CITY OF BISHOP
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JUNE 22, 2026
1) CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Muchovej called the meeting of the Bishop City Council to order at 6:03 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 301 West Line Street, Bishop, California.
MOMENT OF SILENCE
Mayor Muchovej announced a moment of silence.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by City Administrator Foster. 4) ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Kong
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Schwartz
Mayor Pro Tem Freundt
Mayor Muchovej
ABSENT:
None.
OTHERS PRESENT: Pam Foster, City Administrator; Robin Picken, City Clerk; Dean J. Pucci, City Attorney; Nate Derr, Police Chief; and Daniel McElroy, Community Services Manager.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comments were made by Allen Berrey, who proposed installing a kiosk near the Tesla charging station with a map, QR code, and information directing visitors to loca businesses and public restrooms. Mr. Berrey also discussed La Cueva de Luz Museum of Desert Lights, and offered to create and pay for the proposed sign in coordination with the City.
No further public comments were made.
6) PRESENTATIONS
6.A) PRESENTATION - Eastern Sierra Council of Governments Update - Presented by Eastern Sierra Council of Governments_ (ESCOG) Executive Director Elaine Kabala.
ESCOG Presentation - June 22, 2026
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ESCOG Executive Director Elaine Kabala reviewed the organization's member- approved programs of work and provided updates on California Jobs First activities, the Chipmunk Canyon Existing Conditions Analysis, the Eastern Sierra Collaborative Summit, the Eastern Sierra Agricultural Activation Plan, economic development district efforts, broadband funding, and Proposition 4 wildfire funding. Ms. Kabala answered Council questions, and Council thanked her for the presentation.
6.B) PRESENTATION - Eastern Sierra Regional Housing Study Housing Toolkit - Presented by BAE Urban Economics Principal Aaron Nousaine.
Eastern Sierra Housing Toolkit Presentation
BAE Urban Economics Principal Aaron Nousaine presented the Eastern Sierra Regional Housing Study Housing Toolkit, reviewed regional housing conditions and potential local policy tools, and answered Council questions. Council thanked Mr.
Nousaine for the presentation.
7) DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Police Chief Derr reported on summer calls for service and events, participation in the High School Rodeo, work related to AB 109 and grant funding, preparation for the 2026-27 fiscal year, and ongoing discussions regarding the Flock Safety system.
Community Services Manager McElroy reported on the Friday Night Market and pool luau, softball, the pool resurfacing project, Parks and Recreation Commission activities, summer camps and recreation programs, gymnastics, Little League, and delivery of sand for the volleyball courts. Mayor Muchovej read an email thanking staff for promptly installing a soap dispenser.
City Administrator Foster reported on emergency purchasing related to the recent wind event, receipt of approximately $2.o million for the Silver Peaks housing project, fully tunding Phase One; housing, childcare, and playground planning; responses to Council requests; and an air service meeting. She stated that a proposal regarding additional subsidy for year-round air service would be brought to Council on July 13, Fire Chief Russell was unavailable because he and Fire Department personnel were responding to a fire.
BISHOP AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INFORMATION CENTER
UPDATE
Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Information Center Update Report - June 22, 2026
BACCIC Report - June 22, 2026
Elevate Leadership Program Flyer 2026
Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Information Center Executive Director Tawni Thomson reported that the Chamber opened its new South Main Street office on May 11, 2026, and is working to increase awareness of the location. She reviewed recent networking and educational events, support for the High School Rodeo, fish stocking and fishing-map projects, upcoming visitor publications and fall-color materials, June 22, 2026 219
familiarization tours, Chamber Board elections, and strategic planning. She reported that May occupancy was 68.7 percent, consistent with the prior year, while June occupancy was tracking lower than the prior year.
CONSENT CALENDAR
9.A) April 2026 Budget Report
April 2026 Budget Report
9.B) April 2026 Financial Reports
April 2026 Bank Reconciliation Report
April 2026 Combined Cash Report
April 2026 Investment Portfolio Report
April 2026 Warrant Register Report
9.C) 2025-26 Fiscal Year End Budget Adjustment Proposal Cover Page
2025-26 Fiscal Year End Budget Adjustment Proposal
9.D) Approval of FY 2025-26 Interfund Transfer and Related Budget Adjustment
Cover Page
Consideration and Approval of an Application to the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development on Behalf of the City of Bishop Seeking Designation of Census Tract 06027000400 as an Opportunity.
