Mammoth Lakes City Council
March 5, 2025

Town Council Agenda

Wednesday, March 5, 2025, 3:00 p.m.
437 Old Mammoth Road, Suite Z, Mammoth Lakes
Members of the Town Council:

Mayor Chris Bubser, Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice, Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember Brent Truax, Councilmember John Wentworth NOTE: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Town Clerk at (760) 965-3602. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the Town to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. (28 CFR 13.102-35.104 ADA Title II)
NOTE: Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the Town Offices located at 437 Old Mammoth Road, Suite 230 during normal business hours. Such documents are also available on the Town of Mammoth Lakes website at www.townofmammothlakes.ca.gov subject to staff’s ability to post the documents before the meeting.

NOTE: You may attend the Town Council meetings in person or watch them on the Town of Mammoth Lakes' website at www.townofmammothlakes.ca.gov , on the local government cable channel 18, or via Zoom. Public comments can be submitted to the Town Clerk at [email protected]. before and during the meeting, or may be made in person or via Zoom.

NOTE: All comments will be limited to a speaking time of five minutes.

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1. RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY

1.1 The Council will participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new housing development project located at 60 Joaquin.

2. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The call to order will start at 4:00 p.m.

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

4. 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.

5. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
Opportunity to add urgency items pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2(b)2, if necessary.

6. INTRODUCTIONS

6.1 Introduce new Recreation Supervisor Sydney Schulz.

7. COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS

7.1 Approve the proclamation declaring March 2025 as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month.

8. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND/OR DEPARTMENTS (AS NEEDED)

8.1 March 2025 Public Works CIP Update.

9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS

9.1 Mammoth Yosemite Airport Multipurpose Building Presentation.

10. CONSENT AGENDA

10.1 Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 19, 2025.

11. POLICY MATTERS

11.1 Waive the reading and introduce by title only the ordinance amending Municipal Code Chapters 6.20 Feeding of Wildlife Prohibited, 8.12 Solid Waste Management and 8.13 Construction and Demolition Waste Management.

11.2 Review of Snow Management Policy.

11.3 Town Council Strategic Planning Series - Adoption of Town Council Strategic Priorities for 2025.

12. COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
Informational reports from Councilmember representatives on committees, commissions, and organizations; general reports on Councilmember activities.

13. CLOSED SESSION

13.1 Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957, the Council will hold a conference to consider evaluation of a public employee: Town Manager.

14. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION TAKEN AFTER CLOSED SESSION

15. ADJOURNMENT
The Town Council will adjourn to a regular meeting to be held on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.

PROCLAMATION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF MAMMOTH LAKES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DECLARING MARCH 2025 AS

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AWARENESS MONTH
WHEREAS, multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease of the central nervous system, affecting nearly 1 million people in the United States alone; and WHEREAS, MS generally strikes people in the prime of life, between ages 20 through 50, and the cause and course of the often-debilitating symptoms of MS remain unknown and no cure currently exists; and
WHEREAS, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is committed to a world free of MS, heightening public knowledge about and providing insight into the disease; and WHEREAS, together we have transformed what it means to live with MS and provided global leadership to help achieve our vision of a world free of MS; and WHEREAS, since 1946, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has been a driving force of MS research, relentlessly pursuing prevention, treatments, and a cure and has invested more than $1 billion in groundbreaking research; and
WHEREAS, funds raised through the National Multiple Sclerosis Society fuel research on pathways to MS cures and invest in the MS research workforce at the best medical centers, universities, and other institutions throughout the U.S. and abroad, leading to many breakthroughs in the treatment of MS; and
WHEREAS, the mission of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is to cure MS while empowering people affected by MS to live their best lives and one that all Americans and Californians should support; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Mammoth Lakes recognizes the importance of finding the cause of and cure for MS and expresses its appreciation for the dedication that the National Multiple Sclerosis Society — California has shown toward creating a world free of MS.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED by the Town Council of the Town of Mammoth Lakes that March 2025 is recognized as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month in the Town of Mammoth Lakes and commend observance by all citizens. It is further encouraged that all Mammoth residents learn about MS, as well as educate themselves as to what they can do to support individuals with MS and their families.

APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 5th Day of February 2025.

________________________________
AMANDA RICE, Mayor Pro Tem
ATTEST:
__________________________
JAMIE GRAY, Town Clerk

Mammoth Lakes Town Council
Agenda Action Sheet
Title: March 2025 Public Works CIP Update.

Council Meeting Date: 3/5/2025
Prepared by: Haislip Hayes, PE Public Works Director
Recommended Motion: None
Summary: The attached CIP updated contains information about the Town’s current design and construction projects.

Public Works Engineering
Capital Project Update
March 5, 2025
*** Text shown in bold has changed from the previous update *** Project Notes Budget
CRC “Phase 2” - Interior TI
Work
The front LA Kings sign/pergola has been installed. Concrete flooring, partition wall and lights for bleacher area installed on top of locker room. Progress is being made towards the installation of stairs and bleachers by the end of the month. with the ADA lift and office spaces following in April/May. $1.12M
The Parcel Phase 1 “The
Sawyer”
Bus shelters and landscaping are substantially complete, and streetlights remain in progress.
$58M (buildings)
~$5.6M (public
infrastructure)
The Parcel Phase 2
“Kingfisher 1”
Work on underground utilities and perimeter site retaining walls will resume in the spring.
$46M (Kingfisher 1)
TBD (Kingfisher 2)
60 Joaquin The project is substantially complete, and staff has begun working with Eastern Sierra Community Housing toward the sale of the units.
$2.42M
Town Civic Center The concrete floor slab was poured at the beginning of December, and the contractor has demobilized for winter. Work is expected to re-commence in mid-April.
$27M
Childcare Center (Core &
Shell only)
The project is complete with only minor punch-list items yet to be addressed. $1.65M Mammoth Creek Park West
(CRC)
Installation of the climbing boulder and associated concrete work, a picnic/performance pavilion and CRC patio railing and shade structure are being planned for later this year.
$500K
Mammoth Arts & Cultural
Center (MACC)
The Town has restarted the plan check process and is working towards completing bid documents. Staff hope to bid the project in 2 months ~$15M + (TBD)
Airport Reconstruct GA and
Terminal Parking Lot
Construction is expected to begin in May 2025. $2M
2025 Road & MUP
Rehabilitation
Staff is evaluating roads and multi-use paths (MUPs) for a variety of potential rehabilitation or reconstruction methods to be performed later this summer. ~$2-4M
2025 Slurry Seal Staff is evaluating roads and parking lots for slurry seal rehabilitation to be performed later this summer.
~$1M
2025 Town Facility
Repairs/Improvements
Staff is working to identify repairs and improvements needed to a variety of minor facilities, such as sidewalks, asphalt, fences, walls, ADA improvements etc, to be incorporated into a project with the intent of going out to bid this spring for construction this summer.

TBD
Volcom Skate Park
Maintenance
Staff will be soliciting bids this winter for a multi-year maintenance contract for the Volcom Skate Park. Staff intend to work with the awarded contractor in the spring to determine specific scopes of work to be completed this summer. ~100K annually
Airport Tee-Hangar Taxilane
Rehabilitation
Staff is working to design the rehabilitation of deteriorated asphalt, grading and drainage improvements along 3 taxilanes at the airport. The airport’s Pavement Maintenance Management Plan (PMMP) recommended the asphalt be reconstructed in 2018. The design will be completed this year, with the intention of going out to bid early in 2026 for construction next summer. $229K (design)

Airport Multipurpose
Building – Site Work Phase
1 The project consists of reconstruction and extension of the service road from the airport entrance to Taxiway A including grading, drainage, utility stubs, paving, marking, and fencing. There is an alternate that includes removing existing Taxiway A3 and construction of the new Taxiway A3 connector taxiway between Taxiway A and the runway including pavement removal, grading, drainage, paving, marking, lighting, and signage. Phase 1 site work is going out to bid March 2025 for construction next summer. $2.5M (Phase 1)
Airport Multipurpose
Building (ARFF and SRE)
Phase 2
Staff is working to re-design the ARFF and SRE building which has been renamed to the Multipurpose Building for funding eligibility purposes.

Recent changes in airport operations have caused some of the previously designed spaces to become ineligible for funding. The re-designed building will include seven bays, two restrooms, a lobby, workshop, training room, breakroom, and other office space. Design will be completed this year with the building structure and phase 2 sitework likely going out to bid in early 2026 for construction next summer.

TBD
Main Street MUP Staff is working to design a multi-use path (MUP) to complete the gap on the south side of Main Street (SR 203) between Callahan Way and Minaret/Lake Mary Rds. Design should be completed this year, however construction funds or schedule have not yet been identified.
~$200K (design)
Shady Rest Restroom Staff is working to design a new restroom and associated site improvements to replace the existing aging restroom near the playground at Shady Rest Park.

Design should be completed this year, with the intent of going out to bid in early 2026 for construction next summer.
~$200K (design)
Minaret/Meridian
Roundabout
Staff is working to design a roundabout at the intersection of Minaret Rd and Meridian Blvd to replace the aging traffic signal. The project would also include signage/wayfinding, pedestrian improvements and lighting, and would be coordinated with the design of the future Minaret MUP. Design should be completed this year, however construction funds or schedule have not yet been identified.
~$180K (design)
The Parcel Phase 3
(homeownership)
Staff is working with The Pacific Companies to design a phase of approximately 40 townhome-style homeownership units to be located at roughly the southeast corner of The Parcel. The project would include a new public road extension of Inyo St connecting to Chaparral Rd, and associated utilities.

Design is expected to be completed this spring and summer, and site preparation may begin as early as this summer or fall.

TBD
Mountain Blvd HSIP Project The Town was awarded $350k to provide a pedestrian activated crosswalk at the intersection of 203 and Mountain Blvd. The installation will be like the Post Office and Laurel Mountain crosswalks. Design will be coordinated with the S Main MUP project
$350k

Mammoth Lakes Town Council
Agenda Action Sheet
Title: Mammoth Yosemite Airport Multipurpose Building Presentation.

Council Meeting Date: 3/5/2025
Prepared by: Sierra Waugh, Deputy Airport Manager
Recommended Motion: Receive a presentation from staff and ask questions.

Summary: The Multipurpose Building to Include ARFF and Snow Removal Equipment at Mammoth Yosemite Airport is a building intended for the storage of the Aircraft Rescue Firefighting vehicle (ARFF) and snow removal equipment and support rooms. The building was initially planned and designed prior to 2023 and put out to bid in 2023; however, no bids were received for the structure portion. Additionally, due to changes in commercial service, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) determined that some of the designed spaces were no longer eligible for federal funding. Therefore, the Town has redesigned the building to minimize ineligible components.

