Town Council - May 06, 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.
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.
Brianna Goico, President & CEO of the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce, gave an update regarding current Chamber activities.
David Eichman spoke about Restaurant Week and the upcoming Mammoth Lakes Film Festival.
Betsy Truax, Mammoth Lakes Tourism (MLT) Vice President of Community Engagement, gave an update regarding current MLT activities.
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 Community Service Officer Nancy Vargas.
Police Chief Dan Casabian introduced Ms. Vargas to the Council and the community.
5.2 Introduce new Parks Maintenance Worker Alex Godines.
Maintenance Superintendent Warren Boling introduced Mr. Godines to the Council and the community.
6. COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS
6.1 Approve proclamation declaring May 3-9, 2026 as Public Service Recognition Week.
1. Public Service Recognition Week Proclamation 2026.pdf
2. Public Service Week TC Proclamation2026.pdf
Mayor Rice read the proposed proclamation.
Moved by
Councilmember Chris Bubser
Seconded by
Councilmember John Wentworth
Approve proclamation declaring May 3-9, 2026 as Public Service Recognition Week 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. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND/OR DEPARTMENTS (AS NEEDED) Community and Economic Development Director Nolan Bobroff gave an update regarding current Mammoth Community Water District (MCWD) and planning activities.
Parks and Recreation Director Stuart Brown gave an update regarding current recreation activities. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
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 said that the Council would hear comments later in the meeting from the Police Associations and that their comments were accurate, concise, and truthful.
8. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
8.1 Receive a presentation on Defining Middle-Income Housing.
1. Defining Middle-Income Workforce Housing.pdf
2. Presentation(1).pdf
Housing Manager Marcus Sproll gave a presentation outlining the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Jennifer Kreitz, Mono County Board of Supervisors, said that she wanted to talk with the governor's office about rural communities and dwindling populations. She said that she looked forward to sharing the data and the issue progressing.
8.2 Dave and Roma McCoy Arts and Cultural Center Construction Update and Operating Plan Presentation.
1. Presentation.pdf
Parks and Recreation Director Stuart Brown, Engineering Manager Amy Callanan, and Bill Blake, Principal of AMS Planning & Research, gave a presentation regarding the Dave and Roma McCoy Arts and Cultural Center construction update and operating plan. There was discussion among members of Council, staff, and Mr. Blake.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Roger Rea, Treasurer for Eastern Sierra Community Chorus, outlined event attendance and the money they made at their events. He said that the consultant's report did not sound accurate.
The Mayor called a recess at 6:16 p.m. and the Council reconvened at 6:26 p.m.
9. CONSENT AGENDA
Councilmember Wentworth requested that Agenda Item 9.6 be removed from the consent agenda for separate discussion.
Moved by
Mayor Pro Tem Brent Truax
Seconded by
Councilmember Chris Bubser
Approve the Consent Agenda with Mayor Rice recused on Agenda Items 9.3 and 9.5.
For (5)
Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember John Wentworth, Councilmember Chris Bubser, Mayor Amanda Rice, and Mayor Pro Tem Brent Truax Carried (5 to 0)
9.1 Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 15, 2026.
1. April 15, 2026 Minutes.pdf
9.2 Approve the minutes of the special meeting of April 29, 2026.
1. April 29, 2026 Minutes.pdf
9.3 Adopt the resolution approving the FY2026-27 project list to be submitted to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) for funding from the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds under Streets and Highways Code Section 2034.
1. Resolution to approve the FY2026-27 project list to be submitted to the CTC for RMRA funding.pdf
2. 2026 SB1 Resolution.pdf
9.4 Approve the resolution adopting the Town of Mammoth Lakes Safety Action Plan.
1. Resolution adopting the Town of Mammoth Lakes Safety Action Plan .pdf
2. R26-XX Adopt SS4A.pdf
3. Kimley-Horn Mammoth Lakes Safety Action Plan Report.pdf
9.5 Award contract for the 2026 Slurry Seal Project to Pavement Coatings Co.
1. Award contract for 2026 Slurry Seal project.pdf
9.6 Award the annual contract for publication of legal notices to The Sheet.
1. Legal Notices Bid Award.pdf
2. The Sheet Bid.pdf
3. The Sheet agreement.doc.pdf
This item was removed from the consent agenda for separate discussion.
Councilmember Wentworth asked contract questions regarding the publisher of The Sheet running for office in Inyo County. Town Attorney Andrew Morris responded.
Moved by
Councilmember John Wentworth
Seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Brent Truax
Award the
annual
contract for publication of legal notices
to The Sheet
.
