The Bishop City Council made quick work of their agenda Monday, wrapping up the meeting in 40 minutes, including the prayer and the pledge.

The big item on the agenda was the $100,000 loan to keep the Eastern Sierra Transit Authority afloat. Facing state budget cuts, ESTA asked the Inyo and Mono Supervisors, along with the Mammoth Town Council and the Bishop City Council for $325,000 in loans to keep the buses running.

The Inyo Supervisors have not decided whether or not to chip in a portion of the loans, but the Mono Board and the Mammoth Council have approved a share of the money. The Bishop City Council approved up to $100,000 in loans, which could go down if the Inyo Supervisors decide to chip in as well.

City Administrator Rick Pucci explained that the money was a loan to ESTA with interest charged. Councilmember Bruce Dishion was not at the meeting. The loan passed 4-0.

The council also decided to move ahead with plans for remodel work on the auditorium at City Hall. Councilmember Jeff Griffiths explained that this remodel work would be a stopgap, measure in the short term until the city can build a community center in the city park in the long term.

On a separate matter, rather then seize property through the government power of eminent domain, the city approved a contract to buy sewer and drainage easement from a homeowner on Third Street to make way for another street improvement project. The price tag for the pipes was $18,000.

Discover more from Sierra Wave: Eastern Sierra News

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading