Town Council of Mammoth Lakes

Minutes of Regular Meeting

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

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

 

Town Manager Rob Patterson 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, Assistant Director of the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce, 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.
COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS

 

5.1
Proclamation declaring April as Fair Housing Month.

This item has attachments. 
1.Fair Housing Month 2024.pdf

Mayor Sauser read a portion of the proposed proclamation. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Matthew Lehman, on behalf of the Mammoth Lakes Board of Realtors and Eastern Sierra Community Housing, spoke in support of the proclamation. 

  • Moved byCouncilmember John Wentworth
    Seconded byCouncilmember Amanda Rice

    Approve the proclamation declaring April as Fair Housing Month. 

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

6.
WORKSHOP

 

Eastern Sierra Community Housing Board Member Brian D'Andrea will attend this workshop remotely from the following address: 1000 Corporate Pointe, Suite 200 Culver City, CA 90230.

6.1
Joint workshop with the Eastern Sierra Community Housing Board of Directors.

This item has attachments. 
1.ESCH and TC Joint Meeting(1).pdf

Eastern Sierra Community Housing (ESCH) Board President Tom Hodges, Vice President Lindsay Barksdale, Treasurer Sarah Nutall, and Board Members Jennifer Kreitz and Heidi Steenstra were in attendance. 

Community and Economic Development Director Nolan Bobroff gave a presentation regarding the Town's current housing programs.

Patricia Robertson, Executive Director of the ESCH, gave a presentation regarding ESCH's current housing programs.  

There was discussion among members of Council, members of the ESCH Board, Town staff, and ESCH staff.

The Mayor called a recess at 5:23 p.m. and the Council reconvened at 5:32 p.m.

7.
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.

7.1
Public hearing for consideration of an appeal of the February 14, 2024 Planning and Economic Development Commission decision to approve Use Permit Application 23-002 for the construction of an 80-foot tall “stealth monopine” cell tower located at 1574 Old

This item has attachments. 
1.Staff Report .pdf
2.Attachment A - Town Council Resolution .pdf
3.Attachment B - Appeal.pdf
4.Attachment C - AT and T's Response.pdf
5.Attachment D-5 - Technical Siting Analysis.pdf
6.Attachment D-1 - Project Plans.pdf
7.Attachment D-2 - Photo-Simulations.pdf
8.Attachment D-3 - Site Justification Maps.pdf
9.Attachment D-4 - RF Safety Report.pdf
10.Attachment E - PEDC Resolution.pdf
11.Attachment F - PEDC Staff Report and All Attachments (link).pdf
12.MLFPD response to appeal of Permit No. 211097 3-27-24.pdf
13.Public Comments.pdf
14.Public Comments 2.pdf

Mammoth Road.

The Mayor opened the public hearing at 5:33 p.m.

Town Attorney Andrew Morris outlined the role of the Council in considering the appeal.

Gail Karish, Best Best & Krieger (BBK), gave a presentation outlining the Town's authority on siting wireless facilities.

Shana Inspektor, BBK, outlined the scope of the Town's CEQA authority on this application.

Associate Planner Michael Peterka gave a presentation outlining the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff. 

Chuck Lande, appellant, spoke in support of approving the appeal. 

David Jordan, appellant representing the Creekhouse Homeowners Association, spoke in support of approving the appeal. 

Sonal Thakur, Eukon Group speaking on behalf of AT&T, spoke in support of the application. There was discussion among members of Council and Ms. Thakur. 

Scott Heffernan, Fox Hill Telecom, spoke about emissions compliance, interference analysis, and coverage. There was discussion among members of Council and Mr. Hefferman.     

PUBLIC COMMENT: 

Ralph Lockhart, owner of Snowcreek Athletic Club, said that he was concerned about the process since he had expressed an interest in allowing the cell tower to be sited on his property. 

Ron Homer spoke in opposition to the application. 

Alicia and Kai Homer spoke in opposition to the application.

Eric Larsen spoke in opposition to the application.  

Suzanne Homer spoke in opposition to the application. 

A member of the public spoke in opposition to the application. 

Ales Tomaier, Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District Fire Chief, spoke in support of the application. 

A member of the public spoke in opposition to the application. 

Wendy Blades spoke in opposition to the application. 

Mark Young spoke in opposition to the application. 

A member of the public spoke in opposition to the application. 

Betsy Truax, Vice Chair of the Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District Board, spoke in support of the application. 

Dan Casabian, Mammoth Lakes Police Chief, spoke in support of the application. 

A member of the public spoke in opposition to the application. 

A member of the public spoke in opposition to the application. 

Leigh Gaasch spoke in opposition to the application. 

Emily Schoen spoke in opposition to the application. 

Sonja Bush asked some questions and spoke in opposition to the application. 

Sabing Lee spoke in opposition to the application. 

Paula and Brooke Paley spoke in opposition to the application.  

