[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6186843,"mediaKeyId","5074138-3d62a46741e093e2c1d4a71a08c2f36c","parentId",5074138,"title","Clean Power Alliance outlines local programs; Sierra Madre among high‑participation cities","audioSeconds",2874,"startMs",4271000,"endMs",7145000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074138-3d62a46741e093e2c1d4a71a08c2f36c&start=4271&end=7145","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074138-3d62a46741e093e2c1d4a71a08c2f36c/thumbnail_4271000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6186843/Sierra-Madre-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Clean-Power-Alliance-outlines-local-programs-Sierra-Madre-among-highparticipation-cities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186843-81436ce1221fcf82d99c40701f416566/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137092&Signature=B-Wt5GsvslSG20uoaMKAmaVi07-43-ms6P-nC8oj9~-Aavu7RoPJSXD7uqOZ5DK9BouKQ9COArJQ~0WtvQqQW1hDt2UewtrXSbaa0IBgWLk1rC89f7T1z6v7lm-pzWniAINUEbo9YZC6sWTeSezm6sneaGV1yCEyOmm~6epz6dPD4LVs8hxo21SJVbFV9wYP0J1vCEw-BW4FxFsefvXeiiMcElh40AAEdv5ybaf7L7VYMz1mOjntiWQgkjkUatOWuv5gKcHsMkDhmJVgjvgOgAfvrjpwWrstUZkEuErfZ2pnuIhKlT5Fpkt3mtyM-17C972PocRSN4iL7snxqNFjkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Sierra Madre CA","date","2025-06-25T16:19:47Z","article","A representative of Clean Power Alliance (CPA) presented program options and local investments to the Sierra Madre City Council on June 24 and told the council the city’s customers show among the highest participation in CPA’s green‑power products.

Dahlia Gomez of Clean Power Alliance described CPA as “a not for profit electricity provider, a joint powers authority” that serves member jurisdictions in Los Angeles and Ventura counties and reinvests revenue into local programs for resilience, electrification and clean‑energy procurement.

Gomez said the city’s CPA participation rate is 91%, with 92% of participating accounts enrolled on CPA’s 100% green product, and that the city had avoided an estimated 82,000,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions under CPA’s portfolio. She also summarized CPA programs available to Sierra Madre residents and the city, including the Power Ready resiliency program (solar plus battery storage for critical facilities), Pathways to Electrification grants (up to $250,000 per member agency), EV Smart Charge incentives for residential smart charging, and the Solar and Battery Access program for eligible low‑income homeowners.

Gomez said CPA will support a solar-plus-battery installation at the City Hall/Police/Fire complex, with construction anticipated to start in September 2025 and an expected operation date in August 2026. She also highlighted CPA’s procurement record: 56 long‑term contracts totaling some 2,500 megawatts of renewable energy and nearly 2,000 megawatts of battery storage.

Council members asked questions about assistance options for residents with medical baseline needs and battery‑backup options for customers who rely on electricity for medical devices; Gomez said CPA offers the Sun Storage rebate (rebates up to $750 for eligible chargers and adders for low‑income and high fire‑severity customers) and the Energy Team service for electrification advice. She advised residents to consult Southern California Edison regarding the medical baseline program administered through that utility and said CPA has targeted programs for low‑income customers.

