Mountain View News Saturday, April 25, 2026 
1414 SUPPORTSUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSESYOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES 
Mountain View News Saturday, April 25, 2026 
1414 SUPPORTSUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSESYOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES 
City of Sierra Madre MOBILITY DEVICES (continued from page 3) 


ORDINANCE NO. 1492 

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SIERRA MADRE, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 5.24 (BINGO GAMES) TO TITLE 5 
(BUSINESS LICENSES AND REGULATIONS) OF THE SIERRA MADRE MUNICIPAL CODE TO AUTHORIZE AND REGULATE 
BINGO GAMES 

RECITALS 

WHEREAS, Section 19(c) of the California Constitution authorizes the Legislature by statute to permit cities to provide bingo games 
for charitable purposes; and 

WHEREAS, California Penal Code Section 326.5 provides that bingo games may be conducted by certain nonprofit organizations when 
authorized by a local ordinance and conducted in compliance with state law; and 

WHEREAS, Section 9.16.010 of the Sierra Madre Municipal Code prohibits gambling within the City except where specifically authorized 
by law;
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to authorize and regulate bingo games conducted by qualified nonprofit organizations in order to 
ensure such activities are conducted for charitable purposes and in compliance with applicable law.
THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIERRA MADRE, CALIFORNIA, DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: 

SECTION 1. Recitals. The Recitals above are true and correct and incorporated herein by this reference. 

SECTION 2. Addition. Chapter 5.24 (Bingo Games) of Title 5 (Business Licenses and Regulations) of the Sierra Madre Municipal Code 
is amended to a read as follows. 

Chapter 5.24 – Bingo Games

5.24.010 AuthorityThis chapter is enacted pursuant to Article IV, Section 19(c) of the California Constitution and California Penal Code Section 326.5 
authorizing local governments to permit bingo games conducted for charitable purposes by qualified nonprofit organizations. 
5.24.020 Definitions 
For purposes of this chapter: 
“Bingo game” means a game of chance in which prizes are awarded on the basis of numbers or symbols on a card that correspond to 
numbers or symbols selected at random and announced by a live caller. 

“Organization” means a nonprofit organization exempt from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code and California Revenue and 
Taxation Code as specified in California Penal Code Section 326.5.
“Permittee” means an organization authorized by the City to conduct bingo games pursuant to this chapter. 

5.24.030 Eligible OrganizationsOnly the following organizations may apply for a permit to conduct bingo games: 
1. Nonprofit organizations exempt from taxation under California Revenue and Taxation Code 23701 et seq. or Section 501 of 
the Internal Revenue Code. 
2. Nonprofit senior citizen organizations. 
3. Charitable organizations affiliated with Pasadena Unified School District. 
4. Charitable organizations associated with private schools within the City of Sierra Madre.
All bingo proceeds must be used solely for charitable purposes. 
5.24.040 Permit RequiredA nonprofit organization shall not conduct or operate a bingo game within the City unless it has obtained a bingo permit from the City. 
A bingo permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall be valid only for the location specified in the permit. 

5.24.050 ApplicationApplications for bingo permits shall be submitted to the City on forms provided by the City and shall include: 
1. Proof of nonprofit tax-exempt status 
2. The name and address of the organization 
3. The location where bingo games will be conducted 
4. The names of persons responsible for conducting the games 
5. Any additional information required by the City Manager or Police Chief 
5.24.060 Permit Fee 
The City may charge a permit fee not to exceed $50 annually, consistent with California Penal Code Section 326.5(l). 
The City may also recover actual costs for law enforcement or public safety services related to bingo activities.

