CITY OF SIERRA MADRE
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
SIERRA MADRE CITY COUNCIL
PRA MAD
Tuesday, September 13, 2022 - 5:30 pm
Sierra Madre City Hall, City Council Chambers
232 W. Sierra Madre Boulevard, Sierra Madre, CA 91024
THIS MEETING WILL BE CONDUCTED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE MOST
CURRENT LOS ANGELES COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER'S ORDER The Brown Act provides the public with an opportunity to make public comments at any public meeting. ublic comment may also be made by e-mail to [email protected] by 3:00PM o he day of the meeting. Emails will be acknowledged at the Council meeting, filed into public record an scanned onto the City website for public review.
The meeting will be streamed live on the City's website at www.cityofsierramadre.com, on Foothills Media website at http://www.foothillsmedia.org/sierramadre and broadcast on Government Access Channel 3 (Spectrum)
CODE OF CONDUCT
conduct City business are prohibited. No signs, posters or other large objects shall be brought in e Council Chambers or other meeting place if doing so would disrupt, disturb or otherwise impede t orderly course of the meeting.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Goss called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. City Clerk Aguilar called the roll.
Present: Mayor Gene Goss, Mayor Pro Tem Edward Garcia, and Council Member Rachelle Arizmendi, Council Member Kelly Kriebs, and Council Member Robert Parkhurst
Absent: None.
Also Present: Jose Reynoso, City Manager
Miguel Hernandez, Assistant City Manager
Aleks Giragosian, City Attorney
Laura Aguilar, Deputy City Manager/City Clerk
Henry Amos, Acting Police Chief
Brent Bartlett, Fire Chief
Vincent Gonzalez, Planning and Community Preservation Director Hillary Guirola-Leon, Finance Director
Oscar Millan, Information Technology Manager
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INSPIRATION
Mayor Pro Tem Garcia led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Pro Tem Garcia stated he and other members of the City Council attended the Memorial services for 9-11 at the Public Safety building hosted by the Sierra Madre Fire Department. He expressed gratitude to the men and women in uniform for everything they do for the community and keeping the community safe.
APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
Mayor Goss asked for changes to the agenda or a motion to approve as presented.
Sierra Madre City Council
Regular Meeting Minutes 09-13-2022
Council Member Arizmendi made a motion to approve the agenda as presented Council Member Parkhurst seconded the motion.
Mayor Goss called for a roll call vote of the Council to approve the agenda.
Ayes: Mayor Goss, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, and Council Members Arizmendi, Kriebs, and Parkhurst Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
The motion to approve the agenda as presented was passed by a unanimous voice vote.
COUNCIL REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSIONS
Report of any action taken in Closed Session from August 30, 2022 meeting.
City Attorney Giragosian reported that the City Council met in Closed Session on August 30, 2022 with no reportable action taken.
APPROVAL FOR READING RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES
Vote of the City Council to read all Ordinances and Resolutions by title only and waive the reading in full.
Mayor Goss asked for a motion.
A motion to approve the reading of resolutions and ordinances was made by Council Member Parkhurst.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Arizmendi.
Mayor Goss called for a roll call vote of the Council:
Ayes: Mayor Goss, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, and Council Members Arizmendi, Kriebs, and Parkhurst Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
The motion to approve the reading of all Ordinances and Resolutions by title only, and waive the reading in full, was passed by a unanimous voice vote.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mayor Goss asked for a motion or suggested changes to meeting minutes of the Regular Council meeting on August 23, 2022.
It was noted that Council Member Parkhurst recommended edits that were not substantive changes.
Council Member Arizmendi moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Council meeting of August 23, 2022 as amended.
Council Member Kriebs seconded the motion.
Mayor Goss called for a roll call vote of the Council:
Ayes: Mayor Goss, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, and Council Members Arizmendi, Kriebs, and Parkhurst Noes:
Absent:
Abstain: None.
The motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Council meeting of August 23, 2022, as amended, was passed by a unanimous voice vote.
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Council Member Kriebs: mentioned that the City Council attended the League of California Cities Annual Conference where they were able to meet and hear from other City representatives and connect on a more person level with her fellow City Council Members.
erra Madre City Coun
gular Meeting Minutes 09-13-20
Attended the new play at the Playhouse and commended the production for the acting, staging, and writing
Attended the Saint Rita's School Centennial celebration.