Multipurpose Building
to Include ARFF and
Snow Removal
Equipment
Mammoth Yosemite Airport
March 5, 2025

Redesign
Did not receive bids on the
originally designed structure
in 2023
Due to changes in commercial
service, some spaces became
ineligible
Redesign required elimination
of spaces such as wash/dryer
room, first aid/medical room,
dayroom, two dorms, locker
rooms, and additional storage
Previously named the “ARFF
and Snow Removal Equipment
Building” → renamed the
“Multipurpose Building to
Include ARFF and SRE”

Taking a Phased
Approach Page 11 of 67
Redesigned Floor Plan Level 1

Redesigned Floor Plan Level 2

Schematics

OLD DESIGN
NEW
DESIGN
North Elevation (Towards Doe
Ridge)
West Elevation
(Towards the
Terminal)

Schematics
South Elevation (Towards the
Highway)
East Elevation (Towards Benton
Crossing Rd)

Project
Need
Protecting expensive equipment
Improving emergency response time
Ownership vs rental
Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) Grant Assurance requirements
for airports to be self-sustaining
Mitigate aircraft vs vehicle
movement conflicts
Improve airfield visibility from
watch room
Landside access, Americans with
Disability Act (ADA) improvements,
and ventilation improvements

Expenses up to this
point
*TADP = Terminal Area Development Plan, which includes the Multipurpose Building
Effort Year
Federal
Funding Local Funding
TADP* Environmental Assessment
(NEPA)
2017 $321,400 $30,000
TADP* Environmental Impact Report
(CEQA)
2017 $0 $126,000
1st Design 2022 $444,545 $45,800
AWOS Relocation and Upgrade 2022 $490,215 $50,505
Redesign 2024 $244,330 $25,170
Total $1,500,490 $277,475

Estimated Future Costs
Effort Year Federal Funding
Local
Funding
Multipurpose Building
Phase I Site Work 2025 $2,263,780(Entitlements)
$233,220
Multipurpose Building
Phase II Site Work and
Structure
2026
$5,323,415
(Entitlements and/or
Discretionary)
$1,734,680
Total $7,587,195 $1,967,900

Proposed Schedule
2024-2025 Redesign Efforts
March 5, 2025 Town Council Presentation
March 7, 2025 Solicited Bids for Site Work Phase I
April 9, 2025 Planning and Economic Development Commission May 1, 2025 Apply for FAA Grant for Phase I Site Work
2026 Construct Phase I Site Work
Bid Phase II Site Work and Building Structure
Apply for FAA Grant for Phase II Site Work and
Building Structure

Town Council of Mammoth Lakes
Minutes of Regular Meeting
February 19, 2025, 4:00 p.m.
437 Old Mammoth Road, Suite Z, Mammoth Lakes
Members Present: Mayor Chris Bubser, Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice, Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember Brent Truax,
Councilmember John Wentworth
_____________________________________________________________________

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
Mayor Pro Tem Rice led the flag salute.

3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Brianna Goico, President & CEO of the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce, gave an update regarding current Chamber activities.

Betsy Truax, Mammoth Lakes Tourism (MLT) Vice President of Community Engagement, gave an update regarding the community coffee program and announced the upcoming community skate night.

4. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
There were no additions to the agenda.

Town Council Minutes
February 19, 2025

5. WORKSHOP

5.1 Joint workshop with the Board of Eastern Sierra Community Housing.

Eastern Sierra Community Housing (ESCH) Board President Tom Hodges and Board Members Kirk Stapp, Heidi Steenstra, and Amanda Rice were in attendance. Vice President Lindsay Barksdale, Treasurer Sarah Nuttall, and Board Members Tony Perkins and Brian D'Andrea were not in attendance. Board Member Jennifer Kreitz arrived at 4:36 p.m.

Planning and Economic Development Director Nolan Bobroff and Patricia Robertson, ESCH Executive Director, outlined current housing activities for the Town and for ESCH. There was discussion among members of Council, members of the Board, and staff.

The Mayor called a recess at 5:48 p.m. and the Council reconvened at 5:57 p.m.

6. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

6.1 Presentation regarding Mammoth Hospital's North Wing Project presented by Tom Parker, Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Parker gave a presentation outlining the project. There was discussion among members of Council and Mr. Parker.

6.2 2024 Mammoth Disposal Annual Report.

Cassidy Moyer, Mammoth Disposal Sustainability Coordinator, gave a presentation regarding the Annual Report. There was discussion among members of Council and Ms. Moyer.

7. STAFF PRESENTATIONS

7.1 Review of Local Impacts from Federal Actions.

Town Manager Rob Patterson outlined the information in the staff report.

There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Janet Hatfield, Whitebark Institute, said that vegetation management work that was supposed to be conducted this summer would also be impacted by federal actions.

Town Council Minutes
February 19, 2025

8. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND/OR DEPARTMENTS (AS NEEDED) Pat Foster, Mammoth Lakes Tourism (MLT), gave an update regarding current MLT activities.

Town Manager Rob Patterson reported that there would be community engagement efforts regarding wildfire this spring. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

9. CONSENT AGENDA
Moved by Councilmember Bill Sauser
Seconded by Councilmember John Wentworth
Councilmember Sauser requested that Agenda Item 9.2 be removed from the Consent Agenda for separate discussion.

Approve the Consent Agenda, with Councilmember Truax recused on Agenda Item 9.3.

For (5): Mayor Chris Bubser, Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice, Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember Brent Truax, and Councilmember John Wentworth Carried (5 to 0)

9.1 Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 5, 2025.

9.2 Adopt the Resolution amending the Guide to Town Council Processes and Procedures, changing the public comment time to three minutes.

This item was removed from the Consent Agenda for separate discussion.

There was discussion among members of Council.

Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice
Seconded by Mayor Chris Bubser
Adopt the Resolution amending the Guide to Town Council Processes and Procedures, changing the public comment time to three minutes.

For (2): Mayor Chris Bubser, and Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice Against (3): Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember Brent Truax, and Councilmember John Wentworth

Town Council Minutes
February 19, 2025

Defeated (2 to 3)

9.3 Waive the reading and adopt by title only the Ordinance authorizing the levy of special taxes in Community Facilities District No. 2023-1 (Maintenance Services), including certain annexation territories.

9.4 Receive and file the 2024 Snowcreek Development Agreement annual review report, finding the Developer in good faith substantial compliance with the terms and conditions of the Development Agreement.

9.5 Accept Check Register 1/29/25 in the amount of $573,715.67. Accept Check Register 2/6/25 in the amount of $1,632,100.09.

10. PUBLIC HEARINGS

10.1 2025/26 Parks and Recreation Department Fee Schedule Amendments.

The Mayor opened the public hearing at 7:26 p.m.

Parks and Recreation Director Stuart Brown outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

With no members of the public coming forward to speak, the Mayor closed the public hearing at 7:39 p.m.

Moved by Councilmember Bill Sauser
Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice
Approve by resolution the 2025/26 Parks and Recreation Department fee schedule amendments as presented in Exhibit D, as amended to leave the Inyo/Mono K-12 Student rate at $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)

Town Council Minutes
February 19, 2025

11. POLICY MATTERS

11.1 Resolution to Purchase Two TruNarc Devices in Partnership with the Mono County Sheriff and District Attorney’s Offices.

Police Chief Dan Casabian outlined the information in the staff report.

There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Pat Foster, Chief's Advisory Committee, spoke in support of the purchase.

Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice
Seconded by Councilmember Bill Sauser
Adopt the Resolution authorizing the Town Manager to expend general funds, in partnership with the Mono County Sheriff and District Attorney’s Offices, to purchase two (2) Thermo Fisher Scientific TruNarc handheld narcotics analyzers with two-year warranties and training in the amount not to exceed $65,000, with expected reimbursement from Mono County Sheriff’s Office and Mono County District Attorney’s Office of $42,135.96 in total.

For (5): Mayor Chris Bubser, Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice, Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember Brent Truax, and Councilmember John Wentworth
Carried (5 to 0)

11.2 Approve official Town of Mammoth Lakes logo.

Assistant to the Town Manager Pam Kobylarz outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Brianna Goico, President & CEO of the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support of the proposed logo.

There was discussion among members of Council.

Moved by Mayor Chris Bubser
Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice
Approve official Town of Mammoth Lakes logo.

Town Council Minutes
February 19, 2025

For (4): Mayor Chris Bubser, Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice, Councilmember Bill Sauser, and Councilmember John Wentworth Against (1): Councilmember Brent Truax
Carried (4 to 1)

11.3 2025 Town Council Strategic Planning Series – Final Review of Key Objectives.

The Mayor called a recess at 8:12 p.m. and the Council reconvened at 8:20 p.m.

Town Manager Rob Patterson and Assistant to the Town Manager Pam Kobylarz outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

11.4 2025 Youth Sports Funding Award.

Parks and Recreation Director Stuart Brown outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice
Seconded by Councilmember Bill Sauser
Award Town funds to eight local youth sports organizations.

For (4): Mayor Chris Bubser, Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice, Councilmember Bill Sauser, and Councilmember John Wentworth Conflict (1): Councilmember Brent Truax
Carried (4 to 0)

12. COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Sauser attended the Local Transportation Commission meeting.

Councilmember Truax attended the Local Transportation Commission meeting and the Bingo Fundraiser for the Mammoth Ski Patrol Alumni Association.

Councilmember Wentworth spoke about the San Francisco Gate article regarding the Eastern Sierra Transit Authority (ESTA). He attended the Mammoth Lakes Tourism (MLT) strategic planning special meeting and the MLT monthly Board meeting.

Town Council Minutes
February 19, 2025

Mayor Bubser attended the ESTA Board meeting, the Bingo Fundraiser for the Mammoth Ski Patrol Alumni Association, the Eastern Sierra Wildfire Alliance meeting, and the Vons remodel ribbon cutting ceremony. She announced her first office hours scheduled for tomorrow at Stellar Brew from 9-10 a.m.

13. CLOSED SESSION

13.1 Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6.(a), Conference with Labor Negotiators, the Council will meet with its representatives, Town Manager Rob Patterson, Police Chief Dan Casabian, and HR Manager Amanda Pelham with respect to the following Employee Organizations: Mammoth Lakes Police Officers Association and the Mammoth Lakes Sergeants Association.

At 9:29 p.m. the Mayor announced that the Council would be entering into closed session for the purposes as stated in the agenda.

14. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION TAKEN AFTER CLOSED SESSION
The Council reconvened from closed session at 9:45 p.m. and announced that there was no reportable action taken.

15. ADJOURNMENT
The Council adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m.

Jamie Gray, Town Clerk

1 TOWN COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Title: Waive the reading and introduce by title only the ordinance amending Municipal Code Chapters 6.20 Feeding of Wildlife Prohibited, 8.12 Solid Waste Management and 8.13 Construction and Demolition Waste Management.

Meeting Date: March 5, 2025
Prepared by: Pam Kobylarz, Assistant to the Town Manager Anthony Ottati, Sustainability Coordinator
Rob Patterson, Town Manager
RECOMMENDATION:

Waive the reading and introduce by title only the ordinance amending Municipal Code Chapters 6.20 Feeding of Wildlife Prohibited, 8.12 Solid Waste Management and 8.13 Construction and Demolition Waste Management
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS:

The Town is working on a comprehensive wildlife management, outreach and education program to help reduce conflicts and interactions between humans and wildlife. The first phase of this program is to update the Town’s Municipal Code to strengthen language in the Code related to wildlife attraction and define responsible parties for solid waste spillage. This proposed Municipal Code update consists of minor updates to three chapters in order to lessen human-wildlife interaction and clean up the Town Code, while still permitting activities like fishing and outdoor cooking that may attract wildlife.

Pursuant to the current Municipal Code it is difficult to cite certain behavior which is detrimental to or may attract wildlife within Town. If a dumpster is left unlocked, or is overflowing, it is unclear who the responsible party is. Staff is proposing changes that would strengthen the language in the Code that would not only clarify the responsibilities of residents’ management of dumpsters and management of waste but would also give Town staff the ability to enforce these regulations and issue citations if needed.

In addition to the proposed wildlife attractant-related Code changes, staff have identified a number of clean-up items in the Code and those are being addressed as part of this update.

