Town Council of Mammoth Lakes

Minutes of Regular Meeting

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437 Old Mammoth Road, Suite Z, Mammoth Lakes
Members Present:
  • Mayor John Wentworth, 
  • Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser, 
  • Councilmember Chris Bubser, 
  • Councilmember Sarah Rea, 
  • and Councilmember Amanda Rice 

1.
RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY

 

2.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

 

The Mayor called the meeting to order at 4:06 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 437 Old Mammoth Road, Suite Z, Mammoth Lakes.

3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

Ted Carleton led the flag salute.

4.
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.

Ted Carleton said that Sierra Classic Theater was doing a play in a Town Council setting and would like to use Suite Z for the performances. 

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)

 

John Urdi, Executive Director of Mammoth Lakes Tourism, gave a report regarding the Obstacle Course Race event. 

6.1
Mammoth Main Base Redevelopment Project Update (Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge Area).

This item has attachments. 
1.Mammoth Main Base Redevelopment Project October Update .pdf

Jen Murillo, Jennifer Wise Consulting, gave an update regarding the Mammoth Main Base Redevelopment Project. There was discussion among members of Council and staff. 

6.2
Town Council Subpart-C Public Comment

This item has attachments. 
1.Town Council Subpart-C Public Comment.pdf
2.TownCouncil_SubpartC_101823.pdf

Office of Outdoor Recreation Manager Lawson Reif outlined the proposed letter. There was discussion among members of Council and staff. 

7.
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

 

7.1
Annual Report from Robert Joki, President Southern Mono Historical Society.

This item has attachments. 
1.Year End Report from Historical Society.pdf
2.Mammoth Museum Annual Report.pdf

Mr. Joki reported on the yearly operation of the Mammoth Museum and Hayden Cabin. He also reported on Measure U funding used in the History Trolley program.  

8.
STAFF PRESENTATIONS

 

8.1
The Parcel Affordable Housing Construction Update and Lease-Up Information Presented by Buckingham Property Management.

This item has attachments. 
1.Parcel - 10-18-2023 Construction Update and Management Company Presentation on Lease-Up.pdf
2.The Parcel update 2023.10.18.pdf
3.The Sawyer Buckingham Presentation.pdf
4.Sandy Hogan Public Comment.pdf
5.Jess Landry Public Comment.pdf

Engineering Manager Amy Callan gave an update regarding construction at The Parcel. There was discussion among members of Council and staff. Shellan Rodriguez, SMR Development representing the Pacific Companies, introduced Jennie Reed, Buckingham Property Management. Ms. Reed gave a presentation regarding the Lease Up Overview. There was discussion among members of Council, Ms. Rodriguez, and Ms. Reed. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Jess Landry asked questions and Ms. Reed responded. 

Colin Campbell said he was told he was eighth on the waiting list, he had not been communicated with in months, and that a Facebook page was not useful to him since he did not use Facebook. There was discussion among members of Council and Mr. Campbell. 

Sonja Bush asked if Buckingham could ask applicants where they were coming from or where were currently residing, so that the data could be collected for the Town.

Sandy Hogan sent an email asking questions about having Spanish speakers and materials available for the public. 

Ms. Rodriguez and Ms. Reed responded to the questions asked by members of the public.  

Jeremy Ibrahim asked about the price of a two bedroom unit. Ms. Rodriguez responded. 

9.
CONSENT AGENDA

 
  • Moved byMayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser
    Seconded byCouncilmember Amanda Rice

    Approve the Consent Agenda.

    For (5)Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser, Mayor John Wentworth, Councilmember Sarah Rea, Councilmember Chris Bubser, and Councilmember Amanda Rice
    Carried (5 to 0)

10.
POLICY MATTERS

 

10.1
Eastern Sierra Transit Authority (ESTA) Proposed Modifications to Fixed Route Transit in the Town of Mammoth Lakes.

This item has attachments. 
1.ESTA Fixed Route Transit Proposed Modifications.pdf
2.Woodmen turnaround letter 2023.10.10.pdf
3.Charlotte Kaufman Public Comment.pdf
4.Jon Goodwin Public Comment.pdf
5.Mitch Dutko Public Comment.pdf
6.Brigid Joyce Public Comment.pdf
7.Wesley Pracht Public Comment.pdf
8.Charity Dubberley Public Comment.pdf
9.Katie Asmuth Public Comment.pdf

Public Works Director Haislip Hayes and Eastern Sierra Transit Authority (ESTA) Executive Director Phil Moores gave an update regarding route changes. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

John Guatellli, Woodmen neighborhood resident, spoke in opposition to the Woodmen bus turnaround.  

