Town Council of Mammoth Lakes

Minutes of Regular Meeting

Wednesday, May 01, 2024 at 4:00 P.m. - 10:00 P.m.

437 Old Mammoth Road, Suite Z, Mammoth Lakes

Members Present:

• Mayor Bill Sauser, 
• Mayor Pro Tem Chris Bubser, 
• Councilmember Sarah Rea, 
• and Councilmember Amanda Rice 

Members Absent:

• Councilmember John Wentworth 

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1.

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

The Mayor called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 437 Old Mammoth Road, Suite Z, Mammoth Lakes.

2.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Pro Tem Chris 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, Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce Assistant Director, gave an update regarding current Chamber 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 and swear in new Police Officer Brett Wang.

Chief Dan Casabian introduced Officer Wang to the Council and the community. Assistant Clerk  Angie Plaisted administered the oath of office to Officer Wang.

6.

REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND/OR DEPARTMENTS (AS NEEDED)

6.1

May 2024 Office of Outdoor Recreation Update.

Office of Outdoor Recreation Manager Lawson Reif outlined the information in the staff report.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Janet Hatfield, Whitebark Institute Forest Health Program Manager, provided additional information about SPLAT Verb treatment and introduced John Allison, QAC Licensee. Ms. Hatfield announced that Whitebark had recently been awarded a CalFire Forest Health Grant in the amount of approximately $6.9M and reported that they had an equal grant pending with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

There was discussion among members of the Council. Mr. Reif, Ms. Hatfield, and Mr. Allison.

6.2

Receive Mammoth Main Base Redevelopment Project (“Evolving Main”) Update (Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge Area).

6.3

Receive the monthly Parcel Affordable Housing Project Construction Update.

Community and Economic Development Director Nolan Bobroff outlined the information in the staff report. 

Shellan Rodriguez, SMR Development Owner, provided an update on the occupancy status for The Parcel Affordable Housing Project. 

There was discussion among members of Council, Ms. Rodriguez, and staff.

6.4

May 2024 Public Works Engineering CIP Update.

Parks and Recreation Director Stuart Brown provided an update regarding current parks and recreation activities. There was discussion among members of Council and staff. 

Community and Economic Development Director Nolan Bobroff provided an update regarding changes to the guidelines for the wood stove change out program. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.   

Town Manager Rob Patterson provided an update on the Certified Properties Program.

7.

PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

7.1

Approve proclamation declaring May 5-11, 2024 as Public Service Recognition Week.

Mayor Sauser thanked Town staff and read a portion of the proposed proclamation.

Assistant to the Town Manager Pam Kobylarz spoke in support of the proposed proclamation and outlined events that were scheduled in support of Public Service Recognition Week.  There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

• Moved by Councilmember Amanda Rice
  Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Chris Bubser

  Approve proclamation declaring May 5-11, 2024 as Public Service Recognition Week.

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

  Carried (4 to 0)

7.2

Receive a presentation from Placemate on the Lease to Locals Program.

Community and Economic Development Director Nolan Bobroff introduced Colin Frolich, Placemates. Mr. Frolich gave a presentation outlining the Lease to Locals program. There was discussion among members of Council, Mr. Frolich and staff. 

Brianna Goico, Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce Assistant Director, provided an update on the Chamber's workforce housing program. Ms. Goico reported that the MLCC Board was supportive of the Town moving forward with the Placemates program and said that many of the Chamber's member businesses had concerns about the Area Median Income (AMI) restrictions with The Parcel. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Mayor Bill Sauser read a public comment received from Robert Yoder into the record per the request of Ted Carleton.

There was discussion among members of Council, Mr. Frolich and staff. 

CONSENSUS:

Staff was given direction to provide additional information about the Placemates program at a future meeting.

8.

CONSENT AGENDA

Ted Carleton, The Sheet, asked for an explanation of an expense in the amount of $67,500 payable to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office in Item 8.3. Town Manager Rob Patterson and Police Chief Dan Casabian responded to Mr. Carlton's question.

• Moved by Councilmember Amanda Rice
  Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Chris Bubser

  Approve the Consent Agenda.

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

  Carried (4 to 0)

8.1

Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 3, 2024.

8.2

Award contract for the Chain Link Fence Repair FAC 24-002 to Tahoe Fence Co., Inc.

8.3

Accept Check Register 3/28/24 in the amount of $1,409,080.88. Accept Check Register 3/29/24 in the amount of $61,584.21. Accept Check Register 4/4/24 in the amount of $36,838.01. Accept Check Register 4/8/24 in the amount of $85,072.98.

Accept Check Register 4/10/24 in the amount of $368,074.25. Accept Check Register 4/11/24 in the amount of $313.00. Accept Check Register 4/24/24 in the amount of $1,385,539.80.

9.

POLICY MATTERS

9.1

Inyo National Forest Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Grant Engagement & Public Comment.

The Mayor called a recess at 5:47 p.m. an the Council reconvened at 5:57 p.m.

Office of Outdoor Recreation Manager Lawson Reif outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion between members of the Council and staff.

CONSENSUS:

Town Council directed staff to write a letter of support for the Inyo National Forest Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Grant. 

9.2

Fiscal Year 24-25 Preliminary Budget (Department Requested).

Town Manager Rob Patterson outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.  

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Brent Truax asked how excess funds due to unfilled positions or greater than expected revenue coming in would be prioritized and spent. Mr. Patterson responded. 

10.

COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS

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

Councilmember Rice reported that she and Councilmember Rea attended the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) meeting. Ms. Rice attended the first meeting of the Mono County Partnership Discovery Committee which was an ad hoc committee of the Eastern Sierra Community Housing Board (ESCH) to discuss housing solutions similar to the Bridge program for unincorporated Mono County.

Councilmember Rea attended the LAFCO meeting.

Mayor Pro Tem Bubser attended the Eastern Sierra Transit Authority (ESTA) Board meeting and the Eastern Sierra Council of Governments (ESCOG) meeting. Ms. Bubser said that she and Councilmember John Wentworth attended the California Jobs First in Truckee. 

Mayor Sauser attended the ESTA Board meeting.

11.

ADJOURNMENT

The Town Council will adjourn to a regular meeting to be held on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.

The Council adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p.m.