Below is a summary of the proposed Municipal Code changes.

Chapter 6.20 Wildlife Attraction Prohibited
 Addition of reference to scented items, food storage, barbeques, unattended fishing equipment, and other wildlife attractants.

2  Additional language to prohibit solid waste spillage attracting wildlife (cross referenced to MC 8.12).
 Changing the title of the chapter from Feeding of Wildlife Prohibited, to Feeding of Wildlife and Wildlife Attraction Prohibited.
 Revised the violation language to allow flexibility in citing violations as nuisances or by utilizing other citation options in the Municipal Code.

Chapter 8.12 Solid Waste Management
 Added a definition of responsible party, clearly defining who is responsible for spillage and other issues occurring related to solid waste.  Additional exceptions are included to allow commercial customers to share containers (when approved by the Town Manager and the Franchisee) as well as to allow additional flexibility around container types (when approved by the Town Manager and the Franchisee).
 Definition of spillage, clearly prohibiting solid waste overflow and other improper disposal of solid waste that could attract wildlife.
 General cleanup, including capitalizing all defined terms, which was changed during the comprehensive Municipal Code update that was approved last year.

Chapter 8.13 Construction and Demolition Waste Management  Adding back in language around construction and demolition waste management that was inadvertently removed during the comprehensive Municipal Code update that was approved last year. This language doesn’t specifically address wildliferelated issues but is part of the Town’s broader solid waste management program.

Once the Code update is approved, staff will work to develop and implement a broad and comprehensive educational outreach campaign in both English and Spanish to help address these and other issues related to coexisting with wildlife. This will be a multi-department work effort.

OPTIONS ANALYSIS:

Option 1: Waive the reading and introduce by title only the ordinance amending Municipal Code Chapters 6.20 Feeding of Wildlife Prohibited, 8.12 Solid Waste Management and

8.13 Construction and Demolition Waste Management. This will strengthen our Municipal Code and allow for stronger enforcement around wildlife attraction and other related issues.

Option 2: Do not approve the changes to the Municipal Code and continue to process violations under the existing Municipal Code, or direct staff to return with different proposed changes to the Municipal Code.

ORDINANCE NO. 25-XX

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF

MAMMOTH LAKES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA,
AMENDING MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTERS 6.20 FEEDING OF WILDLIFE PROHIBITED, 8.12 SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AND 8.13 CONSTRUCTION AND

DEMOLITION WASTE
WHEREAS, the Town of Mammoth Lakes’ Municipal Code governs the laws of the Town related to and including solid waste disposal and the prohibition of feeding wildlife; and
WHEREAS, many black bears and other wildlife reside in or near the Town of Mammoth Lakes, and
WHEREAS, the Town desires to minimize human and wildlife conflicts and interactions, so that wildlife and humans can coexist peacefully; and WHEREAS, the Town desires to strengthen current language in the Municipal Code related to solid waste spillage and other wildlife attractions; and WHEREAS, the Town Council has determined that the public health, safety and welfare of Town residents and visitors will benefit from the proposed amendments to Municipal Code Chapters 6.20, 8.12 and 8.13.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Town Council of the Town of Mammoth Lakes, State of California, does ordain as follows:

Section 1: Amend Municipal Code Chapters 6.20, 8.12 and 8.13, which are hereby amended as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein.

Section 2: EFFECTIVE DATE OF ORDINANCE
This Ordinance shall become effective and enforceable thirty (30) days from and after the date of its adoption.

Section 3: POSTING
The Town Clerk shall, within fifteen (15) days after the passage of this Ordinance, cause it to be posted at the duly designated posting places established by resolution of the Town Council, published once in a newspaper of general circulation, and entered in the Book of Ordinances of the Town.

Section 4: SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Ordinance of the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications, and to this end the provisions of this Ordinance are declared to be severable.

Ordinance No. 25-

The foregoing Ordinance was PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED on the 19th day of March 2025.
_________________________________
CHRIS BUBSER, Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________
JAMIE GRAY, Town Clerk

Ordinance No. 25-

Exhibit A

CHAPTER 6.20. - FEEDING OF WILDLIFE AND WILDLIFE ATTRACTION PROHIBITED

6.20.010. - Purpose.

It is the purpose and intent of this chapter to minimize conflicts between humans and wildlife and to ensure responsible human-wildlife interactions.

6.20.0210. - Prohibited acts.
(a) No person shall feed or in any manner provide food or scented items for any nondomesticated animals, including, but not limited to, bears, mountain lions, coyotes, raccoons, deer, mice, birds, or squirrels.
(b) While camping or in public outdoor spaces, no person shall possess or store any food, garbage , or scented items, unless the items are stored in a container designed to prevent access by bears and other wildlife, or the person is actively engaged in cooking and/or eating.
(c) No person shall permit barbecue equipment or other tools that remain outdoors to have a buildup of residual food or grease that attracts wildlife. (d) No person shall leave a fishing line, fishing tackle, fishing rod, string, bait or other fishing equipment unattended in a manner that attracts wildlife. (e) No person shall possess or store any food, garbage, or scented items in their vehicle in such a manner that attracts wildlife.
(f) No person shall allow for or engage in spillage of solid waste, as defined in

8.12.070(m), that attracts wildlife.
(g) No person shall permit any delivery items or packages to be left outdoors in such a manner that attracts wildlife.
(h) No person shall keep any animal food on a property in such a manner that could attract wildlife.

6.20.0320. - Exceptions.

Section 6.20.010 shall not prohibit feeding or providing food to an nondomesticated animal in the following instances:
(a1) When the person is the owner of such nondomesticated predator or rodentanimal and such predator or rodentanimal is kept under valid certificate or permit issued by the State Department of Fish and Wildlife.

(b2) When the person provides food for a trapped, injured, or unweaned nondomesticated predator or rodentanimal between the time of that the agency in charge of animal control is notified and such predator or rodentanimal is picked up by that agency.

6.20.0430. - Violation; penalty.

All violations of any portion of this chapter are declared to be a public nuisance and may be abated by the Town in such manner as provided by law. All violations of any portion of this chapter are declared to be misdemeanors or infractions, pursuant to Section 1.12.010. The remedies set forth in this chapter are non-exclusive and the Town may seek any legal and equitable relief permitted by law in addition to those remedies set forth in this chapter.
(a) Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of an infraction. Each such person shall be guilty of a separate offense for each day during any portion of which any violation of any provisions of this chapter is committed, continued or permitted by such person, and may be punished accordingly. (b) Any provision or requirement of this chapter, the violation of which or the failure to comply with which, is designated as an infraction, shall be prosecutable as a misdemeanor upon the third violation and each violation thereafter of the same provision by the same individual. In addition, any such violation or failure to comply may be prosecuted originally as a misdemeanor in the discretion of the Town Attorney or any deputy district attorney, upon a showing by the enforcing agency of the seriousness of the particular alleged violation.

CHAPTER 8.12. - SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

8.12.001. - Title.

This chapter shall be known as the Solid Waste Management Ordinance.

8.12.010. - Purpose.

It is declared to be in the interest of the public health, sanitation, safety, and welfare of all residents of the Town that the accumulation, preparation, storage, collectCollection, transportation, and disposal of solid wasteSolid Waste, green waste, organics and recyclable materialRecyclable Materials in the Town be handled in a safe, sanitary, routine, and efficient manner so as to maximize the reduction, reuse, recycling, transformation and composting of materials that otherwise would become solid wasteSolid Waste and deposited in a landfill. The planned management of solid wasteSolid Waste extends the life of landfill disposal capacity; reduces the emissions of greenhouse gasses and maintains the cleanliness and safety of Town rights-of-way to comply with State law; prevents the harboring and breeding of rodents, insects and other pests; reduces contamination of the environment by the unauthorized burying, burning or putrefaction of such materials, including hazardous waste; prevents the spread of diseases associated with unsanitary conditions; prevents the attraction of wildlife; and prevents unsightliness and other public nuisance, which may result in the depreciation of property values and otherwise interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life within the Town.

8.12.020. - Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning. Furthermore, additional terminology used in this chapter may be defined in any contract that the Town may have with a franchiseeFranchisee.

AB 939 means the California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989, Public Resources Code § 40000 et seq.

Bin means a bear-proof containerContainer, with a capacity of at least one cubic yard designed or intended to be mechanically dumped into a loader packer type truck.

Cart means a bear-proof, heavy plastic receptacleReceptacle with a rated capacity of at least 20 gallons and not more than 95 gallons, having a hinged tight-fitting lid, and two wheels, that is approved by the Town and is colored and labeled as designated by the Town.

Collect or collectCollection means the act of removing discarded materials from the place of generation or designated point of collectCollection within the Town and all operations of gathering together and transporting to the point of disposal or processing any garbageGarbage, refuse, rubbish, solid wasteSolid Waste, recyclable, transformable, or compostable waste materials.

Collection Ppremises means every improved property, including, but not limited to, every single-family unitSingle-Family Unit and multifamily unitMultifamily Unit usable for human habitation whether or not inhabited, and all commercial and industrial premises usable for business purposes.

Commercial solid wasteSolid Waste includes all types of solid wasteSolid Wastes generated by commercial, industrial, governmental, multifamily unitMultifamily Units, and other nonresidential sources, which have been placed in an authorized solid wasteSolid Waste containerContainer used for the temporary storage of solid wasteSolid Waste awaiting pickup.

The term "commercial solid wasteCommercial Solid Waste" does not include hazardous wastes, medical wastes, and special wastes.

Container means any approved binBin or cartCart provided for the purpose of containing solid wasteSolid Waste and/or recyclablesRecyclables.

Franchisee means the company or entity the Town has contracted with to provide solid wasteSolid Waste services to collectCollect, remove, transport, process or dispose of solid wasteSolid Waste or recyclable materialRecyclable Materials within the Town municipal boundary.

Garbage. See Solid wasteWaste.

Multifamily unitUnit means each individual living unit within a multifamily complex composed of five or more individual residential units which receive communal refuse and/or recycling services. Note: This definition applies for purposes of this chapter only; Title 17 defines the term "multifamily unitMultifamily Unit" differently for purposes of zoning and land use.

Occupant means any person actually occupying any premises within the Town municipal boundary either as ownerOwner or tenant, by contract or otherwise, including persons or businesses occupying or using any industrial or commercial premises.

Owner means the person to whom the taxes on the property are assessed as shown on the last equalized assessment roll of the County, or alternatively, from such records of the County Assessor or Tax Collector that contain more recent information.

Receptacle. See Container.

Recyclables or recyclable materialRecyclable Material means used residential or business materials which may be returned to the economic mainstream as commodities for reuse, or for reprocessing to create new or reconstituted products, which, if not segregated from solid wasteSolid Waste, would otherwise become solid wasteSolid Waste consistent with the requirements of AB 939. These materials include, but are not limited to, glass, metal, paper, cardboard, plastic, or other materials which have been segregated from garbageGarbage and rubbish for the purpose of depositing at a designated collectCollection location, including a

curbside location, for collectCollection and transportation to recycling or transfer station facilities.

Responsible Party means, for a particular residential, commercial, or industrial property, the person or people who are listed as the account holder for that property with the Franchisee.

For waste not generated at residential, commercial or industrial properties, the Responsible Party is the person who generated the waste.

