1 MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
SIERRA MADRE CITY COUNCIL
Robert Parkhurst, Mayor
Kristine Lowe, Mayor Pro Tem
Edward Garcia, Council Member
Gene Goss, Council Member
Kelly Kriebs, Council Member
Thursday, January 28, 2025
5:30 pm
Sue Spears, City Treasurer
City of Sierra Madre
City Council Chambers
232 W. Sierra Madre Boulevard
Sierra Madre, California 91024
The Brown Act provides the public with an opportunity to make public comments at any public meeting; As an alternative to attending the meeting in person, 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.SierraMadreCA.gov, 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 leave the meeting. Any and all demonstrations that disrupt, interrupt, or obstruct the Council’s ability to conduct City business are prohibited. 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.
2 CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Parkhurst, Mayor Pro Tem Lowe, Council Member Garcia, Council Member Goss, Council Member Kriebs
Mayor Parkhurst called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. City Clerk Aguilar called the roll.
Present: Mayor Robert Parkhurst, Mayor Pro Tem Kristine Lowe, and Council Members Edward Garcia, Gene Goss, and Kelly Kriebs.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Jose Reynoso, City Manager
Miguel Hernandez, Assistant City Manager
Aleks Giragosian, City Attorney
Laura Aguilar, Deputy City Manager/City Clerk
James Carlson, Senior Management Analyst
Brent, Bartlett, Fire Chief
Joshua Wolf, Senior Planner
Arnulfo Yanez, Public Works Director
James Carlson, Senior Management Analyst
Steven McGee, Water Superintendent
Oscar Millan, IT Manager
Leila Regan, City Librarian
Anthony Rainey, Finance Director
Henry Amos, Police Captain
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INSPIRATION
Council Member Edward Garcia acknowledged the Eaton Fire tragedy and its impact on the community as the Lunar New Year approached. He reflected on the holiday’s themes of resilience, renewal, and hope, recognizing its relevance in helping the community heal.
He noted the reopening of schools in Sierra Madre, Pasadena, and Altadena, emphasizing the importance of supporting students and staff as they return to their school communities following recent hardships. He expressed optimism that those who have experienced loss will find solace and strength within their community.
Garcia highlighted the symbolism of the Lunar New Year, noting that just as the seasons change and the moon waxes and wanes, challenges and hardships are followed by renewal and growth. He encouraged the community to come together, commit to acts of service and kindness, and find gratitude in small blessings.
He commended the volunteerism and generosity demonstrated by Sierra Madre residents in response to the tragedy and closed with an optimistic message, seeing the new year as an opportunity for renewal, hope, and unity.
APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
Vote of the City Council to proceed with City business.
Council Member Garcia made a motion to amend Consent Calendar Item (C) – the City of Sierra Madre Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, Auditor’s Report, and Associated Financial Reports for Fiscal Year 2023/2024 – by moving it from the Consent Calendar to a Discussion item. Additionally, he moved to defer the approval of the January 21, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes to the February 11, 2025, Council meeting.
3 Council Member Goss seconded the motion.
Mayor Parkhurst called for a vote of the Council:
Ayes: Mayor Parkhurst, Mayor Pro Tem Lowe, and Council Members Garcia, Goss, and Kriebs.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
The motion to move to approve the agenda as amended was approved by a unanimous voice vote.
COUNCIL REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION
No closed Sessions were held between January 21, and 2025 and January 28, 2025.
APPROVAL FOR READING RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES
Vote of the Council to read all ordinances and resolutions by title only and waive the reading in full.
A motion to approve the reading of resolutions and ordinances was made by Council Member Kriebs.
Mayor Pro Tem Lowe seconded the motion.
Mayor Parkhurst called for a vote of the Council:
Ayes: Mayor Parkhurst, Mayor Pro Tem Lowe, and Council Members Garcia, Goss, and Kriebs.
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 the January 21, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes moved to the February 11, 2025, Council meeting.
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Reporting of Council Members' activities related to City business.
Council Member Goss:
No report.
Council Member Kriebs:
Reported that, in light of a recent executive order, she proactively reached out to several local elected officials to discuss potential impacts on federal funding allocated to Sierra Madre. She contacted Congresswoman Judy Chu, Senator Alex Padilla, Senator Adam Schiff, and State Assembly member John Harabedian to inquire about any concerns regarding federal funds designated for the city, particularly those related to public safety initiatives and FEMA recovery efforts following the Eaton Fire.
