CITY OF SIERRA MADRE
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
SIERRA MADRE CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, March 28, 2023 - 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; As an alternative, public comment may be made by e-mail to [email protected] by 3:00 PM on the day of the meeting. Emails will be acknowledged at the Council meeting, filed into public record and 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
orderly course of the meeting.
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)
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Garcia called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. City Clerk Aguilar called the roll.
Present: Mayor Edward Garcia, and Council Members Gene Goss, Kristine Lowe, and Robert Parkhurst
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Kriebs-previously excused
Also Present: Jose Reynoso, City Manager
Miguel Hernandez, Assistant City Manager
Aleks Giragosian, City Attorney
Laura Aguilar, Deputy City Manager/City Clerk
Gustavo Barrientos, Police Chief
Brent Bartlett, Fire Chief
Hillary Guirola-Leon, Finance Director
Vincent Gonzalez, Planning Director
Joshua Wolf, Associate Planner
Leila Regan, Librarian
Nathalia Flores, Administrative Analyst
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APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
Vote of the City Council to proceed with City business.
Council Member Goss made a motion to approve the agenda.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Parkhurst.
Mayor Garcia called for a vote of the Council:
Ayes: Mayor Edward Garcia, and Council Members Gene Goss, Kristine Lowe, and Robert Parkhurst
Noes: None.
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Kriebs
Abstain: None.
The motion to approve the agenda as presented was approved by a unanimous voice vote.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INSPIRATION
Mayor Garcia
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 Garcia 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 Lowe.
Mayor Garcia called for a vote of the Council.
Ayes: Mayor Edward Garcia, and Council Members Gene Goss, Kristine Lowe, and Robert Parkhurst
Noes: None.
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Kriebs
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 MEETING MINUTES
Approval of March 14, 2023, City Council Regular meeting minutes.
Council Member Parkhurst provided non-substantive amendments to the minutes.
Mayor Garcia called for a motion to approve the amended minutes.
A motion to approve the amended minutes was made by Council Member Goss.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Parkhurst.
Mayor Garcia called for a vote of the Council.
Ayes: Mayor Edward Garcia, Mayor Pro Tem Kelly Kriebs, and Council Members Gene Goss, Kristine Lowe, and Robert Parkhurst
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
The motion to approve the amended meeting minutes of the regular meetings on March 14, 2023, was approved by a unanimous voice vote.
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Reporting of Council Members' activities related to City business.
Council Member Goss: attended the Wistaria Festival. Attended the Community Services Commission meeting on March 20, 2023. Eagle Scout candidate Dylan Todd presented the completion of his Eagle
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Regular Meeting Minutes 3-28-2023
Scout project. Special event permits for the Sierra Madre Elementary School Annual Booster event on Saturday, April 22, 2023, and the Friends of the Library Art event on May 6 and 7, 2023, were approved by the Commission. Attended the Donor Recognition event for the Playhouse and introduced Congresswomen Judy Chu and Assembly Member Chris Holden.
Council Member Lowe: spoke on the street project on Sturtevant and the progress of the project.
Residents are happy with the communication the City has provided.
Council Member Robert Parkhurst: no report.
Mayor Garcia: attended the Wistaria Festival and presented the Volkswagen Microbus as the winner of the Car show.
Mayor Pro Tem Kriebs: arrived at 5:38 pm.
Attended the Natural Resources Committee meeting and discussed potential environmental and natural resource-related ordinances that the committee might consider, including electrification.
Mayor Garcia mentioned the Town Hall meeting on March 30, 2023, in the City Council Chambers.
Saturday, April 8, 2023, at 9:00 am the Fire Department will be hosting an Easter egg hunt. On April 22, 2023, Earth Day events at the Post Office and Memorial Park. On April 29, 2023, Sierra Madre will have its first community bike ride and wellness fair. Two anticipated vacancies in the Community Services Commission and one vacancy in the Natural Resources Commission.
PUBLIC COMMENT
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
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
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 comment period for items on the agenda is asked to complete a comment card. Please include your name 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 Garcia opened the meeting for public comment on items not on the agenda.