Single-family unitSingle-Family Unit means a single-family dwelling, a two-unit dwelling, a three-unit dwelling or a four-unit dwelling. (Note: This definition applies for purposes of this chapter only; Title 17 defines the term "single-family unitSingle-Family Unit" differently for purposes of zoning and land use.)
Solid waste Waste means all "solid wasteSolid Waste," as that term is defined in Public Resources Code § 40191, which is generated within the Town. The term "solid wasteSolid Waste" means all putrescible and non-putrescible solid, semisolid, and liquid wastes, including residential, industrial, commercial, and municipal garbageGarbage, trash, refuse, paper, rubbish, ashes, industrial wastes, demolition and construction wastes, recyclable materialRecyclable Materials, discarded home and industrial appliances, manure, vegetable or animal solid and semi-solid wasteSolid Wastes, and other discarded solid and semi-solid wasteSolid Wastes, but does not include hazardous wastes, medical wastes, and special wastes.

8.12.030. - Authority to collectCollect.

The Town and its elected officials, officers, agents, and employees, or any franchiseeFranchisee with whom the Town may enter into a contract or franchise therefor, and the officers, agents, and employees of such franchiseeFranchisee, shall have the exclusive right to gather, collectCollect and remove solid wasteSolid Waste from all premises in the Town. No person other than those specified in this section shall gather, collectCollect, or remove any solid wasteSolid Waste, convert, or transport any solid wasteSolid Waste in, along or over any public street, alley, or highway in the Town, or take any solid wasteSolid Waste from any cartCart or binBin, or interfere with or remove any cartCart or binBin from any location where it is placed for collectCollection by the ownerOwner thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to prohibit the ownerOwner or generator of recyclablesRecyclables from selling or donating such materials to any buyer or donee, nor to prevent any such buyer or donee from collectCollecting or transporting such recyclablesRecyclables.

8.12.040. - Contract.

The Town Council may, at any time, enter into a contract or franchise agreement with a qualified company or individual to provide any services related to the collectCollection, management, and processing of solid wasteSolid Waste. In letting such contracts, the Town Council shall not be required to let the contract to the lowest bidder but shall be free to let such

contract to the company or individual deemed best fit to comply with the terms of this chapter and the contract.

8.12.050. - Service mandatory—Single-family residential service. (a) Any parcel containing one or two dwelling units shall be required to subscribe to either the residential cartCart curbside pick-up service or the transfer station selfhaul disposal program as described in the agreement between the Town and the franchiseeFranchisee.
(b) Subject to Section 8.12.100, any parcel that contains three or four dwelling units shall be required to subscribe to either the residential Cart curbside pick-up service or commercial Bin service. Cart service shall be subject to the requirements of the Town and/or Franchisee.

8.12.060. - Service mandatory—Multifamily residential service. (a) Subject to Section 8.12.100, any parcel that contains three or four dwelling units shall be required to subscribe to either the residential cartCart curbside pick-up service or commercial binBin service. CartCart service shall be subject to the requirements of the Town and/or franchiseeFranchisee.
(b) Subject to Section 8.12.100, any parcel that contains five or more dwelling units shall be required to subscribe to commercial binBin service, and all condominium projects, trailer parks, mobilehome parks, planned unit developments and townhouses regardless of unit or space count, shall be required to subscribe to commercial binBin service. All motels, hotels, lodges, and inns shall be required to subscribe to commercial binBin service. Exceptions to this requirement may be made on a case-by-case basis by the Town Manager in consultation with the franchisee if the Town Manager determines that the layout and makeup of units, management of the property, the ability to comply with Section 8.12.160(b) in perpetuity and other factors make compliance with this requirement impractical or not in the best interests of the community.

8.12.070. - Service mandatory—Commercial and industrial service.

Subject to Section 8.12.100, every office, commercial and/or industrial business or other establishment shall enter into an agreement with the franchiseeFranchisee for the removal and transportation of solid wasteSolid Waste at the frequency appropriate for the type and size of business. Payment for such service shall be made directly to the franchisee in accordance with Section 8.12.080.

8.12.080. - Fee—Payment liability.
(a) Each ownerOwner, occupantOccupant or person in possession, charge, or control of a parcel upon which there exists a residential unit or commercial enterprise or noncommercial establishment within the Town is made liable for the payment of

the refuse disposal fees levied against such premises for required refuse disposal, irrespective of the actual use of the refuse collectCollection services provided by the Town or its authorized franchiseeFranchisee. Services made available to those premises required to receive such services shall be considered as services utilized.

It shall be the duty of the ownerOwner of such premises to provide for payment of the refuse collectCollection and disposal fees to the authorized franchiseeFranchisee. Citations issued under this chapter for violations by occupants, tenants, lessees, or sublessees of the collection premises, or agents, guests, or other representatives of the property owner, may be issued to the property owner for disposition and collection of fees and fines, and may be personally delivered to the recipient or sent by certified mail to the address of the property in question or to the address of the owner of the property as shown on the County tax roll.
(b) Nothing in this section shall prevent an arrangement for the continuance of an existing arrangement under which payments of refuse collectCollection fees are made by a tenant or tenants or any agent on behalf of the ownerOwner. Any such arrangement will not affect the ownerOwner's obligation to the Town or its authorized franchiseeFranchisee.

8.12.090. - Fee—Civil debt.

The refuse disposal fee shall be a civil debt owed by the ownerOwner, occupantOccupant or person in possession, charge or control of a residential unit or commercial enterprise. The franchiseeFranchisee may bring an action in its own name to collectCollect such debt. In the event that any civil action to enforce the collectCollection of the refuse disposal fee is brought in any court, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees to be determined by the court. The prevailing party shall be the party in whose favor final judgment is entered.

8.12.100. - Exemptions.
(a) The Town Manager or designee may authorize exemptions from the mandatory service requirement where there is evidence showing that: (1) The granting of an exemption will not be contrary to the intent of this chapter nor to the public health, safety and welfare; (2) There is no possibility that solid wasteSolid Waste will be generated by or upon a parcel or unit of real property due to its special conditions or exceptional characteristics; and (3) That the strict application of this chapter would result in practical difficulties and exceptional hardships. No exemption shall be granted for a period longer than one year, unless approved by the Town Manager in extenuating circumstances. The expiration of an exemption shall not be deemed a revocation for purposes of Subsections (c) and (d) of this section.

(b) Any person claiming an exemption pursuant to this section shall file a written statement with the Town Manager or designee stating facts upon which exemption is claimed. In the absence of such statement substantiating the claim, and the granting of the exemption by the Town, such person shall be liable for the payment of the refuse collectCollection fees required by this chapter.
(c) The Town Manager or designee, after giving notice of not less than ten days and a reasonable opportunity for hearing to any person claiming an exemption pursuant to this section, may revoke any exemption granted upon information that the person is not entitled to the exemption as provided in this chapter.
(d) In the event an application for an exemption is denied, and/or an exemption is revoked, the applicant or holder of the exemption shall have the right to appeal to the Town Council pursuant to Section 2.04.070.
(e) The Town Manager may permit multiple adjacent businesses to share one or more Solid Waste Receptacles if it is determined that such an arrangement will not negatively affect the health and safety of the Town, and if the Franchisee agrees to such an arrangement.
(f) The Town Manager in consultation with the Franchisee may permit a business or residence to use a non-standard Container, if it is determined that the layout and makeup of units, management of the property, and other factors make compliance with Container requirements in 8.12.060 or 8.12.070 impractical or not in the best interests of the community.

8.12.110. - Collection—Single-family service.

Solid waste Waste shall be collectCollected from every single-family customer subscribed to curbside service at least once per week.

8.12.120. - Collection—Commercial service.

Solid waste Waste shall be collectCollected from every subscribinbing multifamily, commercial, or industrial customer at least once per week.

8.12.130. - Receptacles—Bear-proof cartCart or binBin to be provided.

A franchiseeFranchisee shall provide a bear-proof cartCart or binBin to all subscribing customers based on the level of service a customer has subscribed to. It shall be the responsibility of the franchiseeFranchisee to maintain all cartCarts and binBins. It is the responsibility of the customer to notify the Franchisee in the event of damage to a Cart or Bin.

8.12.140. - Receptacles—Commercial binBin size.

A franchiseeFranchisee shall determine the minimum binBin size required for all commercial service based upon the size and type of business and/or the number of units in a residential or lodging complex.

8.12.150. - Receptacle use.
(a) All accumulations of solid wasteSolid Waste and recyclables shall be placed in the receptacleReceptacles provided by the franchiseeFranchisee in accordance with Section 8.12.130.
(b) The Responsible Party shall ensure that the Receptacles are properly secured and latched at all times.

8.12.160. - Receptacle placement.
(a) Placement of binBins shall be in accordance with Section 17.36.130. In all cases of disputes or complaints arising from or concerning the place where the binBins shall be placed while awaiting the removal of their contents, the Town Manager or designee shall designate the place.
(b) All cartCarts shall be stored behind the front yard setback, within an enclosed area such as a garage, shed or other place if available, or otherwise placed to limit access to the cartCart by wildlife, during the days and times of the week that are not scheduled for collectCollection of solid wasteSolid Waste. At scheduled collectCollection times, cartCarts shall be placed curbside, or if no curb is present, on a paved or solid surface within easy reach of the disposal hauling vehicle.

8.12.170. - Prohibited acts.
(a) Dumping. No person shall deposit or permit to be deposited any animal carcasses, solid wasteSolid Waste or litter upon any public road, highway, right-of-way or public or private property, including sidewalks, gutters, stream or creek or the banks thereof, within the Town municipal boundary, except in containerContainers or in areas lawfully provided for or permitted for that use. (b) Accumulation. No person shall store or accumulate any solid wasteSolid Waste, nor permit the storage or accumulation of any solid wasteSolid Waste within or upon any property or place owned, leased, or rented by such person or in such person's possession or control.
(c) Tampering. No person shall tamper with, modify, deface, damage, remove from, or deposit solid wasteSolid Waste or recyclable materialRecyclable Materials in a containerContainer which has not been provided for his/her use, without the permission of the containerContainer ownerOwner and/or franchiseeFranchisee.

(d) Unauthorized disposal. No person shall place solid wasteSolid Waste upon the land of another, or in a residential or commercial solid wasteCommercial Solid Waste receptacleReceptacle of another, or a public solid wasteSolid Waste receptacleReceptacle, or upon premises other than those from which the solid wasteSolid Waste originated, for the purpose of making solid wasteSolid Waste available for collectCollection and disposal.
(e) Hazardous waste. No person shall dump, deposit, or otherwise dispose of any hazardous or medical waste on land, soil, rock, air, or water or at unauthorized disposal sites, transfer stations, resource recovery facilities, transformation facilities, buy back centers, or drop off recycling centers or in any containerContainer to be collectCollected and ultimately deposited, unless otherwise approved in advance and in writing by the Town. (f) Burning. No person shall burn or incinerate solid wasteSolid Waste. (g) Burying. No person shall bury solid wasteSolid Waste. (h) Sorting. No person shall sort, separate, or segregate any solid wasteSolid Waste of any kind within or upon any public street or place, unless authorized by the Town, and then only in the manner, place, time, and subject to such restrictions as may be imposed by the Town.
(i) Removal.
(1) No person, other than the person in charge of any premises or the franchiseeFranchisee shall remove any cartCart or binBin from the location where the cartCart or binBin was placed for storage or collectCollection by the person in charge of the premises. (2) No person shall remove any solid wasteSolid Waste, including recyclablesRecyclables and green waste, from any cartCart or binBin, or move the cartCart or binBin from the location in which it was placed for storage or collectCollection, without prior written approval of the person in charge of such premises.
(j) Collection.
(1) No person or entity, other than franchiseeFranchisee, shall remove, collectCollect, transport, or otherwise handle solid wasteSolid Waste except as specifically authorized by this chapter, subject to the provisions of Section 8.12.030 regarding buyers or donees of recyclablesRecyclables.