Council Member Kriebs received responses from both Assembly member Harabedian and Congresswoman Chu's offices, acknowledging the concerns and indicating that they were addressing the issue. She also noted that a court injunction had been issued, temporarily halting the executive order until the beginning of the following week. Council Member Kriebs emphasized his commitment to ensuring that the city remains informed and prepared concerning the receipt of these critical funds. 4 Council Member Garcia:
Attended a press conference organized by SoCal Gas and the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. The event featured notable attendees, including SoCal Gas CEO, Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, and Victor Dominguez, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. During the event, SoCal Gas announced a $400,000 donation to support the YMCA's relief efforts. The event highlighted the collaborative efforts of volunteers from both Sierra Madre and SoCal Gas in supporting the community.
Council Member Garcia expressed gratitude to the first responders, city staff, volunteers, the YMCA, and SoCal Gas for their contributions to the community's recovery.
Mayor Pro Tem Lowe:
Attended a webinar titled "Green Jobs for LA County," which focused on the evolving landscape of the economy and workforce, particularly in relation to disaster preparedness and recovery. The discussion emphasized the increasing demand for specialized roles in areas such as post-fire cleanup, management of lithium-ion batteries, and adaptation to changing fire behaviors. The webinar highlighted the need to prepare for various types of disasters and the emergence of new job categories to address these challenges.
Additionally, Mayor Pro Tem Lowe attended the memorial service for Eddie Truman, a beloved Sierra Madre resident known for his contributions to the community. The service provided an opportunity for residents, especially those from the canyon area, to come together, share memories, and reflect on experiences, including previous fires and community resilience.
Furthermore, she engaged in discussions with Assembly member John Harabedian regarding the availability of relief funds for private schools in the aftermath of recent disasters. While public schools have applied for FEMA funds and initiated relief efforts, concerns were raised about the 40% of students attending private institutions that may not have access to the same funding. Assembly member Harabedian is investigating potential avenues for these schools to receive assistance, considering their unique status that doesn't align directly with public school or small business funding categories.
Mayor Parkhurst:
He began by discussing Governor Gavin Newsom’s visit to Pasadena on January 23, 2025, where he signed two bills totaling $2.5 billion. Of that amount, $1.5 billion is allocated for Los Angeles fire relief, while $1 billion is designated for statewide climate change response initiatives. He noted that the swift passage of these measures reflects the urgency in providing resources to affected communities.
He then announced water billing adjustments for Sierra Madre residents in response to the recent emergency. Residents will receive two separate water bills: one covering the period from December 29, 2024, through January 7, 2025, and another covering January 25 through the end of February 2025. No residents will be billed for water usage during the emergency period of January 8 through January 24, 2025. Additionally, homeowners who lost their homes will not receive any water bills until their properties are rebuilt. These adjustments were initiated by city staff to ease financial burdens on impacted residents.
He also announced the upcoming Fire Safe Council Meeting, scheduled for Monday, February 3, 2025, at 6 p.m. in the council chambers. The Fire Safe Council will focus on reducing fire risks to homes, building community resilience, and potentially improving insurance rates for residents in high-risk areas. While insurance benefits are not guaranteed, the initiative is expected to provide additional protection and preparedness for the community.
Mayor Parkhurst concluded by sharing a message from Nicole Tibbet, Assistant City Manager of San Marino and Director of Programming for the Municipal Management Association of Southern California.
She recently attended a meeting in Tampa, where nearly 60 city and county managers from across the country expressed their concern for California communities affected by recent fires. In a show of support, city and county officials from across the United States wrote letters of encouragement to Sierra Madre. 5 Mayor Parkhurst read several of these letters, highlighting the national solidarity and compassion extended to the community during this challenging time.
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 places 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 comments made from the podium will be recognized by the City Council and entered into public record.
Providing Public Comment for Items on the Meeting Agenda Persons wishing to speak on any item on the agenda will be called during the designated comment period. 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.
Provide Public Comment for Topics not on the Meeting 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.
