CITY OF BISHOP
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 14, 2026
1) CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tem Freundt called the meeting of the Bishop City Council to order at 5:15 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 301 West Line Street, Bishop, California. 2) ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Kong
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Schwartz
Mayor Pro Tem Freundt
ABSENT:
Mayor Muchovej
and Nora Gamino, Public Works Director.
3) PUBLIC COMMENT PRIOR TO CLOSED SESSION
No public comments were made.
4) CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - INITIATION OF LITIGATION pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(c): 1 Case
Closed Session began at 5:16 p.m. Closed Session ended at 6:18 p.m. 5) OPEN SESSION
Mayor Pro Tem Freundt called the open session of the Bishop City Council to order at 6:18 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 301 West Line Street, Bishop, California.
Mayor Pro Tem Freundt reported that there was no reportable action taken during Closed Session.
6) MOMENT OF SILENCE
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Mayor Pro Tem Freundt announced a moment of silence and encouraged everyone to be kind to their neighbors, friends, and others in the community. 7) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Pro Tem Freundt.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Councilmember Kong
Councilmember Garcia
Councilmember Schwartz
Mayor Pro Tem Freundt
ABSENT:
None.
OTHERS PRESENT: Pam Foster, City Administrator; Alison Bishop, City Clerk; Dean J. Pucci, City Attorney (via Zoom); Bret Russell, Fire Chief; and Nate Derr, Police Chief.
9) PUBLIC COMMENT
Cam Lemons, a local resident, offered an invocation.
No further public comments were made.
10) PRESENTATIONS
10.A) PRESENTATION - Bishop Union High School Student Senate Report - Presented by Bishop Union High School Student Representatives.
Bishop Union High School Student Senate Vice Chair Kylie James and Secretary Klara Green reported on the Senate's work with the Police Department and City Council regarding the City's curfew, the election of five new Senate members, Wellness Wednesdays, the school wellness garden, and individual student projects.
They also provided information about upcoming Student Senate meetings.
The Student Senate holds their open meetings every second Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. in the Carl Lind boardroom.
10.B) PRESENTATION - Eastern Sierra Community Foundation Formation Project - Presented by Tyler McManus & Jeff Griffiths.
ESCFF Presentation 2026 09 14
Tyler McManus and Jeff Griffiths presented the Eastern Sierra Community Foundation formation project. They discussed the regional need for nonprofit capacity support, coordinated disaster-response fundraising, charitable fund management, and local grantmaking. McManus reviewed the project's feasibility study and the options being considered for the foundation's governance structure. McManus and Griffiths September 14, 2026 216
answered Council's questions regarding investment activities, participating organizations, consultant support, and future board governance. 11) DEPARTMENT REPORTS
11.A) Fire Department Report - Fire Chief Bret Russell
Fire Department Report - August 2026
Fire Chief Russell reported on 46 emergency calls during August, the Department's response to the Rock Fire, the Destruction Derby, the September 11 Stair Climb, the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, and a joint demonstration with CAL FIRE for the Mustang Mesa Community Services District.
11.B) Police Department Report - Police Chief Nate Derr Police Department Report - August 2026
Police Chief Derr reported on strategic-plan goals, staff training and recruitment, digital parking-enforcement equipment, public-safety activity during the Tri-County Fair, and planned improvements to Police Department and dispatch infrastructure. City Administrator Foster announced that $500,000 had been secured in the State budget for the infrastructure project.
11.C) Public Works Department Report - Public Works Director Nora Gamino Public Works Director Gamino was unable to give a report due to a family emergency.
11.D) City Administrator Report - City Administrator Pam Foster City Administrator Report - August 2026
City Administrator Foster reported on the City's annual audit, recognized Finance Director Ethan Aukee and Finance staff for improvements to City financial practices, and announced that year-round air service would continue without an October break. 12) COUNTY OF INYO UPDATE
Inyo County Supervisor Jeff Griffiths reported on the County's adopted budget, the roposed Bonanza Peak Solar project and related community benefits, statewid egislative advocacy, financing for improvements to the Lone Pine water svstem winter storm preparations, the County's new AgPass program, and a new leave policy or employees who serve as volunteer first responders. Griffiths also recognized the law-enforcement agencies and District Attorney's Office involved in the Brian Stange prosecution.
