CITY OF BISHOP
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JULY 27, 2026
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Muchovej called the meeting of the Bishop City Council to order at 5:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 301 West Line Street, Bishop, California. 2)
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; Alison Bishop, newly appointed City Clerk; Nate Derr, Police Chief; and Ana Budnyk, Principal Planner 3)
PUBLIC COMMENT PRIOR TO CLOSED SESSION
No public comments were made.
4)
CLOSED SESSION
4.A)
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION pursuant to Government Code § 54957 – Title: City Administrator
4.B)
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS pursuant to Government Code § 54957.6 - Agency Designated Representative: City Administrator Pam Foster. Employee organizations: Bishop Police Officers Association.
Closed Session began at 5:01 p.m. Closed Session ended at 6:08 p.m. 5)
OPEN SESSION
Mayor Muchovej called the open session of the Bishop City Council to order at 6:08 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 301 West Line Street, Bishop, California. 6)
MOMENT OF SILENCE
Mayor Muchovej announced a moment of silence in recognition of the firefighters and volunteers responding to recent fires. 7)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Garcia. 8)
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; Alison Bishop, newly appointed City Clerk; Nate Derr, Police Chief; and Ana Budnyk, Principal Planner 9)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comments were made by:
Cam Lemons, local resident, offered an invocation.
No further public comments were made.
10)
REPORT ON ACTIONS TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION AS REQUIRED BY LAW Mayor Muchovej announced that there was no reportable action. 11)
PRESENTATIONS
11.A)
PRESENTATION - Retirement of City Clerk Robin Picken
Cover Page
City Administrator Foster and the City Council recognized City Clerk Robin Picken for her years of public service and presented her with tokens of appreciation. Picken thanked Council, City staff, residents, and visitors and spoke about her service to the City and her upcoming retirement.
Mayor Muchovej called a recess at 6:38 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 6:53 p.m.
11.B)
PRESENTATION - Bishop Mule Days Report - Prepared and presented by Bishop Mule Days Celebration Executive Director Donna Bird.
Bishop Mule Days Celebration Executive Director Donna Bird reviewed the 2026 Bishop Mule Days post-event report with Council. Bird discussed the response to wind damage at the fairgrounds, event finances and participation, schedule improvements, volunteer and school outreach, hotel costs, ticket sales, and plans to improve the guest experience and media outreach in 2027.
After answering Council's questions, Council thanked Donna Bird for her report and for her work in continuing to bring Mule Days to Bishop. 12)
INTRODUCTION OF CITY CLERK - Alison Bishop
City Administrator Foster introduced newly appointed City Clerk Alison Bishop and reviewed her background, education, and professional experience. Council welcomed Bishop to the City. 13)
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Verbal reports from the Fire, Police, Planning, and Administration Departments were given on each department’s activities including upcoming and ongoing projects. 14)
BISHOP AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INFORMATION CENTER UPDATE
14.A)
Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Information Center Update Report - July 27, 2026 BACCIC Report - 07 27 2026
Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Information Center Executive Director Tawni Thomson was unable to attend due to a family emergency. Her written report was included in the agenda packet and received by Council. 15)
EASTERN SIERRA TRI-COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS QUARTERLY UPDATE REPORT Interim Fairgrounds Manager Mike Francesconi reported on the CAL FIRE incident command post and temporary animal shelter operating at the fairgrounds, wind-related facility damage and anticipated insurance repairs, recent fairgrounds events, and plans for the September 2026 Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fair. Council thanked Francesconi for his report. 16)
CONSENT CALENDAR
16.A)
June 2026 Budget Report
June 2026 Budget Report
16.B)
June 2026 Financial Reports
June 2026 Bank Reconciliation Report
June 2026 Combined Cash Report
June 2026 Investment Portfolio Report
June 2026 Warrant Register Report
16.C)
Approve FY 2026-27 Reappropriation for Construction Contract No. 26-PW-01 and Wood Rodgers Task Order No. 23-TO-03 Cover Page
16.D)
Authorize the purchase of two (2) Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicles from Michael Hohl Chevrolet of Carson City, Nevada, in an amount not to exceed $65,000 per vehicle ($130,000 total).
Cover Page
2026 Tahoe Quote 1
2026 Tahoe Quote 2
16.E)
Planning Commission Meeting - Cancellation Notice
Planning Commission Meeting Cancellation Notice 07 28 2026
16.F)
Approval of the FY 2026-27 Grant in Support Application and Information Packet Cover Page
FY 2026-27 Grant in Support Application and Information Packet 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
17)
PUBLIC HEARING AND ACTION
17.A)
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_New Chapter 17.81. Appeals
Public Hearing Notice
PC Resolution No. 2026-01 Title 17 amendments
Principal Planner Budnyk reviewed the proposed ordinance with Council and summarized changes concerning eligibility to appeal, the appeal period, and required statements and evidence.
Mayor Muchovej opened the public hearing.
No public comments were made.
Mayor Muchovej closed the public hearing.
A motion was made to approve the first reading and introduction of the proposed ordinance by title only.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BISHOP, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, REPEALING SECTION 17.80.110 OF CHAPTER 17.80 AND ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 17.81 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/Councilmember Garcia
Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz
Councilmember Garcia made a motion to approve 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 by title only Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Freundt, Mayor Muchovej Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Councilmember Kong
18)
NEW BUSINESS
18.A)
Consideration and Approval of Joint Powers Agreement with Bishop Fire Protection District Cover Page
Joint Powers Agreement - City and BFPD
Joint Powers Agreement - City and BFPD REDLINE VERSION
City Administrator Foster reviewed the proposed Agreement for Shared Management of Fire Services with Council. Council discussed the annual cost apportionment process, the District's proposed role in evaluating services provided by the Fire Chief, historical concerns regarding direction from individual District commissioners, and the Fire Chief's authority over day-to-day operations.
No public comments were made.
Council directed staff to revise the agreement to clarify that day-to-day operations are under the authority of the Fire Chief and that individual District commissioners do not provide direction to the Fire Chief, and to return the revised agreement to Council for consideration. No formal action was taken.
18.B)
Authorization and Approval for Southern California Edison Field 6 Rehabilitation Project Expenditure Cover Page
Invoice Discount TD2511481 - 560 Spruce, Field 6 Lights Appendix A Discount TD2511481 - 560 Spruce, Field 6 Lights City Administrator Foster reviewed the proposed Southern California Edison expenditure with Council. Foster explained that the project would extend electrical service to the rear of the park to support future improvements, including potential basketball and pickleball courts.
No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Schwartz
Seconded/Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Schwartz made a motion to approve City Council to approve the expenditure of $51,120.19 for Southern California Edison improvement for the Field 6 Rehabilitation Project and authorize the City Administrator to sign the Discount Option Electrical Line Extension Agreement from Southern California Edison.
Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Freundt, Mayor Muchovej Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Councilmember Kong
19)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Pro Tem Freundt requested a future discussion regarding a possible change from the title of City Administrator to City Manager.
Mayor Muchovej requested information regarding municipal undergrounding of electrical utility lines, including potential effects on fire risk and the viewshed.
No further requests were made for future agenda items.
20)
COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Members reported on meetings and community events that they attended. Council also discussed communication regarding water service interruptions and requested clearer identification of affected properties for future outages. 21)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Muchovej adjourned the meeting at 7:58 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, August 10, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting in the City Council Chambers. ______________________________________
Stephen Muchovej, Mayor
Attest: ______________________________
Alison Bishop, City Clerk