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Malaise notwithstanding, keep heads up, tighten belt |
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Thursday, 26 June 2008 |
tighten belt
Town Council spends 6.5 hours on budget, economy
By Diane Eagle
Mammoth Times Editor
 The footprint of Snowcreek VIII, looking from Old Mammoth Road. Mammoth Town Council approved the master plan.MAMMOTH TIMES PHOTO/SUSAN MORNING
Council members balked at a 93 percent TOT trendline, choosing instead a slightly more conservative figure of 92 percent – a difference of $125,000. Mayor Skip Harvey: “It’s time to tighten our belt as much as we can.”
Following a pessimistic discussion of Mammoth’s circumstances – high gas prices, flatlined construction, Village issues, real estate market and low consumer confidence – Danna Stroud came to the podium to cast an optimistic light on the situation.
Based on outcomes of a travel conference the Tourism and Recreation department head attended recently in Palm Springs, Stroud said the travel industry calls this time a “malaise,” or a feeling of general discomfort, uneasiness, which “tourist-based economies will withstand.”
And Mammoth, Stroud said, is a tourist-based economy, one that is “just one tank away from Los Angeles.” The one-tank-away message is part of the town’s marketing effort to bring people to Mammoth. Not only is travel still a priority in California, current gas prices increase the cost of a road trip $30, not a deterrent, Stroud said. “People are taking shorter trips, staying closer to their backyard.”
Stroud also learned at the conference that because of the favorable international exchange rate, we can expect an influx of visitors from China, Germany and Europe. And with air service on the horizon, the town can project bringing 90 percent new passengers with at least $250 to spend each day of their stay.
Animal Planet was due in town the following day to scope out a program about Mammoth and “Bear Whisperer” Steve Searles, which, Stroud said, will bring notice to Mammoth.
On the agenda of this two-hour workshop were budget items for the Chamber of Commerce, High Sierra Energy Foundation, Bear with Us and Jazz Jubilee. Although the Chamber asked for $50,000, it was allocated $25,000, a $10,000 increase over last year. The Energy Foundation also received approval of $25,000.
Bear With Us, the wildlife management group formed by the community, was funded for $15,000, a cause for applause from the audience. Organizers of the Community Wildlife Program put together a budget, business plan, an application for nonprofit status, and have hired Steve Searles as their wildlife specialist.
“I support this, let’s get you funded tonight,” said councilman John Eastman. “We said if you came up with a workable plan, we agreed to support. Let’s take the money out of council’s discretionary fund.”
Turning green
The Mammoth town council’s regular bi-weekly meeting followed the budget workshop. It began on a green note, with a presentation by Mammoth High School seniors and a request to ban plastic bags, joining 12 U.S. cities that have laws banning plastic bags. Environmental Specialist Lisa Isaacs asked council for a policy action on the bags as the first action of the new council.
Christy Rowley, co-owner of Tonik, stood to speak plaintively before council. “I’ve been in business since 1997, owned and operated Tonik for 8-9 years. It’s a disaster situation. Four MMSA stores closed. Color Me Mine and Munchkins closed. We’re leaving the Village; CNL/Intrawest refused to negotiate leases at $500 a square foot; the tenants want to pay and are willing to pay fair and reasonable rents. Let the community know the current state. It’s been a struggle since day one with parking and no hopes for permanent parking. The success or lack of success at the Village affects the whole community.”
According to Eastman, big landlords buy malls and increase the rents, receiving tax write offs whether rent is being paid or not.
The majority of the meeting centered on town staff’s proposal to fund the Community Development Department by raising building and construction fees. See story on page 4.
When it came time to look at giving the green light to the Snowcreek VIII master plan, town staff brought forth a bevy of details that they considered impediments to approval.
“This is the second most valuable property in Mammoth (after Mammoth Mountain) and our last chance for a landmark project,” said Planning Commission vice chair Elizabeth Tenney. “I urge you strongly to approve.”
Town Council voted 4 to 1 to accept option 2, approving the Snowcreek Neighborhood District Plan Framework, as recommended by the Planning Commission.
Miscellany
∑ “We’ve got bridge…the Tallus bridge is in,” said mayor Skip Harvey.
∑ Councilman Kirk Stapp said the council needs to look at meeting the town’s needs for housing, which are for above-average median income earners.
∑ Traffic calming presentation
∑ Altis option 1 was approved, which approves the zoning amendment and allows applicant to proceed with the project approved by Planning Commission and move toward construction later this summer.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 03 July 2008 )
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