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News Breifs 9/11/09 |
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Friday, 11 September 2009 |
MLPD DUI checkpoint
On Sept. 12, the Mammoth Lakes Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. within the city limits of Mammoth Lakes. This operation is made possible through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety and provides funding for these Checkpoints at various times of the year to reduce drunk driving and apprehend drivers with suspended and/or revoked licenses.
President Obama addresses schoolchildren
President Barack Obama made a nationwide address to the country’s schoolchildren in grades Kindergarten - 12th Grade. In Mammoth, Superintendent Frank Romero made watching the speech an individual classroom option. Obama joins Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush in making televised speeches to school kids.
New preschool planned at old library building on Forest Trail
A new preschool has been approved by the planning commission within the former library building on Forest Trail near Minaret Boulevard. The preschool, which will care for up to 14 children between three and five years of age, will also include a special education program for infants.
“It’s actually a parent co-op,” said Catherine Hiatt of the Mono County Office of Education at the Sept. 9 commission meeting.
Commissioner Elizabeth Tenney asked how potential noise complaints would be handled.
Community Development Director Mark Wardlaw indicated that there is a way to differentiate betwen “happy child noise” - a typical sound associated with child play - and nuisance noise, and that play time could be staggered so that smaller groups of children use the play area at any given time. – CB
Document transfer tax
The Document Transfer Tax is not a major source of revenue for the Town, but can be used as an indicator that measures real estate transactions. The tax is collected by Mono County and is imposed in proportion to the consideration or value of the property or interest conveyed. The Town’s share of the tax is 27.5 cents for every $500 of property value that has changed ownership. The July 2009 Documentary Tax has been received and the $10,303 represents $18,732,727 in real estate value that changed ownership in Mammoth Lakes during July.
Transient Occupancy Tax – July
The majority of July monthly Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) returns have now been received. Quarterly returns will also reflect some July activity, but will not be received until the beginning of November. Therefore, the TOT collections for July will continue to increase, but the final numbers will not change dramatically.
Budget Actual Overage
July ‘09 $662,278 $703,125 $40,847
The $703,125 actual for July 2009 is $23,000 less than last July’s actual, but when all of the final July numbers are in, it will be the second highest July collection of TOT in the Town’s history. The July TOT result now makes the fourth month in a row that the TOT has exceeded the budget.
TOT educational classes
In an effort to further compliance with the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) ordinance, town council approved a limited amnesty from penalties and interest for TOT remitters that participate in a TOT educational class that is jointly presented by Town and County staff.
As a result of the most recent classes and other TOT compliance efforts, there are three new quarterly remitters that have registered, filed and paid over $5,000 in TOT for past reporting periods.
Applications now available for Measure R fall funding cycle
Applications are now available for the 2009 Measure R Fall Funding Cycle. All relevant information regarding the application, including the Tourism and Recreation Commission’s recently adopted “Principles and Priorities” document pertaining to the fall funding cycle, can be found online at: www.visitmammoth.com/measurer. The deadline for submitting completed applications is noon, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009.
All potential applicants are encouraged to schedule appointments with Tourism and Recreation Department staff to review projects and requirements in advance of the application being received by the Town. Contact Danna Stroud, Tourism and Recreation Director at (760) 934-2712 ext. 1259 or Stuart Brown, Recreation Manager at (760) 934-2712 ext. 1210 to schedule an appointment.
Growing visitation down under
Jo Palmer and Tristan Freedman from Gate 7 recently visited Mammoth on a fact finding mission. The company is the official representative for California Tourism in Australia and New Zealand and the Town has entered into a partnership for representation in the Southern Hemisphere with Gate 7. The main push will be to grow winter business utilizing the recently expanded Horizon Air service from LAX with favorable connections on Qantas and Air New Zealand.
Viva Las Vegas
Town sales manager Jamie Lokan traveled to Las Vegas for sales calls with a number of travel receptors, ski clubs and dot com operators. Visits and training were made to Allied T Pro (ATP) representatives, which is one of the largest receptive operators in the world providing hotel product to travel agents and tour operators. During the 2009 summer season they sold about 1,500 room nights in the Town of Mammoth Lakes.
Lokan also met with the contract manager for Hotelbeds.com, another large receptive operator. They expressed interest in picking up more hotel product in Mammoth and are expanding their program to include winter product. They also provide product for Tourico and FlightCentres (travel agents) around the world and are beginning to represent the lodging provided by American Airlines Vacations and JetBlue Vacations.
MHS girls tennis fundraiser at The Bistro
The Mammoth High School Girls Tennis Team will be at Snowcreek Athletic Club for their first match against Bishop on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009 beginning at 4 p.m. After the match join the Mammoth and Bishop girls and their families for a no-host dinner at The Bistro, Snowcreek’s new eatery. Ten percent of the bill will be donated to the Mammoth girl’s tennis team. For more information call (760) 935-4356.
AYSO soccer season begins
Fall soccer season begins on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009 in Mammoth Lakes with the commencement of the Mammoth AYSO season. Visit www.mammothayso.com for game schedules or for more information.
10th Annual Mammoth
College Golf Classic
The Mammoth Lakes Foundation and the students at the Mammoth college campus invite the community to attend the 10th Annual Golf Classic on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009 at Sierra Star.Tournament entry fee includes green fees, lunch, tournament gift, silent auction and hosted cocktail party and award function 4:30 p.m. at Whiskey Creek Restaurant. Call Ken Baer for sponsorship opportunities or to register at (760) 934-3781.
All roads open in Yosemite National Park
All roads into Yosemite National Park, including the Big Oak Flat Road and portions of the Tioga Road (Highway 120) are now open with no restrictions. The Crane Flat Campground and the Tamarack Flat Campground remain closed until further notice. The Bridalveil Creek Campground, originally slated to close Sept. 8, will remain open until Oct. 12 in an effort to accommodate more visitors staying overnight within the park.
Reds Meadow shuttle ends summer service
Scheduled shuttle service to Reds Meadow Valley and Devils Postpile has ended for the 2009 summer season. As of Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, visitors can enter the valley in their vehicle for free until the road closes on Oct. 31 or beforehand due to snowfall.
South Frontage Road ribbon cutting ceremony
The Mammoth Lakes Town Council invites the public for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009 for the South Frontage Road Rehabilitation and Sidewalk Project. Guests are asked to assemble in front of John’s Pizza Works.
Town council special meeting – Sept. 16
A special meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Mammoth Lakes will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009 in Suite Z. The purpose is to discuss issues and options related to Mammoth Crossing/North Village Specific Plan Amendments.
Dual immersion parents host welcome BBQ
Join the MES Dual Immersion parents for the “Back to School” and “Welcome our International Interns BBQ Potluck” 11 a.m. - 2 p..m. Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009 at Shady Rest Park. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 18 September 2009 )
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