Town Council of Mammoth Lakes

Minutes of Regular Meeting

Wednesday, February 07, 2024 at 4:00 P.m. - 10:00 P.m.

437 Old Mammoth Road, Suite Z, Mammoth Lakes

Members Present:

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

Members Absent:

• Mayor Bill Sauser 

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1.

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR REMOTE PARTICIPATION BY MAYOR SAUSER PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54953(f)(2)(A)(ii).

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

Town Manager Daniel C. Holler noted that Mayor Sauser would not need to participate remotely. 

2.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Cynthia Fleming 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.

Bobby Tanner had questions for the Forest Service regarding the Reds Meadow Road. 

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

Introduction of new Community and Economic Development Director Nolan Bobroff and recognition of his ten year anniversary with the Town. 

Town Manager Daniel C. Holler introduced Mr. Bobroff and thanked him for his years of service. 

6.

REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND/OR DEPARTMENTS (AS NEEDED)

Mammoth Lakes Police Department Sergeant Jason Heliman announced that the Town was awarded a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to support e-bike and pedestrian safety. There was discussion among members of Council and staff. 

Fred Wong, Mammoth District Ranger, made announcements regarding Reds Meadow Road, the Town Snow Pit, Sherwin Tanks, snow grooming, and Christmas tree tags on the Inyo National Forest. There was discussion among members of Council and Mr. Wong. 

6.1

February 2024 Public Works Engineering CIP Update.

7.

PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

7.1

2023 Mammoth Disposal Annual Report.

Assistant to the Town Manager Pam Kobylarz outlined the information in the staff report and introduced Kendra Knight and Michelle Erwin from Mammoth Disposal. There was discussion among members of Council and Mammoth Disposal staff.

8.

CONSENT AGENDA

• Moved by Councilmember Amanda Rice
  Seconded by Councilmember Sarah Rea

  Approve the Consent Agenda.

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

  Carried (4 to 0)

8.1

Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 17, 2024.

8.2

Approve the minutes of the special meeting of January 31, 2024.

8.3

Authorize the Contract for the Airport Pavement Maintenance Management Plan Update to Brandley Engineering Inc.

8.4

Approve the Resolution adopting the Town of Mammoth Lakes Paid Sick Leave Policy.

8.5

Approve the Resolution adopting the Town of Mammoth Lakes Snow Patrol Policy.

8.6

Accept Check Register 1/18/24 in the amount of $643,826.79. Accept Check Register 1/24/24 in the amount of $573,932.57. Accept Check Register 1/31/24 in the amount of $145,053.30.

9.

POLICY MATTERS

9.1

Approval of Employment Agreement with Rob Patterson for the position of Town Manager.

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

• Moved by Councilmember John Wentworth
  Seconded by Councilmember Amanda Rice

  Approve Employment Agreement with Rob Patterson for the position of Town Manager effective March 1, 2024

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

  Carried (4 to 0)

9.2

Consider Certified Properties Proposal from STR Advisory Committee.

Administrative Services/Finance Director Rob Patterson outlined the information in the staff report.  There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

John Morris, Chair of the STR Advisory Committee, spoke in support of the proposed program. 

Dave C. asked about the timing to lift the moratorium. Town Attorney Andrew Morris responded. 

There was discussion among members of the Council. 

• Moved by Councilmember John Wentworth
  Seconded by Councilmember Amanda Rice

  Advance the recommendations of the STR Advisory Committee to establish a Certified Properties program to address Safety, Penalties, and Fees as outlined and direct staff to make Municipal Code edits to support these administrative changes and bring them back to the Council as soon as practical. 

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

  Carried (4 to 0)

9.3

Receive information and provide direction on STR Advisory Committee Recommendations.

The Mayor Pro Tem called a recess at 5:56 p.m. and the Council reconvened at 6:02 p.m.

