FALL BACK! Don’t Forget To Set Your Clocks Back At 2 a.m. Sunday!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2013

VOLUME 7 NO. 44


CITY ADDRESSES FREQUENTLY ASKED 
QUESTIONS ON WATER

Sierra Madre City Manager Elaine Aguilar recently 
reached out to residents via social media, to answer 
some of the questions that have been asked about our 
water issues. On the Sierra Madre Facebook page, she 
has posted the “Water Questions of the Week”. This 
is being done in an effort to keep the public well informed 
and to minimize the impact of misinformation 
that is being circulated. Below you will find this 
week’s questions and answers. You can also go to the 
city’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/
cityofsierramadre.

“Water Questions Of The Week”

“We are taking notice of the questions submitted regarding 
the current water and sewer rate study. The 
questions are selected from the questions we have 
received at the various community meetings, at City 
Council meetings, and from your phone calls. These 
questions and answers are also posted to the City’s 
Facebook page and website. This week’s questions are:

 

Has the City Council actually approved increased water 
and sewer rates? What is the timing of the Council’s 
consideration of this matter? 

The City Council has not taken action to increase water 
or sewer rates. The Council will receive the draft 
water and sewer rate study at their November 12th 
City Council meeting. The draft study will be available 
on the City’s website at least 72 hours before the 
City Council meeting. 

 

It is important to note that the City Council will not 
be taking action on November 12th to increase water 
or sewer rates. Before action can be taken to increase 
rates, a Proposition 218 written protest process must 
be conducted. At their November 12th Council meeting, 
the City Council may decide to initiate the Proposition 
218 process. If the Proposition 218 process is 
initiated, the City will mail notices to all water customers 
within the City’s service area, at least 45 days before 
the City Council can consider implementing new 
water and/or sewer rates. The Proposition 218 ballot 
will be mailed in an envelope that states, “OFFICIAL 
BALLOT ENCLOSED.” Please look at your water bill 
to make sure the “name and mailing address” on your 
water account is accurate. If it is not accurate, please 
contact the City’s Water Billing staff, so that the information 
can be corrected.

 

After the 45 days has lapsed, the City will unseal and 
tabulate the ballots in public view. The Council will 
hold a public hearing to receive testimony on the proposed 
rate increases. Additionally, the results of the 
Proposition 218 process will determine if the Council 
can consider the rate increases. If a majority protest 
has occurred, the City Council cannot approve a 
rate increase; if a majority protest does not occur, the 
Council may approve the rate increase. 

 

At the October 22nd City Council meeting, there was 
a staff report entitled “Proposition 218 Process for 
Proposed Water and Sewer Rate Increase” that further 
explains the process. 

 

If the City Council authorizes the initiation of the 
Proposition 218 process, the City’s water and sewer 
customers will receive instructions, a ballot, a fact 
sheet, and other information. Please take a moment 
to make sure the City’s water billing information is accurate 
by looking at your water bill to make sure it is 
mailed in the name of the property owner, or the tenant 
responsible for actually paying the water bill. 

 

Are City water and sewer rates being increased so that 
City employees can get raises or increased benefits, such 
as increased pensions? 

No, City water and sewer rates are not being increased 
so that employee salaries can be increased to “market” 
rates. Nor are the rates being increased to enhance 
employee benefits. Funding has not been included in 
the draft water and sewer rate study for any additional, 
new staffing. Additionally, water revenues cannot be 
used to pay for the salaries of non-water related staffing, 
and sewer revenues cannot be used to pay for the 
salaries of non-sewer related staffing. 

 

How can I find out how much my water bill would increase, 
if new water rates are proposed? 

First, general information will be included in the 
Proposition 218 ballot information that will be mailed 
to all Sierra Madre water customers. Secondly, a calculation 
tool will be available on the City’s website that 
will allow you to input your water usage, so you can 
determine what the proposed increase would do to 
your bill. This calculation tool will be on the City’s 
website if the City Council decides to initiate the Proposition 
218 process, which will not occur before the 
November 12th City Council meeting. 

