CITY
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
SIERRA MADRE CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, A 0 pust 26, 2025
Robert Parkhurst, Mayor
Kristine Lowe, Mayor Pro Tem
City of Sierra Madre Edward Garcia, Council Member
City Council Chambers Gene Goss, Council Member
Kelly Kriebs, Council Member
Sera Mare, Calloria 91024
Sue Spears, City Treasurer
The meeting will be streamed live on the City's website at sierramadreca.gov, on Foothills Media website at http://www.foothillsmedia.org/sierramadre and broadcast on Government Access Channel 3 (Spectrum)
CODE OF CONDUCT
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Parkhurst called the meeting to order at 5:41 p.m. City Clerk Aguilar called the roll.
Present: Mayor Robert Parkhurst, Mayor Pro Tem Kristine Lowe, Council Member Edward Garcia, Council Member Gene Goss, and Council Member Kelly Kriebs
Absent: None
Also Present: Michael Bruckner, City Manager
Aleks Giragosian, City Attorney (via tele-conference call) Miguel Hernandez, Assistant City Manager
Laura Aguilar, City Clerk
Gustavo Barrientos. Police Chief
Joshua Wolf, Senior Planner
Leila Regan, City Librarian
Arnulfo Yanez, Director of Public Works
James Carlson, Senior Analyst
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INSPIRATION
Council Member Kriebs led the audience in the pledge of allegiance then welcomed the new school year, the return of college football, and the new City Manager.
APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
Vote of the City Council to proceed with City business.
Mayor Parkhurst asked for a motion to amend the agenda or approve as presented. Council Member Kriebs disclosed a conflict of interest with Consent Item G and advised that she would have to abstain from voting on Consent G.
Mayor Parkhurst disclosed a conflict of interest in Discussion Item 2; and advised he would have to recuse himself from discussion and voting with regards to the traffic survey and traffic report at the intersection of East Grandview Avenue and Canon, due to the proximity of that intersection with his home. Mayor Parkhurst asked that Discussion Item 2 be split into two separate discussions and votes so that he would be allowed to discuss and vote on all other aspects of the traffic survey and traffic report. He would then leave the dais during the portion of the discussion that pertained to East Grandview Avenue and Canon.
Mayor Pro Tem Lowe made a motion to amend the agenda to split Discussion Item 2 into "A" and "B" with "A" discussing the traffic survey and traffic report, excluding East Grandview Avenue and Canon; and Discussion "B" to specifically discuss the intersection of East Grandview Avenue and Canon.
Council Member Garcia 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 approve the agenda as amended was approved by a unanimous voice vote by all Members present.
REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Giragosian reported that the City Council met in Closed Session on August 26, 2025 to discuss the following three items and that no reportable action was taken.
1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
(Gov. Code § 54957.6)
City Negotiator: City Manager Michael Bruckner and Assistant City Manager Miguel Hernandez Employee Organization: Sierra Madre Professional Firefighters' Association
2. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
(Gov. Code § 54957.6)
City Negotiator: City Manager Michael Bruckner and Assistant City Manager Miguel Hernandez Employee Organization: Sierra Madre Classified Employees' Association
3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL; EXISTING LITIGATION
(Gov. Code 54956.9(d)(1))
Name of Case: Protect Sierra Madre v. City of Sierra Madre et al.
Name of Petitioners: Protect Sierra Madre
Case No.: 24STCP01652
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
Approval of July 8, 2025 City Council Special Meeting minutes.
Approval of July 8, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting minutes.
Mayor Parkhurst asked for a motion.
Council Member Goss made a motion to approve the July 8 Special Meeting minutes as presented Mayor Pro Tem Lowe 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:
Absent:
Abstain:
Mayor Parkhurst then asked for a motion for the July 8, 2025 Regular Meeting minutes.
Mayor Pro Tem Lowe made a motion to approve the July 8 Regular Meeting minutes as presented Council Member Kriebs seconded the motion.
Mayor Parkhurst called for a vote of the Council:
Mayor Parkhurst, Mayor Pro Tem Lowe, Council Members Garcia, Goss and Kriebs None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
Mayor Parkhurst then continued the meeting to discuss the reading of resolutions and ordinances.
APPROVAL FOR READING RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES
Vote of the City Council to read all Ordinances and Resolutions by title only and waive reading in full.
Mayor Parkhurst asked for a motion.
Council Member Kriebs made a motion to approve the reading of ordinances and resolutions by title only.
Mayor Pro Tem Lowe 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:
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
The motion to approve the reading of ordinances and resolutions by title only was approved by a unanimous voice vote by all Members present.
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Reporting of Council Members' activities related to City business.
