SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

VOLUME 9 NO. 17


SIERRA MADRE’ TIERED WATER 
RATES AND THE RECENT COURT 
OF APPEAL DECISION ON 
CONSERVATION WATER RATES AND 
PROPOSITION 218

VINCENT GONZALES, SIERRA 
MADRE’S NEW DIRECTOR OF 
PLANNING AND COMMUNITY 
PRESERVATION

SMEAC’S SPRING/ EARTH DAY BAILEY 
CANYON WILDERNESS PARK CLEAN-UP,

 SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 8:00 - NOON 

Celebrate Earth Day! Help the Sierra Madre Environmental Action 
Council with their spring cleaning of Bailey Canyon Wilderness Park. 
Volunteers desperately needed! 

 Please bring work gloves and any gardening tools available from home, 
especially loppers, rakes & shovels. Wear appropriate attire to protect 
from scratchy chaparral. 

See you there!

On Saturday, April 25th, Orchid will provide a “hands-on” 
workshop at the residence located at 285 W. Grand View Ave. 
beginning at 9:30am. Please come prepared with closed-toed 
shoes, shovel, and gloves to participate in Saturday’s Workshop.

Orchid is a garden designer whose practice focuses on California 
native plants. Her gardens have been featured on the Theodore 
Payne Foundation Garden Tour for over 8 years. She teaches 
design and other classes at the Theodore Payne Foundation, 
teaches Sustainable Garden Practice for UCLA Extension, and 
gives lectures and workshops on native horticulture and oak 
culture throughout Southern California.

AQMD – Residents of the South Coast Air Quality Management 
District, including Sierra Madre, are invited to trade in their 
old, operable gas-powered lawn mower, replace it with a high-
performance electric mower, and score up to 70% in savings. 
Residents have the option to choose from two brands and 
six models. They’re cordless, more than 50% quieter than a 
traditional gas-powered mower, environmentally friendly and 
lighter for easier operation. Pre-registration is required by 
contacting the South Coast AQMD here or 1-888-425-6247.

City Manager Elaine Aguilar 
announces that Vincent 
Gonzalez has been appointed 
as the new Director of Planning 
and Community Preservation 
for the City of Sierra Madre 
effective Monday, May 4, 2015. 

 City Manager Aguilar stated 
that, “Vincent is a seasoned 
professional with over with 
over 25 years of experience in 
the planning and development 
profession and has a reputation 
as an excellent manager who is 
sensitive to community issues.” 

During the past three years 
Vincent has served as Metro’s 
manager for Community and 
Municipal Affairs for the San 
Gabriel Valley region working 
on various transportation 
projects and programs. During 
his tenure in Pasadena, Vincent 
served as Project Manager for 
the Community Development 
Agency and as a Senior Planner 
in Design Review and Historic 
Preservation. He participated 
in projects such as Pasadena’s 
Del Mar Station Transit Village, 
Paseo Colorado and numerous 
mixed-use developments in 
Old Pasadena, the Playhouse, 
and Civic Center Districts. He 
also assisted in the creation of 
numerous residential landmark 
districts throughout the City. 

 While working for the City 
of Glendale Planning Division 
for nine years, Vincent gained 
valuable experience working in 
design review, zoning, and the 
long range planning sections of 
the department. He worked on 
updating elements of the general 
plan, served as the zoning 
hearing officer, and developed 
design guidelines for commercial 
districts. He also served as 
the Planning Division’s budget 
officer helping to streamline 
operations in the department 
due to budgetary cutbacks. His 
career has also includes work as 
a landscape architect and land 
planner. Vincent has a Bachelor 
of Science Degree in Landscape 
Architecture from California 
State Polytechnic University, 
Pomona and he is a registered 
landscape architect. He has 
also been a member of the 
American Planning Association, 
and actively participated in the 
Historic Preservation division. 

Sierra Madre, CA. – On Monday, 
the Court of Appeal issued its 
decision analyzing whether 
conservation water rates (also 
known as tiered water rates or 
inclining block rates) utilized in 
the City of San Juan Capistrano are 
consistent with the provisions of 
Proposition 218 requirements that 
a fee charged to a property owner 
shall not exceed the proportional 
cost of the service attributable to 
the property. When the decision 
was issued, Sierra Madre, which 
has a tiered water rate structure 
created for compliance with Prop 
218 requirements, reviewed its own 
water rate study to ensure that the 
City’s tiers are also consistent with 
the Court’s decision. 