 

For additional information about the current Water 
and Sewer Fee Study, please go to the City’s website.

 

You may also call City Hall at (626) 355-7135 during 
regular business hours, 11 am to 5:30 pm on Monday 
to Thursday. Please ask for the Public Works Director, 
Finance Director or City Manager”

HOUSING ELEMENT WORKSHOP 

The City of Sierra Madre has initiated the process to update the Housing Element of the 
General Plan for the 2014-2021 period as required by State law. The workshop will be 
held on Thursday, November 7 at 7:00 pm in the City Council Chambers, 232 W. Sierra 
Madre Boulevard. At the meeting, an informational presentation will be provided to 
address: an overview of the process, accomplishments of the most recent housing element 
cycle, proposed programs and the City’s RHNA (regional housing needs) requirements. 
We encourage you to attend the meeting if you are interested in contributing to Sierra 
Madre’s 8-year Housing Plan. If you have any questions, or if you cannot attend but wish 
to submit comments, please contact Danny Castro, Director of Development Services at 
626.355.7138 or by e-mail at dcastro@cityofsierramadre.com.


REMEMBER:

TURN YOUR 
CLOCKS BACK!

Also Inside this week: 

SIERRA MADRE

Calendar Page A2

Sierra Madre News Page A3

PASADENA/ALTADENA

Pg. A4

HALLOWEEN WINDOW PAINTING CONTEST WINNERS

The annual Sierra Madre tradition of painting the downtown merchants’ windows for 
Halloween continued in fine fashion this year. Last week-end, over 160 students from 
local schools participated in painting over 50 windows in our downtown area. This was an 
overwhelming response by local students, and wonderful support from our local merchants.

This year, the Halloween Window Painting event was sponsored the Sierra Madre Civic 
Club and was free to all participants. Marcia Bent chaired the committee of 8 Civic Club 
members. Local students from the ages of 9-17 were eligible to enter. Painting began on 
Friday afternoon, October 25th and concluded by 11am on Saturday, October 26th. Judging 
followed and awards were presented at Kersting Court in the early afternoon. Judges were 
Civic Club President, Jean Coleman, Cathy Imhoff representing the Creative Arts Group, 
and Sierra Madre School art teacher, Barbara Wamboldt.

Winners in the four age categories and location of their windows were:

9-10 year olds: Katherine Gjerde & Jolie Podrebarac at Podley Real Estate 

11-12 year olds: Lila Fontenot, Sidra Gibeault, and Alana Meyers at Mill. Pension

13-14 year olds: Hannah Blank, Emma Blank, and Julia Goff at Haynes Oakley Architects

15-17 year olds: Ellis Eckes, Emily Pachini, and Arene Eian at Wild Flour Bakery

The Sierra Madre Civic Club thanks all who participated in this community event. This is 
another fine example of the small town spirit we enjoy in Sierra Madre.

PWP’s Outage Management 
Plan


AROUND SGV Pg. A5

LASD $1.1 million 
Traffic Safety Grant

ARCADIA NEWS Pg. A6 

MONROVIA/DUARTE 

 Pg. A7





EDUCATION & YOUTH

 Pg. A8

FOOD & DRINK

ARTS & MORE

 Pg. A9

BEST FRIENDS Pg. A10

THE GOOD LIFE 

 
Pg. A11


Savvy Senior

Senior Happenings

This and That

SECTION B

HALLOWEEN 
WINNERS AND MORE 
Pg B1

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 
HEALTHY LIVING 

 Pg. B2

BUSINESS /WORLD

 AROUND US Pg. B3

LEFT TURN/RIGHT 
TURN/OPINION 

 Pg. B4

SMTV Channel 98 

Program Guide Pg. B5

On the right is the window at Millineum Pensions which won 1st Place in the 11-
12 year old bracket. Above are winners Lila Fontenot, Sidra Gibeault and Alana 
Meyers. Photos and story courtesy of the SM Civic Club

LEGAL NOTICES Pg. B7




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