Council Member Garcia:
Reported that he attended a meeting of the Finance Ad-Hoc Committee.
The Senior Community Commission was dark so there was no meeting to attend.
Council Member Garcia reported that he was not able to attend the Sierra Madre Chamber of Commerce meeting but met afterwards with the Chair and Vice-Chair and discussed changes to the annual Winter Festival.
Mayor Pro Tem Lowe:
Reported that she met with the Sierra Madre Rotary Board on July 10. They discussed ways to collaborate.
On July 12 she was a judge in the Youth For Mayor speech contest. The contest was open to middle school and high school students in the region.
Also attended the July 15 Mayor's Breakfast.
On July 17 she participated in the Feed the Children Resources Rally with Niagara Water at the YMCA.
Attended the National Woman's Political Caucus from August 7 through August 9.
Council Member Goss:
Reported that he attended the Planning Commission meetings on July 17 and August 7.
Council Member Kriebs:
Reported that she attended National Night Out on August 1.
Also attended the Library construction meeting on August 5' and received updates on the status of the project. At that meeting, the Library Foundation and Friends of the Library shared their fundraising efforts for furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
Attended the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments' first meeting of the Olympics Ad-Hoc Committee. They plan to meet monthly.
Mayor Parkhurst:
Reported that he attended the July 12 Youth For Mayor speech contest.
On July 15 he attended the Mayor's Breakfast with the City employees Reported that he attended a meeting of the Finance Ad-Hoc Committee on July 16.
July 16 he also attended the Natural Resources Commission meeting.
August 8 he hosted the Regional Wildlife Management Lunch & Learn at the Hart House Senior Center with representatives from across the San Gabriel Valley.
August 15 attended a meeting of the Clean Power Alliance. They discussed proposals for innovative technology.
August 21 he attended a meeting of the Clean Power Alliance. No reportable action was taken.
At the conclusion of Council's reports, Mayor Parkhurst opened the forum for public comment on items not on the agenda. City Clerk Aguilar announced that no speaker cards or e-mails had been submitted for items not on the agenda.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION CODE OF CONDUCT
The City 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 official meeting places if doing so would disrupt, disturb, or otherwise impede the orderly course of the meeting
PUBLIC COMMENT
The City Council will listen to the public on any item on the agenda. In addition, the City 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
Providing Public Comment for Items on the Meeting 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.
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, the City Council is prohibited from taking action on items not on the agenda.
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
2. Comments addressed to the City Council shall occur during the appropriate time on the agenda and should not be construed as an opportunity for dialogue.
Mayor Parkhurst opened the podium for public comment on items not on the agenda. City Clerk Aguilar announced that two (2) e-mails were received for items not on the agenda. Six (6) speaker cards were submitted and the public was called forth in the order of submitted speaker cards.
Emails were received from Laura Knighten and Joe Reid for items not on the agenda.
Speaker cards were received from:
1. Tina Fredericks, PUSD Board Member: Announced that traffic conditions are concerning at the intersection of Highland and Auburn before the school day begins. She urged the City Council to address this matter.
2. Ashley Bonenfant: shared her concerns with the police department's roll out of the automated parking enforcement program and urged the Council to re-evaluate the program and consider a more comprehensive plan.
3. Ali Everett: shared her ADA access concerns with the pilot parking enforcement program.
4. Bob Spears: spoke about the Mt. Wilson Trail Race and the state of the trail itself.
5. Sue Spears: Announced the new Mt. Wilson Trail Race and shared registration information.
6. David Gordon, Sierra Madre Playhouse: shared upcoming events at the Playhouse.
PRESENTATION
1. PRESENTATION BY THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS Council of Governments President Ed Reece made a presentation updating the Council on services and plans for regional planning and project management.
2. SIERRA MADRE POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTED BEAR ACTIVITY UPDATE Police Chief Barrientos provided the City Council with an update on local bear intrusions and bear-related calls for service.