13) CONSENT CALENDAR
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13.A) Authorization to Negotiate with PACE Advanced Water Engineering for Consolidated Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Design Services Cover Page
Motion/Councilmember Garcia Seconded/Councilmember Schwartz Councilmember Garcia made a motion to approve the selection committee's ranking of PACE Advanced Water Engineering as the highest-ranked consultant for Engineering Design Services for the Consolidated Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant and authorize staff to negotiate a professional services agreement with PACE. The negotiated agreement will be presented to the City Council for separate consideration and approval.
Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Freundt
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
No public comments were made.
14) NEW BUSINESS
14.A) California High School Rodeo Association Request for $40,000 Sponsorship for the 2027 State Finals Rodeo
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CHSRA Request for Financial Support
City Administrator Foster reviewed the California High School Rodeo Association's request and explained that the 2027 State Finals would be the final year of the current three-year agreement, with options for 2028 and 2029. She discussed prior City support and new fairgrounds costs being passed on to the Association.
Joel Church, National Director for the California High School Rodeo Association, asked the City to help offset increased costs for generators, emergency medical services, golf carts, and other event expenses. Church discussed the Association's preference to remain in Bishop and the importance of financial support to the event's continued viability.
Council discussed the rodeo's economic benefit to local businesses, possible future use ot Bishop Tourism Improvement District funds, reimbursement documentation, and the need for a policy and budget for future event-support requests.
Motion/Councilmember Schwartz Seconded/Councilmember Garcia Councilmember Schwartz made a motion to approve providing a $40,000 sponsorship to the California High School Rodeo Association (CHSRA) to support the 2027 High School State Finals Rodeo in Bishop.
Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Freundt
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Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
14.B) Planning and Parks & Recreation Commissions - City Council Screening Committee Appointments
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PSA - Planning Commission Expiring Term Nov 2026
PSA - Parks & Recreation Commission Expiring Term Dec 2026 PSA - Parks & Recreation Commission Expiring Term Jan 2027 City Clerk Bishop reviewed the upcoming commission vacancies and explained that each screening committee includes two Councilmembers appointed by the presiding officer, the City Administrator, and a staff member associated with the commission.
Mayor Pro Tem Freundt appointed Councilmember Garcia and Mayor Pro Tem Freundt to the Planning Commission screening committee; Councilmembers Schwartz and Kong to the Parks and Recreation Commission screening committee for the term expiring in December 2026; and Councilmember Kong and Mayor Pro Tem Freundt to the Parks and Recreation Commission screening committee for the term expiring in January 2027.
No public comments were made. No formal action was taken.
14.C) Consideration and Approval of Joint Powers Agreement with Bishop Fire Protection District
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Draft Agreement for Shared Management of Fire Services
City Administrator Foster reviewed the revised Agreement for Shared Management of Fire Services with the Bishop Fire Protection District. Foster explained that language had been added to clarify that the Fire Chief receives direction from the District Board and City Council only through formal action and that individual Board or Council members may not direct the Fire Chief. Foster reported that the Bishop Fire Protection District approved the revised agreement on September 3, 2026. Fire Chief Russell expressed support for the agreement.
No public comments were made.
Motion/Councilmember Schwartz Seconded/Councilmember Kong Councilmember Schwartz made a motion to approve the Agreement for Shared Management of Fire Services with the Bishop Fire Protection District.
Motion passed 4-0
Ayes: Councilmember Kong, Councilmember Garcia, Councilmember Schwartz, Mayor Pro Tem Freundt
Noes: None
Abstain: None
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Absent: None
15) FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Schwartz requested a future discussion regarding a policy for City support of community events and similar opportunities.
No further requests were made for future agenda items.
16) COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Members reported on meetings and community events they attended, Including the Cal Cities Desert Mountain Division meeting, the Eastern Sierra Tri- County Fair and Destruction Derby, the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, the Owens Valley Groundwater Authority, Eastern Sierra Council of Governments, Eastern Sierra Transit Authority, and the September 11 Stair Climb. 17) ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pro Tem Freundt adjourned the meeting at 8:03 p.m. to the City Council Meeting scheduled for Monday, September 28, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
Dennis Freundt, Mayor Pro Tem
Attest:
Alison Bishop, City Clerk
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