Council Member Parkhurst: attended National Night Out and recognized Staff for all the work that went into putting the event together.
Attended the water tour and received more detail regarding the water distribution system and was well attended by people in the community and thanked the Water Department for organizing the tour.
Attended the 9-11 Memorial services, the Centennial celebration at Saint Rita's, and a ribbon cutting ceremony at an Eagle project at the basketball courts.
Attended the League of California Cities Annual Conference and stated, license plate readers and how they can be utilized in the city for stolen vehicles assist with public safety and privacy. He stated he received information regarding on street dining and will discuss that information will Staff to continue to improve on street dining.
Attended a meeting of the Clean Power Alliance; no report from that meeting. However, he mentioned the dour days of energy alerts and how the State was able to drop the energy by 2 gigawatts in 30 minutes after receiving the alert, which resulted in blackouts being avoided.
Council Member Arizmendi: attended League of California Cities and mentioned three themes that stood out at the conference. The first theme that stood out was local control and the challenge local officials and local government has had considering the State requirements and how other cities are also affected by the requirements. The second is housing and the third them was revenue and how the City maintains the budget and prioritize things.
Mayor Pro Tem Garcia: attended League of California Cities and mentioned the session be CaPERS on investments and how they are attempting to be more creative with investments and provide safer investments, which in turn, helps the City and the employees.
Attended the play at the Playhouse that was enjoyable and the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Eagle project at the basketball courts and commended Abbott Flocky for his hard work.
Attended the Saint Rita's Centennial Mass that was well attended by the community.
Mayor Goss: attended the play Silent Sky and enjoyed the production. He stated he was asked to speak before the play.
Represented the City at Saint Rita's Church and presented a certificate of recognition to the Principal of the school at the end of Mass.
Attended the 9-11 Memorial services with many community members.
Attended a presentation about wildfires at the League of California Cities and heard from people who run the City of Paradise and they spoke on the fires from four years ago and how they believed they were following guidelines and were prepared for the fires, however when the wildfires occurred they realized they were not prepared to house those affected. They offered insight and suggestions that cities who are in fire zones can think about for the future. Also, attended the CaPERS presentation.
The Fire Department will be hosting their 35'h Annual Fire Prevention Festival on October 8, 2022 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm at Memorial Park and the first Sierra Madre car show on Sierra Madre Boulevard.
The Senior Community Commission is hosting their first art show on September 16, 2022 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the Hart Park House.
The Council will listen to the public on any item on the agenda. In addition, the Council will devote time for public comment on items not on the agenda. Addressing the City Council from the audience is not permitted; all comments addressing the Council must be made from the podium. Only public comment made from the podium will be recognized by the City Council and entered into public record.
PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Sierra Madre City Council
Regular Meeting Minutes 09-13-2022
Persons wishing to speak on any item on the agenda will be called during the comment period at the time the agenda item is brought forward. Persons wishing to speak on closed session items have a choice of doing so either immediately prior to the closed session or at the time for comments on items at the open session.
PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Time shall be devoted to provide public comments for items not on the agenda. Under the Brown Act, Council is prohibited from taking action on items not on the agenda, but the matter may be referred to staff or to a subsequent meeting.
COMMENTS
1. Any person wishing to provide public comment on matters not on the agenda, or during the omment period for items on the agenda is asked to complete a comment card. Please include your lame and address. Each speaker will be limited to up to three continuous minutes, which may not be delegated or deferred.
2. The City provides a podium for public comment. Comments addressed to the Council shall occur during the appropriate time on the agenda and should not be construed as an opportunity for dialogue.
Each speaker will be limited to three continuous minutes, which may not be delegated or deferred.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Goss opened the meeting for public comment on items not on the agenda.
Public comment from the podium in Council Chambers:
Kristen Stephens: spoke on CDSA's noise study for Alverno by MD Acoustics and asked City Council to consider the report.
Gary Hood: spoke on disaster preparedness and helping the city members understand the importance of being prepared.
Deb Sheridan: spoke as the Chairperson for Preserve Sierra Madre and stated they are officially endorsing the initiative to place the Mater Dolorosa property into the Hillside Management Zone.
