CITY OF SIERRA MADRE
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
SIERRA MADRE CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, March 12, 2024 - 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 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
The purpose of a City Council meeting is to conduct City business. Members of the public that behave in a manner that interrupts or obstructs the Council's ability to conduct City business may be asked to 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 Kriebs called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m. City Clerk Aguilar called the roll.
Present: Mayor Kelly Kriebs, Mayor Pro Tem Parkhurst, and Council Members Edward Garcia, Gene Goss, and Kristine Lowe.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Jose Reynoso, City Manager
Miguel Hernandez, Assistant City Manager
Aleks Giragosian, City Attorney
Laura Aguilar, Deputy City Manager/City Clerk
Brent Bartlett, Fire Chief
David Gacad, Fire Captain
Gustavo Barrientos, Police Chief
Henry Amos, Police Captain
Hillary Guirola-Leon, Finance Director
Arnulfo Yanez, Public Works Director
Josh Wolf, Senior Planner
Leila Regan, City Librarian
Also Present: Charles Kamchamnan, Police Sergeant
Nelson Ascano, Police Detective
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Armen Khourdajian, Police Reserve Officer
Wendy Kenner, Service Division Supervisor
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INSPIRATION
Council Member Lowe led the Pledge of Allegiance and spoke on March 13'h being "Good Samaritan Day".
APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
Vote of the City Council to proceed with City business.
Mayor Pro Tem Parkhurst made a motion to approve the agenda as presented.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Garcia.
Mayor Kriebs called for a vote of the Council:
Ayes: Mayor Kelly Kriebs, Mayor Pro Tem Robert Parkhurst, and Council Members Edward Garcia, Gene Goss, and Kristine Lowe
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
The motion to move to approve the agenda as presented was approved by a unanimous voice vote.
COUNCIL OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Report of any action taken in Closed Session from March 12, 2024, Regular meeting.
City Attorney Giragosian announced that the City Council met in a Closed Session on March 12, 2024, to conference with Labor Negotiator for Unrepresented Employee: City Attorney under G.C. 54957.6, and no reportable action was taken.
Conference with Legal Counsel to discuss Anticipated Litigation under G.C. 54956.9(d) (2)), and no reportable action was 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 Kriebs 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 Mayor Pro Tem Parkhurst.
Mayor Kriebs called for a vote of the Council.
Ayes: Mayor Kelly Kriebs, Mayor Pro Tem Robert Parkhurst, and Council Members Edward Garcia, Gene Goss, and Kristine Lowe
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
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 February 27, 2024, City Council Regular meeting minutes.
The City Clerk's office received a non-substantive request from Mayor Kriebs to change "opened publi learing and close public hearing" in Discussion Items 1 and 2 to state "open public comment and clos public comment" The minutes reflect the changes in language.
Mayor Kries called for a motion to approve the amended minutes.
A motion to approve the meeting minutes for February 27, 2024, as amended, was made by Mayor Pro Tem Parkhurst.
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The motion was seconded by Council Member Goss.
Mayor Garcia called for a vote of the Council.
Ayes: Mayor Kriebs, Mayor Pro Tem Parkhurst, Council Members Garcia, Goss, and Lowe Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: . None.
The motion to approve the amended meeting minutes for February 27, 2024, was approved by a unanimous voice vote.
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Reporting of Council Members' activities related to City business.
Council Member Garcia: Attended the Senior Community Commission meeting on March 7 at the Kensington. The Senior Community Commission discussed sponsoring the June 10** Concert in the Park. Concerts in the Park will be on Monday nights for the upcoming season. The 12" Annual Community Yard Sale will be held at Memorial Park and the Kensington will be hosting a symposium on Aging on June 15, 2024. On March 9n, Council Member Garcia reported that he attended Opening Day at Dapper Field for Sierra Madre Pony.
Council Member Lowe: On February 29t, the League of Cities Public Safety Strike Force met and they focused on laws involving fentanyl. She also reported that she attended the Planning Commission meeting on March 7% where they addressed the Alverno Heights CUP.
Council Member Goss: On February 28th , attended the Transportation Sub-Committee meeting and announced that an information table would be available at the Wistaria Festival.
Mayor Pro Tem Parkhurst: Reported that on February 28th, he attended the Transportation Sub- Committee meeting. He also attended Clean Power Alliance meetings on February 28" and March 7% with nothing to report from either meeting.