Billy Stade, Woodmen neighborhood resident, spoke in support of the Woodmen bus turnaround. 

Teresa Spencer asked why the loop to the rv park was taken out.

Ted Carleton, The Sheet, asked why buses would go through the Parcel if people would not be living in the Parcel until spring.

Tracy Spencer spoke in opposition to the Woodmen bus turnaround. 

adjacent to the property echo John and Tracy spoke in opposition to the Woodmen bus turnaround. 

Ann Gimpel, Mill Street resident, spoke in opposition to the Woodmen bus turnaround. 

Charlotte Kaufman, Mill Street resident, spoke in support of the Woodmen bus turnaround.  

Jennifer Kreitz asked a route question. 

Anna Maria Arft spoke in opposition to the Woodmen bus turnaround.

Mark Dutko, property owner adjacent to the turnaround, spoke in opposition to the Woodmen bus turnaround. 

Stacy Corless spoke about her disappointment in how the item was handled tonight with no maps or a staff report included in the agenda packet. 

Jesse Gilholm said that this discussion needed to be adequately noticed and continued. 

Caroline Sanderson spoke in opposition to the Woodmen bus turnaround. 

Wesley Pracht provided an email in support of the Woodmen bus turnaround.

Mr. Hayes responded to questions from members of the public. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

CONSENSUS:

Direct staff to move forward with the proposed route changes.  

The Mayor called a recess at 6:39 p.m. and the Council reconvened at 6:55 p.m.

10.2
Short-term rental program review and consideration of an urgency ordinance for temporary moratorium on the issuance of transient occupancy registration certificates

This item has attachments. 
1.Mortorium on STR.pdf
2.Urgency Ordinance.pdf
3.Public Comments 1.pdf
4.Public Comments 2.pdf
5.Public Comments 3.pdf
6.Public Comments 4.pdf
7.Dylan Catherina Public Comment.pdf
8.Public Comments 5.pdf

Town Manager Daniel C. Holler, Administrative Services/Finance Director Rob Patterson, and Town Attorney Andrew Morris outlined the information in the staff report.  There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Ken Brengle, Executive Director of the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce, said that the Chamber was going to create a task force from their membership to talk about work force housing issues.

John Morris, Chairman of the Lodging Association, spoke in opposition to the proposed moratorium.

Dale Knott spoke in opposition to the proposed moratorium.. 

Cynthia Fleming spoke in opposition to the proposed moratorium.. 

Jason Herbst, Mammoth Five Star Lodging, spoke in opposition to the proposed moratorium.. 

Matthew Lehman spoke in opposition to the proposed moratorium.. 

Mike Elliott spoke in support of housing for locals.  

Patrick Bernard, property manager at Snowbird Condos, read comments from condo owners at Snowbird. He spoke in opposition to the proposed moratorium.. 

Teri Stehlik spoke in opposition to the proposed moratorium

Jeremy Ibrahim spoke in opposition to the proposed moratorium.

Tracy Spencer spoke in opposition to the proposed moratorium. 

Sonja Bush asked the Council to consider her questions before they voted.

Jay Cole spoke in opposition to the proposed moratorium. 

Gina said that the Council should put a cap on short-term rental business licenses and incentivize long term rentals. 

Carrie said that the Council needed to hear from community members that could not make it to the meetings. 

Pat Koepsell said that if the Council was going to pass a moratorium then it should include all condo complexes in Town to be fair. 

Martin Kleinbard spoke in opposition to the proposed moratorium. 

Liberty Elliott spoke in support of the proposed moratorium and said that work force housing was a  priority. 

Vickie Taton spoke in support of the proposed moratorium. 

Shields Richardson spoke in opposition to the proposed moratorium.  

Matt Avery, 1849 Condos, asked a question and Mr. Patterson responded. 

Joseph Bogorad asked the Town to fund the Access Apartments project.  

Nicole Godoy asked the Council to rehab derelict buildings. 

Bita Klein spoke in opposition to the proposed moratorium. 

