Town Council Special Meeting - June 14, 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
Mammoth Lakes Tourism (MLT) Director of Marketing Brian Wright led the flag salute.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
1. Public Comment - TOML Staff LB and Reds 6-14-23.pdf
John Morris commended the staff on the unallocated Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) piece that had been put out by the Town and outlined the information in the piece.
David Sheek, Mammoth Tuff Gravel Cycling Event Promoter, provided background about his event which was held annually in Mammoth each September, and spoke about special event funding and support he had received in the past from Mammoth Lakes Tourism ( MLT) and Measure A Funds. He spoke about his future pans for this and related events and spoke about MLT's responsible recreation messaging.
Andrew Kastor, Mammoth Track Club Board of Directors Vice President, announced that the Club had two athletes that would be headed to the World Championships in Track and Field this summer. Mr. Kastor reported that 50% of his club's funding came from by Measure A Funds provided through MLT to fund the athletes' training camps, housing, etc. and the other 50% which included his salary came from an ASICS sponsorship. He spoke about the importance of MLT's support and thanked them.
Tim Tollefson, Mammoth Hospital Physical Therapist, Professional Trail Runner and Mammoth Trail Fest Event Producer, provided information about his event and its popularity, and commended MLT for its messaging globally as well as locally.
Director of Public Works Haislip Hayes and Outdoor Recreation Manager Lawson Reif outlined the information in the Lakes Basin and Reds Meadow presentation. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
4.1 Public Hearing on the Mammoth Lakes Tourism Business Improvement District (MLTBID) renewal and adoption of related resolution and ordinance.
1. Public Hearing on MLTBID renewal and adoption of related resolution and ordinance.pdf
2. Proposed Modifications to MLTMDP 061423 Memo.pdf
3. Public Hearing to Renew MLTBID and Adopt Resolution and Ordinance - Staff Report.pdf
4. FINAL MLTBID_MDP_14Mar2023_For Petition Drive.pdf
5. Resolution of Formation_ MLTBID_14Jun2023(REV).pdf
6. OR23-05 TBID renewal.pdf
7. Proposed Modifications to MDP Redlined 061423.pdf
8. Karl Anderson Public Comment.pdf
9. Public Comment - MSTA (1) Objections to 2023 TBID.pdf
10. Public Comment - MSTA (2) OBJECTION TO JUNE 14TH TBID SPECIAL MEETING AND RELEVENT LAW.pdf
11. Public Comment - Brocia Letter To Town Council Members TBID.pdf
12. Community Conversation 6.12 (002).pdf
Mayor John Wentworth opened the public hearing at 4:29 p.m.
Town Manager Daniel C. Holler outlined the information in the staff report.
Jean Harris said that as a point of order he requested a continuance of this item. Town Attorney Andrew Morris responded.
John Urdi, Mammoth Lakes Tourism (MLT) Executive Director, reported that there was overwhelming support for a ten year renewal of the TBID. He said that the two previous TBID periods were for five years each.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
John Morris, MLT Board Treasurer, thanked Town staff, Town Council, the attorneys involved, and MLT staff for their work on the TBID renewal. Mr. Morris spoke about the various means in which members of the community could become involved and to provide input. He requested that joint meetings between MLT and the Town Council start up again.
Jeremy Goico, MLT Chair, spoke about the extensive efforts put toward the TBID renewal process. Mr. Goico spoke about the challenges the community had faced over the past three years, and the benefits provided by the TBID. He discussed MLT's responsible recreation messaging.
Ken Brengle, Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, thanked the Town Council for their support of the TBID, and said that the Chamber still supported the 10 year option. Mr. Brengle discussed the number of letters received in support of, and in opposition to, the TBID.
Ron Cohen, Mammoth Mountain President and Chief Operating Officer, spoke about businesses in the district and the success they have had, and attributed part of that success to the TBID. Mr. Cohen spoke about the benefits of the TBID, how it would support our local businesses and air service, and urged the Town Council to approve the TBID as presented.
Jean Harris representing the Main Street Taxpayers Association requested a continuance of tonight's meeting. Mr. Harris spoke in opposition to the renewal of the TBID.
Town Attorney Andrew Morris addressed some of Mr. Harris's concerns.
Mr. Holler noted that a majority of the petitioners supported the TBID renewal.
The Mayor closed the public hearing at 5:01 p.m.
There was discussion among members of Council and staff regarding the modifications to the Management District Plan.
The Mayor called a recess at 5:18 p.m. and the Council reconvened at 5:31 p.m.
Moved by
Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser
Seconded by
Councilmember Chris Bubser
Approve the modifications as proposed to the Management District Plan.
For (5)
Mayor John Wentworth, Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser, Councilmember Chris Bubser, Councilmember Sarah Rea, and Councilmember Amanda Rice Carried (5 to 0)
Moved by
Mayor John Wentworth
Seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser
Approve the Resolution of Formation Renewing the Mammoth Lakes Tourism Business Improvement District which includes the Modified Management District Plan, and to update #6 within the Resolution that the assessments levied for the MLTBID shall be applied towards sales, marketing, communications, media relations and improvement programs, and air service marketing and subsidy programs to market Mammoth Lakes tourism businesses as tourist, meeting and event destinations, and other improvements and activities set forth in the Plan.
For (4)
Mayor John Wentworth, Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser, Councilmember Chris Bubser, and Councilmember Sarah Rea Against (1)
Councilmember Amanda Rice
Carried (4 to 1)
Moved by
Mayor John Wentworth
Seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser
Waive the reading and adopt by title only the Ordinance approving the renewal of the MLTBID Ordinance 23-05, an ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of Mammoth Lakes, State of California renewing the Mammoth Lakes Tourism Business Improvement District.
For (4)
Mayor John Wentworth, Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser, Councilmember Chris Bubser, and Councilmember Sarah Rea Against (1)
Councilmember Amanda Rice
Carried (4 to 1)
5. POLICY MATTERS
5.1 Approval of Agreement between the Town of Mammoth Lakes and Mammoth Lakes Tourism for Implementation and Management of the Tourism Business Improvement District, Management District Plan.
1. TBID Contract MGT - MLT.pdf
2. Contract - TBID Administration - 2023 - 2028.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 John Wentworth
Seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser
Approve and authorize
the
Town Manager to sign the five-year Agreement
, pending final legal review,
between the Town of Mammoth Lakes and Mammoth Lakes Tourism for Implementation and Management of the Tourism Business Improvement District ,
(TBID
)
Management District Plan.
For (5)
Mayor John Wentworth, Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser, Councilmember Chris Bubser, Councilmember Sarah Rea, and Councilmember Amanda Rice Carried (5 to 0)
5.2 Council Meeting Schedule Proposed Changes for July through September.
1. Council Meeting Schedule for July and September.pdf
Town Manager Daniel C. Holler outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
CONSENSUS:
The Council directed staff to move forward with the proposed Council meeting schedule changes as discussed.
6. CLOSED SESSION
At 5:41 p.m. the Mayor announced that the Council would be entering into closed session for the purposes as stated in the agenda.
6.1 Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957, the Council will hold a conference to consider evaluation of a public employee: Town Manager.
7. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION TAKEN AFTER CLOSED SESSION
The Council reconvened from closed session at 6:18 p.m. and announced that there was no reportable action taken.
8. ADJOURNMENT
The Council adjourned the meeting at 6:18 p.m.