Zone 2.0.
Cover Page
9.F) Planning Commission - Cancellation Notice
Planning Commission Meeting Cancellation Notice - 06 23 2026
9.G) IT Services Agreement Extension Letter for July 1, 2026 - June 302027 IT Support Services Agreement - Approved by City Council 06 26 2023 CBT IT Support Services Agreement Extension Letter 07 01 2026 - 06 30 2027
9.H) Approval of Letter of Support for Assembly Bill 1560 - Prohibiting Individuals with Public Corruption Charges from Lobbying Cover Page
Letter of Support - AB 1560
June 22, 2026 3/9
9.1) Approval of a letter of support for JMT Wilderness Conservancy Reds Meadow Valley Restoration Project Grant Application to the Wildlife Conservation Board
Cover Page
Letter of Support - Wildlife Conservation Board
Motion/Councilmember Schwartz Seconded/Councilmember Garcia Councilmember Schwartz made a motion to approve 9) CONSENT CALENDAR Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Freundt, Mayor Muchovej
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
10) PUBLIC HEARING AND ACTION
10.A) Public Hearing and Resolution Amending the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Program Reuse Plan
Cover Page
Resolution - Amending the PLHA Program Reuse Plan 2026 06 22 Mayor Muchovej opened the public hearing.
City Administrator Foster reviewed the 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 a resolution, by title only, amending the City's Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Reuse Plan to add Activity (9) - Homeownership Opportunities, including but not limited to Down Payment Assistance Programs.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Freundt, Mayor Muchovej
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
11) NEW BUSINESS
11.A) Planning Commission - Screening Committee Recommended Appointment
Cover Page
Statement of Interest from John Loomis
June 22, 2026 419
City Clerk Picken reviewed the recruitment and screening process and the Screening Committee's recommendation to appoint John Loomis to the Planning Commission.
No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Schwartz Seconded/Councilmember Kong Councilmember Schwartz made a motion to approve Council consideration to appoint John Loomis to a four-year term ending March 25, 2030, on the Planning Commission.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Freundt, Mayor Muchovej
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
11.B) State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Bishop Pavement Project Design Change
Cover Page
Caltrans Proposed Design Change - Curb Ramp 25 & 26
Jeremy Milos spoke regarding the proposed design change for curb ramps 25 and 26 and answered Council questions.
Jon Weissman clarified the proposed design is for a rectangular rapid-flashing beacon to be placed near the Academy Street crossing.
No further public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Garcia Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz Councilmember Garcia made a motion to approve Council consideration to review and approve the proposed Bishop Pavement Project design change.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Freundt, Mayor Muchovej
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
11.C) Discussion and Action Regarding the City's Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Program and Flock Safety System
Cover Page
Police Chief Derr reviewed the City's current Flock Safety system, contract, data- sharing settings, camera functions, and possible alternatives. Council asked clarifying questions.
Kalina Gardiner spoke regarding concerns about unauthorized data sharing, nationwide searches, and misuse of surveillance technology.
Jon Weissman reviewed audit information concerning searches by outside agencies, broad search terms, and limitations on the City's ability to audit the system, and asked the City to reject the Flock contract.
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Trey French spoke against continued use of Flock and supported establishing local regulations governing surveillance technology.
Lina Martensson spoke against Flock and asked Council to cancel the contract.
John Bowen discussed information obtained through a public records request, limitations of the software, and concerns regarding searches and artificial intelligence processing.
Sasha Hashemipour spoke as a local elementary school teacher regarding the effect of current decisions on children's futures and asked Council to cancel the contract.
Blair Moxon spoke regarding privacy, potential future misuse, and the gradual expansion of surveillance systems.
Alison Eddins asked Council to cancel the Flock contract before selecting an alternative vendor and to adopt a surveillance policy with community involvement.
Diana Felicione spoke regarding misuse of information and asked Council to discontinue Flock.
Ben Henderson spoke regarding software and data-stewardship concerns and asked Council to terminate the agreement.
