WEST LINE WATER MAIN PROJECT APPROVED, INTERFUND LOAN OK’D & UTILITY ASSISTANCE EXPANDED (Tyler’s City Briefing: March 23, 2026)

​BISHOP, California. –

​The Bishop City Council convened Monday evening, March 23, 2026, for a session focused on water infrastructure upgrades, internal city financing, and expanding help for residents on utility bills. Mayor Stephen Muchovej was absent, so Mayor Pro Tem Dennis Freundt led the meeting. I was out of town for the last City Council meeting, so I couldn’t cover it the way I wanted to. Back in the saddle for this one; I watched today’s council meeting remotely due to a conflict in schedule.

​The meeting opened with the Call to Order at 6:00 p.m. followed by the Moment of Silence. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Pro Tem Dennis Freundt. Roll Call was taken. No public comment to note this evening.

​Presentations and Department Reports

​Caltrans District 9 Acting Chief PIO Monique TeSam provided an update on the ongoing Bishop Pavement Project along U.S. 395 and State Route 168 (West Line Street), including current sidewalk rehabilitation, drainage work, and curb/gutter improvements between Willow Street and Line Street. She noted recent shifts in construction zones, temporary closures of certain turn pockets (including the right-turn from E. Line Street onto U.S. 395 and left-turn from W. Line Street), and ongoing bridge work over Bishop Creek. The presentation highlighted how the City’s water main replacement project is perfectly timed to go in before Caltrans’ full pavement rehabilitation and restriping later this year — avoiding the need to cut into fresh asphalt. Funding includes millions from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (IIJA) and SB 1, with work continuing through 2026 and drivers advised to expect periodic delays and reduced speeds in active zones.

​Executive Director Tawni Thomson shared a report covered relocation progress, recent projects and events including the Pacific Coast Sportfishing Show in Costa Mesa, LA Travel & Adventure Show, Visit California Outlook Conference, Blake Jones Trout Derby, and Bay Area Travel & Adventure Show. Upcoming items include a networking mixer and open house at Blue Heron Farm on April 9, Denver Travel & Adventure Show on April 11-12, and US Travel Association IPW Conference on May 17-21. Current marketing content focuses on spring activities, wildflowers and fishing, rest and relaxation, Mule Days and other events, flights to Bishop, and golden mussel prevention. Travel industry concerns include continued decrease in international visitation, high fuel prices, economic uncertainty, and traveler safety. Lodging metrics showed February occupancy for Bishop hotels at 64% (4.23% higher than last year) with ADR at $148 (6% higher than last year). March occupancy is similar to last year and ADR is slightly higher.

​The department heads gave solid reports. Fire Chief Bret Russell shared news about recent fire training. Police Chief Nate Derr talked about his recent trip to Sacramento with Public Administrator Pam Foster and Councilmember Jose Garcia to explore grants and resources to help the city thrive. City Administrator Pam Foster also highlighted what she learned on the Sacramento trip and other items she’s been handling.

​Consent Calendar

​All matters under the Consent Calendar were considered routine and acted on by one motion. They passed 4-0. This included the February 2026 Budget Report and February 2026 Financial Reports (bank reconciliation, combined cash report, investment portfolio report, and warrant register report).

​Also approved under consent was Task Order Amendment 3 for the West Line Water Main Replacement Project with Wood Rodgers. Task Order 23-TO-03 was originally issued October 23, 2023 for engineering design services. This third amendment adds two construction support tasks as the project moves into construction: Construction Surveying by subconsultant Eastern Sierra Land Surveying (ESLS) — locating and verifying survey control, staking the water main line at 50’ O.C., critical points, and lateral locations on the main line (assumptions include traffic control by others, no layout of isolation valves along Line Street, only one set of stakes, max four trips to the site). And Materials Testing & Inspection by subconsultant Sierra Geotechnical Services (SGS) — field compaction testing for placed fill, trench backfill, aggregate base and asphalt; concrete sampling, testing and observation; material sampling and testing for aggregate base and plant mix bituminous pavement; submitting test results to the City. The amendment totals $62,000 ($15,500 for surveying + $46,500 for testing/inspection), increasing the total not-to-exceed amount of the task order to $225,100, with a budget adjustment in Water Fund capital expense account 004-050-56027. These are standard services for public works projects to provide independent verification that materials and installation meet specs.

