SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2024

VOLUME 18 NO. 41VOLUME 18 NO. 41

Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides 
by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. Lic. #01991628. All material presented 
herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources 
deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale 
or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to 
accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are ap-
proximate. If your property is currently listed for sale this is not a solicitation.EFind your place in 
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Jan Greteman 626.975.4033lic #01943630Judy Webb-Martin 626.688.2273lic #00541631Katie Orth 626.688.0418lic #00942500
CITY SEEKS SPECIAL 
ASSESSMENT AGAINST 
ABANDONED PROPERTY

By Kevin McGuire

City Council approved Resolution 24-62 confirming 
public nuisance abatement costs and authorizing 
the city staff to record a special assessment and/or 
lien against a Sierra Madre property to recover city 
expenses. 

The abandoned property, located on Alta Vista Drive, 
has been the center of attention due to complaints 
by neighbors over the condition of the property and 
the sighting of a bear living at the house, which was 
dubbed “Jurassic Bear” for learning how to open 
doors like the velociraptors similarly did in the 1993 
hit movie “Jurassic Park.” But, in this instance, the 
bear broke the window to enter the home, according 
to city staff. 

The Los Angeles Times featured the property in a 
September 2024 article, stating that the plot was 
covered with shrubs and downed trees and that a 
BMW was sitting in the driveway collecting dust. 
Foul smells emanated from the house, and the city has 
been sending violation notices since 2019, according 
to a report from City Manager Jose Reynoso, with 
no response from the homeowner, Steven Gaiser, 
who moved to the state of Washington. 

According to City Attorney Aleks Giragosian, the 
city tried many times to reach the homeowner 
through phone calls, mail, and email but has not 
received a response. Giragosian addressed the issue 
during the City Council meeting on October 8, 
2024. 

Several notices have also been posted at the property. 
Giragosian stated that Mr. Gaiser has been paying 
his property taxes. “At this point, the city staff is 
seeking your approval of this resolution in order to 
work with the county to record a special assessment 
against this property so that the city can recover 
costs next time this property’s property taxes are 
assessed,” said Giragosian. 

The city has recently taken action at the property 
by removing the high shrubs and debris outside the 
house, which is considered a fire hazard, cleaning 
up feces and dead animals, and decomposing food 
from inside. 

Now, the city wants the property owner to reimburse 
$18,003 in administrative, contractual, and legal fees 
associated with the public nuisance abatement, as 
the Sierra Madre Municipal Code allows. 

As for “Jurassic Bear,” who moved into the house in 
early August, the California Department of Fish and 
Wildlife attempted to capture it on August 14, but 
the bear was not home at that time. 

The next day, the City’s Code Enforcement Officer 
found the property to be a public health hazard 
and issued a Notice of Nuisance Abatement Action 
stating that after judicial approval, the city would 
have the right to remove rubbish, clear brush, remove 
biological hazards, and board up the property’s 
doors and windows, which they did. Once again, 
Mr. Gaiser did not respond to the notice.

According to the Municipal Code, “The charge or 
cost of removal of the abatement of the nuisance by 
the city shall constitute a lien against the property 
occupied by the person maintaining the nuisance 
and a personal obligation against the owner of the 
property pursuant to Section 38773 of the California 
Government Code.”

Resolution 24-62 passed unanimously. 

A full report on this item, including invoices and 
totals, is available for review on the city’s website at 
www.sierramadreca.gov. 

As for “Jurassic Bear,” its whereabouts are unknown. 
But keeping doors locked may be a good suggestion. 

THE BAG HOSTS FRIENDS OF THE 
SIERRA MADRE LIBRARY'S 50TH 
WINE & CUISINE TASTING


FOL Board Members, - l to r: Vicky Ryan, Susan Gallagher, Leslie Ziff, Jeanne Martin, 
Julie Puterbaugh and Jill Frank.


Last Saturday, THE BAG 
(Baldwin Avenue Gallery)
hosted the 50th Wine and 
Cuisine Tasting for The Friends 
of the Sierra Madre Library. The 
gallery was filled to capacity 
with residents and 'Friends 
of the Friends' who enjoyed 
the added pleasure of viewing 
the magnificent art that is on 
display at The Bag.

 Taylor's Market sponsored a 
wide variety of wines for tasting 
that are available at the store 
and the cuisine was provided by 
Nano's Cafe, Monsieur Crepe, 
Raffi's, Nothing Bundt Cakes, 
Taylor's English Scones, Corner 
Bakery and The Only Place In 
Town.

 The event also included a silent 
auction. Special thanks are also 
due SMPD Chief Gus Barrientos 
for the Helicopter Ride and Santa 
Anita Park for a Box for Six.. 

MVNews/Photos by Dirk Bolle 

Above: Chairperson Leslie Ziff -center- with gallery 
owners Michael and Mary 
Hoffman Serr. Left: Guests 
admiring one of the Exhibits.


Eileen Benson626.278.0187CalRE# 01880650Barbara Rogers626.484.8135CalRE# 01169115Not intended as a solicitation if your property is already listed by another broker. Affi liated real estate agents are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2023 Coldwell Banker. All 
Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offi ces which are 
owned by a subsidiary of Anywhere Advisors LLC and franchised offi ces which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing 
Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.
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