Angela Foley spoke regarding warrantless access, artificial intelligence model training, sale or use of data, and the need to prevent collection of the data.
Seth McKinney expressed concern about future uses of the data and asked Council to cancel the contract.
Michael Godby spoke regarding expectations of privacy, changing social norms, and the importance of protecting Bishop's character.
Will Young spoke regarding the need for regulation and the difficulty of addressing the power of large technology companies.
Olivia Johnson spoke regarding small-town privacy values and asked questions about the City's ability to disable portions of the system.
No further public comments were made. Mayor Muchovej thanked the speakers for their comments.
Council discussed the value of law-enforcement tools, the City's privacy and community values, the Flock company, data sharing, alternative vendors, continued use of existing
equipment during a transition, and development of policies governing artificial intelligence and video cameras
Motion/Councilmember Garcia Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz Councilmember Garcia made a motion to approve cancellation of the City's Flock Safety contract effective June 23, 2026; direct staff to seek a replacement vendor as soon as possible; and develop a City policy governing the use of artificial intelligence with video cameras
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Motion passed 3-2
Ayes: Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Muchovej Noes: Councilmember Kong, Mayor Pro Tem Freundt
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Mayor Muchovej announced a recess at 9:08 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:14
11.D) Authorization to Advertise for Bids - Field 6 Rehabilitation Project Cover Page
Field 6 Site Map.pdf
Field 6 Plans
Field6_BICs_Bid
Field6_TechSpecs_Bid
Field 6 Bid Estimate
Community Services Manager McElroy reviewed the completed plans, specifications, and estimate for the Field 6 Rehabilitation Project and requested authorization to advertise and solicit bids. No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Schwartz Seconded/Mayor Pro Tem Freundt ouncilmember Schwartz made a motion to approve City Council to authorize the advertisement and solicitation for the Field 6 Rehabilitation Project and authorize the City Administrator to take actions to proceed with the bidding process.
Motion passed 3-2
Ayes: Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Freundt, Mayor Muchovej Noes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia
Abstain: None
Absent: None
11.E) Adoption of the Bishop City Park Master Plan?
Cover Page
Bishop Parks Master Plan Final
Appendix A - Public Comments
Appendix B - Existing Facilities Summary.
Appendix C - Preliminary Estimate
Community Services Manager McElroy reviewed the final Bishop City Park Master Plan and proposed project priorities. Council discussed modifications to several priority designations and alternative uses for areas identified as parking lots.
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Jeff Griffiths thanked City staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission for their work and spoke in support of locating the proposed splash pad outside the pool fence so it would be available to the public without pool admission. No further public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Kong Seconded/Councilmember Garcia Councilmember Kong made a motion to approve the Bishop City Park Master Plan as the City's guiding document for future park development, improvements, maintenance, and recreational facility planning.
Authorize staff to utilize the Master Plan in establishing future capital improvement priorities, grant applications, and funding strategies, and incorporate the project priority revisions discussed by Council.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Freundt, Mayor Muchovej
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
12) FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Schwartz requested future discussion regarding the North Tahoe Community Alliance. Councilmember Kong requested an update from the Eastern Sierra Foundation. No other future agenda items were requested. 13) COUNCILAND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mayor Pro Tem Freundt reported on a Bishop Area Wastewater Authority meeting.
Councilmember Schwartz reported on a Bishop Area Wastewater Authority meeting, an Eastern Sierra Community Foundation lunch-and-learn presentation, upcoming Eastern Sierra Transit Authority and ESCOG meetings, and attendance at a World Cup event.
Councilmember Kong reported that the Friday Night Market at the City Park was successful and discussed obtaining a dunk tank for the Fourth of July event.
Mayor Muchovej reported on flowers that had been cut and a Local Transportation Commission meeting concerning Transportation Development Act and regional surface-transportation funds.
Councilmember Garcia reported on the High School Rodeo luncheon, travel to a Barstow Desert/Mountain Division meeting, legislation related to vehicle-miles-traveled mitigation, and the Barstow Gateway project.
14) ADJOURNMENT
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 9:58 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, July 13, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., Regular Meeting, in the City Council Chambers.
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Stephen Muchovej, Mayor
ciss
Attest:
Alison Bishop, City Clerk
9/9
June 22, 2026