CITY OF BISHOP
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MARCH 9, 2026
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Muchovej 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 Muchovej announced a moment of silence.
3)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by City Administrator Pam Foster. 4)
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Schwartz
Mayor Pro Tem Freundt
Mayor Muchovej
ABSENT:
Councilmember Kong
OTHERS PRESENT: Pam Foster, City Administrator; Robin Picken, City Clerk; Russell A. Hildebrand, Deputy City Attorney; Bret Russell, Fire Chief; Nate Derr, Police Chief; and Daniel McElroy. 5)
PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comments were made.
6)
PROCLAMATIONS
6.A)
Proclamation - Declaring March 2026 as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month in the City of Bishop - Requested by National Multiple Sclerosis Society Ambassador Melinda Livermont.
Proclamation - Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month - March 2026 National Multiple Sclerosis Society Ambassador Melinda "Mel" Livermont, from Bishop, thanked Council for the proclamation and show of support to all those affected by this disease and especially to show support for our local Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients.
Council thanked Mel Livermont for her request and support to our MS patients.
Council read and presented the proclamation to Mel Livermont. 7)
PRESENTATIONS
7.A)
Housing Law Update - Presented by Jones and Mayer Deputy City Attorney Russell Hildebrand.
Presentation - Housing Legislation Update - March 9, 2026 Deputy City Attorney Russell Hildebrand presented Council with a housing law update. After Deputy Attorney Hildebrand answered all of Council's questions, Council thanked Deputy City Attorney Hildebrand for his presentation. 8)
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Reports from the Fire, Police, Community Services, Planning, and Administration Departments were given on each department’s activities including upcoming and ongoing projects.
8.A)
Fire Department Report - Fire Chief Bret Russell
Fire Department Report - February 2026
8.B)
Police Department Report - Police Chief Nate Derr
Crime Trends 2013-2025
Police Department Report - February 2026
8.C)
Community Services Department Report - Community Services Manager Daniel McElroy Community Services Department Report - February 2026
8.D)
Planning Department Report - Principal Planner Ana Budnyk Planning Department - February 2026
8.E)
City Administrator Report - City Administrator Pam Foster City Administrator Report - February 2026
9)
COUNTY OF INYO UPDATE
Second District Supervisor Griffiths provided an update on Inyo County business and activities. 10)
CONSENT CALENDAR
10.A)
January 2026 Budget Report
January 2026 Budget Report
10.B)
January 2026 Financial Reports
January 2026 Bank Reconciliation Report
January 2026 Combined Cash Report
January 2026 Investment Portfolio Report
January 2026 Warrant Register Report
10.C)
General Plan 2025 Annual Progress Report
Cover Page
City of Bishop General Plan 2025 Annual Progress Report
10.D)
Resolution Authorizing Application for and Receipt of Prohousing Incentive Program (PIP) Funds Cover Page
Resolution - PIP Funds 2026 03 09
No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Garcia
Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz
Councilmember Garcia made a motion to approve the consent calendar.
Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Freundt, Mayor Muchovej Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Councilmember Kong
11)
NEW BUSINESS
11.A)
Reject All Bids for the Bishop Park Courts Resurfacing Project Cover Page
Courts Resurfacing Bid Analysis
Community Services Manager McElroy reviewed this item with Council.
No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Schwartz
Seconded/Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Schwartz made a motion to reject all bids for the Bishop Park Courts Resurfacing Project and to authorize the Community Services Manager to rebid the Bishop Park Courts Resurfacing Project.
Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Freundt, Mayor Muchovej Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Councilmember Kong
12)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
No requests for future agenda items 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 7:13 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, March 23, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting in the City Council Chambers. ______________________________________
Stephen Muchovej, Mayor
Attest: ______________________________
Alison Bishop, City Clerk