PARK PLACE MAY ADVANCE TO GO
On Tuesday, March 19, Assistant Mono County Counsel Christopher Beck appeared before the Mono County Board of Supervisors to provide updates on “The Project”—a Safe Long-term Parking Site in Mammoth Lakes. The project will be a cooperative venture between Mono County, the Town of Mammoth Lakes, and Mammoth Mountain Ski Area (MMSA).
The designated property for the program will be located at 1311 Substation Road in Mammoth, and will total approximately 3.35 acres. The site, which previously housed the substation, has been used by Mammoth Dog Teams since 2003—that lease expired December 31, 2023. According to the meeting’s materials, “It is anticipated, and the plan includes, to allow the dog sled operation to continue to operate on the property on or near the northern .35 acres of the property.”
Beck emphasized that The Project’s lease agreement is still firmly in its conceptual phase, but as of now, it will operate a “pilot program,” offering up 20 spaces for long-term parking. Of those, 15 will be designated for MMSA to house their staff. The remaining 5 parking spaces will be available to Mono County residents.
“This is exciting, and long overdue,” said District 1 Supervisor, Jennifer Kreitz. “I never thought I’d see the day where it would come to fruition because it’s had some pretty negative air around the concept for so long.
In her inquiry about partnerships, Kreitz raised questions regarding the project’s inclusivity, beyond the three entities currently included in the project’s oversight (the Town, County, and MMSA). Kreitz advocated for a broader scope of engagement, suggesting involvement from entities such as Eastern Sierra Community Housing and the California Continuums of Care, both of which deal directly with the Coordinated Entry System to gather data on those living out of their vehicles and the status of their employment.
Rhonda Duggan, Supervisor for District 2, echoed Kreitz’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of clarity on The Project’s operational logistics. Duggan’s inquiries delved into the delineation of responsibilities among stakeholders and the mitigation of potential hazards on the property. She underscored the need for enforcement and security measures to uphold safety standards.
Paul Roten, Mono County Public Works Director, assured Duggan that, while a security outfit has yet to be officially determined, The Project has “been in talks” with the current operator of the dog sled operation, who has managed security at the location for over 10 years.
“We are planning that [he] will stay on a portion of the site … and continue those efforts, as he has historically,” said Roten.
District 4 Supervisor, John Peters, though vocally in support of the project, sought clarification regarding the County’s indemnity and insurance converage upon involvement with The Project.
“The lease will include both indemnity language—which is really, relatively standard—as well as insurance requirements” assured Beck. “We will also require indemnity for the third party recipient—that being the Mountain to the Town. So ostensively, there [will be] two layers of indemnity separating the County.”
Still, emphasized Beck, “the lease isn’t complete yet.”
District 5 Supervisor, Lynda Salcido, then followed up with questions regarding access to basic amenities on the site.
“There is no potable water on the [site], correct?” asked Salcido.
Roten acknowledged the presence of a well on site, but noted that the water had been deemed non-potable due to elevated arsenic levels. He also mentioned the existence of a leach field under a long-term lease with LADWP on a parcel in close proximity, across from South Landing Road.
According to the Public Works Director, while the arsenic levels were relatively low compared to other areas in the county, filtration would be necessary to render the water potable, and acknowledged the potential expenses associated with making the water source potable, which would fall on the county. Still, Roten expressed confidence in alternative options, suggesting that The Project could choose to bring in water for self-contained toilets, showers, and drinking water instead of investing in filtration efforts to make the existing water source immediately potable.
As with all aspects of the safe parking program—the first of its kind in Mono County—the attitude is one of “learn as you go.’
“The pilot program will be a trial effort,” said Roten. “We’re not just going to walk away and close our eyes.”
