Pasadena Raises Minimum Wage - Story on Page 6 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2016 VOLUME 10 NO. 6 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SIERRA MADRE’S AWARD WINNING SENIOR LIVING FACILITY For years, the site of what is now known as ‘The Kensington’ was an eyesore in the middle of Sierra Madre. Once the home of a skilled nursing facility and a hospital, the building sat boarded up for years while the property owners tried to find a buyer that would come up with a use that was compatible with the ambience of the town. Finally, after months of discussions and community meetings, the Kensington developers presented a plan that was overwhelmingly approved by voters (77% of those voting approving) and complying with the conditions of the city’s downtown preservation ordinance, Measure V in 2012. Construction began in 2013 and the first residents moved into the facility in February, 2015. As the physical impact of the new facility was of utmost concern to Sierra Madre Then and Now: Above Kensington Senior Living Facility on W. Sierra Madre Blvd. residents, it is with great pride that on their Photo courtesy KSL Below: The old skilled nursing facility which was an eyesore and first anniversary, the announcement thatpotential hazard inin the middle of town. Photo courtesy MVNews archives The National Association of Home Builders awarded The Kensington Sierra Madre a silver- level award at the International Builders’ Show 2016 Best of 55+ Housing Awards in Las Vegas. According to Tim McCarthy, chairman of NAHB’s 55+ Housing Industry Council, “the judges saw [among the finalists] wonderful examples of … innovative floor plans, universal design skillfully integrated into the home, communities with beautiful lifestyle amenities and homes located close to local shops, restaurants and parks.” The Kensington Sierra Madre was designed by architect HPI Architecture and interior designer Klang & Associates. Additional photographs of the Kensington architectural and interior features can be viewed on The Kensington Sierra Madre’s website photo gallery at www.thekensingtonsierramadre. com. S. Henderson/MVNews ARCADIA POLICE HAVE HANDS FULL - SIERRA MADRE MAY CONSIDER OTHER OPTIONS On Tuesday, the Arcadia City did not rule out the possibility members of the Sierra Madre Council declined Sierra Madre’s of a temporary contract with the Kiwanis Club that although the request for Arcadia to temporar- LA County Sheriff’s Department, department (SMPD) was criti- ily provide additional police ser- something that many residents cally shorthanded, they were still vices. Although the proposal had are passionately against. able to provide 24/7 police sup- the support of the Arcadia Police port to the community. He also CALENDAR Pg. 2 Chief, the council felt that with As reported in the Mountain stated that recruitment efforts the recent increase in residential Views News last week, a void has are ongoing. SIERRA MADRE NEWS burglaries, especially in North- been created in the department Pg. 3 ern Arcadia, that adding the re- with the retirement of three of- “We’re good for right now,” sponsibility of patrolling Sierra ficers on December 31st and Capoccia said. “We don’t have AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY Madre would be too much. several other officers leaving be- an issue today but if we lose cause of the city’s financial situ- more officers, we may have more Pg. 5 Sierra Madre Mayor John ation should the Utility User Tax problems.”, a sentiment that- Capoccia, as reported in the measure not pass in April. Gianonne also expressed. PASADENA/ALTADENA Pasadena Star News is quoted as saying that the city will look for Earlier Tuesday, Public Safety Related - Letters To The Editor Pg. 6 other options. In the article, he Director Larry Gianonne told Pg. 19 STOP SIGN INSTALLED ARCADIA NEWS Pg. 7 In response to residents near the intersection of E. Highland and North Mountain Trail in Sierra MONROVIA/DUARTE Pg. 7 Madre, the Public Works staff has installed the four-way stop sign. The installation included stop ahead signage and pavement markings, along with removal of interfering crosswalk warning signs. EDUCATION & YOUTH Pg. 8 STATE CONTINUES CONSERVATION REGULATIONS BEST FRIENDS SACRAMENTO – With Cali- to extend the emergency wa- compared to 2013 water use. Pg. 9 fornia still experiencing severe ter conservation regulation The revised regulation responds drought despite recent rains, should drought conditions to calls for greater consideration HEALTHY & FOOD the State Water Resources Con- persist through January 2016. of certain factors that influence trol Board (State Water Board) water use in different parts of Pg. 10 today [February 2, 2016] ad- “After four years of extreme the state, including hotter-than- THE GOOD LIFE opted an extended and revised drought, there is still a need for average climate, population emergency regulation to en- Californians to keep up their growth, and significant invest- Pg. 11 sure that urban water con- stellar conservation practices,” ments in new local, drought resil- THE ARTS