Mayor Kriebs: Reported that she attended the Los Angeles County Sanitation Board meeting where they discussed sewage spills during the recent four-day storm incident at the beginning of February.
The Wistaria Festival will be held on Sunday March 17th in the downtown area. On June 30*h there will be two vacancies on the Senior Community Commission and one vacancy on the Planning Commission. On March 16", Athens will be hosting an E-waste drop off in the parking lot behind City Hall from 8:00 am to noon. Athens will be hosting a compost event on March 30" on the west end of Sierra Vista Park from 8:00 am to noon.
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 Kriebs opened the meeting for public comment on non-agenda items.
Arnulfo Yanez, Public Works Director: Spoke on scheduled tree trimming and removal of ficcus trees in Sierra Madre. The trees will be replaced with oak trees.
David Gacad, President of Sierra Madre Professional Fire Fighter Association: Spoke asking residents to consider signing their petition for a Public Safety Tax.
Kyle Bailey, President of Sierra Madre Police Association: Spoke asking residents to consider signing their petition for a Public Safety Tax.
City Clerk Aguilar advised that no e-mails had been received for non-agenda items.
PRESENTATION
ANNUAL UPDATE WITH SIERRA MADRE SEARCH AND RESCUE
Presented by Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Member Lauren Capoccia
ANNUAL PUBLIC SAFETY UPDATE WITH THE SIERRA MADRE FIRE AND POLICE
DEPARTMENTS
Presented by Fire Chief Brent Bartlett and Police Chief Gustavo Barrientos Mayor Kriebs opened public comment.
Dee Alcorn: Commended the City Council and Police Department for all their hard work and their response to the citizens.
Mayor Kriebs closed public comment.
UPDATE ON LIBRARY MEANINGFUL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Presented by City Librarian Leila Regan and Public Works Director Arnulfo Yanez 7:55 p.m. Mayor Kriebs requested a briet recess.
8:02 p.m., the City Council reconvened the meeting.
DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION OF USES PERMISSIBLE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE ONE-FAMILY (R-1) ZONE: HOME OCCUPATIONS AND TEMPORARY USES
It is recommended that the City Council discuss the concerns of the residents and provide staff with direction.
Senior Planner Joshua Wolf gave the report.
Disclosure of Site Visits and Ex-parte Contacts:
Council Member Goss stated he visited 89 Olive Avenue and was given a tour of the property on March 10* at 5:30 p.m.
Council Member Lowe stated she had been on the property of 89 Olive Avenue previously, however, this time she just drove around the corners to see the different sections of the property.
Council Member Garcia stated the City Council had e-mail communication with the Brandstaters, owners of 89 Olive Avenue.
Mayor Kriebs brought the matter to Council for questions.
Mayor Kriebs opened the public comment.
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Brian Abernathy, Olive Tree Lane: Spoke in support of the TUP for the Brandstaters at 89 Olive Avenue.
Justin Brandstater, Olive Avenue: Spoke on his property at 89 Olive being a historic landmark and asked Council for an exemption for TUP, HOP, and R1 zones to operate a home base business within one block of other zones. He submitted written comments to City Council.
Dawn Denison, Auburn: Asked Council to waive the TUP fees for two Nonprofits Community Organizations and to limit the frequency businesses get TUPs.
Steve Rosco, Olive Avenue: Spoke on residents operating a commercial business in R1 and asked they be shut down.
Joey Kadarin, Victoria Lane: Spoke in opposition of the TUP.
Maria Decker, Laurel: Spoke on the increased traffic resulting from the events at 89 Olive Avenue and how it impacts the residents in the area
City Clerk Aguilar advised that three e-mails had been received and forwarded to the City Council for review from Stefani Greenwood & Serge Monkewitz; Lisha Garriola; and Anthony Sweeney.
Seeing no one else come forward, Mayor Kriebs closed the public comment and brought the matter back to Council for discussion.
At the conclusion of City Council discussion, they provided direction to staff and the Planning Commission.
Item 2 was pulled for discussion from the Consent Calendar.
2. SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1469 ADDING CHAPTER 8.40, "LANDSCAPING EQUIPMENT" TO TITLE 8, "HEALTH AND SAFETY" OF THE SIERRA MADRE MUNICIPAL CODE
It is recommended that the City Council read by title only and adopt Ordinance 1469.
Council discussed Ordinance 1469 and recommended changes.
Mayor Kriebs opened the matter for public comment. Seeing none, Mayor Kriebs closed public comment.
