theSheetNews.com

A city dog park in Bishop took another paw forward Monday evening, when the City Council unanimously approved a Negative Declaration Environmental Impact, further clearing the way for the City to construct and maintain a dog park with off-leash activity within Bishop City Park.

Inyo County residents have discussed the feasibility of a fenced off- leash site as part of the city park dating back roughly six years. Following the City Council’s approval of the original Dogs in Bishop’s City Park’s Master Plan brought to the Parks and Recreation Commission by Nancy Hardy of Bona Fide Dog Training and Eastern Sierra Dog Rescue, the Bishop Dog Park Committee was formed. A series of public meetings were held to discuss financing for the Dog Park project, and a revised master plan was developed for Bishop City Park itself.

The proposed 49,500 square-foot dog park is located east of the U.S. Forest Service – White Mountain Ranger District office, west of Spruce St., south of Yaney St. and north of Park Ave, situated in what is now open space. A portion of Bishop Creek runs adjacent to the area, but is not currently slated for inclusion in the designated dog park.

Inland-salt grass would be used for ground cover, and non-native grass species may also be planted if extended use of the area shows that inland-salt grass is not providing the ground cover needed. The staff report said it is unknown at this time if that would be needed, since inland-salt grass appears to hold up very well to use by horses and cattle at the Tri-County Fairgrounds.

No cultural or historic sites occur within the park area, but the site has scenic views of both the Sierra Nevada and White Mountain ranges. There are no existing structures on the site but development is expected to lead to construction of at least one shade structure, water fountains and several benches. Waste stations would also be required throughout the Dog Park. Rule signs would be placed at the Dog Park, and entrance and reminder rule signage would be conspicuously placed at strategic points.

The Dog Park would be constructed in phases as funding becomes available. Phase 1 involves approximately 620 feet of exterior fencing, three external gates, at least one water fountain, rule signs, poop bag dispensers and trash cans, trees and irrigation. Upon completion of Phase 1, the Dog Park could be opened for public use, pending final inspection.

Phase 2 is dependent upon additional funding; this development would occur as time and funding permits. On the to-do list: add more benches, shade structure, trees, water fountains a concrete entrance, internal fencing to create small dog and training areas, more ground cover (with vegetation or decomposed granite). Also on the drawing boards: landscaping surrounding the exterior fence, to create a visual barrier both for dogs, as well as cars entering the parking lot. Ongoing improvements might include sod, more shade trees, and permanent canine agility equipment.

Several youth soccer fields and baseball fields occur just east of the Dog Park location, and supporters point to easy access to U.S. 395, which is also Main Street through the city, as being a major amenity for both locals and visitors. The staff report noted that, “The development of a Dog Park would increase the use of this portion of the Bishop City Park, which would mean an increase in traffic and vehicle use,” with morning and evening peak hours anticipated, as well as all-day use on weekends.

More use is expected during the summer and fall months when visitors to the area are at their peak. Winter use might be lower with mostly residents using the Dog Park. These disturbances would not be any different from the use that occurs now within the City Park, only that dogs would be concentrated in one, enclosed, safe area.

Thanks to fundraising activities and private donors, Phase I is fully funded. According to the Blogging Bishop website, the Bishop Dog Park Committee’s next goal is to raise $2,000 for Phase 2 during next month’s Earth Day Event in Bishop’s City Park on Saturday, April 21. Owners and dogs are welcome to tour the area (on-leash until fenced) and join in a costume parade, grooming, wellness checks, raffles and other activities planned.

In other Council news, lawmakers approved a temporary waiving of the city’s hiring freeze. The first waiver allows hiring for a 10-week intern position in the Public Works department, funded out of the water and sewer budgets. The second waiver allows the Community Services Department to hire five part-time seasonal park helpers and 20 aquatics personnel. And finally, Dave Stottlemyre and Susan Cullen were elected Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem of the Council, respectively.

Aron Ralston recounts his life-changing experience to Eastern Sierra audiences (Photo: Kirkner)

Nearly 10 years after the incident that made him famous, Aron Ralston, the man known for amputating his own arm to escape certain death in Blue John Canyon, Utah spoke in Bishop on March 6. Listening to the vivid details of Ralston’s tale of what happened that fateful day in April 2003, one might believe that the experience had happened yesterday.