Providing Public Comment
1. Any person wishing to provide public comment is asked to complete a comment card. Each speaker will be limited to up to three continuous minutes, which may not be delegated or deferred.
2. Comments addressed to the Council shall occur from the podium during the appropriate time on the agenda and should not be construed as an opportunity for dialogue
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Parkhurst opened the meeting for public comment.
Joseph Cain, 2081 Liliano Dr: raised concerns about overgrown vegetation and fire hazards in a small valley on the west side of Liliano Drive and the north end of Stonehouse Road. He noted that the recent fire reached the backyard of a home on Liliano Drive before being stopped and emphasized that the area contains cut wood, leaf piles, overgrown brush, and eucalyptus trees in need of thinning and removal.
He stated that minimal maintenance has been done for years, and the fuel load has increased significantly due to recent heavy rains, posing a heightened wildfire risk. Cain urged the City Council to prioritize wildfire mitigation efforts and sought guidance on addressing this hazard to protect the neighborhood from future fires.
Chris Bohler, 691 Chaparral Rd: a local builder with over 30 years of experience addressed the council regarding the lengthy and complex building permit process. He proposed creating a catalog of pre-approved home designs—specifically tailored for Fire Zone 4—to expedite reconstruction efforts in areas affected by recent fires, such as Altadena, Sierra Madre, and Pasadena. This initiative would allow residents to select from various designs online, significantly 6 reducing architectural fees and permit processing times. Bohler suggested collaborating with architects willing to contribute their designs for a nominal fee, enabling quicker project commencements post-hazardous material cleanup. He expressed concerns that, without such measures, the rebuilding process could extend over several years due to anticipated bottlenecks in design and permitting. Bohler also inquired about contacting Supervisor Kathryn Barger to discuss this proposal further.
John Cassara, 2085 Kaia Lane: expressed concerns about mudslide risks and the need for K-rail barriers following the recent fire. He stated that he and his neighbors fought the fire themselves using hydrants and successfully saved several homes, despite not seeing fire crews for two days.
The area behind his home, which had not burned since 1971, is now completely scorched, creating a significant risk of mudflows.
He requested that the City provide four large K-rail barriers to help protect his property and his neighbor's home from potential debris flow. Cassara noted that LA County Sheriff's deputies visited his property and questioned why Sierra Madre had not yet provided K-rail, given the urgency of the situation. He also stated that LA County officials confirmed that they had provided Sierra Madre with K-rail for fire-impacted areas.
City officials informed Cassara that a public works representative would follow up with him regarding his request. Cassara emphasized that while some homes in other areas had received Krail, his neighborhood remains at immediate risk, and he urged the City to act quickly to prevent post-fire damage to homes.
Jon Fullinwider: expressed frustration over a lack of communication and support from the city during and after the fire. Despite multiple attempts to contact Public Works, he never received a response, while LA County Public Works informed him that K-rail had been provided to Sierra Madre for distribution.
He emphasized the urgent need for proactive mudslide mitigation to prevent damage, referencing past disasters like the Chantry Flats mudslide. He called for a post-event analysis involving public input to assess the city’s emergency response and coordination with other agencies.
In response to a council inquiry, Fullinwider suggested direct emails for specific invitations and continued use of city alerts and sheriff notifications for broader public communication.
Leila Regan, City Librarian: announced the 2025 One Book One City program, featuring What You Are Looking for Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama. She highlighted several upcoming events:
Origami Cats Craft: Available throughout the month at the library.
Community Writing Submission: Residents are invited to submit creative nonfiction or poetry (1,000 words or less) about how the library has impacted them. Submissions are due by Monday, February 3rd, at 8:00 PM. The collected works will be published in a community book, followed by a book signing and reading event.
Sip and Shush Silent Book Club: An opportunity to read quietly in a social setting at T. T. Rogers.
Sessions are scheduled for Saturday, February 8th, at 6:30 PM, and Wednesday, February 26th, at 7:00 PM.
Crafted Workshop: Led by Rich Proctor's daughter, this session will teach participants the art of felting, inspired by the book's librarian character.
The World's Strongest Librarian Play: Tentatively planned for Monday, February 24th, at 7:30 PM, at the Sierra Madre Playhouse.
