Town Council of Mammoth Lakes

Minutes of Regular Meeting

Wednesday, September 07, 2022 at 4:00 P.m. - 10:00 P.m.

437 Old Mammoth Road, Suite Z, Mammoth Lakes

Members Present:

• Mayor Lynda Salcido, 
• Mayor Pro Tem John Wentworth, 
• Councilmember Sarah Rea, 
• Councilmember Bill Sauser, 
• and Councilmember Kirk Stapp

---

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

Andrew Morris 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.

There were no public comments given at this time.

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 trails activities. There was discussion among members of Council and staff. 

Deputy Airport Manager Sierra Shultz gave an update regarding current Airport activities. 

Officer Daniel Hansen gave an update regarding the Police Department's drone program. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

Emily Bryant, Mammoth Lakes Tourism (MLT) Marketing Manager, gave an update regarding current MLT activities. 

Administrative Services/Finance Director Rob Patterson gave an update regarding current finance activities.  

Public Works Director Haislip Hayes gave an update regarding current public works activities There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

Parks and Recreation Director Stuart Brown gave an update regarding current parks and recreation activities. 

Community and Economic Development Director Sandra Moberly gave an update regarding The Parcel. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

5.1

Did you Know? Trails.

This is an informational item only.

6.

INTRODUCTIONS

6.1

Introduce new Revenue Specialist Crystal Demetrius.

Administrative Services/Finance Director Rob Patterson introduced Ms. Demetrius to the Council and the community.

6.2

Introduce new Public Works Maintenance Workers Jonathan Hernandez-Lopez and Jonathan Hernandez-Perez.

Public Works Maintenance Manager Todd Murphy introduced Mr. Hernandez-Lopez and Mr. Hernandez-Perez to the Council and the community. 

6.3

Introduce new Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District Fire Chief Ales Tomaier.

John Mendel, Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District Board Member, introduced Chief Tomaier to the Council and the community. Chief Tomaier outlined the mission and current state of the District.

7.

PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

7.1

Update on Inyo Mono Advocates for Community Action (IMACA) Programs, Services, and Introduction of New Executive Director.

Community and Economic Development Director Sandra Moberly introduced Kate Morley, IMACA Executive Director. Ms. Morley outlined current activities of IMACA and introduced incoming IMACA Executive Director Kelly Barceloux. Ms. Barceloux introduced herself. There was discussion among members of Council and Ms. Morley and Ms. Barceloux.

8.

STAFF PRESENTATIONS

8.1

Mammoth Lakes Police Department Explorer Awards Presentation.

Officer Daniel Hansen and School Resources Officer Brian Madera presented Explorer awards to Melanie German and Maggie Raya Cruz.  

9.

CONSENT AGENDA

• Moved by Councilmember Kirk Stapp
  Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem John Wentworth

  Approve the Consent Agenda.

  For (5)

  Councilmember Bill Sauser, Mayor Lynda Salcido, Councilmember Kirk Stapp, Mayor Pro Tem John Wentworth, and Councilmember Sarah Rea

  Carried (5 to 0)

9.1

Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 17, 2022.

9.2

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

9.3

Adopt the resolution approving an amended Conflict of Interest Code.

9.4

Waive the reading and adopt by title only the ordinance amending Section 2.04.050 of the Town of Mammoth Lakes Municipal Code related to Town Council compensation.

9.5

Approve the resolution authorizing the temporary closure of Canyon Boulevard for the Mammoth Tuff event.

9.6

Accept Payment Approval No. 23-06 in the amount of $1,738,009.33. Accept Payment Approval Report No. 23-06 (2) in an amount of $2,436,247.15. Accept Payment Approval Report No. 23-07 in the amount of $3,029,875.47.

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

Transit Community Facilities District (CFD) No. 2013-3 Annexation No. 5.

The Mayor opened the public hearing at 5:00 p.m.

Engineering Manager Amy Callanan 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 5:01 p.m.

The Town Clerk announced the results of the property owner vote.

• Moved by Mayor Lynda Salcido
  Seconded by Councilmember Kirk Stapp

  Adopt the resolution authorizing the levy of a special tax and submitting the levy of the special tax to qualified electors. 

  For (5)

  Councilmember Bill Sauser, Mayor Lynda Salcido, Councilmember Kirk Stapp, Mayor Pro Tem John Wentworth, and Councilmember Sarah Rea

  Carried (5 to 0)
• Moved by Mayor Lynda Salcido
  Seconded by Councilmember Sarah Rea

  Adopt the resolution declaring the results of the special annexation landowner election, determining validity of prior proceedings, and directing the recording of the Fifth Amendment to Notice of Special Tax Lien.

