Tag Archives: City of Bishop

Local News

BISHOP CREEK TRANSIT

ESTA SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON POSSIBLE BISHOP CREEK ROUTE

By Seth Conners
EASTERN SIERRA TRANSIT
BISHOP CREEK SHUTTLE STAKEHOLDER MEETING
Friday, January 27, 2017 – 10:00am
City of Bishop Executive Conference Room
377 West Line Street, Bishop, CA

The Bishop Creek area represents one of the key recreation destinations for residents and visitors in Inyo County. Given the area’s popularity, Eastern Sierra Transit’s Short Range Transit Plan analyzed and recommended the possibility of providing summer seasonal service along Bishop Creek.

Eastern Sierra Transit Authority is seeking stakeholder input on the possibility of a shuttle service between Bishop and the Bishop Creek area. A stakeholder meeting will be held on Friday, January 27, 2017, 10:00am at the City of Bishop Executive Conference Room (377 West Line Street, Bishop, CA). Anyone with interest in the expansion of public transit is the Bishop Creek area is invited to attend. Comment will also be accepted by email: jbatchelder@estransit.com or by calling 760-872-1901 ext. 11.

Local News

Dedication set for Dick Noles Memorial

Dedication set for Bishop City Park Water Feature

June 3, 2016

The water feature at the Bishop City Park will be dedicated to the late Dick Noles on Saturday, June 18th.  The ceremony will begin at 10am and all are invited to gather and pay tribute to Dick Noles.  The water feature is located on the north side of the Park Pond.

noles park
City Park Water Feature during construction. Photo by Arnie Palu

Noles was a very active member of the community working on various projects including the adventure trails system, the clearing of local ponds, and installing handicap ramps.  Noles passed away on November 4th.   Dick is survived by his wife of 63 years, Pat, two sons, Rick and wife Bonnie of Lee Vining and David and Jeannie of Bishop, five grandchildren, Pete Noles, Garrett Noles, Kari Face and husband Dan, Kristin Noles, Kristi Houston and husband Will. Dick also has 4 great grandchildren, Cameron, Corbin, Riley and Aiden.

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Local News

State Relaxes Water Restrictions

California removes water reduction requirement

May 25, 2016
submitted by the City of Bishop Public Works Department

The State of California has removed the requirement that City of Bishop water users reduce water use by 25%. While it removed this primary water conservation requirement, the state left other requirements in place. The state had implemented water conservation requirements last year in response to the drought. The state is relaxing some requirements due to more precipitation last winter.

To meet the 25% requirement, Bishop had limited watering to only between 5 pm and 9 am. Since the state has eliminated the 25% requirement and since City of Bishop water sources are relatively unaffected by the drought, City of Bishop water users are free to
water at any time during the day. Watering during cooler times would still be suggested because watering during those times is more efficient and probably better for your plants.
The state left the following water conservation requirements in place:

No outdoor irrigation such that water runs off irrigated area.

No outdoor irrigation during and within 48 hours after precipitation

No washing vehicles unless hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle

No washing driveways, sidewalks, and parking areas

No decorative water features unless there is recirculation

Landscaping for new homes must follow state requirements

The city has a standing water conservation incentive program available to help its water customers save water. The program provides free hose nozzles, hose timers, and irrigation system timers and provides rebates for some sprinkler systems and water conserving appliances. The incentives are available only to water customers of the City of Bishop and are limited to one per customer account. Also, quantities of the free items are limited.

Also remember that landscaping needs less water now than in the heat of the summer. Tailor your watering to the needs of the plants and lawn to avoid over-watering. Saving water saves money, reduces water rates, protects groundwater, and is the right thing to do. Contact the City of Bishop Department of Public Works at  873-8458 for more information on water conservation and the City’s water system.

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Local News

Garden Time!

Bishop Community Garden plots Available

April 14, 2016

The Bishop Community Garden has gardening plots available for the 2016 growing season. The cost to rent a 10′ X 15′ patch of soil with water is $35 for one year. This is a UCCE Inyo & Mono Master Garden project in its sixth year. Master Gardeners will help you learn best growing practices. The garden is located in the back of the Bishop City Park behind Sterling Heights.

Contact Margaret Phelps at 760-872-6608 or email maggieme37@aol.com.

Cover photo from the Inyo Mono Master Gardeners.  For More information visit their website, http://ucanr.edu/sites/mginyomono/Local_Food_Resources/Community_Gardens/

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Local News

Bishop PD arrests 2

Bishop Police Make Arrests

April 1, 2016
submitted by Jessica Scida, Public Information Officer

On Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at approximately 6:30 PM units from the Bishop Police Department conducted a probation search at a residence located in the 300 block of Clark Street.

