This edition dedicated to the memory of the journalists from the Capital Gazette who lost their lives as a result of their commitment to a free press.


SIERRA MADRE EDITION

 SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2018 

VOLUME 12 NO. 26

A SIERRA MADRE WINNER FOR ALL TIMES!

CITY COUNCIL PAVES WAY FOR PAY 
INCREASES FOR CITY EMPLOYEES


By Kevin McGuire/MVNews

With contract deadlines looming on the horizon, Sierra 
Madre City Council approved three resolutions consenting 
to pay increases for city employees during their regular 
scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 26, 2018. 

 With the approval of Resolutions 18-35, 18-36 and 18-37, 
the City adopts the Classified Employees Association (CEA) 
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU); adopts the MOU 
between the City and the Police Officers Association; and 
amends the Classification Plan and Salary Matrix. Here is a 
breakdown of what was agreed upon. 

 The CEA’s current contract ends on June 30, 2018. This 
new agreement would include:

1. A five-year contract allowing for the reopening of
negotiations in years 3, 4 and 5. 
2. Cost of Living increase of 1.9% to take place for Fiscal Year 
2018/2019. 
3. Cost of Living increase of no less than 0.5% and no more 
that 3.0% for Fiscal Year 2019/2020.
4. Five-percent salary increase for Water Fund employees
and Sewer Fund employees who hold sewer certifications in 
Fiscal Year 2018/2019 and, 
5. Modifications to the City’s Classification Plan and Salary
Matrix for Utilities Department employees in Fiscal Year 
2019/2020.


 The Police Officers’ Association will receive the same as 
the CEA as noted in 1-3 of their agreement above, but in 
addition will receive Longevity Pay for employees reaching 
10 years of service, a one-time bilingual stipend payment 
for eligible employees, and supplementary terms including 
adjustments to overtime and graveyard shift pay. 

 The fiscal impact on the General Fund will be an increase 
of $86, 000 for Fiscal Year 2018-2019, and an increase of $74, 
000 for Fiscal Year 2019-2020. The Water and Sewer Fund 
would see an increase of $34, 500 in Fiscal Year 2018-2019, 
and $30,000 in Fiscal Year 2019-2020.

 Sierra Madre residents had mixed reviews of the proposed 
increases. “The question of whether or not to give the city 
employees a raise has come at a very unfortunate time,” 
said resident Barry Gold. “I believe we are facing costs of 
replacing our deteriorating water pipes at around $30 million 
dollars [and] and unfunded CalPERS liability in the excess 
of $10 million; repairs to our city sidewalks are going to cost 
several more millions of dollars,” Gold pointed out. “No 
matter how deserving our hard-working, loyal, dedicated 
city employees are, how can we possibly give them money 
we don’t have?” Resident Debbie Sheridan approached the 
podium to express her agreement with Gold’s remarks and 
questioned the reason behind the 5% increase for Water and 
Sewer employees. 

 In favor of the plan was resident Pat Alcorn, “I think that 
our public employees are our finest asset. And I do believe 
that they deserve a cost of living raise…If we don’t do it now, 
when will we do it?” Alcorn questioned. 

 After public comment, Human Resources Manager Miguel 
Hernandez noted that despite a 5% increase for Water and 
Sewer employees, the rate of pay still ranks lower than 
surround cities. He emphasized the need for this incentive 
to help with certification costs and to keep employees from 
leaving for better-paying private sector jobs. “When you 
come across a job that is hard to fill like this, you always need 
to be as competitive as you possibly can,” Mayor Denise 
Delmar acknowledged. “…especially when we are investing 
so much in our infrastructure over the next few years, we 
want to make sure we have staff that we need.” 

 Council was short-handed with the absence of Council 
Members John Capoccia, and Gene Goss, but the remaining 
three members, Council Member Rachelle Arizmendi, 
Mayor Pro Tem John Harabedian and Mayor Denise 
Delmar, unanimously approved the three resolutions and 
voiced support of their decision. “I think this is a great deal 
for the city; I think this is a great deal for the employees,” 
said Mayor Pro Tem John Harabedian. “I think it’s not just 
important for morale…but also to help employees support 
their families.” 

 In addition, staff is recommending increases in pay to 
part-time Paramedics and Engineers from $12.50 per hour 
to $15.00 per hour and an increase in part-time Police 
Officer’s hourly rates from $32.66 an hour to $34.29 per hour. 

 The City Council will next meet on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 
at 6:30 p.m.

The Sierra Madre City Council recently honored Hometown Hero, Mike Smith, jockey who won the Triple 
Crown recently. Pictured above left to right are Mayor Pro Tem John Harabedian, Former Mayor Rachelle 
Arizmendi, Mike Smith and Mayor Denise Delmar. Photo by K. McGuire/MVNews


FROM ONE GREAT SUPERVISOR TO ANOTHER: 
MIKE ANTONOVICH TO KATHRYN BARGER 

SIERRA MADRE HOLIDAY-PARKING 
ENFORCEMENT EXEMPTION

2018 Fourth of July Holiday Weekend-Overnight parking enforcement 
will be lifted starting at 2:00am on Saturday, June 30th and will resume 
at 2:00am on Thursday, July 5, 2018. PLEASE BE SAFE !

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Commentary by Joan Schmidt

 A few years ago, “term limits” were 
voted for the Board of Supervisors. I 
for one was VERY UPSET. You see, 
Mike Antonovich is probably the main 
reason there is a Monrovia Arcadia 
Duarte Town Council. In late 1992, 
parts of the unincorporated Duarte 
area, including Pamela Park were 
dangerous. The Sheriff’s Department 
and Supervisor Antonovich called a 
community meeting. Maurice Wyre, 
Pamela Park Director came and spoke 
about the Acton Town Council. That 
seemed like a good idea. A Town 
Council would be the liaison between 
residents, LASD, and other county 
agencies as needed; also the Town 
Council would provide a monthly 
venue for residents to voice their 
concerns. 

 During my first tenure on the Town 
Council, I called Antonovich over 
many issues: handicap access on buses, 
traffic safety, keeping libraries and 
Pamela Park open, to name a few. HE 
is why the MAD unincorporated area 
has Transit Service and the beautiful 
gymnasium at Pamela Park. Every 
year there were a Veterans Fair, Beach 
Bus to Santa Monica, and funding for 
great events. Before he retired, we got 
great new street signs, a “Welcome” 
Marker on Live Oak Avenue, and new 
Live Oak Library Plans. 

 Since Kathryn Barger has entered 
office, she has continued many of 
his wonderful programs such as the 
Beach Bus, Veterans Fair, Adopt a Pet, 
Helping Foster Children, Honoring 
Special Women, and more. I receive 
her newsletter and I get dizzy trying to 
keep up with all Barger has done. In 
addition to Antonovich’s programs/
projects, Barger has gone a step 
further; her providing weekly showers 
for the homeless and other services 
such as counseling is awesome. She 
and Congresswoman Napolitano are 
working to help those with mental 
illness.

 Not long ago, the new Burbank 
Airport North Station was dedicated, 
and it will provide the first direct 
Metrolink connection to the 
airport from the AV, SCV and SFV. 
Commuters will be able to take 
the Antelope Valley Line to the 
Hollywood/Burbank Airport. Barger 
noted her former boss Antonovich 
was instrumental in making this a 
priority and he was at the dedication 
during which a special plaque was 
placed honoring him.

 Barger also honored recently 
honored nurses. I believe she has 
been a great supervisor so far not only 
continuing programs set in place by 
Antonovich, but adding to them, and 
initiating her own programs/projects.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com