At Sierra Madre's listening session, several speakers pressed city officials about water-system resilience, regulatory changes under discussion statewide ("Zone 0") and the need for data-driven prioritization for investments.
Glenn Hickman, an architect and long-time resident, told officials he had observed water-pipe failures on Grandview and said the city's water infrastructure and manpower constraints limited firefighting capability. He urged the city to "whiteboard" priorities and evaluate costs, saying bond measures and targeted investments could address critical vulnerabilities. Hickman also raised concern about proposed Zone 0 regulations and state-level code changes that could affect local vegetation and property management, citing the need for a reasoned, evidence-based approach.
Speakers noted conflicting guidance about vegetation: some county materials encourage removal of certain shrubs, while other experts and forestry groups list oaks as appropriate species in high-fire zones. Residents reported instances where insurance adjusters recommended removing trees; others warned against blanket removals that would harm local character.
City staff and consultants acknowledged resource constraints and said the after-action and hazard mitigation planning processes would capture infrastructure priorities and funding needs. No new funding or regulatory actions were adopted during the listening session; consultants and staff said they would document these concerns and recommend steps for Council consideration.