Town Council of Mammoth Lakes

Minutes of Regular Meeting

Wednesday, August 04, 2021 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 Lynda Salcido,
• Councilmember Kirk Stapp,
• and Councilmember John Wentworth

Members Absent:

• Councilmember Sarah Rea

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

The Mayor called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 437 Old Mammoth Road, Suite Z, Mammoth Lakes.

2.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Dan Holler led the flag salute.

3.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Mark Davis spoke about the housing crisis and asked for a slow or no growth policy.

Stacy Corless commended Council and staff on their historic housing investment.  She said that we needed to embrace stewardship, kindness, and collaboration.  

Ashley Toups said that she started the Facebook post about the most recent Mammoth Lakes Tourism (MLT) marketing campaign.  She said that she appreciated the backpedaling on the campaign but was more interested in what happened next with marketing funding.  She outlined other needs that marketing funding could pay for.

4.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

Town Staff announced that Agenda Item 7.1 would be continued.

5.

REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND/OR DEPARTMENTS (AS NEEDED)

Parks and Recreation Director Stuart Brown gave an update regarding current parks and recreation activities.  There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

Special Projects Manager Grady Dutton reported on the Air Service Group meeting and the FAA Inyo County/Bishop Airport meeting.  There was discussion among members of Council and staff. 

Public Works Director Haislip Hayes gave an update regarding the Mobility Hub Study.  There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

Town Manager Daniel C. Holler and Mono County Director of Public Health Bryan Wheeler gave an update regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.  There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

6.

COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS

6.1

Recognition of retiring Finance Manager Cyndi Myrold.

Administrative Services/Finance Director Rob Patterson thanked Ms. Myrold for her years of service. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

7.

INTRODUCTIONS

7.1

Introduce new Human Resources Manager Lynett Dean.

This item was continued.

8.

STAFF PRESENTATIONS

8.1

Code Compliance Officer Update - Rick Bellis.

Code Compliance Officer Rick Bellis gave a presentation regarding current code compliance efforts.  There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

• Resolution:

8.2

Housing Financing Overview.

Special Projects Manager Grady Dutton outlined the information in the staff report.  He introduced Caleb Roope, President of  the Pacific Company.  Mr. Roope, SMR Development CEO Shellan Rodriguez, and Vice President of The Pacific Companies Andrea Clark gave a presentation regarding financing for housing.  There was discussion among members of Council, staff, and the Town's consultants.  

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Mark Davis said that we needed to look at limiting growth.

The Mayor called a recess at 6:21 p.m. and the Council reconvened at 6:30 p.m. 

• Resolution:

8.3

The Parcel Update.

At 6:21 p.m. Mayor Sauser recused himself due to his ownership of property within 500 feet of The Parcel.

Special Projects Manager Grady Dutton outlined the information in the staff report.

SMR Development CEO Shellan Rodriguez, The Pacific Companies Vice President Andrea Clark, and President of The Pacific Companies Caleb Roope gave a presentation regarding The Parcel.  There was discussion among members of Council, staff, and the Town's consultants.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Mark Davis asked about podium parking.  Town Manager Daniel C. Holler responded.

Tom Hodges said that he endorsed and supported for sale product in phase 2.

Ted Carleton, The Sheet, asked about a comparison of housing funding being spent between The Parcel and other projects.

There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

Mayor Sauser returned to the meeting at 7:34 p.m.

• Resolution:

9.

CONSENT AGENDA

• Resolution:
  Moved by Councilmember John Wentworth
  Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lynda Salcido

  Approve the Consent Agenda.

  For (4)	Mayor Bill Sauser, Mayor Pro Tem Lynda Salcido, Councilmember Kirk Stapp, and Councilmember John Wentworth
  Absent (1)	Councilmember Sarah Rea

  Carried (4 to 0)

9.1

Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 21, 2021.

9.2

Accept Payment Approval Report No. 21-56 in the amount of $1,006,523.93. Accept Payment Approval Report No. 22-04 in the amount of $163,775.77.  Accept Payment Approval Report No. 22-05 in the amount of $146,267.52. 

10.

POLICY MATTERS

10.1

Approval of funding allocations and policy direction for the Town of Mammoth Lakes Housing Program.