No council action was required; the presentation was informational and staff and CPA agreed to continue coordination on local resiliency projects.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sierra Madre City Council | June 24, 2025 | Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","A Clean Power Alliance representative presented local electrification and resilience programs to the Sierra Madre City Council on June 24 and noted a 91% participation rate in the city's service area, along with planned solar-plus-storage resilience projects for City Hall and public safety facilities.","taxTitle","Sierra Madre City, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",72183,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6186848,"Sierra Madre staff propose limited exemptions to demolition review to speed post‑Eaton Fire recovery",1942,5478000,7420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074138-3d62a46741e093e2c1d4a71a08c2f36c&start=5478&end=7420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074138-3d62a46741e093e2c1d4a71a08c2f36c/thumbnail_5478000.jpg","/articles/6186848/Sierra-Madre-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Sierra-Madre-staff-propose-limited-exemptions-to-demolition-review-to-speed-postEaton-Fire-recovery","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186848-f59cd7f009a573e396a1cf78cf6ca39c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137092&Signature=btJT6WDGqYr~9QJ~Dq0XgjD3f8w1~1Ah~OS2IdIUriDgiGLsdxhmD63zBRGMPpakQpXvjArixSQnRj2jUQ0J1hwqGuFsDHs7kaWVZAZTGVciruMpwKHOAfQaq04zBnvRWpPgViZD08yM30cuwF4oTGA36E6b9scOCgwYacpobYAr8-4NhHUemyhvOMIOnvRG9I4wCY3r~dZF5YzcthTiOiTJ4n-RFZ2hJDmTq8An25sOkld2q7wk2SShr0kwHCq-P40UP9QEuLNXRy0CF6Knuq62R4y~CsZFzmQgzgU5S30168maKwuojCPYpgiLNszJ5f1w0luOi7Cg-xF1fNojHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff on June 24 asked the City Council to authorize work on ordinance changes to ease the permit process that currently applies to structures 75 years or older, so homeowners can proceed faster with fire‑related remediation and home hardening after the Eaton Fire.

Senior Planner Joshua Wolf opened the discussion by describing the tension between Sierra Madre’s discretionary demolition permit process and the need to remediate soot, ash and other fire‑related damage or to install fire‑resistant replacements for older materials. “To put it very simply, it's a special approval process required before tearing down any structure 75 years or older,” Wolf said, summarizing the code threshold that triggers historic review.

Wolf told the council the Discretionary Demolition Permit regulations implement the General Plan and were adopted after a 2015 interim moratorium; the city did not complete a planned citywide historic survey because the bids exceeded budget. He said that of the roughly 1,811 properties that meet the 75‑year threshold, 1,585 have not been assessed under the code and the city currently averages about 25 historic assessments per year. Using current rates, Wolf said, completing the backlog would take decades; staff estimated a typical historic resource evaluation costs $1,660 and that the combined assessment plus discretionary review can add four to five weeks to a permit timeline.

Wolf presented five alternatives, and staff recommended two steps: (1) prepare a code amendment to add specific exceptions for narrowly defined remediation and home‑hardening work (for example, work that is not visible from public view or is not necessary to accommodate an expansion), and (2) streamline the Certificate of Economic Hardship process. The staff recommendation was explicitly intended to preserve the city’s historic‑resource protections while allowing practical, fire‑resilient repairs to proceed without the full discretionary review chain.

Council discussion covered several related options: capping the rolling 75‑year threshold at a single date, narrowing exceptions by neighborhood or development pattern, limiting exceptions to work triggered by documented Eaton Fire damage (insurance claim or building official tag), and including sunset dates for any emergency or temporary relief. Council members expressed interest in protecting clearly significant architectural resources while avoiding large, citywide backlogs of review that could impede routine repairs or resiliency upgrades.

After extended debate, council members directed staff to take the recommended approach to the Planning Commission—draft ordinance language that creates narrowly tailored exceptions for fire remediation and home hardening, defines objective criteria for those exceptions, and proposes streamlining the economic‑hardship pathway. Staff said they will return with a Planning Commission recommendation and draft ordinance language; no ordinance was adopted at the June 24 meeting.

