CITY OF BISHOP
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
AUGUST 24, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Muchovej called the meeting of the Bishop City Council to order at 5:31 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 301 West Line Street, Bishop, California. 2) ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Countineme Samar.
Mayor Pro Tem Freundt
Mayor Muchovej
ABSENT:
None.
OTHERS PRESENT: Pam Foster, City Administrator; Alison Bishop, City Clerk; Dean J. Pucci, City Attorney; Ethan Aukee, Finance Director; Bret Russell, Fire Chiet; Nate Derr, Police Chief; and Ana Budnyk, Principal Planner.
PUBLIC COMMENT PRIOR TO CLOSED SESSION
No public comments were made.
CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS pursuant to Government Code § 54957.6 - Agency Designated Representative: City Administrator Pam Foster. Employee Organization: Bishop Police
Association.
Closed session started at 5:31 p.m. Closed session ended at 6:00 p.m. 5) OPEN SESSION
Mayor Muchovej called the open session of the Bishop City Council to order at 6:00 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 Councilmember Schwartz.
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ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Kong
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Schwartz
Mayor Pro Tem Freundt
Mayor Muchovej
ABSENT:
None.
OTHERS PRESENT: Pam Foster, City Administrator; Alison Bishop, City Clerk; Dean J. Pucci, City Attorney; Ethan Aukee, Finance Director; Bret Russell, Fire Chief; Nate Derr, Police Chief; and Anastasiia Budnyk, Principal Planner. 9) PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comments were made by:
Beth Deaton, speaking on behalf of Michael Masuda's campaign, shared information about Mr. Masuda's candidacy for California's 5th Congressional District and invited the public to upcoming campaign events in Bishop.
Joel Church, National Director of the California High School Rodeo Association, thanked the City for its support of the State Finals and requested consideration of an increased financial contribution to help offset rising event costs and keep the finals in Bishop.
Vasie Tex and Justin Snyder spoke about the economic benefit the High School Rodeo State Finals brings to Bishop businesses and asked the City to support the event in 2027.
Jessica Tex, a local resident and rodeo parent, spoke in support of continued City support for the High School Rodeo State Finals.
Rick Klug, a local resident, offered an invocational prayer over the meeting.
Councilmember Kong, speaking in her capacity with the Inyo County Office of Education, announced the Community Compass website, which provides families with current information about community resources and free events.
No further public comments were made.
REPORT ON ACTIONS TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION AS REQUIRED BY LAW
Mayor Muchovej announced that no reportable action was taken. 11) PRESENTATIONS
August 24, 2026
11.A) PRESENTATION - Michael Masuda - Candidate for California's 5th Congressional District
Michael Masuda, a candidate for California's 5th Congressional District, will introduce himself to the City Council and provide brief remarks.
Mr. Masuda was unable to attend. Beth Deaton delivered information on behalf of his campaign during Public Comment.
12) PROCLAMATIONS
12.A) PROCLAMATION - Honoring the Life and Service of Judd Alan Symons Judd Symons Proclamation 2026 08 24
Mayor Muchovej read and presented a proclamation honoring the life, public service, and legacy of Judd Alan Symons. Judd's wife accepted the proclamation on his behalf.
12.B) PROCLAMATION - Recognizing September 2026 as National Recovery.
Month in the City of Bishop - Requested by_Crossroads Recovery Center.
National Recovery Month Proclamation 2026 08 24
Representatives of Crossroads Recovery Center described the organization's recovery housing, crisis response, counseling, and community support services. Maria ierro, a Crossroads substance abuse counselor, and program participants spok bout Crossroads' whole-person approach and the impact of its services The City Council read and presented the proclamation.
12.C) PROCLAMATION - Recognizing August 31, 2026 as International Overdose Awareness Day in the City of Bishop - Requested by Crossroads Recovery Center.
International Overdose Day Proclamation 2026 08 24
The Council read and presented a proclamation recognizing August 31, 2026 as International Overdose Awareness Day and calling upon the community to remember lives lost, support those affected by substance use, and work together to prevent overdose deaths.
