Town Council of Mammoth Lakes

Minutes of Regular Meeting

Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at 5:00 P.m. - 10:00 P.m.

437 Old Mammoth Road, Suite Z, Mammoth Lakes

Members Present:

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

Members Absent:

• Mayor Bill Sauser

---

1.

WORKSHOP WITH THE PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

1.1

Consideration of Concept Review Application #CR 21-001, requesting PEDC and Town Council feedback on a proposal to redevelop the Mammoth Main Lodge Base with hospitality and lodging products, multi-family ad single-family for-sale residences, commercial

The workshop began at 5:00 p.m.

Councilmembers Sarah Rea, Kirk Stapp, John Wentworth, and Mayor Pro Tem Lynda Salcido were present.  Planning and Economic Development Commissioners Paul Chang, Greg Eckert, Jessica Kennedy, Vice Chair Jennifer Burrows, and Chair Michael Vanderhurst were in attendance via videoconference.  

Senior Planner Chandler Van Schaack gave a presentation outlining the information in the staff report.

Alterra Mountain Company Chief Operating Officer - Resorts Mark Brownlie introduced DLDT Associates, LLC Principal Program Director David Cochrane, Hart Howerton Managing Principal Eron Ashley, Vice President of Mountain Development Tom Hodges, and newly appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of Mammoth and June Mountains Ron Cohen. Mr. Brownlie gave an update on recent Mammoth Mountain Ski Area (MMSA) activities and provided historical information leading up to the current Mammoth Main Lodge Redevelopment.    

Mr. Cochrane discussed the process of developing the Mammoth Main Lodge Base Redevelopment Project and his role in the project.

Mr. Ashley introduced two of his colleagues, Architect and Urban Designers Jennifer Smith and Jenna Frowein. Mr. Ashley outlined the information in the Mammoth Main Lodge Base Redevelopment Draft Project Description. 

There was discussion between members of the Council, Commission, the consultants, MMSA staff, and Town staff regarding the proposed redevelopment of the Mammoth Main Lodge Base.

Inyo National Forest (INF) District Ranger of the Mammoth and Mono Lake Ranger Districts Gordon Martin reported the he had just finished reviewing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the INF, the Town, and Mammoth Mountain Lodge Redevelopment, LLC (MMLR) to pay for the consultant that would be doing the Environmental Impact Review (EIR) and the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) work. Mr. Martin reported the they were still waiting for a current Master Development Plan to be approved in association with this project and noted that part of the Special Use Permit process was to determine if the project could happen on private land.

There was additional discussion between members of the Council, Commission, the consultants, MMSA staff and Town staff regarding the proposed redevelopment of the Mammoth Main Lodge Base.

The workshop ended at 6:38 p.m.

2.

CALL TO ORDER

The Mayor Pro Tem called the meeting to order at 6:47 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 437 Old Mammoth Road, Suite Z, Mammoth Lakes.

3.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Councilmember Sarah Rea led the flag salute.

4.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Plumas Corporation and Eastern Sierra Climate and Communities Resilience Project (ESCCRP a.k.a. The Donut Project) Project Manager Janet Hatfield gave an update on the project and announced that she had worked with the Eastern Sierra Council of Governments (ESCOG) to submit a grant proposal to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to fund the project and was notified this morning that they had secured an application for approximately  $3.3M. Ms. Hatfield reported that they were also the recipient of a Cal Fire Grant Directed Grant Funding award through the Forest Health Program for approximately $4.9M to begin immediate implementation of about two thousand one hundred acres. There was discussion among members of Council and Ms. Hatfield.

5.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

There were no additions to the agenda.

6.

REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND/OR DEPARTMENTS (AS NEEDED)

Trails Manager Joel Rathje gave an update regarding the host program and current trails activities. There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

7.

STAFF PRESENTATIONS

7.1

Introduce new Accounting Manager Stephanie Trujillo.

Administrative Services/Finance Director Rob Patterson requested that this item be postponed to the next meeting.

7.2

Introduce new Programs and Facilities Coordinator Mark Bell.

Parks and Recreation Director Stuart Brown introduced Mr. Bell to the Council and the community.

8.

CONSENT AGENDA

Councilmember John Wentworth requested that Agenda Item 7 be removed from the consent agenda for separate discussion. 

• Resolution:
  Moved by Councilmember Kirk Stapp
  Seconded by Councilmember Sarah Rea

  Approve the Consent Agenda.

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

  Carried (4 to 0)

8.1

Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 2, 2021.

8.2

Approve the Resolution authorizing Measure U (Fund 217) funding in the amount of $154,400for Arts and Culture programming.

