Town Council - May 17, 2023
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 437 Old Mammoth Road, Suite Z, Mammoth Lakes.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Tom Hodges led the flag salute.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The Public Comment portion of the agenda provides the public with an opportunity to address the Town Council on matters not otherwise listed on the agenda. Under California law the Town Council is prohibited from generally discussing or taking action on items not included in the agenda; however, the Town Council may briefly respond to comments or questions from members of the public. Therefore, the Town Council will listen to all public comment, but will not generally discuss the matter or take action on it. Requests for service from the Town may also be made at the Town offices during regular business hours. Members of the public desiring to speak on a matter appearing on the agenda should ask the Mayor for the opportunity to be heard when the item comes up for Council consideration.
There were no public comments given at this time.
4. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
Opportunity to add urgency items pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2(b)2, if necessary.
There were no additions to the agenda.
5. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND/OR DEPARTMENTS (AS NEEDED) Public Works Director Haislip Hayes gave an update regarding the Reds Meadow Road Project.
Parks and Recreation Director Stuart Brown gave an update regarding the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) emergency operations center in Town and current parks and recreation activities.
Office of Outdoor Recreation Manager Lawson Reif announced that the meeting to discuss the opening of Reds Meadow and the Lakes Basin would be held on May 25.
George Kostyrko, Public Information Officer for the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience, outlined the programs being offered to the community.
6. INTRODUCTIONS
6.1 Introduce newly promoted Airport Operations Manager Soibian Spring.
Administrative Services/Finance Director Rob Patterson introduced Ms. Spring to the Council and the community.
6.2 Introduce newly promoted Airport Operations Lead Tom Thomas.
Administrative Services/Finance Director Rob Patterson introduced Mr. Thomas to the Council and the community.
7. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
7.1 Town Council Joint Meeting with the Mammoth Lakes Housing Board.
1. TC_MLH Joint Meeting.pdf
2. 2023.05.17 TC-MLH Board Mtg_Final.pdf
Mammoth Lakes Housing Board Member Brian D'Andrea will be participating remotely from 1000 Corporate Pointe, Culver City, CA 90230 Executive Director of Mammoth Lakes Housing (MLH) Patricia Robertson announced that Board Member Tony Perkins would be attending the meeting remotely due to just cause.
Mammoth Lakes Housing Board Members Brian D'Andrea, Jennifer Kreitz, Tony Perkins, Amanda Rice, Treasurer Lindsay Barksdale, Vice President Tom Hodges, and President Kirk Stapp were in attendance.
Ms Robertson gave an update regarding current MLH programs. There was discussion among members of Council and MLH staff.
Senior Planner - Housing Coordinator Nolan Bobroff gave an update regarding the Town's housing programs. There was discussion among members of Council, members of the Board, staff, and Ms. Robertson.
8. CONSENT AGENDA
Moved by
Councilmember Chris Bubser
Seconded by
Councilmember Amanda Rice
Approve the Consent Agenda with Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser recused on Agenda Item 8.4 and 8.5.
For (4)
Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser, Mayor John Wentworth, Councilmember Chris Bubser, and Councilmember Amanda Rice Absent (1)
Councilmember Sarah Rea
Carried (4 to 0)
8.1 Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 3, 2023.
1. May 3, 2023 Minutes.pdf
8.2 Approve the minutes of the special meeting of May 8, 2023.
1. May 8, 2023 Minutes.pdf
8.3 Adopt a resolution increasing the available funding in the Housing Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) to $1,000,000 and updating the RLF Program guidelines.
1. RLF Update.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Resolution and RLF Program Policy.pdf
8.4 Approve Allocation of Funding in the amount of $4,000,000 for The Parcel Phase 2 (The Kingfisher).
1. Staff report- $4M for The Parcel Phase 2_ SMR-clean.pdf
2. Attachment 1_PWC Loan Request Letter.pdf
3. Attachment 2_Draft Town Loan Committment Letter.pdf
8.5 Approve the Park at the Parcel Playground and Park Amenity Purchase and Installation Agreement with PlayCore Wisconsin, Inc., dba GameTime C/O Great Western Recreation, LLC.
