Town Council - November 05, 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
Scott Armstrong led the flag salute.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The Public Comment portion of the agenda provides the public with an opportunity to address the Town Council on matters not otherwise listed on the agenda. Under California law the Town Council is prohibited from generally discussing or taking action on items not included in the agenda; however, the Town Council may briefly respond to comments or questions from members of the public. Therefore, the Town Council will listen to all public comment, but will not generally discuss the matter or take action on it. Requests for service from the Town may also be made at the Town offices during regular business hours. Members of the public desiring to speak on a matter appearing on the agenda should ask the Mayor for the opportunity to be heard when the item comes up for Council consideration.
There were no public comments given at this time.
4. INTRODUCTIONS
4.1 Introduce new Parks/PW Hybrid Worker Christopher Russell.
Public Works Maintenance Manager Pat Vargas introduced Mr. Russell to the Council and the community.
5. 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.
6. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND/OR DEPARTMENTS (AS NEEDED) Town Manager Rob Patterson gave an update regarding California's Proposition 50 passage last night, and thanked Congressman Kiley for his visits to our region. There was discussion among members of Council and staff. Mr. Patterson reported the Town had implemented a new recognition process for employees who are getting additional certification, diplomas, and licenses to enhance their job performance at the Town.
Office of Outdoor Recreation Manager Lawson Reif gave an update regarding current outdoor recreation activities. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
Police Chief Dan Casabian gave an update regarding the Halloween event in the Trails. He announced that Officer Hoodman received the Eastern Sierra Police Officers Association Officer of the Year Award.
Public Works Director Haislip Hayes announced that Assistant Engineer Pam Smitheman and Assistant Engineer Colin Brownlee had passed their Fundamentals of Engineering Exam. He reported that a settlement agreement had been finalized with Hamel Contracting, Inc.
Finance Director Megan Chapman announced that Revenue Specialist Lupita Lopez had completed her Masters of Science in Management and Leadership.
Parks and Recreation Director Stuart Brown announced that Community Recreation Center (CRC) Supervisor Andrew McEachron had completed the Certified Ice Technician course. He gave an update regarding current parks and recreation activities. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
7. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
7.1 Mono Region Broadband Plan Update presented by Scott Armstrong, Regional Broadband Coordinator.
1. 2025 Fall Update - 2025 11 05 - Mammoth.pdf
Mr. Armstrong gave a presentation regarding the Regional Broadband update. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
8. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
8.1 Receive a presentation on the key findings from the Regional Housing Needs Study.
1. HNA Presentation 11.05.2025.pdf
2. Housing Needs Study Slide Deck - Mammoth 2025.11.05.pdf Community and Economic Development Director Nolan Bobroff introduced Aaron Nousaine, bae urban economics. Mr. Nousaine gave a presentation regarding the Regional Housing Needs Study. There was discussion among members of Council, staff, and Mr. Nousaine.
9. CONSENT AGENDA
Moved by
Councilmember John Wentworth
Seconded by
Councilmember Bill Sauser
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)
9.1 Approve the minutes of the special meeting of October 14, 2025.
1. October 14, 2025 Minutes.pdf
9.2 Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 15, 2025.
1. October 15, 2025 Minutes.pdf
9.3 Adopt the resolution approving an updated Vehicle Use Policy for the Town of Mammoth Lakes.
1. Action Sheet - vehicle use policy.pdf
2. R25- Vehicle Use Policy.pdf
3. Vehicle Use Policy.pdf
9.4 Update and approval to continue emergency installation of aboveground waste oil tank at 299 Commerce Drive.
1. Approval to Continue Emergency Installation of Aboveground Waste Oil Tank.pdf
2. R25-48.pdf
9.5 Approve the request for a Public Convenience or Necessity Letter from the Mammoth Lakes Town Council in Support of the Mammoth Mercantile’s application for a Type-20, Off-Sale Beer and Wine License at 126 Old Mammoth Road, Unit 102
1. ABC Authorization - Mammoth Mercantile.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Letter to ABC.pdf
3. Attachment 2 - ABC Application.pdf
4. Attachment 3 - Active Type 20 Licenses in census tract 2.01.pdf and authorize the Community and Economic Development Director to sign the letter documenting this determination.
9.6 Authorize letter of support for Sean Patrick Scott Scholarship Fund, which is being established to advance prehospital medical training in the Town of Mammoth Lakes.
1. Letter of support - paramedic tuition .pdf
2. TOML Support for Sean Patrick Scott Scholarship Fund.pdf
9.7 Accept Check Register 10/9/25 in the amount of $2,134,445.48. Accept Check Register 10/15/25 in the amount of $2,660,080.32. Accept Check Register 10/16/25 in the amount of $501,496.84. Accept Check Register 10/23/25 in the amount of $280,181.10.
1. Check Register 10092025.pdf
2. Check Register 10152025.pdf
3. Check Register 10162025.pdf
4. Check Register 10232025.pdf
5. Check Register 10272025.pdf
Accept Check Register 10/27/25 in the amount of $1,732,963.84.
10. POLICY MATTERS
10.1 Consider the request for an additional $7.2M in gap funding for the Kingfisher 2 affordable housing project at the Parcel.
