Town Council - August 20, 2025
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 437 Old Mammoth Road, Suite Z, Mammoth Lakes.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Truax led the flag salute.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The Public Comment portion of the agenda provides the public with an opportunity to address the Town Council on matters not otherwise listed on the agenda. Under California law the Town Council is prohibited from generally discussing or taking action on items not included in the agenda; however, the Town Council may briefly respond to comments or questions from members of the public. Therefore, the Town Council will listen to all public comment, but will not generally discuss the matter or take action on it. Requests for service from the Town may also be made at the Town offices during regular business hours. Members of the public desiring to speak on a matter appearing on the agenda should ask the Mayor for the opportunity to be heard when the item comes up for Council consideration.
Brianna Goico, President & CEO of the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce, gave an update regarding current Chamber activities.
Kim Anaclerio, Executive Director of Mammoth Lakes Recreation (MLR), introduced her two new MLR board members, Darlene Pascua and Heidi Kuznitz.
4. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
Opportunity to add urgency items pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2(b)2, if necessary.
There were no additions to the agenda.
5. TOWN COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Recognize retirement of Building Inspector/Plans Examiner Ron Haskins.
Community and Economic Development Director Nolan Bobroff thanked Mr. Haskins for his years of service.
6. INTRODUCTIONS
6.1 Introduce new Police Officer James Clark.
Police Chief Dan Casabian introduced new Police Officers Clark, Leach, and Madera to the Council and the community.
6.2 Introduce new Police Officer Emily Leach.
6.3 Introduce new Police Officer Rodolfo Madera.
7. WORKSHOP
7.1 Joint workshop with the Board of Mammoth Lakes Tourism to discuss the Economic Impact Study, Summer Stewardship, and Winter Air Service.
1. Joint Meeting MLT.pdf
2. MLT In Market Campaign Overview(1).pdf
3. Economic Impact Study(1).pdf
Mammoth Lakes Tourism (MLT) Board Members Cristi Quesada-Costa, Marybeth Ericson, Kirk Wallace, John Wentworth, and Chairman Pat Foster were in attendance.
Betsy Truax, MLT Vice President of Community Engagement, outlined information in the Economic Impact Study. There was discussion among members of Council, staff, and MLT staff.
Sarah Winter, MLT Vice President of Marketing, outlined information in the Summer Stewardship campaign. There was discussion among members of Council, staff, and MLT staff.
John Urdi, President & CEO of MLT, gave an update regarding air service. There was discussion among members of Council, staff, and MLT staff.
8. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND/OR DEPARTMENTS (AS NEEDED) There were no reports given at this time.
9. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
9.1 California Department of Fish and Wildlife Summer Update.
1. California Department of Fish and Wildlife Summer Update.pdf Town Manager Rob Patterson introduced Michael Brown, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Environmental Scientist and Bear Researcher. Mr. Brown gave a presentation regarding black bears in the Eastern Sierra.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
John Eastman asked about the disappearance of the bears in Old Mammoth. He suggested that the Town Council form a working group to recommend actions to the Town Council regarding bear and wildlife management tactics.
Erin O'Malley said that tourism impacted wildlife. She asked questions regarding the use of traps and baits this season, the release of bears to local tribes, dumpster fines, and issuing fines at campgrounds.
Sumner Sole spoke about communication issues.
Dawn Vereuck asked about what prompted Fish and Wildlife to set bait and traps on private property. She read a portion of the General Plan and said that fines and penalties needed to be increased to deter human behavior.
Jennifer Valent asked about the relocation of bears and the monitoring of campgrounds in the evening. She said that the Town needed a wildlife officer.
Connie Moyer said that bear and wildlife issues should be addressed locally and not with Fish and Wildlife. She suggested that the Town hire Steve Searles.
Julie Rolfe said that Steve Searles was offered a contract by the Town for 6 months of work per year instead of 12 and he did not take it. She said that the we needed better education when backpackers got their permits, from camp hosts at campgrounds, from hotel employees telling people to take food out of cars, and from condos managers managing their dumpsters.
Code Compliance Officer Richard Bellis, Mr. Brown, Russell Black, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Program Manager – Wildlife, Hatcheries & Fisheries, Town Manager Rob Patterson, and Office of Outdoor Recreation Manager Lawson Reif responded to questions from members of the public during public comment. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
The Mayor called a recess at 7:30 p.m. and the Council reconvened at 7:46 p.m.
10. CONSENT AGENDA
Moved by
Councilmember Bill Sauser
Seconded by
Councilmember John Wentworth
Approve the Consent Agenda.
For (5)
Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember John Wentworth, Mayor Chris Bubser, Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice, and Councilmember Brent Truax Carried (5 to 0)
10.1 Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 6, 2025.
1. August 6, 2025 Minutes.pdf
10.2 Cancel the October 1, 2025 Town Council meeting, and direct the Town Clerk to notice such cancellation.
1. Action Sheet - cancel TC meeting.pdf
10.3 Accept the 2024 Community Indicators Report.
1. Community Indicators Report - 2024.pdf
2. TOML - 2024 Community Indicators Report.pdf
This item was continued to a future meeting.
10.4 Approve the resolution authorizing the temporary closure of Town roads for special events.
1. Road Closure Resolution.pdf
10.5 Approve findings to continue the authorized emergency replacement of the Whitmore Pool roof as provided for in Resolution No. 25-47.
