Town Council - February 04, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 437 Old Mammoth Road, Suite Z, Mammoth Lakes.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Bubser 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.
William Everett Fix complimented the local library.
Elonna Entin said that she used a walker and crutches and outlined her concerns about accessibility on Town sidewalks, public restrooms being closed, and issues at the Community Recreation Center (CRC).
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. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND/OR DEPARTMENTS (AS NEEDED) Airport Manager Soibian Spring gave an update regarding current Airport activities.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
Moved by
Councilmember Chris Bubser
Seconded by
Councilmember Bill Sauser
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)
6.1 Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 21, 2026.
1. January 21, 2026 Minutes.pdf
6.2 Approve the request for a Public Convenience or Necessity Letter in support of Grocery Outlet’s application for a Type-21, general liquor license, allowing off-site sales of packaged beer, wine, and distilled spirits at 37 Old Mammoth Road.
1. ABC Authorization - Grocery Outlet.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Draft PCN letter to ABC.pdf
3. Attachment 2 - ABC Application.pdf
This item was removed from the consent agenda for separate discussion.
There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
William Everett Fix spoke against the Town Council approving the proposed letter.
Elonna Entin said that people would always find a way to buy alcohol.
Steve Rawlings, representative from Grocery Outlet, said that they appreciated their business in Mammoth. He said that they propose to only carry an inventory of big bottles that will just be on two shelving units. He noted that the liquor license would belong to the Grocery Outlet Store, and that they were responsible retailers of alcohol.
Police Chief Dan Casabian noted that this license would not have an impact on Town issues, and that the Town needed to create an ordinance regulating alcohol use in Town regarding open containers.
Moved by
Councilmember John Wentworth
Seconded by
Councilmember Chris Bubser
Approve the request for a Public Convenience or Necessity Letter in support of Grocery Outlet’s application for a Type-21 off-sale license allowing the sale of packaged beer, wine, and distilled spirits at 37 Old Mammoth Road
and authorize the Community and Economic Development Director to sign the letter documenting this determination .
For (5)
Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember John Wentworth, Councilmember Chris Bubser, Mayor Amanda Rice, and Mayor Pro Tem Brent Truax Carried (5 to 0)
6.3 Approval to Continue Emergency Installation of Aboveground Waste Oil Tank at 299 Commerce Drive.
1. Request Approval to Continue Emergency Installation of Aboveground Waste Oil Tank at 299 Commerce Dr.pdf
2. R25-48.pdf
6.4 Approve and adopt Resolution No. 26-XX establishing the fiscal years 2025-26, 2026-27, and 2027-28 compensation schedules for the Mammoth Lakes Police Officers’ Association (“MLPOA”).
1. Approve and Adopt FY 2025-26, 2026-27, and 2027-28 Compensation Schedules for the MLPOA.pdf
2. Resolution 26-XX MLPOA Compensation Schedules.pdf
3. MLPOA Salary Schedules FY 2025-28 - Appendix A.pdf
6.5 Approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Mammoth Lakes (“Town”) and the Mammoth Lakes Police Officers’ Association (“MLPOA”), which shall be in effect from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028.
1. Approve Memorandum of Understanding between the Town and the Mammoth Lakes Police Officers' Association.pdf
2. MLPOA MOU FY 2025 - 2028.pdf
6.6 Accept Check Register 1/22/26 in the amount of $916,083.04. Accept Check Register 1/29/26 in the amount of $1,333,411.26.
1. Check Register 01222026.pdf
2. Check Register 01292026.pdf
7. POLICY MATTERS
7.1 Receive a presentation on “Van Life” overnight parking efforts.
1. Van Life Update - Jan-2026.pdf
2. Public Comment.pdf
3. Van Life Presentation 2026.02.04.pdf
Community and Economic Development Director Nolan Bobroff gave a presentation regarding a potential "Van Life" Overnight Parking Program. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Elonna Entin asked questions and Mr. Bobroff responded.
William Everett Fix said that he lived in the woods for three years and had never left trash out.
Tom Cage, Main Street business and property owner, said that he allowed some of his employees to park on his property overnight occasionally.