FranchiseeFranchisee may bring a civil action to enforce this provision in its own name and without regard to any action taken by the Town.

(2) No person shall interfere with or obstruct the authorized activities of franchiseeFranchisee in the collectCollection, transportation, or disposal of solid wasteSolid Waste.
(k) Importation of solid wasteSolid Waste. No person shall transport or permit to be transported into the Town any solid wasteSolid Waste of any kind generated or accumulated outside the Town, for the purpose of storing or disposing of it in the Town, and no person shall store or dispose of any solid wasteSolid Waste transported or brought into the Town from outside the Town, except as follows:
(1) Solid wasteSolid Waste may be transported directly to a solid wasteSolid Waste disposal facility for final deposition at such facility. (2) Solid wasteSolid Waste may be transported directly to a solid wasteSolid Waste transfer/processing station for the following purposes:
a. Transfer of the solid wasteSolid Waste directly from smaller to larger vehicles for transport; or
b. Temporary storage, separation, or other processing of the materials in the solid wasteSolid Waste.
(l) Transporting.
(1) No person shall transport any solid wasteSolid Waste within or upon any public streets in the Town, or anywhere in the Town, except in leak-proof containerContainers or vehicles so constructed that no solid wasteSolid Waste could leak, fall, or be blown from such containerContainer or vehicle.
(2) Transportation of any solid wasteSolid Waste shall be conducted so that no solid wasteSolid Waste will spill out of the collectCollecting or transporting containerContainer or vehicle. Any person transporting any solid wasteSolid Waste shall immediately pick up any solid wasteSolid Waste which spills or is blown from the transporting containerContainer or vehicle and shall otherwise clean the place onto which any such solid wasteSolid Waste was spilled or blown.
(m) Spillage, overflow, and improper disposal.
(1) No Responsible Party for a Receptacle or other person shall permit Solid Waste to spill or overflow beyond the Receptacle.
(2) Solid Waste shall not be disposed of on top of or outside any Receptacle.

(3) Any improper disposal of Solid Waste that could attract or feed wildlife is prohibited.

8.12.180. - Composting.
(a) Waste organic matter generated by a household or an individual may be composted by households or individuals provided that the composting:
(1) Is conducted in accordance with accepted composting practices; (2) Is conducted in accordance with applicable Federal, State and local laws and regulations;
(3) Does not generate offensive odors or provide a source of food or harborage for verminwildlife; and
(4) Does not create a public or private nuisance.
(b) Any individual generator may choose to compost their own organic material in compliance with this section without reliance on the Town's solid wasteSolid Waste or recycling franchiseeFranchisee.

8.12.190. - Violations.
(a) All violations of any portion of this chapter are declared to be a public nuisance and may be abated by the Town in such manner as provided by law. All violations of any portion of this chapter are declared to be misdemeanors or infractions, pursuant to Section 1.12.010. The remedies set forth in this chapter are nonexclusive and the Town may seek any legal and equitable relief permitted by law in addition to those remedies set forth in this chapter. (b) When necessary to make an inspection of any building, structure or premises for the enforcement of this chapter, or when the Town Manager has cause to believe that there exists any condition which endangers the public health, the Town Manager or designee is authorized to request entry to such building, structure or premises at all reasonable times to inspect the same and to exercise any power or authority or to perform any duty imposed under this chapter. (c) The right to request entry authorized by this section shall be subject to the following requirements:
(1) If the building, structure or premises is occupied, the Town Manager or designee shall first present proper credentials, explain the purpose for which entrance is desired, and request entry. In all cases entry shall be permitted to areas open to the public generally;

(2) If such property is unoccupied, a reasonable effort to locate the ownerOwner or other persons having charge or control of the property shall be made to present proper credentials, explain the purpose for which entrance is desired, and request entry; and
(3) In no case shall the Town Manager or designee enter upon areas of private property not open to the public without the consent of the ownerOwner, a lawful occupantOccupant, or an authorized representative of the ownerOwner or a lawful occupantOccupant, provided that if consent cannot be obtained, entry may be made with a search warrant, abatement warrant, or other court-issued authority for entry obtained prior to entry.

CHAPTER 8.13. - CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION WASTE MANAGEMENT

8.13.010. - Purpose.

It is the purpose and intent of this chapter to require Construction and Demolition waste management to enable the Town to work toward reducing the amount of waste generated within the Town ultimately disposed of in landfills by requiring the Project Applicant for every Project covered by this chapter to divert a minimum of 65 percent of the Construction and Demolition debris resulting from that Project, in compliance with State and local statutory goals and policies, and to create a mechanism to secure compliance with the stated Diversion Requirements.

8.13.020. - Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Applicant means any individual, firm, limited liability company, association, partnership, political subdivision, government agency, municipality, industry, public or private corporation, or any other entity whatsoever who applies to the Town for any Permit, as defined in this chapter, and who is, therefore, responsible for meeting the requirements of this chapter.

Completion means the earliest of the following dates: the date a temporary Certificate of Occupancy is issued by the Town for a Project, the date a Certificate of Occupancy is issued by the Town for a Project, or the date the final Town inspection approving the Project is completed.

Construction means the building or enlargement of any Structure, or any portion thereof, and includes without limitation alterations or improvements to an existing Structure.

Construction and Demolition Material means the excess or discarded material that is removed from a site during or after the Construction or Demolition of any Structure, fence, wall, or paving.

Conversion Rate means the rate set forth in the standardized Conversion Rate table for use in estimating the volume or weight of Construction and Demolition debris, approved by the State Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery.

Covered Project means any Project meeting the thresholds established in Section 8.13.030.

Demolition means the razing, tearing down or wrecking of any Structure, wall, fence or paving, whether in whole or in part, whether interior or exterior.

Diversion Requirement means the diversion of a minimum of 65 percent of the total Construction and Demolition Material generated by a Project, or the lower percentage requirement granted by exception pursuant to Section 8.13.040.

Divert and Diversion means the recycling and/or reuse of Construction and Demolition debris to avoid disposal in a landfill.

Excavation means digging or removing soil, rocks, gravel, sand from a site, including, but not limited to, such work as is customarily performed in Construction of buildings or dredging or Construction of canals, drainage basins, waterways, lakes, levees, or dams.

Mining means any activity governed by the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975, Public Resources Code § 2710 et seq.

Permit means any building or Demolition Permit.

Project means any proposal for new or changed use, or for new Construction, alteration or enlargement of any Structure, that requires a Permit from the Town.

Recycling and Reuse means the process of collecting, sorting, cleansing, treating, and reconstituting Construction and Demolition debris that would otherwise be disposed of in a landfill for use as raw material for new, reused, or reconstituted products which meet industry standards.

Structure means anything constructed or erected that requires a location in the ground, including a building or swimming pool, but not, including a fence or wall used as a fence, or driveways, or walkways.

Waste Management Plan means a plan describing the amount of Construction and Demolition Material to be produced by or removed from a Project, and establishing methods by which 50 percent of such material will be diverted.

8.13.030. - Covered Projects.
(a) Unless otherwise determined to be exempt under Section 8.12.040, Covered Projects shall be all those Projects meeting any of the criteria listed in the most current edition of the CalGreen Construction Waste Reduction Requirements, as included herein by reference. Should the State update those standards over time or cease to use such standard, the Town Council may adopt updated standards by resolution. All Covered Projects shall comply with all provisions of this chapter, including, but not limited to, the Diversion Requirement for Construction and Demolition Materials.
(b) Projects meeting any of the following criteria shall be exempt from the requirements of this chapter, provided that:
(1) The Applicant has provided the Town with satisfactory evidence supporting the claimed exemption;
(2) The Town has issued a written determination of exemption, which may take the form of a stamp or other notation of exemption on Applicant's application for a building Permit; and
(3) Nothing herein shall be deemed to exempt any Project from the requirements of the California Green Building Standards Code or any regulation adopted in connection therewith:
a. Projects not meeting any of the criteria described in Subsection (a) of this section;

b. Immediate or emergency Construction, repair, or Demolition work required to protect the public health or safety in an emergency, as defined in Public Resources Code § 21060.3;
c. Work for which a building or Demolition Permit is not required by this Code;
d. A Project for which a valid building Permit has been issued prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter and remains in effect at the time of Construction; or
e. A Town Project for which the notice inviting bids has been published prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.

8.13.040. - Application for exception.
(a) Prior to commencing Demolition or Construction, an Applicant wishing relief from the requirements of this chapter may seek a complete or partial exception from the requirements of this chapter.
(b) The exception process shall be initiated by the filing of an application for exception with the Town Manager, and payment of any application fee established by resolution of the Town Council. The Town Council is authorized to establish, by resolution, an application fee in an amount sufficient to recoup the Town's costs in considering an application for exception. The application shall indicate the maximum rate of diversion the Applicant believes is feasible and the specific circumstances the Applicant believes make it infeasible to comply with the Diversion Requirement.
(c) The Town Manager shall review the exception application and either grant the application, partially grant the application by revising the Diversion Requirements to a level other than that sought by the Applicant or shall deny the application.

The Town Manager may, but is not required to, meet with the Applicant to discuss possible means of meeting the Diversion Requirements set forth in this chapter. A decision on the application, or a conclusion that the application is incomplete, shall be rendered within ten business days of receipt of the application. (d) In order to grant a complete or partial exception from the requirements of this chapter, the Town Manager must make all of the following findings:
(1) There are exceptional or extraordinary circumstances applicable to the Project that do not apply generally to similar Projects, such as contamination of Construction and Demolition Materials by hazardous substances, size and location related to available staging for sorting, Projects specific to nuisance abatement, or low recyclability of specific materials to be used in or removed from the Project;
(2) Granting the application will not constitute a grant of special privilege inconsistent with limitations imposed on similar Projects; and

(3) Cost to the Applicant of strict compliance with the requirements of this chapter is not the primary reason for granting the exemption.

8.13.050. - Compliance and diversion rates.

The Applicant for a Covered Project shall divert or cause to be diverted a minimum of 65 percent of the Construction and Demolition Materials resulting from the Project. Compliance with this requirement and the other provisions of this chapter shall be listed as a condition of approval on all building or Demolition Permits issued for a Covered Project.

8.13.060. - Submission of Waste Management Plan.

The Applicant for each Covered Project shall complete and submit to the Town Manager three copies of a Waste Management Plan, as part of the application packet for a building Permit, and payment of any application fee established by resolution of the Town Council. The Town Council is authorized to establish, by resolution, an application fee in an amount sufficient to recoup the Town's costs in administering this chapter, including, but not limited to, reviewing the Waste Management Plan, processing the Applicant's deposit, and conducting the compliance review required by this chapter. The Waste Management Plan shall include the following information, calculated with the applicable Conversion Rate:
(a) The estimated volume or weight of Construction and Demolition Material, with separate listings for each type of material.
(b) The estimated volume or weight of Construction and Demolition Material that can be diverted, with separate listings for each type of material. (c) The estimated volume or weight of Construction and Demolition Material that will be landfilled as solid waste.
(d) The vendor or facility that will collect or receive the Construction and Demolition Material or that will deconstruct the existing Structure. Applicants opting to selfhaul Construction and Demolition Material shall comply fully with the terms of this chapter, shall deliver such material only to a facility licensed to provide disposal and diversion services, and shall receive and retain receipts for all such material. Applicants who do not self-haul shall use the services of the solid waste hauler holding an exclusive solid waste franchise from the Town (if an exclusive franchise has been awarded), unless the franchised hauler indicates in writing that it lacks sufficient equipment, expertise, or disposal or diversion capacity to handle Construction and Demolition Material from an Applicant's Project. (e) The estimated commencement date for the Demolition or Construction work.

