SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2014 
VOLUME 8 NO. 7 
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2014 
VOLUME 8 NO. 7 
CITY ATTORNEY’S IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF 
MEASURE UUT 

Editor’s Note: On the April 8, 2014, voters in Sierra Madre will decide whether or not to extend the existing User Utility Tax until the year 
2022. In an effort to provide information to the public so that an informed decision can be made, this week’s edition of the paper will carry 
an Impartial Analysis of the measure. Next week, February 22, 2014, this paper will carry the Pro’s and Con’s of the measure as provided by 

supporters and opponents of the measure. 

Measure (UUT) is submitted to the 
voters by the Sierra Madre City Council 
to extend the current rate of the 
City’s Utility Users Tax in order to generate 
additional municipal revenues. 

Background.

A utility users’ tax (UUT) is a tax levied 
on each user of a utility (e.g. telephone, 
electricity, gas, water,
wastewater, solid waste disposal, cable 
or video services) within the City’s 
boundaries. UUT revenues are paid 
into the City’s general fund, which 
is used to fund city services and programs, 
including public safety services.
The City’s Utility Users’ Tax has been in 
force since at least 1993. In 2008, the 
voters approved an increase in the Utility 
Users’ Tax to 12%, which will decrease 
to l0% on July 1, 2014, decrease 
again in 2015 (to 8%) and 2016 (to 6%), 
without further voter action. 

Since July 1, 2010, the City 
Council has used its discretion 
to decrease the Utility 
Users’ Tax to 10%;
additionally, in January 
2011, the City Council further 
reduced the Utility Users’ 
Tax on water and sewer 
use to 9%. 
Accordingly, the current rate 
of Utility Users’ Tax collected 
by the City is 9% for water 
and sewer use and 10% 
for all other utilities. Unless 
otherwise determined by 
the voters, both the 9% tax 
for water and sewer and the 
10% tax for all other utilities 
will decrease to 8% on June 
30, 2015 and then to 6% on 
June 30, 2016. 

A Citizen’s Oversight Committee 
was formed in 2007 
and has provided review and 
recommendation to the City 
Council regarding the need 
for the continuation of tax 

Inside this week: 

SIERRA MADRE 

Calendar Page 2 
Sierra Madre News Page 3 

PASADENA/ALTADENA 

Recycling Centers Halted Pg. 4 
AROUND SGV Pg. 5 
ARCADIA NEWS Pg. 6 

MONROVIA/DUARTE 

EDUCATION & YOUTH 
Pg. 7 

Peter Dills 
Savor Brings The Goodies Pg. 8 

Eco-Aware Kitty-Cat Care

 Pg. 9 
THE ARTS Pg. 10 

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES 
Pg. 11 

THE GOOD LIFE Pg. 12

Savvy Senior

Senior Happenings 

BUSINESS NEWS Pg. 13 
HOMES & PROPERTY 
WORLD AROUND US 
Pg. 14 
LEFT TURN/RIGHT 
TURN/OPINION Pg. 15 

SMTV CHANNEL 98 Pg. 16 


FORMER SIERRA MADRE 
POLICE CHIEF, BILL BETTSPASSES AWAY 

Sierra Madre lost one 
of its’ history making 
Police Chiefs on January 
25, 2014 after a lengthy 
illness. Irvin (Bill) E. 
Betts passed quietly in 
his Sierra Madre home. 

Bill proudly served the 
City of Sierra Madre 
police force for 29 
years, retiring as Chief 
of Police, in 1993. 
According to a 1993 
article on his retirement 
in the LA Times, he was 
the longest serving Police 
Chief among the 47 in 
LA county who headed 
a city department at that 
time. He is credited with 
expanding the SMPD 
from 12 officers to 20. 

Born on October 19, 1929 
in Bassett, Nebraska, the 
second of nine children 
to Omar and Ezada 
Betts. Bill spent his early 
years in Fruitland, Idaho. 
He served with the Idaho 
National Guard. He married Joan Ann Carter, in Phoenix, Az., July 18, 1950, 
and then moved their family to Southern California. 


He was a 50 year member of the Free and Accepted Masons of California, a 
member of the Order of Eastern Star for 49 years, a member of the Pasadena 
Scottish Rite, a member of the Al Malaikah Shriners of Los Angeles and a former 
member of the Sierra Madre Kiwanis Club. He was also honored to be the 1995 
Worthy Grand Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star in California. 

Bill is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joan Betts, two daughters, Dee Mahr and 
Vicki Smither, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Services were 
held on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 followed by a private internment. 

