Council adopts consent calendar; approves drone replacements, grant appropriations and SCE easement

The Sierra Madre City Council adopted the consent calendar on Dec. 9, approving a package of routine items that included two ordinance second readings, multiple grant-related resolutions and a grant of easement to Southern California Edison related to a planned Tesla fast-charging installation.

Items read into the record included second readings of Ordinance 14-86 (amending fire code chapter to add the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code) and Ordinance 14-88 (a municipal code text amendment to chapter 17.72, signs), and Resolution 25-63 accepting a State Homeland Security Program subrecipient agreement (a $50,000 award) and associated FY25-26 budget adjustments. The council also approved a supplemental FY25-26 appropriation of $250,000 for internal service fund personnel and legal expenditures, and a $15,241 appropriation to the Police Department Evidence Fund for replacement drones.

Councilmembers questioned elements of the drone purchase funding: a council member asked why the appropriation ($15,241) exceeded the quoted equipment amount (about $10,515). Staff explained the appropriation would fund three replacement drones (including one heavy-duty thermal-capable unit and two indoor models), extra batteries and related accessories to replace an aging three-drone fleet.

Staff also clarified the easement to Southern California Edison is for underground equipment on the northern portion of a private-site project that will supply electricity for a Tesla fast-charging station; the easement will permit SCE access for cabling and equipment and is expected to precede a 12–16-week construction period once SCE begins work.

The consent agenda passed on a voice vote and included additional routine resolutions approving certain demands and small budget amendments.