13) DEPARTMENT REPORTS
13.A) Fire Department - Fire Chief Bret Russell
Fire Chief Russell thanked the Public Works Department for its work on Line Street; announced the September 6 Derby and September 11 stair climb; and reported on the City's Insurance Services Office rating. He stated that the City is rated Class 4 and the rural area Class 5, described efforts that may improve the rural rating, and clarified that individual insurers determine coverage and premiums.
Council also discussed public information regarding defensible space and CAL FIRE's Zone Zero guidance.
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13.B) Police Department - Police Chief Nate Derr
Police Chief Derr reported on implementation planning for the January 1 emergency medical dispatch mandate; design work for electrical resiliency upgrades at the dispatch center; efforts with the 911 Commission and Cal OES to improve regional 911 edundancy, development of a replacement camera network; receipt and planne ofitting of two patrol vehicles: and recruitment and interim staffing for parkin enforcement. He also confirmed the Department's participation in National Night Out in Big Pine.
13.0) Administration - City Administrator Pam Foster
City Administrator Foster reported that the annual audit had begun, thanked Finance staff for supporting the audit, stated that discussions regarding restructuring the Community Services Department were progressing, and announced that Public Works Director Nora Gamino had returned to work.
14) CONSENT CALENDAR
14.A) Acknowledgment of Fiscal Year 2025-26 Police Department Budget Variance and Ratification of Corrective Actions
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14.B) Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Repealing Section
17.80.110 of Chapter 17.80 and Adding a New Chapter 17.81 - Appeals to Title 17
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Ordinance New Chapter 17.81. Appeals - REVISED 08 21 2026
14.C) Planning Commission - Cancellation Notice
2026 08 25 Cancellation
14.D) City Council Meeting Minutes
Minutes 2026 02 09
Minutes 2026 02 23
Minutes 2026 03 09
Minutes 2026 03 23
Minutes 2026 03 30 - Special Meeting
Minutes 2026 04 13
Minutes 2026 04 27
Minutes 2026 04 28 - Special Meeting
Minutes 2026 05 11
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Minutes 2026 05 12 - Special Meeting
City Council Meeting Cancellation Notice - 2026 05 26
Minutes 2026 06 08
Minutes 2026 07 27
No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Garcia Seconded/Mayor Pro Tem Freundt Councilmember Garcia made a motion to approve 14) CONSENT CALENDAR Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Freundt, Mayor Muchove
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
15) NEW BUSINESS
15.A) League of California Cities Resolution
Cover Page
2026 Cal Cities Resolution Packet
City Clerk Bishop reviewed California Cities Resolution No. 1, which calls for a working group to evaluate a possible state constitutional amendment or other statewide initiative concerning final local authority over housing and land use decisions.
Councilmember Garcia was identified as the City's voting delegate, with Mayor Pro Tem Freundt and Councilmember Kong as alternates.
No public comments were made.
By consensus, Council directed the City's voting delegate and alternate delegates to vote in support of Resolution No. 1 at the September 25, 2026 California Cities General Assembly Meeting.
15.B) Consideration of City Participation in Supporting Year-Round Commercial Air Service at the Eastern Sierra Regional Airport Cover Page
Motion/Councilmember Schwartz Seconded/Councilmember Garcia Councilmember Schwartz made a motion to approve the City of Bishop to participate in the regional effort to secure year-round airline service through a $35,000 annual contribution from the marketing budget.
Motion passed 4-1
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Muchovej
Noes: Mayor Pro Tem Freundt
Abstain: None
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August 24, 2026
Absent: None
City Administrator Foster reviewed the regional effort to close the funding gap for year- round United Airlines service between the Eastern Sierra Regional Airport and San Francisco. She reported that the Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau could contribute $15,000 in Bishop Tourism Improvement District funds and recommended a $35,000 City contribution funded by reducing the City's existing annual marketing services agreement.
Council discussed the economic and quality-of-life benefits of year-round air service, competing City priorities, the amount and recurring nature of the commitment, and whether the contribution should come from the marketing agreement or other General Fund sources.
Public comments were made by:
Pat Foster, Chairman of the Mammoth Lakes Tourism Board, stated that regional partners were still developing the subsidy structure, and that any savings would be reinvested in expanded air service rather than returned.