John Lloyd: spoke on the removal of the Library bike lane and asked Council to reconsider the removal.
William Ray: spoke on the bike lanes throughout Sierra Madre and asked Council to consider making Sierra Madre more bike friendly for Seniors.
Susan Neuhasen: spoke on Measure HR and the lawsuit regarding Measure HR.
David Gordon: stated he is the President of the Playhouse and shared that they have a new play, Silent Sky. He notified the City of upcoming lectures related to the play.
Catherine Adde: spoke on an upcoming Neighborhood Watch meeting with both the upper and lower Canyon via Zoom at 6:00pm on September 14, 2022.
Pat Alcorn: invited the community to sign up for a free basic earthquake or emergency preparedness course on October 15, 2022 from 8:00am to 5:00pm and October 18, 2022 through October 20, 2022 from 6:30pm to 9:30pm.
Seeing no one else come forward, Mayor Goss asked City Clerk Aguilar if any e-mails had been submitted for public comment. City Clerk Aguilar advised that 56 e-mails were received for items not on the agenda.
PRESENTATION
MITCHELL THOMAS - PROCLAMATION FOR 35 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE Presented by Acting Police Chief Henry Amos
INTRODUCTION OF NEW SIERRA MADRE POLICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL Presented by Acting Police Chief Henry Amos
AGENDA ACTION ITEMS:
Regular Meting Made to 3202)
CONSENT
City Clerk Aguilar gave the following report:
CONSENT
a) CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 22-56 APPROVING CERTAIN DEMANDS It is recommended that the City Council approve Resolution 22-56 radifying payment of City Warrants in the aggregate amount $1,339, 178.35; Sierra Madre Library Warrants in the aggregate amount of $6,650.61; and Payroll Transfer in the aggregate amount of $484,765.18; for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022 and 2023. b) CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 22-57 APPROVING CERTAIN DEMANDS It is recommended that the City Council approve Resolution 22-57 radifying payment of City Warrants in the aggregate amount of $982,269.77; Sierra Madre Library Warrants in the aggregate amount of $5,346.15; and Payroll Transfer in the aggregate amount of $467,667.32; for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, and 2023 c) CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 22-59 APPROVING CERTAIN DEMANDS It is recommended that the City Council approve Resolution 22-59 approving payment of City Warrants in the aggregate amount of $666,472. 18; Sierra Madre Library Warrants in the aggregate amount of $6,561.36; and Payroll Transfer in the aggregate amount of $489,628.17; for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023
d) NOTICE OF COMPLETION, FY 2021-2022 WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT It is recommended that the City Council approve the Notice of Completion for the project and direct staff to file the Notice with the L.A. County Clerk. e) NOTICE OF COMPLETION, FY 2021-2022 STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT It is recommended that the City Council accept the completed work by All American Asphalt Inc., on behalf of the City, and direct staff to file a Notice of Completion with the County Clerk/Recorder.
f) AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT TO IB CONSULTING LLC
FOR THE COMPLETION OF A WATER AND WASTEWATER RATE STUDY It is recommended that the City Council award a Professional Service Contract to IB Consulting LLC for the Water and Wastewater Rate Study in an amount not to exceed $78,660.
JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT FOR THE LOS ANGELES AREA REGIONAL
TRAINING GROUP (RTG)
It is recommended that City Council approve the Los Angeles Area Regional Training Group (RTG) Joint Powers Agreement (JPA), adopt Resolution No. 22-55 approving membership within the Los Angeles Area Regional Training Group (RTG) Joint Powers Authority, and authorize the City Manager to execute the JPA agreement and to take such reasonable actions as may be required to implement the intent. h) CITY'S BIENNIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE
It is recommended that the City Council review and approve the City's biennial Conflict of Interest Code as required by the Political Reform Act.
Mayor Goss asked the Council if they had any questions.
Item A - no questions from the Council.
Item B - no questions from the Council.
Item C - no questions from the Council.
Item D - no questions from the Council.
Item E - no questions from the Council.
Sierra Madre City Council
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Item F - Council Member Kriebs asked if the Water and Wastewater Rate Study will include the public.
Public Works Director Cimino responded that the previous study did not include the public, however there was a water subcommittee. He stated there will be a public meeting held with Council regarding the Water and Wastewater Rate Study.