8.3

Accept the 2020 Annual Planning Report (APR).

8.4

Authorize a professional services agreement with Ascent Environmental for The Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge Redevelopment Project CEQA analysis.

Councilmember Wentworth asked questions regarding the status of the MOU. Community and Economic Development Director Sandra Moberly and Town Attorney Andrew Morris addressed Mr. Wentworth's questions.  There was discussion among members of Council, staff, and Ascent Principal Gary Jakobs.

• Resolution:
  Moved by Councilmember John Wentworth
  Seconded by Councilmember Sarah Rea

  Authorize a professional services agreement with Ascent Environmental for The Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge Redevelopment Project CEQA analysis.

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

  Carried (4 to 0)

8.5

Approve a resolution authorizing temporary closure of certain Town Roads for the Fourth of July Parade and Freedom Mile Run on July 4, 2021.

8.6

Approve the revised Parks and Recreation Department Sponsorship Policy.

8.7

Accept Payment Approval Report No. 21-52 in the amount of $554,941.36.  Accept Payment Approval Report No.21-52 (2) in the amount of $785,888.57.

9.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

9.1

Approval of Appropriations Limit, Investment Policy, Debt Policy, Reserve Policy, and Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 21-22.

The Mayor Pro Tem opened the public hearing at 7:35 p.m.

Administrative Services/Finance Director Rob Patterson 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 Pro Tem closed the public hearing at 8:41 p.m. 

• Resolution:
  Moved by Councilmember John Wentworth
  Seconded by Councilmember Kirk Stapp

  Adopt the following resolutions: resolution establishing the Town of Mammoth Lakes appropriations limit for Fiscal Year 21-22, resolution reaffirming the Town of Mammoth Lakes Investment Policy for Fiscal Year 21-22, resolution reaffirming the Town of Mammoth Lakes Reserve Policy for Fiscal Year 21-22, resolution reaffirming the Town of Mammoth Lakes Debt Policy for Fiscal Year 21-22, resolution approving the Annual Budget for the Town of Mammoth Lakes for Fiscal Year 21-22 as presented or with Council directed modifications, and the resolution approving an amendment to Resolution No. 20-83 modifying the terms and use of funds of an internal loan from the Vehicle Replacement Fund to the General Fund.

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

  Carried (4 to 0)

9.2

Conduct the public hearing and adopt the Resolutions for the Fiscal Year 21-22 Master Fee Schedule Update for Town of Mammoth Lakes.

The Mayor Pro Tem opened the public hearing at 8:44 p.m.

Administrative Services/Finance Director Rob Patterson 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 Pro Tem closed the public hearing at 8:51 p.m.

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

  Adopt the resolution establishing an updated master schedule of fees and charges for Town services.

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

  Carried (4 to 0)
• Resolution:
  Moved by Councilmember Kirk Stapp
  Seconded by Councilmember John Wentworth

  Adopt the resolution temporarily reducing the public arts fee through July 31, 2023. 

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

  Carried (4 to 0)

10.

POLICY MATTERS

10.1

Resolution Terminating Local Public Health Emergency.

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

CONSENSUS:

Direct staff to bring an item to the July 7th meeting regarding scheduling future Town Council meetings in person.

• Resolution:
  Moved by Councilmember John Wentworth
  Seconded by Councilmember Sarah Rea

  Approve the Resolution Terminating the Local Public and Economic Emergency declared on March 18, 2020 by Town Council Resolution No. 20-10.  

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

  Carried (4 to 0)

11.

COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS

Councilmember Rea attended a meeting with Mammoth Mountain Ski Area (MMSA) staff regarding the MMSA Main Lodge Base Redevelopment Project.

Councilmember Stapp attended the Mammoth Lakes Housing Board meeting.

Councilmember Wentworth attended the Eastern Sierra Council of Governments (ESCOG) meeting.

Mayor Pro Tem Salcido attended the ESCOG meeting.

Town Manager Daniel C. Holler said that he had attended the Local Transportation Commission (LTC) meeting on behalf of Mayor Sauser and Councilmember Wentworth.

There was discussion among members of Council and staff.

12.

CLOSED SESSION

12.1

CONFERENCE WITHLEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: (One case).

At 9:13 p.m. the Mayor Pro Tem announced that the Council would be entering into closed session for the purposes as outlined in the agenda.

13.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION TAKEN AFTER CLOSED SESSION

The Council reconvened from closed session at 9:32 p.m. and Town Manager Daniel C. Holler announced that there was no reportable action taken.

14.

ADJOURNMENT

The Council adjourned the meeting at 9:32 p.m.