5.24.070 Operational RequirementsAll bingo games conducted within the City shall comply with the following:
1. Bingo games shall be open to the public. 
2. Games shall be conducted only on property owned, leased, or donated for use by the nonprofit organization or the City ofSierra Madre. 
3. The games shall be operated only by members of the organization conducting the games. 
4. Members operating the game shall not receive any wage, salary, or profit from the bingo games. 
5. Security personnel may be paid from the revenues of bingo games, in accordance with state law. 
6. All players must be physically present at the location where the bingo game is conducted. 
7. Minors shall not participate in bingo games. 
8. The value of prizes shall not exceed $500 per game. 
9. The permittee shall include the identification number of the permit issued on any bingo advertisements. 
5.24.080 Financial Controls 
Organizations conducting bingo games shall: 
1. Maintain accurate records of all bingo receipts and expenditures. 
2. Deposit all bingo proceeds in a separate account used solely for bingo operations. 
3. Use proceeds only for charitable purposes, prizes, permitted overhead expenses, and license fees as authorized by state law. 
5.24.090 Inspection and EnforcementThe City Manager, Police Chief, or their authorized representatives may inspect any bingo game or related records to ensure compliance 
with this chapter and state law. A bingo permit may be suspended or revoked for: 
1. Violation of California Penal Code Section 326.5 
2. Violation of any provision of this chapter 
3. False statements in the permit application 
4. Conduct that is injurious to the public welfare 
5.24.110 Relationship to Gambling ProhibitionNothing in this chapter shall be interpreted to authorize any form of gambling not expressly permitted under California Penal Code 
Section 326.5. 
All other gambling activities remain prohibited within the City. 
SECTION 3. CEQA. The City Council finds that adoption of this ordinance is not a project under the California Environmental Quality 
Act because per 14 CCR 15378(b)(5) it involves administrative regulatory actions that will not result in physical changes to the 
environment. 

SECTION 4. Severability. If any sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance or any part 
hereof or exhibit hereto is for any reason held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this 
Ordinance or any part thereof or exhibit thereto. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed each section, subsection, 
subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase hereof, irrespective of the fact that anyone or more sections, subsections, subdivisions, 
paragraph, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared invalid. 

SECTION 5. Certification. Pursuant to Government Code Section 36932, the City Clerk shall certify the passage, approval, and adoption 
of this Ordinance by the City Council. 

SECTION 6. Publication. Pursuant to Government Code Section 36933, the City Clerk shall cause this Ordinance to be published or 
posted. 

SECTION 7. Records. Pursuant to Government Code Section 40801, proof of certification and publication shall be entered in the book 
of Ordinances of the City Council. 

SECTION 8. Effective Date. Pursuant to Government Code Section 36937, this Ordinance shall take effect thirty days after its adoption. 

PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 14th day of April, 2026. 

I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Ordinance was introduced by first reading on the 24th day of March, 2026, and duly adopted at 
a regular meeting held on the 14th day of April, 2026, by the City Council of the City of Sierra Madre, California, by the following vote: 
AYES: Mayor Kristine Lowe, Mayor Pro Tem Gene Goss, Council Members Edward Garcia, Kelly Kriebs, Robert Parkhurst 

NOES: None. 
ABSENT: None. 
ABSTAINED: None. 

Laura Aguilar, City ClerkCity of Sierra Madre, CA 

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• 
Age Limits: Consistent with state law, riders must be at least 16 years old to operate 
Class 3 e-bikes. 
• 
Parking Regulations: Establishes rules to prevent improper parking of vehicles in publicrights-of-way. 
• 
Parks and Public Spaces: Expands existing regulations to cover 
• 
electric mobility devices in parks and recreation areas. 
• 
Enforcement Measures: Violations would follow a progressive enforcement model,
beginning with warnings and escalating to administrative citations. Repeat offenders maybe required to complete a bicycle safety training course. 
The ordinance also includes provisions allowing authorities to impound devices that are abandoned 
or improperly left in public areas. 

Education and Outreach Efforts 

In addition to enforcement, the Sierra Madre Police Department is preparing a public education 
campaign focused on safe riding practices. Planned efforts include school-based presentations, 
online resources, and community outreach initiatives.
The campaign may also incorporate partnerships with safety experts and will likely be featured 
during the city’s Community Bike Ride Day scheduled for April 18, 2026.
Officials emphasize that education will play a critical role in ensuring compliance and reducingaccidents. 

Next Steps

If introduced on March 24, the ordinance is expected to return to the City Council for a second 
reading and potential adoption on April 14, 2026. If approved, it would take effect on May 14,2026. 

City staff notes that the ordinance aligns with Sierra Madre’s broader strategic goals of improving 
traffic safety and promoting active transportation. Officials also stated that the measure will not 
have an environmental impact and will not require additional funding beyond existing budget 
allocations. 

As cities across California grapple with the rapid growth of micromobility, Sierra Madre’s proposed 
ordinance reflects a local effort to balance innovation and convenience with public safety. The 
second reading of the Ordinance will take place on April 28 during the next regular City Council 
meeting. 


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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