7 Leila encouraged the community to participate in these events throughout February.
Seeing no one else come forward, Mayor Parkhurst closed public comment and brought the matter back to Council for further discussion or a motion.
PRESENTATIONS
PUBLIC WORKS WATER MAIN UPDATE
Presented by Water Superintendent McGee:
Steven McGee provided an update on the city's water main replacement efforts and shared recent rainfall totals, noting that the city received approximately 0.75 inches of rain at the yard and nearly an inch at the tunnel system.
He thanked the community for their patience during the recent boil water advisory, emphasizing the seriousness of maintaining a reliable water system and commending his staff and City Manager Reynoso for their efforts in resolving the situation.
McGee outlined the city’s aging water infrastructure as a primary cause of increasing leaks. Before 2015, the city experienced approximately 50 leaks per year, but that number has since risen to 400 annually due to aging pipes well past their life expectancy. To address this, the city began a focused effort on water main replacements in 2015 and developed a Water Master Plan in 2017, which originally identified 29,000 feet of pipe in need of replacement. To date, over 35,000 feet of mainline has been replaced, surpassing initial projections.
Challenges include rising material and construction costs, reducing the amount of pipe that can be replaced annually. Current projects complete approximately 2,500 feet of pipeline per year, compared to 5,000-6,000 feet in previous years. However, the city’s increased budget from $1.2 million to $1.5 million in FY 2025-26 will allow for continued replacement efforts.
McGee discussed the importance of updating the Water Master Plan to reassess remaining priority areas and seek additional funding through grants and emergency funds. He confirmed that water loss has decreased from 30% to approximately 12%, despite continued high leak rates, and attributed this to proactive repairs, pipeline replacements, and system monitoring.
Looking ahead, the city will continue prioritizing mainline replacements based on leak data and master plan recommendations, while also exploring opportunities to further expand replacement efforts as funding allows.
ACTION ITEMS
Regardless of staff recommendation on any agenda item, the City Council will consider such matters, including action to approve, conditionally approve, reject, or continue such item.
CONSENT
The reports were presented by City Clerk Aguilar.
a) CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 25-11 APPROVING CERTAIN DEMANDS It is recommended that the City Council approve Resolution 25-11 approving payment of City Warrants in the aggregate amount of $376,041.28, Sierra Madre Library Warrants in the aggregate amount of $7,723.70, and Payroll Transfer in the aggregate amount of $620,908.91; for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2025.
b) GRANT OF EASEMENT TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON TO CONSTRUCT NEW ANCHORS AT TRACT 2456, ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBER 5764-025-902, A CITY OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT 530 ALTA VISTA DRIVE, SIERRA MADRE,
CALIFORNIA
8 It is recommended that the City Council grant an easement to Southern California Edison at Parcel Number 5764-025-902 to construct, use, maintain, operate, alter, add to, repair, replace, inspect, relocate, and remove at any time and from time to time stub poles, guywires, anchors, and other appurtenant fixtures and/or equipment made for anchorage purposes.
It is recommended that the City Council receive and file the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2023/2024.
c) SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 1476 ADOPTING AN ADMINISTRATIVE
REMEDIES PROCEDURE FOR CHALLENGES TO FEES, CHARGES, AND
ASSESSMENTS
It is recommended that the City Council conduct a second reading of Ordinance 1476, by title only, waiving any further reading, and adopt Ordinance 1476. d) STATE HOMELAND SECURITY PROGRAM SUB RECIPIENT AGREEMENT FOR GRANT YEAR 2023
It is recommended that the City Council approve the grant agreement between the City of Sierra Madre and County of Los Angeles for a State Homeland Security Program grant and authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute the agreement and any additional documents related to the grant.
Mayor Parkhurst brought the matter to the City Council for questions.
Mayor Parkhurst opened Public Comment.
Seeing no one come forward, Mayor Parkhurst brought the matter back to the City Council for further discussion and/or a motion.
Council Member Goss made a motion to approve Consent Items A-D, as presented.
Council Member Garcia seconded the motion.
