Bishop City Council Examines Housing Needs, Caltrans Shares Progress, and the establishment of a new Ordinance By: Tyler Beadle

The Bishop City Council convened a special joint session with the Bishop Rural Fire Protection District Board at 4:00 p.m. on November 10, 2025, followed by the regular meeting at 6:01 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 377 W. Line St. The agenda for the special joint session spans fire service needs, staff recognition, and more fire district updates. In comparison, the regular meeting had an agenda filled with Presentations, Department Reports, and passing of the consent calendar with updates from Caltrans and regional housing data.

The joint session opened with Fire Chief Bret Russell presenting the department’s status and needs. The department serves approximately 12,500 residents, including 3,767 within city limits, with 35 volunteers, three stations, and three full-time staff. Over 50% of calls occur at night and at weekends. Key challenges include limited staffing, volunteer retention, aged apparatus, and facility repairs. Solutions proposed: hiring an Assistant Fire Chief/Engineer for 24/7 response, purchasing a 2020 pumper tender to replace R1, acquiring a second set of NFPA-compliant PPE, installing ventilation systems at all stations, and expanding training scope. A new ladder truck is on order.

At 6:01 p.m., Mayor Karen Kong called the regular meeting to order. Public comment started, with Lynette McIntosh speaking first, addressing rumors about the plans for the location of the A-frame structure on Main Street. This got a little heated, which led to Councilmember Muchovej telling people not to listen to rumors because most are untrue. Another resident, Noel Guacheno, followed, questioning the council’s recent decision to demolish the A-frame. After public comment, the Bishop City Council recognized Andrew Gaidus for his outstanding contributions to the City of Bishop and for serving four years and seven months on the Planning Commission. They then presented him with a plaque and had cake in the hallway.

After Department Reports, which you can find on the City of Bishops website, the consent calendar passed unanimously, including approval of past minutes, cancellation of the next November 24th, 2025, meeting, and approval to purchase a new police vehicle not to exceed $50,000. Caltrans District 9 Public Information Officer Christopher Andriessen presented project updates. Bishop Pavement work in Area 2 (W. Line to Lagoon) ends November 17; Areas 7 & 8 (Grove Street to 300′ south of Bishop Creek Bridge) begin the same week, lasting six to seven weeks. E. Elm Street at Main Street will close. Meadow Farms ADA work in Area 3 ends November 17; Area 1 (northbound See Vee to bridge) starts November 19, also six to seven weeks. Both projects remain on track for late spring/early summer 2026 completion. The Wye Road Roundabout at Main/Barlow is scheduled for summer 2026 using the modular VORTEX system as a temporary solution before permanent construction. No highway work beyond assembly and restriping is required; all vehicle types can navigate it. Manor Market Complete Streets on W. Line from Barlow to Desiderata, including new sidewalk and a Pa Me Lane crosswalk with rapid flashing beacon, begins in 2028.

A presentation on Regional Housing Needs was shared by Aaron Nousaine from BAE Urban Economics. This data included: Mammoth/Mono County shows high seasonal vacancy from second homes; Bishop/Inyo has lower rates. It was said that Employers reported over 1,000 unfilled full-time peak-season jobs, which was met with heavy skepticism from the council. It was noted Vail and South Lake Tahoe use deed restrictions to curb second-home ownership. Councilmember Muchovej later commented to me: “I originally brought up putting deed restrictions in the City to try and limit 2nd home ownership 5 years ago and got shot down back then.” But now with the discussion brewing again, maybe we will see more progress on this issue in the future.

Lastly, on the new business was the reading of an ordinance adding Chapter 13.14 to the Bishop Municipal Code to establish an Industrial Waste Discharge Permit (WDP) Program by title only.

The meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m. Stay tuned for more City of Bishop updates in future articles. Have any comments or thoughts? You can email me at [email protected].