CITY OF
CITY COUNCIL
SIERRA MADRE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
RRA
Mayor Kristine Lowe | Mayor Pro Tem Gene Goss
Council Member Edward Garcia | Council Member Kelly Kriebs | Council Member Robert Parkhurst Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 5:30 P.M.
City Council Chambers, 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with a disability who require a disability related modification or accommodation in order to participate in a meeting, including auxiliary aids or services, may request such modification or accommodation from the City Clerk at (626) 355-7135. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to assure accessibility to the meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT & ACCESS
The Brown Act provides the public with an opportunity to make public comments at any public an alternative, public comment may be submitted by e-mail to [email protected] by 3:00PM on the day of the meeting. Emails will be acknowledged at the City Council meeting, filed into public record, and scanned onto the City website for public review.
A copy of the posted agenda and a live video stream of the meeting can be found on the City's website at sierramadreca.gov, on Foothills Media website at foothillsmedia.org/sierramadre, and broadcast on Government Access Channel 3 (Spectrum).
If you require special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk's Office at (626) 355-7135 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
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 City Council's ability to conduct City business may be asked to leave the meeting. Any and all demonstrations which disrupt, interrupt, or obstruct the City 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.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lowe called the meeting to order at 5:31 pm.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INSPIRATION
Council Member Garcia led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Afterwards he shared the inspiring story of Women's Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn.
3. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
City Clerk Aguilar called the roll:
Kristine Lowe, Mayor
Gene Goss, Mayor Pro Tem
Edward Garcia, Council Member
Kelly Kriebs, Council Member
Robert Parkhurst, Council Member
Also Present: Michael Bruckner, City Manager
Aleks Giragosian, City Attorney
Miguel Hernandez, Assistant City Manager
Laura Aguilar, City Clerk
Leila Regan, Library Services Director
Clare Lin, Director of Planning and Community Preservation Joshua Wolf, Senior Planner
Brent Bartlett, Fire Chief
Brian Dickinson, Public Works Project Manager
Oscar Millan, IT Manager
Christian Delgado, Senior Network Administrator
Hue Quach, Finance Project Manager/Consultant
4. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM CITY CLERK REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS REPORTS FROM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL (including reports from City Council related to meetings attended at City expense per AB 1234) Council Member Garcia:
Reported that the Senior Community Commission was cancelled. He had no reportable action.
Council Member Kriebs:
Reported that she attended a meeting with the Sierra Madre Chamber of Commerce.
The main topic of discussion was the upcoming Wistaria Festival.
She also reported that she attended the Council of Governments LA28 Olympic Ad-Hoc meeting.
Council Member Parkhurst:
Attended a meeting of the Clean Power Alliance (CPA) on February 5; they are celebrating their 8th anniversary. The CPA announced that renewables beat coal as the world's largest generator of electricity.
Council Member Parkhurst announced that there will be a Household Hazardous and E- Waste Round-Up at the Rosebowl Lot 1 on February 14 from 9:00 to 3:00 pm.
Mayor Pro Tem Goss:
Reported that he attended the Friends of the Library Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Baldwin Art Gallery (BAG) on Saturday.
Mayor Lowe:
Reported that she also attended the Friends of the Library Wine Tasting Fundraiser. On February 3d Mayor Lowe attended a meeting of the Foothill Workforce Development Board. She also reported that the Planning Commission meeting was cancelled and had no reportable action. Lastly, Mayor Lowe reported that she attended a meeting of the Los Angeles County Sanitation District Board on January 28, 2026.
6. REPORTS FROM CITY STAFF
Public Works Project Manager Dickinson: provided the City Council with an update on Mountain Trail intermediate repairs, and future water main replacement and street rehabilitation.
Senior Planner Wolf: Reported out on the past events for the Meadows. Technical details on the soil will be deferred to public works.
Library Services Director Regan: Announced that the Library is closed to the public.
The online Library is available 24/7 with e-books, audiobooks, e-magazines, e-newspapers, language learning, homework help, comics/graphic novels, streaming music, streaming movies, TVs and documentaries, free with your Library card. Grand Reopening for the new Library is Saturday, June 6, 2026.