Mayor Kriebs called for a vote of the Council
Ayes: Mayor Parkhurst, Mayor Pro Tem Lowe, Council Members Garcia, Goss, and Kriebs.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 25-10 APPROVING A CITY PARKING BAIL
SCHEDULE TO ESTABLISH OPERATIONAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PARKING
ENFORCEMENT, INSTITUTING LATE PAYMENT PENALTY FINES FOR DELINQUENT
PAYMENT OF PARKING CITATIONS AND AUTHORIZE THE FINANCE DIRECTOR TO
MAKE ANY NECESSARY BUDGETARY AND ACCOUNTING ENTRIES
It is recommended that the City Council open a Public Hearing, receive testimony and consider adoption of Resolution 25-10
9 Presented by: Henry Amos, Police Captain:
Captain Amos of the Sierra Madre Police Department presented Resolution 25-10, which establishes a structured fee and penalty system for parking violations in compliance with California Vehicle Code Section 40203.5(a). The resolution authorizes cost recovery for parking enforcement operations, institutes late payment penalties, and permits the Finance Director to make necessary budget adjustments.
The parking fine structure consists of three levels:
• Initial fine: Must be paid within 21 days.
• Late fee: After 21 days, a $25 penalty is added.
• DMV hold: If unpaid, the citation is sent to the DMV, adding a $15 fee and preventing vehicle registration renewal until the fine is settled.
The fine for standard parking violations, including overnight parking without a permit, is $100, increasing to $125 after 21 days and $140 if sent to the DMV. Fines for violations related to disabled parking spaces and access are $300, increasing to $325 after 21 days and $340 if sent to the DMV.
Council members inquired about the history of the ordinance, which was previously reviewed and approved after adjustments to fine amounts. It was noted that the resolution still listed the former mayor’s name, raising a procedural question regarding its signature validity.
Other discussion points included:
• Overnight parking enforcement: Vehicles without a permit are subject to a citation each night they are parked illegally. The annual permit fee is approximately $115, while temporary permits are about $6-$7 per night.
• 72-hour parking rule: Regardless of having an overnight parking permit, vehicles must be moved every 72 hours per California Vehicle Code to allow street sweeping and prevent vehicle abandonment. • Cost recovery: While the city recovers some costs, the fines do not fully cover parking enforcement expenses, as portions of the revenue go to the court, the state, and the city’s parking citation vendor. • Comparison to other cities: Parking fines in neighboring cities range from $6 to $215, with Sierra Madre’s proposed fines falling within a similar range.
• DMV hold process: If unpaid, citations are sent to the DMV within 60-90 days after multiple notices to the vehicle owner.
Captain Amos confirmed that officers do not automatically issue 72-hour parking violations, but rather mark vehicles and issue warnings before citing them. Council members emphasized the importance of ensuring proper enforcement and considering potential adjustments in the future.
Mayor Parkhurst brought the matter to the City Council for questions.
Mayor Parkhurst opened Public Comment to receive testimony.
Seeing no one come forward, Mayor Parkhurst brought the matter back to the City Council for further discussion and/or a motion.
Mayor Pro Tem Lowe made a motion to adopt Resolution 25-10, approving a city parking bail schedule to establish operational costs associated with parking enforcement, instituting late payment penalty fines for delinquent payment of parking citations and authorize the Finance Director to make any necessary 10 budgetary and accounting entries.
Council Member Kriebs seconded the motion.
Mayor Parkhurst called for a vote of the Council
Ayes: Mayor Parkhurst, Mayor Pro Tem Lowe, Council Members Garcia, Goss, and Kriebs.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
The motion to adopt Resolution 25-10, approving a city parking bail schedule to establish operational costs associated with parking enforcement, instituting late payment penalty fines for delinquent payment of parking citations and authorize the Finance Director to make any necessary budgetary and accounting entries was approved by a unanimous voice vote.
DISCUSSION
1. CITY OF SIERRA MADRE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT, AUDITOR’S REPORT, AND ASSOCIATED FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024.
Presented by: Anthony Rainey, Finance Director:
Finance Director Anthony Rainey presented the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, highlighting its role in accountability, decision-making, creditworthiness, and compliance. The report adheres to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and is audited in accordance with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirements.