Item G - Council Member Parkhurst requested clarification regarding a future cost estimate for the Los Angeles Area Regional Training Group. Fire Chief Bartlett responded that the future cost has not been discussed because the current platform is funded by the Homeland Security Grant. There has been discussion if a cost is incurred it will be divided by the members and will be shared costs. Council Member Kriebs asked if a future discussion with Council can be made prior to costs being shared among the group members.
Council Member Kriebs requested information regarding why the City has opted to create a more formal agreement with the Los Angeles Area Regional Training Group after the years of training without a formal agreement. Fire Chief Bartlett responded that it is to bring cohesion with all the existing members and for standardization and implementation for all the departments who provided fire services. This will allow all of the agencies, Sierra Madre partners with daily, to have the same training. Council Member Kriebs requested clarification about funding and if the Council does not approve the funding if the Grant is no longer available. City Attorney Giragosian responded that if the City Council decides not to participate in the sharing of the costs than the City Council will have the option to withdraw. Council Member Kriebs mentioned she would like to provide information to the governing party regarding the refund methodology and how it should match the method of funding and have it incorporated into the JPA. City Attorney Giragosian responded that the JPA was drafted by whomever is representing the JPA and it is composed of 30 agencies. The comments will be taken to the JPA for their consideration.
Council Member Parkhurst requested clarification on how the training will be different after entering in the JPA. Fire Chief Bartlett responded that the training will provide specialized training; such as terrorism, manmade disasters, and critical incidents so the Sierra Madre Fire Department is trained the same way as the other agencies they will need assisting from and they will be assisting.
Item H - no questions from the Council.
Mayor Goss opened the matter for public comment.
Seeing no one come forward to the podium, Mayor Goss closed public comment and brought the matter back to Council for discussion and/or a vote.
Mayor Goss brought the matter back to Council for comments.
Mayor Goss stated he is pleased that the notice of completion for the water main project.
Council Member Parkhurst expressed gratitude to Big Ben and Staff for the completion of the water main project and All American Asphalt for their work on the streets and completing it under budget. He expressed gratitude to Fire Chief Bartlett for his work on the JPA and taking the leadership to join the JPA group.
Mayor Goss expressed gratitude to All American Asphalt on the work they did and them being under budget.
Council Member Kriebs stated she is excited for the JPA and for the Fire Department to build a relationship with other agencies and enhance their training and skill sets.
Mayor Goss asked for a motion.
Council Member Kriebs made a motion to approve Consent Items A-H as presented.
Council Member Parkhurst seconded the motion.
Mayor Goss called for a roll call vote of the Council.
Ayes: Mayor Goss, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, and Council Members Arizmendi, Kriebs, and Parkhurst Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
Sierra Madre City Council
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The motion to approve Consent Items A-H were passed by a unanimous vote.
PUBLIC HEARING
ORDINANCE 1460 - FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE MASTER LEASE AGREEMENT
WITH TOWERPOINT CAPTIAL, LLC, FOR AN EXTENSION OF LEASE AREA FOR
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SITES ON CITY PROPERTY
It is recommended that the City Council open a public hearing, and continue the public hearing to a date uncertain.
Public Works Director Cimino gave the report.
Mayor Goss asked the Council if they had any questions.
Council Member Parkhurst requested clarification regarding if the City accepts the annual payment of $122,100 then the City forgoes 72 years of revenue. Public Works Director Cimino responded that the Finance Director Guirola-Leon and City Treasurer Amerio discussed the agreement and decided it could be a fair amount to accept, at the time. Since then it has been determined that it would not be feasible to accept the $122,100 because it would not add up to enough money for the City to consider. City Manager Reynoso responded that the report has been compiled to provide Council with the best options and Staff is seeking direction from Council on how to proceed to a date uncertain.
Mayor Pro Tem Garcia provided some insight on processing of payments and how the amount the City pays could change depending on how the payments are separated. Finance Director Guirola-Leon responded that the amount the City would pay does not change depending on the payment plan.
Mayor Goss opened the Public Hearing for public comment.
Seeing no one come forward, Mayor Goss asked if any e-mails had been received. City Clerk Aguilar advised that no e-mails had been received
Mayor Goss closed the Public Hearing and brought the matter back to the Council for discussion or a motion.