Applicants are not required to make detailed measurements; a good-faith estimate of the quantity of each material will suffice.

8.13.070. - Diversion security deposit.

Each Applicant for a Permit for a Covered Project shall submit with the Waste Management Plan a diversion security deposit, in cash or by irrevocable letter of credit or performance bond. The details of the deposit requirement, including, but not limited to, the amount and timing of payment, shall be established by resolution of the Town Council.

8.13.80 - Review of Waste Management Plan.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this municipal code, no building Permit shall be issued for any Covered Project unless and until the town manager has approved the Waste Management Plan submitted for the Project. A waste management plan shall be approved or disapproved within fifteen business days of submittal of a complete plan.
(b) No Waste Management Plan shall be approved unless the town manager makes all of the following findings:

1. The Waste Management Plan provides all of the information required by Section 8.13.060;

2. The Waste Management Plan indicates that at least fifty percent of the Construction and Demolition Material produced by the Project will be diverted, or that an exception has been approved pursuant to Section

8.13.040; and

3. The Applicant has submitted the diversion security deposit required by Section 8.13.070.
(c) If the Town Manager makes the findings set forth in subsection (b) of this section, he or she shall mark the Waste Management Plan as "approved," retain one copy, and return copies to the Applicant and the community development department. If the town manager disapproves the Waste Management Plan, he or she shall state the grounds for denial in writing, retain one copy, and return copies of the waste management plan and the grounds for denial to the Applicant and the community development department. As an alternative to outright disapproval, the waste management plan may be returned to the Applicant along with a request for additional information.
(d) If, during the course of the Project, the Applicant determines that the estimated weight or volume of Construction and Demolition Material to be generated and or recovered from the Project is substantially different from the weight or volumes set forth in the Waste Management Plan, the Applicant shall submit an addendum to the original Waste Management Plan.

8.13.090. - Compliance review and refund of security deposit. (a) Within 90 days after the Completion of any Covered Project, the Applicant shall submit to the Town Manager documentation concerning the Applicant's compliance with the Diversion Requirements for the Project. This documentation shall include:
(1) Receipts from the vendor or facility that collected or received Construction and Demolition Material from the Project, noting the actual weight or volume of material collected or received, including separate summary listings for material diverted and material landfilled; and

(2) Information concerning the weight or volume of Construction and Demolition Material recycled or reused in the Project.
(b) Applicants shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that Construction and Demolition Materials, whether diverted or landfilled, are measured and recorded.

Volumetric measurements may be used, incorporating standardized Conversion Rates approved by the Town, if any.
(c) The Town Manager shall review the information submitted under Subsection (a) of this section to determine whether the Applicant has complied with the Diversion Requirement applicable to the Project.
(1) If it is determined that the Diversion Requirement has been achieved, the full amount of the diversion security deposit shall be refunded to the Applicant.
(2) If it is determined that the Diversion Requirement has not been met, a portion of the diversion security deposit shall be refunded which is equal to the portion of the Diversion Requirement that has been met. Any portion of the diversion security deposit not released to the Applicant shall be forfeited to the Town and shall be used either to offset administrative costs associated with enforcing the requirements of this chapter or for efforts to educate the community about the need for recycling and encourage recycling.

8.13.100. - Violations and enforcement.
(a) It shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter to do any of the following:
(1) Willfully fail to comply with any provision of this chapter; (2) Provide false or misleading information in any plan, report, or document required by this chapter; or
(3) Fail to meet the Diversion Requirement established by this chapter. (b) An Applicant shall be guilty of a separate offense for each day during any portion of which a violation under this chapter is committed, continued, or Permitted by the Applicant. For failure to meet the Diversion Requirement, the violation shall be deemed to have commenced at the commencement of Construction or Demolition work, as shown on the Applicant's Waste Management Plan. (c) Any person who commits a violation described in Subsection (a)(1) or (2) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000.00; provided, however, that the Town prosecutor shall have the discretion to prosecute such violations as infractions. (d) Any person who commits a violation described in Subsection (a)(3) of this section after receiving at least one written warning is guilty of an infraction and shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $100.00 for the first violation, $200.00 for the second violation within a year, and $500.00 for each additional violation within one year.

(e) A violation of any provision of this chapter is declared to be a public nuisance, which may be abated by the Town through any legal means. The penalties and remedies established by this chapter are cumulative and not exclusive, and this chapter shall not preclude any person from seeking any other remedies provided by law.

8.13.110. - Appeals.
(a) Any Applicant aggrieved by any decision or finding made by the Town Manager in the exercise of the authority granted herein, may appeal such decision or finding. An appeal must be filed within five days after receipt of notice of any protested decision or finding by filing with the Town Clerk, with a copy to the Town Manager, a letter of appeal stating therein the basis for such appeal, including all evidence and legal arguments which the Applicant wishes the Town to consider.
(b) A hearing shall be held on a date nor more than 15 days after receipt by the Town of the letter of appeal. The Applicant shall be given at least five days' notice of the time and place of the hearing. A hearing officer, appointed by the Town Manager, shall give the appellant, and any other interested party, a reasonable opportunity to be heard, in order to show cause why the decision or finding should not be upheld. In all such cases, the burden of proof shall be upon the appellant to show that there was no substantial evidence to support the decision or finding appealed. (c) At the conclusion of the hearing, or within five days thereof, the Town shall provide the Applicant with a copy of the hearing officer's decision, which shall be in writing and shall comprise a final and conclusive determination as to the matter appealed.

1 Clerk
From: Stacy Corless <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 5, 2025 4:50 PM
To: Clerk
Subject: 3/5 Council Meeting Item 11.1 Comment
[EXTERNAL EMAIL]
Please share this comment for tonight’s meeting. I am sorry that I can’t be there in person to make this comment.

I’d like to express appreciation for the Town’s timely effort to make municipal code changes related to wildlife protection. The proposed changes will strengthen our community’s ability to be better coresidents with bears and other wildlife, and, if needed, will provide a clearer path to holding property owners responsible for failing to secure trash and other items that attract wildlife.

I am glad to read in the staff report that these efforts are part of a bigger education and outreach program.

Community members asked for this, and the town is taking action. Thank you! Stacy Corless
760-920-0190

1 TOWN COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Title: Review of Snow Management Policy.

Meeting Date: March 5, 2025
Prepared by: Haislip Hayes, PE Public Works Director
Warren Boling, Maintenance Superintendent
Pat Vargas, Public Works Maintenance Manager
Stuart Brown, Parks and Recreation Director
RECOMMENDATION:

Receive a presentation on the updated snow management policy and provide consensus comments and direction to staff.

BACKGROUND:

The Town of Mammoth Lakes Public Works and Parks Maintenance Departments are responsible for clearing snow from Town streets, multi-use paths, public parking lots, sidewalks and other infrastructure. Winter snow removal operations are complex and subject to many variables outside of the Town’s control. The snow management policy is intended to address and document the framework necessary for effective and efficient operations. The Snow Management Policy was last updated in January of 2006. Previous updates date back to 1993 and 1984.

Staff will receive comments and take consensus comments from the Town Council, make changes, then present the final draft for approval at the next Town Council meeting.

ANALYSIS:

The goal of the Town of Mammoth Lakes Snow Management Policy is to provide the safest possible movement of vehicle and pedestrian traffic throughout the community during winter months and intense storm periods. The Snow Management Policy is intended to provide Town staff with guidance and to ensure the following:
 Public safety is always the highest priority.
 The majority of Town is treated equitably.
 There are clear and defined public expectations, and
 Appropriate responsibility and authority are established.

The Town’s Public Works Department manages approximately 120 lane miles of road and 7.4 miles of sidewalks. During an average storm, it takes Town snow removal crews approximately 12 hours to plow every street in Town once. In addition, it can take approximately 20 hours to reach every street with a snowblower. After a typical winter

2 storm, clean-up is regularly necessary and generally takes between 24 and 48 hours to complete, often longer for larger storms.

There have been many changes to snow removal operations over the years. Operations adapt every year to weather conditions, new commercial and residential development, Town infrastructure projects and staffing levels. Several years ago, the Town shifted to an operation based on the use of Cat 966 loaders and Kodiak blowers. This change dramatically improved the efficiency and capabilities of snow removal operation. Staffing changes have also improved efficiency. The Town up until a few years ago would advertise for several temporary workers to supplement full-time staff to support snow removal operations. It became increasingly difficult to fill these seasonal positions and for many years the program was understaffed. The Town adapted to these market conditions by hiring full-time hybrid maintenance workers that support both winter and summer operations. This change all but eliminated annual on-boarding and training practices and now ensures that operators are more experienced with the equipment and routes.

The steady growth in both residential and commercial development has significantly impacted both snow removal operations and available snow storage. The loss of snow storage now increases the time it takes to complete a route. For instance, dense neighborhoods like the North Village and Old Mammoth Road require complex and timeconsuming operations to move snow to storage areas. Additionally, The Town’s success in expanding the sidewalk system not only takes away valuable snow storage but increases staff time required to remove and clear the snow. These compounding changes to Town infrastructure have expanded staff responsibilities. To meet the objectives of this Policy, the Town has contracted for the following snow removal services. These contracts allow Staff to focus on roadways and sidewalks while ensuring these areas are cleared of snow in a manner consistent with other areas of Town.

Contracted Snow Removal Locations:
 Frontage Road Trucking
 Community Recreation Center (CRC)
 Pickleball Complex and Library Parking
 Edison Theater
 Sherwin Creek Road
 Hillside Parking Lot
 Tavern Road Park n’ Ride Parking Lot
 Police Station Parking Lot
 Sawmill Cutoff Road and Shady Rest Park
 Juniper Ridge Assessment District
 Bluffs Subdivision Assessment District
 Shoveling of Town facilities, entrances and roofs, propane tanks, emergency generators, pedestrian ramps, bus shelters and other on-call services as needed

3 To achieve the Town's goal of safe snow removal operations and first responder access, priorities are established as road conditions change. The highest priority is support for emergency operations. Resources can be relocated at any time to support the needs of first responders. These incidents are not common but can have significant impact on the timing of the overall snow removal program. During typical operations, the highest priorities are main arterials and collector streets, schools, hospital areas, and bus routes. These are the only portions of Town that receive true priority service. This is achieved by completing snow removal operations by a certain time and with a higher frequency than other parts of Town. Often referred to internally as the main routes, these roadway segments are cleared more frequently using plow trucks driven by mechanics or staff not dedicated to operating loaders and blowers. Residential streets are generally cleared from the highest elevations down. There is a general pattern that staff follow to make sure each street and cul-de-sac is cleared with the goal of limiting debris from the plow blade. These are some of the most time-consuming operations. Often in larger storms, the Scenic Loop and Sherwin Creek Road are closed in advance of large winter storms. This allows staff to focus on the internal circulation of Town without concern for trapped or stuck divers on roads that are exceptionally difficult to keep clear.