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Roze Room 
Hospice of San Gabriel Valley, 55 Huntington Dr., Suite 238, Arcadia, CA. 
91006. (rozefoundation.org <http://rozefoundation.org> ). MVNews 

FUTURE OF SIERRA MADRE’S COMMUNITY 
FOREST - FINAL WORKSHOP SCHEDULED 

The Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Commission is seeking the 
public’s input on the future of Sierra Madre’s Community Forest at the final 
workshop scheduled for Thursday, February 27th, 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the City 
Hall Council Chambers. 

 Funded by a grant from the State’s CalFire Agency, the creation of a Management 
Plan is underway to guide Sierra Madre’s management of the Community 
Forest to benefit future generations. Cy Carlberg & Associates Arborists firm 
has been contracted to assist with the creation of the plan, and will be presenting 
many interesting facts about the current state of trees in the City as well as some 
very important considerations for maintaining this important natural resource 
for the future.

 There will be a presentation and ample time to ask questions and provide your 
very important input.

 For additional information, please contact the City of Sierra Madre Public 
Works Department at 626-355-7135 ext. 803. 


ELECTION COVERAGE 
On April 8, 2014, voters in Sierra Madre will go to the polls and select three people from 
a field of four to sit on the City Council. They will also vote on a local ballot measure to 
extend the city’s current User Utility Tax Ordinance. 
The Mountain Views News will provide our readers with comprehensive coverage of 
this election. Each week, as we have done in the past, we will profile the candidates and 
give each of the candidates the opportunity to introduce themselves to our readers by 
answering the following questions: 
1. Why are you running for City Council? 
2. What are you going to do for 
Sierra Madre? 
3. How do you plan on accomplishing 
your goals? 
(All candidates are being asked to 
answer the same questions and their 
answers will be published unedited.) 
The paper will also review the pros 
and cons of the proposed User Utility 
Tax Ordinance. 
The schedule will be as follows: 
February 15th An Impartial Analysis of Measure UUT 
February 22nd The Pros and Cons of Measure UUT 
March 1st Candidate Denise Delmar 
March 8th Candidate Rachelle Arizmendi 
March 15th Candidate Noah Green 
March 22nd Candidate Eugene Goss 
March 29th Candidate Forum Review 
It is our sincere hope that each candidate will submit their answers so that we can share 
them with our readers. A separate letter has been sent to each candidate asking them 
to participate. 
In addition to the candidate spotlights, we will attempt to cover the various forums 
sponsored by local organizations. Where possible, the unedited video of these forums 
will be broadcast on the papers website. 
Our reporting on this election will be as fair and objective as possible. However, please 
keep in mind that our columnists are always free to share their opinions. Their opinions 
are their opinions and may or may not reflect the position of the paper. This is true in 
all things, not just this election. 
We will also provide for you the calendar of important dates regarding the election. 
It is our goal to do whatever we can to help you make an informed decision on April 8, 
2014. 
Susan Henderson, Publisher and Editor 
LEGAL NOTICES Pg. 17-23 
FYI Pg. 24 

in order to generate additional revenue 
that can be used to fund general City 
services, including essential services, 
such as paramedic services. 

The Measure. 

Measure UUT WILL: 

• Extend the existing 9% UUT tax for 
water and sewer, subject to the City 
Council’s discretion to collect a 
lesser tax; then, decrease the tax to 7% 
on July 1, 2014, and to 6% on July 1, 
2015. 
• Extend the existing 10% UUT tax for 
all other utilities, subject to the City 
Council’s discretion to collect a 
lesser tax; then, decrease the tax to 8% 
on July 1, 2022 and to 6% on July 1, 
2024. 
• Continue the existing exemption for 
low-income households. 
• Continue the citizen oversight 
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committee. 

Measure UUT WILL NOT: 

• Tax access to the internet;
• Tax internet purchases and downloads, 
such as books, music, ringtones, 
games or similar digital products.
UUT requires approval of a majority of 
voters. A “yes” vote for Measure UUT 
will approve the rate increase described 
above; a “no” vote will leave in place 
the City’s existing Utility Users Tax 
Ordinance. 
by Teresa L. HighsmithSierra Madre City Attorney 

The above statement is an impartial analysis 
of Ordinance or Measure UUT. If you desire 
a copy of the ordinance or measure, please 
call the elections official’s office at (626) 3557135 
and a copy will be mailed at no cost to 
you.
Graphic courtesy City of Sierra Madre 

Read The Paper Online At: www.mtnviewsnews.com