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Council approves MOU with Los Angeles County to administer Phase 2 private-property debris removal
Summary
As part of the consent agenda, the council executed a memorandum of understanding with Los Angeles County to administer right-of-entry forms for Phase 2 of private-property debris removal. City staff said the MOU reduces the administrative burden on city staff and explained Phase 1 versus Phase 2 work and opt-out implications for some parcels.
The Sierra Madre City Council approved a memorandum of understanding with the County of Los Angeles to administer the right-of-entry program required for Phase 2 of the private-property debris removal program.
The council adopted the MOU as part of a six-item consent agenda. City staff said executing the agreement with the county will relieve the city from coordinating directly with the Army Corps of Engineers and other agencies for Phase 2 work, which involves major demolition on private parcels.
Staff described the distinction between Phase 1 and Phase 2: Phase 1 focused on household hazardous waste removal and was carried out by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Phase 2 — managed through the Army Corps of Engineers if property owners opt in — covers major demolition, soil removal and hazardous-tree removal. Staff said Phase 1 is complete in most places, though some parcels were not cleared because structures were unsafe for EPA crews; those parcels have been moved to Phase 2. The council was told at least one property had opted out already and two other parcels may opt out; those parcels would require the city to administer demolition work under existing city demolition ordinances unless owners change their decision.
During discussion, council members asked whether the MOU signaled that Phase 2 work would accelerate. Staff said the MOU removes a potential administrative barrier but cautioned it did not guarantee faster completion; the Army Corps is advancing work from central areas outward, which may place Sierra Madre later in the sequence. The council asked staff to continue coordinating with the county task force and to report updates to the public.
The council approved the MOU and the related consent item without separate roll-call debate; the consent agenda also included other administrative items that were approved at the same time.