1. Park at the Parcel Playground and Park Amenity Purchase and Installation Agreement.pdf
2. Staff Report.pdf
3. Exhibit A - CMAS contract for equipment.pdf
4. Exhibit A - CMAS contract for installation.pdf
8.6 Accept Check Register 5/4/2023 in the amount of $507,840.18. Accept Check Register 5/9/2023 in the amount of $102,282.16.
1. Check Register 05042023.pdf
2. Check Register 05092023.pdf
9. POLICY MATTERS
9.1 Introduction of an Ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of Mammoth Lakes Renewing the Mammoth Lakes Tourism Business Improvement District.
1. Introduction of an Ordinance Renewing the Mammoth Lakes Tourism Business Improvement District.pdf
2. 2023 TBID renewal ordinance introduction.pdf
3. FINAL MLTBID_MDP_14Mar2023_For Petition Drive.pdf
Town Manager Daniel C. Holler and Town Attorney Andrew Morris outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Dawn Vereuck asked about the potential ballot measure that would affect the TBID. Mr. Morris responded.
Councilmember Rea arrived at 5:29 p.m.
This item was continued to after Agenda Item 9.3.
Mr. Morris noted that the Council would need to agree on a term length to introduce the ordinance PUBLIC COMMENT:
Ron Cohen spoke in support of a longer term and for funding infrastructure The Mayor called a recess at 7:30 p.m. and the Council reconvened at 7:43 p.m.
Moved by
Councilmember Chris Bubser
Seconded by
Mayor John Wentworth
Waive the reading and introduce by title only
an Ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of Mammoth Lakes Renewing the Mammoth Lakes Tourism Business Improvement District with a 5-year term from September 1, 2023 - August 1, 2028 and a Management District Plan (MDP) effective date of June 14, 2023.
For (5)
Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser, Mayor John Wentworth, Councilmember Sarah Rea, Councilmember Chris Bubser, and Councilmember Amanda Rice Carried (5 to 0)
9.2 Public Meeting on the Proposed Renewal of the Mammoth Lakes Tourism Business Improvement District (MLTBID).
1. Public Meeting on the Proposed Renewal of the Mammoth Lakes Tourism Business Improvement District.pdf
2. Cheryl Wilson Public Comment.pdf
3. John and Victoria Farber Public Comment.pdf
4. Dawn Vereuck Public Comment.pdf
Town Manager Daniel C. Holler outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Matthew Lehman said that the term of the TBID should be two to three years. He said that Measure A funding could also be spent on housing and transit and not just marketing.
Michael Raimondo said that the TBID worked. He said that staffing businesses was an issue in Town now. He said that Measure A needed to be spent on housing.
John Farber read an email he sent to the Town Council regarding his recommendation to allocate all Measure A funding to housing and transit and to have the TBID renewed at five years.
Ron Cohen, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, spoke about the comparative marketing spend in other locations. He spoke in support of air service and using Measure A and TBID funds for the air service subsidy. He spoke in support of a ten year TBID renewal.
John Morris, Chairman of the Mammoth Lakes Lodging Association, spoke in support of funding marketing which would increase TOT, which could then pay for housing and infrastructure needs.
Eric Clark, Mammoth Mountain and Board Member of Mammoth Lakes Tourism, spoke in support of air service driving quality visitation.
Dawn Vereuck asked if the Town needed marketing efforts when it had the Mountain and the IKON pass marketing for us. She asked if the air service was so successful then why was the subsidy still so high. She said the Town should re-visit the term of the TBID every two to five years.
Cheryl Wilson rebutted Mr. Cohen's numbers. She said she supported Measure A funds going to parking and housing. She advised that the Council renew the TBID for a short time.
There was discussion among members of Council.