Luis Medina, Mammoth Times and Inyo Register, asked questions and Town Manager Rob Patterson responded.
Tom Hodges, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area Vice President of Planning and Development, said that he had worked with the Town on the Sheriff Substation option. He said that the Mountain did occasionally make accommodations for employees to park on their property, but that there were a lot of liability issues with that. He said that the Mountain encouraged their employees to stay in their employee housing. Mr. Hodges said that the next phase of The Parcel would be available soon.
Jennifer Kreitz, Mono County Board of Supervisors, said that they provided resources to help Mono County residents find services.
Emily Markstein thanked all of the participants and said that she was hopeful for a solution.
There was discussion among members of Council.
7.2 Consider changes to Town parking policies.
1. Consider Changes to Town Parking Policies.pdf
2. Public Comments.pdf
3. Additional Public Comments.pdf
4. Parking 2-4-26.pdf
The Mayor called a recess at 5:50 p.m. and the Council reconvened at 5:56 p.m.
Public Works Director Haislip Hayes gave a presentation outlining the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
The Town Council agreed to staff recommendations regarding the simplification of parking system signage and elimination of street parking in constrained areas, development of a parking map, and the development of an impound lot/towing services. The Town Council agreed that they did not want to pursue paid parking on Town roads.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Richard Booher, local business owner and volunteer fireman, said that the safety access issue was paramount and that he liked public outreach.
Lillian Grassey said that she agreed with Council to not pursue paid parking.
Elonna Entin asked questions.
William Everett Fix said that if there were safety issue then we should shove those cars out of the way and have no parking in town.
Richard Lawson, tow operator, said that there biggest problem was having space. He asked what he needed to do to be a towing vendor for the Town.
Tom Hodges, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area Vice President of Development, said that he wanted to be cooperative partners with the Town. He said that taking away parking would make matters worse and advised the Town take a measured approach.
Patrick Bernard said that we had a complex weather environment in a residential neighborhood and suggested adopting components of the Walk Bike Ride Plan and carpooling.
Town Clerk Jamie Gray read notes from Tom Cage and Mayor Pro Tem Truax interpreted Mr. Cage's notes regarding his parking concerns.
Mr. Hayes responded to questions asked in public comment.
There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
The Town Council agreed to direct staff to bring back agenda items raising the ticket price in resort zones to $500, raising the ticket price throughout town for cars impeding traffic to $750, and raising the ticket price for illegally parking in an ADA spot to $1,000.
7.3 Consider amendments to Town of Mammoth Lakes Municipal Code Chapter 9.32, Tobacco and Related Products.
1. Ordinance re Tobacco.pdf
2. Ordinance.pdf
3. Exhibit A.pdf
Town Clerk Jamie Gray 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 Chris Bubser
Waive
the reading and introduce by title only the ordinance amending Town of Mammoth Lakes Municipal Code Chapter 9.32, Tobacco and Related Products.
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. 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 Employee Appreciation Luncheon.
Councilmember Wentworth attended the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District Board meeting, a call with Congressman Kiley regarding support for public lands, the Eastern Sierra Sustainable Recreation Partnership (ESSRP) meeting, and a meeting in Sacramento regarding Outdoors for All.
Councilmember Bubser attended the Employee Appreciation Luncheon and a call with Congressman Kiley regarding the Mountain Pact.
Mayor Pro Tem Truax attended the Collaborative Planning Team (CPT) meeting and the Community Skate Night.
Mayor Rice announced that her third grade class had read over two million words this school year.
9. CLOSED SESSION
9.1 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL--EXISTING LITIGATION (Paragraph 1 of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9) Name of case: Successors to Jesus Uribe Corona v. Mammoth Lakes Police Department (Case No: 25UCM62) At 7:48 p.m. the Mayor announced that the Council would be entering into closed session for the purposes as stated in the agenda.
10. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION TAKEN AFTER CLOSED SESSION
The Council reconvened from closed session at 8:12 p.m. and announced that there was no reportable action taken.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The Town Council will adjourn to a regular meeting to be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
The Council adjourned the meeting at 8:12 p.m.