For (5)
Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember John Wentworth, Councilmember Chris Bubser, Mayor Amanda Rice, and Mayor Pro Tem Brent Truax Carried (5 to 0)
9.7 Accept Check Register 4/9/26 in the amount of $1,982,986.55. Accept Check Register 4/16/26 in the amount of $1,109,575.68. Accept Check Register 4/23/26 in the amount of $2,363,326.46. Accept Check Register 4/30/26 in the amount of $315,238.15.
1. Chech Register 04092026.pdf
2. Check Register 04162026.pdf
3. Check Register 04232026.pdf
4. Check Register 04302026.pdf
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public Hearing Procedure.
The Mayor will open the public hearing and then: Statement and presentation by staff. Statement and presentation by property owner or appellant. Questions from the Town Council. Call for testimony. Rebuttal to previous testimony by property owner or appellant. Close the public hearing, terminating public testimony. The Town Council will deliberate the matter and arrive at a decision.
10.1 Public hearing in accordance with the addition of Government Code Section 3502.3 to the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act, and under Assembly Bill 2561, to present on the status of vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts prior to the adoption of a final
1. Public Hearing in compliance with Assembly Bill 2561 under Government Code 3502.3 of the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act.pdf
2. AB 2561 PH 2026.pdf
3. Sean Frank Public Comment.pdf
4. 5-6-26 MLPOA letter.pdf
5. Handout from the Mammoth Lakes Police Supervisory Association.pdf budget.
The Mayor opened the public hearing at 630 p.m.
Human Resources Manager Amanda Pelham and Human Resources Analyst Allison Floyd gave a presentation outlining the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Jason Heilman, Mammoth Lakes Police Supervisory Association, read a letter on behalf of the Association regarding the staffing shortage at the Mammoth Lakes Police Department (MLPD) and requesting that the Town Council make fixing the shortage a priority.
Annie Rinaldi, Superintendent of the Mammoth Unified School District, thanked the MLPD for their support and partnership. She said that school safety and a School Resource Officer were priorities for them.
Erin Heilman spoke about the staffing shortage at the MLPD and asked the Council to the problem.
Town Clerk Jamie Gray read a letter from the Mammoth Lakes Police Officers Association regarding the staffing shortage at the MLPD.
The Mayor closed the public hearing at 7:12 p.m.
There was discussion among members of Council.
11. POLICY MATTERS
11.1 Golden Mussel Ordinance Discussion and Direction.
1. Golden Mussel Ordinance Discussion and Direction.pdf
2. GoldenMusselsOrdinanceFinal_03-10-2026.pdf
3. MCSOAR_golden_mussels_flyer_FINAL.pdf
4. MCSOAR_monster_social.pdf
5. InspectionForm_ESGMC_v2_2026-04-013.pdf
Office of Outdoor Recreation Manager Lawson Reif and Town Attorney Andrew Morris outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
11.2 Contract for Towing and Secure Vehicle Storage Services.
1. Contract for Towing and Secure Vehicle Storage Services.pdf Public Works Director Haislip Hayes outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Richard Lawson, Mountain Towing, said that their goal was to work together to service the Town and the Police Department.
Moved by
Mayor Pro Tem Brent Truax
Seconded by
Councilmember Bill Sauser
Authorize the Town Manager to negotiate a contract for towing and secure vehicle services.
Authorize the Town Manager to negotiate and execute a lease agreement for the use of Town-owned property at 294 Industrial Circle in the Sierra Business Park.
For (5)
Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember John Wentworth, Councilmember Chris Bubser, Mayor Amanda Rice, and Mayor Pro Tem 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 Bubser attended the the Eastern Sierra Transit Authority (ESTA) Board meeting, the Eastern Sierra Council of Governments (ESCOG) Board meeting, Sierra Day at the Capitol, the Andrea Lawrence Mono Lake Committee Dinner, the Eastern Sierra Wildfire Alliance meeting, and the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Crowley Fish Foundation. She spoke about a moment to remember Renee Durlester.
Councilmember Wentworth spoke about the passing of Bernie Rosow. He attended the ESCOG Board meeting, a recreation symposium, the special Town Council meeting, and the Mammoth Trails meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Truax attended the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Crowley Fish Foundation and the Cinco de Mayo Town employee potluck. He spoke about the passing of a gentleman at Silver Lake.
Councilmember Sauser attended the Mammoth Trails meeting.
Mayor Rice attended two Eastern Sierra Community Housing Board meetings.
13. REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
There was a discussion among members of Council and Town Manager Rob Patterson regarding community needs versus Council requests.
14. CLOSED SESSION
14.1 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 General Employees Association, Mammoth Lakes Management Employees Association, and the Mammoth Lakes Public Works Employees 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.
15. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION TAKEN AFTER CLOSED SESSION
The Council reconvened from closed session at 8:30 p.m. and announced that there was no reportable action taken.
16. ADJOURNMENT
The Town Council will adjourn to a regular meeting to be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
The Council adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.