“Hell isn’t hot and crowded,” Ralston said when describing his situation. “It’s cold and lonely at the bottom of a canyon. I was standing in my own grave.”

Ralston spoke on behalf of the annual Community Reads program. His book, “Between a Rock and a Hard Place” was chosen as this year’s book to read. The Inyo County portion of this year’s Community Reads is winding down. It’s final performance of the two-month long program will be held on March 27 when the public is invited to a showing of Tom Brokaw’s interview with Ralston for NBC. Visit the Inyo County Superintendent of School’s website for the remaining calendar.

Mono County, however, kicked off its Community Reads program with Ralston’s presentation on Tuesday. Check out its website, http://www.monocoe.org/ or call 760.934.0031 for presentations and activities in Mono County.

Prior to Ralston’s presentation to the general public on March 6, he spoke to Inyo County school kids. Approximately 1,000 students, from elementary to high school listened to Ralston’s tale and were able to ask questions. According to Inyo County Superintendent of Schools Terry McAteer, the most popular question was asking Ralston to “take off his arm,” which he graciously did.

At the public presentation, some of the most interesting questions also came from young people. One young man asked if Ralston would have rather lost his leg, while another asked whether he ever thought about getting a hand transplant rather than continuing to use the prosthetic he currently wears and designed himself.

To the first question, Ralston replied that it was a bit of toss up since the different activities he’s involved with require different limbs and not having a leg would present different challenges than those he currently faces. To the second question, he explained that at the time of his accident, hand transplants were not as common as they are now.

“I got used to my image of myself with a prosthetic and didn’t feel a hand transplant was for me,” he said.

Ralston concluded the event with a book signing. People waited in line for over an hour to receive his signature in their tome.

For too many years a chain link fence has remained an eyesore for those who pass by the corner of Yaney St. and Main St. in Bishop. This is the property formerly known as Cottonwood Plaza. Built in 1978, the now vacant shopping center had once been the home of a number of business outlets, offices, retail and restaurant facilities. Today, its classic western themed architecture stands a bit sad and somewhat neglected. But a makeover has begun, inspired by the vision of Ray and Liz Eslamiyeh, committed and enthusiastic property owners in both Mammoth Lakes and Bishop since 2000.

Jim Ellis (Photo courtesy City of Bishop)

On Friday, Feb. 3 at about 5 p.m., Bishop City Councilman Jim Ellis was injured in an accident while out of town. Councilman Ellis was on an annual fishing trip in Arizona with some friends which included Police Chief Chris Carter, Police Sergeant Dan Nolan and several other friends. Ellis was riding in the rear-facing seat of an electric car, and was returning from a short trip to the local market. As the vehicle approached the home where he was staying and began to slow down, Councilman Ellis stepped off the vehicle before it came to a complete stop. Witnesses said that it appeared that he misjudged the speed of the vehicle and lost his footing, causing him to fall and strike his head. Ellis was knocked unconscious by the fall and an ambulance was immediately called. Ellis was transported to the local hospital where it was determined that his injuries were potentially serious and he was transferred by helicopter to Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, Nev. Chief Carter and Sgt. Nolan followed Ellis to Las Vegas and were joined there by his family.

Although Ellis was initially placed in the Intensive Care Unit, his condition quickly improved and he was transferred out of ICU late Sunday evening. Councilman Ellis is currently resting comfortably and his condition continues to improve. Chief Carter said that Councilman Ellis’ family wanted everyone to know that Jim’s prognosis is good and they appreciate everyone’s support. They have asked that we all keep Ellis in our thoughts and prayers during this time of his recovery. Carter added that he and Ellis have been friends for several years and he knows that Ellis is “one tough cookie” and will come through just fine. The family will continue to keep us informed of Ellis’ progress as he prepares to get back to serving the citizens of his community. -Press Release

At 9:45 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 26, Mono County Sheriff’s Department dispatch received a call regarding an unresponsive male in the Mammoth Lakes area.

