Town Council of Mammoth Lakes

Minutes of Regular Meeting

Wednesday, July 17, 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, 
• Councilmember Amanda Rice, 
• and Councilmember John Wentworth 

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1.

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

The Mayor called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 437 Old Mammoth Road, Suite Z, Mammoth Lakes.

2.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Phil Moores, Executive Director of the Eastern Sierra Transit Authority, 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, Executive Director of the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce, reported on current Chamber activities.

Phil Moores, Executive Director of the Eastern Sierra Transit Authority, outlined the transit problems with the shuttle service to and from Reds Meadow last Friday. There was discussion among members of Council and Mr. Moores. 

4.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

Opportunity to add urgency items pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2(b)2, if necessary.

Town Manager Rob Patterson noted that Agenda Item 7.5 would be continued. 

5.

WORKSHOP WITH THE BOARD OF MAMMOTH LAKES RECREATION

Mammoth Lakes Recreation Board Treasurer Heather Schaubmaye participated remotely from the Grand Sierra Resort - Business Center 2500 E. 2nd St., Reno, NV 89595.

5.1

Workshop with the Board of Mammoth Lakes Recreation.

Mammoth Lakes Recreation (MLR) Board President Craig Schaubmayer, Treasurer Heather Schaubmayer, Secretary Tamara Bankson, and Board Members Sarah Rea and Danielle Torrance were in attendance. Board Member Eric Wasserman was absent. 

MLR Program Director Kim Anaclerio outlined MLR's current activities and programs. There was discussion among members of Council, members of the Board and staff regarding the development of a new strategic plan for MLR.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Parks and Recreation Director Stuart Brown said that there was great collaboration with MLR.

5.2

Approve the use of $25,000 in Measure R Special Project Funds in fiscal year 2024/25 for Community Recreation Center Sport Court Flooring. 

Town Manager Rob Patterson outlined the process that would be taken for this agenda item. 

Mammoth Lakes Recreation (MLR) Program Director Kim Anaclerio outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of the MLR Board. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

John Morris, Mammoth High School and Club Volleyball Coach, spoke in support of the funding request.  

Sandy Hogan spoke about increasing the budget for MLR. 

Eric Wasserman sent an email in support of the funding request. 

The MLR Board had consensus to recommend that the Town Council approve the use of $25,000 in Measure R Special Project Funds in fiscal year 2024/25 for Community Recreation Center Sport Court Flooring. 

The Mayor called a recess at 5:07 p.m. and the Council reconvened at 5:18 p.m.

• Moved by Councilmember Amanda Rice
  Seconded by Mayor Bill Sauser

  Approve the use of $25,000 in Measure R Special Project Funds in fiscal year 2024/25 for Community Recreation Center Sport Court Flooring. 

  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.

REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND/OR DEPARTMENTS (AS NEEDED)

Public Works Director Haislip Hayes announced that a large paving project would start  tomorrow with pulverizing the multi-use path along Old Mammoth Road and closure of Mammoth Creek Park for a portion of Friday.

Airport Operations Manager Soibian Spring gave an update regarding current Airport activities. 

6.1

Mammoth Main Base Redevelopment Project (“Evolving Main”) Update – July 2024.

There was discussion among members of Council and staff regarding the schedule of these updates.  

6.2

Parcel Affordable Housing Project Construction Update.

Community and Economic Development Director Nolan Bobroff outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff. 

7.

CONSENT AGENDA

• Moved by Councilmember Amanda Rice
  Seconded by Councilmember Sarah Rea

  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)

7.1

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

7.2

Adopt the Resolution ordering the levy and collection of assessment within the CFD No. 2013-3 (Transit Services) for fiscal year 2024/25.

7.3

Authorize the addition of a subcontractor for the Dog Park Project.

7.4

Appoint Cynthia Fleming, Dawn Vereuck, and Lana Grand to the Planning and Economic Development Commission with terms expiring on July 31, 2028.

7.5

Award the contract for the Mammoth Yosemite Airport General Aviation and Terminal Parking Lot Reconstruction Project.

This item was continued. 

7.6

Adopt the resolution authorizing the temporary closure of Town roads for special events.

7.7

Accept the Project Closeout Report For CAP 17-009 Fuel Island Upgrades.

7.8

Accept Check Register 6/27/24 in the amount of $1,179,547.65. Accept Check Register 7/2/24 in the amount of $1,385,169.74.

8.

POLICY MATTERS

8.1

Resolution to Implement Flock Safety.

Police Chief Dan Casabian and Sergeant Jason Heilman outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council, staff, and representatives from Flock Safety. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Cleland Hoff spoke in support of the agreement. 

• Moved by Councilmember John Wentworth
  Seconded by Mayor Bill Sauser

  Adopt the resolution authorizing the Town Manager to expend general funds to enter into a one-year lease agreement with Flock Safety for eight (8) Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) Cameras for the Police Department in the amount not to exceed $25,000.

  For (5)

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

  Carried (5 to 0)

8.2

Review of the ordinance regarding AB 481 Military Equipment Use.

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

• Moved by Councilmember Amanda Rice
  Seconded by Councilmember Sarah Rea

  Waive the reading and introduce by title only the Ordinance renewing the Town’s Military Equipment Use Policy pursuant to Government Code Section 7071 (AB 481).

  For (5)

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

  Carried (5 to 0)

8.3

Adopt the resolutions and introduce the ordinance to add a ballot measure to the November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election regarding an increase to the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT).

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

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Brent Truax, Chair of the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce Board, said that the Chamber supported a 2% special tax dedicated to affordable housing initiatives. 

John Morris, Chair of the Lodging Association, said that he was concerned that this tax would not pass as a general tax this fall. He said he would support whatever Council decided. 

• Moved by Councilmember John Wentworth
  Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Chris Bubser

  Adopt the resolution with amended language as presented ordering the submission to the qualified electors of the Town a certain measure relating to a two percent increase in the Transient Occupancy Tax rate at the General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Waive the reading and introduce by title only the ordinance increasing the Transient Occupancy Tax to Fifteen Percent. Adopt the resolution setting priorities for filing a written argument regarding a Town measure and directing the Town Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis.

  For (5)

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

  Carried (5 to 0)

8.4

Consider approval of the program guidelines for the Lease to Locals program.

Community and Economic Development Director Nolan Bobroff outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

John Morris, Chair of the Lodging Association, spoke in support of the program and outlined his concerns with the guidelines. 

• Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Chris Bubser
  Seconded by Councilmember Sarah Rea

  Adopt the resolution approving the program guidelines for the Lease to Locals program.

  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.

COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS

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

Councilmember Wentworth attended the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District meeting, 

Mayor Sauser thanked the community for the Fourth of July Parade. He announced that he had pulled papers to run for Town Council. 

10.

CLOSED SESSION

10.1

Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957, the Council will hold a conference to consider evaluation of a public employee: Town Manager.

At 6:47 p.m. the Mayor announced that the Council would be entering into closed session for the purposes as stated in the agenda. 

11.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION TAKEN AFTER CLOSED SESSION

The Council reconvened from closed session at 7:07 p.m. and announced that there was no reportable action taken. 

12.

ADJOURNMENT

The Town Council will adjourn to a special meeting to be held on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 12:00 at the Park at the Parcel.

The Council adjourned the meeting at 7:07 p.m.