The Parks Maintenance Department is tasked with clearing sidewalks and key multi-use paths (MUP’s). As a “feet first community,” the Town prioritizes the clearing of sidewalks with a dedicated crew and fleet of six (6) Trackless snowblowers. This operation happens in coordination with street snow removal operations taking place 24/7. There is a sense of priority in addressing certain areas, however, the staffing and equipment levels allow staff to work in many locations at the same time. The highest priorities for sidewalk clearing are the “Safe Routes to Schools” or the areas around or adjacent to the school zones. After these are cleared the next level of priority are the remaining sidewalks, recreational MUPs and promenades. Bus shelters are cleared in a separate operation by Town staff and pedestrian ramps and access points are cleared by contracted snow shovelers. The lowest priority is the sidewalk section along upper Canyon Blvd. When constructed this section of sidewalk was not intended to be cleared of snow due to the constrained snow storage and higher elevation. However, in lower snow years, staff have managed to keep the sidewalk open, which may establish unrealistic expectations with the neighborhood.

The Snow Management Policy strives to set fundamental expectations for storms. In previous versions of the plan three operational levels were described. Each level outlined the circumstances and decision points for changes to operations and priorities. The updated version re-categorizes the operations into three more descriptive categories outlined below:

A. Typical Operations - most storms fall into the category of typical operations. The policy outlines what operations are performed and what the public should expect.

The public should be prepared for an equivalent of approximately 12 hours’ worth of snow accumulation on any road in Town.

B. Reduced or significantly delayed operations – occur when snowfall exceeds the ability of Town crews to meet the objectives of standard operations. These

4 scenarios are often accompanied by public messaging regarding severe events and back-to-back storms. The public can expect narrower streets, reduced pedestrian access, closed streets, higher than normal accumulations on the streets and delayed plowing and blowing.

C. Emergency operations - occur when snowfall exceeds the ability of Town crews to successfully perform reduced or significantly delayed operations throughout the Town. Emergency operations would occur under a declared emergency by the Town Manager. The public can expect to see special operations, narrow and closed or impassible streets, including the establishment of a Joint Information Center (JIC) for the delivery of a detailed and multi-faceted communication plan.

There are a number of roads in Town that require unique management practices or are subject to other jurisdictions. These operations are outlined under Specific Procedures in the Snow Management Policy. Updates to this section include a description of operations on State Route 203 and the Frontage Roads along with operational changes on Sherwin Creek Road and Davison Road. Sherwin Creek Road presents unique challenges as wind alone can make the road impassable. The road is owned and under the jurisdiction of the United States Forest Service (USFS). The Town is actively trying to acquire the rights to maintain the road by permit which it has held in the past. This effort is ongoing. The Town, Mono County Search and Rescue (SAR) and the Mammoth Lakes Police Department (MLPD) rescue trapped vehicles every year from the popular trailhead. To better manage access and mitigate potential life-threatening circumstances, a gate was constructed to close access to the public before large snowstorms. The Town continues to coordinate with USFS with the goal of managing the road in a manner consistent with years past.

Davison Road has seen a steady increase in visitors using the road to access Canyon Lodge, primarily as a result of car navigation systems and the inability of the algorithm to determine whether the road is passable or safe to navigate during snowstorms. This has resulted in regular multi-vehicle accidents up and down Davison Road. To try to discourage visitors from using the road during snowstorms or dangerous road conditions, some drastic actions have been implemented. A large snow berm was placed at the top of the road with signage below (large electronic signage board) in attempt to keep drivers off the road. These efforts have reduced the number of accidents during winter snowstorms but have also limited access in more favorable road conditions. At the request of residents, a pedestrian access corridor was cut into the berm. As conditions can change rapidly and unexpectedly, staff intend to leave the berm in place until winter weather comes to an end or Canyon Lodge closes for the season. Staff are weighing safety over access and for this reason are considering the installation of a permanent gate at the top of Davison Road to be accompanied by a series of permanent flip signs and beacons.

Before considering such actions, staff would recommend a public meeting with the residents of John Muir and Davison Road to gather public input.

5 FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

The Town’s snow removal operation is fully funded in the Town’s budget. Fifty percent (50%) of the cost to clear snow from the right of way and public spaces is covered by the State’s Gas Tax. The Town receives this reimbursement from the State after each winter.

The amount of the State’s reimbursement fluctuates greatly with the intensity of the snow year. The Town keeps a baseline reserve in the snow removal account to manage large fluctuations. The remainder of Town operations are covered by the general fund and assessment districts.

Effective Date: Winter 25/26

TOWN OF MAMMOTH LAKES

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

SNOW MANAGEMENT POLICY
Goal
The goal of the Town of Mammoth Lakes Snow Management Policy is to provide the safest possible movement of vehicle and pedestrian traffic throughout the community during winter months and intense storm periods.

The Snow Management Policy is intended to provide Town staff with guidance and to ensure that:
 Public safety is always the highest priority
 The majority of Town is treated equitably
 There are clear and defined public expectations; and
 Appropriate responsibility and authority is established Equipment, Staffing, and Contracts
Snow management in the Town of Mammoth Lakes is a function of timing, manpower and equipment. The Town Road Department has thirteen (13) full-time operators and one (1) temporary operator during the winter.

The Parks Department, which is responsible for sidewalks and MUP’s has four (4) full-time operators. We also have five (5) full-time mechanics that when available are used as snow removal operators. The Town’s snow removal fleet includes six (6) loaders with blades, four (4) trucks with plows and cinder spreaders, and five (5) loader mounted snowblowers, six (6) trackless snowblowers for sidewalks, and one (1) skid steer snow blower. The manpower and equipment are divided into two 12-hour shifts during storm periods. The night shift starts at midnight and goes continuously until noon. The day shift begins at noon and continues until midnight.

The Town currently contracts snow removal for all assessment and benefit assessment districts, including roads and numerous parking lots. Contracting snow removal services allows Town staffing to primarily focus efforts on roads and sidewalks while maintaining a higher level of service for Town managed facilities. The following contracts are in place for the winter season.  Frontage Road Trucking
 Community Recreation Center (CRC)
 Pickleball Complex and Library Parking
 Edison Theater
 Sherwin Creek Road
 Hillside Parking Lot
 Tavern Road Park n’ Ride Parking Lot
 Police Station Parking Lot
 Sawmill Cutoff Road and Shady Rest Park
 Juniper Ridge Assessment District
 Bluffs Subdivision Assessment District
 Shoveling of Town facilities, entrances and roofs, propane tanks, emergency generators, pedestrian ramps, bus shelters and other on-call services as needed Priorities
To achieve the Town's goal of safe snow removal operations and first responder access, priorities are established as conditions change.

Road Clearing Priorities:

Effective Date: Winter 25/26

1. Support for emergency services

2. Main arterials and collector streets, schools and hospital areas, bus routes

3. Residential streets

4. Cul-de-sacs

5. Scenic loop, Sherwin Creek Road

6. Roadside parking areas
Sidewalk and Multi-Use Path (MUP) Priorities:

1. Safe Routes to School sidewalks (Sidewalks and MUPS adjacent to or leading to schools)

2. All other sidewalks

3. Recreational MUPs and Promenades

4. Upper Canyon Blvd sidewalks
Operations
Snow removal operators manage approximately 120 lane miles of roads. During normal storms it takes Town snow removal crews approximately 12 hours to plow every street in Town once. In addition, it can take approximately 20 hours to reach every street with a snowblower. After storms, clean-up is regularly necessary and generally takes between 24 and 48 hours to complete, often longer for larger storms.

Street snow removal operations commence once snow starts to accumulate on the roadways. This can occur at any hour of the day or night. Operations generally follow the same pattern regardless of when the operations begin. The timing of when snow removal occurs, the rate and density of snowfall, and the conditions of roads will ultimately influence when operators arrive in certain neighborhoods.

Public roads and parking areas plowed by contract snow removal operators will be cleared with the same level of priority and level of service provided to the rest of the Community. Where snow removal operations are funded by assessment districts a higher level of service may be provided through contracts with private operators in accordance with obligations to the district.

Parking lots cleared by contract snow removal operators will be cleared overnight and throughout the day as needed. Most parking areas are signed ‘No Parking Overnight’ (7pm to 7am, 2am to 6am, or similar) to create an opportunity for operators to thoroughly clear and truck snow from parking areas without vehicle obstructions.

Roadside parking areas such as the Frontage Road are the lowest priority. Snow from streets, bus shelters, and sidewalks will be stored in parking spaces until it is safe to truck this snow to an offsite location. This work will be completed under contract to private operators to allow Town operations to focus on streets and sidewalks.

Sidewalk, MUP and bus shelter snow removal occurs in coordination with roadway snow removal operations.

Pedestrian mobility is an important aspect of our community and snow removal operations are designed to complement and support other operations. Staff assigned to these operations are dedicated to these routes and are only reassigned from these duties in the most severe situations.

Baseline expectations are as follows:

Typical Operations: Most snow events fall into this category. During normal, manageable storms, all roads are considered a priority with timing preference only given to main arterials and bus routes. When a crew goes into an area, all streets will be plowed before leaving that area. Arterials, collectors and bus routes will be plowed prior to 7:00 am and maintained in a safe condition during the day. Blowers are generally 2-3 hours behind plows and will blow all streets to the orange snow stake line before leaving an area. Roads will be cleared allowing vehicles to travel in both directions. Snow will intentionally be stored in public rights-of-way.

Snow may be temporarily stored in public parking areas until it can be trucked offsite. During typical operations it will take crews approximately 12 hours to reach every street once. This timing will vary significantly based on the amount and density of the snow. The public should expect under normal circumstances there to be ice and snow on the roadway or sidewalk at any point during or within days of a storm. Icy conditions may not be resolved with Town equipment and may remain until the weather warms or the sun melts the persistent ice.

Effective Date: Winter 25/26
The public should be prepared for there to be an equivalent of approximately 12 hours worth of snow accumulation on any road in Town. The Public Works Maintenance Manager may close roads and determine detours whenever it is deemed necessary for public safety.

Reduced or Significantly Delayed Operations: When snowfall exceeds the ability of Town crews to successfully perform typical operations throughout the Town, the Public Works Maintenance Manager may implement reduced operations. These circumstances arrive less often and are generally accompanied by public messaging regarding severe events or back-to-back storms. Reduced operations may be necessary when snowfall rates or equipment issues result in unexpected conditions along roadways and MUPs. During reduced operations, lower priorities may be intentionally delayed or suspended until such time as typical operations are again possible. These deviations from typical operations will allow crews to address areas of concern or other emergencies. The public can expect narrower streets, reduced pedestrian access, closed streets, higher than normal accumulations on the streets and delayed plowing and blowing. Personnel from other Town departments may be assigned to storm related duties. The Public Works Maintenance Manager may close roads and determine detours whenever it is deemed necessary for public safety. Additionally, snow removal standards may be lowered to allow for one lane of traffic only with turnouts for passing and using sidewalks for snow storage. This reduction in standards may also apply during normal operations when there is an inadequate snow storage area within the Town rights-of-way to blow snow without the possibility of damaging private property.

Emergency Operations: When snowfall exceeds the ability of Town crews to successfully perform reduced operations throughout the Town, emergency operations may be implemented. These operations would occur under a declared emergency by the Town Manager. The Public Works Maintenance Manager, with the concurrence of the Public Works Director and Town Manager, would implement emergency operations to ensure the effective mobility and deployment of emergency services throughout Town. During emergency operations, most priority levels are suspended, and emergency snow removal contracts may be implemented.