1. Kingfisher 2 Funding Request.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Kingfisher 2 Funding Request Ltr_6.10.2025.pdf
3. Attachment 2 - Town Loan Committment Letter.pdf
4. Attachment 3 - PWC Presentation.pdf
5. Attachment 4 - Letters of Support.pdf
6. Attachment 4-A - Additional Letters of Support.pdf
7. Kingfisher 2 PWC Presentation.pdf
8. Public Comment Email.pdf
The Mayor called a recess at 6:10 p.m. and the Council reconvened at 6:19 p.m.
Councilmember Sauser announced that he owned property near the proposed project, recused himself, and left the meeting at 6:19 p.m.
Community and Economic Development Director Nolan Bobroff outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
Shellan Rodriguez, SMR Development Project Manager, discussed rents and incomes at the Sawyer. There was discussion among members of Council and Ms. Rodriguez.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Robin Roberts, Mono County Director of Behavioral Health, spoke in support of the funding request for the Kingfisher 2 project.
A current resident of the Sawyer spoke in support of the Town funding the Kingfisher II project.
Amanda Greenberg, Mono County Behavioral Health, read a letter from a Sawyer resident in support of the funding request for the Kingfisher 2 project. Ms. Greenberg spoke in support of the funding request for the Kingfisher 2 Project.
There was discussion among members of Council, staff, and Caleb Roope, The Pacific Companies.
Councilmember Sauser returned to the meeting at 7:05 p.m.
Moved by
Councilmember Brent Truax
Seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice
Commit the additional $7
,200,000
to the Kingfisher 2 affordable housing project at the Parcel contingent upon execution by Pacific West Communities (PWC) of an agreement giving the Town the option to amend or terminate the Disposition and Development Agreement for the Parcel prior to the disbursement of any portion of the committed funds and contingent upon PWC getting the State grant tax credit funding ; and d
irect staff to prepare and negotiate an option agreement with Pacific West Communities and bring it back to Town Council for consideration.
For (4)
Councilmember John Wentworth, Mayor Chris Bubser, Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice, and Councilmember Brent Truax Absent (1)
Councilmember Bill Sauser
Carried (4 to 0)
10.2 Adopt a Resolution Approving the Third Amendment to the Solid Waste Services Agreement between the Town of Mammoth Lakes and Mammoth Disposal Company related to rate adjustments.
1. Mammoth Disposal Franchise Agreement - Amendment 3.pdf
2. Resolution - Franchise Agreement Third Amendment .pdf
3. Mammoth Disposal Franchise Agreement - Third Amendment.pdf Assistant to the Town Manager Pam Kobylarz outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
Moved by
Councilmember John Wentworth
Seconded by
Councilmember Brent Truax
Adopt a Resolution Approving the Third Amendment to the Solid Waste Services Agreement between the Town of Mammoth Lakes and Mammoth Disposal Company related to rate adjustments.
For (5)
Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember John Wentworth, Mayor Chris Bubser, Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice, and Councilmember Brent Truax Carried (5 to 0)
10.3 Request for Town Support to provide emergency food assistance for CalFresh recipients.
1. SNAP Funds.pdf
Kathy Peterson, Director of Health and Human Services, outlined the request to provide emergency food assistant to CalFresh recipients.
Town Manager Rob Patterson outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and Ms. Peterson.
Moved by
Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice
Seconded by
Councilmember Brent Truax
A
uthorize
the allocation of up to $100,000 in support of an emergency food assistance program administered by Mono County for existing CalFresh recipients
who have lost coverage due to the current government shutdown.
For (5)
Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember John Wentworth, Mayor Chris Bubser, Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice, and Councilmember Brent Truax Carried (5 to 0)
10.4 Resolution in support of Public Lands to ensure protection and proper management by our Federal Partners.
1. Public Lands Resolution.pdf
2. Resolution.pdf
Town Manager Rob Patterson 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
A
dopt
a
resolution
in support of protection for Public Lands and proper management to ensure
forest health and protection our recreation-based economy, as amended to delete the work "any" from #2.
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. 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 Haunted Rink event, the Town employee Airport Potluck, Chili Cookoff, and paper airplane contes, and the Local Transportation Commission meeting.
Councilmember Truax attended the Local Transportation Commission meeting, the Haunted Rink, and Harassment Prevention training.
Mayor Pro Tem Rice attended the Haunted Rink, Halloween in the Trails, the Eastern Sierra Community Housing Board meeting, and the ribbon cutting event for Mammoth Mercantile.
Councilmember Wentworth attended the Localize in California Water Conference, the Eastern Sierra Wildfire Alliance meeting, and the Eastern Sierra Council of Governments (ESCOG) meeting.
Mayor Bubser attended the Eastern Sierra Wildfire Alliance meeting, the Indigenous Peoples Day event at Cerro Coso Community College, the ESCOG meeting, the High Sierra Energy Foundation 20th Anniversary event, the Community Coffee regarding sustainability programs, and the Wildfire Resilience Action Finance Team (WRAFT)
meeting.
12. CLOSED SESSION
12.1 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, and Jack Hughes, Partner with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, with respect to the following Employee Organizations: Mammoth Lakes Police Officers Association.
At 7:59 p.m. the Mayor announced that the Council would be entering into closed session for the purposes as stated in the agenda.
13. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION TAKEN AFTER CLOSED SESSION
The Council reconvened from closed session at 8:21 p.m. and announced that there was no reportable action taken.
14. ADJOURNMENT
The Town Council will adjourn to a regular meeting to be held on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
The Council adjourned the meeting at 8:21 p.m.