3. LIBRARY SERVICES ANNUAL REPORT
City Librarian Regan provided the City Council with an annual report on library programming, annual statistics, library services, community engagement, library construction, and upcoming plans for library services
At the conclusion of the presentations, Mayor Parkhurst moved onto Action Items. City Clerk Aguilar read the following reports:
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
a) CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 25-46 APPROVING CERTAIN DEMANDS is recommended that the City Council approve Resolution 25-46 ratifying payment ty Warrants in the aggregate amount of $439,443.93, Sierra Madre Library Warran in the aggregate amount of $3,968.36, and Payroll Transfer in the aggregate amount of $1,096,492.94, for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2026 b) CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 25-47 APPROVING CERTAIN DEMANDS It is recommended that the City Council approve Resolution 25-47 ratifying payment of City Warrants in the aggregate amount of $923,197.96, Sierra Madre Library Warrants in the aggregate amount of $613,734.50, and Payroll Transfer in the aggregate amount of $552,436.85, for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2026. c) CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 25-48 APPROVING CERTAIN DEMANDS It is recommended that the City Council approve Resolution 25-48 approving payment of City Warrants in the aggregate amount of $1,591,996.89, Sierra Madre Library Warrants in the aggregate amount of $841,975.37, and Payroll Transfer in the aggregate amount of $561,553.78, for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2026. d) AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPE SERVICES TO MARIPOSA LANDSCAPE, INC. IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $169,512.00 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025- It is recommended that the City Council approve a contract for professional landscape services to Mariposa Landscape, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $169,512.00 e) FINAL SUBDIVISION MAP FOR PARCEL MAP No. 83897, A CONDOMINIUM SUBDIVISION AT 182 W. HIGHLAND AVENUE
It is recommended that the City Council approve the final subdivision map for Parcel Map No. 83897 and authorize the City Clerk to certify the map. f) SECOND FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE No. 1467 AMENDING CHAPTER 9.32 (NOISE) OF TITLE 9 (PUBLIC, PEACE, MORALS, AND WELFARE) AND CHAPTER 8.40 (LANDSCAPING EQUIPMENT) OF TITLE 8 (HEALTH AND SAFETY) OF THE SIERRA MADRE MUNICIPAL CODE It is recommended that the City Council conduct their second first reading of Ordinance No. 1467, by title only, and approve first reading.
g) CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION No. 25-49 REGARDING THE NEW NATIONAL OPIOIDS It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution 25-49 authorizing the City Attorney and/or City Manager to accept and participate in the new National Opioids Settlement Agreement with Purdue and the Sackler family. h) CONSIDERATION OF A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FOR THE SIERRA MADRE LIBRARY FOUNDATION FOR A $50,000 T-MOBILE HOMETOWN GRANT FOR LIBRARY MEANINGFUL
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FURNITURE, FIXTURES, AND EQUIMENT (FF&E) It is recommended that the City Council approve and sign the proposed recommendation letter to T-Mobile for the Sierra Madre Library Foundation application for the Hometown Grant.
Rob Stockly. 177 E. Laurel Ave.: Mr. Stockly spoke in support of Consent Item H.
Seeing no one else come forward, Mayor Parkhurst closed Public Comment and brought the discussion back to Council.
Mayor Parkhurst asked the Council for a motion.
Council Member Garcia made a motion to approve Consent A-H as presented Council Member Goss seconded the motion.
Mayor Parkhurst called for a vote of the Council:
Ayes: Mayor Parkhurst, Mayor Pro Tem Lowe, Council Members Garcia, Goss Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: Council Member Kriebs abstained from voting on Consent 1G.
Consent Items A-H were approved by majority voice vote.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE No. 1484 AMENDING SECTION 17.60.056 ("DISCRETIONARY DEMOLITION PERMIT") OF CHAPTER 17.60 ("VARIANCES AND DISCRETIONARY PERMITS"') OF TITLE 17 ("ZONING") OF THE SIERRA MADRE
MUNICIPAL CODE
It is recommended that the City Council open a public hearing and conduct its first reading of Ordinance No. 1484, by title only.
Senior Planner Wolf presented the report to Council. Afterwards, Mayor Parkhurst brought the matter to the City Council for questions.
Mayor Parkhurst opened the Public Hearing. Seeing no one come forward, Mayor Parkhurst closed the Public Hearing and brought the matter back to Council.
Mayor Parkhurst asked the Council for a motion.
Council Member Kriebs made a motion to approve first reading of Ordinance 1484.
Council Member Goss 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:
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
The motion to approve first reading of Ordinance 1484 was approved by a unanimous voice vote of all Members present.
DISCUSSION
1. CONSIDERATION OF THREE APPOINTMENTS TO THE SENIOR COMMUNITY
COMMISSION TO FILL VACANT SEATS
It is recommended that the City Council consider a partial-term appointment to fill an unscheduled vacancy ending June 30, 2026; and appoint two commissioners for full-term vacancies concluding June 30, 2029.
City Clerk Aguilar presented the report to Council. Afterwards, Mayor Parkhurst brought the matter to the City Council for questions.
Mayor Parkhurst opened the podium for public comment.
Teresa Chaure: Expressed her interest in joining the Senior Community Commission ric Friedman: Shared his desire to serve on the Senior Community Commissio ndrew Heller: Expressed his interest to serve on the Senior Community Commissio Seeing no one eise come forward, Mayor Parkhurst closed public comment and brought the matter back to Council.