1. Request Approval to Continue Emergency Repairs to Whitmore Pool Roof.pdf
2. R25-47.pdf
10.6 Approve findings to continue the authorized emergency installation of an aboveground waste oil tank as provided for in Resolution No. 25-48.
1. Request Approval to Continue Emergency Installation of Aboveground Waste Oil Tank.pdf
2. R25-48.pdf
10.7 Accept Check Register 7/31/25 in the amount of $1,644,127.31. Accept Check Register 8/6/25 in the amount of $9,251.00. Accept Check Register 8/7/25 in the amount of $780,279.33.
1. Check Register 07312025.pdf
2. Check Register 08062025.pdf
3. Check Register 08072025.pdf
11. POLICY MATTERS
11.1 Approve the letter of public comment from the Town Council regarding the proposed Reorganization of the United States Forest Service.
1. Forest Service Reorganization Public Comment.pdf
2. FS reorg memo.pdf
3. 250813_-_ag_dems_-_letter_to_sec._rollins_usda__reorganization_plan.pdf
4. TOML_DOAREORGLTR_081525PK.pdf
Town Manager Rob Patterson and Office of Outdoor Recreation Manager Lawson Reif outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Sandy Hogan thanked the Council for sending the letter and said she would be sending one as well.
Moved by
Councilmember John Wentworth
Seconded by
Councilmember Bill Sauser
The Town Council provided edits and feedback to be used to provide C
ouncil approved ‘
public
comment’
on the proposed reorganization of the
Department
of Agriculture, with a focus on the
US Forest Service.
For (5)
Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember John Wentworth, Mayor Chris Bubser, Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice, and Councilmember Brent Truax Carried (5 to 0)
11.2 Consider the second amendment to the professional services agreement with DTA for the preparation of a Development Impact Fee and Housing Fee Nexus Study.
1. DIF Nexus Study Amendment.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Second Amendment to the DTA Agreement.pdf
3. Attachment 2 - DTA Agreement.pdf
Community and Economic Development Director Nolan Bobroff outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
Moved by
Councilmember Bill Sauser
Seconded by
Councilmember John Wentworth
Approve the resolution
authorizing the
second
amendment to the professional services agreement with DTA to increase the agreement amount by $25,000 to $195,000,
extend the term to June 30, 2026
, and to make minor revisions to the scope of work
.
For (5)
Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember John Wentworth, Mayor Chris Bubser, Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice, and Councilmember Brent Truax Carried (5 to 0)
11.3 Ordinance to Renew the Town’s Military Equipment Use Policy.
1. Ordinance to Renew Town's 2025 Military Equipment Use Policy.pdf
2. ORDINANCE Military Equipment 2025.pdf
3. Annual Report of Military Equipment Use and Inventory 2025.pdf
4. MLPD Military Equipment Policy 706.pdf
Town Attorney Andrew Morris outlined the information in the staff report.
Moved by
Councilmember John Wentworth
Seconded by
Councilmember Brent Truax
Waive the reading and introduce by title only the ordinance renewing the Town’s Military Equipment Use Policy pursuant to Government Code Section 7071 (AB 481).
For (5)
Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember John Wentworth, Mayor Chris Bubser, Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice, and Councilmember Brent Truax Carried (5 to 0)
11.4 Rescission of the approval of UPA 23-002 for the construction of an 80-foot tall “stealth monopine” cell tower located at 1574 Old Mammoth Road.
1. Cell Tower Rescission.pdf
2. Attachment A - Town Council Resolution.pdf
3. Attachment B - Peremptory Writ of Mandamus.pdf
4. Attachment C - Notice of Entry of Judgment.pdf
Community and Economic Development Director Nolan Bobroff outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
Moved by
Councilmember John Wentworth
Seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice
Adopt a resolution rescinding the approval of Use Permit (UPA) 23-002 and vacating the CEQA Notice of Exemption for the construction of an 80-foot tall “stealth monopine” cell tower located at 1574 Old Mammoth Road.
For (5)
Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember John Wentworth, Mayor Chris Bubser, Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice, and Councilmember Brent Truax Carried (5 to 0)
12. COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
1. Councilmember Reports.pdf
Informational reports from Councilmember representatives on committees, commissions, and organizations; general reports on Councilmember activities.
Councilmember Sauser attended the Town County Liaison Committee meeting, the Local Transportation Commission meeting, and the Town employee appreciation barbeque at Whitmore Pool.
Mayor Pro Tem Rice announced that school started today.
Councilmember Wentworth announced the upcoming Sierra Institutes Shindig and upcoming meetings regarding Sierra Jobs.
13. CLOSED SESSION
13.1 Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6.(a), Conference with Labor Negotiators, the Town Council will meet with its representatives, Town Manager Rob Patterson, Community and Economic Development Director Nolan Bobroff, Human Resources Manager Amanda Pelham, and Jack Hughes, Partner with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, with respect to the following Employee Organizations: Mammoth Lakes Police Officers Association.
This item was continued to a future meeting.
14. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION TAKEN AFTER CLOSED SESSION
15. ADJOURNMENT
The Town Council will adjourn to a regular meeting to be held on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
The Council adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m.