Council continued their discussion with recommendations to update Sunday landscape equipment use times.
Mayor Pro Tem Parkhurst made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 1469 with the amendment in section A and B, permitting landscaping equipment use from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sundays.
Council Member Goss seconded the motion.
Mayor Kriebs called for a vote of the Council.
Ayes: Mayor Kelly Kriebs, Mayor Pro Tem Robert Parkhurst, and Council Members Edward Garcia, Gene Goss, and Kristine Lowe
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
The motion to approve Ordinance No. 1469 with the amendment in section A and B, permitting landscaping equipment use from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sundays was passed by a unanimous voice vote.
CONSENT
Presented by City Clerk Aguilar
a) CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 24-16 APPROVING CERTAIN DEMANDS
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It is recommended that the City Council approve Resolution 24-16 approving payment of City Warrants in the aggregate amount of $689,017.66; Sierra Madre Library Warrants in the aggregate amount of $4,481.95; and Payroll Transfer in the aggregate amount of $464,744.61; for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. b) CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 24-19, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
SIERRA MADRE, CALIFORNIA, DISSOLVING THE SIERRA MADRE FINANCING It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution 24-19 dissolving the Sierra Madre Financing Authority.
SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1469 ADDING CHAPTER 8.40, "LANDSGAPING EQUIPMENT" TO TITLE 8, "HEALTH AND SAFETY" OF THE SIERRA MADRE
MUNICIPAL CODE
It is recommended that the City Council read by title only and adopt Ordinance 1469.
This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar for Council discussion. d) CONSIDERATION OF THE SECOND AMENDED & RESTATED CITY MANAGER
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
It is recommended that the City Council consider the Second Amended & Restated City Manager Employment Agreement
Mayor Kriebs brought the matter to the City Council for questions.
Mayor Kriebs opened the matter for public comment.
City Clerk Aguilar advised that one e-mail had been received from W. Serrano and forwarded to the City Council for review.
Seeing no one come forward, Mayor Kriebs brought the matter back to Council for discussion.
The Mayor sought a motion from the Council.
Council Member Goss made a motion to approve Consent Agenda Items A, B, and D.
Mayor Pro Tem Parkhurst seconded the motion.
Mayor Kriebs called for a vote of the Council.
Ayes: Mayor Kelly Kriebs, Mayor Pro Tem Robert Parkhurst, and Council Members Edward Garcia, Gene Goss, and Kristine Lowe
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
The motion to approve Consent Items A, B, and D was passed by a unanimous voice vote.
Consent Item C was pulled by the City Council for discussion.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. CONSIDERATION OF THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 24-18 ADOPTING FISCAL YEAR 23-24 BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS AND APPROPRIATING THE AMOUNTS PROJECTED It is recommended that the City Council approve Resolution 24-18 adopting Fiscal Year 23-24 budget adjustments and appropriating the amounts projected.
Finance Director Hillary Guirola-Leon gave the report.
Mayor Kriebs brought the matter to Council for questions.
Mayor Kriebs opened the public hearing.
City Clerk Aguilar advised that no e-mails had been received.
Seeing no one else come forward, Mayor Kriebs closed the public comment and brought the matter back to Council for discussion or a motion.
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Mayor Pro Tem Parkhurst made a motion to adopt Resolution 24-18, adopting Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget adjustments and appropriating the amounts projected.
Council Member Lowe seconded the motion.
Mayor Kriebs called for a vote of the Council.
Ayes: Mayor Kelly Kriebs, Mayor Pro Tem Robert Parkhurst, and Council Members Edward Garcia, and Kristine Lowe
Noes: None.
Absent: Council Member Goss (stepped away).
Abstain: None.
The motion to adopt Resolution 24-18, adopting Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget adjustments and appropriating the amounts projects was passed by a 4-0-1-0 voice vote.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Kriebs would like to agendize TUP fee waivers and subsidizing trash bills. She would like to agendize a reward matching policy.
Mayor Pro Tem Parkhurst would like to agendize cost projections; labor, revenue, sales tax, property tax, and general fund.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Kriebs asked for a motion to adjourn the Regular meeting.
Council Member Lowe made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Council Member Goss seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:34 p.m. to a Regular meeting to be held on March 26, 2024.
Kelly Kriebs, Mayor
Minutes taken and prepared by:
Amber Tardir, Deputy gity Clerk
Reviewed by:
Jaura Agnilar -
Laura Aguilar, City Clerk
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