servation continues in 2016. said Felicia Marcus, chair of the ient water sources such as waste- State Water Resources Control water reuse and desalination. Pg. 12 The regulation extends re- Board. “This updated regulation strictions on urban water use acknowledges that need, while Due to the severity of the water BUSINES NEWS & TRENDS through October 2016 while making adjustments in response deficits over the past four years, providing urban water suppliers to feedback from water suppli- many of California’s reservoirs Pg. 13 more flexibility in meeting their ers and others. If we continue and groundwater basins remain THE WORLD AROUND US conservation requirements. It to receive a lot of rain and snow depleted, and the need for con- Pg. 14 also directs staff to report back in February and March, we may tinued water conservation per- on additional flexibility once scale back the conservation re- sists. Today’s action serves as OPINION more complete water supply quirements further, drop them, the fourth iteration of the emer- Pg. 15 information is known in April. or move to another approach.” gency regulation since the State The action follows Governor Water Board first instituted Edmund G. Brown Jr.’s Nov. Under the revised regulation, statewide conservation require- LEGAL NOTICES 13, 2015, Executive Order di- statewide water conservation is ments in July 2014. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR recting the State Water Board expected to exceed 20 percent Pg. 17/19 2 Mountain View News Saturday, February 6, 2016 COMMUNITY CALENDAR Weather6-Day Forecast Wise Sierra Madre, Ca. Sun: Sunny Hi 80s Lows 50s Mon: Sunny Hi 80s Lows 50s Tues: Sunny Hi 80s Lows 50s Wed: Sunny Hi 80s Lows 50s Thur: Sunny Hi 80s Lows 50s Fri: Sunny Hi 80s Lows 50s Forecasts courtesy of the National Weather Service CITY OF SIERRA MADRE CALENDAR OF EVENTS Unless otherwise noted, all meetings listed below are held at City Hall 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Sierra Madre, Ca. 626-355-7135 NEXT REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Tuesday, February 9, 2016 6:30 pm 1630 AM EMERGENCY RADIO & Free on-air publicity for local events Sierra Madre’s EMERGENCY radio station is now accepting scripts for Public Service Announcements (PSAs) about community events. PSAs will be broadcast on the air at no charge. The station operates 24/7 and can be heard at 1630 on the AM dial. Any local non-profit or non-commercial organization can have their event information broadcast to the public on Sierra Madre Community Information Radio. The station covers the city of Sierra Madre, plus surrounding areas of Pasadena, Arcadia, and Monrovia. Your event must: • Benefit a non-commercial or non-profit entity • Be open to the public • Be of general interest to local citizens Just write a Public Service Announcement that describes your event and e-mail it to [email protected]. SIERRA MADRE CITY MEETINGS Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, February 9, 2016 - 6:30 pm The final agenda and staff reports will available online no later than Friday night. Enter the date “00/00/0000” for the complete agenda packet. Can’t make it to the meeting, but still want to share your thoughts? You can mail or drop off a written statement to City Hall or email [email protected] before 5:30 the night of the meeting and your statement will be delivered to all the Council Members. Upcoming Public Meetings and Events Thursday, February 11, 2016, 6:00PM Public Safety Committee Meetings Wednesday, February 17, 2016, 7:00PM Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Commission Meeting Thursday, February 18, 2016, 7:00PM Planning Commisson Meeting Monday, February 22, 2016, 6:30PM Community Services Commission Meeting Wednesday, March 2, 2016, 7:00PM Mayor’s Annual State of the City Address Tuesday, February 9, 2016, 6:30 pm City Council Meeting Planning & Community Preservation and Public Works COMMISSION AND Service Hours Monday - Thursday 7:30am - 2:00pm BOARD VACANCIES City Hall will be closed on Monday, February 15, 2016 in The City encourages its resi- observance of the Presidents’ Day holiday. dents to apply for positions on City commissions and boards. Sierra Madre City Hall 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Sierra This is a great opportunity for Madre, CA 91024 (626) 355-7135 Sierra Madre residents to get in- volved in the community. There are six commissioners or board members that will com- plete their terms on June 30, CALLING ALL 2015; leaving vacancies. Applica- tions for these commissions or VOLUNTEERS! boards are available at City Hall or on the City’s website at www. WISTARIA FESTIVAL 2016 cityofsierramadre.com. Com- pleted applications should be PLANNING MEETING submitted to the City Manager’s Office at City Hall. The following vacancies will be Wednesday, February 10th available on July 1, 2016: • Community Services Com- Hart Park House - mission – Two (2) Vacancies Memorial Park • Community Services Com- mission – One (1) Youth Va- Call 626-355-5111 cancy (Open to ages 13-17 only) for more information.