Warner Skidmore: spoke on PUSD and mentioned they will be hosting a Science Fair on April 22, 2023, at John Muir High School from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm to support STEM and teach STEM. The event is free and open to anyone who would like to attend.
City Librarian Leila Regan: spoke on library programming. Upcoming events are Living with Wild Life Bears and a Writer's Workshop every Tuesday in April at 6:00 pm. The annual bookmark contest ends April 13, 2023, and is open for kindergarteners through eighth graders.
Bob Buckner: spoke on "ARK"- Atmospheric River 1,000.
Philip Yao: spoke in opposition to Measure M.
Alice Whichello: spoke in opposition to Measure M.
Deb Sheridan: spoke in opposition to Measure M.
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Regular Meeting Minutes 3-28-2023
It is recommended that the City Council introduce for second reading, by title only, Ordinance No. 1466.
CEQA FINDINGS
Pursuant to Government Code section 65852.21, subdivision (i), and Government Code section 66411.7, subdivision (n), staff recommends the City Council finds the adoption of this Ordinance is not a project for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and is statutorily exempt.
f) CONSIDERATION OF BID PROPOSAL NOT TO EXCEED $75,000 FOR THE PURCHASE, INSTALLATION, AND PROGRAMMING FO FIVE (5) NEW MOTOROLA APX8500 MID-POWER ALL-BAND MOBILE RADIOS TO REPLACE THE CURRENT
MOBILE RADIOS IN THE DEPARTMENT'S VEHICLES AS PART OF A MULTI-YEAR
REPLACEMENT PROJECT
It is recommended that the City Council approve the bid proposal not to exceed $75,000 for the purchase, installation, and programming of five (5) new Motorola APX8500 mid- power all-band mobile radios to replace the current mobile radios in the Department's vehicles as part of a multi-year replacement project.
Mayor Garcia brought the matter to the City Council for discussion.
Item A - Council Member Lowe asked if the $14,000 fee is a monthly fee. Management Analyst Carlson responded that it is a monthly fee for the Dial-A-Ride and for the roundabout which are two programs. The city has had the programs for a number of years and it is funded by Prop A funding and it is restricted funds. The funding is from the state and is allocated to be used for specific transportation purposes.
Item B - Mayor Pro Tem Kriebs asked given the amount the city has allocated are there any programs to justify the use restrictions and requirements of the money. Administrative Analyst Flores responded that the amount the city will be receiving is $50,000 over a span of two to 16 years. The city will receive a minimal amount of money annually during that time frame. Staff is recommending allocating the money to the county so the City will benefit from the funds through programs the county has already established There is another option of deciding year to year where the funds should be allocated.
Item C - Council Member Parkhurst asked if the city went out to get bids for other auditors and if there were any responses. Finance Director Guirola-Leon responded that the city did put out an RFP process. Three firms with government auditor experience were contacted, however, Rams was the only firm to respond with a bid. Mayor Pro Tem Kriebs asked if the escalation of the projected fees for the three years in the proposal is consistent with the year-over-year fees in the past working with RAMS. Finance Director Guirola-Leon responded that the increase in fees has been consistent over the years due to the increases in salaries and to cover the costs. Mayor Garcia mentioned that in Financial Accounting Standards it is generally recommended to have a new auditor every few years so they do not become familiar with the staff. How long has the city used RAMS and is there a similar with the Government Accounting Standards Boards? Finance Director Guirola-Leon responded that the city has used RAMS since 2012 and RAMS has multiple partners on staff and they rotate the partners every five years to have independence.
They would not be able to propose or do the audit if there are independent issues.
Item D - no questions
Item E - no questions
Item F - no questions
Mayor Garcia opened the matter for public comment.
Seeing no one come forward, Mayor Garcia brought the matter back to Council for discussion.
City Clerk Aguilar advised that no e-mails had been received.
The Mayor brought the matter back to the Council for a motion to approve.
Council Member Parkhurst made a motion to approve Consent Agenda Items A-F as presented.
