Town Council of Mammoth Lakes

Minutes of Regular Meeting

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

1.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

 

The Mayor called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 437 Old Mammoth Road, Suite Z, Mammoth Lakes.

2.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

Mayor Pro Tem Rice 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. 

Betsy Truax, Mammoth Lakes Tourism (MLT) Vice President of Community Engagement, gave an update regarding the community coffee program and announced the upcoming community skate night.

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.
WORKSHOP

 

5.1
Joint workshop with the Board of Eastern Sierra Community Housing.

This item has attachments. 
1.TC-ESCH Feb-2024 Joint Meeting(1).pdf
2.2024.02.19 TC-MLH Board Mtg.pdf

Eastern Sierra Community Housing (ESCH) Board President Tom Hodges and Board Members Kirk Stapp, Heidi Steenstra, and Amanda Rice were in attendance. Vice President Lindsay Barksdale, Treasurer Sarah Nuttall, and Board Members Tony Perkins and Brian D'Andrea were not in attendance. Board Member Jennifer Kreitz arrived at 4:36 p.m.

Planning and Economic Development Director Nolan Bobroff and Patricia Robertson, ESCH Executive Director, outlined current housing activities for the Town and for ESCH. There was discussion among members of Council, members of the Board, and staff.  

The Mayor called a recess at 5:48 p.m. and the Council reconvened at 5:57 p.m.

6.
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

 

6.1
Presentation regarding Mammoth Hospital's North Wing Project presented by Tom Parker, Chief Executive Officer.

This item has attachments. 
1.Community Presentations - 2025.pdf

Mr. Parker gave a presentation outlining the project. There was discussion among members of Council and Mr. Parker.

6.2
2024 Mammoth Disposal Annual Report.

This item has attachments. 
1.2024 Mammoth Disposal Annual Report.pdf
2.MD Year In Review- Final.pdf

Cassidy Moyer, Mammoth Disposal Sustainability Coordinator, gave a presentation regarding the Annual Report. There was discussion among members of Council and Ms. Moyer. 

7.
STAFF PRESENTATIONS

 

7.1
Review of Local Impacts from Federal Actions.

This item has attachments. 
1.Federal Update - Feb 25.pdf

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

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Janet Hatfield, Whitebark Institute, said that vegetation management work that was supposed to be conducted this summer would also be impacted by federal actions. 

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

 

Pat Foster, Mammoth Lakes Tourism (MLT), gave an update regarding current MLT activities. 

Town Manager Rob Patterson reported that there would be community engagement efforts regarding wildfire this spring. There was discussion among members of Council and staff. 

9.
CONSENT AGENDA

 
  • Moved byCouncilmember Bill Sauser
    Seconded byCouncilmember John Wentworth

    Councilmember Sauser requested that Agenda Item 9.2 be removed from the Consent Agenda for separate discussion.

    Approve the Consent Agenda, with Councilmember Truax recused on Agenda Item 9.3.

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

9.1
Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 5, 2025.

This item has attachments. 
1.February 5, 2025 Minutes.pdf

9.2
Adopt the Resolution amending the Guide to Town Council Processes and Procedures, changing the public comment time to three minutes.

This item has attachments. 
1.Action Sheet - amend TC processes and procedures.pdf
2.R25- Amend Rules of Procedure.pdf

This item was removed from the Consent Agenda for separate discussion. 

There was discussion among members of Council. 

  • Moved byMayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice
    Seconded byMayor Chris Bubser

    Adopt the Resolution amending the Guide to Town Council Processes and Procedures, changing the public comment time to three minutes.

    For (2)Mayor Chris Bubser, and Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice
    Against (3)Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember John Wentworth, and Councilmember Brent Truax
    Defeated (2 to 3)

9.3
Waive the reading and adopt by title only the Ordinance authorizing the levy of special taxes in Community Facilities District No. 2023-1 (Maintenance Services), including certain annexation territories.

This item has attachments. 
1.2nd Reading of Ordinance for Maintenance CFD 2023-1, Annexation 1.pdf
2.CFD 2023-1 Annex. 1 - Annexation Ordinance.pdf
3.Annexation Map B2P91 RECORDED.pdf

9.4
Receive and file the 2024 Snowcreek Development Agreement annual review report, finding the Developer in good faith substantial compliance with the terms and conditions of the Development Agreement.

This item has attachments. 
1.Snowcreek DA Annual Review - 2024.pdf
2.Attachment 1 - 2024 Snowcreek Development Agreement Annual Review .pdf
3.Attachment 2 - 2024 Snowcreek Compliance Letter.pdf

9.5
Accept Check Register 1/29/25 in the amount of $573,715.67. Accept Check Register 2/6/25 in the amount of $1,632,100.09.