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

• Resolution:
  Moved by Councilmember John Wentworth
  Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lynda Salcido

  Approve the Resolution setting Council Policy and authorizing the allocation of funds to support the Town of Mammoth Lakes Housing Program.

  For (4)	Mayor Bill Sauser, Mayor Pro Tem Lynda Salcido, Councilmember Kirk Stapp, and Councilmember John Wentworth
  Absent (1)	Councilmember Sarah Rea

  Carried (4 to 0)

10.2

Housing Impact Mitigation Fee Schedule Discussion.

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

CONSENSUS:

Direct staff to bring back an increase in housing fees based on the increase in CPI.

• Resolution:

10.3

Town Priorities for Inyo National Forest Program of Work.

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

CONSENSUS:

Accept the report on Town priorities for the Inyo National Forest Program of Work.

• Resolution:

10.4

Agreement with Bird Scooters.

This item was taken out of order.

Public Works Director Haislip Hayes outlined the information in the staff report and introduced Michael Covato, Bird Scooters.  Mr. Covato gave a presentation outlining the Bird Scooters concept.  There was discussion among members of Council, staff, and Mr. Covato.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Eric Wasserman spoke about his concerns about scooter usage in other cities.

• Resolution:
  Moved by Councilmember John Wentworth
  Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lynda Salcido

  Authorize the Town Manager to enter into an agreement or execute a permit with Bird Scooters.  Direct staff to integrate the Mammoth Lakes Trail System (MLTS) electronic messaging and information with the scooter program.

  For (4)	Mayor Bill Sauser, Mayor Pro Tem Lynda Salcido, Councilmember Kirk Stapp, and Councilmember John Wentworth
  Absent (1)	Councilmember Sarah Rea

  Carried (4 to 0)

10.5

Request by Mammoth Rocks Event Producers for Reimbursable Grant.

This item was taken out of order.

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

• Resolution:
  Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lynda Salcido
  Seconded by Councilmember John Wentworth

  Approve the resolution providing a $15,000 reimbursable grant to Mammoth Rocks LLC.

   

  For (4)	Mayor Bill Sauser, Mayor Pro Tem Lynda Salcido, Councilmember Kirk Stapp, and Councilmember John Wentworth
  Absent (1)	Councilmember Sarah Rea

  Carried (4 to 0)

10.6

Comment Letter to be sent to the California Citizens Redistricting Commission

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

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Elaine Kabala, Eastern Sierra Council of Governments, said that she appreciated the Council's support.

• Resolution:
  Moved by Mayor Bill Sauser
  Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lynda Salcido

  Approve as presented the proposed letter from ESCOG to the 2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission and direct staff to provide a separate letter from the Town.

  For (4)	Mayor Bill Sauser, Mayor Pro Tem Lynda Salcido, Councilmember Kirk Stapp, and Councilmember John Wentworth
  Absent (1)	Councilmember Sarah Rea

  Carried (4 to 0)

10.7

Accept the 2020 Community Indicators Report.

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

• Resolution:
  Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lynda Salcido
  Seconded by Councilmember John Wentworth

  Accept the 2020 Community Indicators Report.

  For (4)	Mayor Bill Sauser, Mayor Pro Tem Lynda Salcido, Councilmember Kirk Stapp, and Councilmember John Wentworth
  Absent (1)	Councilmember Sarah Rea

  Carried (4 to 0)

10.8

Update on Biomass Project, Organic Waste Diversion, and Related Solid Waste Programs and Projects.

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

• Resolution:

10.9

Discuss a Council Workshop Schedule.

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

• Resolution:

11.

COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS

No reports were given at this time.

12.

CLOSED SESSION

At 9:12 p.m. the Mayor announced that the Council would be entering into closed session for the purposes as stated in the agenda.

12.1

Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8, the Town Council will hold a conference </strong><strong>with its representatives in regard to lease negotiations pertaining to:

13.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION TAKEN AFTER CLOSED SESSION

The Town Council reconvened from closed session at 9:31 p.m. and announced that there was no reportable action taken.

14.

ADJOURNMENT

The Town Council adjourned the meeting at 9:31 p.m.