SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2019 

VOLUME 13 NO. 46


SIERRA MADRE CITY COUNCIL APPROVES $3 
MILLION PREPAYMENT TO CALPERS 


During the City Council meeting on November 12, 2019, the Sierra Madre City Council approved an additional 
discretionary payment to CalPERS in the amount of $3 Million and established a pension funding 
policy that sets the City’s pension funding goal at 100%. 

"Sierra Madre is already one of the most financially secure cities in California, increasing the pension 
funding level, and adopting a pension funding policy, will ensure the City doesn’t have to reduce services 
or consider a fiscal emergency like many of our neighbors did recently.

The new pension funding policy will ensure that the City does not return to an underfunded pension position 
or have to reduce services or increase revenues as many local cities have done,” said City Manager 
Gabriel Engeland. 

The additional discretionary payment will bring the pension funding level of Sierra Madre to more than 
90%. In contrast, many California cities are funded at 70%, while Sierra Madre’s peer cities have an average 
funding ratio of 71%. 

The City’s Pension Funding Policy will ensure the funded ratio does not fall below 85%. “This is a critical 
step that all cities and agencies should be taking to ensure the viability of their employees’ retirements and 
their own financial standing,” Mayor John Harabedian said. “We will continue to actively manage our pension 
liabilities for the good of the taxpayers, current employees, and retirees.” 

For more information on pension funding policy, please contact City Manager Gabriel Engeland at (626) 
355-7135. 


The Sierra Madre Police and Fire Departments 
are in the middle of No 
Shaver November. This a joint effort of 
our two public safety agencies, asking 
for donations to support the research 
and treatment of prostate cancer at the 
City of Hope. 

As part of our 
efforts, we 
want to bring 
that awareness 
to members 
of our 
community. 
On Tuesday, 
November 19 
at 6:30 pm, 
Dr. Jonathan 
Yamzon, 
from the 
City of Hope 
Urology Department will be conducting 
a presentation, followed by a short 
Question & Answer forum. The event 
is open to city employees and members 
of the public and will take place in city 
council chambers. 


The City is currently seeking applicants 
for the position of Police Chief. 
Please click on any of the following 
links for more info on the position 
and application. 

Job App: https://www.governmentjobs.
com/careers/sierramadre?

City Website: http://www.cityofsierramadre.
com/cityhall/departments/
humans_resources_department/
police_chief_application

DISCOVER WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE SIERRA 
MADRE LIBRARY! Library Board of Trustees encourage you to save the date.

At 6:30 pm on Wednesday, November 20th, at the Hart Park House, you will have the opportunity to learn 
about plans for a new Sierra Madre Public Library. This is a 21st century library, with community meeting 
rooms, comfortable reading spaces and rooms for people to learn about emerging technologies. 

You’ll meet Christine Smart, our City Librarian who has been guiding the process of envisioning a place that 
is big enough, modern enough, and flexible enough to serve our community for the next fifty years. There’s 
been a lot of progress made. You’ll get an exciting first look at the exterior of the building, and experience 
a 3D rendering that reflects all the input we’ve gotten so far. You’ll hear from volunteers who have spent 
thousands of hours dreaming, designing and planning this new community asset. 

There’s still time, make your opinion heard! Join your neighbors and friends to discover what’s next for one 
of Sierra Madre’s most cherished institutions. 

INSIDE THIS 
WEEK

NEWS

SIERRA MADRE.....1, 2,4, 5

PASADENA/ALTADENA ....6

ARCADIA/MONROVIA/DUARTE....7

SO. PAS/SAN MARINO........ ..........7

 SAN GABRIEL VALLEY.......8 

EDUCATION & YOUTH .....9

BEST FRIENDS...................10

 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS......11

SAVVY SENIOR

OPINION..........................12 

LEGAL NOTICES ..............13

WALKING SIERRA MADRE 

 DEANNE DAVIS.......5

KATHERINE HOPKINS.........5

CHRISTOPHER NYERGES....10

MARC GARLETT...................8

REV. SNYDER.....................11

I.C.Y.M.I..............................5


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