CITY OF PASADENA
City Council Minutes
March 30, 2022 - 8:30 A.M.
City Hall Council Chamber
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING WITH
LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERVISOR KATHRYN BARGER
The special meeting was convened and held virtually by videoconference/teleconference.
OPENING:
ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers:
Staff:
Councilmember Kennedy
connected to the meeting at
8:38 a.m.
Council Minutes
Mayor Gordo called to order the special joint meeting with Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger at 8:38 a.m. The pledge of allegiance was led by Los Angeles County Supervisor Katheryn Barger.
Mayor Victor M. Gordo
Vice Mayor Andy Wilson
Councilmember Tyron Hampton
Councilmember John J. Kennedy
Councilmember Steve Madison
Councilmember Gene Masuda
Councilmember Jessica Rivas
Councilmember Felicia Williams
City Manager Steve Mermell
City Attorney/City Prosecutor Michele Beal Bagneris
City Clerk Mark Jomsky
UPDATE ON FUTURE WORK PLANNED FOR THE
COMPLETION OF THE DEVIL'S GATE RESERVOIR
RESTORATION PROJECT - PRESENTED BY LOS
ANGELES COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS
Supervisor Barger and Keith Lilley, County of Los Angeles Water Resources Manager, provided introductory comments, and
Keith Hala, Los Angeles County Public Works Stormwater
Engineer, presented a PowerPoint presentation on the Devil's Gate Reservoir Restoration project, including information on construction, habitat restoration efforts, remaining work at the Southeast entrance, and ongoing public outreach, with all responding to questions.
Mayor Gordo and the City Council thanked Supervisor Barger and her staff in addressing Pasadena residents' concerns related to the restoration project. Mayor Gordo and
Councilmember Hampton spoke on the need to upgrade or
replace the maintenance sheds on site at the Devil's Gate Reservoir.
1 03/30/2022
Council Minutes
Councilmember Kennedy asked the Los Angeles County staff to provide copies of any reports related to contaminants found in the sediment/soil removed as part of the project.
Councilmember Williams requested that the Los Angeles County staff continue to provide clear information related to on-going maintenance at Devil's Gate Reservoir for the community and the City Council.
Supervisor Barger responded that her staff will provide regular updates including future Devil's Gate Reservoir maintenance to the City Council and staff for public dissemination.
Following discussion, by consensus of the City Council, and on order of the Mayor, the information was received and filed.
INFORMATION ON PARTNERSHIPS FOR PROVIDING
HOMELESS SERVICES - PRESENTED BY PASADENA
DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, WILLIAM HUANG AND LOS
ANGELES COUNTY
William Huang, presented a PowerPoint presentation on the City's and Los Angeles County's collaborative efforts to combat homelessness and responded to questions. Cheri Todoroff, CEO of Los Angeles County's Homeless Initiative, spoke in support of continued collaborative efforts with the City, and supported increased flexibility related to utilizing Citizens For Citizens (CFC) funds towards Pasadena's housing needs, and responded to questions.
Lt. Geoffrey Deedrick, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homeless Outreach Stabilization Team (HOST) lead, and Kimberly
Barnette with Los Angeles Continuum of Care, provided
information on HOST's outreach, services and humanitarian efforts in the Pasadena area provided to individuals in homeless encampments; and responded to questions.
Mayor Gordo spoke on the issue of transients and homeless individuals that loiter at the Metro Rail stations in the City, and asked Supervisor Barger for assistance connecting with Metro representatives for additional resources to maintain and secure the train stations. He also asked the Supervisor to provide a letter of support related to Regional Housing Trust bill in order to maximize housing resources between the cities of Glendale, Burbank and Pasadena. Mayor Gordo expressed concerns with the City of Pasadena not receiving its fair share of resources 2 03/30/2022
Councilmember Williams was
excused and disconnected
from the meeting at 9:46 a.m.
Council Minutes
related to Measure H funds, and spoke on the need to address governance and resource allocation to ensure that City's like Pasadena are receiving such funds to address homelessness in their Cities.
Councilmember Madison advocated for resources to place
severely mentally ill and substance abuse homeless individuals into treatment or protective custody.
Supervisor Barger responded that Governor Gavin Newsom is taking up the issue and is currently considering a "care port" that will possibly include conservatorship, noting that L.A. County is currently building capacity to address homeless individuals that are severely mentally ill and in need of assistance under Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5150 and working with state legislatures to change laws to better serve those individuals.
Vice Mayor Wilson advocated for additional robust tools and creative methods including tiny homes and allowing affordable housing on congregational land to help severely mentally ill and substance abuse homeless individuals in the City.
Councilmember Kennedy asked Interim City Manager Kurtz to provide information on funding related to the New Pasadena Outreach Response Team (PORT) at the next City Council
meeting.
Mayor Gordo reported that he reached out to Jonathan E.
Sherin, M.D., Director of Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, and invited him to attend a City Council meeting to discuss mental health issues in the community.
The following individuals provided comments on the item:
Sonja Berndt, Pasadena resident
Anthony Manousos, Pasadena resident
Carl Selkin, representing Social Justice Committee,
Pasadena, Jewish Temple and Center
Alexander Boekelheide, representing Pasadena City
College
Pastor Kerwin Manning, Pasadena resident
Areta Crowell, Pasadena resident
Heavenly Hughes, representing My TRIBE Rise
Following discussion, by consensus of the City Council, and on order of the Mayor, the information was received and filed. 3 03/30/2022
Councilmembers Comments
Council Minutes
UPDATE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LOS ANGELES
COUNTY MEASURE J, "ALTERNATIVE TO
INCARCERATION CHARTER AMENDMENT" - PRESENTED
BY LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Supervisor Barger summarized the provisions of Measure J approved by voters, and which dedicates funding to community programs for youth development, job training, small business development, supportive housing, services and alternatives to incarceration. She noted that Measure J is now called Care First Community Investment; provided information on how the City can apply for such funds; and responded to questions.
The following individuals provided comments on the item:
Heavenly Hughes, representing My TRIBE Rise
Jane Ward, representing Showing Up for Racial Justice
Following discussion, by consensus of the City Council, and on order of the Mayor, the information was received and filed.
Councilmember Kennedy stated that he would like to agendize at a future joint meeting with Supervisor Barger a discussion on the City's water issues (i.e. safe and affordable drinking water, adequate water supplies, reservoir water project); costs associated with renovating the Pasadena Central Library and the Rose Bowl Stadium; and the need to provide additional affordable housing in collaboration with Los Angeles County, including vouchers for homeless housing, as well as support for the senior housing development project across from City Hall.
Councilmember Hampton reiterated his request to agendize at a future joint meeting with Supervisor Barger a discussion on the Los Angeles County's ability to help with the City's mental health services to the community including the youth of Pasadena.
In response to Councilmember Hampton's request, Supervisor Barger stated the she will follow up with Jonathan E. Sherin, M.D., Director of Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and coordinate with the City Council on providing information on how community members can access mental
health services in the area.
4 03/30/2022
ADJOURNMENT On order of the Mayor, the special joint meeting of the City C~adjour~ a.I 10:21 a.m.
Victor M. Gordo, Mayor
City of Pasadena
ATTEST:
City
Council Minutes 5 03/30/2022