The council also asked staff to consider community outreach and to identify objective standards (for example, visibility from public right‑of‑way or documented post‑fire structural intrusion) so the exceptions remain tightly targeted.","Senior Planner Joshua Wolf asked the City Council June 24 to direct staff to draft code changes creating narrow exemptions to the Discretionary Demolition Permit process so home hardening and fire‑related remediation on older homes can proceed more quickly; council gave staff direction to work with the Planning Commission on options.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6186853,"Sierra Madre reports spike in bear home entries; police, Fish and Wildlife coordinating response",2450,1037000,3487000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074138-3d62a46741e093e2c1d4a71a08c2f36c&start=1037&end=3487","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074138-3d62a46741e093e2c1d4a71a08c2f36c/thumbnail_1037000.jpg","/articles/6186853/Sierra-Madre-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Sierra-Madre-reports-spike-in-bear-home-entries-police-Fish-and-Wildlife-coordinating-response","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186853-5ca054a8df6e94785a9860135c74b993/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137092&Signature=j82uE5fEm0GRvZn7AdpKTIDs8KI0~cjjW2YNCsRpyyveOQ0lGXMuBlsY~gNshrOLY~FS0HSVBf1J2Dd-JKhsVEAB1waZFhEMLdXEK4EYAd9~GSnHojsfQJu~6mIYomN1ziKvtpkCDTD9PehrbuJ1QKc-3YyuxqtLXcY1TiifWx5A3IWFsYqAskXNbzF6bM71aG57ep8~LtlrgqR-yIviNed5rlOWBunLiQ6kj31H2jB7QMEMX~VhAplMNzGK9rg0NdVmEaBoyZsLZbs9a~uGvf6aXTJFLPjfWsdGXI4nMSDdldrxmJf6hIsn~pbtG1a6fIpBn73l7mlP~Du-COSKWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sierra Madre officials reported a sharp rise in bear home entries during June 2025 and urged residents to secure trash, pet food and unlocked bins while the city coordinates with California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and volunteer groups.

Mayor Robert Parkhurst briefed the council on bear activity and public safety, and Police Chief Barrientos gave a detailed update on June call volumes, enforcement steps and ongoing trapping efforts.

Police Chief Barrientos said the city is responding to all bear reports and working with CDFW and the volunteer group Bear Lovers of Sierra Madre. “This month alone, we have had 28 confirmed bear entries into homes and 9 attempted entries,” Barrientos said. He described that total as “more than double the number of home entries from last year” for June and said officers are responding as the lead local public-safety agency when bears pose an immediate threat.

Barrientos also gave year-to-date figures: 148 bear-related calls in 2025 compared with 151 at the same point in 2024, and noted the unusual concentration of home entries in June. He said CDFW identified two habituated bears that are the focus of trap deployments and that Fish and Wildlife has placed at least one trap in Sierra Madre and is preparing a second in the city’s northern area.

Officers described tactics used when bears enter residences: Barrientos said officers try to give an exit, avoid cornering the animal and, when necessary, use pepper ball projectiles or 40 mm rubber rounds to redirect a bear outside. He said the department uses drones for situational awareness and emphasized that officers will not euthanize a bear except in an imminent-life-threat situation; CDFW has responsibility for depredation permits and euthanasia decisions.

Volunteer group Bear Lovers of Sierra Madre said their outreach includes posting education material at local businesses, running a “Little Li Berry” mini-library with bear-safety books, and conducting curbside checks of bear-resistant trash bin latches. Michelle Tremblay of Bear Lovers of Sierra Madre told the council her volunteers found that in a recent sample about 52% of curbside bins were latched down but not locked; she encouraged residents to report faulty bins to the hauler Athens for replacement.

Chief Barrientos urged residents to secure attractants and said nonemergency reports can be submitted through the city’s wildlife reporting form; immediate threats should be reported to 911. Council members said they would schedule further discussion and outreach to ensure residents feel supported while CDFW and local partners pursue trapping and other measures.

