Town Council - January 21, 2026
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.
Councilmember Bubser announced that she would be participating remotely due to the "just cause" of a contagious disease and that no adults were present in the room with her.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Sauser led the flag salute.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
1. Public Comments regarding safe parking.pdf
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.
Emily Markstein spoke about the housing crisis for the group of people who lived in their vehicles. She said that tourists were taking their legal parking spots. She asked for help from the Town for safe parking spaces for those living in their vehicles. There was discussion among members of Council.
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 current MLT activities.
Sarah Winters, MLT Interim President & CEO, gave an update regarding the MLT CEO search.
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. INTRODUCTIONS
5.1 Introduce new Parks Maintenance Worker Steve Baker.
Parks and Recreation Director Stuart Brown introduced Mr. Baker to the Council and the community.
6. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND/OR DEPARTMENTS (AS NEEDED)
1. Adult Programs Winter 2026 Parks and Recreation Town Council_.pdf Parks and Recreation Director Stuart Brown and Recreation Supervisory Sydney Schulz gave an update regarding Adult Programs. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
Town Manager Rob Patterson presented Ms. Schulz with the Town's quarterly Spirit of Mammoth Award.
Public Works Director Haislip Hayes gave an update regarding current public works activities. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
6.1 Town of Mammoth Lakes Social Media Report for December 2025.
1. TOML Social Media Report December 2025.pdf
Town Manager Rob Patterson outlined the information in the report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
6.2 January 2026 Public Works Engineering CIP Update.
1. January 2026 Public Works Engineering CIP Update.pdf
7. CONSENT AGENDA
Moved by
Councilmember Bill Sauser
Seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Brent Truax
Approve the Consent Agenda.
For (5)
Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember John Wentworth, Councilmember Chris Bubser, Mayor Amanda Rice, and Mayor Pro Tem Brent Truax Carried (5 to 0)
7.1 Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 7, 2026.
1. January 7, 2026 Minutes.pdf
7.2 Authorize the Agreement for Construction Management Services for the Airport Multipurpose Building Phase 1 Site Work.
1. Authorize Contract for Engineering Services During Construction of the Multipurpose Building Phase I Site Work.pdf
7.3 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 at 299 Commerce.pdf
2. R25-48.pdf
7.4 Accept the Project Closeout Report for the 2025 Road & MUP Rehabilitation Project.
1. Project Closeout Report_Road and MUP Rehab 2025.pdf
7.5 Accept Check Register 1/8/26 in the amount of $1,794,949.26. Accept Check Register 1/15/26 in the amount of $722,278.62.
1. Check Register 01082026.pdf
2. Check Register 01152026.pdf
8. POLICY MATTERS
8.1 Consider approval of the second amendment to the Mammoth Lakes Housing, Inc. professional services agreement to extend the term of the agreement to June 30, 2026.
1. ESCH 2nd Contract Extension.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Second Amendment to the MLH agreement.pdf
3. Attachment 2 - First Amendment to the MLH agreement.pdf
4. Attachment 3 - MLH Agreement, July 2022.pdf
Community and Economic Development Director Nolan Bobroff and Town Manager Rob Patterson outlined the information in the staff report.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Patricia Robertson, Eastern Sierra Community Housing (ESCH) Executive Director, said that they working with the Town to determine the deliverables.
Tom Hodges, ESCH Board President, said that were ready for a transparent discussion and that he looked forward to working with the Town on the contract.
Billy Stade spoke in support of ESCH.
Moved by
Councilmember Bill Sauser
Seconded by
Councilmember John Wentworth
Approve the
Second
Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Mammoth Lakes Housing, Inc. to extend the term of the agreement to June 30, 2026.
For (5)
Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember John Wentworth, Councilmember Chris Bubser, Mayor Amanda Rice, and Mayor Pro Tem Brent Truax Carried (5 to 0)
8.2 Authorize purchase of Hangar at Mammoth Yosemite Airport for storage of Town equipment.
1. Hangar Purchase F1.pdf
2. Purchase and sale agreement.pdf
3. Ground Lease - Hangar F1.pdf
Town Manager Rob Patterson outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
Moved by
Mayor Pro Tem Brent Truax
Seconded by
Councilmember John Wentworth
A
pprove the purchase of
H
ang
a
r
F1
at Mammoth Yosemite Airport and
authorize the Town Manager to execute a purchase and sale agreement for $
375
,000 to
complete the purchase
, pending final legal review
.
For (5)
Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember John Wentworth, Councilmember Chris Bubser, Mayor Amanda Rice, and Mayor Pro Tem Brent Truax Carried (5 to 0)
9. COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
1. Councilmember Reports.pdf
Informational reports from Councilmember representatives on committees, commissions, and organizations; general reports on Councilmember activities.
Councilmember Wentworth met with Inyo National Forest Supervisor Lesley Yen, attended the Hunden Partners meetings regarding a destination management planning, announced that Jay David Fraser was named as the new Inyo County CAO, and attended today's Mammoth Lakes Tourism Board meeting.
Councilmember Bubser, Mayor Pro Tem Truax and Councilmember Sauser met with the Hunden Partners.
Mayor Rice met with the Hunden Partners and attended the Eastern Sierra Community Housing Board meeting.
10. CLOSED SESSION
At 5:05 p.m. the Mayor announced that the Council would be entering into closed session for the purposes as stated in the agenda.
10.1 Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8, the Town Council will hold a conference with its representatives in regard to property negotiations pertaining to:
Property: APN: 035-010-052
Agency Negotiators: Rob Patterson, Nolan Bobroff, and Marcus Sproll Negotiating Parties: Town of Mammoth Lakes and Mammoth Lakes Foundation Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment.
11. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
The Council reconvened from closed session at 5:58 p.m. and announced that there was no reportable action taken.
12. ADJOURNMENT
The Town Council will adjourn to a regular meeting to be held on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
The Council adjourned the meeting at 5:58 p.m.