CITY OF BISHOP
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
APRIL 13, 2026
1)
CALL TO ORDER - 6:00 p.m. Monday, April 13, 2026
Mayor Muchovej called the meeting of the Bishop City Council to order at 6:03 p.m. in the Bishop Union High School Carl Lind Board Room, 301 North Fowler 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 Bishop Union High School Student Senate Chair Teagan Orr. 4)
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Kong
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Schwartz
Mayor Muchovej
ABSENT:
Mayor Pro Tem Freundt
OTHERS PRESENT: Pam Foster, City Administrator; Robin Picken, City Clerk; Dean J. Pucci, City Attorney; Ethan Aukee, Finance Director; Adam Marcellin, Deputy Fire Chief; Nate Derr, Police Chief; Anastasiia Budnyk, Principal Planner; and Daniel McElroy, Community Services Manager. 5)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Muchovej announced that the Council does not receive public comment on presentations listed on their agenda. Therefore, if someone from the pubic would like to speak to a presentation on the agenda, please come up during regular public comment.
Public comments were made by:
Lynne Almeida, a Bishop resident and business owner, spoke against the proposed removal of parking along Main Street (Highway 395).
Elaine Kabala, a local resident, spoke in opposition of Caltrans' proposal to remove on-street parking on the southern end of Main Street.
Lynette McIntosh, a local resident and past Bishop business owner, spoke in opposition of Caltrans' proposal to red curb Main Street.
Robin Bolser, a local resident and Bishop business owner, spoke in opposition of Caltrans' removal of parking on Main Street.
Tawni Thomson, a local resident and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, spoke in opposition of Caltrans' proposal to remove on-street parking on the southern end of Main Street.
Stan Smith, a Bishop business owner, spoke in opposition of Caltrans' proposal to remove on-street parking on the southern end of Main Street and asked Council to create a Task Force to address this issue and to come up with a solution.
Mike Birkhimer, a Bishop business owner, spoke in opposition of Caltrans' proposal to remove parking on Main Street and spoke to the unsafe proposal of additional bike lanes.
Randy Gillespie, a Bishop business owner, spoke in opposition of Caltrans' proposal to remove parking on Main Street.
Aaron Jahn, a Bishop business owner, shared how the proposed Caltrans' project would have a minimal affect to his business, but it is the other local businesses in the area that are already having customer parking issues without taking the parking off of Main Street. Aaron Jahn also mentioned that there are minimal bicyclists to be seen in this proposed project area.
Chris Taylor, spoke against Caltrans' proposal to remove parking on Main Street.
Cam Lemons, a local resident, offered a prayer for the community and recited a prayer.
Joe Pollini, a local resident, suggested that in the future the public should be provided access to view a project's CEQA document in order to review a proposed project in its entirety to avoid unanswered questions.
A new resident of Bishop spoke to her experience of never having a problem finding parking here in Bishop and that she would support the city in developing a good bike system where it works.
A Bishop resident and avid bicyclist spoke in support of developing a good bike infrastructure with bike lanes to help connect people to places in town. He does not like to bike on Main Street since he feels uncomfortable and unsafe next to the large trucks.
Jeff Griffiths, speaking as a local resident, expressed his feelings that if you remove parking on Main Street, vehicles will drive faster. He also stated that he is in support of bicycling and bicycling infrastructure, just not on Main Street.
No further public comments were made.
6)
PRESENTATIONS
6.A)
PRESENTATION – California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) Bishop Pavement Project Update – Presented by Caltrans District 9 Project Manager Jeremy Miloš Caltrans Bishop Pavement Project - "No Parking Zones" Map Caltrans District 9 Project Manager Jeremy Milos provided Council with an update on the Caltrans Bishop Pavement Project and acknowledged everyone's comments and feedback.
After Jeremy Milos addressed all of Council's questions, the Council requested that Caltrans reach out to them before this project is finalized and thanked him for his presentation.
6.B)
PRESENTATION - Bishop Union High School Student Senate Report - Presented by Bishop Union High School Student Representatives.
The Bishop Union High School Student Senate Chair Teagan Orr and Vice Chair Cuinn Green provided Council with a report on their events and activities.
Council thanked Student Senate Chair Teagan Orr and Vice Chair Cuinn Green for their report and are looking forward to hearing from the Student Senate again at a future meeting. 7)
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.
7.A)
Fire Department Report - Fire Chief Bret Russell
Fire Department Report - March 2026
7.B)
Police Department Report - Police Chief Nate Derr
Police Department Report - March 2026
7.C)
Community Services Department Report - Community Services Manager Daniel McElroy Community Services Department Report - March 2026
7.D)
Planning Department Report - Principal Planner Ana Budnyk Planning Department Report - March 2026
7.E)
City Administrator Report - City Administrator Pam Foster City Administrator Report - March 2026
City Administrator Foster announced that Item 10.D is being pulled from the agenda. 8)
COUNTY OF INYO UPDATE
Second District Supervisor Griffiths provided an update on Inyo County business and activities. 9)
CONSENT CALENDAR
9.A)
Fire Recovery USA Services Agreement
Cover Page
2026 Inspection and Emergency Incident Services Agreement
9.B)
Authorization to Purchase TruNarc Raman Spectrometer for Preliminary Drug Identification Cover Page
Silent 6 quote
Safe ware quote
Thermo Fisher Quote
ESPINOZA KELLY FINDINGS
9.C)
Purchase of 3D Forensic Crime Scene Scanner
Cover Page
Faro Quote
Leica Quote
Artec Ray II Quote
9.D)
Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Bishop and Friends of the Eastern Sierra Community Gardens Cover Page
MOU - Friends of the Eastern Sierra Community Garden 2026
9.E)
ORDINANCE - Second Reading and Adoption 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 No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Kong
Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz
Councilmember Kong made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as presented.
Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Muchovej Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Freundt
10)
PUBLIC HEARING AND ACTION
10.A)
Public Hearing and First Reading and Introduction of an Ordinance Adding a New Chapter 17.39 – Residential Care Facilities to Title 17- Zoning Cover Page
Ordinance Adding a New Chapter 17.39 – Residential Care Facilities PC Resolution No. 2026-01 Title 17 Amendments
Public Hearing Notice
Mayor Muchovej opened the public hearing.
Principal Planner Budnyk reviewed this item with Council.
No public comments were made.
Mayor Muchovej closed the public hearing.
Motion/Councilmember Garcia
Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz
Councilmember Garcia made a motion to approve the first reading and introduction of an ordinance related to residential care facilities by title only.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BISHOP, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 17.39, RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES, TO TITLE 17, ZONING, OF THE CITY OF BISHOP CODE OF ORDINANCES AND FINDING THIS ORDINANCE IS NOT A PROJECT UNDER CEQA PURSUANT TO TITLE 14, SECTION 15378 (b)(5) OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS.
Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Muchovej Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Freundt
10.B)
Public Hearing and First Reading and Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.38 ES Emergency Shelter Combining District Cover Page
Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.38 ES Emergency Shelter Combining District PC Resolution No. 2026-01 Title 17 Amendments
Public Hearing Notice
Mayor Muchovej opened the public hearing.
Principal Planner Budnyk reviewed this item with Council.
No public comments were made.
Mayor Muchovej closed the public hearing.
Motion/Councilmember Kong
Seconded/Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Kong made a motion to approve the first reading and introduction of an ordinance amending Chapter 17.28 ES Emergency Shelter Combining District by title only with Alternative A for Capacity. and Alternative B for Vehicle parking.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BISHOP, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 17.38. ES EMERGENCY SHELTER COMBINING DISTRICT, OF THE CITY OF BISHOP, CODE OF ORDINANCES, AND FINDING THIS ORDINANCE IS NOT A PROJECT UNDER CEQA PURSUANT TO TITLE 14, SECTION 15378 (b)(5) OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS.
Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Muchovej Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Freundt
10.C)
Public Hearing and First Reading and Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.08 to Revise Various Definitions and Amending Section 17.80.120, Expiration of Permit or Variance Cover Page
Ordinance Amending Chapter 17.08
PC Resolution No. 2026-01 Title 17 Amendments
Public Hearing Notice
Mayor Muchovej opened the public hearing.
Principal Planner Budnyk reviewed this item with Council.
No public comments were made.
Mayor Muchovej closed the public hearing.
Motion/Councilmember Kong
Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz
Councilmember Kong made a motion to approve the first reading and introduction of an ordinance amending Chapter 17.08 by title only.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BISHOP, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 17.08 TO REVISE VARIOUS DEFINITIONS AND AMENDING CHAPTER 17.80, SECTION 17.80.120 EXPIRATION OF PERMIT OR VARIANCE, OF THE CITY OF BISHOP CODE OF ORDINANCES AND FINDING THIS ORDINANCE IS NOT A PROJECT UNDER CEQA PURSUANT TO TITLE 14, SECTION 15378 (b)(5) OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS.
Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Muchovej Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Freundt
10.D)
Public Hearing and First Reading and Introduction of an Ordinance Repealing Section 17.80.110 of Chapter 17.80 and Adding a New Chapter 17.81 - Appeals to Title 17 Cover Page
Ordinance Adding Chapter 17.81 - Appeals
PC Resolution No. 2026-01 Title 17 Amendments
Public Hearing Notice
City Administrator Foster announced during her department report that Item 10.D is pulled from the agenda. 11)
NEW BUSINESS
11.A)
Resolution Establishing a Utility Rate Assistance Program Cover Page
Resolution Establishing a Utility Rate Assistance Program Finance Director Aukee reviewed this item with Council.
Public comments were made by: Dustin del Giudice, a local resident, asked if this program is only limited to city limits? City staff and Council clarified that this program is only for those patrons who receive water and sewer services through the City of Bishop. No further public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Kong
Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz
Councilmember Kong made a motion to adopt a resolution establishing a Water and Sewer Utility Rate Assistance Program, including program eligibility, benefit structure, and participation limits, with the requested changes, effective July 1, 2026.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BISHOP, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING A WATER AND SEWER UTILITY RATE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND SETTING ELIGIBILITY, BENEFITS, AND PROGRAM LIMITS Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Muchovej Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Freundt
12)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Kong, with consensus from Council, asked for a Student Resource Officer (SRO) report prior to the Council's strategic planning meeting.
Councilmember Garcia, with consensus from Council, asked to bring a discussion or update on Flock cameras and a discussion on E-Bike safety at a future meeting.
No further requests were made for future agendas items. 13)
COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Members reported on meetings and community events that they attended. 14)
ADJOURNMENT
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:42 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, April 27, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting in the City Council Chambers. ______________________________________
Stephen Muchovej, Mayor
Attest: ______________________________
Alison Bishop, City Clerk