Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, January 2, 2021

2020 THE YEAR IN REVIEW

 
SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 2021 

VOLUME 15 NO. 1 - SECTION BVOLUME 15 NO. 1 - SECTION B

HEADLINES FROM 2020 A YEAR OF GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CHALLENGES!

SIERRA MADRE ROSE FLOAT WINS COVETED 2020 
PRESIDENT'S AWARD

CITY COUNCIL REPEALS 
DECLARATION OF 
WATER SHORTAGE 
EMERGENCY

MVNews, February 1, 2020

City Council repealed an ordinance, Tuesday, which 
imposed a moratorium on the issuance of new water 
service connections in the City, initially put in place 
for the purpose of conserving water for home use, 
sanitation and for fighting fires. 

Due to a water shortage emergency and lack of 
sufficient rainfall, Ordinance 1356U (pursuant 
to Water Code 351 and 352) was set to remain in 
place until water supplies had been replenished 
or augmented. The rainy season of 2012-13 only 
produced 5.9 inches of rain. The average rainfall over 
a 50-year period was over 23 inches. 

When the ordinance was enacted in 2014 and the 
moratorium was enforced, the East Raymond Basin, 
was Sierra Madre’s only source of water. Since then, 
a water exchange agreement has been established 
between the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water 
District (SGVMWD) and the Metropolitan Water 
District (MET). In this pact, MET delivers up to 2,500 
acre/feet of ground water to Sierra Madre annually. 
In addition, the City will share a well, as needed, 
with the City of Arcadia as part of the agreement 
with SGVMWD to begin in 2022. The well produces 
approximately 1,300 acre/feet ground water per year. 

“The City currently has reliable, perpetual access 
to about 150% of the annual, anticipated, incurred 
need,” stated City Manager, Gabriel Engeland. As part 
of the agreement with the City of Arcadia, water will 
be “wheeled” from the main basin that is owned by 
the city of Sierra Madre. 

The moratorium placed restrictions on new zoning-
related issues for homeowners such as adding meters, 
extensions to homes requiring new running water, 
and other potable water services. 

A water shortage emergency was declared by City 
Council in July 2014, when water levels dropped from 
1,764 acre/feet to 940 acre/feet annually. Sierra Madre 
has been creatively exploring alternative, permanent 
options for water sources since these levels sunk 
dangerously low. The current annual consumption 
of water by Sierra Madre is 2,300 acre/feet. These 
current agreements do not diminish the need for 
common sense water conservation efforts. 

City Council voted unanimously to repeal Ordinance 
1356U in its entirety. 

Kevin McGuire/MVNews


The Sierra Rose Float Association has done it again! The all volunteer group won the 2020Tournament of Roses Parade's prestigious President's 
Award for "The most outstanding use and presentation of flowers". This is the 14th win for SMRFA out of the last 14 entries into the internationally 
known parade. There are Some statistics: 12,000 roses, 1,700 irises, 1,200 orchids, gobs of barley, sesame seed and other seeds. The Sierra Madre Rose 
Float Association Building quality floats for Sierra Madre since 1917 

RODRICK ARMALIN APPOINTED

SIERRA MADRE'S POLICE CHIEF

Henry Amos promoted to Captain

CITY OF SIERRA MADRE DECLARES 
STATE OF EMERGENCY

On Tuesday, March 17, 2020, an special 
meeting of the Sierra Madre City 
Council took place to address the issue 
of declaring a local state of emergency 
in response to the COVID-19 Virus. 
At the recommendation of staff, the 
council unanimously voted to declare 
such an emergency. A summary of 
the action is listed below: (From staff 
report) 

On March 16, 2020, the Los Angeles 
County Department of Public Health 
ordered: 

SUMMARY OF THE COUNTY 
ORDER: (From Staff Report)

During a State of Emergency, California 
law empowers the County of Los 
Angeles Health Officer (Health Officer) 
to take measures necessary to protect 
the public from the spread of the Novel 
Coronavirus (COVID-19) within the 
County of Los Angeles. In accordance 
with the Centers for Disease Control’s 
(CDC)Interim Guidance for Large
Events and Mass Gatherings (March
15, 2020); the California Department
of Public Health’s Mass Gathering 
Guidance

(March 11, 2020); and Governor
Newsom’s Guidance Regarding Bars
and Restaurants

(March 15, 2020), the Health Officer
is ordering significant protective 
measures to stem or slow the spread
of COVID-19 within the greater Los
Angeles community.

Because of the rapid spread of 
COVID-19 and the need to protect
the most vulnerable members of our
community, this Order prohibits all
indoor public and private gatherings
and all outdoor public and private 
events within a confined space, where 
at least 50 people are expected to be 
in attendance at the same time. This 
Order applies within the County of 
Los Angeles Public Health Jurisdiction, 
beginning March 16, 2020 and 
continues through March 31, 2020, 
subject to the terms and conditions 
more particularly set forth below. 

 For all gatherings that are not 
prohibited, the Health Officer orders the 
event and gathering holders and venues 
to implement the following infection 
control precautions: (1) enforce social 
distancing within the confined space by 
requiring attendees to be separated by 
six (6) feet; (2) provide access to hand 
washing facilities with soap and water 
or hand sanitizer that contains at least 
60 percent alcohol; (3) post a sign in a 
conspicuous place at the public entry 
to the venue instructing members 
of the public to not attend if they are 
experiencing symptoms of respiratory 
illness, including fever or cough; and 
(4)adhere to communicable disease
control recommendations provided by
the Los Angeles County Department of
Public Health.