Kevin James Jarvis, 26, of Bishop, Calif., was found unresponsive and without vital signs at a family members Mammoth Lakes home. Mammoth Lakes Police Department and Mono County Paramedics were dispatched to the residence in Mammoth. When units arrived on scene, it was determined that Jarvis was deceased. Mono County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the scene to begin the coroner’s investigation. The death of Jarvis is currently being investigated by the Mono County Sheriff’s Department. Final cause of death is pending autopsy and toxicological results. -MCSD Press Release

A proposed Radio Controlled (RC) Race Track at Bishop City Park has more than a few residents concerned, and on Monday night they took those concerns to the Bishop City Council in a scheduled public hearing on the issue.

“What is an appropriate use for the Park?” wondered nearby property-owner Daniel Pritchett. “Parks traditionally imply greenery and places to relax in a natural setting. Motorized vehicles are what many people go to parks to get away from.”

Last month the Owensville RC Racing Organization brought a request to the Bishop Parks and Recreation Commission that Bishop’s RC track, currently located at the Fairground, be moved to Bishop City Park. Parks and Rec approved the conceptual idea and forwarded it to City Council, and City Staff completed a Draft Negative Declaration assessing the potential social and environmental impacts of the new RC track.

Previously the Owensville RC Racing Organization built a track and conducted races in the desert off Brockman Lane, but because of liability issues, LADWP (Los Angeles Dept. of Water and Power) asked Owensville to find another location.

According to Interim City Administrator Keith Caldwell, Owensville wished to find a centralized location where children could walk their cars, and where RC competitions might eventually be held. “They have the opportunity to continue at the Fairground if the Park doesn’t come through,” Caldwell said, “or they may look for another location.”

Many of the residents assembled at Monday’s hearing wondered why the Owensville track shouldn’t just stay where it is. Their primary concern: the amount of noise the track would generate in the Park and the surrounding neighborhood. A decibel meter reading of Nitro (fuel) powered RC cars for the Negative Declaration noted that 3 fuel cars are equivalent to a Yamaha dirt bike at 50 feet away, and comparable to the sound of passenger cars and pick-ups driving by down the street.

Residents found these comparisons far from reassuring. “I’ve heard the noise described as something comparable to a leaf-blower,” said Pritchett. “That’s not something I look forward to.”

Resident Debby Parker also noted the possibility that “[Owensville] might be running as many as 5 fuel cars on each of the [2] tracks at once,” which means that the decibel meter reading doesn’t present an accurate idea of the amount of noise that could be generated by the track. She and other residents also noted that, unlike a passing car or a leaf-blower, RC cars would be continuously running around the track for long stretches of time, creating a sustained level of noise.

A proposed berm to block the noise lacked the specifics to satisfy residents. “The concept of the sound absorbability of a berm needs testing,” said Thomas and Jo Heindel in a letter to City staff; “The height was not discussed…. [And] how will the appearance of berms add or detract from the aesthetic of the Park?”

Other concerns: the track’s proximity to the senior center; hours of use; and air pollution from dust kicked up on the track as well as from the gas powered RC vehicles.

Addressing the last concern, Golden State Cycle owner Randy Gillespie noted that the percentage of gas cars raced at the track behind his shop was much lower than electric. “I sell many more electrics because of the ease,” he said. “You just plug it in.”

“I’m interested if there’s a difference in opinion between electric or gas powered cars,” wondered Council Member Jeff Griffiths. Said resident Tim Pomykata in response, “I don’t find that gas power is acceptable at all. I’d be willing to be more open-minded about electric.”

Randy Gillespie’s suggestion: “Treat this like the Adventure Trails ‘pilot program.’ It doesn’t take anything to build. Give it 3 years and time to mature, and let people see what it really is.”

Council Members agreed that, whether or not the RC track might be installed as a pilot program, possibly even with a ban placed on fuel cars, a further assessment needed to be made of the site to address residents’ concerns. “Times change,” said Council Member Jim Ellis; “people’s recreations change. To exclude this group from the Park I don’t think is our job. But to mitigate the effects [of the track] is.”

Staff will conduct a further review of the RC track project based on the challenges brought forward by the public. Given these findings, as well as additional public comment, Council will then choose to accept or deny the proposed project within the next several City Council meetings.