No formal council action or ordinance was taken at the June 24 meeting; the council asked staff to continue coordination with CDFW and community partners and to consider additional public-safety outreach.","City officials said June 24 that Sierra Madre has seen a sharp increase in bear entries into homes in June 2025 and described ongoing coordination with California Department of Fish and Wildlife and volunteer groups to trap habituated animals and reduce attractants.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6186857,"Sierra Madre honors City Manager Jose Reynoso after 15 years of service",1220,1177000,2397000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074138-3d62a46741e093e2c1d4a71a08c2f36c&start=1177&end=2397","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074138-3d62a46741e093e2c1d4a71a08c2f36c/thumbnail_1177000.jpg","/articles/6186857/Sierra-Madre-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Sierra-Madre-honors-City-Manager-Jose-Reynoso-after-15-years-of-service","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6186857-ade09fa127bef9d023f8b6f174d7762f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137092&Signature=JElTNgd7dHSnV~ZflLfeqzGORKAaVA2X8Fs5jh4rmmy3bFLt8Sg5yPY90TvDgMxpB4fs~n~2tsPJZ8fAjQggzarcFqZVQDcDKw9NGuMAcI3KbCbzZN3GWWPg4t9XnpiHzXwwEsReLZHlcBUfyayav~pVSUcc8E0rLVbRsvhM4ADlO-qUAaOfkqwYmbOHdSec6lgdtVJp2YuCHmUfR5KUF0elBttg3Tnca~ehApOVMdsT8XcOoIGpHu0h-EoVQnWpF8iRJ8FAiVHuJDg1Rp6Ezskab~2NVMqsMLq0YZulr~-PB4Im~grWwp71ZeZF4P21qZbqoJ6bhe5VrCpS7m0ZSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council of the City of Sierra Madre on June 24 recognized City Manager Jose Reynoso for more than 15 years of service and presented a proclamation marking his appointment as general manager of the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District.

Council members and visiting elected officials praised Reynoso’s leadership in water system upgrades, emergency response and staff development, saying his tenure included major projects from water main replacement to library expansion.

Mayor Robert Parkhurst outlined utilities achievements during a ceremony that drew more than a dozen speakers, calling Reynoso “a creative problem solver” who “created an emergency connection to the Metropolitan Water District” and led installation of what the mayor described as “more than 40,000 linear feet of new water pipelines.” The proclamation text presented at the meeting additionally states a figure of 35,000 linear feet and cites $8,000,000 invested in upgrades; both figures were referenced in council remarks and the proclamation.

Former and current local, state and federal representatives offered certificates and remarks. Maile Plan, director of outreach for Congresswoman Judy Chu, presented a certificate of congressional recognition. Darla Dyson delivered a certificate from Senator Sasha Renee Perez’s office, and Declan Floyd read remarks from Assembly Member John Harabedian.

Reynoso, who began work for Sierra Madre in February 2010 and became city manager in 2021, described his family and staff as central to his work and thanked city employees and volunteers. He listed projects during his remarks including the library expansion, water infrastructure modernization, Tesla supercharger installations downtown and the city’s emergency operations improvements.

Councilmembers praised Reynoso’s work on emergency preparedness, water-loss reduction and staff mentorship. Council member Edward Garcia recounted Reynoso’s role in making the City’s Emergency Operations Center functional and in filling reservoirs ahead of storms; Garcia said those steps preserved system pressures during a subsequent fire response.

The council presented plaques and other gifts; no formal council motion or vote on personnel action was recorded at the meeting for Reynoso’s new appointment. The council held a reception following the proclamation for residents and staff.

City staff said Reynoso’s departure to the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District will be followed by transition planning; the council did not set personnel next-steps at the June 24 meeting.

The City Council acknowledged the presentation concluded and resumed other business on the agenda.","Sierra Madre City Council presented a proclamation and public tributes to City Manager Jose Reynoso on June 24, 2025, recognizing his 15 years with the city and his new appointment as general manager of the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Clean Power Alliance outlines local programs; Sierra Madre among high‑participation cities

Sierra Madre staff propose limited exemptions to demolition review to speed post‑Eaton Fire recovery

Sierra Madre reports spike in bear home entries; police, Fish and Wildlife coordinating response

Sierra Madre honors City Manager Jose Reynoso after 15 years of service