CITY OF SIERRA MADRE
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
SIERRA MADRE CITY COUNCIL
PRA MAP
Tuesday, May 9, 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
he purpose of a City Council meeting is to conduct City business. Members of the public that behav n a manner that interrupts or obstructs the Council's ability to conduct City business may be asked t leave the meeting. Any and all demonstrations which disrupt, interrupt, or obstruct the Council's ability conduct City business are prohibited. No signs, posters or other large objects shall be brought in • Council Chambers or other meeting place if doing so would disrupt, disturb or otherwise impede ti 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 5:33 p.m. City Clerk Aguilar called the roll.
Present: Mayor Edward Garcia, Mayor Pro Tem Kelly Kriebs, and Council Members Gene Goss, Kristine Lowe, and 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
Vincent Gonzalez, Planning Director
Chris Cimino, Public Works Director
James Carlson, Management Analyst
Amber Tardif, Administrative Analyst
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INSPIRATION
Council Member Parkhurst led the Pledge of Allegiance and spoke about Woodrow Wilson and the importance of elections and voting.
APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
Vote of the City Council to proceed with City business.
Mayor Pro Tem Kriebs made a motion to approve the agenda.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Lowe.
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: None.
Abstain: None.
The motion to approve the agenda as presented was approved by a unanimous voice vote.
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 Goss.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Lowe.
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 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 April 11, 2023, City Council Regular meeting minutes.
Approval of April 25, 2023, City Council Regular meeting minutes.
Council Member Parkhurst recommended grammatical and non-substantive changes to both April 11, 2023, meeting minutes and April 25, 2023, meeting minutes.
Mayor Garcia called for a motion to approve the amended minutes.
A motion to approve April 11, 2023, amended minutes was made by Council Member Parkhurst.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Kriebs.
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 meeting minutes for April 11, 2023, was amended and was approved by a unanimous voice vote.
A motion to approve April 25, 2023, amended minutes was made by Council Member Parkhurst.
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The motion was seconded by Council Member Goss.
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 meeting minutes for April 11, 2023, was amended and was approved by a unanimous voice vote.
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Reporting of Council Members' activities related to City business.
Council Member Goss: no report.
Mayor Pro Tem Kriebs: attended the bookmark design Library event on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, and handed out the Mayor's awards to the winners. Commended the Library staff for putting on all the events during the week and doing a great job on the events.
Council Member Lowe: attended the Friends of the Library reception for donors. Attended the Community Bike Ride. Attended the SCAG seminar where Sierra Madre received an Honorable mention for the clean energy and solar panels that were installed at City Yard. Attended the Congressional Women's of the Year Award with Congress Women Chu.
Council Member Parkhurst: participated in breakfast with Shift B of the SM Fire Department to learn about their needs. Attended the Art Fair. Attended two Clean Power Alliance meetings. At one of the meetings, the board of Directors voted on new rates that will start in July. For people who have 100 percent renewable energy, it will be a three percent premium to Southern California Edison and if you have either clean or green renewable energy there will be a discount to Southern California Edison.
Mayor Garcia: attended the art fair that was well attended by other Council Members, Commissioners, and community members. The Older American of the Year reception will be on May 10, 2023. City Yard will be hosting an Open House Event on May 20, 2023, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. On May 20, 2023, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm the Library will be hosting Living with Wildlife. Community Services Commission has two vacancies and the Natural Resources Commission has one expected vacancy.
Annual Senior Community Commission Yard Sale 6/17/2023 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm at Memorial
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION CODE OF CONDUCT
Your participation is welcomed and invited at all City Council meetings. The council requests that participants refrain from making personal, slanderous, profane, or disruptive remarks. A person who continues to disrupt the orderly conduct of the meeting after being warned by the Mayor or designee to cease the disruption may be precluded from further participation in the meeting. No signs, posters or other large objects shall be brought into the Council Chambers or other meeting place if doing so would disrupt, disturb or otherwise impede the orderly course of the meeting.
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 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 comment period for items on the agenda is asked to complete a comment card. Please include your
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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.
Max Romero: spoke on public transportation's current system and the need to update the system.
John Lloyd: provided an update on the Community Bike Ride. Commended city staff members Ruby, Lawren, Cristina, and Rebecca for putting the event together. Thanked Sierra Madre Police Department for their assistance with road closures and for keeping the participants safe. Thanked Active San Gabriel Valley for bringing e-bikes
Rob Stockly: requests the library to be discussed at the next Council meeting to allocate additional funding from the General Fund.
Jason Soda: spoke on speeding vehicles in the area of Mountain Trail and Sierra Madre Boulevard.
City Clerk Aguilar advised that one e-mail had been received for non-agenda items.