At the residence, Bishop Police Officers made contact with Alberto Verdugo Flores, a 32 year old Bishop resident. During search of the residence, officers located a large amount of stolen property connected to a series of burglaries in the Bishop area. As a result of the investigation, Flores was placed under arrest and transported to the Inyo County Jail on the following charges: Penal Code Section 496(a) – Possession of Stolen Property over $900.00; Penal Code Section 1203.2 – Violation of Probation; and Health and Safety Code Section 11377(a) – Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Bishop Police Officers also contacted Kevin Douglas Elliott, a 26 year old Big Pine resident inside the house. Elliott was found to be in possession of approximately a half ounce of methamphetamine. Elliott was placed under arrest and transported to the Inyo County Jail on the following charges: Health and Safety Code Section 11378 – Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sales; Health and Safety Code Section 11364 – Possession of Controlled Substance Paraphernalia.

The investigation is continuing at this time, and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Bishop Police Department at (760) 873-5866.

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Local News

City of Bishop adding 2 park restrooms

Bishop City Park and Talmage Park getting restrooms

Submitted by the City Of Bishop
February 29, 2016
Bishop Restroom Construction Started Construction of two new public restrooms began last week in the City of Bishop and is
expected to continue into the summer.
A new two-user restroom is being constructed in the back of Talmage Park on Academy Avenue at Main Street and a new six-user rest room is being constructed in the back of the City Park near the Senior Center. The new restrooms are to address the need for new restrooms in these two park areas. Construction is expected to start with underground work and building pads for the new restrooms. Underground and building pad work -also known as “site work” – has started at the City Park location and is expected to be complete there in early March. Site work at the Talmage Park location is expected to follow and last until late March. Following the completion of the site work, there will be a break in construction for a few months until the prefabricated restroom buildings are delivered in June or July.
The contractor on the $360,000 project is Doug Clair, Incorporated, of Bishop. The project is funded by the City of Bishop. Equipment, workers, excavations in the street, uneven pavement, and other hidden hazards require attention, even when work is not underway. At times parking will be restricted. The contractor normally works 7
am to 4 pm Monday through Friday. Drivers, riders, and pedestrians should be cautious, take alternate routes, and be patient.
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Community News, Sports

Bishop Youth Wrestling Program

City of Bishop launching Youth Wrestling Program

submitted by the City of Bishop
February 25, 2016

The City of Bishop is excited to team up with Coach Ken Dutton for a Co-ed Youth Wrestling Program. This program is geared for children in Kindergarten through the 8th grades. Classes will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the High School Wrestling room from 5:30 – 6:30 beginning on March 8th until May 5th.   The High School Wrestling room is located in the southwestern corner of John Schwab football field.

Cost for each child for this 16 class program is $50. A mandatory parent meeting is scheduled for March 7th, registration by this date is highly suggested as space is limited. Registration forms are available now at City Hall.

For more information or questions you can contact Karey at City of Bishop Community Services at 760-873-5863.

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Local News

Kingston looking to Downsize, Relocate Bishop Nursery

Bishop Nursery will stay open through this season

By Arnie Palu

Bob Kingston is moving forward with a housing subdivision on the property that currently houses Bishop Nursery while also actively looking for a space to relocate the business.  Kingston has owned the Bishop Nursery since the late 1990’s and says he is looking for a win/win situation for the community by providing much needed housing and keeping the popular Bishop Nursery in business.

The 15 lot Kingston Subdivision is working its way through the City of Bishop permitting process.  Kingston says the plan is to begin building shortly after the tentative tract map is approved, stressing that splitting the 2.75 acre parcel into 15 lots makes financial sense.  Local Realtor Jake Rasmuson says that as currently designed the Kingston Subdivision is consistent with the surrounding neighborhoods densities.  Kingston says the aim is to build a “small, well built, well designed community”.

