Town Council of Mammoth Lakes

Minutes of Regular Meeting

Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 4:00 P.m. - 8:00 P.m.

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 

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

The Mayor called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 437 Old Mammoth Road, Suite Z, Mammoth Lakes.

2.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

A member of the public 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.

A member of the public said she was having an issue with her landlord who was not renewing her lease and converting a commercial building to Airbnb.

David Eichman, City of West Hollywood, introduced himself to the Council.

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.

REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND/OR DEPARTMENTS (AS NEEDED)

Office of Outdoor Recreation Manager Lawson Reif gave an update regarding current outdoor recreation activities. There was discussion among members of Council and staff. 

Administrative Services/Finance Director Rob Patterson gave an update regarding current Airport and finance activities. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

Community and Economic Development Director Sandra Moberly gave an update regarding the Main Lodge Project. There was discussion among members of Council and staff. 

Town Manager Daniel C. Holler gave an update regarding the new radio system, the Housing Now! Bridge Program, and the Fire Safe Council fuels reduction work in the Lakes Basin. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

5.1

February 2023 Public Works Engineering CIP Update.

6.

STAFF PRESENTATIONS

6.1

Town Budget Structure and Process.

Administrative Services/Finance Director Rob Patterson gave a presentation regarding the Town budget structure and process.  There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

7.

CONSENT AGENDA

• Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser
  Seconded by Councilmember Chris Bubser

  Approve the Consent Agenda.

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

  Carried (4 to 0)

7.1

Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 18, 2023.

7.2

Approve the minutes of the special meeting of January 25, 2023.

7.3

Approve the resolution re-authorizing the Town Council to meet virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic declared emergency.

7.4

Adopt the Resolution Declaring the Town’s Intention to Establish a Community Facilities District, Authorize the Levy of Special Taxes, and Set the Public Hearing for April 5, 2023 for Community Facilities District No 2023-1 (Town of Mammoth Lakes

Maintenance Services. 

7.5

Accept Check Register 1/05/2023 in the amount of $99,000. Accept Check Register 1/12/2023 in the amount of $1,422,948.85. Accept Check Register 1/18/2023 in the amount of $561,266.73. Accept Check Register 1/25/2023 in the amount of $160,777.27. 

Accept Check Register 2/02/2023 in the amount of $410,428.94.

8.

POLICY MATTERS

8.1

Consider the request for an additional $400,000 contribution to the Mammoth Lakes Housing Innsbruck Lodge Affordable Housing Project.

Community and Economic Development Director Sandra Moberly Senior Planning - Housing Coordinator Nolan Bobroff outlined the information in the staff report.  There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Patricia Robertson, Mammoth Lakes Housing (MLH) Executive Director, spoke in support of their request for additional funds.

Councilmember Rea joined the meeting at 5:11 p.m.

Jennifer Kreitz, member of the MLH Board, spoke in support of the project.

• Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser
  Seconded by Councilmember Amanda Rice

  Adopt the resolution approving an additional $400,000 contribution to the Mammoth Lakes Housing Innsbruck Lodge Affordable Housing Project contingent on the specified terms.

  For (5)

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

  Carried (5 to 0)

8.2

2023 Youth Sports Funding Recommendations.

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

• Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser
  Seconded by Councilmember Amanda Rice

  Approve the 2023 Youth Sports Funding Recommendations as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission in the amount of $45,000.

  For (5)

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

  Carried (5 to 0)

8.3

Authorization of agreements to expand Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.

Public Works Director Haislip Hayes outlined the information in the staff report.  There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

A member of the public asked about questions about the power used for the charging stations. Mr. Hayes responded. 

• Moved by Mayor John Wentworth
  Seconded by Councilmember Sarah Rea

  Authorize the Town Manager to execute a lease agreement between the Town and Electrify America for space at the Hillside Parking Lot for electric vehicle charging stations. Authorize the Town Manager to execute a lease agreement between the Town and EV Range for space at the Park n’ Ride lot on Tavern Road for electric vehicle charging stations. Authorize the Town Manager to sign a “Site Verification Form” supporting a grant application by EV Range. The agreements are approved pending final review by Town counsel. 

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

  Carried (4 to 1)

8.4

Resolution Opposing the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act Ballot Initiative (AG# 21-0042A1).

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

The Mayor called a recess at 6:14 p.m. and the Council reconvened at 6:22 p.m.

• Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser
  Seconded by Councilmember Chris Bubser

  Adopt Resolution opposing the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act (AG# 21-0042A1).

  For (5)

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

  Carried (5 to 0)

8.5

Subpart C, OSV Use Designation Process, Collaborative Alternative Team Comments, and Direction to enter into an MOU with the Inyo National Forest as a cooperating Agency through the completion of the process.

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

CONSENSUS:

Directs staff to bring back for approval at the next meeting a Cooperating Agency MOU with the Inyo National Forest through the completion of this process.

9.

COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS

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

Councilmember Bubser attended the League of California Cities Conference, the Eastern Sierra Council of Governments (ESCOG) meeting, and the Eastern Sierra Transit Authority (ESTA) Board meeting. She toured ESTA facilities with ESTA Executive Director Phil Moore.

Mayor Pro Tem Sauser attended the employee appreciation luncheon, the League of California Cities Conference, the Mammoth Trails Committee meeting, and the ESTA Board meeting. He reported that tomorrow he would be attending the Desert Mountain Division League of California Cities meeting in Apple Valley.

Councilmember Rice attended the Mammoth Lakes Housing meeting and the League of California Cities Conference.

Mayor Wentworth attended the Integrated Climate Adaption and Resiliency Program (ICARP) Technical Advisory Council meeting, the farewell celebration for Trails Manager Joel Rathje, and the ESCOG Board meeting.  

10.

ADJOURNMENT

The Town Council will adjourn to a regular meeting to be held on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.

The Council adjourned the meeting at 6:58 p.m.