  For (5)

  Councilmember Bill Sauser, Mayor Lynda Salcido, Councilmember Kirk Stapp, Mayor Pro Tem John Wentworth, and Councilmember Sarah Rea

  Carried (5 to 0)
• Moved by Mayor Lynda Salcido
  Seconded by Councilmember Kirk Stapp

  Waive the first reading and adopt by title only the ordinance authorizing the levy of special taxes in Community Facilities District No. 2013-3.

  For (5)

  Councilmember Bill Sauser, Mayor Lynda Salcido, Councilmember Kirk Stapp, Mayor Pro Tem John Wentworth, and Councilmember Sarah Rea

  Carried (5 to 0)

11.

POLICY MATTERS

11.1

Resolution authorizing the Eastern Sierra Council of Governments to Establish a Program of Work to be Known as the “ESCOG: Community Economic Resiliency Fund Pilot Program.”

Town Manager Daniel C. Holler and Eastern Sierra Council of Governments (ESCOG) Executive Director Elaine Kabala outlined the information in the staff report. There was discussion among members of Council and staff. 

• Moved by Mayor Pro Tem John Wentworth
  Seconded by Councilmember Kirk Stapp

  Adopt the Resolution approving a Program of Work to be Known as the “ESCOG: Community Economic Resiliency Fund Pilot Project.”

  For (5)

  Councilmember Bill Sauser, Mayor Lynda Salcido, Councilmember Kirk Stapp, Mayor Pro Tem John Wentworth, and Councilmember Sarah Rea

  Carried (5 to 0)

11.2

Agreement for Eastern Sierra Transit Authority to provide Maintenance Worker Services to the Town of Mammoth Lakes.

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

• Moved by Mayor Pro Tem John Wentworth
  Seconded by Councilmember Sarah Rea

  Authorize the Town Manager to execute an agreement with Eastern Sierra Transit Authority to provide Maintenance Worker Services.

  For (5)

  Councilmember Bill Sauser, Mayor Lynda Salcido, Councilmember Kirk Stapp, Mayor Pro Tem John Wentworth, and Councilmember Sarah Rea

  Carried (5 to 0)

11.3

Resolution authorizing the use of Solid Waste Franchise Fees to offset increased disposal costs and discussion of potential future  rate increase due to extraordinary circumstances.

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

Mike Smith, Mammoth Disposal, said that they were available to answer questions. 

There was discussion among members of Council and Mammoth Disposal staff.

• Moved by Mayor Pro Tem John Wentworth
  Seconded by Councilmember Kirk Stapp

  Approve the resolution authorizing the use of Solid Waste Franchise Fees and Parcel Fees to offset increased disposal costs due to higher gate fees at the Benton Crossing Landfill and direct staff to have an engaged and transparent conversation with Mono County to address increased solid waste costs.

  For (5)

  Councilmember Bill Sauser, Mayor Lynda Salcido, Councilmember Kirk Stapp, Mayor Pro Tem John Wentworth, and Councilmember Sarah Rea

  Carried (5 to 0)

11.4

Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year 21-22 Budget Review - Amendment Recommendations for FY21-22 and FY22-23 Operating Budgets.

The Mayor called a recess at 5:58 p.m. and the Council reconvened at 6:12 p.m.

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

At 6:54 p.m. Councilmember Rea recused herself and left the meeting due to her rental of property within 700 feet of The Parcel. Councilmember Sauser also recused himself and left the meeting at 6:54 p.m. due to his ownership of property within 500 feet of The Parcel.

Councilmembers Rea and Sauser returned to the meeting at 6:55 p.m.

• Moved by Mayor Lynda Salcido
  Seconded by Councilmember Kirk Stapp

  Adopt the resolution amending the FY21-22 budget as recommended on Attachments A-D and the FY22-23 budget as recommended in Attachment E, as amended to exclude The Parcel Phase 2 funding. 

  For (5)

  Councilmember Bill Sauser, Mayor Lynda Salcido, Councilmember Kirk Stapp, Mayor Pro Tem John Wentworth, and Councilmember Sarah Rea

  Carried (5 to 0)
• Moved by Mayor Lynda Salcido
  Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem John Wentworth

  Approve the budget adjustment for The Parcel Phase II funding. 

  For (3)	Mayor Lynda Salcido, Councilmember Kirk Stapp, and Mayor Pro Tem John Wentworth
  Absent (2)	Councilmember Bill Sauser, and Councilmember Sarah Rea

  Carried (3 to 0)

12.

COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS

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

Councilmember Sauser attended the League of California Cities Desert Mountain Division meeting in Big Bear.

Councilmember Stapp reported on the Mammoth Lakes Housing wait list. 

Councilmember Rea attended the presentation regarding the sport court. 

13.

ADJOURNMENT

The Town Council will adjourn to a regular meeting to be held on Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.

The Council adjourned the meeting at 6:57 p.m.