Mono County Board briefs
Public hearing to clarify assessment
The Mono County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on Sept. 4 to review assessment appeals board rules prior to adopting a resolution to accept these rules.
The assessment appeals board rules govern the process that is used during the assessment of property taxes. The Assessment Appeals Board has already signed off on the rules, but Supervisor Larry Johnston requested the public hearing in an effort to give the public a chance to weigh in.
June Lake in action
Members of the Keep June Mountain Open Coalition, now calling themselves the June Lake Revitalization Committee, updated the Mono County Board of Supervisors Tuesday regarding the status of June Lake, and the $100,000 in funding recently allocated by the Board.
Committee member Connie Black stated that the group had a productive meeting with the Forest Service, which included a caravan around the Loop to look at potential sites for recreation expansion.
Black also said that the June Lake community had convened for a meeting on Monday evening to set up committees that will be tasked out with different projects. Approximately 37 people attended.
Black also reported that the Committee had spoken with a PR person and outlined potential projects. The contact stated she would charge $65 per hour and estimated it would take about 15-20 hours month to accomplish the community’s goals.
Lastly, Black gave her own plug for air service (see related cover story).
“Negativity for the air service subsidy comes from its relation to Mammoth Mountain because people look at it as if we’re giving a gift to MMSA,” Black said. “As John Urdi stated, we need to educate people and get the word out that it benefits everyone.”
The Mono County Tourism Commission will act as the middleman for funneling the $100,000 between the County and the June Lake Community, and Economic Development Director Dan Lyster stated that the commission had been briefed and was excited by its role.
The Commission also met on Tuesday, and Commission Chair Jimmy Little, in hopes of starting things off on the right foot, said he would like to define the Commission’s role. “If we’re the one’s saying yes, and Mono County Tourism’s name is attached, we need authority over the money,” Little said, not wanting the commission to be just a token name with someone else pulling the strings.
Lyster agreed, stating that, “It will be made clear that all things approved must pass through [the Commission].” He added his take that a single entity in June Lake should be the point person or organization to make spending and billing more expeditious, whether it’s a non-profit or other type of arrangement. Little’s main caveat was that it not be an ad hoc group made up of 2-3 locals who have louder voices than everyone else. “EDD will ultimately be responsible for the money, and we’re not going to spend a dime until ground rules and a plan are developed,” Lyster said.
A meeting was scheduled for Friday, Aug. 24 at 9 a.m. at the June Lake Community Center for the Commission and the Committee (as well as any other interested parties) to convene.
Parks anniversary planning
In 2014, Yosemite will honor its 150th anniversary of the Yosemite Grant Act and the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. In 2015, Yosemite will honor its 125th anniversary as a national park. In 2016, the National Park Service will commemorate its 100th anniversary. Yosemite is a key icon for each of these significant anniversaries.
On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors received a presentation from Kass Hardy who is working with the entire region to host activities, create official merchandise, and to initiate projects. The presentation highlighted the importance of these anniversaries and showcased multiple ways that Mono County and Yosemite’s East Gateway communities, agencies, organizations, and businesses can be a part of these historic events.