Jennifer Bradbury spoke in opposition to the application. 

Josh Bradbury spoke in opposition to the application. 

Jeff Ruscigno spoke in opposition to the application. 

Helen spoke in opposition to the application. 

Todd spoke in opposition to the application. 

John Heidelman spoke in opposition to the application. 

Don Herman spoke in opposition to the application. 

Darren Murray spoke in opposition to the application. 

Jeffrey Reiner spoke in opposition to the application. 

Barbara Taylor spoke in opposition to the application. 

Claire Martin spoke in opposition to the application. 

Kevin Nida, First Net, spoke in support of the application. 

Staff responded to questions raised in public comment.    

The Mayor closed the public heating at 8:47 p.m.

There was discussion among members of Council and staff. 

The Mayor called a recess at 9:06 p.m. and the Council reconvened at 9:16 p.m.

  • Moved byCouncilmember John Wentworth
    Seconded byMayor Pro Tem Chris Bubser

    Deny the appeal of the Planning and Economic Development Commission decision and affirm the approval of Use Permit Application 23-002.

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

8.
REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND/OR DEPARTMENTS (AS NEEDED)

 

Deputy Airport Manager Sierra Shultz gave an update regarding current activities at the Airport. There was discussion among members of Council and staff. 

Town Manager Rob Patterson gave an update regarding the Certified Properties program and the lifting of the moratorium. 

9.
CONSENT AGENDA

 
  • Moved byCouncilmember Amanda Rice
    Seconded byCouncilmember John Wentworth

    Approve the Consent Agenda.

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

9.1
Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 20, 2024.

This item has attachments. 
1.March 20, 2024 Minutes.pdf

9.2
Award contract for the Community Childcare Center Project to JPB Designs, Inc. 

This item has attachments. 
1.Award contract for Childcare Center project.pdf

9.3
Adopt resolutions calling and giving notice of a general municipal election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 for the election of two members of the Town Council and requesting the Mono County Board of Supervisors consolidate the election.

This item has attachments. 
1.call and consolidate election.pdf
2.R24- calling general muni election.pdf
3.R24- requesting consolidation.pdf

9.4
Waive bidding requirements and award contract for purchase of a new loader to Cashman Cat.

This item has attachments. 
1.Waive bidding requirements and award contract for purchase of a new loader to Cashman Cat.pdf
2.RESOLUTION Loader Purchase 2024.pdf

9.5
Re-appoint incumbents Jesse Baldwin, Elliott Brainard, Wes Davis, and Dan Polis to the Building Advisory Committee/Board of Appeals with terms expiring on April 1, 2028.

This item has attachments. 
1.Action Sheet BOA BAC Appointments with no interviews.pdf
2.Jesse Baldwin Application.pdf
3.Elliott Brainard Application.pdf
4.Wesley Davis Application.pdf
5.Daniel Polis Application.pdf

9.6
Approve Resolution for FY23-24 Measure U Programming funding in the amount of $208,750.

This item has attachments. 
1.Measure U Funding.pdf
2.Resolution Adopting Measure U Program Funding for FY23-24.pdf

9.7
Resolution to approve the FY2024-25 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.

This item has attachments. 
1.Resolution to approve the FY2024-25 project list to be submitted to the CTC for funding from the RMRA.pdf
2.2024-25 SB1 Resolution.pdf

9.8
Support for SCR-102 “Dave McCoy Memorial Highway.”

This item has attachments. 
1.Support Letter - SCR 102.pdf
2.Letter of support - SCR 102.pdf
3.SCR-102 Dave McCoy Memorial Highway.pdf

9.9
Authorize execution of contract with Gray’s Grasshopper, Inc. for Main St. Landscaping project Phase 1.

This item has attachments. 
1.Authorize execution of contract for Main Street Landscaping project.pdf

9.10
Accept Check Register 3/21/24 in the amount of $943,859.56.

This item has attachments. 
1.Check Register 03212024.pdf

10.
POLICY MATTERS

 

10.1
Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget – General Fund Revenue Projections.

This item has attachments. 
1.Budget 24-25 Revenue .pdf
2.FY24-25 Budget Revenue Projections.pdf

Town Manager Rob Patterson gave a presentation outlining the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff. 

CONSENSUS:

The Town Council agreed with the proposed revenue projections for the fiscal year 2024-25 preliminary budget. 

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

Councilmember Wentworth attended the Whitebark Institute's Wildfire Resilience Action Financial Team (WRAFT) meeting, met with the Town Manager and Sierra Business Council leadership, attended the Integrated Climate Adaption and Resilience Program (ICARP) Technical Advisory Council meeting in Sacramento, and attended the Mammoth Lakes Tourism Board meeting. 

12.
ADJOURNMENT

 

The Town Council will adjourn to a regular meeting to be held on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.

The Council adjourned the meeting at 9:38 p.m.

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