDINANCE - First Reading and Introduction of an Ordinance Adding Chapter 5.34 to the Bishop Municipal Code Relating to Mobile Businesses Cover Page
Ordinance No. XXX Update to Title 5 Mobile Businesses
Principal Planner Budnyk reviewed this item with Council.
After further discussion by Council regarding amplified sound referenced in the proposed ordinance, they came to a consensus to remove Section N - Amplified sounds from the proposed ordinance.
Motion/Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej
Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej made a motion to approve the first reading and introduction of an ordinance adding Chapter 5.34 to the Bishop Municipal Code relating to mobile businesses with the removal of Section N by title only.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BISHOP, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 5 OF THE CITY OF BISHOP CODE OF ORDINANCES, ADDING CHAPTER 5.34 RELATING TO MOBILE BUSINESSES Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Freundt, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej, Mayor Kong Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
11.B)
Final Water and Sewer Rate Design and Proposition 218 Authorization Cover Page
Water & Sewer Rate Structure Presentation
Bishop Prop 218 Notice DRAFT
Lechowicz and Tseng Municipal Consultants Alison Lechowicz reviewed this item with Council.
No public comments were made.
After this item was deliberated by Council and hearing from Finance Director Aukee who spoke to best practices related to creating an interfund loan from the General Fund, a motion was made.
Motion/Councilmember Schwartz
Seconded/Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej
Councilmember Schwartz made a motion to approve the preferred rate design option combination so the final Rate Study Report can be published with the Proposition 218 notice with selection and recommended Water Option B and Sewer Option A; and directed staff to host a public outreach meeting prior to the Proposition 218 hearing; and directed staff to develop proposed terms for an interfund loan from the General Fund to the Water Fund to finance the West Line Water Main Replacement Project; and directed staff to explore alternative fund options between general fund and enterprise fund; and directed staff to develop and bring back a hardship rate program for Council's consideration.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Freundt, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej, Mayor Kong Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
11.C)
Recommended List of Grant in Support Awards for FY 2025-26 Cover Page
Recommended List of Grant in Support Awards for FY 2025-26 Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej recused himself from this item since he is a board member on one of these organizations and left the Council Chambers at 9:41 p.m.
Finance Director Aukee reviewed this item with Council.
Councilmember Schwartz requested that staff do further outreach and advertising of our Grants in Support application to a broader base of non-profits.
Public comments were made by:
Tyler Beadle, a Bishop resident, spoke to his concerns on how the Grant in Support funds are managed and agreed with Councilmember Schwartz's comments on having more non-profits apply for funding.
No further public comments were made.
Council and Finance Director Aukee responded to Tyler Beadle's concerns on how the Grants in Support program is managed and audited.
Motion/Councilmember Garcia
Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz
Councilmember Garcia made a motion to approve the grants in support as recommended by the Grant in Support Ad Hoc Committee.
Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Freundt, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Kong Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej returned to the Council Chambers at 9:50 p.m.
11.D)
Planning Commission - City Council Screening Committee Appointments Cover Page
Public Notice_Planning Commission Vacancy
City Clerk Picken reviewed this item with Council.
No public comments were made.
Motion/Mayor Kong
Seconded/Councilmember Freundt
Mayor Kong made a motion to approve the Mayor's appointment of two council members, Mayor Kong and Councilmember Freundt, to sit on the screening committee to fill the scheduled vacancy on the Planning Commission with a term ending on January 24, 2030.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Freundt, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej, Mayor Kong Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
11.E)
Call for Selection of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem
Cover Page
City Clerk Picken reviewed this item of Reorganization with Council.
Mayor Kong turned the meeting over to City Administrator Foster to conduct the election for Mayor, and the newly-elected Mayor will conducted the election for Mayor Pro Tem.
City Administrator Foster called for the election of Mayor and opened the nominations.
Councilmember Freundt nominated Stephen Muchovej for Mayor. Mayor Kong seconded. No further nominations were made. No public comments were made.
City Administrator Foster asked for a motion to close the nominations.
Motion/Mayor Kong Seconded/Councilmember Garcia Mayor Kong made a motion to close the nominations.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmembers Freundt, Garcia, Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej, and Mayor Kong Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
City Administrator Foster called for a motion to elect the Mayor for the City of Bishop.
Motion/Councilmember Jose Garcia Seconded/Mayor Kong Councilmember Garcia made a motion to elect Stephen Muchovej as the Mayor for the City of Bishop.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmembers Freundt, Garcia, Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Muchovej, and Mayor Kong Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Newly elected Mayor Muchovej thanked Karen Kong for her service as Mayor and presented her with a gavel, that reads as follows, in honor of her past service as Mayor.
KAREN M. KONG
MAYOR
CITY OF BISHOP
12/9/2024 - 12/8/2025
Mayor Muchovej called for the election of Mayor Pro Tem and opened the nominations. Councilmember Schwartz nominated Dennis Freundt for Mayor Pro Tem. No further nominations were made. No public comments were made.
Mayor Muchovej asked for a motion to close the nominations.
Motion/Councilmember Garcia Seconded/Councilmember Kong Councilmember Garcia made a motion to close the nominations.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmembers Freundt, Garcia, Schwartz, Kong, and Mayor Muchovej Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Mayor Muchovej called for a motion to elect the Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Bishop.
Motion/Mayor Muchovej Seconded/Councilmember Kong Mayor Muchovej made a motion to elect Dennis Freundt as Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Bishop.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmembers Freundt, Garcia, Schwartz, Kong, and Mayor Muchovej Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
11.F)
Discuss Mayoral Committee and Agency Appointments
For Council Review - 2025 Council Committee & Agency Appointments City Clerk Picken reviewed this item with Council.
Mayor Muchovej reviewed the 2025 Bishop City Council Committee and Agency Assignments with the council members and the following changes were requested for 2026:
Bishop Fire Department Ad Hoc Committee Members: Councilmember Kong and Councilmember Garcia; Alternate: Mayor Pro Tem Freundt City/County Liaison Committee Members: Mayor Muchovej and Councilmember Kong; Alternate: Mayor Pro Tem Freundt Eastern Sierra Council of Governments Joint Powers Authority Members: Councilmember Schwartz and Councilmember Kong; Alternate: Councilmember Garcia All other committee and agency assignments will remain unchanged.
Motion/Councilmember Garcia Seconded/Mayor Pro Tem Freundt Councilmember Garcia made a motion to make the requested changes to the 2025 Bishop City Council Committee and Agency Assignments for 2026.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Freundt, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Muchovej, and Councilmember Kong Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
12)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Pro Tem Freundt, with consensus from Council, asked to bring back a discussion on how the City can assist and/or support our youth at risk when it comes to mental health challenges. Council agreed this could be discussed further at the Council's strategic planning meeting.
During Item 13. Council and Committee Reports, Councilmember Schwartz requested that a discussion on pickleball and tennis courts be placed on the next Council agenda. After a brief discussion, Council came to a consensus to bring a discussion on the pickleball and tennis courts prior to any discussion or action taken on the Parks and Recreation Commission's request for the striping of the upper courts for pickleball.
No further requests were made by Council.
13)
COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Members reported on meetings and community events that they attended. 14)
ADJOURNMENT
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 10:12 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, January 12, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. ______________________________________
Stephen Muchovej, Mayor
Attest: ______________________________
Robin Picken, City Clerk