Town Council - December 18, 2024
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 437 Old Mammoth Road, Suite Z, Mammoth Lakes.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Betsy Truax 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. COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Recognition of retiring Senior Accounting Assistant Renee Hallum.
Accounting Manager Stephanie Trujillo and Town Manager Rob Patterson thanked Ms. Hallum for her years of service .
6. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND/OR DEPARTMENTS (AS NEEDED) Parks and Recreation Director Stuart Brown gave an update regarding current parks and recreation activities.
Community and Economic Development Director Nolan Bobroff announced that he had received notice that Phase 1 of The Parcel was fully occupied now.
Mammoth Lakes Tourism Board Chair Pat Foster said that the Board would now have representatives attend the Town Council meetings on a more regulars basis to provide updates. Mr. Foster spoke about the recent Police Chief's Advisory Committee meeting.
Police Chief Dan Casabian provided additional information about the Committee meeting.
Mammoth Lakes Recreation Executive Director Kim Anaclerio provided an update on the Measure U Allocations Program.
Public Works Director Haislip Hayes provided an update on the Town's snow removal program.
Town Manager Rob Patterson read a letter that he had received from a member of the public complimenting the high level of service received from Hot Creek Aviation. Mr. Patterson announced that this quarter's employee Spirit of Mammoth Award was awarded to Assistant Clerk Angie Plaisted.
There was discussion among the Councilmembers, Mr. Foster, Ms. Anaclerio, and staff.
6.1 December 2024 Office of Outdoor Recreation Update.
1. December 2024 Office of Outdoor Recreation Update.pdf
2. OOR_TOMLCouncilUpdate_12102024.pdf
7. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
7.1 Mammoth Lakes Tourism (MLT) Annual Recap presented by MLT Executive Director John Urdi.
1. MLT annual presentation Dec 2024.pdf
2. MLT Deliverables Recap FY 2023-24 12-11-24.pdf
3. FINAL MLT_FY2324 Annual Wrap Report 12-12-24.pdf
Mammoth Lakes Tourism (MLT) President and CEO John Urdi outlined the information in the MLT Annual Presentation, MLT Deliverables Recap, and MLT Fiscal Year 2023/24 Annual Wrap Report.
MLT Vice President of Community Engagement Betsy Truax spoke about the monthly Free Community Skate Nights and discussed the partnership with the Town for the tree lighting event.
There was discussion between members of the Council and MLT staff.
7.2 Broadband Update presented by Scott Armstrong, Regional Broadband Coordinator.
1. 2024 Winter Mammoth Broadband Update.pdf
Regional Broadband Coordinator Scott Armstrong outlined the information in the 2024 Winter Mammoth Broadband Update.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Brianna Goico, Executive Director of the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce, said that many local businesses had discussed internet service issues in Mammoth with Chamber representatives.
There was discussion among members of Council, Mr. Armstrong, and staff.
8. CONSENT AGENDA
Town Manager Rob Paterson requested that Agenda Item 8.4 be removed from the Consent Agenda for additional discussion.
Councilmember Truax announced that he needed to recuse himself from Agenda Item 8.5 due to a conflict of interest.
Moved by
Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice
Seconded by
Councilmember Bill Sauser
Approve the Consent Agenda, with Councilmember Truax recused on Agenda Item 8.5.
For (5)
Mayor Chris Bubser, Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice, Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember Brent Truax, and Councilmember John Wentworth Carried (5 to 0)
8.1 Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 4, 2024.
1. December 4, 2024 Minutes.pdf
8.2 Accept and File the SB 165 Tax Accountability Report for CFD 2001-1 (North Village), CFD 2004-1 (Fractional), CFD 2005-1 (In Lieu), CFD 2013-3 (Transit Services), and CFD 2023-1 (Maintenance Services).