PRESENTATION
RECOGNITION OF CONGRESSWOMAN JUDY CHU'S WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARD TO
MELODY LOMBOY LOWE
Council Member Lowe presented Melody Lomboy Lowe with the Women of the Year Award
RECOGNITION OF CONGRESSWOMAN JUDY CHU'S SECOND HONORABLE MENTION FOR
THE ARTISTIC DISCOVERY AWARD TO GIULIA BHATIA
Presented by Mayor Garcia
PROCLAMATION IN RECOGNITION OF PUBLIC WORKS WEEK
Presented by Mayor Garcia to the Director of Public Works Chris Cimino
UPDATE FROM SENIOR COMMUNITY COMMISSION ON TRANSPORTATION Update from Commissioner Patrick Holland on the lack of a transportation system
ACTION ITEMS
CONSENT
a) CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 23-32 APPROVING CERTAIN DEMANDS It is recommended that the City Council approve Resolution 23-32 approving payment of City Warrants in the aggregate amount of $1,240,437.91; Sierra Madre Library Warrants in the aggregate amount of $1,577.53; and Payroll Transfer in the aggregate amount of $461,452.17; for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.
b) CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 23-33 ADOPTING A LIST OF PROJECTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 FUNDED BY SB 1: THE ROAD REPAIR AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2017
It is recommended that the City Council approve Resolution 23-33 designating certain streets to be included in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Street Rehabilitation Program. c) CONSIDERATION TO REJECT ALL BIDS FOR THE SIERRA MADRE BOULEVARD
WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT AND STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
SPECIFICATION NO. ST82302
It is recommended that the City Council reject all bids received on April 27, 2023, for the Sierra Madre Boulevard Water Main Replacement and Street Improvement Project Mayor Garcia brought the matter to the City Council for questions.
Item A - no questions
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Item B - Mayor Pro Tem asked to amend Resolution 23-33 to correct the spelling of Alegria, not Algeria.
Item C - no questions
Mayor Garcia opened the matter for public comment.
City Clerk Aguilar advised that no e-mails had been received.
Seeing no one come forward, Mayor Garcia brought the matter back to Council for discussion.
The Mayor brought the matter back to the Council for a motion.
Council Member Parkhurst made a motion to approve Consent Agenda Items A-C as amended.
Mayor Pro Tem Kriebs 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: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
The motion to approve Consent Items A-C as amended to Resolution 23-33, was passed by a unanimous voice vote.
DISCUSSION
1. APPEAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION DECISION APPROVING A REQUEST FOR
A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AMENDMENT AND AN ADDENDUM TO THE
MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION TO UPDATE THE ALVERNO HEIGHTS ACADEMY (AHA) MASTER PLAN AT 200 NORTH MICHILLINDA AVENUE PURSUANT TO CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 23-13, A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIERRA MADRE TO CONSIDER A CONDITIONAL
USE PERMIT AMENDMENT AND ADDENDUM TO THE MITIGATED NEGATIVE
DECLARATION TO UPDATE THE ALVERNO HEIGHTS ACADEMY MASTER PLAN
TO ALLOW THE CONSTRUCTION OF PERMANENT CLASSROOM BUILDINGS TO ACCOMMODATE TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN TO EIGHTH (TK-8 th) GRADE INSTRUCTION AND OTHER CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS AT 200 NORTH
MICHILLINDA AVENUE
It is recommended that the City Council modify the action of the Planning Commission to strengthen the administrative record and impose conditions of approval as determined by the City Council, and approve Conditional Use Permit 21-03 (CUP 21-03), and the Addendum to the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND), to update the Alverno Heights Academy Master Plan pursuant to City Council Resolution 23-13.
CEQA FINDINGS
An amended Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) was prepared to evaluate the Alverno Heights Academy Master Plan improvements. The amended MND determined that the facts upon which the findings were based in the 2011 Initial Study (IS/MND) remain unchanged and validated that the proposed Refined Project would not create new or substantially more adverse impacts than those evaluated for the approved project.
Mayor Garcia brought the matter to the City Council for questions.
Mayor Garcia invited the appellant to speak. Attorney Jason Sanders spoke on behalf of the appellants, Mr. and Mrs. Stephens.
Mayor Garcia invited the applicant to speak. Attorney Sunny Soltani spoke on behalf of the applicant, Alverno Heights Academy.
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7:36 p.m. Mayor Garcia requested a brief recess.
7:45 p.m. the City Council reconvened the meeting.
Mayor Garcia opened public comment.
Running Bear Bunch: spoke in support of Alverno and would like time extended for the building of the sports courts. Would like the kids to be able to use the Michillinda lot for use when needed.
James George: asked Council for flexibility on the time frame of 15 months to build the sports courts due to the financial restrictions.
Jorge Reyes: asked Council not to limit the extension time if unforeseen circumstances happen because children need a place to play.
Jason Sanders: spoke in response to the applicant's attorney's testimony.
Keith Stephens: spoke on the excessive use of the Michillinda parking lot for events.