The Town Manager, if a state of emergency is declared, may conscript whatever manpower and/or equipment needed for the purpose of providing adequate public safety. The Town will communicate special operations through social media, public service announcements (PSA), and on its website. During emergencies the public should expect significant constraints on pedestrian and vehicle movement.

Specific Procedures

1. Main Street / SR203 is cleared by the State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The State uses its own equipment and sets its own standards and practices for clearing roads. The Town and Caltrans have established some protocols and work together when possible to remove snow from the roadway. Additionally, the Town has agreements with the State that permit the Town to clear snow from the sidewalks and sweep cinders.

2. Snow management on State Route 203 frontage roads will be performed between the hours of 2:00am and 6:00am due to parking regulations. Snow from 203, sidewalks and parking spaces will be temporarily stored in parking areas until such time as weather allows the trucking of snow to a snow storage facility.

The trucking operation is performed by a contractor.

3. Lake Mary Road, from the Juniper Ridge development to Twin Lakes Bridge, is under United States Forest Service (USFS) jurisdiction and snow removal operations are collaboratively managed as per the agreement between the Town, MMSA and the USFS. It is the Town’s intent to keep the roadway open subject to weather conditions and the needs of the partner agencies. The road is regularly closed during and after storms for avalanche mitigation.

4. The Mammoth Scenic Loop Road will be included in snow removal operations during daylight hours only.

As conditions on Town roads deteriorate or proactively in advance of storm events, Town representatives may close the Scenic Loop Road until such time as all other Town roads have been cleared of snow.

5. Sherwin Creek Road is owned by the USFS, and under permit to the Town. The Town is permitted to maintain and clear snow from the road. Snow removal operations and under contract to a third party. As snow and wind conditions deteriorate, the Town may elect to close the road, that includes access to the Sherwin Trailhead. The Town will provide as much notice to the public as possible regarding any planned closures. Prior to closing the gate, the Mammoth Lakes Police Department (MLPD) will “sweep” the area

Effective Date: Winter 25/26
to ensure nobody is trapped behind the gate. AmeriGas has a large propane tank farm adjacent to Sherwin Creek Road and may elect to have snow cleared from Sherwin Creek Road at their expense to facilitate operations.

6. Roads in the Sierra Valley Sites are included in normal plowing operations. However, plowing may be delayed due to residential congestion. To accommodate residents, this area may receive alternative services when daylight is sufficient for operations. When available the Town will allocate resources to clear the neighborhood before traffic constrains operations.

7. Davison Road may be temporarily closed to downhill traffic when icy and snowy conditions exist. The road will be closed to traffic using snow berms near Canyon Lodge and signage near Lake Mary Road. When the top of the hill is closed, temporary signage shall be placed at the bottom of Davison Road advising non-local traffic that the road is not a “through street” and that the road is closed ahead.

8. Cinders may be used at intersections and steeper Town roads to assist in traction of vehicles, especially following snow removal operations.

9. All contractors employed by the Town to remove snow for assessment districts shall comply with the goals and objectives contained in this policy.

Municipal Code Sections:

1. Section 10.16.150 establishes parking regulations during winter months. Parking control is managed by the Mammoth Lakes Police Department (MLPD).

2. Section 12.04.030(b) states that it is unlawful to push snow, haul snow, place snow in any Town right-ofway or snow storage easement or leave snow in a position where it will fall into the Town right-of-way or snow storage easement, without written authorization from the Town.

3. Section 12.28.050 requires identification of private snow removal equipment.

4. Section 12.28 governs snow removal on public and private property.

Miscellaneous:

1. The Public Works Maintenance Division has established snow management guidelines for all Town operators. If necessary, the Public Works Maintenance Manager is authorized to amend the guidelines as stated in this policy and shall inform the Public Works Director and Town Manager when deviations or changes occur. Nothing in this policy is intended to interfere with the Manager’s duty to make decisions necessary to implement the goals and objectives of Town of Mammoth Lakes snow removal operations.

2. The Town of Mammoth Lakes contracts for the operation of a snow storage facility, often referred to as the ‘snow pit.’ The contractor is responsible for communicating and coordinating the opening and general operations of the facility. The facility is available to local contractors, all of which must be permitted to use the site by the Town. The contractor is responsible for maintaining the sites’ safety including, traffic control.

All loads to the facility must be inspected and no hazardous materials may be used to release snow from trucks. Any trash accidentally collected with snow and trucked to the site will be removed from the site as snow melts.

Town of Mammoth Lakes
Snow Plow Truck Route
Town of Mammoth Lakes
437 Old Mammoth Road, Suite 230
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
(760)965-3600
Mono County, California State Parks, Esri, TomTom, Garmin, SafeGraph, GeoTechnologies, Inc, METI/NASA, USGS, Bureau of Land Management, EPA, NPS, US Census Bureau, USDA, USFWS, Esri, NASA, NGA, USGS, FEMA. Created 11/16/2022. Subject to change without notice at any time. ¯
Legend
Plow Route

Town of Mammoth Lakes
Snow Removal Map

TOWN CLEARING STAGES
First
Second
Third
Cleared by Plow Trucks, Cinders Placed, Early AM & As Needed Gate
3RD PARTY RESPONSIBILITY
Town-Contracted Snow Removal
CalTrans-Maintained
Privately-Maintained
Town of Mammoth Lakes
437 Old Mammoth Road, Suite 230
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
(760)965-3600
Mono County, California State Parks, Esri, TomTom, Garmin, SafeGraph, GeoTechnologies, Inc, METI/NASA, USGS, Bureau of Land Management, EPA, NPS, US Census Bureau, USDA, USFWS, Esri, NASA, NGA, USGS, FEMA. Created 2/24/2025. Subject to change without notice at any time. ¯

TOWN SNOW REMOVAL ROUTES ARE

SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME BASED
ON THE FOLLOWING FACTORS:

SNOWFALL RATES AND AMOUNTS

WIND CONDITIONS

STEEPNESS OF ROADS

AVERAGE TRAFFIC VOLUME

EXPECTED TRAFFIC VOLUME

VEHICLES AND PEOPLE IN RIGHT OF WAY

Mammoth Lakes Town Council
Agenda Action Sheet
Title: Town Council Strategic Planning Series - Adoption of Town Council Strategic Priorities for 2025.

Council Meeting Date: 3/5/2025
Prepared by: Rob Patterson, Town Manager
Pam Kobylarz, Assistant to the Town Manager
Recommended Motion: Review and adopt the final form and content of Town Council Strategic Priorities for 2025.

Summary: The Town Council and staff have been working on the development of these key objectives for 2025 for the last three months, through a series of meetings designed to analyze important adjustments to core services, development of Town Council vision, and community engagement. The intent of this document is to provide both staff and the Town Council with a road map to achieve critical goals for our community.

At the February 19th Town Council meeting, staff recorded consensus comments of the draft, and those edits have produced this final document. These edits included a reorganization of the categories on the document and enhanced language to provide clarity on intended focus points.

The short-term vision statement was replaced by a summary of intent to provide an overarching theme for the document.

Staff believe the final form of this document captures the intent of the Town Council and is seeking adoption of this document for 2025.

Community Investment
Enhance growth, development, and quality of life
for our citizens
• Affordable Housing: Continue implementation of the Town’s Housing Now! initiative program with a focus on the “missing middle.” • Partnerships: Leverage partnerships to increase opportunities and enhance services.
• Community Funding: Develop capacity of community foundations to support Town initiatives.
• Community Development: Maximize community benefit when considering and approving development projects and continue Town-wide beautification efforts.

Recreation Amenities and Programs
Deliver high-quality, affordable, and sustainable recreation programs and amenities
• Community Recreation: Enhance access, availability, and affordability of Parks and Recreation amenities, programs, and services. • Community Connectivity: Enhance wayfinding and mobility plans and upgrades.
• Public Lands: Work with federal and State partners to ensure the delivery of sustainable outdoor recreation experiences that drive visitation.
• Sustainable Outdoor Recreation: Invest in wildlife management including public outreach and enhance the Town’s on-the-ground presence to inform visitors and local residents.

Public Safety
Protection through project identification and implementation • Emergency Management: Augment the Town’s emergency
management operations and public notification efforts.
• Risk Mitigation: Enhance wildfire and natural disaster safety and resilience through a collaborative and integrated framework with partners to complete and implement necessary mitigation plans. • Facility Utilization: Increase utilization of the Mammoth Yosemite Airport facilities to further protect the community and support services including medivac and firefighting aircraft.

Municipal Services
Support a vibrant, sustainable, and cohesive community
• Community Engagement: Increase community engagement and outreach efforts, including a focus on accessibility and Spanishlanguage offerings. • Public Safety: Continue to evaluate public safety needs to protect our community, visitors, and officers.
• Town-wide Vision, Plans, and Services: Update the Town’s vision statement, conduct a comprehensive review and prioritization of all Town plans and implementation efforts and streamline Town permitting services.
• Environmental Sustainability: Reduce our impact on the natural environment.
• Capital Projects: Continue to evaluate and implement the Town’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP).

TOWN COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
2025 Town of Mammoth Lakes
Summary: The Town Council supports a resilient, vibrant, and sustainable community that promotes civic engagement and fosters strong partnerships. We aim to enhance municipal services, expand housing opportunities, and improve recreational offerings, ensuring a balance between quality of life and exceptional experiences for all.

Agenda Item ________
File No. ____________

AGENDA BILL
Subject: Councilmember Reports
Initiated by: Jamie Gray
______________________________________________________________________ BACKGROUND:

Each member of the Town Council is appointed to serve as a Town representative to a number of committees, commissions, and organizations.

These groups meet infrequently and from time to time the representatives will report to the rest of the Council at a regularly scheduled meeting.

In addition, Councilmembers on occasion participate in meetings, conferences and seminars, and their reports on these educational opportunities are of benefit to the rest of the Council.

ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:

California Government Code requirements pertaining to the open meeting act stipulate that all items for discussion must be listed on the agenda before the matter can be discussed and/or acted upon. To meet this requirement, and the intent of the Brown Act, Councilmember Reports are listed on each agenda to allow representatives to report to the rest of the Council at these meetings.

The following is a list of the commission/committees on which members of the Council serve:

Land Use:

Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) – Rice, Truax, and Bubser as alternate
Airport Land Use Commission – Rice, Truax, and Bubser as the alternate Mono County Collaborative Planning Team (CPT) – Senior Planner Kim Cooke and Bubser and Truax as alternates
Intergovernmental Relations:

Town and County Liaison Committee – Bubser, Rice, and Town Manager and Sauser as alternate
Desert Mountain Division of the League of California Cities – Sauser and Town Manager as alternate
Eastern Sierra Council of Governments (ESCOG) – Bubser, Wentworth, and Sauser as alternate
Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District – Wentworth and Bubser as alternate

League of California Cities City Voting Delegate – Bubser and the Town Manager as the alternate
California Joint Powers Insurance Authority Board – Truax and Assistant to the Town Manager as alternate
Transportation:

Local Transportation Commission (LTC) – Bubser, Sauser, and Truax; Town Manager as alternate
Eastern Sierra Transit Authority (ESTA) Board – Bubser and Sauser Local Issues:

Mammoth Lakes Tourism (MLT) Board – Wentworth
Mammoth Lakes Recreation (MLR) Board – Truax
Eastern Sierra Community Housing Board – Rice
Treasury Oversight Committee – Finance Director; Town Manager as alternate LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS:

According to the California Open Meeting Act, commonly referred to as the Brown Act, the agenda must reflect every matter to be discussed by a governing body.

RECOMMENDATION(S):

This agenda bill is submitted for information only.