Mark Fischer spoke in opposition to the proposed moratorium. 

Chad Phillips spoke in opposition to the proposed moratorium. 

Kerstin Litvak  spoke in opposition to the proposed moratorium. 

Jennifer Kreitz asked the Council to add people to committee from the work force. 

There was discussion among members of Council. 

  • Moved byCouncilmember Sarah Rea
    Seconded byCouncilmember Amanda Rice

    Adopt urgency ordinance 2023-10 establishing a 45-day moratorium on the issuance of new short-term rental registration certificates pursuant to Town of Mammoth Lakes Municipal Code Chapter 5.40, including updated language in the ordinance allowing properties in escrow prior to adoption of the ordinance to complete an application within 60 days. Include all zones excluding zoning that been otherwise precluded by a development agreement. 

    For (2)Councilmember Sarah Rea, and Councilmember Amanda Rice
    Against (3)Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser, Mayor John Wentworth, and Councilmember Chris Bubser
    Defeated (2 to 3)
  • Moved byCouncilmember Amanda Rice
    Seconded byCouncilmember Sarah Rea

    Adopt urgency ordinance 2023-10 establishing a 45-day moratorium on the issuance of new short-term rental registration certificates pursuant to Town of Mammoth Lakes Municipal Code Chapter 5.40, including updated language in the ordinance allowing properties in escrow prior to adoption of the ordinance to complete an application within 60 days.

    For (4)Mayor John Wentworth, Councilmember Sarah Rea, Councilmember Chris Bubser, and Councilmember Amanda Rice
    Against (1)Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser
    Carried (4 to 1)
  • Moved byCouncilmember Amanda Rice
    Seconded byCouncilmember Chris Bubser

    Town Council directs staff to establish an advisory committee as outlined in the staff report, with representatives from each of the identified categories. In addition to those categories, add one representative from a real estate business, a member of public that has faced housing challenges, and two at large members. Constituents interested in serving on this advisory committee should submit a letter of interest to the Town Clerk. Committee to be appointed at November 1st meeting.

    For (4)Mayor John Wentworth, Councilmember Sarah Rea, Councilmember Chris Bubser, and Councilmember Amanda Rice
    Against (1)Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser
    Carried (4 to 1)

10.3
Adopt a resolution accepting the Eastern Sierra Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).

This item has attachments. 
1.CEDS - TC Acceptance.pdf
2.Attachment 1 - TC Resolution - CEDS.pdf

The Mayor called a recess at 9:17 p.m. and the Council reconvened at p.m. 9:31 p.m.

Town Manager Daniel C. Holler outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff. 

  • Moved byCouncilmember Amanda Rice
    Seconded byCouncilmember Chris Bubser

    Adopt a resolution accepting the Eastern Sierra Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).

    For (5)Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser, Mayor John Wentworth, Councilmember Sarah Rea, Councilmember Chris Bubser, and Councilmember Amanda Rice
    Carried (5 to 0)

10.4
Continuation of emergency work authorized under Resolutions 23-29 and 23-54.

This item has attachments. 
1.Continuation of need for work for Emergency Work Authorized by Resolutions 23-29 and 23-54 for public welfare and safety .pdf
2.R23-29 Emergency Infrastruture Work.pdf
3.R23-54 Emergency Work MMH.pdf

Town Manager Daniel C. Holler outlined the information in the staff report. 

  • Moved byMayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser
    Seconded byCouncilmember Amanda Rice

    Council finds it is necessary to continue the emergency work authorized under Resolutions 23-29 and 23-54 to provide for public welfare and safety.

    For (5)Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser, Mayor John Wentworth, Councilmember Sarah Rea, Councilmember Chris Bubser, and Councilmember Amanda Rice
    Carried (5 to 0)

11.
COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS

This item has attachments. 
1.Councilmember Reports.pdf

Informational reports from Councilmember representatives on committees, commissions, and organizations; general reports on Councilmember activities

Mayor Pro Tem Sauser attended the Mammoth Trails Committee meeting. 

Mayor Wentworth attended the Projects Committee of the CERF process and the joint meeting with the Mono County Board of Supervisors.

12.
CLOSED SESSION

 

At 9:38 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 9:50 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 1, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.

The Council adjourned the meeting at 9:50 p.m.

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