Council briefs

One look at the new Mammoth Lakes logo inspired Sheet staffers to run off to Vons looking for Klondike bars. Maybe branding does work!

The Town of Mammoth Lakes has a new logo, thanks to the Herculean efforts of Mammoth Lakes Tourism (MLT). The branding process of Mammoth Mountain and the Town of Mammoth Lakes began in 2007, and while MMSA quickly developed and implemented its new logo, the Town had yet to follow through on its end. Executive Director of MLT, John Urdi presented the new logo to the Town Council on Wednesday night and asked for $36,000 to swap out the old logo all over town with the new. Signs, Town cars, etc. must be changed to reflect the new look. The new logo is suppose to tie in enough with MMSA to show a connection but differ enough to allow the Town to stand on its own.

Urdi’s urgency (new word: Urdgency) to move the logo forward was somewhat spurred by the reaction from his friends last year when he told them he was moving to Mammoth Lakes.

“They all asked me how far that was from Mammoth,” Urdi said.

Council approved the expenditure with a 4-1 vote. Mayor Pro Tem Jo Bacon voted no.

After one final tweak, Council officially approved Dave Wilbrecht’s contract as the new Town Manager. It also approved a legal memorandum from Town Attorney Andrew Morris regarding what could and could not be done regarding TOT collection and enforcement issues. The entire TOT collection enforcement package will come before Council for review on June 1, coincidentally the same day Wilbrecht starts work.

During public comment local contractors asked for a suspension or complete elimination of Development Impact Fees at this time in order to help stimulate the building industry. Architect Craig Tapley explained that DIF was scaring people off from building or remodeling. He pointed out that Bishop doesn’t charge DIF, to which Councilman John Eastman retorted, “Bishop has a redevelopment agency that helps fund improvements.” Since Mammoth did not approve redevelopment years ago, DIF is one of its limited “revenue enhancing” options. Even though Council did reduce DIF by 50 percent two years ago, Councilman Lehman asked that the item be agendized in order for Council to review it.

After much discussion, Council accepted an application from Mammoth View for a Development Agreement. Accepting the application means that now the Town can begin to negotiate potential terms of a DA with Mammoth View, including capped fees and DIF waivers. Councilmembers are understandably wary of the D.A. process  (Hot Creek, anyone?)

“We don’t want to let staff drive the negotiations,” said Councilman Rick Wood. “I don’t want to have to choose between lousy alternatives or ones that haven’t been fully vetted.”