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LATEST LOS ANGELES COUNTY HEALTH ORDERS....Page 7 SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 2021 VOLUME 15 NO. 04VOLUME 15 NO. 04 SIERRA MADRE MAINTAINS ITS' FINANCIAL HEALTH IN 2020 On Tuesday, January 26, 2020, the Sierra Madre City Council will review its’ Comprehensive Financial Report (CAFR) for fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, a review of the audit report prepared by the independent accounting firm of Rogers, Anderson, Malady & Scott, LLp, CPA. Sierra Madre, through the leadership of City Manager Gabe Engeland and staff, has managed to end the year with a General Fund Balance of over $7.5 million dollars; water fund surplus of $3.3 million and a sewer fund surplus of $668, 000 in the midst of a National Emergency. In addition to the positive bank balances, the staff report lists “Major Accomplishments for the Year” which include (partial listing): - The continuation of the long‐term project to replace the City’s water main infrastructure; Capital Investment in FY 19‐20 was $1.9M and $1.8M for FY 18/19. - The installation of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Project was completed for the City’s 3,800 water meters. The Wi‐Fi‐based meters collect customer’s water usage data instantaneously, allow billing to occur on a monthly basis effective July 1, 2020. - The City Council approved a proposal to fund a $3 million prepayment to CalPERS beyond the annual required contribution budgeted to occur during FY 19‐20 to reduce Unfunded Accrued Liability (UAL). In addition, the prepayment will also reduce funding in future requirements as determined by CalPERS. - In October 2019, the final payment was made to the L.A. County Auditor‐Controller based on the “Last and Final” Recognized Obligation Payment (ROPS) Schedule. This was in connection with the City of Sierra Madre Redevelopment Successor Agency. The City will pursue final dissolution of the Agency during FY 20‐21. - The City executed a sales agreement with TowerPoint, LLC for the sale of lease interests in wireless communication sites on City property for $1.2 million. To view the entire report go to: https://www.cityofsierramadre. com/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=17373696 To attend the virtual council meeting on Tuesday, follow the instructions on page 2. S.Henderson/MVNews HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY JOHN SHEAR! SIERRA MADRE AND SANTA ANITA RACE TRACK CELEBRATE AND HONOR JOHN SHEAR'S 100th BIRTHDAY What a day! On January 17, 1921 John Shear was born! To celebrate the birthday 100 years late in 2021, family, friends and well wishers gave him a 'drive by birthday party in front of his home in Sierra Madre. John stood outside waving and smiling to all who passed by. Shown above with Sierra Madre Mayor Rachelle Arizmendi (pre-Pandemic), John is a true home town hero! In 2011, at age 90, he saved the life of a young girl by hurling his body in front of a horse. The girl was saved but John sustained serious injuries. He was, however able to return to work at Santa Anita where he had worked for more than 50 years. (http://mtnviewsnews. com/v05/htm/n12/index.htm. At age 100 he is doing well, and being honored not only by his friends and neighbors, but also by Santa Anita Race Track who named a race in his name on his birthday! From Santa Anita: .....Although his preferred venue is off the agenda for the time being, Santa Anita’s beloved Paddock Captain John Shear will nonetheless celebrate his 100th birthday with family this Sunday, Jan. 17. Furloughed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, Shear, who has been employed by the track since 1961, would dearly love to return to his beloved Santa Anita. Santa Anita named a race in honor of Shear’s 100th birthday on Sunday, and although they’ll be unable to attend, Shear and his wife Diane and son Michael, will spend his 100th birthday at John and Diane’s Sierra Madre home watching the races and wading through dozens of birthday greetings from jockeys, trainers and track employees via a virtual birthday card presented by Santa Anita. “I enjoy watching on television, but nothing compares to being at Santa Anita,” said Shear. “We just hope this pandemic will end soon and we can get back to normal. My wife and I are trying to stay busy with exercise classes and we spend as much time outdoors as we can. We’re being careful, staying out of stores and ordering things to go, but I miss working and being around the horses so much.” A native of England who was raised from age four to 14 in an orphanage, Shear, at four feet, 11 inches, originally aspired to be a jockey and following World War II, emigrated to Vancouver, B.C. from where he came to Santa Anita as an exercise boy in 1954. “I was exercising horses for a guy in Vancouver and he asked me if I’d like to go with him to Santa Anita that fall,” said Shear when interviewed a year ago. “I said ‘Sure,’ and as soon as I stepped off that van in the Stable Area here, I said ‘Lord, this is where I want to be.’ The place was so incredibly beautiful and I’ve never gotten tired of it.” And The Great Race Place will never tire of John Shear, a man who gained national attention nine years ago when at the age of 91, he heroically threw himself between an on-rushing loose horse and a 5-year-old girl who was standing with her father outside of Santa Anita’s Seabiscuit Walking Ring. On the cusp of his 100th birthday, Shear no doubt speaks for thousands of race goers when he says, “I just hope I can get back to the track soon.” PALM FROND CLEAN-UP The Sierra Madre Department of Public Works would like to make residents aware of its policy regarding the removal of fallen Palm fronds. City staff receives numerous questions and requests after windstorm events, but the policy is consistent throughout the year: Public Works crews will work diligently after windstorm events to pick up fallen Palm Fronds from City trees. City trees include trees within the parks and parkways throughout the City. The Department of Public Works would like our residents to know that they really appreciate so many of our residents lend a hand to gather and stack the fronds to ease the work of the crews. Thank you! We would ask that stacks of fronds be located in the parkway instead of the street as much as possible. Palm fronds from private property are the responsibility of the resident to dispose of. These fronds should not be included in the “green” waste cans but should be included in the “black” waste cans. The reason for this is that they are not recyclable/ compostable, and their fibrous content does not work with the machinery that is used to handle green waste. Fronds can also be picked up by arranging a “bulky item” pick up from Athens Services (888-336-3100). If you have any questions please contact the Department of Public Works at 626-355-7135. RE: COVID 19 VACCINES Los Angeles County has begun vaccinating people age 65 and older until we complete vaccinations for healthcare workers and receive more vaccine from the state for this new priority group. Additional information on Page 7. | |||||||||||||||||||
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Mountain Views News 80 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. #327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.604.4548 www.mtnviewsnews.com |