Officials described their support of the non-profit organization called Mammoth Lakes Recreation as part of a continuation of long-discussed recreation issues in Mammoth. This time, many said, they think MLR will actually make better recreation facilities and projects happen. The Town Council voted unanimously to approve a funding scenario for MLR and continue with the transition of current functions into MLR.
MLR Formation Committee Chair, Danna Stroud
Danna Stroud, Chair of the MLR Formation Committee, walked the Town Council through past steps that led up to Mammoth Lakes Recreation and plans to grow outside money sources and leadership for new recreation. She said past meetings concluded that Mammoth could gain more out of dollars, find new dollars and economic development through MLR.
Councilwoman Jo Bacon, who sits on the MLR committee, said the Town Attorney helped them determine how funds in Tax Measures R and U, which is about $1.8 million per year, could be used. She said part of Measure R can be used for the Town to contract with MLR. MLR can recommend uses for funds in Measures R and U. Their priorities would go to the Town Council for final decisions.
Stroud said many more details can be worked out in a contract between the Town and MLR. She said MLR would serve as the “lead on many things and through partnerships with the Town, Forest Service and Non-Governmental Organizations.
Council Candidate Karen Sibert had raised concerns about the MLR bylaws and the possibility of board members to profit. Town Attorney Andy Morris said the bylaws are typical. He did say he could check with the Fair Political Practices Commission on further conflict rules. The Town Council agreed with that and said his answers could also apply to Mammoth Lakes Tourism and Mammoth Lakes Housing.
The idea is to create a permanent Board of Directors in the fall. Meanwhile, the current Formation Committee will act as a Transition Board. MLR will hire an executive director and pay between $90,000 and $110,000 plus benefits. Councilman Matthew Lehman recommended the low end.
Six people commented on moving ahead with MLR. Sandy Hogan suggested transitioning once a contract exists between the Town and MLR. Teri Stehlik of the Recreation Commission favored moving forward. So did John Wentworth, citizen, candidate and CEO of Mammoth Lakes Trails. He said of MLR, “This is innovation writ large in flesh and blood.” Others asked why the Town could not do the work instead of MLR. Pat Agnitch questioned if voters wanted Measure R to pay for administrative costs.
Mayor Rick Wood, who sits on the MLR committee, said it takes time to work through a transition process. He said it took Mammoth Lakes Tourism a year. Wood said the committee is just asking the Town Council to give another push forward.
The Council did just that with a unanimous vote to begin the transition of Measures U and R processes to MLR and to begin negotiations on a contract with the Town.
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hey,i got 12 thumbs up on my last post,im gonna run for mayor,or at least head of town council
Now all of you are bagging on MLR? It’s a little late isn’t it? I have been against this since the inception. When Rick Woods, (AKA King of Mammoth), John Wentworth (I want Mammoth to pay me to live here) and also a Town Council Candidate, and Dana Stroud, (I lost my high paying job and want to invent another one) get together, it’s doesn’t seem to be in the best interest of the people only themselves. Mammoth keeps reinventing self interest people who are feeders off the tax monies designated for specific use. No wonder Mammoth can’t move forward, you’re all caught in the eddy without a life jacket.
Another Mammoth Lakes Rip-off !
Nobody is getting ripped off. They are doing this to themselves willingly. They — the people of Mammoth Lakes — overwhelmingly voted for both Prop R and Meas U. And now they are simply bobbleheading the MLR just like they acquiesce to everything. Remember the airport? Remember the Village built without parking. Remember MLT and TBID? Now they are talking about a PBID for parking and snow removal — which we already have — except for the Village which is owned by billion dollar corporations who want the people of Mammoth Lakes to pay for their parking structure — and the people will. And don’t forget the Downtown Neighborhood Redevelopment Plan. Redevelop Main St. because the businesses along Main St. think they will be better businesses if 203 has a landscaped median.
It just goes on and on without let up.
Don’t forget to order the fireworks, Danna! (hint: 4th of July is on July 4 this year!)
mammoth is skiing and fishing,get back to the basics,treat visitors well and make the sports affordable,they will come
Smells like another Gateway Monument.
This whole MLR thing is just so wrong.
What happens to the jobs of the hard-working Recreation Dept. crew of Stu, John and Steph?
B. Richter
Danna Stroud did say that MLR will not replace the Town Recreation Dept. BK
I agree! I don’t understand the need for it or the need to pay over $100,000 to someone — or maybe even more than one person to do the things that the Rec Dept should be able to do.
9 people are going to sit on the MLR board. I just don’t get it. That’s more than the people in the Rec Dept. And it soaks up money that is supposed to be used for actual rec facilities. Something is out of whack.
Prop R and Meas U bring in almost $2,000,000 a year. Look around town. Do you see millions of dollars of new rec facilities? Is paying 9 more people big salaries going to change that? Are we going to get the equivalent of the stack and pack instant slums that are passed off as “Workforce Housing”
But this seems to be what the “People” want. Strange indeed.
Ken ,
It would be great if you read the material before you go off half cocked.
Only the director is a paid position. Board members are non-paid. I suppose there can be paid staffers however.
I am just stating the facts not what side I am on.
The “Facts” you refer to are about as certain as the notion that Prop R was only going to be used for new rec projects under the supervision of the Rec Committee. And now we have MLR funded by Prop R.
Things change faster than one is able to keep track of. It’s not my fault the political system of this town is in continual flux. The “material” says that TOML and MLR will have a contract. What’s in the contract??? .
The contract has not been crafted yet. BK