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Regular Meeting Minutes 3-28-2023
Nancy Beckham: spoke in opposition to Measure M.
Pat Alcorn: spoke in support of Measure M.
City Clerk Aguilar advised that no e-mails had been received for non-agenda items.
PRESENTATION
PRESENTATION BY ATHENS SERVICES ON COMPOST OPTIONS
Presented by Director of Government Affairs Ed Chen
ANNUAL PUBLIC SAFETY UPDATE WITH THE SIERRA MADRE FIRE AND POLICE
DEPARTMENTS
Presented by Fire Chief Bartlett and Police Chief Barrientos
ACTION ITEMS
City Clerk Aguilar gave the following reports under the Consent Calendar:
CONSENT
a) CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 23-25 APPROVING CERTAIN DEMANDS It is recommended that the City Council approve Resolution 23-25 approving payment of City Warrants in the aggregate amount of $316,835.93; Sierra Madre Library Warrants in the aggregate amount of $2,052.77; and Payroll Transfer in the aggregate amount of $493,546.34 for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2023.
b) CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 23-26, AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO ENTER
INTO PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTS AND ALLOCATION AGREEMENTS WITH
CVS, ALLERGAN, TEVA, WALMART, AND WALGREENS IN SETTLEMENT OF A
MULTIDISTRICT LITIGATION TO ADDRESS THE OPIOID PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution 23-26, authorizing the City to enter into participation agreements and allocation agreements with Teva, Allegan, CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart in the settlement of multi-district litigation to address the opioid public health crisis.
c) CONSIDERATION OF THE AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL AUDITING SERVICES
CONTRACT TO ROGERS, ANDERSON, MALODY & SCOTT, LLP (RAMS) TO
PERFORM THE ANNUAL AUDIT SERVICES FOR THREE FISCAL YEARS COMMENCING WITH THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2023
It is recommended that the City Council award the contract for Professional Auditing Services to Rogers, Anderson, Malody & Scott, LLP (RAMS) to perform the annual audit services for three fiscal years commencing with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, with the option to renew for an additional two years.
d) SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1465, AMENDING CHAPTER 17.22 (ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS) OF TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE SIERRA MADRE
MUNICIPAL CODE
It is recommended that the City Council introduce for second reading, by title only, Ordinance No. 1465, amending Chapter 17.22 (Accessory Dwelling Units) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Sierra Madre Municipal Code.
CEQA FINDINGS
Pursuant to Chapter 2.6, Public Resources Code commencing with section 21080.17, he City Council finds that the adoption of this Ordinance (Environmental Quality) and is thus statutorily exempt for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
e) SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1466, A GENERAL ORDINANCE
CLEANUP AMENDING VARIOUS CHAPTERS OF THE SIERRA MADRE MUNICIPAL CODE
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Council Member Goss seconded the motion.
Mayor Garcia called for a vote of the Council.
Ayes: Mayor Edward Garcia, Mayor Pro Tem Kelly Kriebs, and Council Members Gene Goss, Kristine Lowe, and Robert Parkhurst
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
The motion to approve Consent Items A-F was passed by a unanimous voice vote.
DISCUSSION
1. FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATE
It is recommended that the City Council receive and file this informational report.
City Attorney Giragosian gave the report.
Mayor Garcia brought the matter to the City Council for questions.
Mayor Garcia opened public comment.
Seeing no one come forward, Mayor Garcia closed public comment.
City Clerk Aguilar advised that no e-mails had been received for this item.
The Mayor brought the matter back to the Council for comments.
FUTURE ITEMS:
Mayor Garcia would like to discuss AB1708, 2023-2024 state budget priorities, and Resolution on voting authorities.
Council Member Parkhurst would like to discuss AB1538 sponsored by CPA ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Garcia asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Council Member Lowe made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Council Member Goss seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:44 p.m. to a Regular meeting to be held on April 11, 2023.
Edward Garcia, Mayor
Minutes taken and prepared by:
Amber Tardif, Administrative Analyst
Reviewed by:
sura Aziular.
Laura Aguilar, City Clerk
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