Wanna know where all the snow went … ask this guy. The Grinch and his elf were part of last Satuday’s Bishop Christmas Parade. Both Bishop and Mammoth also held tree lighting ceremonies on Friday. (Photo: Stayden)

Bishop considers rolling into Inyo election cycle

Bishop City Council discussed the possibility of an election consolidation with Inyo County beginning as early as 2012 at Monday night’s City Council meeting on W. Line Street.

The proposed consolidation would eliminate the city’s stand-alone council elections beginning in 2012 or 2014, which would shorten the terms of City Council Members up for reelection in those particular years by four months. Council elections that would normally take place in March of odd years — in this case March 2013 or March 2015 — would now take place at the same time as Inyo and Statewide Primary and General elections in November of even years, in this case November 2012 or 2014.

According to County Clerk-Recorder Kammi Foote, City Council elections and statewide Primary and General elections have been consolidated in the past under special circumstances, such as a vacancy in an unexpired term, or the death of a seated official. What the city is currently proposing is not a special circumstance consolidation, but a consolidation that could last for many years.

Bishop is contemplating the consolidation primarily as a cost-saving measure; the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 election budget is currently $18,450, while the estimated cost for a consolidated election would be only $3,035.

The current election budget goes toward supplies like ballots, envelopes, absentee information and sample ballots, as well as public notices and poll workers. Were Bishop to consolidate with Inyo, Inyo County’s printing and ballot costs would help cover the City’s former costs, drastically reducing the overall cost of the election for Bishop. In turn, Bishop would pay $2,000 (out of the $3,035) to Inyo for consolidated election services.

Ultimately the Inyo County Board of Supervisors will have to approve the consolidation, Foote explained, “unless it’s a burden to the county, and it’s not going to be.” She maintained that consolidating a general municipal election with a statewide election would be cost effective for all parties.

Foote also noted that the consolidation wouldn’t require Inyo to alter its current voting technology. “In larger counties, you could have a situation where adding another contest would be detrimental,” Foote said; “for instance, you would have to purchase more voting machines to accommodate the increased population. But because we’re so small, we already have the equipment to accommodate Bishop voters.”

The change would be a minimal one for Bishop voters as well. Bishop citizens already vote in the Statewide election, so the consolidation would add only the council election to the same Statewide election ballot.

“$15,000 in savings is pretty attractive,” said Council Member Jeff Griffiths. Added Mayor Pro-Tem David Stottlemyre, “If we are looking to save some money in our budget, we certainly have to consider this.”

City Attorney Peter Tracy explained to Council Members that the most savings would come from a 2012 consolidation, because four seats would be up for reelection rather than two in 2014, but noted that the timeline for consolidating in 2012 couldn’t afford any delays.

“I think it can be done,” he said, “but the safer course in our opinion is 2014.”

Whether a consolidation would be in effect for the sooner 2012 or later 2014 ballot is uncertain, but the election consolidation discussion will continue in a public hearing at the next Town Council meeting on Dec. 12. Staff is also currently drafting an ordinance. Final authorization would need to be granted by the Board of Supervisors.

The Sierra Conservation Project and Bishop Waste Disposal are expanding recycling services in Bishop into a collaborative effort known as “The Black and Blue Make Green” program.

“Recycling is at the core of a company’s goal of sustainability and it’s the core of our commitment to diverting material away from the landfill,” commented Patrick Fenton, Bishop Waste Disposal Manager.

The growth of SCP’s residential and commercial recycling programs in Inyo County has been strong over the past five years. By partnering with Bishop Waste Disposal, the two companies will be able to expand upon the existing recycling services available, while at the same time discounting rates on those services. Bishop Waste Disposal will begin servicing some of SCP’s residential recycling routes beginning Dec. 1 in order to maximize efficiency though the use of their larger automated trucks. In addition, SCP and BWD have made improvements and added equipment at SCP’s existing recycling facility located at the Bishop Sunland Landfill.

One of the most exciting improvements to recycling services will be the addition of large scale commercial cardboard recycling available for businesses wishing to recycle their cardboard materials.

Bishop residents can now enjoy Bishop Waste Disposal’s black trash cart along with SCP’s blue recycling cart and service for one low price of $29.99 per month. Sign up for service by visiting www.recyclesierra.com or calling 760.872.6561.