 After review, City Attorney 
Highsmith stated, “Sierra Madre’s 
tiered rates comply with the recent 
Appellate Court decision because 
the City’s water rate tiers reflect 
the cost of providing water at the 
various tier levels, as required by 
Prop 218. The City’s rate study 
shows that each rate is tied to the 
cost of providing the water.” City 
Manager Aguilar further stated, “In 
2013, when Sierra Madre completed 
the most recent rate study, the City 
was fully aware of the San Juan 
Capistrano case and took efforts 
to make sure the tiers were tied to 
the cost of providing water at the 
different tier levels.”

 It is important to note that the 
Court of Appeal did not decide 
that all tiered water rates are illegal, 
rather the Court analyzed Prop 218 
requirements and determined that 
the rates in each tier must reflect the 
cost of service for property owners 
falling in that tier. Sierra Madre’s 
2013 Rate Study used a different 
methodology to determine the rates 
per tier, as compared to the San 
Juan Capistrano rate study. Sierra 
Madre’s complete rate study can 
be found on the website at, http://
cityofsierramadre.com/water.

 The Court of Appeal case is 
Capistrano Taxpayers Association, 
Inc. v. City of San Juan Capistrano 
Case No. G048969. 

 For further information regarding 
water conservation, or the City’s 
water rate structure, please contact 
City Hall at 626 355-7135. 

SIERRA MADRE NEWS BRIEFS

SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS - Budget:

 On Thursday, a special meeting of the City 
Council was held to begin discussions on the 
Fiscal Year 2015-2016 budget. Deemed as a ‘status 
quo budget’ by City Manager Elaine Aguilar, the 
discussion was limited to the General Fund which 
will face a reduction in revenue when the User 
Utility Tax decreases from the current 10% to 8% 
on July 1st. The reduction will result in a loss of 
revenue of approximately $762,000 for FY 15-16 
and $1 million in FY 16-17. The council is looking 
for ways to maintain a balanced budget without 
adding new programs or reducing services. The 
budget discussions will continue at the May 5th.

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING: 

April 28th - Reorganization

On Tuesday, April 28th the City Council will 
reorganize appointing a new Mayor. A reception 
will follow after the meeting for both the outgoing 
Mayor, John Harabedian and his successor, 
predicted to be Mayor Pro Tem John Capoccia.

Also on Tuesday, the council will hold a second 
reading on Ordinance 1364 - the ‘One Family 
Residential Zone’.

MISCELLANEOUS

Fourth of July Grand Marshal Nominations 

The Volunteer Sierra Madre 4th of July 
Committee is seeking nominations for the 2015 
4th of July Parade Grand Marshal. Parade Grand 
Marshal Nominees should embody the spirit of 
Sierra Madre, be an active volunteer in any of 
the local nonprofit organizations or in some way 
contributed to the betterment of Sierra Madre. 
Nominees may be an individual or volunteers or 
an organization. Nominations must be submitted 
in writing by Thursday, April 30th and should 
be sent to the 4th of July Committee, PO Box 
1073 Sierra Madre CA 91025 or emailed to 
4thofjulysierramadre@gmail.com. Nominations 
should be no more than 1 page but at least a 
paragraph explaining why the honor should be 
given including contributions to the Sierra Madre 
community. If you’d like to help please check out 
the website or like us on Facebook.

Community Yard Sale

The City of Sierra Madre Senior Community 
Commission is hosting the 5th Annual 
Community Yard Sale on Saturday, June 6, 2015 
from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. located in the Sierra 
Vista Park (611 E. Sierra Madre Blvd). Community 
organizations and members are invited to come 
together with their neighbors to participate in a 
community yard sale. The fee for a selling space is 
$30.00 and a yard sale permit does not need to be 
purchased; proceeds will benefit senior programs 
and activities. If you would like to participate 
in the Community Yard Sale, you must register 
in person at the City Hall, 232 W. Sierra Madre 
Blvd.. The Community Yard Sale will encompass 
the west parking lot and basketball court in Sierra 
Vista Park. The deadline to register is Thursday, 
May 28 or until spaces are filled. Spots are 
filled on a first come, first serve basis. For more 
information please call the Community Services 
Department at (626) 355-7135.