Mayor Pro Tem Garcia stated he ran the numbers and taking the numbers with AT&T and T-mobile and believes moving forward with the lease would benefit the City. However, he does not prefer the lump sum payment.
Council Member Arizmendi asked if there are any concerns with the timeline if the City is extending the approval of the Ordinance. Public Works Director Cimino responded that Towerpoint would like to complete the lease agreement, however there is no change to the timeline in the agreement. City Manager Reynoso advised Towerpoint does have access to emergency backup generators in the case of an emergency and will provide them if necessary as they have done in the past.
Council Member Parkhurst provided guidance to the City and Staff to require backup batteries and generators in the case of an emergency in the future.
Council Member Parkhurst made a motion to postpone the Public Hearing to a date uncertain.
Council Member Kriebs seconded the motion.
Mayor Goss called for a vote of the Council.
Ayes: Mayor Goss, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Council Member Arizmendi, Council Member Kriebs, and Council Member Parkhurst
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
The motion was passed unanimously.
2. FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1458 AMENDING CHAPTER 17.88 (TEMPORARY USE PERMITS OF TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE SIERRA MADRE
MUNICIPAL CODE
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Ordinance No. 1458 amending Chapter
17.88 (Temporary Use Permits) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Sierra Madre Municipal Code.
City Attorney Giragosian gave the report along with a Power Point Presentation.
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Mayor Goss asked the Council if they had any questions.
Mayor Goss opened the Public Hearing for public comment.
Seeing no one come forward, Mayor Goss asked if any e-mails had been received. City Clerk Aguilar advised that two e-mails had been received
Mayor Goss closed the Public Hearing and brought the matter back to the Council for discussion or a motion.
Council Member Arizmendi thanked Staff for their hard work and listening to the Council and incorporating their suggestions in the TUP Ordinance.
Council Member Kriebs thanked Staff and the City Attorney for presented the Ordinance in a clear and precise way.
Council Member Parkhurst made a motion to adopt the first reading of Ordinance No. 1458.
Council Member Arizmendi seconded the motion.
Mayor Goss called for a vote of the Council.
Ayes: Mayor Goss, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Council Members Arizmendi, Kriebs, and Parkhurst Noes:
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
The motion was passed unanimously.
FUTURE ITEMS:
Mayor Goss asked if the Council had any items for future agendas.
Council Member Kriebs would like Staff to provide options what there might be for the bike lane to the front of the Sierra Madre Library. Also, she would like to review the Sidewalk Study that was done for repairs. City Manager Reynoso advised the Study was completed and Staff is working on completing the report to bring to Council.
Council Member Parkhurst would like information on the Strategic Plan. Also, he would like to hear from Southern California Edison and what they can do to help the City with the power outages.
Mayor Goss would like a discussion regarding the City funding of the Sierra Madre Playhouse Capital Campaign. City Manager Reynoso asked for clarification regarding a specific amount the Mayor would like Staff to consider in their report. Mayor Pro Tem Garcia responded that it would need to be considered if funding the Playhouse would help the community and in what respect. Council Member Parkhurst would like discussion on a broader spectrum.
Mayor Pro Tem Garcia would like an update on the Richardson house and Lizzie's regarding the maintenance issues. City Manager Reynoso responded that the Capital improvement projects are being prioritized and the Richardson house is about fourth on the list behind the Police Building, the Library renovations, and the water main replacement.
ADJOURNMENT:
Council Member Arizmendi made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
The motion to adjourn was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Garcia.
Mayor Goss called for a roll call vote of the Council.
Ayes: Mayor Goss, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, and Council Members Arizmendi, Kriebs, and Parkhurst Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None
The motion to adjourn was passed by a unanimous voice vote.
Sierra Madre City Council
Regular Meeting Minutes 09-13-2022
THIS SIERRA MADRE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING WAS ADJOURNED at 7:40 p.m. to a Special Meeting to be held on September 15, 2022.
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Gene Goss, Mayor
Minutes taken and prepared by:
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Amber Tardif, Deputy City Clerk
Reviewed by:
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Laura Aguilar, City Clerk
Sierra Madre City Council
Regular Meeting Minutes 09-13-2022