CITY OF SIERRA MADRE
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
SIERRA MADRE CITY COUNCIL
PRA
Tuesday, December 12, 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 inte 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
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.
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 5:31; City Clerk Aguilar called the roll.
Present: Mayor Garcia Mayor Pro Tem Kriebs and Council Members Goss, Lowe, and Parkhurst
Absent: None.
Also Present: Jose Reynoso, City Manager
Aleks Giragosian, City Attorney
Laura Aguilar, Deputy City Manager/City Clerk
Arnulfo Yanez, Deputy Director of Public Works
Gustavo Barrientos, Chief of Police
Brent Bartlett, Fire Chief
Chris Cimino, Public Works Director
Leila Regan, City Librarian
Steven McGee, Water Superintendent
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INSPIRATION
Mayor Edward Garcia led audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. After, Mayor Garcia shared an inspiration for entering a season of shorter days, and quoted a Japanese proverb: "One kind word can warm these winter months".
Sierra Madre City Council
Regular Meeting Minutes 12-12-2023
APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
Vote of the City Council to proceed with City business.
Mayor Pro Tem Kreibs 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 Garcia, Mayor Pro Tem Kelly Kriebs and Council Members Goss, Lowe, Parkhurst Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
The motion to approve the agenda as presented was approved by a unanimous voice vote by all Council Members in attendance.
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 Mayor Pro Tem Kriebs.
Mayor Garcia called for a vote of the Council.
Ayes: Mayor Garcia, Mayor Pro Tem Kelly Kriebs and Council Members Goss, Lowe, 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 by all Council Members in attendance.
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES.
Approval of November 14, 2023, City Council Regular meeting minutes.
Council Member Parkhurst requested that the City Clerk clarify the motion made in the Public Hearing to read:
"Mayor Pro Tem Kelly Kriebs made a motion to approve only the third amendment of Resolution 23-69, the Settlement Agreement and Release, to that extent, approve with the change of the extension date with CETT Investments Corporation to June 13, 2026."
A motion to approve the minutes, as amended, 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 Garcia, Mayor Pro Tem Kelly Kriebs and Council Members Goss, Lowe, and Parkhurst
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
The motion to approve the November 14, 2023 minutes, as amended, was approved by a unanimous voice vote.
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Reporting of Council Members' activities related to City business:
Sierra Madre City Council
Regular Meeting Minutes 12-12-2023
Council Member Goss: Attended the November 16 Sierra Madre Woman's Club Annual Prayer Breakfast, held at the Masonic Lodge. He also reported that he attended the Planning Commission meeting on November 16, 2023, where they spoke about declaring 327 Sierra Wood a Historical Cultural Landmark. On December 7, he attended the SCAG Annual Economic Summit and on December 2nd he attended a meeting of the Foothill Employment Policy Board.
Council Member Lowe: Attended the blessing of the Menorah at Kersting Ct., also attended the Bear Whisperer meeting, and reported that the December 7 Planning Commission meeting was canceled.
Council Member Parkhurst: reported the upcoming Senior Holiday Luncheon on December 13.
Mayor Pro Tem Kriebs: Attended the November 16 Sierra Madre Woman's Club Annual Prayer Breakfast, held at the Masonic Lodge; Attended the Natural Resources Commission meeting. On the agenda was a discussion on gas-powered leaf blowers and wildlife management plan. Ms. Kriebs also reported that she attended the Small Business Saturday activities in downtown Sierra Madre on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Mayor Garcia: Attended the November 16 Sierra Madre Woman's Club Annual Prayer Breakfast, held at the Masonic Lodge. Also reported that he attended the Los Angeles County Sanitation District meeting, where they discussed turning wastewater into energy. He also reported that he attended the Small Business Saturday activities, and lastly, he is working with staff to review multi-family Athens
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 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 non-agenda items.
City Clerk Aguilar advised that no e-mails had been received for non-agenda items.
Mayor Garcia closed public comment for items not on the agenda.
Sierra Madre City Council
Regular Meeting Minutes 12-12-2023
PRESENTATION
SIERRA MADRE ROSE FLOAT ASSOCIATION - PRESENTATION OF ROYAL COURT Rose Float Association Treasurer Evelyn Schaffer presented the City Council with a framed photograph Themselves ao the audieng foat, and provided a rendition of the 2024 foat. The Royal Cour introduced
PRESENTATION TO DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY PRESERVATION, VINCENT
GONZALEZ FOR RECOGNITION OF SERVICE
Mr. Gonzalez was unable to attend the meeting.
