Sierra Madre Council extends local emergency, empowers city manager to act as emergency director amid rain forecasts

The Sierra Madre City Council on Feb. 11 voted unanimously to continue the local emergency declared after the Eaton Fire and to authorize the city manager to act as the city's director of emergency services, a move city leaders said is needed to respond faster to an incoming rain event that could trigger mud and debris flows.

The action extends the council's January emergency declaration and, by ordinance, reestablishes the city manager's authority to adopt emergency executive orders without waiting for a council meeting. City Attorney Gargosian said the city manager made the request "in light of the rains that are going to begin on Wednesday and continue" and that continuing the proclamation allows staff to place an emergency discussion item on the agenda immediately.

The council and staff described operational preparations already under way. Public works crews have staged K-rails and filled sandbags at higher-risk locations; Director Yunez reported distribution of approximately 52 K-rails,…