Town Manager Daniel C. Holler outlined the information in the staff report.  There was discussion among members of Council and staff regarding the Ballot Tax Measures to fund housing programs.  

PUBLIC COMMENT:

John Morris spoke in support of a 2% TOT increase as a general tax.  

Teri Stehlik said that she agreed with Mr. Morris. but had concerns with a general tax. 

Alisa Mokler recommended a special tax.

David Eichman said that he supported a TOT increase.

Ales Tomaier, Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District Fire Chief, noted that they were bringing a ballot measure to the November ballot. 

Rose Perez Jensen said that the Council should disregard the Committee's proposals and commission a report to study the issues. 

Jennifer Kreitz said that the Town already had excess revenue over budget to fund housing so she would not vote for more TOT. She said that the Town should be pushing people into hotels instead of our housing stock. She spoke in support of increasing the fee for short term rentals. 

Jan Henry said that there was an increase to property taxes for schools on the March ballot that was supposed to help with staff housing for the School District. She said that targeting STR owners was not the right thing to do. 

There was discussion among members of Council and staff. 

CONSENSUS:

Direct staff to look at an additional funding mechanism to fund housing programs. 

There was discussion among members of Council and staff regarding Rental Subsidy Programs. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Ms. Mokler spoke in support of the Placemates program 

CONSENSUS:

Direct staff to have Placemates give a presentation to the Town Council based on a scope of work the Town can afford and then Council can take action after the presentation.  

There was discussion among members of Council and staff regarding a Housing Down Payment Purchase Program. 

CONSENSUS:

The Town Council was supportive of a Down Payment Purchase Program. 

There was discussion among members of Council and staff regarding continuing to review possible zoning changes to the RMF 2 zoning designation.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Christina outlined her concerns about the proposed map. 

Ms. Stehlik said that the Town was not built with condos as residential real estate. She asked the Council to remember that tourism drove the community and that we needed TOT more than any other community since we did not receive much property tax.  

Ms. Henry said that she agreed with Christina's comments and spoke against the proposed zoning changes. 

Ms. Jensen spoke against the proposed zoning changes. 

Ms. Kreitz said that the Town should expand the RMF 1 Zone since it was the zone for locals.  

Kim spoke against the proposed zoning changes but advised that if changes needed to be made then to at each condo complex individually.  

There was discussion among members of Council. 

CONSENSUS:

Direct staff to have the Planning and Economic Development Commission review this proposal. 

9.4

Approve the MOU between Blue Forest Finance Inc., World Resources Institute and Eastern Sierra Climate and Community Resilience Project – Wildfire Resilience Action Team (WRAFT), subject to final legal partner agency review.

Town Manager Daniel C. Holler outlined the information in the staff report.  

• Moved by Councilmember John Wentworth
  Seconded by Councilmember Amanda Rice

  Approve the MOU between Blue Forest Finance Inc., World Resources Institute and Eastern Sierra Climate and Community Resilience Project – Wildfire Resilience Action Financial Team (WRAFT), subject to final legal partner agency review.

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

  Carried (4 to 0)

9.5

Review and provide comments on the Town Civic Center design.

This item was taken out of order. 

Community and Economic Development Director Nolan Bobroff outlined the information in the staff report and introduced Brandon Gullotti and Brian Nichols from HMC Architects. HMC staff gave a presentation outlining the proposed project. There was discussion among members of Council and staff. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Dave C. asked about the cost of the project, Town Manager Daniel C. Holler responded. 

Teri Stehlik was concerned about the flat roof design. Public Works Director Haislip Hayes responded. 

9.6

Council Update and Direction on Proposed Legislation and Related Items.

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

10.

COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS

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

Councilmember Rice said that the Mammoth Lakes Housing (MLH) Board meeting was canceled on Monday due to the snowstorm. 

11.

ADJOURNMENT

The Town Council will adjourn to a regular meeting to be held on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.

The Council adjourned the meeting at 8:06 p.m.