ACTION ITEMS
City Clerk Aguilar presented the three following reports on the Consent Calendar:
CONSENT
CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 23-72 APPROVING CERTAIN DEMANDS It is recommended that the City Council approve Resolution 23-72 ratifying payment of City Warrants in the aggregate amount of $534,177.83; Sierra Madre Library Warrants in the aggregate amount of $5,351.30; and Payroll Transfer in the aggregate amount of $569,246.23; for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. b) CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 23-75 APPROVING CERTAIN DEMANDS It is recommended that the City Council approve Resolution 23-75 approving payment of City Warrants in the aggregate amount of $92,678.42; Sierra Madre Library Warrants in the aggregate amount of $9,084.96; and Payroll Transfer in the aggregate amount of $613,031.81; for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. c) CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 23-74 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF SIERRA MADRE ADOPTING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE
EMPLOYMENT FOR EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES
It is recommended that the City Council approve Resolution 23-74 adopting amendments to the Terms and Conditions of Employment for Executive Management employees
City Clerk Aguilar advised the Council that Resolution 23-74 previously came before the City Council but was continued to allow city staff an opportunity to verify details in the presented resolution.
Mayor Garcia brought the matter to the City Council for questions.
Mayor Garcia opened the matter for public comment:
City Clerk Aguilar advised that no e-mails had been received.
Seeing no, one else come forward, Mayor Garcia brought the matter back to Council for discussion or a motion.
Council Member Parkhurst motion to approve Consent Items A-C.
Council Member Lowe seconded the motion.
Mayor Garcia called for a vote of the Council.
Ayes: Mayor Edward Garcia, Mayor Pro Tem Kriebs and Council Members Goss, Lowe, and Parkhurst
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
Sierra Madre City Council
Regular Meeting Minutes 12-12-2023
The motion to approve Consent Items A-C was approved by a unanimous voice vote.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. TABULATION OF PROPOSITION 218 VOTE REGARDING THE PROPOSED
CHANGES TO THE WATER AND WASTEWATER UTILITIES
Water Superintendent McGee made the presentation to Council, along with Habib Isaac from IB Consulting.
At the conclusion of the report the Mayor directed the City Clerk to tabulate the ballots, then opened the matter for public comment.
Mayor Garcia opened the matter for public comment:
1. Tom Love Monte, Vista Lane - Pleased to see the city implementing the results of the rate study and supports the Council adopting the rate increase.
2. Vic Aguilar, Auburn - Does not support the rate increase.
3. Beth Copti, Lima St - Does not support the rate increase and shared that the increase would negatively impact her financially.
City Clerk Aguilar advised that no e-mails had been received.
At the conclusion of the tabulation, City Clerk Aguilar announced that the City Clerk's Office had not received protest ballots from 50% plus one of the eligible voters.
Council Member Lowe made the motion to accept the results of the Proposition 218 tabulation and approve the rate increase for water and waste water rates.
Council Member Goss seconded the motion.
Mayor Garcia called for a vote of the Council.
Ayes: Mayor Edward Garcia, Mayor Pro Tem Kriebs and Council Members Goss, Lowe, and Parkhurst
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
DISCUSSION
a) DISCUSSION REGARDING THE SIERRA KEYS WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT AWARD
It is recommended that the City Council award a construction contract to Gentry Brothers Inc., in an amount not to exceed $350,350.00 for the 2023-24 Water Main Replacement.
Mayor Garcia brought the matter to City Council for questions.
Mayor Garcia opened the matter for public comment:
1. Philip Yao, Sierra Keys - supports this project and advocates replacement of this water main replacement project
City Clerk Aguilar advised that no e-mails had been received.
Seeing no one else come forward, Mayor Garcia brought the matter back to Council for discussion or a motion.
Council Member Kriebs made the motion to support this project and replacement of this water main.
Council Member Goss seconded the motion.
Sierra Madre City Council
Regular Meeting Minutes 12-12-2023
Mayor Garcia called for a vote of the Council.
Ayes: Mayor Edward Garcia, Mayor Pro Tem Kelly Kriebs and Council Members Goss, Lowe, and Parkhurst
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
PRESENTATION
1. RECOGNITION OF SERVICE TO MAYOR PRO TEMPORE KELLY KRIEBS . RECOGNITION OF SERVICE TO MAYOR EDWARD GARCIA
DISCUSSION
1. CITY COUNCIL SELECTION OF MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEMPORE It is recommended that the City Council select a Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem to serve until December 10, 2024
Mayor Garcia brought the matter to City Council for 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 or a motion.
Council Member Goss made the motion to select Kelly Kriebs as Mayor and Robert Parkhurst as Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Sierra Madre.
Council Member Lowe seconded the motion.
Mayor Garcia called for a vote of the Council.
Ayes: Mayor Edward Garcia, Mayor Pro Tem Kelly Kriebs and Council Members Goss, Lowe, and Parkhurst
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Kriebs asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Council Member Goss made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Council Member Parkhurst seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:42 pm to a Regular meeting to be held on January 9, 2024.
Kee fore
Kelly Kriebs, Mayor
Minutes taken and prepared by:
Sura Agulas.
Laura Aguilar, City Clerk
Sierra Madre City Council
Regular Meeting Minutes 12-12-2023