Community Services Commission and Senior 
Community Commission

The City of Sierra Madre is seeking applicants 
for the Community Services Commission and 
Senior Services Commission. Both Commissions 
report to the City council and provide policy 
and program direction for the Community 
Services Department. Applications and general 
information are available here. 

 

Join the Energy, Environment, and Natural 
Resources Commission - 

 We have two vacancies! The Sierra Madre 
City Council encourages citizen participation in 
its decision-making process through the use of 
citizen commissions. These advisory bodies are 
able to study a variety of issues and problems in 
detail. After gathering all pertinent information, 
hearing arguments, and weighing values, they 
recommend to the Council what they consider 
the best action to take. Public notice on all 
commissions are prepared in compliance of the 
Maddy Act.

 Also -the city is now accepting applications for 
the Public Safety Committee. This committee 
will meet monthly as a way to enhance citizen 
participation and communication with the City's 
public safety departments. 

For more information call 626-355-7135

Inside this week: 

53RD ANNUAL SIERRA MADRE ART FAIR


The 53rd Annual Sierra Madre Art Fair, sponsored by the Friends of the Sierra 
Madre Library, will be held in Memorial Park, 222 West Sierra Madre Blvd, on 
Saturday, May 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 3, from 9:30 a.m. 
to 5:00 p.m. 

 Over 75 artists, including 10 newly juried artists, will display and sell their works 
of art. Mediums include oil paintings, jewelry, watercolors, glass, wood, metal, 
wearable art, photography, pottery, ceramics, mixed media and weaving. The 
Art Fair will be the perfect place to find Mother’s Day, graduation and wedding 
gifts and to buy pieces for your own enjoyment.

 The Featured Artist this year is Frank Yee. His Juniper Bonsai will appear on all 
post cards, posters, flyers, and other promotional materials. Be sure to stop by his 
booth (#44) to admire and purchase his inspiring creations.

 Live Music will be featured throughout the weekend in the band shell and on 
the southeast lawn. In the band shell on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 
-- Steve Trovato and Tim Kobza and from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Evan Marshall 
and Jean Sudbury. On Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. -- String Planet and 
from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Keith McCabe, Jean Sudbury and Jane Fuller.

 On the southeast lawn on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon – Luckpenny 
(Irish) and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. – The Kling Street Fiddlers. On Sunday 
from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon -- Banna Beag Mall (Irish) and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 
p.m. – Jane Fuller Comedy Rock Show.

 Food trucks and food booths will offer a variety of food and drinks. Trucks 
scheduled to attend on Saturday: Gourmet Genie and Street Kitchen LA. On 
Sunday: Farmer’s Belly, Gourmet Genie, and Slammin’ Sliders. Food booths will 
feature Taquito Lover, Rita’s Italian Ices and Enola’s Kettlecorn.

 The Friends of the Library will have a booth selling their sweet ‘quick breads,’ 
as well as coffee in the morning and the Sierra Madre Historical Preservation 
Society will be selling their famous lemonade made with rangpur limes. 

 For the children, the Creative Arts Group has planned a “Rockin’ Robots” 
activity Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Be sure to stop by the Wine & Beer Garden. It will be open Saturday from 11:00 
a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the front lawn.

 This year we will again have a Silent Auction. So far, 32 artists have donated 
lovely, one-of-a-kind pieces for the auction, which means you’ll have a chance to 
bid on some really beautiful artwork and support the Library.

 Volunteers and Bakers are needed! Please call Fran Garbaccio at 626-355-6536 
for more information on how you can help.

 Proceeds from the Art Fair benefit the Sierra Madre Public Library. For 
more information please call 626-355-7186 or visit our website www.
sierramadrelibraryfriends.com.

 See you May 2 and 3!!

CALENDAR Pg. 2

SIERRA MADRE NEWS 
Pg. 3

 PASADENA/ALTADENA

 Pg. 4

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY 

 Pg. 6

ARCADIA NEWS 

 Pg. 7

MONROVIA/DUARTE 
Pg. 8

BEST FRIENDS

 Pg. 9

EDUCATION & YOUTH

 Pg. 10

FOOD & DRINK

ARTS Pg. 11

HEALTHY LIVING

 Pg. 12

GOOD LIFE

 Pg. 13

THE WORLD AROUND 
US Pg. 14

OPINION Pg. 15

LEGAL NOTICES

SIERRA MADRE 

LEGAL NOTICE

 Pg. 19