ADU CHANGES, FIRE DEPUTY APPROVED & MORE. – Tyler’s City Briefing: January 12, 2026

BISHOP, Calif. –

Bishop’s City Council launched into the new year with a thorough session on Monday, January 12, kicking off at 6:00 p.m. and wrapping around 9:10 p.m. The chambers were quieter than typical, with slim public turnout—perhaps the dense agenda kept folks away. The full lineup was there: Mayor Stephen Muchovej at the helm, Mayor Pro Tem Dennis Freundt, and Councilmembers Karen Kong, Jose Garcia, and Karen Schwartz. Routine openers like the pledge, minutes, and bills passed without a hitch. Public comment drew zero participants. Mayor Muchovej seized the moment to outline the guidelines: Keep it to three minutes, no pivoting to poll or hype the crowd for reactions or input. A solid primer for our community’s vocal types.

Presentations packed some punch. A Cal OES representative delivered a comprehensive update on emergency management, touching on mutual aid systems, disaster preparedness, and coordination with FEMA. A key highlight: Reimbursements for major incidents like the Palisades fire are taking a hit, with 2026 rates for equipment usage nearly halved from last year—a potential blow for Inyo and Mono counties, which contribute heavily with volunteers to statewide fire responses. Nicole Dailey from Rojas Public Affairs followed with a sharp legislative briefing, covering California’s Prop 4 grant revisions and opportunities for local infrastructure.

Department heads rolled out December insights. Bishop Police Sgt. Mairs (subbing for absent Police Chief Nate Derr) shared stats: 1,049 incidents, 702 calls, 347 officer-initiated, 23 arrests (21 misdemeanors, 2 felonies), 32 citations. Fire Chief Bret Russell lauded the volunteers for how the Wildrose Lane Fire was handled. For December, the Fire Department had 40 incidents total, led by medical assists (7) and false alarms, plus fires, hazards, and rescues. Standout: $26.46 million secured for Silver Peaks Apartments—a 60-unit affordable project (59 income-restricted for ≤60% area median income) via the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program. Principal Planner Ana Budnyk broke down the Silver Peaks funding: $16.86 million housing, $150,000 programs, $9.45 million for transportation under the Rural Innovation Project Area. She noted the project still needs some funds, but Visionary Homebuilders is applying and should get them quickly. Community Services noted thriving after-school Stay and Play (full with waitlists at Elm Street), pool winterization, and prep for 2026 camps, gymnastics, yoga, volleyball, and fitness. Public Works Director Nora Gamino (via Zoom) detailed water ops: 25 million gallons produced (16% jump from December 2013), curb stops replaced at 487 N. Fowler and 637 Keough, hydrant repair at Warren/Elm, quarterly meter reads, and compliance like the Cross-Connection Control Plan submission. City Administrator Pam Foster highlighted regional partnerships with ESCOG and the Eastern Sierra Airport Authority, plus momentum on the Parks Master Plan, RHNA housing needs.

Inyo County Supervisor Jeff Griffiths (District 2) provided his update, announcing Trina Orrill as the new Board Chair. Northern Inyo Healthcare District’s Christian Wallis discussed a Strategic Growth plan with a goal to produce a Master Facility Plan—investment-heavy but crucial. Dr. Adam Hawkins presented transfer data: 77% of outgoing patients go to Renown in Reno, spotlighting rural care gaps.

Consent calendar: Items A (minutes), B (bills), and D (Fire mid-year budget adjustment, adding a Deputy Chief and equipment like a Pumper Tender) cleared 5-0. Schwartz pulled Item C—the mobile businesses ordinance—for further discussion, where council clarified rules for vendors to ease permits while curbing hazards. It passed post-adjustments. Find the full ordinance on the City of Bishop’s website.

The ADU/JADU ordinance—repealing and rewriting Chapter 17.75 to catch up with California’s whirlwind of state housing tweaks—squeaked by on a divided 3-2 vote, incorporating new parking hardship exceptions aimed at making it simpler to add backyard units even in tricky spots. But Councilmember Karen Schwartz and Mayor Pro Tem Dennis Freundt pushed back hard with no votes. Schwartz floated the idea of scrapping parking rules entirely, arguing it would unlock more affordable housing options without barriers, even if it meant more cars spilling onto the streets. The majority (Mayor Muchovej, Councilmember Kong, and Councilmember Garcia) held firm on keeping some guardrails, warning that total deregulation could turn Bishop’s cozy neighborhoods into chaotic parking free-for-alls. Find the full ordinance on the City of Bishop’s website.

Meghan Fuchs glided through with a unanimous 5-0 nod for her four-year Planning Commission seat. Her standout app—highlighting 25 years in Bishop, family life here, and her role at Home Street Middle School—sealed the deal in a tough field. The rest zipped along: the cross-connection control ordinance (revamping Chapter 13.06 for water safety compliance) cleared without a ripple. The mobile businesses ordinance (adding Chapter 5.34), pulled earlier for extra scrutiny, got hashed out with tweaks to streamline permits for food trucks and vendors while nixing potential hazards—no drama, unanimous approval.

Peeking ahead with Future Agenda Items, Councilmember Schwartz called for diving back into regional air service woes and sniffing out unspent grant cash before it slips away, while Mayor Pro Tem Freundt spotlighted the urgency of fixing up neglected city properties to head off bigger headaches down the line. The next regular City Council meeting is January 26. If you have any questions about this article, you can always contact me; It’s always good to hear from readers. [email protected]