7. PRESENTATIONS
a. Presentation by Los Angeles County Sanitation District on rate increases A presentation was made by Matt Eaton, Deputy Assistant Chief Engineer of Los Angeles County Sanitation District
b. Presentation of Mayor's Certificates to the Ad Hoc Revenue Committee Mayor Lowe presented Certificates of Recognition to:
Tom Denison, Chair
Mike Amerio
Mike Comer
Jim Kelly
Russell Mix
c. Presentation by Holly Human Resources: Al-Powered Class and Compensation for Governments
A Zoom presentation was made by Rahul Mahesh and Brendan Hellweg from Holly Human Resources.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Any person wishing to speak before the City Council is asked to complete a Speaker Card and provide it to the City Clerk prior to the start of the meeting. Speakers are generally limited to three (3) minutes per person and time may not be delegated; any changes to the allotted time will be announced prior to the Public Comment period. Under the Brown Act, the City Council is prohibited from discussing or taking action on any item not listed on the posted agenda.
Addressing the City Council from the audience is not permitted; all comments addressing the Council must be made from the podium, unless a physical accommodation is needed. They staff will provide a wireless microphone for public comment.
City Clerk Aguilar noted for the record that one e-mail had been received prior to the City Council meeting. That e-mail was forwarded to the City Council for consideration and uploaded onto the City's website for transparency and public access. The e-mail was from:
Christie Kederian: regarding the proposed housing development at The Meadows at Bailey Canyon, she requested clarification and documentation regarding:
• The basis for issuing permits authorizing subsurface excavation in or near areas identified as requiring soil management
• Whether the City determined that trenching and similar disturbance could proceed prior to implementation of soil management and remediation measures • What oversight or inspection occurred during this work • How this activity is considered consistent with the consultant's recommendations, dust- control requirements, and post-fire environmental safeguards Ten (10) Speaker Cards were submitted from the following members of the public:
1. Daniel J. Wood, Royal Oaks Drive Duarte: Requested assistance with an EMS invoice
2. Ron Beegle: Spoke in support of Sierra Madre Police Department
3. Susan Davis: Spoke in support of Sierra Madre Police Department
4. Marilyn Diaz: Spoke in support of Sierra Madre Police Department
5. Sharil Fukuzaki: Shared concerns about soil contamination at the Meadows.
6. Christine Kederian: raised concerns about the Meadows project and potential soil contamination.
7. Deb Sheridan, 635 Valle Vista: shared concerns about the soil at the Meadows
8. Joachim Kederian, 615 Edgeview Drive: expressed concerns with soil contamination at the Meadows as a result of the Eaton Fire.
9. Leesa Puleo, 672 W. Highland Ave.: Shared that she was recently diagnosed with cancer and other health issues and suspects they are related to the toxins from the Eaton Fire.
10. Caroline Brown, Alta Vista: shared information on conservancy land.
Seeing no one else come forward, Mayor Lowe closed public comment for items not on the agenda.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and can be acted on by one vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the City Council requests that a specific item be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion and action.
City Clerk Aguilar presented the following reports:
a. Regular Meeting Minutes of January 27, 2026
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Approve
b. Resolution No. 26-11 Approving Certain Demands for Payment CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Adopt
c. Resolution No. 26-12 Authorizing the Application for Grant Funds for the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy's Wildfire Prevention Program for the Sierra Madre Community Wildfire Prevention and Restoration Plan
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Adopt
d. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1489 Amending Chapter 10.52 (Parking Prohibitions on Yellow and Red Flag Alert Days) of Title 10 (Vehicles and Traffic) of the Sierra Madre Municipal Code
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Adopt
e. Scheduling of a Public Hearing on February 24, 2026 for an Appeal of the Planning Commission's Decision to Approve a Design Review Permit (DRP 25-02) for The Meadows at Bailey Canyon Project
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Approve
The City Council asked questions for clarification on Consent Item D and E. Chief Bartiett clarified that Sierra Court is a private street.
Additionally, City Attorney Giragosian confirmed that a Public Hearing is required for an appeal.
For the record, Council Member Garcia submitted an amendment to the City Council meeting minutes, noting that Council Member Parkhurst reported on the Natural Resources Commission, not him.
Mayor Lowe opened the podium for public comment. City Clerk Aguilar noted for the record that no e-mails had been received prior to the City Council meeting. One Speaker Card was submitted from the following member of the public:
Caroline Brown, Alta Vista: Spoke on Consent Item C
Seeing no one else come forward, Mayor Lowe closed Public Comment and brought the matter back to the City Council.
Mayor Lowe asked the Council for a motion.
Council Member Kriebs made a motion to approve Consent A-E.
Council Member Parkhurst seconded the motion.
Mayor Lowe called for a vote of the Council:
Ayes: Mayor Lowe, Mayor Pro Tem Goss, Council Members Garcia, Kriebs, and Parkhurst
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
Consent Items A-E were approved by unanimous voice vote.
10. DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. Presentation by Uber Transit for Citywide On Demand Transportation Services CEOA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Provide Direction
The presentation was made by Matthew Di Taranto from Uber Transit Agency.
Mayor Lowe opened the podium for public comment. City Clerk Aguilar noted for the record that no public comment e-mails had been received for this discussion item.
John Lloyd, East Laurel Ave: requested clarification. Will the Uber service be a supplement to a round about service?
Max Romero: Recommends the City Council receive and file staff's report and allow the Transportation Sub-Committee to re-issue an RFP for community transportation options.
Seeing no one else come forward, Mayor Lowe closed Public Comment and brought the matter back to the City Council.
Mayor Lowe asked the Council for a motion.
Council Member Kriebs made a motion to instruct the Transportation Sub-Committee to consider the Uber Program as a pilot program, as a stop gap, until we have a long-term solution, prioritizing simplicity and speed, and considering the parameters, including locations and eligibility.
Council Member Parkhurst seconded the motion.
Mayor Lowe called for a vote of the Council:
Ayes: Mayor Lowe, Mayor Pro Tem Goss, Council Members Garcia, Kriebs, and Parkhurst
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None
The motion was passed by unanimous voice vote.
8:25 pm - Mayor Lowe called for a brief recess
8:37 pm - The City Council reconvened their meeting.
b. Resolution No. 26-13 Adopting Midyear Adjustments to the Fiscal Year 2025- 2026 Budget and Appropriating the Amounts Projected Therein and Report, Discussion, and Direction on Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget Strategy and Related Policy Direction
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Adopt
The report was presented by City Manager Bruckner.
Mayor Lowe opened the podium for public comment. City Clerk Aguilar noted for the record that one e-mail had been received prior to the City Council meeting from:
Catherine Adde: recommend that the Library Director's compensation be not deferred until July 1st, rather be remedied as soon as possible.
One Speaker Card was submitted from the following member of the public:
Diane Sands: Recommended approval of a salary increase for the Library Director.
Seeing no one else come forward, Mayor Lowe closed Public Comment and brought the matter back to the City Council.
Mayor Lowe asked the Council for a motion.
Council Member Parkhurst made a motion to adopt Resolution 26-13 adopting mid-year budget adjustments, adding $100,000 to fund transportation and mobility from Prop A funds.
Mayor Pro Tem Goss seconded the motion.
Mayor Lowe called for a vote of the Council:
Ayes: Mayor Lowe, Mayor Pro Tem Goss, Council Members Garcia, Kriebs, and Parkhurst
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
The City Council moved their discussion to executive compensation. The City Council directed staff to prepare a salary comparison with cities that are more similar to Sierra Madre, using Holly Al software. City Manager Bruckner will prepare a list of cities and provide to the City Council for consideration.
Mayor Lowe requested data for implementing a BLS program. c. First Reading of Ordinance No. 1490 Amending Section 3.08.040 of the Sierra Madre Municipal Code Related to Purchasing for Non-Public Projects CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Approve
City Attorney Giragosian presented the report.
Mayor Lowe opened the podium for public comment. City Clerk Aguilar noted for the record that no e-mails were received for this discussion item. Seeing no one come forward, Mayor Lowe closed Public Comment and brought the matter back to the City Council.
Mayor Lowe asked the Council for a motion.
Council Member Kriebs made a motion to amend Ordinance 1490 to increase competitive pricing threshold to $25,000, and raise the Department Head limit to $10,000.
Council Member Parkhurst seconded the motion.
Mayor Lowe called for a vote of the Council:
Ayes: Mayor Lowe, Mayor Pro Tem Goss, Council Members Garcia, Kriebs, and Parkhurst
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
The motion was passed by unanimous voice vote.
Noting the time, Mayor Lowe requested the remaining discussion items be continued to the next City Council meeting.
d. Report, Discussion, and Direction on Potential Economic Development Programs CEOA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Receive and File
11. ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
None presented.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lowe asked the Council for a motion to adjourn
Mayor Pro Tem Goss made a motion to adjourn. Council Member Garcia seconded the motion.
Mayor Lowe called for a vote of the Council:
Ayes: Mayor Lowe, Mayor Pro Tem Goss, Council Members Garcia, Kriebs, and Parkhurst
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
The City Council adjourned their meeting at 12:02 am to its next regular meeting on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
Meeting Minutes take and typed by: Approved by:
aura Aguilar Kristine Lowe
City Clerk Mayor