Tawni Thomson, Executive Director of the Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, spoke in support of the proposed combined $50,000 City/Chamber contribution. John Marco, a Chamber board member, asked whether the decision was premature before all regional participants had confirmed their contributions.
No further public comments were made.
15.C) RESOLUTION: Establishing Timed Parking Zones and Permit Parking Zones Pursuant to Section 10.28.140 of The Bishop Municipal Code.
Cover Page
2026 Draft Resolution Establishing Timed Parking Zones
City of Bishop Parking Study Implementation Plan
Parking Comments as of 2026 08 16
2026 Draft Resolution Establishing Timed Parking Zones
Principal Planner Budnyk reviewed the parking study and implementation plan, including employee parking areas, two-hour parking in high-demand areas, overnight parking restrictions, visitor overnight parking in the Fowler Street lot, fleet parking, signage, enforcement, and future permit fees.
Council discussed employee permits, administrative workload, visitor and long-term parking, enforcement, buses and oversized vehicles, residential impacts, and flexibility for different businesses and parking spaces.
No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Schwartz Seconded/Councilmember Garcia Councilmember Schwartz made a motion to approve and Adopt a Resolution establishing timed parking zones and permit parking zones pursuant to Section August 24, 2026 6/8
10.28.140 of the Bishop Municipal Code, and direct staff to implement the Parking Study recommendations identified in Exhibit A.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Freundt, Mayor Muchovej
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
15.D) RESOLUTION: Amending_Resolution No. 2026-05 to Revise Certain Commercial Water and Sewer Classifications and Rates.
Cover Page
Bishop Rate Table Amendments Resolution Draft
Revised Exhibit A - Water and Sewer Rates
City Administrator Foster reviewed proposed revisions moving churches, meeting halls, and grocery stores without food preparation or grease-trap requirements from Category B to Category A and eliminating the fee for closed businesses. Staff and the City Attorney discussed the limitations on changes that could be made under the existing rate study and Proposition 218 process. Council discussed the effects of the new commercial rates, future review of the commercial rate structure, and phased installation of water meters.
Public comments were made by:
Tyler Beadle, a local resident, spoke in support of the proposed changes.
No further public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Garcia Seconded/Councilmember Kong Councilmember Garcia made a motion to approve City Council consideration and approval of a resolution to revise certain water and sewer classifications and charges.
Motion passed 5-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Freundt, Mayor Muchovej
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
15.E) Discussion and Direction Regarding changing to City Manager Form of Government
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City Attorney Pucci reviewed the distinctions between the City Administrator and City Manager forms of government, including supervision of department heads, chain of command, personnel authority, Council oversight, and the ability to tailor the implementing ordinance. Council discussed accountability, operational efficiency, performance management, and opportunities for Council participation in key hiring August 24, 2026 718
decisions.
Public comments were made by:
Tyler Beadle, a local resident, spoke in opposition to the proposed change, citing accountability to voters. Inyo County Supervisor Jeff Griffiths spoke in support of the change, citing day-to-day supervision, performance evaluation, and organizational accountability.
No further public comments were made.
By consensus, Council directed the City Attorney to prepare the formal documents necessary to transition to a Council-Manager form of government and return the matter to Council for consideration.
16) FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Pro Tem Freundt, with consensus from Council, requested a future agenda item regarding support for the California High School Rodeo Association. He also requested information regarding resuming meetings with the Bishop Union High School Student Senate during the new school year.
No further requests were made for future agenda items.
17) COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mayor Pro Tem Freundt reported on an Eastern Sierra Transit Authority hydrogen bus demonstration scheduled for August 27 and a test trip to Reds Meadow on August 28.
Councilmember Garcia reported that State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil's office had submitted a $500,000 state budget request for City public-safety and 911 infrastructure projects and announced his upcoming Desert Mountain Division meeting in Palmdale.
Councilmember Kong reported on upcoming Eastern Sierra Council of Governments and Owens Valley Groundwater Authority meetings. Councilmember Schwartz and Mayor Muchovej reported that their committee schedules had been quiet. 18) ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Muchovej adjourned the meeting at approximately 8:20 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, September 14, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
Stephen Muchovej, Mayor
Attest:
Alison Bishop, City Clerk
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