Key points discussed included:
• Financial Performance: The city’s net position improved by $5.1 million due to increased revenues ($37.94M, up by $5.24M) and decreased expenses ($31.1M, down from $34.8M). • Pension Liabilities: The city’s net pension liability decreased from $5.98M to $2.2M, attributed to actuarial adjustments and prior pension refinancing efforts. • Investment Performance: Higher-than-expected returns resulted from temporary investment of ARPA funds and library grant money, but future investment returns are expected to be lower. • Budgeting Approach: Rainey outlined plans to transition to a modified zero-based budget, prioritizing core expenses while allowing for decision-based adjustments. • Reserves & Fund Management: The city maintains healthy reserves (~$4M), with discussions emphasizing their use for one-time expenses rather than ongoing operational costs.
Council members inquired about the impact of grant funding, investment strategies, and financial forecasting. Clarifications were made on enterprise funds (such as water utilities, which operate on set rates) versus general fund-supported services like public safety, where cost recovery through fees is limited. The council acknowledged the importance of reserves for long-term financial stability and the need for prudent fiscal planning.
The council was asked to receive and file the ACFR, auditor’s report on internal controls, and SAS 114 letter, formally completing the financial reporting process for FY 2023/24.
Following the Discussion, Mayor Pro Tem made a motion to receive a file the City of Sierra Madre Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, Auditor’s Report, and Associated Financial Reports for Fiscal Year 11 2023/2024.
Council Member Kriebs seconded the motion.
2 CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS 25-06 ESTABLISHING A LEGISLATIVE
ADVOCACY POLICY AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO
TAKE POLICY POSITIONS ON PENDING STATE OR FEDERAL LEGISLATION OR
REGULATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution 25-06.
Presented by Aleks Giragosian, City Attorney:
The City Council discussed the adoption of a legislative advocacy policy that would establish legislative priorities and authorize the City Manager or designee to take positions on pending state or federal legislation or regulations. The Council considered different models for delegation, including a fully delegated approach, a hybrid model, and maintaining the current process of bringing legislative items directly to the Council for discussion.
After discussion, the City Council decided not to adopt a broad legislative advocacy policy at this time, citing concerns about the complexity, political implications, and potential unintended consequences of taking formal positions on state and federal legislation. Instead, the Council provided direction to staff to draft a revised policy that would allow the City Manager, in consultation with the Mayor, to sign letters of support for grant applications and initiatives from neighboring cities or regional agencies that directly benefit Sierra Madre.
This decision does not preclude the Council from taking official positions on specific legislative matters when deemed necessary, which will continue to be discussed in regular or special meetings as needed.
The City Attorney will return with a revised resolution reflecting the Council’s direction.
Mayor Parkhurst brought the matter to the City Council for questions.
Mayor Parkhurst opened Public Comment to receive testimony.
Action Taken:
No formal vote was taken. Direction was provided to staff to revise the resolution to reflect the Council’s decision.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
1. Post-Fire Incident Town Hall & Assessment
• The Council will consider holding a town hall or postmortem discussion regarding the recent fire incident.
• The meeting would include a review of the city’s response, presentations from staff, and community feedback on emergency preparedness.
• The Council may explore renaming evacuation zones instead of numbering them to improve public recall, potentially through a community naming contest. • The discussion aligns with recommendations from Emergency Planner Bob Spears.
2. Review of Emergency Meeting Protocols
• The Council will consider whether to adjust protocols for calling special or emergency meetings to respond more effectively to urgent matters affecting the city, such as regional partnerships and grant opportunities.
12 AVAILABILITY OF AGENDA MATERIALS
Materials related to items on this agenda are available for public inspection on the City’s website at www.SierraMadreCA.gov
LIVE BROADCASTS
Regular City Council meetings are broadcast live on Cable Channel 3 and rebroadcast on Wednesday and Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Additionally, meetings are streamed live on the City of Sierra Madre YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@3SMTV/streams..
MEETING ASSISTANCE
If you require special assistance to participate in this meeting, please call the City Clerk’s office at (626) 355-7135 at least 48 hours before the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The City Council will adjourn this meeting to a Regular meeting on January 28, 2025.
Mayor Parkhurst asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Council Member Garcia made a motion to adjourn the Regular meeting to a Closed Session meeting.
Council Member Kriebs seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting to a Closed Session meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m. to a Closed Session meeting.
Robert Parkhurst, Mayor
Minutes taken and prepared by:
Eric Lozick, Administrative Analyst
Minutes edited by
Laura Aguilar, City Clerk