This item has attachments. 
1.Check Register 01292025.pdf
2.Check Register 02062025.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
2025/26 Parks and Recreation Department Fee Schedule Amendments.

This item has attachments. 
1.Staff Report.pdf
2.Resolution.pdf
3.Membership Presentation.pdf
4.Summer Camp Comparison Chart.pdf
5.2025-26 Parks and Recreation Department Fee Schedule.pdf

The Mayor opened the public hearing at 7:26 p.m.

Parks and Recreation Director Stuart Brown outlined the information in the staff report.  There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

With no members of the public coming forward to speak, the Mayor closed the public hearing at  7:39 p.m.

  • Moved byCouncilmember Bill Sauser
    Seconded byMayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice

    Approve by resolution the 2025/26 Parks and Recreation Department fee schedule amendments as presented in Exhibit D, as amended to leave the Inyo/Mono K-12 Student rate at $5.

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

11.
POLICY MATTERS

 

11.1
Resolution to Purchase Two TruNarc Devices in Partnership with the Mono County Sheriff and District Attorney’s Offices.

This item has attachments. 
1.Resolution to Purchase Two TruNarc Devices in Partnership with the Mono County Sheriff and District Attorney's Offices.pdf
2.R25-XXResolutionPurchaseTruNarcDevices.pdf
3.Mammoth Lakes PD TruNarc Quotation.pdf
4.TruNarcProductFlyer.pdf

Police Chief Dan Casabian outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Pat Foster, Chief's Advisory Committee, spoke in support of the purchase. 

  • Moved byMayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice
    Seconded byCouncilmember Bill Sauser

    Adopt the Resolution authorizing the Town Manager to expend general funds, in partnership with the Mono County Sheriff and District Attorney’s Offices, to purchase two (2) Thermo Fisher Scientific TruNarc handheld narcotics analyzers with two-year warranties and training in the amount not to exceed $65,000, with expected reimbursement from Mono County Sheriff’s Office and Mono County District Attorney’s Office of $42,135.96 in total.

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

11.2
Approve official Town of Mammoth Lakes logo.

This item has attachments. 
1.Approve New Town Logo.pdf
2.TOML_logo_DRAFT.pdf

Assistant to the Town Manager Pam Kobylarz outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Brianna Goico, President & CEO of the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support  of the proposed logo. 

There was discussion among members of Council. 

  • Moved byMayor Chris Bubser
    Seconded byMayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice

    Approve official Town of Mammoth Lakes logo.

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

11.3
2025 Town Council Strategic Planning Series – Final Review of Key Objectives

This item has attachments. 
1.Strategic Priorities -Read through .pdf
2.Town Council Priorities.pdf

The Mayor called a recess at 8:12 p.m. and the Council reconvened at 8:20 p.m.

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

11.4
2025 Youth Sports Funding Award.

This item has attachments. 
1.2025 Youth Sports Funding Recommendations.pdf

Parks and Recreation Director Stuart Brown outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

  • Moved byMayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice
    Seconded byCouncilmember Bill Sauser

    Award Town funds to eight local youth sports organizations.

    For (4)Councilmember Bill Sauser, Councilmember John Wentworth, Mayor Chris Bubser, and Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice
    Conflict (1)Councilmember Brent Truax
    Carried (4 to 0)

12.
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 Sauser attended the Local Transportation Commission meeting. 

Councilmember Truax attended the Local Transportation Commission meeting and the Bingo Fundraiser for the Mammoth Ski Patrol Alumni. 

Councilmember Wentworth spoke about the San Francisco Gate article regarding the Eastern Sierra Transit Authority (ESTA). He attended the Mammoth Lakes Tourism (MLT) strategic planning special meeting and the MLT monthly Board meeting.

Mayor Bubser attended the ESTA Board meeting, the Bingo Fundraiser for the Mammoth Ski Patrol Alumni, the Eastern Sierra Wildfire Alliance meeting, and the Vons remodel ribbon cutting ceremony. She announced her first office hours scheduled for tomorrow at Stellar Brew from 9-10 a.m. 

13.
CLOSED SESSION

 

13.1
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6.(a), Conference with Labor Negotiators, the Council will meet with its representatives, Town Manager Rob Patterson, Police Chief Dan Casabian, and HR Manager Amanda Pelham

 

with respect to the following Employee Organizations:  Mammoth Lakes Police Officers Association and the Mammoth Lakes Sergeants Association.

At 9:29 p.m. the Mayor announced that the Council would be entering into closed session for purposes as stated in the agenda. 

14.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION TAKEN AFTER CLOSED SESSION

 

The Council reconvened from closed session at 9:45 p.m. and announced that there was no reportable action taken.

15.
ADJOURNMENT

 

The Town Council will adjourn to a regular meeting to be held on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.

The Council adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m.

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