9.3 Mammoth Lakes Tourism Contract Review.
1. MLT Contract Contents 2023.pdf
2. Draft MLT Contract 2023 - 2028.pdf
3. Joni Toussaint Public Comment.pdf
4. Pat Smoogen Public Comment.pdf
5. Mitchell Amundsen Public Comment.pdf
6. Mary Feddis Public Comment.pdf
7. Alec Clowes Public Comment.pdf
8. Tim Gallagher Public Comment.pdf
9. Sophie Bidet Public Comment.pdf
10. Ken Brengle Public Comment.pdf
Administrative Services/Finance Director Rob Patterson outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
John Urdi, Executive Director of Mammoth Lakes Tourism, said that their budget was based on the cap that the Council gives them. He said that is the funding was adjusted then the scope would need to be adjusted.
Dawn Vereuck asked about the Council's stance on infrastructure. Mayor Wentworth and Town Attorney Andrew Morris responded.
John Morris, Mammoth Lakes Tourism (MLT) Board Member, said that the MLT Board needed to have more meetings with the Town Council.
Ron Cohen, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, said that we were all better together, and that they had offered to add a half percent to lift tickets to address infrastructure needs.
Jeremy Goico, Mammoth Lakes Tourism Board Chair, said that the $2M given to MLT helped to fund housing initiatives, and spoke in support of $2M for the contract.
Matthew Lehman spoke in support of a parking district. He said that he did support marketing.
9.4 FY23-24 Budget Review - Housing NOW! and Capital Improvement Program Budget.
1. CIP Budget 23-24.pdf
2. Fund 245 and 300.pdf
Administrative Services/Finance Director Rob Patterson outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
9.5 Resolution finding emergency circumstances justify the award of an emergency contract to repair storm damaged Town infrastructure and facilities.
1. Authorization to award emergency contract without competitive bidding to repair damaged infrastructure.pdf
2. Resolution re emergency contracting 051723.pdf
Town Manager Daniel C. Holler outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
Moved by
Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser
Seconded by
Councilmember Amanda Rice
Approve the Resolution finding that emergency circumstances justify awarding a contract for Town infrastructure and facilities damaged by extreme weather including fencing, parks, regulatory, street and way find
ing
signage,
curb, sidewalks, gutter, drainage inlets, ADA required detectable warning surfaces and related items without competitive bidding.
For (5)
Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser, Mayor John Wentworth, Councilmember Sarah Rea, Councilmember Chris Bubser, and Councilmember Amanda Rice Carried (5 to 0)
9.6 Update on Response to Extreme Weather Emergency and Continued Emergency Road Work.
1. Update on Emergency Declaration and Response to Extreme Weather Conditions and Continued Emergency Contract Work.pdf
2. Emergency Road Repair R23-24.pdf
Town Manager Daniel C. Holler gave an update regarding the emergency response.
Moved by
Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser
Seconded by
Councilmember Amanda Rice
Make the finding that due to the existing conditions and continued degradation of Town roadways from the extreme weather conditions and declared emergency, the emergency work provided for in Resolution 23-24 is still necessary.
For (5)
Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser, Mayor John Wentworth, Councilmember Sarah Rea, Councilmember Chris Bubser, and Councilmember Amanda Rice Carried (5 to 0)
9.7 Update on Senate Bill 606 Related to Potential Relinquishment of State Highway 203.
1. Report on SB 606 Related to Potential Relinquishment of State Highway 203.pdf
2. SB 606 Bill Text.pdf
This item was taken out of order.
Town Manager Daniel C. Holler outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Ron Cohen, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, outlined the history of the road. He said that for the Main Lodge Project they would like the road to go around the back side of their property to have a connected base area. He said that this was an opportunity, and that once the road was built on private property they would give it to a public entity.
There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
10. COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
1. Councilmember Reports.pdf
Informational reports from Councilmember representatives on committees, commissions, and organizations; general reports on Councilmember activities Mayor Wentworth reported that the Council had met with the Mono County Board of Supervisors.
Mayor Pro Tem Sauser thanked Town staff for handling the emergency in addition to all of their regular work.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The Town Council will adjourn to a regular meeting to be held on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
The Council adjourned the meeting at 8:32 p.m.