​New Business 10.A – Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 13 of the Bishop Municipal Code Relating to the Utility Assistance Program

​Council gave first reading and introduction of the ordinance by title only on a 4-0 vote. The ordinance amends Title 13 to convert the current Low-Income Senior Citizen Rate Reduction Program (for water and sewer service charges) into a broader general low-income utility assistance program. Under the existing code, eligibility was limited to households occupied by a person 65 or older whose household income did not exceed the “very low income” threshold set by HUD for Inyo County. Qualifying applicants had to receive a bill directly from the City and apply to the Finance Director on City forms (under penalty of perjury), with a fixed 25% reduction.

​The new ordinance removes the senior-only age requirement. It will now be available to any qualifying applicant who uses water or sewer services at their personal residence and meets eligibility requirements for the City’s utility assistance program as established by future City Council resolution. Applications remain on City forms supplied under penalty of perjury, filed with the Finance Director. The specific discount amount and program structure are removed from the Municipal Code; instead, the Council will set all parameters (eligibility details, discount level, verification methods, etc.) by resolution for greater flexibility to adjust over time without code changes. The Finance Director may still adopt rules and regulations as needed. It will return for second reading and adoption at a future meeting. Staff plans to bring back a separate resolution establishing the program details at that time.

​New Business 10.B – Award of Construction Contract, Approval of Interfund Loan, and Budget Adjustment for the West Line Street Water Main Project (Contract No. 26-PW-01)

​Council approved the award of the construction contract to DG Construction, Inc. in the amount of $2,313,710. There were four bids received on the project. An owner-controlled construction contingency of $115,685 was authorized, bringing the total project authorization to $2,429,395. Related budget adjustments to the Water Fund capital expense account were also approved.

​The project replaces aging steel water main along West Line Street (State Route 168) between Home Street and Main Street (US 395), which has reached the end of its service life. It includes installation of new isolation valves between Well 4 and Northern Inyo Hospital — giving the City the ability to isolate sections of the system for maintenance or emergencies while maintaining continuous service to the hospital, something that does not currently exist. New water meters will be installed along the corridor as a pilot program to evaluate different brands and software platforms prior to any potential citywide meter replacement, allowing staff to assess performance, reliability, and data management capabilities. These upgrades should pay dividends for our community long term.

​The project is being constructed to coordinate with Caltrans’ planned roadway repaving later this year, protecting the new infrastructure beneath the road and avoiding future disturbance of fresh pavement. The Water Fund contributes $1,000,000 from available cash reserves toward the total cost. The remaining $1,429,395 is financed through an interfund loan from the General Fund to the Water Fund, also approved in this item. Loan details: Principal not to exceed $1,429,395, 5-year term, 3.375% simple annual interest on the outstanding balance. Equal annual payments of $315,464.46, first payment due one year after disbursement. Full amortization schedule shows a total repayment of $1,577,322.31 (including $147,927.31 in interest), with the loan paid off in five years. Staff noted internal financing is appropriate due to project timing, sufficient General Fund resources, minimizing overall borrowing costs, and keeping interest earnings within the City. Repayment will be from Water Fund revenues consistent with cost-of-service principles.

​Future Agenda Items, Committee Reports & Closing

​All four council members present didn’t have any future agenda items to share. The open session meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m. and the Council then went into a closed session meeting for potential litigation. Tonight’s City Council meeting was straightforward, with significant impacts on the water system. West Line Street construction will have some temporary impacts, but the upgrades should deliver more reliable water service. The next regular meeting is on Monday, April 13, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. There is also a Parks & Recreation Commission meeting to discuss the Bishop Park Master Plan and to hold a workshop on March 25, 2026 at 6:00pm. I suggest anyone who wants a say in our City Park and its future should attend that meeting.

​What do you think about expanding the utility assistance program to all qualifying low-income residents or using General Fund money for the water main project via the interfund loan? Drop your thoughts in the comments or reach out to me directly. As always, full agenda packets, reports, resolutions, and video (if archived) are available via the City of Bishop website or the Granicus portal. Thank you for reading, and if you have any comments, feel free to email me as always: [email protected]