 Further, this Health Officer Order, 
requires all permanent food facilities 
to limit their services to only preparing 
and offering food to customers via 
delivery service, via pick up for take-
out dining only, or via drive thru. This 
Order immediately requires closing the 
following types of businesses: 

(1) Bars and Nightclubs that do
not serve food.

(2) Gyms and Fitness Centers.

(3) Movie Theaters, Live 
Petformance Theaters, Bowling Alleys, 
and Arcades 

 The County Health Officer will 
continue to monitor CO VID-
19 disease spread, State and CDC 
recommendations, and the impact 
of the required measures, and as 
needed, may revisit, extend, expand, or 
otherwise modify this Order to protect 
the public’s health. (cont. page 3)


Rodrick Armalin 
has been selected 
to serve as the next 
Chief of Police for 
the City of Sierra 
Madre. Chief 
Armalin comes 
to Sierra Madre 
with over 30 years 
experience in 
law enforcement 
with the Los 
Angeles Sheriff’s 
Department. 
Armalin’s extensive 
background is 
in community 
oriented policing, 
emergency 
management and 
preparedness, 
mass trauma event 
response, and 
homelessness.

 City Manager Gabriel 
Engeland stated “we are very excited for Chief Armalin to join our 
team. He brings incredible experience to the City, is community 
focused, and is committed to developing the members of the 
Police Department.” 

 Armalin’s most current position with Los Angeles County 
Sheriff’s Department was as Unit Commander of the College 
Bureau where he managed 176 personnel who provided all law 
enforcement services to nine community colleges that make up 
the largest community college district in the nation. After serving 
in the United States Air Force, Armalin joined the Los Angeles 
County Sheriff’s Department and graduated top of his police 
academy class, receiving the Department’s prestigious Honor 
Recruit Award.

 From a small town in Louisiana, and primarily reared in Los 
Angeles, when asked why he chose law enforcement as a career, he 
shared his experiences as an impressionable young man and his 
admiration for the police officers in his LA neighborhood.

 He is an advocate of 'open dialogue and is looking forward to 
serving the residents of Sierra Madre. Chief Armalin said, “I am 
extremely excited about working with the men and women of 
Sierra Madre Police Department, and eagerly anticipating meeting 
and becoming a member of this wonderful community!”

 Armalin is filling the position left vacant by Interim Police Chief 
Jim Hunt, who has been in place since April 2019. 

 In addition to the appointment of Police Chief, the City has also 
promoted Sergeant Henry Amos to the rank of Police Captain. 
Amos’ career with the agency began as a Reserve Officer. In 2002 
he was hired as a full-time police officer and promoted to Sergeant 
in 2017. Since Amos joined Sierra Madre Police Department 
he has worked as a Field Training Officer, Police Detective, and 
Acting Lieutenant. Captain Amos’ promotion is immediate. City 
Manager Engeland said “Captain Amos has done exceptional 
work for the City and Sierra 
Madre Police Department 
and his promotion is well-
earned.” 

 Captain Amos said “I 
accept my new position with 
great pride and dedication to 
the residents and businesses 
of Sierra Madre. I look 
forward to working with 
Chief Armalin in further 
developing the department 
and working closely with the 
community.”

 Both Armalin and Amos 
are making history as the 
first African Americans 
to hold their respective 
positions in Sierra Madre.

“SIERRA MADRE THRIVES” 
OFFERS LIFELINE TO 

COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN 
NEED DURING COVID-19 
CRISIS

MVNews April 4, 2020

Beginning April 1, “Quarantine Canteen” 
rotates local restaurants offering weekly 
drive-thru dinners to anyone in need; 
volunteers offer to run errands for home-
bound neighbors

SIERRA MADRE, Calif. – March 31, 2020 – In an effort 
to help neighbors in need during the coronavirus 
crisis, a group of passionate citizens in this small foothills 
community have created “Sierra Madre Thrives,” 
a grass-roots initiative designed to offer assistance, 
support, and weekly dinners for local residents during 
the coronavirus pandemic.

The initiative was spearheaded by Mike Comer, CEO 
of Sierra Madre-based health care company Wound 
Care Advantage, who reached out to local businesses 
and friends to help. The response was fast and immediate. 
To date, dozens of businesses and volunteers 
are lending a hand to help Sierra Madre residents 
through this difficult time. Sierra Madre Thrives is 
collaborating with several local restaurants donating 
food and time to help provide free dinners every 
Wednesday throughout the crisis for any community 
member in need.



“We’re doing everything we can to get things ramped 
up quickly because our community needs help NOW, 
especially our senior citizens,” said Comer. “Our goal 
is to bring everyone together in a positive way during 
a very difficult time, and to find new ways to support 
each other. We’re open to suggestions!”

The weekly dinner service, dubbed “Quarantine Canteen,” 
will offer free or discounted boxed meals every 
week via drive-thru, beginning this Wednesday, April 
1 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Poppy Cake Baking Company, 
328 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. On April 8, the Quarantine 
Canteen will move up the street to The Only 
Place in Town restaurant. Additional participants will 
be published on the group’s website.

Sierra Madre 
residents are encouraged 
to visit 
the website to 
learn more, make 
donations to help 
cover costs, reserve 
a weekly 
meal, and find 
out about local 
business specials. 
For more 
information, or 
to reserve a meal, 
visit www.sierramadrethrives.
com

SMPD Chief Rodrick Armalin

BRENT BARTLETT NAMED SIERRA 
MADRE FIRE DEPARTMENT CHIEF