1. Accept and File the SB 165 Tax Accountability Report for Town's five CFDs.pdf
2. CFD 2001-1 SB165.pdf
3. CFD 2004-01 SB165.pdf
4. CFD 2005-01 SB165.pdf
5. CFD 2013-3 SB165.pdf
6. CFD 2023-1 SB165.pdf
8.3 Accept the Project Closeout Report for 2024 Road & MUP Rehabilitation Project.
1. Project Closeout Report_Road and MUP Rehab.pdf
8.4 Adopt a resolution authorizing the vacation of an existing slope easement along Canyon Boulevard.
1. Resolution authorizing vacation of Canyon Blvd slope easement.pdf
2. Resolution 24-XX Vacation of Canyon Blvd Slope Easement.pdf This item was removed from the consent agenda for separate discussion.
Town Manager Rob Patterson and Public Works Director Haislip Hayes outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
Moved by
Councilmember John Wentworth
Seconded by
Councilmember Brent Truax
Adopt the resolution vacating an existing slope easement granted to the Town and recorded as Document No. 2003007395, in the Office of the County Recorder, County of Mono, State of California.
For (5)
Mayor Chris Bubser, Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice, Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember Brent Truax, and Councilmember John Wentworth Carried (5 to 0)
8.5 Adopt the resolution declaring the Council’s intention to annex territory into the Community Facilities District No. 2023-1 (Maintenance Services), levying a special tax in connection therewith, and setting the time and place for the public hearing on
1. CFD 2023-1 Annex. 1 - Staff Report (ROI).pdf
2. 1. CFD 2023-1 Annex. 1 - Resolution of Intention to Annex Property.pdf
3. Exhibit A_CFD 2023-1 (Maintenance Services) Annexation 1 Boundary Map.pdf
4. Exhibit B_CFD 2023-1 (Maintenance Services) - RMA.pdf
5. 2. CFD 2023-1 Annex 1 - Signed petition.pdf
February 5, 2025.
8.6 Accept Check Register 12/5/24 in the amount of $4,182,998.32. Accept Check Register 12/10/24 in the amount of $197,571.53.
1. Check Register 12052024.pdf
2. Check Register 12102024.pdf
9. POLICY MATTERS
9.1 Approve the plan for collection of additional Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) from Measure L.
1. Staff Report - Collection of TOT for Measure L - v2.pdf Town Manager Rob Patterson outlined the information in the staff report.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
John Morris, Lodging Association Chair, thanked the Town Manager for attending the Association meeting to discuss this issue. He said that he appreciated the Town's amnesty and understanding with pre-existing reservations.
There was discussion among members of Council, Mr. Morris, and staff.
Moved by
Councilmember Bill Sauser
Seconded by
Councilmember John Wentworth
Approve the plan for implementation of the 2% rate increase for Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), starting with all transactions booked on or after 1/1/2025 and requiring staff to provide a tax return to facilitate collection of both tax rates for up to six months.
For (5)
Mayor Chris Bubser, Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice, Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember Brent Truax, and Councilmember John Wentworth Carried (5 to 0)
9.2 Strategic Planning Series - Presentation of major policies, projects, planning efforts, and workplan items for 2025.
1. Town Council Staff Report_2025 Strategic Planning Series_V4_12-18-2024PK.pdf
2. Stacy Corless Public Comment.pdf
Town Manager Rob Patterson and Assistant to the Town Manager Pam Kobylarz outlined the information in the staff report.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Janet Hatfield, Whitebark Institute
Forest Health Program Manager,
spoke about the continued wildfire crisis and said that it should be included in the planning.
Ales Tomaier, Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District Fire Chief, spoke about the potential upcoming challenges with Federal partners and the need to work together.
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.
Councilmember Sauser attended the Local Transportation Commission meeting, the Eastern Sierra Transit Authority Board meeting, the dedication of the McCoy highway section, and the grand opening of the Eastern Sierra Small Business Resource Center.
Councilmember Truax attended the Local Transportation Commission meeting, the Tree Lighting Ceremony, and the Night of Lights.
Mayor Bubser attended the Eastern Sierra Council of Governments meeting and the grand opening of the Eastern Sierra Small Business Center.
Mayor Pro Tem Rice attended the Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Councilmember Wentworth attended the Eastern Sierra Council of Governments meeting.
There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The Town Council will adjourn to a regular meeting to be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
The Council adjourned the meeting at 6:49 p.m.