Sierra Madre : Water Penalties Waived
As the rain fell steadily outside, the City Council voted 3 to 2 Tuesday to waive penalties assessed to residents who exceeded 20% mandatory water reduction goals during the last two billing cycles.
Councilman Gary B. Adams cast a dissenting vote, arguing that without firm penalties, the 1991 ordinance that outlined the conservation measures might as well be suspended. “You’re saying if you don’t want to conserve, you don’t have to if someone else will,” Adams said.
Councilman Clem Bartolai also voted against it, saying canceling penalties would cause water consumption to rise.
About 30% of residents were in danger of incurring penalties for overuse, city officials said.
A public hearing on increasing the pumping charge for water was rescheduled for the council’s next meeting, Feb. 25.
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