Developing the subdivision on Home Street requires the demolition of the existing Bishop Nursery Building.  On Tuesday Kingston stressed his commitment to keeping the Bishop Nursery open at its current location through this season.   Kingston indicated he is currently looking for a space to relocate the nursery business that supports approximately 30 employees during their peak season.

nursery
Bob Kingston and Liz Merrill. photo by Arnie Palu
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Local News

City of Bishop Solar Project

Bishop Solar Construction Starts Soon

Construction of the City of Bishop’s solar project is expected to start this week with the first material arriving at the project’s three work
sites. The $600,000 project will add solar arrays at two city well sites and at the city sewage treatment plant. These arrays
will provide most of the power used by the wells and sewage plant, will save the city about $60,000 per year in electricity costs, and will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 470,000 pounds per year.
One 5,000 square foot solar array will be constructed at the city’s Well 2 site near the Tri-county Fairgrounds, one 11,000 square foot solar array will be constructed at the city’s Well 4 site on West Line Street near Mumy Lane, and two arrays with a combined area of about 12,500 square feet will be constructed at the sewage treatment plant about 1/2 mile east of the Bishop Creek Canal.
Construction is expected to start this week and continue into January. At the waste-water treatment plant east of Bishop and at
Well 2 near the fairgrounds, construction will include driving posts into the ground to mount the solar panels. Sound from driving the
posts will probably be heard outside of these sites and is expected between 7 am and 7 pm workdays. Post driving is expected to last 1 or 2 weeks.
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Community News

Bishop Trunk or Treat

City of Bishop Trunk or Treat

The City of Bishop is hosting their annual Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 16th.  The event at the Bishop City Park will run from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

fall2010.2 094
Trunk or Treaters. Photo provided by the City of Bishop

Vehicle or booth registration is free.  Booth and vehicle judging will be held at 5:45pm with Western Nevada Supply donating a BBQ.  There will be a children’s costume contest for youngsters up to the age of 10.  Bishop Youth Football and Cheerleading will have a concession stand on site.

For more information contact Karey Poole at Bishop City Hall.  760-873-5863.

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Local News

Special Bishop City Council Meeting Called

Bishop City Council Meeting Tuesday

The Bishop City Council will meet Tuesday, October 6th at 11am.  The Special Meeting has been called to allow the Council to take three action items into consideration.

The agenda for the special meting includes action to approve a interim police chief agreement recently retired, former Chief Chris Carter.  Carter’s final day with the Bishop Police department was Wednesday, September 30th.  The short term interim police Chief agreement would pay Carter $54.52 per hour.  If approved, Carter would serve as interim chief for 30 days.

The second action item would approve a services agreement with Ralph Andersen and Associates for the recruitment of a Chief of Police.  If approved, the agreement would pay the recruitment firm no more than $26,000.

The third and final action item is a services agreement with a firm to investigate the claims of a September 16th “Letter of No Confidence” in then Chief of Police Chris Carter.  The letter signed by 7 members of the Bishop Police Department was addressed to the City Council and local media.  That letter included accusations against City Administrator Jim Tatum and Joe Pecsi and numerous claims against Chief Carter.  Those claims include misconduct, violation of established policies, and conflict of interest.   If approved by the city council Tuesday, the contact with Norman Traub Associates of Yorba Linda would pay the investigator $200 per hour plus expenses.  The City Council agenda indicates the cost of the investigation will be paid through the City’s general fund.

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Local News

Carter named Interim Chief

City of Bishop names Carter Interim Chief

City officials announce Chris Carter Short Term Interim Chief of Police and address the “letter of no confidence” issued September 16th.  A statement released by the city today also confirms that they are  in the process of soliciting an independent, outside investigator to investigate the accusations included in the letter.

CITY OF BISHOP STATEMENT

The City of Bishop has secured the services of the executive search firm, Ralph Andersen and Associates, to facilitate the hiring of a new Chief of Police. It is anticipated the hiring process will take 4-5 months and include a thorough background investigation. The vacancy is a product of the September 30, 2015 retirement of Chief Chris Carter. He will be ending a 31 year career in law enforcement, the final five years as the Chief of Police. Carter has agreed to return to the Bishop Police Department as a short term interim Chief under the classification of retired annuitant. The term of the contract will be for a period not to exceed 30 days and provide the City adequate time to identify a long term interim Chief, fulfilling the balance of the anticipated 4-5 month recruitment process.

Additionally, at the request of Chief Carter, the City Administrator and the City Council, the City of Bishop is in the process of soliciting an independent, outside investigator to investigate the accusations included in a letter regarding Chief of Police Chris Carter dated September 16, 2015. The letter was addressed to the Bishop City Council and numerous local media sources and was signed by seven members of the Bishop Police Department acting as individuals, independent of the Bishop Police Officers Association. It also included accusations against the City Administrator and a member of the City Council. Accusations to be included in the investigation will include, but not be limited to, misconduct, violation of established policies, conflict of interest, compliance with a formally negotiated MOU, misuse of government resources and violations of the Police Officers Bill of Rights (POBAR). Upon completion, any and all information resulting from the investigation and not subject to rules of confidentiality will be made available to the public.

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