Kristin Stephens: spoke on the negative effects of the use of the Michillinda parking lot.
Joanne Harabedian: spoke in support of Alverno and the use of the Michillinda parking lot.
Seeing no one else come forward, Mayor Garcia closed public comment.
City Clerk Aguilar advised that 16 e-mails had been received for this item.
The Mayor brought the matter back to the Council for comments The City Attorney recited all the amendments to Resolution 23-13 as approved by the City Council.
Recited Amendments:
Exhibit A: Conditions of Approval
PLANNING AND COMMUNITY PRESERVATION DEPARTMENT
6. Phasing Plan - Submit each phase of the Master Plan development to the Planning and Community Preservation Department for conformity review, as each phase of the Master Plan development is implemented.
A. The Applicant may construct two sports courts as shown on Exhibit B. The courts shall be completed within fifteen (15) months of the approval of this conditional use permit/entitlement.
Time extensions may be granted in the City Manager's discretion due to:
1. Occurrences of force majeure or
2. Delays in obtaining a government agency permit that is required for the construction of the sports courts, but only if the delay is caused by the government agency.
An extension cannot be granted based on the Applicant's failure to obtain funding. Notice of the reason for any requested extension shall be mailed to properties within 300 feet of the campus. The City Manager shall make his determination within 30 days of the mailing of the notice. Notice will be given to the public of the determination.
11. Noise Attenuation at Michillinda Parking Lot - There shall be no sound amplification devices used on the Michillinda Parking Lot at any time, except for emergency preparedness protocols and safety drills. Use of the Michillinda Parking Lot will be limited exclusively to the following uses:
A. Vehicle Parking related to an authorized use under CUP 21-19 or CUP 22-03; B. Ancillary outdoor activities (e.g. track team running through site or children crossing it to reach different destinations)
C. Public safety demonstrations and a gathering space for public safety emergencies.
D. Occasional religious and liturgical uses.
E. For a 15-month period following the approval of this conditional use permit/entitlement (subject to extensions granted by the City Manager under Planning and Community Preservation Department Condition No. 6(A)), the following additional uses are permitted:
a. Basketball for 5-8th grade students during the 40 minute combined total morning recess.
No Volleyball is permitted as part of recess on the Michillinda Parking Lot; b. physical education classes;
c. after-school sports until 6:30 PM; and
d. play, recess, and sporting activities during play or recess on days where the Applicant's landscape contractor makes a determination that the Multi-Purpose Sports Field is
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unsafe for those uses to occur on the Multi-Purpose Field due to weather conditions, including but not limited to rain, flooding, or aeration.
F. Until the end of the 2022-2023 academic year, the following additional uses are permitted:
a. General play and recess;
b. congregation; and
c. Lunch.
After a period of 15 months from the date of the approval of this conditional use permit/entitlement (subject to extensions granted by the City Manager under Planning Community Preservation Department Condition No. 6(A)), there shall be no further uses of the Michillinda Parking Lot except as expressly allowed under Planning and Community Preservation Department Condition No. 11(A)- The Mayor brought the matter back to the Council for a motion.
Council Member Parkhurst made a motion to approve Resolution 23-13 with the amendments, as recited by the City Attorney.
Council Member Goss seconded the motion.
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 Resolution 23-13 with the amendments as recited by the City Attorney was approved by a unanimous voice vote.
City Clerk Aguilar announced the Preliminary Special Election unofficial results as of 8:08 pm. The results are posted on the County's website at LAVote.net, the City's website, and on the City's social media. The preliminary tabulations reflect that the "Yes" on Measure M votes are 1,598 and the "No" on Measure M votes are 1,316.
2. FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATE - PART 2 It is recommended that the City Council receive and file this informational report.
Mayor Pro Tem Kriebs made a motion to continue Discussion item #2, Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Legislative Session update - Part 2, to a later date to be determined by staff.
Council Member Parkhurst seconded the motion.
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 continue Discussion item #2, Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Legislative Session update - Part 2, to a date to be determined by staff was approved by a unanimous voice vote.
FUTURE ITEMS:
Council Member Lowe would like to agendize the library possibly needing additional funds from the City's General Fund for renovations.
Mayor Pro Tem Kriebs wants information regarding the renovation timeline for the Library and if there are any possible extensions that could be made on the timeline.
Council Member Parkhurst would like a report from staff on a transportation timeline regarding the time frames and structure for the ad-hoc committee.
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ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Garcia asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Council Member Lowe made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Council Member Parkhurst seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:21 p.m. to a Regular meeting to be held on May 23, 2023.
Lell th
Kelly Kriebs, Mayor Pro Tem
Minutes taken and prepared by:
Amber Tardif, Administrative Analys
Reviewed by:
sura Amular
Laura Aguilar, City Clerk
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Regular Meeting Minutes 5-9-2023