Town Council Special Meeting - February 15, 2024
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 4:32 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 437 Old Mammoth Road, Suite Z, Mammoth Lakes.
Mayor Pro Tem Bubser announced that Mayor Sauser requested that he be allowed to join the meeting remotely due to a family medical emergency under Government Code Section 54953(f)(2)(A)(ii).
ACTION:
It was moved by Councilmember Amanda Rice, seconded by Councilmember Sarah Rea, and carried by a 5-0 vote to allow Mayor Sauser to participate in the meeting remotely.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Teri Stehlik led the flag salute.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments given at this time.
4. POLICY MATTERS
4.1 Council Discussion and Direction Regarding Recommendations from the BAE Urban Economics Short-Term Rental Study.
1. Discussion and Direction on Recommendations from BAE Short-Term Rental Study.pdf
2. BAE_Town of Mammoth Lakes_STR Study_FINAL_01-26-2024.pdf
3. BAE_Town of Mammoth Lakes_STR Study_Recommendations_Analysis.pdf
4. Public Comments.pdf
Administrative Services/Finance Director Rob Patterson introduced Aaron Nousaine, BAE Urban Economics. Mr. Nousaine gave a presentation outlining the report. There was discussion among members of Council, Mr. Nousaine, and staff.
There was discussion among members of Council and staff regarding the STR Study Recommendations. 1) Update the Definition of an STR
2) Maintain Records to Allow Ongoing Analysis
3) Update Code Language on Vested Interests
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Teri Stehlik asked some clarifying questions.
Ted Carleton asked if how many deed restrictions were lost and converted to short term rentals Mr. Patterson responded.
Rob Nott said he did not understand the purpose of the moratorium.
CONSENSUS:
The Town Council agreed with staff that adding language to address vested interests to the Town's Municipal Code would be beneficial. 4) Require STR Platforms to Submit Data
5) Update TOT Property Search Tool
6) Prohibit Short-Term Renting of Properties Recently Subject to Eviction CONSENSUS:
The Town Council directed staff to work on a Municipal Code update regarding prohibiting short term renting of properties recently subject to eviction. 7) Establish a Waiting Period for New Home Purchases
PUBLIC COMMENT
Rob Nott asked what the purpose of the wait time was. Mr. Nousaine responded.
Ms. Stehlik spoke against a waiting period.
CONSENSUS:
The Town Council agreed to not implement caps, waiting periods, or to create a mechanism to reduce allowed permits when needed now but to re-address the issue in November after the results from the election regarding the ballot measure to fund housing programs. 8) Update Fractional/Timeshare Code
9) Increase Enforcement Penalties
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Jan Henry noted a recent article that she had read stating that waiting periods cause homes to sit empty. 10) Register Rentals of 90 Days or Less
11) Establish a Cap or Caps on the Number of Permitted STRs PUBLIC COMMENT:
Ms. Stehlik spoke in opposition to caps.
Diane Stilwell asked for recourse if the Council implemented a cap and it did not work.
Veronica Calkins spoke in favor of caps and a waiting period.
Jennifer Lanners said that caps would affect the investment for the Town's buyers.
CONSENSUS:
The Town Council agreed to not implement caps, waiting periods, or to create a mechanism to reduce allowed permits when needed now but to re-address the issue in November after the results from the election regarding the ballot measure to fund housing programs. 12) Create a Mechanism to Reduce Allowed Permits When Needed The Mayor Pro Tem called a recess at 6:35 p.m. and the Council reconvened at 6:40 p.m. 13) Consider Fewer Restrictions on Hosted STRs
14) Consider a Cap on Nights Rented in Non-Hosted STRs
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mike T. asked about the number of nights. Mr. Patterson responded.
CONSENSUS:
The Town Council agreed that staff should not pursue a cap on nights rented in non-hosted STRs. 15) Consider Further Geographic Targeting of STR Regulations 16) Consider STR Density Limits
17) Update Analysis of Workforce Housing Need
CONSENSUS:
Yes do this agree with timing staff said have a workshop to discuss specific important info for our community 18) Strongly Oppose Legislation Similar to SB 584
19) Encourage Development of Other Accommodation Types
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Sarah Nutall encourage the Council to review developer impact fees (DIF) and engage the private sector. 20) Lobby for Tenants Rights Reform
21) Expand and Diversify the Housing Supply
Ms. Nutall asked for an update regarding the Town Council receiving the Placemates presentation. Town Manager Daniel C. Holler responded. 22) Establish Additional Dedicated Local Funding Sources for Housing Programs PUBLIC COMMENT:
Jan Henry thanked the Town Manager for noting that the TOT increase should be considered up to 2% and thanked Mayor Sauser for participating remotely.
CONSENSUS:
The Town Council agreed that staff should develop a 2% increase in TOT as a general tax. 23) Aggressively Expand Inventory of Deed Restricted Housing 24) Pursue Economic Development Initiative
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Dan Sherby said that Mammoth was a tourist destination and since STRs and tourism benefited the Town, they should be encouraged.
Gary T. said that few people affected by the taxes had the ability to vote here, and that the people deciding on this issue were not directly affected by it.
5. CLOSED SESSION
5.1 Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8, the Town Council will hold a conference with its representatives in regard to property negotiations pertaining to:
At 7:24 p.m. the Mayor Pro Tem announced that the Council would be entering into closed session for the purposes as stated in the agenda.
6. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION TAKEN AFTER CLOSED SESSION
The Council reconvened from closed session at 8:00 p.m. and announced that there was no reportable action taken.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The Council adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.