Town Council of Mammoth Lakes

Minutes of Regular Meeting

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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 

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

Mayor Wentworth led the flag salute.

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 lady thanked the Town for their efforts, but said she was concerned about the intersection of Rainbow and Mammoth Slopes and the parking issues there. She asked for more enforcement at that intersection. She asked for plow driver identification so that issues could be reported. She outlined her concerns about the lack of cell phone coverage. 

Scott Armstrong, Regional Broadband Coordinator, spoke about verifying the FCC's map data. There was discussion among members of Council and Mr. Armstrong.  

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

There were no additions to the agenda.

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

Acting Police Chief Dan Casabian gave an update regarding current law enforcement operations. 

Town Manager Daniel C. Holler introduced Kendra Knight, Mammoth Disposal Sustainability Coordinator. Ms. Knight gave a presentation regarding recycling efforts in Town. There was discussion among members of Council and Ms. Knight.  

Rene Hallen, Buoy, outlined how their reusable food container system worked. There was discussion among members of Council, Mr. Hallen, Ms. Knight, and staff. 

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.

The Mayor opened the public hearing at 4:45 p.m.

Parks and Recreation Director Stuart Brown 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 4:51 p.m.

  • Moved byMayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser
    Seconded byCouncilmember Amanda Rice

    Approve by resolution the 2023/24 Parks and Recreation Department fee schedule amendments as presented in Exhibit B, including amendments as presented.

    For (5)Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser, Mayor John Wentworth, Councilmember Sarah Rea, Councilmember Chris Bubser, and Councilmember Amanda Rice
    Carried (5 to 0)

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.

  • Moved byCouncilmember Chris Bubser
    Seconded byCouncilmember Amanda Rice

    Approve and authorize the Town Manager to sign consulting agreement with Emanuels Jones and Associates for State Legislative Advocacy services.

    For (5)Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser, Mayor John Wentworth, Councilmember Sarah Rea, Councilmember Chris Bubser, and Councilmember Amanda Rice
    Carried (5 to 0)

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

CONSENSUS:

The Town Council confirmed the TOT revenue of $18 million recommended for initial preparation of the operating budget. 

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

  • Moved byCouncilmember Chris Bubser
    Seconded byCouncilmember Amanda Rice

    Approve letter of support for Bioenergy Wood Innovations Grant.

    For (5)Mayor Pro Tem Bill Sauser, Mayor John Wentworth, Councilmember Sarah Rea, Councilmember Chris Bubser, and Councilmember Amanda Rice
    Carried (5 to 0)

Town Manager Daniel C. Holler gave an update regarding the current state of emergency. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

Arianne Weiner outlined parking lot issues and asked for consistent ticketing. She said we needed to educate and communicate more. Chief Casabian responded to the concerns about Rainbow. 

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

Councilmember Bubser thanked Town staff and the community for all of their efforts during the emergency. She said she went on a ride along with the Town Manager and attended an Incident Management Team meeting. 

Mayor Pro Tem Sauser met with Congressman Kiley. 

Mayor Wentworth attended the Local Transportation Commission meeting and met with Congressman Kiley, 

At 6:08 p.m. the Mayor announced that the Council would be entering into closed session for the purposes as stated in the agenda.

The Council reconvened from closed session at 6:35 p.m. and announced that there was no reportable action taken. 

The Town Council will adjourn to a special meeting to be held on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.

The Council adjourned the meeting at 6:35 p.m.