CITY OF BISHOP
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MARCH 23, 2026
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tem Freundt 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 Pro Tem Freundt announced a moment of silence.
3)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Pro Tem Freundt. 4)
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Kong
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Schwartz
Mayor Pro Tem Freundt
ABSENT:
Mayor Muchovej
OTHERS PRESENT: Pam Foster, City Administrator; Jessica Ortiz, Administrative Support Assistant; Dean J. Pucci, City Attorney; Ethan Aukee, Finance Director; Bret Russell, Fire Chief; Nate Derr, Police Chief; Gary Milici, Public Works Superintendent; and Daniel McElroy, Community Services Manager.
City Attorney Pucci announced a requested agenda modification.
Staff asked for an urgency/emergency addition of an agenda item to this meeting's agenda. That item is the addition of a closed session matter. The matter came to the attention of the City following the posting of the agenda. There indeed exists a need for the Council's attention to the matter or action on the matter pursuant to the Government Code and the Brown Act. A formal vote of the Council at this meeting, having one missing council member, would require a unanimous vote to add that item on this meeting's agenda. That specific request is to add a closed session item at the end of this meeting's regular session pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) Initiation of Litigation - one case.
City Attorney Pucci asked Council for a motion and a second to add this closed session item finding on representation of staff and urgent need exists for the Council's consideration for action of an item that came to the City's attention following the posting of this meeting's agenda.
Motion/Councilmember Garcia
Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz
Councilmember Garcia made a motion to approve adding this closed session item finding on representation of staff and urgent need exists for the Council's consideration for action of an item that came to the City's attention following the posting of this meeting's agenda.
Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Freundt Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Mayor Muchovej
City Attorney Pucci added for the record a procedural note that public comment on the newly added closed session item will occur prior to the Council convening closed session and any required reporting out will occur following back in Council Chambers. 5)
PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comments were made.
6)
PRESENTATIONS
6. PRESENTATION – California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) Projects Update – Presented by Caltrans District 9 Acting Chief PIO Monique TeSam Caltrans Presentation - Bishop Area Infrastructure Projects.pdf Caltrans Chief PIO Monique Tesam and Design Manager Kyle Greenhall provided Council with local project updates, including the Bishop Pavement project which will work on improving safety, accessibility and mobility, and ultimately comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Tesam discussed the upcoming lane and street projects scheduled to occur throughout town. She discussed the Wye Road roundabout project expected to begin late Summer 2026.
Monique Tesam and Kyle Greenhall responded to the concerns expressed by Council. 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. 8)
BISHOP AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INFORMATION CENTER UPDATE
8.A)
Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Information Center Update Report - March 23, 2026 BACCIC Report - March 23, 2026.pdf
Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Information Center Executive Director Tawni Thomson reported on findings at travel shows, provided updates on spring activities and upcoming events.
After answering all of Council's questions, the Council thanked Tawni Thomson for her report. 9)
CONSENT CALENDAR
9.A)
February 2026 Budget Report
February 2026 Budget Report
9.B)
February 2026 Financial Reports
February 2026 Bank Reconciliation Report
February 2026 Combined Cash Report
February 2026 Investment Portfolio Report
February 2026 Warrant Register Report
9.C)
Task Order Amendment 3 for the West Line Water Main Replacement Project Cover Page
23-TO-03 Amendment 3
Garcia has a question regarding item 9. C.) Amendment needed to be added to add quality control. Foster added to task order No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Schwartz
Seconded/Councilmember Kong
Councilmember Schwartz made a motion to approve the consent calendar.
Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Freundt Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Mayor Muchovej
10)
NEW BUSINESS
10.A)
Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 13 of the Bishop Municipal Code Relating to the Utility Assistance Program Cover Page
Ordinance Amending Sections 13.04.091 and 13.08.061 of the Bishop Municipal Code Relating to the Utility Assistance Program Finance Director Aukee reviewed this item with Council.
No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Kong
Seconded/Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Kong made a motion to approve the first reading and introduction of an ordinance amending Chapter 13 of the Bishop Municipal Code relating to the City's Utility Assistance 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, RELATING TO WATER AND SEWER SERVICE Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Freundt Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Mayor Muchovej
10.B)
Award of Construction Contract, Approval of Interfund Loan, and Budget Adjustment for the West Line Street Water Main Project (Contract No. 26-PW-01) Cover Page
Resolution Approving Interfund Loan from General Fund to Water Fund for the West Line Street Water Main Project Interfund Loan Amortization Schedule
AGREEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION SERVICES_West Line Water
Public Works Superintendent Milici reviewed this item with Council.
No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Garcia
Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz
Councilmember Garcia made a motion to adopt a resolution approving an interfund loan from the General Fund to the Water Fund for the West Line Street Water Main Project, approve a budget adjustment to the Water Fund capital expense account, award a construction contract to DG Construction, Inc. (Contract No. 26-PW-01) in the amount of $2,313,710.00, authorize the City Administrator to execute the contract documents, and authorize an owner-controlled construction contingency of $115,685.00 for a total project authorization of $2,429,395.00.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BISHOP, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AN INTERFUND LOAN FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE WATER FUND FOR THE WEST LINE STREET WATER MAIN PROJECT Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Freundt Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Mayor Muchovej
11)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
No requests were made for future agendas items.
12)
COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Members reported on meetings and community events that they attended. 13)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pro Tem Freundt adjourned the meeting at 7:08 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, April 13, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Mayor Pro Tem Freundt then asked for any public comment on the newly added closed session item. 14)
PUBLIC COMMENT PRIOR TO CLOSED SESSION
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: This time is set aside to receive public comment on matters agendized for closed session only. When recognized by the Mayor Pro Tem, please state your name, and address for the record and please limit your comments to three minutes. Under California law the City Council is prohibited from generally discussing or taking action on items not included in the agenda; however, the City Council may briefly respond to comments or questions from members of the public. Therefore, the City Council will listen to all public comment but will not generally discuss the matter or take action on it.
No public comments were made.
15)
CLOSED SESSION
15.A) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) - Initiation of Litigation - one case.
Closed Session began at 7:09 p.m. Closed Session ended at 7:27 p.m. 16)
REPORT ON ACTIONS TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION AS REQUIRED BY LAW City Attorney Pucci announced that no action was taken in closed session.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, April 13, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting in the City Council Chambers. ______________________________________
Stephen Muchovej, Mayor
Attest: ______________________________
Alison Bishop, City Clerk