At the conclusion of Council's discussion, Mayor Parkhurst selected:
Eric Friedman for the partial term, ending June 30, 2025; Teresa Chaure for the full term, ending June 30, 2029; and Mia Khadour for the full term, ending June 30, 2029.
Mayor Parkhurst asked the Council for a motion to ratify his selection.
Council Member Goss made a motion to ratify the Mayor's selection for the Senior Community Commission.
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 was passed unanimously by all Members present.
2. TRAFFIC SURVEYS AND TRAFFIC STUDIES REPORTS
It is recommended that the City Council approve recommendations in the 2025 Engineering and Traffic Survey Report, with the exception of raising the speed limit on E. Sierra Madre Blvd. and the Traffic Study and On-Street Parking Management Plan on W. Grand View Ave.
Senior Analyst Carlson presented the report to Council, excluding the report addressing E. Grand View Ave and N. Canon Ave. Afterwards, Mayor Parkhurst brought the matter to the City Council for questions.
Mayor Parkhurst opened public comment. City Clerk Aguilar announced that prior to the meeting six (6) emails were received and forwarded to the City Council for review and consideration. Those e- mails were from:
John Lloyd
Valerie Grant
John Trager
Keith Farrell
Deb Sheridan
Tim O'Donnell
Then City Clerk Aguilar called the names from the speaker cards, in the order in which they were received:
Mary Doyle, 310 N. Sunnyside: asked the Council to include Sunnyside and Grandview and other intersections in any future studies.
John Doyle, 310 N. Sunnyside: Shared his experience with drivers not stopping at the stop sign at Sunnyside and Grandview.
John Lioyd, E. Laurel Ave: Encouraged the City Council to reconvene the Transportation Sub- Committee to discuss these types of matters, and provide alternatives and solutions.
Teri Buchanan, 65 W. Grandview Ave.: Asked the Council to consider more surveys to have a better understanding of the full traffic conditions before any decisions are made.
Seeing no one else come forward, Mayor Parkhurst closed public comment and brought the matter back to Council.
Mayor Parkhurst provided the following summary before asking the Council for a motion:
Council expressed agreement to making changes on speed for Highland and West Sierra Madre Blvd.;
There was consensus to direct staff to conduct further research the intersections of Fairview and Sunnyside, Sunnyside and Mariposa, and Michilinda and Grandview: and • Rejecting the recommendations for parking restrictions on West Grandview City Manager Bruckner asked Mayor Parkhurst for clarification regarding staff making additional findings for stop signs at the intersections.
Mayor Parkhurst asked the Council for a motion.
Council Member Goss made a motion to
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 make changes on speed for Highland and West Sierra Madre Blvd; direct staff to conduct further research the intersections of Fairview and Sunnyside, Sunnyside and Mariposa, and ichilinda and Grandview; and reject the recommendations for parking restrictions on West Grandvien was approved a unanimous voice vote.
At this point Mayor Parkhurst turned the meeting over to Mayor Pro Tem Lowe and left the dais to sit in the gallery. Mayor Parkhurst explained from the podium that his reason for recusing himself from Council discussion was that he lives at the intersection of Grandview and Canon.
Afterwards, Mayor Pro Tem Lowe opened the podium for public comment for the intersection of Grandview and Canon.
Curt Young, Grandview Ave: shared his experience traffic conditions and traffic collisions.
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 cancel the November 11, November 25, and December 23, 2025 Regular meetings; and schedule Special Meetings on November 18, 2025 and December 16 was approved by a unanimous voice
FUTURE ITEMS
Mayor Parkhurst asked if the Council had any suggestions for future agenda items.
Council Member Kriebs: Report from Transportation Sub-Committee and information on Gateway Coach replacement options.
Council Member Kriebs: Report on Highland Avenue and Auburn during school drop-off times.
Council Member Garcia: Grove Street traffic and circulation mitigation efforts Mayor Pro Tem Lowe: SCAG Safe & Active program
Mayor Parkhurst: City Mobility Plan
Hearing no other requests from Council, Mayor Parkhurst asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Council Member Garcia made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Council Member Kriebs seconded the motion to adjourn.
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 adjourn the meeting to the next Regular meeting on September 9, 2025 at this same location was approved by all Members at 10:02 pm.
Minutes taken and typed by: Approved by Council Action:
aura M. Aguilar/| Robert Parkhurst
City Clerk Mayor
AVAILABILITY OF AGENDA MATERIALS
Materials related to items on this agenda are available for public inspection on the City's website at 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.
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 prior to the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The City Council will adjourn to its Regular Meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.